NOTES BY PASQUIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1682, 16 February 1884, Page 23

NOTES BY PASQUIN.

Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements and doiwjs are invitfA. All communication* to be addressed to "Paequin," Otago Witness Office.]

The short season of the Polks at the Princess Theatre finished tragically. On Wednesday of last week the first production of " The American," wa3 announced, but when 8 o'clock c^me, and the scene was ready set waiting for the rise of the cm tain, someone made the disconcerting discovery that there was no money in the house. At least there ' was some three or four pounds, which Mr Polk ordered to be returned, - and the few . expectant occupants of the pit and stalls were summarily sent about their business. Ihe action of the management cannot on the whole be wondered at, but at the same time it is to be regretted that so abrupt a leavetaking could not be avoided. The ill luck of the Polks here is to be attributed not so much to inability on the part of principals or company as to the fact that they had the misfortune to be sandwiched between two very powerful attractions. New Zealand playgoers' had spent what little spare cash is available in these bard times upon " Youth," and " The Lights o' London," and were carefully amassing more for the benefit of the Dunning and Williamson Opera companies, or Miss Pomeroy. We can only regret that New Zealand, being the insignificant place it is in the eyes of professionals, they should not think it worth while to take some little trouble to avoid this unfortunate clashing of interests. Dunedin, at least, is not a theatrical Tom Tiddler's ground. There isi only a bite for one at a time, and it is a pity that managers cannot arrange to take their share systematically one by one. Whatever the merits of the Polk company, they were certainly good enough to draw payable houses at any other juncture. The troupe commenced a four nights' season at Sloan's Theatre, Invercargill, on Monday last, with "The Strategist." In view of recent events it is, of course, improbable that they will return to JL)uuedin to play on the race nights, as was originally intended. The pantomime " Mother Goose has somewhat unaccountably enjoyed a veritable triumph over light comedy. It was played for the first few nights at the Queen's Theatre to very unsteady-looking houses, but since then business has taken a decided turn for the better, and Messrs Stanfield and Hepburn -have been jubilant. The season closes on the 16th mst. Misß Pomeroy, who as I mentioned last week was in negotiation to follow the- pantomime at the Queen's Theatre, has definitely come to terms, and will open on Monday, the 18th inst., in " The Hunchback." She will have the powerful opposition of comic opera to contend against, but the success of her present New Zealand tour has probably emboldened her. The appearance of Messrs Kudarz and Verno illusionists at the Princess Theatre on Saturday last was somewhat of a surprise, and I understand that the arrangements were only hurriedly concluded, owing to the abrupt termination of the Polk season. M. Kudarz has been doing fairly well during the week, and has proved himself clever and practised at Earlour conjuring, stage magic, or whatever is particular line of accomplishments may .be termed. The well-worn cabinet trick is neatly shown, and is as, usual put forward (rather illogically) as an expose" of Spiritualism. " Youth " has been having a prosperous run at the Theatre Royal, Christchnrch, and the "Lights o' London "was underlined for prodection this week.

The personnel of the Dunning Opera Company, their repertoire, and the history of their opening piece, " Boccaccio," havo been already given, and it is therefore only necessary for me to mention that tho whole troupe arrived safe and sound in tho Te Anau Ihis week, and will open at the JPrincess Theatre this (Saturday) eveniDg. Mr Halifax, well known here, is advance agent or secretary. By a note from Mr E. T. Gillon, of Wol•luigton, I learn that he bas (acting on behalf of the triumvirate) sold to. Miss Pomeroy the right to play "The Woman of the I'enple," which she will produce in Dunedin during the forthcoming seat-on. The piece is adapted from the French, by B. Webster, jun., and has been immensely successful in the English provinces and in the Australian Colonies, where Bandtnann played it recently. With reference to my comments last week upon an article in the Melbourne Harald speaking of chorus gills' salaries, I am credibly informed that the Williamson Opera Company is not that alluded to. This company was raised in Melbourne^ and is the same which has been playing in Sydney for a long time. The ladies of the chorus are, I understand, in receipt of ordinary salaries, and the management have never contemplated reducing expenses by any Buch expedient as that suggested in the article, Messrs George Darrell, James South, and Richmond Thatcher, while in a boat on Lake Macquarrie, N.S.W., lately, narrowly escaped drowning during a severe gale. The boat filled with water, and their position was very critical for some time. Mr Wybert Reeve has found it necessary to write to the Argus respecting statements which have been made concerning the Colonial rights of "Maritana" and "Pinafore." He says : "Mr Wallace (hou of the composer) has no right in 'Maritana.' Tho copyright of the music and libretto, togothc with tho acting right of the opera, was sold on the authority of the composer, and afterwards of his representatives. Mr Adams was tho pui chaser of these rights, and if has been proved^ frequently in the English Courts that these rights aro legal and just. I act as attorney for Mr Adams. With regard to ' Pinafore,' 1 cannot do better than quote from a letter I received from Mr Gilbert : -' Mr D'Oyley Carto has the Australian and New Zealand right of all Sullivan's and my (joint) pieces— that is, tho operas written by him and me conjointly. The assignment to Carte dates from January 1, 1883, and is for five years, ao fees accruing from these pieces must be paid to him.'" Mr W. S. Gilbert is either singularly bashful for a hardened dramatic author, or he recently yielded to American custom as expounded by Miss Mary Anderson. On the conclusion of her first night's success in " Pygmalion and Galatea," it was the lady herself who protectingly led the author before the curtain.

An attempt has lately been made to marry (by rumour) Mr H. Abbey, tho American manager, to Madame Christine Nilssou. It i B now asserted, by way of variety, that Miss Mary Ander&on is to be the fortunate lady. From Paris comes übws of the death of P(sre David, as he was familiarly called, for 40 years the head of the claque at the Grand Operahouse. Seated in the front row of the pit, he was woat to accurately control, by ebaro raps

with bis stick, the applause of his followers stationed in all parts of the house. By cablo wo learn of tho successful production at the Savoy Theatre of Gilbert, and Sullivan'n new opera, "Princess Ida." Miss Lilian Russell fills the title role, and Mr George Grossmifch is the King Gaiua, who ia promised much more than o very thing or much less than nothing, according as ho deals with tho princess, his daughter. Itutland Barrington is cast for King Hildoorand, a monarch inappreciative of languages, and of'opinion that one tongue is quite enough for one woman. Lely, Riley, Bracy, Temple, Misses Jessie Bond, Leonora Braham, and Brandram al&o have parts. The Standard Theatre, New York, was completely destroyed by fire on December 14, the conflagration breaking out a short time before the performance should have commenced. It was at this house that Gilbert and Sullivan's operas were first produced in the United States. Brooks and Dick&on recently rebuilt the theatre, and opened it at the commencement of the "fall" season with Sims and Clay's " Merry Duchess.'' This was followed by Sims and Pettitt's " In the Ranks," which was in bill at the time of the theatr-s's destruction. The loss is estimated at 70,000d01. It is said that Mr Irving has been offered a theatre in New York to manage conjointly with his own (the Lyceum, London), The suggestion comes from Vanderbilt, and all the money is subscribed.

The following mot is quoted as one of Douglas Jerrold's. A very mediocre dramatic. writer, employed on the same subject as him- elf, said : " You know, Jerrold, you and I are rowing in tho same boat !" " Vps !"' replied the wit, " but not with the same sculls."

Ths New York Press and Times criticised Miss Ellen Terry for her acting in Louis XI, but it unfortunately happened that Miss Terry was not in the cast of that play.

Mr Dion Boucicault does not know whether he will go to Australia next season or not, but states that if ho went he would prefer to be underthemanagementofhis old iiioud, Mr J. C. Williamson. Me Boueicault further remarks that ho has two new plays leady, one entitled " Robert Emmet," and the other " Boyno Water."

Mddle Lotta, the American actress who is to bo introduced to London by Mr Harry Jackson as a rival to Minnio Palmer, is described by the transatlantic journals as a "dramatic cocktail," this being considered by some of her countrymen the highest form of praise. A "cocktail" is known as the most refreshing and popular of Yankee beverages. The Christmas piece at the ' London Gaiety is another burle&que diama by Mr F. C. Bui Inand, entitled " Camaralzam." Colonel Haverley is paying 12,000d0l a year for tho San Fraucisco Opera House, and' his expenses there aio said to lSOOdul a week.

In America there is a member of the M'Caull Opera Company— -William Carleton by name— who is not a little jealous of any success achieved by brother artists. The climax was reached one pight when Mr Carleton as the Beggar Student ia the opera of that name, had occasion to cross swords with the Governorgeneral, played by Mr Fred Leslie. On this particular occasion it is y aid that Mr Carleton used greater foi cc than was necessary in laying low tho Governor-general, and very ungallantly continued his thrusts after he was down. The result was that the poatrate Governor-general arose, turned upon his assailant, and quite an exciting fracas occurred upon the stage, to the intense delight of the audience. Concerning Irving's Louis XI, one of the most thoughtful of American critics writes :—: — " The execution matches the ideal. The part is full of abrupt transitions — from weakness to strength, from fear to frenzy ; from deadly, implacable resolution to pious and contrite humility ; from the easy mood of hypocritical humour to the sudden hideous joy of triumphant malice ; and this long fever of ciaft and wickedness and pain, is rounded at last by a frightened and frightful death. All along the line of the part are excellent opportunities for that picturesqueness of manner through which the actor's magnetism plays like lightning in the cloud. The wan face, the dark and sunken eyes, the thick, black eyebrows, the lowering, evancescent smile, the rapid, yet stealthy movements — all these characteristis of King Louis, Mr Irving has caught to absolute perfection. His royalty is innate', precisely as it v/aa in Charles I."