THE STAGE IN AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1918, 24 August 1888, Page 28

THE STAGE IN AUSTRALIA.

Notes by Scalfax. . Melbourne, August 14. " Have you been to the Exhibition ?" That is the sorti'of thing one hears, every day^ HLsua jubilant city, as if "eVerybody had" iiot already

been to it several times and is going a good many more. It is becoming quite a favourite evening resort, and its effect is already felt in the various theatres. There is quite enough amusement in it for those who do not require their soup too highly flavoured, and then ib is much cheaper ; but to people who are supposed to know anything about it it is apt to become a little of a bore. Let a newspaper man show himself, and then^roe betide him if any of the phalanx of female beauty have but a slight acquaintance with him —and female beauty dotes on a newspaper man so long as he is useful. He will be requested to show this, and explain that, and give the reason for the other, and know where the gloves are shown, and the lace work made, and is expected to take a deep and absorbing interest in the refreshment rooms — which he does occasionally — and the confectionery works, which he does not. I have found a certain relief in vacuous expression of face, and giving information which would paralyse the owners of the exhibits if they were present, and am meeting with my just punishment, for I am beginning to be considered a humourist, whereas of the two I would rather be taken for petty larceny.

Miss Carrie Swain gave us her version of " The Qld Curiosity Shop " on Saturday, and now we aro sorry that she did it. Mr John Brougham is said to be author, and our opinion of Mr Brougham falls a few pegs in consequence. It is not surprising to me now that Lotta failed in London, when she produced this weak and ragged adaptation of the delightful story. I have seen a good many adaptations' during the past years, but this out- Herod's Herod. There is a great deal of Miss Carrie Swaio in it, and neither as Nell, or the Marchioness who used to live " down among the black beedles," did she rise to the occasion. Her Nell was disappointing, and her Marchioness was Mab, Topsy, and the Tomboy all mixed up together. It was a, cruel fate that cast Mr John Forde as Dick Swiveller, and he was about as much Swiveller as I am a Gatling gun. There is only one man I know of at present in the colonies who could play Dick to perfection, and that is Mr St Laurence, who, I believe, has never tried it. Mr Johnny Gourlay did his best as Quilp, but previous records were against him. If we had riot seen anybody else wo might have liked him. The remainder of the cast was filled by the members of the stock company, and it appeared to me that many of them would have done better if they had changed parts with someone else, and then forgotten to appear in them. From this you may imagine thai I do not care very much for the present Royal programme, and you are right ; I don't.

" Comrades" is waning at the Bijou Theatre, and its last nights are already announced. On Saturday next we are to have a revival of that excellent comedy " The Magistrate," by permission of Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove, and filr'Roberb Brough is to make his reappearance after a lengthened absence from our stage. Mr Brough, Mr Titheradge, Mr Royce,, and a number of old friends will be in the bill. I am inclined to thiuk " The Magistrate " will £o very well just now.

" Miss Esmeralda " is still popular at the Princess. The last matinee was given on Saturday afternoon, and to-night Mies Nellie Farren benefits in " Monte Christo, Junr," which is to be played for the second very last time. As you are aware, the season closes this week, and on Saturday next the Hollo way company, with Miss Essie Jenyus &* particular star, will occupy the boards. Their season only lasts six weeks, and a fresh bill is to be presented every Saturday.

" Alone in uondoii, written by poor WattsPhillips, the father of Miss Roland Watts-Phillips, who is now playing with Mr G. Rignold in Sydney, and is knowa by a few intimate friends as Rolypoly, did not last long at the Alexandra Theatre. On Saturday a new and original drama, " Master and Man," an adaptation of Zola's " Germinal," by an unknown author, whom I am very much inclined to think is Mr H. C. Sidney, the leading man and manager of the present company, was produced. "Master and Man," unlike Zola's work, is harlmess, and that is the best that can be said of it. By the way, have you noticed that Henry Vizetelly, the well-known English publisher of Zola, has been committed for trial for publishing immoral works ! " Masterand Man " is weak in construction, and inclined to be false in sentiment ; there is a little political twang, and a little love. With careful attention it may blossom into a good drama, but at present it appears inclined to fade unseen.

The Philharmonic Society produced Sir Arthur Sullivan's " Golden Legend " on Saturday afternoon at the Town Hall as per contract, I was unable to be present, but kind friends and brother pressmen have told me that it would have been better if the production had been delayed, or an easier work had been chosen. 1 The Golden Legend " is said to be one of the very finest of' Sir Arthur Sullivan's very fine works, and its excellent orchestral effects appear to haye been left mostly in the hands of amateurs, the best of our musical talent being employed at the Exhibition.

Herr Hugo Gorlitz has gone the way of most mushroom managers, and filed his schedule. Mr Saxon gained his action against Miss Amy Sherwin, and the one pending against Herr Gorlitz is now upset. Herr Gorlitz's liabilities are £2775, and his assets less than half that. The Opera House Company claims £875 for rent and money advanced, and there is a whole host of creditors secured and unsecured. Herr Gorlitz has yet to file a complete list of moneys owing. Thus ends the great English opera season by an American company.

It appears that another New Zealand native is getting on in the musical world. Mr Sydney Hoben, a native of Napier, has achieved such success at the Leipzic Conservatorium that he has been chosen to play a Schumann composition at the usual concert of that institution, which, I may say, is considered to be a high honour.

The amateurs had a yerj good time at the Royal on Thursday and Friday last, and appeared to f enjoy themselyjes very much. The attendance of friends and sympathisers was numerous, and the Roscians will be able to hand over a fair subscription to the charities. Their old friend Miss Maggie Knight was of great use to them both in "As You Like It" and " Hamlet," and Miss Flora Anstead was also a tower of strength. After Friday's performance the company was entertained at supper by a legal friend. ' , The Lynch Family of bellringers are doing well in the suburbs during the week, and always ■return to the Athenaeum on Saturdays. Mr Lynch was married last Wednesday to Miss Johanna Stulz, of East Charlt<m.

Miss Ada Ward is having a continuance Of bad luck in Sydney, and her season ended by the gas company cutting of their supply at the Opera House. Miss Ward has been very unfortunate since she came out here, and made the greatest mistake in coming out without any settled route or engagement. There is so much competitions nowadays that such a- course can only have one ending, as Miss Ward has found out. Miss Mirabel Greenwood, a young lady who comes,. l fancy/ from Auckland, and a very fine crystpleum portrait of whom is in your New ; Zealand court in the Exhibition, was to have appeared as" Juliet under Miss 'Ward's manager ment, but her hopes are blighted now., . ; 'Readers may reinembef my speaking pf a

negro actor named Bollars, who posed as a swell and got arrested on three criminal charges, which are not settled yet, and whom I told you used to be a dresser at the London Princess to Mr Wilson Barrett. The London Hawk says of him :— " Edward Curtain, the black boy of the Princess Theatre, who did several periods of time for thieving and general blackguardism, is now appearing in Sydney as a star, and is styled •The Educated Gentleman of Colour.'" This is what Bollars was called at the Sydney Gaiety not very long ago.

The French Comedy Company has fallen upon hard rock, for it appears they are unable to pay their passage money home to la belle France. A benefit at our Bijou and one at the Sydney Criterion is on the tapis.

Mr John Hay ward Deorwyn.the father of the well-known Misses Alice (Mrs C. Hollo way) and Constance* Deorwyn (Mrs R. Stewart), died on the 6th vast. Mr Deorwyn blossomed' from a rate collector into an actor, but has not been seen on the stage of late years. '

Sydney news remains the same as last week, and the only npvelty my correspondent can find is that there is a perfect rage for the seats for the opening night of the Gaiety Company at the Royal, and that as much as £25 has already been offered for the' first choice, but the triumvirate are cool-headed and mean to put them up to auction.