THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 32

THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements and doings are invited. All communications to be addressed to "P*squin," Otago Witness Office.

Considerable interest attaches to the forthcoming season at the Princess Theatre, inaugurated under the direction of Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove, when the dramatic version of Mrs Burnett's story, " Little Lord Fauntleroy," of which so much has been heard, is to be presented for the first time in Dnnedin. It is said of the story that it has its strength in its pathos. There is very little of sadness in it the pathetic not being attained by playing upon the chords of emotion by pictures of affliction or sorrow ; on the contrary, we are told, happiness and good cheer shine forth at every turn, giving comfort and delight, and yet at the same time BO touching the hearts of the audience that the lump rises to the throat and the tear starts to the eye. It is the sweetness of character of the little boy hero, his tenderness and love, that so rouses the sympathy and gives pathos to the story that begins, continues, and ends iv almost constant sunshine. The character of Little Lord Fauntleroy will on the opening night be taken by Miss Olive Berkley, the original iv the Melbourne production, and who came oufc from America to create the part. The company (which includes Mr Henry Edwards, a colleague of the late lamented G. V. Brooke) is precisely the same as that engaged in the presentation of the play in Melbourne and Sydney ; the scenery is by the eminent artist Mr John Bruuton ; and in fact the piece will be staged after the manner characteristic of Messrs Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove's operations. " Little Lord Fauntleroy " is produced by the triumvirate by special arrangement with Mr Geo. Wotherspoon, who represents the authoress, and Mr Wesley Sisson, of New York, in whom the copyright is vested.

Mr Austin Power, an old Dunechn actor, who has for several years past followed his profespion in India, made his reappearance in New Zealand on Saturday evening at the Foresters' Hall, Port Chalmers. Mr Power was assisted by his •wife and Mr Leon, and kept his audience thoroughly amused from first to last. The lady posseuses a charming voice of considerable compass, and each of the songs she rendered was doubly encored. The opening piece, a bright little sketch called " The pride of Kerry," afforded Mrs Power an amplo opportunity of displaying her vocal powers. Mr Power was seen to great advantage in the interlude, "Alone in the World," in which he appeared as the Artful Dodger; while Mr Leon kept the house in a constant roar by his pourtrayal of Wagstaff in "Home Rule." The Wanderers were to appear in Dunedin on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and would no doubt draw good houses. There are many instances in theatrical history of strange ups and downs in actors' lives, but there has seldom been a straDger instance than Drury Lane is now affording. A gentleman who many years ago took the leading part at this theatre for two successive seasons is now employed as a " super '? in the pantomime. Mra Brown-Potter ,will shortly do a tour of New Zealand, piloted by Mr Lohr, who is at present negotiating terms for Mrs Potter's appearancs in Tasmania. Mr George Rignold, who will probably visit New Zealand towards, the close of the year, has worked terribly hard, during the last two or three years, and has suffered from it more than most people who only see bitn on the stage at night might imagine. On the first nights of " Midsummer Night'? Dream "—upon which production he expended such enormous labour — be had to be almost lifted out of hiß cab at the stage doer, and the sweet bully Bottom, though keeping the houße in roars of laughter, was himself groaning with pain, and being attended to by the doctojr all the time he was off the Btage

Toole's latest anecdote is as good, if not tetter, than many w.hich have preceded it. Apropos of Sothern. the veteran remarkß : — " He was the moat amusing creature on earth. You remember that absurd trick of his when he asked 80 people to supper and wrote a private note to eaoh Iman beforehand to ask him to be so good as to say grace, as the chairman was unavoidably prevented from attending the dinner. The .faces of these 80 men as as they rose in a body; at the tap on the table, which Sothern had severally informed them was to be the signal for grace, must have been a sight indeed 1 " . Mrs Langtry is Baid to have dealt very generously with her company at the St. James' Theatre, having paidi every member of it in full for the month during which her illness rendered the closing ojf the house necessary. The manager of the Court Theatre, at Vienna, has decreed that hereafter no women who are over 45 years' old shall be engaged for the ballet.

Franz Suppe, the well- known composer of light musio, who has net written anything for several yeirs, it» now engaged upon an opera. After the death of Gayarre the tenor, the surgeons who had attended him during his illness operated on his throat and took out the larynx. The examination proved that the latter was singularly constructed, and larger than those of mankind in general, and after it has been satisfactorily studied by the medical profession, it is to be returned to Gayarre's family, who will probably present it to some anatbmical museum. This is not the only case of the kind ; tho larynx of Malibran ia rjtill preserved in the British Museum. A melodrama of the most stirring species was given nacently at a French theatre. In one important scene the hero suddenly becomes aware that he has come on the stage without Ma poniard. Without a moment's hesitation he makes a dach at the traitor, exclaiming : M Die, villain ! I meant to strike thee with my dagger, but I left the weapon iv my dressine;-roora, and will, therefore, strangle thee in the presence of this indulgent audience ! "—Exchange. The above (says. Turf, Field, and Farm) recalls a story related by the senior editor of this department anent his debut on tho dramatic stage in Cincinnati, many years ago. The play was " Venice Preserved," with a caat mads up of the beet professional actors to be secured to support the young .debutant who took the part of Jaffier. At a critical moment Jaffiar found himself on the stage minus the dagger be waei to draw upon hia deadly foe. His ready wit camo to the rescue anri saved the scene, for quick as thought he snatch ed and used the dagger worn by hia opponent, an old-time professional who was as amused as amazed at the toniorily ef the youth.

Mrs Kendal is delighted with her American tour (ev.ys the London Court Journal), She think? tfia front of the houto in American theatre 1 ? i- Kuparinr in all i'ca accommodations to anything in English theatres. As to behind the scenes, nho is of a different opinion. She expresses her Qtrong disapproval of the small and indifferently- ventilated dressing rooms which were found in nearly every theatre she had played in in America. Mr nud Mrs Kendal will (says the San Fraud!t) N.-wa Letter) begin a three weeks'

engagement at the Baldwin Theatre on March 17, and will appear in " A Scrap of Paper," " The Queen's Shilling," " The Weaker Srx," "The Ironmaster," "Impulse," and "A White Lie." It will be seen that this repertoire affords no peg upon which to hang a comparison with the other great actress whom the Americans admire so much, Ellen Terry. The two ladies— Mrs Kendal and Miss Terry —are stars in different firmaments. Luck, fate, circumstances— call it what you will— drew Mrs Kendal in the direction of modern drawing-room comedy and drama. Mrs Randal shines in polite comedy like sunlight on a trout brook. She ia Bimply irresistible. No playwright has ever dreamed of creatiner a morally faulty part for Mrs Kendal. You cannot imagine her playing bad women, or even women with psychological possibilities of badness. Something of this is due to custom, for all London — all England for that matter— has long associated Mtb Kondal with injured virtue, and is supposed to be capable of virtue in revolt if one were to be linked with anything else. But more even than custom weighs the tendency of the artist's own disposition and development. Mr Kendal's methods are his own, and they are those of a finished comedian. He has power and force, and is thoroughly acquainted with the efficacy of judicious byplay, and his acting throughout is marked by intelligence.

Fox's Annual Book of Mummers, otherwise the "Dramatic and Mußiccil Directory," for 1890, contains theatrical particulars of about 600 towns, with harmless necessary details regarding 1100 theatres, 1200 music halls, 600 leoture and public halls, 1300 newspapers, 4000 tradesmen, and 3000 theatrical lodgings and hotels, not to mention all kinds of iuformation concerning 7000 actora, actresses, vocalists, managers, agents, and other fearful wildfowl. Altogether, Fox's Crimson Catalogue is a book for English aotors to know — and buy.

I was told (saya " Florence " in Figaro) the correct thing after a morning's shopping was to go for -a Bail on the "Ocean Wave." Accordingly, eff we went to Honpler'a' Circus. It is the very funniest sight. Imagine the whole of the arena filled up by six yachts, arranged amongst rolling green billows, which revolve round the deck of a ship, Tho ship is thoroughly nautical ; th 9 captain stands on the bridge, the Jack Tars rush about aßsist ing to Rtart the boata, and one is at the wheel. Landing is done by means of a gangway, and is called " going on shore," and before starting a bell rings with the customary shout, " Any more for the boats ? " Lifebuoyß are conveniently hung about for fear of accidents, and the whole thing is very realistic Tho boats will accommodate 120 people, and when you are seated you get into them in quite the approved style by jumping over the side. At a given signal, offjyou go. Tho wave 3 are set in motion, and " you plough the angry main." In faqt, bo angry is tho main that every now and then a storm arises, The thunder roil?, the atmosphere is dark and heavy, the lightning flashes, and as every flash is accompanied by a deries of gratified shrioks from some of the lafly sailors it becomes quite exciting. I should not fanoy that anyone, however bad their sea-going powers, could feel ill with the motion. It is too regular, and too much like a switchback railway. There is none of that horrid sinking down, down, down, which anyone having crossed the Channel remembers only ten well, and a suggestion I heard that anyone knowing that they suffer from mal , de mer should, before a voyaga, repair to Hengler's Circu^, and have a steady practice every day was amusing. The sail is, much more likoly to be patronised by the switchback lovers, many of whom were present, I am sure, tho day we went,; so much familiar screaming went on. The air caused by the motion, and the sound of the engines, serve to make the illusion more real, and altogether it is a very clever pieoe of mechanism. The waves are sometimes 15ft high, i " Tpe Home Feud," desoribed as an original play in three aota by Walter Fritb, is, written round an " adventuress, " named - Louise, whose disposition is quite too dreadful for words. Sbo ia really the moat artful, aolfish, and unscrupulous young specimen of her kind that I have lately happened on, and ought to have been smothered at birth. Of course it is she who is the cause of the home feud, and this is how it comes about. A certain heavy dragoon caught cold in Egypt, went blind, and came home to Manchester to be nursed. Helen (daughter of the local organist) saves dragoon's life at' risk of her own, and dragoon falls in love with hsr, but omits to mention the • circumBtances, Helen falls in love with him, but is, of course, equally reticent. Dragoon goes to Germany, gets his eves put right, and rushes back to propone to Helen, whom he has never yet seen. He comeH in through the window to save time, and the first person he happens on is He|en's cousin Louise. Being a very heavy dragoon he doesn't stop to inquire, but Resumes that this is Helen and acts accordingly. Louise (nothing loth) accepts the situation and the dragoon, while poor Helen stands aloof in a naif-fainting condition. This makes an excellent curtain to the first act, and was deservedly applauded. When the curtain rises again Louise has not only hooked her fish — meaning the heavy dragoon — but married him, for she managed to intercept the h. d.'s letters to Helen and to prevent explanations. Although only a few weel<3 have elapsed, the dragoon bitterly rnpont3 bis bargain. As a matter of fact hiswif c was already married to the Hon. Jaok Beilby, who id a very bad eprg indeed. Sho thinks him dead, instead of which he is in Canada, or was in Canada, for presently he turns up in Mancheater, and, as his brother, the Hon. George, is a friend of 'the dragoon's, trouble'soon ensues. The Hon. Jack has committed all manner of crimes, especially forgery. He is, indeed, a sort of whistling thief — for he is always turning up outside the window and whistling for Louise to come out. By-and-bye aha persuades him to look in after the stable dock has struck 12, which he does, whereupon she pretends he is a burglar, and fires a revolver at him, but misses, and the Hon. Jack, rushing up, snatches revolver from her and lets her have one barrel thereof. It proves sufficient, for she falls dead. The dragoon rushes in to ask what is the matter. " I have killed — my — wife ! " says the Hon. Jaok — and thave the play ends.

The Jersey Lily will shortly have an Irish rival on the boards. The lady in question is the daughter of a prominent Irish clergyman, and has lone; been a popular amateur, with artistic ability far above the average. She has baen anxious to pro on the stage, but owing to the prejudices of her father, on whom she was dapendont, she has boon unable to gratify her loading fpaesion. Now, however, a timely legacy has rendered her independent of her parent, and, amid a domestic Btorm, -he sailed from the North Wall for London, where she proposes to Btudy for some months,

Mr Justice Chitty was an excellent oarsman, and is a very good and pleasant judge, but his knowledge of actors and managers and their ways seems limited. In granting the injunction to restrain Miss Hvmtington from singing in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States without the consent of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, Limited, he expressed a hope that if the parties had an opportunity of arranging their differences, they would do bo,

as it oould not be to the advantage of managers, actors, or singers occupying high positions to have their quarrels paradod before the public. Theße remarks are delightfully verdant and refreshing. Why, the one aim and object in life of most, if not all managers, actors, and Bingers is to keep themselves and their doings, of whatever nature, constantly en evidence, and a law suit is an excellent, though expensive form of advertisement. As the public, too, takes considerably more interest in actors' quarrels than in their acting, Mr Justice Chitty's well-meant advice will probably be disregarded. Adelina Fatti iB known in Amerioa as the

" great artist and farewelhst. " The following linas in reference to her have appeared iv the Song Friend :— The tuneful Fatti comes again, Without the least compunction ; Perhaps she thinks her last goodbye Lacked in the proper unction. But when, alas I once more she haß Our dollars decimated, Perhaps she'll tell the cunning spell By which a positive farewell Can be reduplicated.

On her present tour Madamo Patti has not taken her most valuable jewellery, owing to tho many attempts which have been made to rob her. It is stated that every time she has left England she has been followed by thieves, who have systematically planned the carrying off of hor jewels. Tho value of tho possessions of the prima donna may be judged from the fact that in the character of Violotta, in "La Traviata," she wears £15,000 worth of joweln, one rivere alone being manufactured for her to wear in the ball scene at a cost of £8000.

The double funeral at New York on the 4th March of Mr H. Allston Sohaokelford (for many years United States Ooniml to Nantes) and his wife, who died a few days after her husband in that city, recalls an incident in the life of the vow distinguished prima donna Madame Albani. Mr Suhackelford was, 20 years ago, the Paris correspondent of the American Art Journal, Miss Emma La Jeunesse had, as a girl, appeared on the concert stage in Montreal as a vocalist, pianist, and organist, and she had likewise sung and played the organ in the convent of the Church of the Sacre Cceur at Montreal, had sung in the choir at the Roman Catholic church at Saratoga, and had taken part as a member of the choir' in the Cathedral at Albany. In 1869-70 Bishop Oonroy had interested himself a great deal about the young vocalist, and had succeeded in arranging for her to go with her father to Europe to study. The editcr of the American Art Journal, Mr W, M, Thorns, states that he recolleots a visit to the Journal office from Mr and Miso La Jounesse when on the eve of departure for Europe. It was here that Mr Allston Schackelford's connection with the career of Madame Albani began. The editor of the American Art Journal had given Mr La Jeunes3e a letter of introduction to his Paris correspondent .which was duly honoured. Mr Schackelford met the young lady at a soiree given at the residence of Mr Crawford, a well known Paris correspondent of an English paper, Mr Schackelford, in his communication to the American Art Journal in 1870, stated:— "We had noticed, quietly seated in tho corner of a sofa, a young girl, apparently about 18 years of ag9, modestly dressed in plain white, with petite figure, &c. Soon our young friend was handed to the piano, and sang • Robert toi que j'aime' and 'The last rose of summer.' Her volume and beauty of voioe astonished us all, and congratulations from professors and amateurs followed. In reply to the question who the young lady was, Mrs Crawford answered, 'A young countrywoman of yours. Let me introduce you.' Miss La Jeunesse, now Madame Albani, was then lodging with Madame Lafitte." Soon afterwards Mr Sohackelford received a note from Madame Lafitte stating that la petite was very ill, and bagging him to come to her at once. Mr Schackelford did so, and found the poor child suffering from typhoid fovor. Madame was in great distress, walking about her room, not knowing what to do. Her servant waß burning pastilles, and a Sister of Charity was quietly looking on. The future prima donna was lying in bed with lips parted, dark and parched with fever, and breathing short and heavily. The first natural question was, " Have you a physician ? " Madame answered, 11 We called in a doctor, but he has not been here two days." Prompt action was necessary. In a short time Dr Baylard and one of the best nurses in Paris was in full charge. Weeks of illness followed, but thanks to the constant care and watchfulnoss of Dr Baylard, in about two months little Emma was able to walk,- and her rocal duties were subsequently resumed. Mr Schackelford then gave Mias La Jeunesse letters of introduction to General Dix, the American Minister in Paris. From Paris the vocalist went to London, where sho became Madame Albani, and attained her high position.

MR MILN AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

" RICHELIEU."

The announcement of the classical and popular drama "Richelieu" attracted fair houses at the Princess Theatre on the 7th and Bth and, notwithstanding several disadvantageous circumstances, on firßt night a really excellent and thotoughly eujoyable performance was given. This grand historical play seems not out of place in a Shakespearian season, for it bears a closer resemblance to the works of Shakespeare than probably any other play produced on the Knglish stage. The drama is well known, and never fails to please when fairly presented; while the impersonation of the great cardinal by ft really talented acbor rouses an audience to something like cuthusiatm. Before the curtain rose on the first act of " Uiohelieu," on the opening night Mr Miln came before the audience and said that he had not hitherto had to apologise to his patrons in this city, but he had to do so now, as a member of hU company, for reasons best, known to himself, had failed to put in an appearance, and the part allotted to him would have to be read by another member. This announcement was received Iv a very generous spirit by the. udience. The part which had to be read was the important one of Adrian deMauhrat for which Mr H. N. Douglas had been cast. Mr W. J. Montgomery, who should have appeared as Louis XIII, read it, and did so in a capital manner for which he waß heartily applauded, aud was joined with Mr Miln and Miss Douglas in a call before the curtain. At the conclusion of the third act Mr Miln again addressed the audience, and in doing so paid a ■well-merited t ribute of praise to Mr Montgomery. Ho asked hia patrons to accept his thanks for the manner in which they had accepted what had been done so as net altogether to disappoint them, and said he was sure he might convey to the young gentleman who had stepped into the breach their compliments, us wpII as his own, upon the success of his efforts. The member of the company who had tailed to make his appearance would not, he said, interfere with any future performance. Mr Miln also desired to cay a word or two regarding the company generally. Since he had set foot here he hid been the victim ot misfortunes, which it had been imposaiblo to explain or to avoid. One member of the company was left ill at Lyttelton, next there was the delay iv opening, then three or four of his best P"ople had been ill, notably Mies Douglas, who hid heroically played while suffering from a hacking cough Tbev seemed, he remarked, to be surrounded with difficulties, but they had tried to do their work, and he hoped that iv the three or four days left of the season the public would kindly come to their help and send them out of the town with perhaps their hearts at least a little warm. The remarks made by Mr Miln were received with applause, and I be clearly had the sympathy of his auditors because of hU difficulties, as well &s their admiration for hia

ability to cope with them, The change in the cast made it neoeßsary that the part of the King, which was to havfl bpen played by Mr Montgomery, Bhould also be read, but notwithstanding all this, the drama was successfully produce!) , and Mr Miln's Hichelieu was a splendid performance, that will bear conapariuon with any interpretation of the character ever given in the colony. MiBB Kate Douglas deserves high commendation for her admirable acting as Julie de Mortemar, the cardinal's ward. She was alike good in the playful and powerful scenes, and in the third act in particular she entirely won her audience and was most vigorously applauded. Mr Clement Wakefield played well and carefully as Frangois, and Mr William Holman's Joseph was by no means indifferent. The other members of the company likewise deserve credit for the manner in which their parts were filled, and for theassistance thus given in the production of the drama; On tho second presentation the play ran smoothly throughout, aud greit credit is due to Mesßrs Montgomery and Cossgrovefor themannerin which they acquitted themselves considering the short time at their disposal for studying their parts.

" MACBETH."

Another of the more frequently played of Shakespeare's works, the great tragedy " Macbeth," was placed on the stage of the Princess Theatreon Friday evening by Mr Ueorge O. Miln and his company. Mr Miln's Macbeth is certainly worthy of close study. • The character is one that makes exceedingly large demands upon an actor, no matter how accornpliihed ho may bo. Mr Miln has many natural qualification* ior tho part — hU appearance, voice, freedom from restraint, and his great natural vigour— and all these were brought into requisition. Mr Miln in th« dagger scene and ntthe appearance of Hnnquo's ghost wa9 startlitigly impressive, tind at no period did he fail to display great histrionic rower. But, though nothing came off tardily, it might bo suggested that somo things were somewhat oveidone. This, however, is a point not easily determined. Much depends upon the prevailing custom in such matters, and probably not a little upon theexigenciesof the stage. Macbrth was the antithesis of " a still strong man," and the bounds to he Bet to his displays of violence would vary with the individual judgment 'of every critic. Mr Miln unquestionably gave an intelligent aud powerful rendering of theoharactor— a rendering wholly consistent with the text in its principal attributes ; and to require more than this is to approach a degre of refinement in the matter that would be rather fanciful than oritical. The verdict of tho audience was emphatically in favour of Mr Miln, and that verdict is generally regarded as being for all practical purposes absolutely final. The Lady Macbeth of Miss Kate Douglas was above the average. It will bo realised that thia is is no faint praise when it is remarked that the character likethat of Lady Macbeth is not one regarding which success may be in any degree accidental. The part is a heavy one, requiring great preparation, much natural ability, and no small amount of ; physical endurance, and in no other play produced by the company during the season has Mis 3 Douglas more fairly won the admiration and applause of her audience. When inciting Macbeth to mnrder Duncan her acting wasßplendid, and more power could hardly have been pug into the words, " Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?" or in tho succeeding passages, ithan she imported to them Mr Douglas gave a uniformly good representation of Macdnff, and Mr Montgomery as Malcolm was alto satisfactory.

" JULIUS CJ3SBB."

This play was produced on the dosing nights of the season, Monday and Tuesday, the attendances being better than had hitherto been the rule; To some extent, the improvement in the attendance was probably due to the fact that the dr*ma selected has much of novelty about it, for although everybody knows of Shakespeare's historical play I ' Julius Caesar," which is replete with familiar passages, it has been rarely played iv this colony. For many years at any rate there) has been no attempt to place it on the stage in this .city, and no doubt the great majority of those preaeht saw it played ou this occasion for the first time. That this drama should be so much neglected must seem strange to those who have enjoyed witnessing its performance. It admits of much effectiye scenic display- a point not overlooked by Mr Ijliln— the characters are of absorbing interest, the action of the play admirable, and the scope it affords for'the most finished elocution unquestionable, Maro (Antony's oration o n er the body of Caesar baing but I one particularly bright star in a great constellation. That the drama can be effectively presented without any extremely lavioh or costly scenic effeots is also apparent, for probably no effort put forth by Mr Miln and his company has been more to the taste of the audierce thau tho production of "Julius Cassar." Aa Maro Antony Mr Miln wbb as successful as he has been iv any! of the characters he has here undertaken. I Othello, Hamlet, and Richelieu, as presented ;by him, were all great characters, worthy of an actor and a eoholar, but in none was he greater or more successful than as Marc Antony. In the' first and second acts he does little more than make ad appearance on the stage, but the brief moments ho is before the audience in theße acts show that his -audience will not be disappointed There are two. scenes in particular in which Mr Miln's acting call for the highest Commendation. One is tho scene in the Capitol, where Marc Antony first encounters the dead body of Csosar in the presence of the conspirators, and the other the familiar and famous scene in the Forum, where he' delivers the great oration ou Csosar's death. In both Mr Miln's acting and elocution were superb. What followed was quite in keeping with thene efforts, but these were naturally the parts that insured success or failure, and that it was success of no ordinary kind that was attained was mo3t i palpable. The ladies in the drama have very light parts. The one icene in which Miss Douglas appears as Portia, the wife of Brutus, was oharmingly presented, and Miss Hamilton, >\vho had a still lighter part as Calphurnift, played in a very pleasing manner, The numerous male characters require good acting, and for the most part received it Mr Montgomery, as, Brutus, played with much care and gave proof* of good dramatic talent. Castius was also well played on the whole, but Mr Douglas, who filled the part, required more than the average amount of prompting. Mr Dobson deserves much credit for his dignified and natural Impersonation of Julius Caesar, and Mr Holman for his very careful and really clever acting as Gasca. Other members of the company also deserved and obtained recognition from the audience, and the performance may be safely characterised as o'ie of the most succesuful during the season. Mr Miln was several times called before the curtain, and at the close of the drama on the Monday night he made a short valediotory address.