NOTES BY PASQUIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1679, 26 January 1884, Page 23

NOTES BY PASQUIN.

Contributions from the Profession chronicling their mooements and doings are invited. All communication* to be addressed to "Pasquin," Otago Witnc«3 Office.]

" The Lightß o' London " was played for the last time of. the Princess Theatre on Wednesday evening, the season having been extended for one night. The business done throughout the whole of the four weeks has been exceptionally good, but it has not been better than the meritß of the company deserved. They left Dunedin on Thursday, and will play, as 1 stated last week, some few nights an Oamaru and Timaru. The opening date in Christchurch is the 4th of next month. The Polks are announced to open on Ihursday evening at the Princess Theatre in " The Strategist." The season will be a fhort one, but proportionately merry, if the verdict from other cities is to be accepted. Mr Genese is advance agent of the company, which includes Mr Boothman, his wife (Mias Grey), and other old acquaintances. Messrs Stanfield and Dark are doing iairly well with their pantomime, " Mother Goose,' in Christchurch. Besides these two gentlemen, Miss Amy Horton and Miss Grace Archer sustain the most popular characters. The luck of Messrs Pickersgill and Willis, with tb.9ir panorama, " Tho Innocents Abroad, at the Queen's Theatre, was of tho very worst. The season was one of the deadest failures that there has been here for some time, and this notwithstanding the engagement of Donald Dinnie, and the fact that the views are exceedingly good, and the lecture at least worth hearing. It is not likely that the panorama will be again shown in New Zealand. Mr Pickeragill has left Dunedin, and speaks of an Australian tour with Dinnie, Hudson (the Dunedin wrestler), and possibly the renowned Miller, and any other athletes he may be able to secure. . „ Mr J. P. Macdonald, at present running the ••Youth" Company, has it in contemplation to re-visit New Zealand shortly with a company organised to play Robertsonian cornedy — "Caste," "School," "Ours," "M.P.,"&c. The company is not, howover, yet formed, and definite arrangements are not completed with Mr Rignold, who has purchased the Colonial rights over these pieces. As I mentioned once or twice before, Mr Dunning's opera season commences in Dunedin about February 16. It will extend over six weeks, and the repeloire will include "Boccaccio," "Monteaux Noirs," " Manola," " The King's Dragoons," " Rip Van Winkle " (now running in Melbourne), " Barbe Bleuo," and Fatinitza." All these, with the exception of " Boccacio " (which received a not very satisfactory performance here), are novelties in New Zealand, and the season therefoie promises to be a most interesting one. The prima donna of Mr Dunning's company will be Miss Annette Ivanova, and it will also include Mr and Mrs J. L. Hall, Messrs Loredan, G. Dean, Knight-Ashton, Juncker, T. Browning, Misses Lily Xi lly, Florence Slater, Annie and Kate Martin, and Annie Schrader. It will be seen that the company is untortunately not so strong as lh"ir repertoire is attractive. Mr Van Ghele will conduct. Miss Pomeroy is at present playing in Auckland, and has discovered a budding tragedienne in the person of Miss Mariebel Greenwood, aged 13. This young lady has been successfully coached by Miss Pomeroy, who on Monday last played Romeo to her Juliet at Abbott'n Opera House. There was a large audience, and the debutante scored well. Woodyear's Circus exhibited in Christchurch this week. The Hudson Surprise Party were singularly unfortunate in losing a quantity of their effects by the burning of the Academy of Music, Adelaide. This is Mr Hudson's second loss during the year. In January last he was robbed in India of some £1400 in hard-earned cash, and he suffers at present to the amount of about £300. Nothing daunted, however, he has secured Garnerß Assembly Rooms in Adelaide, and reopened there to a crewded house. The Jannie Lee Company were by last advices still in Adelaide playing the old farcical comedy " Kind to a Fault " and " The Field of the Cloth of Gold."

I have received a note from Mdme Marius, accompanying a copy of the Sydney Morning Herald, which contains a letter from her on the subject of popular concerts. Mdme Marius' suggestion ia a sensible one — viz., that the risk of loss and the profits after payment of expenses shall be divided amongst artists and promoters alike. The volunteer organist of a church, on being asked to as3ißt in handing round the plate, replied that he did not object to playing the organ, but he did object to being the monkey. Twelve new comic operas are to be produced in Paris during the coming season. Sarah Bernhardt has a farm near Havre, and it is said that she every week sends to market a quantity of small soft cheese which have taken the name of "Petit Sarah Bernhardt." Talma is said to have been so realistic an actor that, in order to work up his grand bursts of passion, he would suize upon any unfortunate super whom he came upon behind the scenes and shake him until he himself became breathless and the man frightened beyond all control at his assumed violence. Nevertheless, the peculiarities both of Macready and Talma were only in accordance with a precedent furnished in ancient history, though with less disastrous results. According to Plutarch, iEsop, the Roman actor, so interested himself in the characters he undertook, that one day when he played Atreus, he, in that scene where it falls to his lot to consider how he might best destroy the tyrant Thyestes, worked himself up into such ungovernable rage that he struck one of the minor performers with his sceptre and laid him dead at his feet. " Youth " has been successfully revived at the Grand Theatre, Islington.

The receipts for the last year at tho Theatre Franfioia considerably diminished, and the artists instead of receiving an average of £1600 each for the year, only became entitled to half that sum. They blame the manager, M. Perrin, for this, accusing him of bringing out plays which proved dead failures. Oscar Wilde has been giving his impressions of Sarah Bernhardt and Mary Anderson. The former, he say?, "is all moonlight and sunlight combined, exceedingly terrible, magnificently glorious. Mary Anderßon is pure and fearless as a mountain daisy ; full of change as a river; tender, fresh, sparkling, brilliant, superb, placid," — a choice assortment of adjectives.

For Mdme Patti's American tour three coaches have been builtof African wood. Twoof them, the "La Sonnambula " and "LaFavorita" cost nearly £6000 each, and the third,

which id exclusively for the use of the prima donna, and is named after her, cost £8000 ; M<>liere, the famous French tenor, is said to have gone mad over his own whistling. I have before alluded to Miss Kate Castlel.on's great s«ng, " For Goodness' Sake Don't Say I Told You," and here is a rather unrefined anecdote anent it : — A singer in a suburnan theat.ro began to sing the song, "For Goodness' Sake Don't," &c, a few nights ago, and was promptly hit with a rotten egg by one of the audience. "Who throw that?" he howled. " I did," cried a voice in the gallery, " but for goodness' sake don't say I told you." This brought down the house, and the singer retired.

Both Mr Irving and Miss Ellen Terry have fair grounds of complaint against th American interviewer. The former was spoken of in the same breath with the now extinct Oscar Wilde, and the innocent confidences of Miss Terry to a Times reporter were grossly abused. Her parting remark to the gentleman appears to have been, " Isn't it a shame that I should be obliged to make my first appearance on American soil with a very red nose ?" and this observation was heartlessly published throughout the length and bi eadth of the States.

Gilbert and Sullivan's new opera "The Princess," was announced for the sth January, and those wise before the event state that it will this time be in a prologue and two acts. The general outline of Tennyson's story has been preserved, but the plot has been reconstructed in detail. The piece will probably be classed rather as comic opera than as builesque, and musically it has higher aims than anything of the kind which Sullivan has as yet done. It will be mounted in the most costly scyle, the estimates for the costumes alone being £2700. Two American artists will be cast for the leading parts, viz., Miss Lillian Russell and Mr Rutland Barrington.

A rather novel theatrical performance was the " Elektra" of Sophocles, given by the fair students of Girton College lately. A few privileged classical tutors were the only members of the sterner sex admitted. The dresses were made, the scenery painted, and even the the music adapted by these many-sided young ladies.

The Drury Lane pantomime this year, "Cinderella, is a rtchauffe of all the bestknown nursery tales by means of a wonderful " story-book procession.'' "It is I " were by a strange coincidence the first words that Mr Irving spoke in the hearing ot an American audience, wh^n, as Mathiasin " The Bells," ho made his dibut at the Star Theatre. The remark was almost unnecessary.

A performer named Victor announces that he will shortly appear in a " new sensational novelty." What this may be can only be vaguely guessed from the nature of Victor's occupation. He describe? himself as a "gymnast and teeth descensionist."

Messrs Hare aud Kendal intend to revive "A Scrap of Paper." Among the newest London engagements is that of the Princess Pignatelli de Cerchana, who is to receive 4000 francs an evening for singing two songs. This unfortunate Neapolitan lady is a deserted wife, left with four children, and she accepted an engagemsnt at the Cafe Scala, Paris, from absolute necessity. Itwasthen insisted that she should sing in her own name. The poor Princess was shamefully out of place at the Scala. The other vocalists wore short sleeveless dresses fitting hips and shoulders like a glove, whilst the Princess wore stately velvet, old lace, and diamonds. Miss Emily Soldene, now recovered from her recent severe illness, was to appear for the last time in London on December 6th, playing the role of Drogan in " Genevieve de Brabant" at the wlobe Theatre.

Mdme Ristori is htill delighting the English provinces. Her sleep-walking scene as Lady Macbeth is her most weird and telliug effort. An old actress, formerly a reigning " star," asserts that neither men nor women kiss on the stage from choice. The contact of paint and persphation is, she declares, unpleasant, and a kisß invariably spoils the glamour of an actress. Her experience is that-those who con sent to be kissed on the stage must want to be kissed very badly indeed.

The new comic opera, " Gillette de Narbonne," in which M. Audran, the composer of " La Mascotte," has a hand, is not a success at the Royalty Theatre. Towards the close of the last act the patience of the house gave way, and there were tokens of resentment at the spectacle of an enormous basket of flowers being cereinoniouf-ly handed to Miss Kate Santley across the footlights. This was followed by a scene of some little disorder, and the curtain fell without a single cheer.

Mr Charles Wade, a son of the Rev. Canon Wade, has, like his brothers, long been known as a clever amateur vocalist. He is now about to make his debut as a professional tenor.

One more American actress, Miss Adelaide Detchon, haR been engaged to appear in London. She will play at Mr Edgar Bruce's new theatre, now nearly completed. " The Silver King " was played 350 times at the Princess Theatre, London, prior to its withdrawal, and even then was attracting fair houses.

Mrs Langtry was recently reported as suffering from nervous fever, and was unable to appear at Hamilton, Ontario.

For the last week of Irving's New York season the takings amounted to over 2000 dollars. There was a larger audience on the last than on the first night, which says a great deal for the success of the season. With Mrs Langtry the position was reversed. The receipts for the whole month reached nearly 76,000 dollars, a sum above that of the Langtry and below that of the Bernhardt seasons. The piece with which Mr Irving fairly turned the tide in his favour was "The Merchant of Venice."

As an instance of the evils experienced by the wholesale purchase of seats by American ticket speculators, it is believed that Irvine's first audience paid a total of about 17,000 dollars for their seats, although only 3000 dollars was received at the booking office. n consequence of this it is said that Mr Irving intends to be his own manager next season, and has arranged with Mr Abbey to that effect.

The Royal American Midgets have returned to England after an extended European tour. " General Mite " has not grown an inch, and is no heavier than when he left London.

The plot of " Pot Bouille," which is now being prepared for performance on the Parisian stage is so unclean that public curiosity is aroused to guess how the adapters will purge it. Mdme Persa, who died recently, was at one time a notable figure in theatrical life in Paris. When Alexander Dumas took the Theatre Historique in 1847, he nominated her one of his leading artists. During the theatrical " off ' season, Mr J. L. Toole, the comedian, was the gut st of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster at Eaton Hall.

Mr Wilson Bennett postponed the production of the new play " CJaudian " rather than put it on in inefficient style. The proposed production of the great Parisian ballet "Excelsior" at Drury Lane hat been abandoned.

Mr Edward Compton, son of the late popular comedian, has appeared at the Scrand Theatre in "Wild Oats," supported by his wife, Miss Virginia Bateman. Tickets for all the stalls, and most of the best seats for the Drury Lane pantomime on Boxing Night were sold nearly a month before the date. About £2000 was taken on this occasion, and it is not unseldom that the bookings beforehand for the annual pantomime pay the entire first cost of the production. The editor of Truth (Mr Labouehere) is wise in his generation. His Christmas number this year is chiefly devoted to the adventures of Barnum in search of novelties, and the great showman is so pleased at the excellent advertisement that he has ordered 10,000 copies to be sent to himself alone. The coming American dramatist is declared to be Mr William Young, author of the " Rajah," a play which has run for upwards of six months at the Madison Square Theatre, New York. This gentleman is, however, said by his traducers to fashion his characters very much after the models found in Dickens' works.

The pantomime at Holt and Wilmott's Grand Theatre, Islington, is *' Jack and the Beanstalk."

" Vice Versa " has received new honour, A Greek gentleman has made an offer to Mr Rose, the adapter, for permission to translate the play for performance at Athens. Count Gleecheti, the well known sculptor, is executing a bust of Miss Mary Anderson, it is said, for royalty. Mr Justin M'Carthy has in hanl a dramatic version of his novel, " The Mail of Athens."

The proposed testimonial to Sir Michael Costa has become so unpopular that the subscription lists have been withdrawn. Mr Fred Clay, the composer, has been seized with a severe stroke of paralysis. Toole's Theatie has commenced the new season with "Stage Dora," and "Artful Cards," but Mr Arthur Law's new comedy " A Mint of Money " was in rehearsal.

The Wyndham troupe, in America, is about to be reinforced by Sir Randall Roberts, an actor hampered by the title of baronet. This gentleman has already appeared on the London Stage. The Duke of Albany, who is a capable amateur musician, has just published a pretty waltz entitled "Fontaine'bleau."

The German giantess, who appeared about a year ago in London, has recently been united in the bonds of wedlock to Mr Patrick O'Brien, also of the gigantic persuasion, The wife is slightly taller than her new husband, who measures only 7ft llin in his stockings, and weighs 3601b. The new American scarf-pin is just the kind of article to tickle the dull fancy of the masher. The head is a miniature reproduction of a complete set of artificial teeth and gums, with a small vulcanite tongue, which, by the action of a tiny spring, can be made to protrude and wag at the wearer's pleasure.

The new pianist, M. Vladimir de Pachmann, at present playing in London, has disappointed most of those who have heard him, As a professed interpreter of Chopin's music he is a failure.

Mdme Minnie Hauck was lately the heroine of a fire at Selma, United States. While she was singing the fire broke out under the stage, but by her plucky conduct she reassured the audience.

Mdme Patti has written a short account of her recollections in Paris to the Paris Figaro.

The first act of Dr Villier Stanford's opera " The Canterbury Pilgrims " is completed. It is a love intrigue, founded on Chaucer's famous poem.

Marwood's books, letters, ropes, and diary are now on view at the Westminster Aquarium.

New comic operas are in preparation by Messrs Stephens and Alfred Cellier, Messrs Stephens and Solomon, Messrs Sims and Clay, and Mr Walter Slaughter. It has now become the fashion in London to announce burlesques in ad vance of the production of the original piece. A " Sculptural Skit " entitled " Galatea, or the Marble Arch " was prepared even prior to Miss Mary Anderson's appearance as Galatea. The parody is in two "gaßps." A theatrical authority in London has reckoned up the artists still on the stage who date from the old days of the Grecian. There were in the ballet, Miss Kate Vaughan and Miss Lingard ; on the staff, Messrs Mead, M, Dillon, Monkhouse, the two Conquiata, Sims Reeves, Arthur Williams, Macdermott, H. Nicholls, and Herbert Campbell. The last named trio are of modern music- hall fame.

It is reported that Mr Augustus Harris of Drury Lane intends to drop the role of actor, and stick to stage-management. Few of his friends will regret this, as he is in the opinion of most as bad as an actor as he is good as a stage manager. Besides, to run Diury Lane successfully and supervise affairs is quite enough for one man's work.

Miss Minnie Palmer closed her Liverpool season on December 1, took a three weeks' holiday in Paris, and returned to Edinburgh on Christmas Eve. Her engagement at the Strand was to commence on January 14.

Captain Henry Mapleson, husband of the popular prima donna, Mdtne Marie Roze, has been gazetted Major in the 4th Lancashire Artillery Corps. It has now transpired that the offer made to Rubinstein for a concert season in the United States emanates from the enterprising MiAbbey. The figures are £25,000 for 100 concerts within five months.

The latest item of American gossip is that Mdme Christine Nilsson and her manager, Mr Abbey, are to be married. The rumour needs a very great deal of confirmation.