THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Volume 15, Issue 1562, 15 October 1881, Page 19

THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pdok.

[Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements and doings are respectfully invited"]

The Dunedin Garrick Club's performance in aid of the Southern Russian Jewish relief fund will take place at the Princess on the 7th prox. " Not such a Fool as he Looks " has been selected. Mr Bracken and Mr Scherek lend their assistance.

The Pollard children reappeared at the Queen's, Dunedin, on Wednesday evening, and were cordially received by a full houße. Notice of " Lea Cloches " is reserved.

I hear that a number of amateurs, many of whom have already appeared in public, intend producing the "Hunchback" very shortly. The costumes are said to be very elaborate ; and the piece is to be mounted with a completeness rarely known to amateur representations in this city. I am indebted to the Tablet for this translation from an Italian paper of an account of Signor Salvini's (Mr Arthur Borrows) appearance in " Favorita":— The tenor, Arthur Salvini, is a young man, a beginner, indeed, on the stage, but no tyro of the school, since in the difficult part of Fernando he has succeeded in making the public appreciate his beautiful silvery voice, and in leaving nothing to be desired as to artistic musical requirements and intonation, consequently he obtained well merited applause in every piece, whether solo or concerted. In fact there is in Signor Arthur Salvini the stuff of a finished artist ; his sweet and flexible voice, trained in the best school, touches the heart and causes immense delight. His intonation is something admirable, his pronunciation is clear, and his accentuation is such as to satisfy all the requirements of the vocal art." The Scherek concert party gave concerts at Oamaru on Monday and Tuesday evenings, being assisted by Mr George Jones. In all the towns they have visited they have earned unmeasured praise for the high quality of the music they have discoursed, and the excellent manner in which they interpreted it, but the audiences, while very enthusiastic, were never very large. Cary's company have drawn good houses at Wellington with " Lea Cloches." One evening last week, Lady Gordon and suite being present, all the principal numbers were encored, and the "Housemaids' Chorus" received a triple encore. The local papers condemn the introduction of a stepdanco in the maypole scene, and the insatiable demand of the pit for repetitions. This dance was also thrice repeated. The general result was that the performance was not over till near midnight. It is probable that the company will stay in Wellington a few days longer than was intended, owing to the steamer arrangements not suiting. Mr Carey has put tho " Sorcerer" into rehearsal. Miss Pomeroy's company continue to do satisfactory business at Christchurch. " A Winter's Tale " has been the attraction this week.

Mr Gordon Gooch's amateur opera class in Auckland intend to produce either "Lurline" or the " Bohemian Girl."

The Observer, which is not given (ol late) to speak well of Pollard's children, Bays that they took £450 in six nights at Napier. Miss Ethel Adelle has heen so ill from pleurisy that she has been ordered to Melbourne. At Napior she was so bad that she had to be carried from the steamer.

Mr Love had the hardihood to run his juveniles against the Pomeroy at Christchurch. Two performances were sufficient.

Manager Beattie claims £30 from Miss Pomeroy for breach of agreement in June last. Tho Pomeroy season at Christchurch closes on October 24th ; the Minstrels follow till November 4th, when Mr Towle'B amateurs get possession ; and Mr DeLias, with the Montagu-Turner company, has the house for December and January.

It takes little guessing to hit at the person who is referred to in the following paragraph from tho Canterbury Times as having joined the majority :— " We hear that a well-known opera bouffe company will shortly bo disbanded, the manager having found it necessary to seek the protection of the Bankruptcy Court." George Musgrove will not allow "Madame Favart" to bo performed unless his rights are purchased, consequently Mr Towle's company will have to confine their attention during race week to " Madame Angot" and " The Chimes." The Canterbury Times says that Lecocq's opera will be thus cast :— Lange, Mrs Digby ; Clairette, Mrs Hooper ; Pitou, Mr Fox ; Larivadiere, Mr Monk ; Trenitz, Mr Newman. My Auckland correspondent wired on Wednesday : — " During the week Mr Leakc has been playing a round of well-known characters to bad business. There is nothing else theatrical to report from hero."

Australian.

The "Tambour Major," aa plajcd by Mra Lewis' Juveniles, is thus cast : Stella, Anno Mtiu (who played Hebe and afterwards Josephine); Capitainc Robert, Chrissy Poachy; Griolet, Flora Grapner (the original Josep'.hio) ; The Tambour Major, Bertie Israel (the original Boatswain) ; the Duke della Volta, Willie Driscoll (a former Deadeye) ; Bambini, Alice Whalley. The Age speaks in anything but com.

plimentary terras of the Juveniles performing "The Drum Major" in Melbourne. "Singing," says the writer of the notice of the first performance, " which ranged between a squeak and squawk, produced a discord which was a torture to the musical ear. Many of the young performers are of an age when, for physical reasons, it is desirable that the voice should not be forced. An opera with performers who cannot sing, who have little or no conception of the meaning of the wonls that they utter, and whose actions are not in keepin-' with the characters they represent, cannot be others iso than a failure. Perhaps Mrs Lewis was desirous of showing how utterly vapid French opera bouffe can be made, and in this aspect only can we congratu ate her on her success 1 " " Madame Favart " is drawing excellent audiences at the Sydney Theatre Royal, and will keep the boards until the departure of Mr Musgrove's company for Melbourne. The Sydney Morning Herald says of the new work:— "Miss Patty Laverne did fairly well in ' Olivette,' and better in ' La Fille dv Tambour Major' ; but in ' Madame Favart ' she eclipses both, and, indeed, acts in better style than either of the other two had led us to expect from her. The part, with its half-dozen changes of dress and identity, its effective business, and its constant bustle and life, suits her, as well as the music suits her voice; and she has the ■wisdom to avoid in it anything like exaggeration, so that her Madame Favart is really a brilliant creation of the opera-bouffe school, and has already become popular. In her protean changeß she is flret a Tyrolese minstrel, then a piquanto littlo soubrette, then a grande dame in rustling brocade and dainty lace, next an old crone of high degree, afterwards a Tyrolese pedlar boy, and last of all an actress as Venus, resplendent in white satin and shimmering silver fringes. In each of these she succeeds in maintaining a distinct individuality." The part of Charles Favart is a splendid study on the part of Mr Fred. Mervin, who has almost entirely recovered from Mb recent indisposition. His acting ia spirited throughout. The other parts are thus filled : Suzanne, Miss Nellie Stewart ; Marquis de Pont Sable, H. Harwood; Hector de Boiapreau, F Brenner ; Colignac, H. Grundy; Biscolin, John Wallace. The scenery is not up to Royal quality ; but then George Gordon is no longer in Sydney. Kowalski's work "Vercingetorix" hag been very favourably noticed by the Melbourne Press. Signor Lusietti is said to have been very badly cast, but Signor Riccardi, who was Ambrokind, a Druid, and Vercingetorix'a rival, came in for high praise, one paper saying of him : — "Accurate intonation, perfectly clear enunciation, and good phrasing, were .specially acceptable attributes of this gentleman's performance, and we are glad to welcome Signor Riccardi again to the city as a genuine artist whose capacity manes his co-operation a valuable addition to any concert programme or operatic cast." A strange character has ended her existence in the Melbourne Gaol. Blanche Wittoski, aged 40, was, in her prime, one of the most accomplished pianists and linguists who ever visited the Colonies. She belonged to a good family in England, and as governess to one of the aristocratic families she made the "grand tour." She afterwarda came out to Australia aa governess to the family of one of tho Colonial Governors, but for the last few years Bhe fell, and became addicted to drink. Ever since she has continually come in contact with the Melbourne police, and served numerous sentences for vagrancy. On the 16th May she was again sent to gaol for six months. Pinero's comedy of " The Money Spinner " has been produced with considerable success at Brisbane by Mr Reeves' company. Strange to say " Diplomacy," though well cast and put on the boards, was very coldly received by the Brisbaneitea, the houses barely paying expenses. Mr Alfred Plumpton has just completed a cantata composed expressly for the Melbourne Liedertafel on a poem written by Mr Edwin Exon. The title of the work ia the "Apotheosis of Hercules," and it is dedicated to Herr Julius Siede. The cantata ia to be produced at the general concert given by the Society. Edwin Kelly is to replace Fred Mervin as Charles Favart. Mr Mervin's continued ill health renders his temporary retirement from active work an absolute necessity. The Montagu-Turner company did immense business at Newcastle.

Profesßor Haaelmayer was last heard of at Grafton, N.S.W. Mr Dewhurst concluded his engagement at the Queen's, Sydney, and was succeded by Mr Reynolds in " Tried and Tru«," on October Ist. The pieco was well received by a full house. Weodruffe'a Glass-blowers are in Melbourne.

The Mendelnsohn Quintette Club opened at tho Sydney Masonic Hall on October Ist before a large and fashionable audience. A telegram to the Argus sayg ;— " The Club consists of five musicians oflthe first rank, who play with marvellous precision. The performances of Herr Frederick Giese (violincellist) and Herr Schintzler (violinist) are of a class larely heard in Sydney. Miss Cora Miller, the vocalist of the company, possesses a good .mezzo-soprano voice, and she established herself as a favourite. The audience was enthusiastic in its applause, and almost every item in the programme was re-demanded." Signor Giammona, the flautist who accompanied De Murska in her New Zealand tour, has been getting into trouble in Melbourne. Thinking Mr Alfred Moul, the Age's musical critic, was the writer of an article in that paper that unfavourably criticised his (Giammona's) mass, he accosted him in ALui's music warehouse, and struck him over the head with a stick. A Court case will likely result.

Mr Harkina as Hamlet ia much admired in Melbourne. The Age considers him ono of the beat exponents of Shakespeare Melbourne has seen for some time; and the Argus says of tho new actor: -"To sum up the performance, this is not a picturesque 1 Hamlet.' It does not take captive the imagination or enchain the feelings It is deficient in fire, vigour, and impulse. The highly sensitive, passionate nature of the Prince of Denmark is not depicted with sufficient emotional tension to enthral, and none of the tumultuous overpowering effects which are capable of being produced with the character are ever reached. On the other hand, the impersonation is entirely free from stayiness or exaggeration ; the soliloquies aro given clearly and naturally, and with just emphasis, and Mr Harkins has always remembered that Hamlet should be more a gentleman than an actor. The representation is well calculated to awaken fresh interest in this tragedy, and to send us with a new zest to the study of the great master." 1 Despite strong counter attraction in the person of a new Hamlet, Herr Bandmann commenced his management in Melbourne under very favourable auspices. On October 3rd the Opera House in that city was filled in every part to witness him in his favourite role of Narcisse, and the Melbournites accorded an enthusiastic reception to him, to Miss Beaudet, and to Miss Juno. Of Miss Beaudet's Quinault the Argus speaks very flatteringly, saying :— " It requires an actress with French blood in her veins to play such a part as that of Doris Quinault with becoming verve, and with that combination of elegance and chic which would characterise her. Miss Beaudet fulfils both these requirements. She is, to borrow three alliterative words from the French vocabulary, jwtitc, l>iquante, et petillante. She is full of animation, mobility, and sparkle; and she knows the value of by-play. When Narcisse is telling her the story of his life, she does not listen to it, as a good many actresses would do, with a stolid expression of countenance, as if placidly waiting for her cue to strike in, but indicates that her sympathies are as active as her, intelligence, so that the play of her features is both a silently eloquent commentary on the narrative, and also a faithful mirror of the emotions which are passing through her mind. At times Miss Beaudet iB betrayed into a rapidity of utterance which is carried to excess, and at times the art of the actress is not sufficiently concealed, but these are faults which time will cure ; and she is fortunate in possessing a great fund of that vivacity which is so valuable in comedy, and a reasonable amount of that earnestness and aplomb so essential to success in serious drama. . . . In fine, Miss Beaudet— who is also to be complimented on the elegance of her costumes— must be credited with having achieved a marked success, and with having established herself as a decided favourite with the audience." Herr Bandmann and Miss Beaudet received an enthusiastic call after each act, and Miss Juno and Mr Cathcart participated in that after the third, when Herr Bandmann briefly addressed the audience, expressing the gratification he felt at revisiting Melbourne, his astonishment at the growth of the city during 12 years, and his determination to do his bebt to secure popular support during his short season, for which he has engaged Mr Faircloughand Mr Stuart O'Brien. The late Walter Slierwin came to Victoria with Julia Harland (tho first Mrs William Hoskins), Mr Farquharson Smith, and Mr Linley Norman, in the year 1856. They appeared together first in Cremorne Gardens, a popular place of amubement at that time, undor the management of Mr G. Coppin The operai tic stage owes something to Mr Slierwin, who was the tenor of hiu time. When Jlr Lester with his organiso ! company came to Mclbourn the ickaof opposition died out, aiid Mr Slier-* in, with Madame Carandini •jikl her daughters, began to travel. Mr Sherwin was always business manager of the company as well as fiist tenor. Wheu travelling from Ararat to Hamilton in the tour of 1863, Mr Sherwiu lost an arm i through the buratiug of & gun, He was included ia

the original cast of " Trovatore," when it waa produced, for the first time in Australia, at the Princess', Melbourne, on October 21st, 1858, and when Madame Carandini played Leonora ; Julia Harland, Azucena ; Mons. Langlaise, Manrieo ; Emile Coulon, the Count ; and Sherwin, Fernando. Deceased, whose real name was John Snickle, was 53 years old when he died, and had just returned from a professional tour through China, &c. On dit that Mr Williamson inaugurates hia Sydney season with " Patience."

Maccabo continues to fill the Sydney School of Arts with " Begone, dull care." Tho Brisbaneites have organised a concert for Madame Carandini and her daughter Marie. The former is in Melbourne.

The Marcus Clarke fund has reached £702, of which £165 was realised by the Theatre Royal matinee last month.

Walhalla and Barlow's circus is Bhowing at Sydney to good attendances. Johnny Cowan is one of the clowns

A cablegram to the Sydney papers states that Madame Christine Nilsson will visit Australia next year. Kate Ramsden, " the Golden Fly" of tho Melbourne Royal, met with a serious accident at Moscow. She was taking her usual flight to the roof of a theatre, when the elastic spring broke, and she fell a distanco of 123 feet ! But for her fall being broken by a gas bracket she must have been killed on the spot. As ife was her shoulder and the lower portion of her spine were fractured. Several deaths occurred in Chiarini's Circus Troupe during the Indian trip. A letter dated Singapore, June 2nd, says :—" Charles Warner, the tiger tamer, died of smallpox in Calcutta; Mr O'Brien died of fever in Java ; Andy Johnson, the boas canvass man, died of cholera, in Penang ; and Mrs H. C. Lea, mother of the well-known Lee Family, of California, died in giving birth to a son in Rangoon, Burmah." No dates ol any of thp deathß aro given.

Home and Foreign.

The European Mail has this brief notice of " Claud Duval," Stephens and Solomon's new opera, which was produced at the Olympic Theatre on August 24th, Mr E. Solomon'B music is decidedly the best the young composer has yet given us. To any special individuality Mr Solomon obviously lays no claim. But his score is a happy melange of the pretty and the brilliant, the charm of the ballad and the sparkle of opera-bouffe. The burden of the performance falls upon Mr Frank Celli, who plays the amorous highwayman to the life, and who sings his music as few artists on the operetta stage can do." Presiding at the Royal Theatrical Funds' annual dinner on July 29th, Mr Irving contrasted an actor's position now and a few years ago, and in the course of hia remarks said : " Then your leading man might be receiving the modest emolument of £2 per week, with the necessity of providing himself with hats, shoes, tights, and heaven knows what. Many of us present know all about that. But now, forsooth, a dashing young spark, aping a society drawl, and possessing a few well cut suits of clothes, may obtain his 10 guineas— they always ask guineas— or more in a week, as a representative of what is called society drama. Why, not 15 years ago, when I made what was really my first appearance in London at a wellknown theatre, I was engaged as a leading actor and stage manager at a salary of £7 per week. I tried for guineas, but they would not give it. Well, I was content, and so was my manager ; but I firmly believe now, if I were to apply to any London manager for a similar position, he would give me double that money. Thincs have so altered." Some handsome donations in aid ol the fund were announced. The Queen gave £100; Admiral Carr Glyn, as executor of the late Adelaide Neilson, £100; George Riunold, Russell Sturges, £100, and induced three of his friends to give a like amount. The announcement was made that the Master of the Rolls had awarded to the fund the residue of the old York theatrical fund (which had outlived its annuitants) amounting to over £1000; and that Mr Henry Betts— an admirable actor in his day— had made provision by which £10,000 would be given to the fund on his death. Characteristic speeches were also given by G A Sala and J. L. Toole. The latter, to illustrate the kindness of heart always shown by Henry Irving towards a brother professional in distress, told Mb audience how the great actor had gone down to Manchester the previous week and assisted at the benefit of an old professional friend, with tho result that he was able to put into the latter's pocket no less a sum than £700. Another noteworthy speech was made by the veteran Creswick, who, in replying for ",The Drama," told hia hearers of his rigLt royal reception over the seas, saying: "I know a player, and know him intimately, who rocontly visited the antipodes. What marks of respect did he receive there ? Why, he was thrice the guest of Dr Moorhouse, the Bishop of Melbourne— a man much resembling in character the late lamented Dean of Westminster. He was then invited by the Biahop to give a Shakespearean reading at Bishopscourt to ths clergy and friends of Dr Moorhouse. This player was the guest of the Governor of every province he visited, and in Sydney he was entertained at a banquet, which was attended by the Premier, the Cabinet Ministers, the members of the House of Assembly, and the representatives of all .the liberal and learned professions. I mention this to show that that which has been and is progressing here in reference to the drama is being practically carried out on the other eide of the globe." Lingard's "Stolen Kisses" company comprise six men and six women. Charles Overton and Dickie Lingard play the Temples, fatner aßd daughter. Jennie Winston and Arthur Bell have been engaged for Murlha's new opera, "The Twelve Jolly Bachelors." Mrs F. M. Bates has been 1 engaged by manager Colville. Mrs W. H. Lingard returned to New York on August 6th. Manager Abbey mado Patti tho enticing offer of all expenses, including personal ones, for 25 per cent, of tho gross proceeds of her concert tour in America. The diva refused the offer. " Patience " is likely.to go .into the American law courts Managor'Henderson, of tho Standard Theatre, New York, contracted with thejeomposers for its first production in America, and Gilbert and Sullivan, in an evil hour, determined to copyright it under the United States law and put it in print. As a consequence of this publication, anybody may now purchase a copy of " Patience " at almost any store in the Union. Some lawyers hold that the right of representation is included in such a purchase ; and acting on that advice, Manager Ford, of St. Louis, to test the question, has caused the operetta to be performed in that city. A good many more unauthorised performances may be anticipated. .... Tho New York managers have made their winter announcements. At Haverley's Fourteenth street Theatre Jennie Lee will bo succeeded by the Rankins with the " Dauites," to be followed by Emmett. At Henderson's tStandard Theatre D'Oyley Carte inaugurates a season of opera-bouffe with " Patience," on September 19th, to be followed by Gilbert and Sullivan's new opera, and Solomon's " Claud Duval." The engagements for Booth's are " Michael Strogoff," Edwin Booth, Mary Anderson, the Strakosh-Gester Opera Company, and Fanny Davenport's company. Niblo'B is given up to Bartley Campbell's pieces, and the Park to the Hanlon-Leea company. The production of " Coney Island, or Little Ethel's Prayer," at the Union square Theatre, New York, aided through the piece by a strong cast and some excellent scenery from Voegtlin's brush, waa a dead Jenny Lee (" Jo ") goes through America under Mr Sergeant's auspices. The " World " has been drawing splendid houses at Chicago, and putting plenty of dollars into Manager M'Vicker's pocketa. For the American representation of "Michael Strogoff " William Rignold and Miss Nelson, from the Princess 1 , London, have beenlengaged. Admiral Carr Glyn has selected Messrs Irving, Toole, and Clement Scott (editor of the Theatre) as trustees of the Adelaide Neilson fund, of which £3000 is placed at their disposal to apply at their discretion for the benefit of decayed actors and actresses. Six of the London charities recontly received between them £400 from the fund, the goneral theatrical fund heading the list with £100._ F W. Broughton is writing a three-act comedy for Mr Wyndham. The leading role will be given to Miss Eastlake to " create." Two years ago (aays the Dramatic News) J. A. Bailey was in debt, and in two seasons of SO weoks each he mado over £100,000. Henry Irving will positively visit America next J A. Liverpool lotker says that J. K. Emmet and three lady cousins latoly became so hilarious over their meoting in a local hotel that the proprietor had to suggest a change of quarters. Henry Petti tt, in conacquencc of his disagreement with Paul Merrittovcv "The World," hassevcicil the lLciary connection that has subbistcd between them for some time past, and goes to America with the Hatiloii-Lccs, for whom ho has re-written " Le Voyage en Suisae." „,,,, , , , . Robert Recce has written to the Era acknowledging himself as the author of the Vaudeville comedy " The Guvnor," which on its production wag tho subject of a good deal of advcraQ. criticism,