THE STAGE IN AUSTRALIA. NOTES BY SCALFAX.

Otago Witness, Issue 1825, 12 November 1886, Page 28

THE STAGE IN AUSTRALIA. NOTES BY SCALFAX.

Melbourne, October 80. The all-pervadinsr gambling fever is upon vs — that annual enidemic which culminates regularly on the 2nd November, and which leaves so many ofus enfeebled in pocket and sternly virtuous in mmd — until the next meeting. It is a curious passion, that of betting on horse-racing; it seizes upon everyone, except me. Old and young, rich and poor, St. Giles and St. James, all have their little interest in thp great Cup race, if it be, only a share in a shilling sweep. Ench one you meet asks you " What is your fancy?" and, when you tell him, combats it with much fluency of diction and parading of appalling "previous records." I make a point of naming a different winner each time in the sure and certain hope that I shall hit him amongst the lot. A great reputation has been built upou grounds less plight

"Human Nature" is crowding the Theatre Royal every night to the great detriment of the other houses. The great battle and march past scenes excite the utmost enthusiasm, and the public verdict, that we have had nothing like it before, is unanimous. The many mechanical effects, includiug the fighting parson, are loudly applauded, and the actors have to submit to frequent recalls. This drama revels in no less than three villains, two male and one female — a liberal allowance for five acts. The obtrusive gallery boy hoots them gaily upon every opportuuity. I sometimes think it must be nice to be a gallery boy and able to give full vent to your feelings, t« say nothing of the exquisite joy of dropping paper pellets on the heads of unsuspecting people in the stalls. " Human Nature" is certain to do enormous business during the ensuing week, and a long run is assured.

The attendance at the Opera House has fallen off during this week, but " Turned Up "is sure to do excellent business during Cup time. After that it will bo time to ring iv a new comedy. Mr Royce is spoken of favourably on all hands, and my prognostication that he would soon become popular is rapidly coming true. He has happy days before him here.

" Betsy " was replaced by " Pink Dominos " on Wednesday' last at the Bijou 1 heatre. The comedy season ended on Thursday night, and has proved a conspicuous failure with everything in its favour. Why such should be the case is " one of those things no fellah can understand." An excellent company, good comedies, and a liberal management — all that was wanted was the public, and they were coy. The theatre closed on Friday, and to-night (Saturday, October 30) "Jim, the Penman" is to be produced for the first time in the Australian colonies. I shall not be able to tell you anything about this drama from persoual experience. By the time it is well under weigh a gaunt and grim figure will be discernable, clad in a voluminous macintosh and a highly resthetic attitude, gracefully curled over the bulwarks of the good f^hip Birksgate en route to Sydney. That will be me. My next letter to you will enlighten you upon the present state of the drama in the mother colony. The Alexandra Theatre has also been unfortunate of late, and even the appearance of the lessee in "A Regular Fix " fails to draw. " A Ruined Life" is promised to-night, with Miss Marian Willis (who has returned from Western Australia) and Mr Augustus Glover in the leading parts._ Rude people are saying that the manager is unfortunate in selecting pieces with 6uch highly suggestive titles. The Japanese' Village alongside is still doing fair business. The sword walking by a young Japanese girl appears a highly perilous proceeding, but I-have discovered that it is really a very simple thing after all. You and I can do it without any preparation. Take your razor (if you do not own one, go out and borrow), and sharpen it up until you cannot put a finer edge upon it. Then take it firmly in your right hand and press the edge into the palm of your left hand, and you see the trick. Be your razor ever so sharp it will not penetrate the skin so long as you simply press the edge in, but once attempt to draw it along your hand, and you will wi&h you had left it alone. It is by an understanding of this principle that the young lady is enabled to walk uo and down a ladder of swords, each one sharp enough to cut a handkerchief with ease. Ala promises to introduce his " Flying Man " a6t next week.

St. George's Hall continues to be well patronised, for the Federal Minstrels and the Rayuor Brothers give a really good entertainment. An afternoon hide show- is now given in this hall, where an Australian Tom Thumb and a Circassian blonde "whose head and hair measures 4ft round " are exhibited. I weaken on Circassian blondes, and I have seen Australian Tom Thumbs enough to form a brigade. The Silk Stockings are still on at the Victoria Hall.

The Melbourne Liedertafel, encouraged by the success of Dvorak's " Spectre Bride" on its first representation before the members on Monday last, when the Town Hall was crowded, nave determined to give a special performance for the benefit and information of the public at large. It takes place in the Town Hall to-night, and will command a largt audience.

Miss Minnie Palmer, the irresistible Rogers, and the company arrived safely in Melbourne on Wednesday last. Every seat has already beeu booked for her opening night, November 6, and the seats for the first week are rapidly filling up. Miss Palmer loses the Cup week and opens during the slacked period of the year, which is Fad. She has been interviewed by a representative of our highly moral Telegraph, which is probably sadder.

Dr Lynn, the famous illusionist, opens a short season to-night at the new Masonic Hall, when amongst other wonders he will introduce the vanishing la<iy. This ce'ebrated deception is convulsing— that is the word, I believe—London and Paris at the present moment. An ordinary chair is placed on the plat form, upon which a lady is seated, and covered with a largu cloth. Y( v know she id still there, because Ihe cloth retains its form. Yet, when it is drawn away after a few moments the chair is found empty. You ai-B then permitted to applaud.

Mr Locke Richardson is still continuing his recitals at the Athenaeum Hall with average success. The Spanish and Columbian festival is popular at the Exhibition, although the bazaar fiend stalks there unmuzzled. The Metropolitan Liedertafel resume their concerts on Monday next, when Madame Elise Wiedermann will appear ■in Wagnerian selections. The performance will be honourod by a dozen or two of the colonial governors, who have all found pressing business over here which requires to be attended to next week. It is also marvellous that H.M.S. Nelson always requires docking about Cup week, and that our dock is the only one in which it can properly be done.

Mr Walter Craven was yesterday the defendant in an action for the recovery of £12 lls 9d for printing done by the well-known firm of Trcedol and Co. Mr Craven alleged that, he was willing to pay, but was unable to do so at present. The plaintiffs' solicitor stated that the firm was willing to 'allow Mr Craven a month to pay in, but they feared he wanted to leave the colony. This was denied, and a month was allowed in which to make payment Mr Craven is the author of ''Mixed "and "Bad Lads."

Ridgwny's Circus is also to open to-night on some vacant ground in Swanston street close to the gaol. Th^. authoritiep of the penal department objected at first to the proximity of the circus, but have been prevailed upon "to withdraw their opposition. The Board of Health requires a fnw alterations in tho seats, but the opening will take place as promised. John F. Sheridan and " Fun on the Bristol" are the only attractions now pre c ent in Adelaide. Mr E. C. Dunbar, " the Milanese minstrel," has rejoined Mr Sheridan. The bills at the' Sydney theatres remain unchanged, and my correspondent moans that thing are « briUi»ntfy Ml" . ,