THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2008, 18 August 1892, Page 35

THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES.

GoalrikulUat from the Profession chronicling their raovfcmenti md doings are lnvlie.l. AH coiumuulo&tious to bo »iWro»a6d l» "PnqulD," Ot&io TVltncsi Office.

M'Lean's Juvenile Troupo open their New Zealand tour at tho Wellington Opera House on Friday night. They produce " Romeo and Juliet," "Mixed, or Three Hats," "Struck Oil," and a couple of burlesques. M'Lean's Salisbury Troubadours were the first to produce "Struck Oil" in New Zealand, Master John Parlatto making a great hit as John Stofel. The stage manager is Mr Cram, who was the original Captain Corcoran when

" Pinafore" was played throughout the colony. J. D. Foley, Irish comedian and Australian Maccabe, opens at Wellington on September 19 ; Jubilee Singers, Wellington, October 19. The repertoire of Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company, which is to open at Auckland on the 20th prox will include Gilbert and Sullivan's latest work " The Gondoliers," " The Old Guard," " Marjorie," " Pepita," " Dorothy," and " Yoeman of the Guard." M. Leon Caron is to be conductor and Mr Henry Bracy stage manager, with Mr "Pete" Hughes as agent in advance and Mr Georges Tallis (Mr Williamson's representative in Melbourne and Sydney for the past seven years) as business manager. The company include the following artists: — M°ssrs George Laurie, Sydney Dean, Howard Vernon, Henry Bracy, William Rosevear, Stannis Leslie, and Thomas Grundy, Misses Elsie Cameron, Florence Young, Flora Graupner, Violet Varley, M. E. Lewis, and Mabel M'Kay. Four weeks' seasons are to be given in Auckland and Duuedin. Miss Myra Kemble opens her New Zealand season at Dunedin in February next. Bland Holt opens here in April. Mr W. G. Carey, an old New Zealand favourite, is about to be tendered a benefit in Melbourne prior to his leaving for India.

Mr Fawcett concluded his season at the Princess Theatre on Saturday afternoon by giving a matinee performance specially adapted for children and schools. After a hurried and extremely varied display of Indian temples, palaces, forts, and tombs, types of character, &0., a special series of grotesque pictures were presented on the screen for the amusement of the juveniles, who were evidently thoroughly pleased with the whole entertainment. The dress circle was crowded by ladies and children. In contrast with tho gorgeous mosques of the East, Mr Fawcett presented a few of the most celebrated English tombs — notably an exterior and interior series of Westminster Abbey, making brief refereace to its history ; also the interior of St. Paul's Cathedral, and after referring to the illustrious heroes there entombed, he sang with spirited effect the "Death of Nelson," for which he received considerable applause. At the conclusion of the entcrtaiunient Mr Fawcett thanked his audience for their patronage, and promised to return at some future date with an enlarged and more perfect collection, having sent to London and India for a series of pictures.

The farewell concert tendered to Mr W. Densem will take place in the Princess Theatre on the 23rd inst., and as the beneficiary is one of our most popular vocalists there should be a large attendance.

The Auckland Amateur Opera Club are at present having a very successful season with "H.M.S. Pinafore," at the Opera House. A more brilliant spectacle has rarely been seen than the Opera House presented on tho nighb the performance was honoured with tho presence of Admiral Lord Charles Scott and the officers of the Orlando and the Ringarooma. The singing and acting have been very creditable, while a praiseworthy feature was that the whole of the staging, scenery, and dresses were of local production. It is anticipated that the financial results will be quite equal to those of previous seasons, and thus enable the club to to create more scholarships in music.

Wirth Bros. "European, Arab, and Japanese Circus" will appear in Dunedin at the beginning of October. The Arabs and Japanese have excited great interest in Auckland, where their performances have been very highly spoken of. The company numbers 4-7 members, and the principal artists who were with Messrs"Wirth on their former visits are with them still, and some new features of interest, including some New Zealand-bred stallions, have been added. The merits of the show are, it, is stated, sufficient to ensure its success during the tour.

On Saturday afternoon Mr William Densem was presented with a very handsomely chased sovereign case, filled with sovereigns, as a mark of esteem and respect from his fellow employes. Mr Moloney, manager for Messrs W. Scoular and Co., in making the presentation, referred in feeling terms to Mr Densem's 16 years' connection with the firm, and expressed the hope that the professional career which he had decided on adopting would be as successful as his commercial one had been. The firm, Mr Moloney added, parted with Mr Densem with feelings of great regret and yet of pleasure — regret at losing the services of so faithful a servant, and pleasure in believing that there was every likelihood of his doing very much better for himself. Mr Densem, in responding, said that in severing his connection with the firm, in whose employ he had been so long, he did so with a pang ; but it was very gratifying to him to know that he carried with him the good wishes of all his fellow employes.

Mr Horace Chester has taken the Princess Theatre for a farewell performance on the 19 th inst. of his musical monologue, which was so artistically successful at the City Hall recently. He will be assisted by several leading vocalists, who will appear in a ballad concert.

Mr W. H. Jude is drawing large audiences in Christchurch. The churches at which he officiated on Sunday at the organ were filled with overflowing congregations, every available inch of standing room being occupied iv the aisles, anterooms, and staircases.

Mr Charles Bradley, who has been associated with Mr Walter Bentley as manager since his sojourn in arrived in Dunedin by the s s. Wairarapa on Wednesdayjjmorniug to manage the Signor Foli Concert Company's approaching tour through New Zealand. Mr Bradley has not entirely severed his connection with Mr Bentley, but will return from Auckland after the Foli tour to Dunedin and take Mr Bentley through New Zealand.

Mr Snazelle comes here again shortly with Mr John Gourlay's farcical musical comedy combination. Mr Gourlay (whose brother is the well-known business manager for Mr Snazelle) opened at Sydney in the Imperial Opera House lately with " Skipped by the Light of the Moon." fS. The Grattan Kiggs Company were to finish their Christchurch season on Wednesday night, on which occasion "The Shaughrauu" was to be produced.

Miss Viola with her sister and Mr Leon Sagehonme have been manufacturing a new balloon to replace the one which collapsed down south a few weeks ago. Mr A. W. Sinclair generously gave them the use of three machines, and Mr A. Hauan that of his hall. In order to m3ke up for lo&t time work was continued each day up tiil 11 o'clock in the evening, with the

result that the balloon is now completed. Some idea will be gained of the arduousness of the task performed when it is stated that over 5000 ft of sewing had to be done.

The latest London wonder is the clairvoyant wife of one Soaines, who, when given au article to hold and thrown into a trance, can trace back its history to an indefinite period, the hands through which it has passed, and all collateral details.

Dr Lind, wizard and ventriloquist, who lately arrived from Melbourne, is doing the country districts of Southland with great success, while waiting for a favourable opening in the metropolis.

Of the additional attractions recently added to Wirths' Circus, now performing at Auckland, the Observer says:— "lt is these two latter combinations that call for the most attention, for they are attractions newly added to the circus. The Japanese, in a word, are without doubt the most marvellous performers of their kind that we have ever seen in New Zealand. They have reduced the art of balancing to a science which sets the laws of gravitation wholly at defiance. Imagine if you can a man balancing a slender 16ft pole on his shoulder, with no help from the hands to steady it, while away on the top of this bamboo a lad is performing skilful acrobatic feats, one of which is to suspend himself from the feet and then throw his body out at right angles from the pole. While he does all this, the old Jap underneath is as solemn as a judge, and never for a moment is the pole out of the perpendicular. This is something like balancing. Another of their feats is with ladders, the rungs falling out of a balanced ladder while the boy is on top, leaving him on the point of one of the poles that form tho sides. The young lady does a pretty act with paper butterflies, which by the gentle manipulation of her fan she keeps fluttering hither and thither to any given point as if they were alive. A third member of the troupe does another astonishing act with a screen which he balances on his toes in a marvellous manner. All this we have seen, but they do a great deal more that we have not seen yet. They are unquestionably wonders. Tho Arabs, tall muscular fellows, are interesting for racial reasons, for hitherto we have not seen out here any of these Bedouins of the desert. They are exceptionally skilful in the spinning of muskets quite 21b heavier than our volunteers use, and these they spin, one in each hand, with marvellous dexterity. Their scimitar act is a good one. With naked swords, they attack each other desperately, the blows raining like hail, but arc caught by small metal shields carried on the wrist. This exhibition of Bedouin warfare is no child's play, for the other evening one of the men had his wrist cut open by a scimitar blow he bad failed to parry." The Virginia Concert Company (Jubilee Singers) opened at Bourke, on the Darling River, on the 23rd ult., and were welcomed by a big house. Referring to Miss Laura A. Carr's soprano solo, " When the swallows come again," a local critic writes :—": — " This singer is as black as the ace of spadps, but when you hear her sing, a lover of music feels that she must have a soul as white as the driven snow." Mr O. M'Adoo is described as bringing up his lowest note, the four-barred G, from the bottom of his boots.

Mr Walter Bentley's season afc the Opera House in Brisbane was inaugurated on July 25 with complete success. At the close of every act of " Hamlet," which was tho initial production, Mr Bentley was recalled before the curtain, and once was rewarded in addition by somo beautiful floral tributes to the excellence of his performance. His representation, the Courier remarks, wis a study of intenso interest and an interest which did not flag for a moment. The Telegraph devotes alongand eulogisticnotice to the performance, in which Mr Bentley was well supported by Miss Laura Hansen and the other members of his company. On his arrival in Brisbane, Mr Bentley was entertained by the Scottish Association. There was a large attendance, some 70 or 80 enthusiastic Scots doing honour to their " national actor." Mr A. M'Nish Fraser occupied the chair, and in a pleasing speech welcomed Mr Bentley. In doing so he referred to Mr Bentley's connection with Dr Begg and Robert Burns. Mr Bentley's health was enthusiastically drunk, after which the guest replied.

Writing of Brough and Boucicault's successful production of Pinero's charming comedy "The Times" at tho Melbourne Bijou the Sporting Standard says :—": — " We have had many good pieces of work from this dramatist's hands in the past, but nothing more attractive than " The Times." Mr Pincro has taken a page out of everyday life, and made Egerton Bompas pourtray the almost tragic passages and heartburning incidents that find their way into most people's lives sometime or other. Although styled a comedy, there are moments of intensity and pathos in the piece which lift it above everyday comedy. The audience, however, accept it as the latter article, and laugh at the despairing struggle of Egerton Bompas, which, however diverting it may be to onlookers, is deeply tinged with tragedy for the unfortunate man himself."

"Miss Helyett" (the original of "Miss Decima " ) appears to have exactly hit the taste of the Parisians. The piece will shortly attain its 700 th representation. Quite an " Our Boys" success — with a girl. " Cherubino," in Figaro, continues to contend for the superiority of English music and English singers over French, whatever may be the case with Germans, and in a late issue says : — "There is not in all France a tenor like Lloyd, nor a baritons like Santley ; and, moreover, British music is as superior to French as Bass is to Bordeaux."

Melbourne Theatre Royal empty, and Melbourne Opera House to let at the end of the month .' This (writes the Sporting Standard) paints the theatrical depression in realistic colours.

Au Italian paper prints the music of that universal scourge, " Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay," which it describes as an example of the art of music in EDgland !

Madame Rossi Caccia, a once eminent prima donna who unsuccessfully appeared in London iv 181-5, died in June iasfc in poverty. For her Auber wrote " Le Part dv Diable."

Mr John F. Sheridan, after repeated warnings, is at last taking a fond farewell of Melbourne theatre-goers, and the popular comedian iutsnds leaving for Europe and America ill a week or so. A benefit will be tendered to the "Widdy" before leaving.

Of the Thamesites of a few years ago (asks the Auckland Observer) who doesn't remember poor old Dicky Wiseman, famous as the goldfield's poet, and father of the celebrated actress, the first Mrs J. L. Hall (Miss Emily Wiseman), and Mrs South (Miss Fanny Wiseman). For a couple of years the old man has been quite blind, and has lived in Australia. Within the last week or two he has come back to New Zealand not in the best of health, landing in Wellington with Mrs South and her family. They intend to settle down in the capital to boarding-house keeping, and Mrs South will manage classes in elocution, dancing, &c.

Grade Plaislcd, who was reported dead, is alive and well in America. She came here with Emilie Melville, but, though Giuill, she gob too big for secondary roles. Emilie wa6 rather ofE-

colour, and Qracie had all the youthful advantage, though never Emilie's equal. From advices to hand by the last mail we learn that an old Melbourne friend, Harry Power (Alexander Morrison, an old Dunedin boy) is at the Queen's Theatre, Dublin. He is playing in " The Wild Irish Boy," a drama in four acts. The piece received a favourable reception, and the company all round did their work vory well. Tho incidents on which the action is grouuded are very similar to those which Boucicault has worked up in " Arrah-Na-Pogue" and tho "Colleen Bawn." Mr Stewart Cleveland was successful in the part of tho gentlemanly villian, Morris M'Cauley, and Mr Harry Power, in the character of Hickey, a sort of Harvey Duff, acted remarkably well.

Mr W. J. Holloway, tho Well-known Australian actor, who is now iv England, has been engaged by Mr Henry Irving to play the part of Kent in the forthcoming presentation in London of "King Lear." Mr Holloway, or (says the Sporting Standard), as he is more familiarly known by his fellow artists, " Bill" Holloway, has been a distinguished figure on the Australian stage for more than 20 years. Born in New South Wales, ho evinced a talent for acting at an early age, and by dint of close study and perseverance ho soon secured that position on tho boards which his abilities honestly entitled him to. During tho very successful season of Bliss Essie Jeuj'ns, his step-daughter, Mr Holloway undertook important Shakespearean parts, and always gave them a finished and scholarly pourtrayal. Mr Luscombe Searelle writes to the Era contradicting Mrs Brown-Potter's statement that she played to an average of L 125 a night at Cape Town. These, he says, are the returns for the season : — First week, L 44 2; second week, L 268 4s 6d ; third week, L 279 7s 6d ; fourth week, L 362 4s 6d ; total, L 1351 16s 6d. Average per night, L 56 6s 6d.

"Tho Silver King" is to replace "In the Ranks" at the Melbourne Princess, with Mr Waltei Bentley as Wilfrid Denver.

James A. Bailey (of the late firm of Cooper and Bailey), actual owner and manager of the immense circus and menagerie and the caravans P. T. Barnum left behind him, became violently insane, and was placed in the Chicago madhouse for safe keeping. Bailey was married to one of Barnum's daughters. His real name is James A. O'Shannessy.

Kate Carleton, a variety actress, died in Providence, Rhode Island, on July 3. She was an English girl named Jenny Freeman, born in Buckingham 37 years ago, and first attracted attention while singing in the choir of Mr Spurgeon's Tabernacle, London. She died worth 60,000d0l in money, real estate, and jewellery.

All London was laughing, on July 2, at Oscar Wilde's threat to become a Frenchman, because the Examiner of Plays refused to allow his '•Salome" to be presented on the English Metropolitan boards. The new play is described as a realistic mixture of Scripture and of modern passion, and as only fit for production at a Paris theatre. Madame Sara Bernhardt was to play the part of Salome.

Press critics declare that Miss Frances Saville, of Sydney, is likely to advance before Madame Melba iv her profession.

Lottie Collins, the original introducer of the intolerable " Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay," is engaged at a salary of L 240 per week, to inflict that torture upon the New Yorkers who have never done her any harm.

Miss Lucile Saunders, who is now acting in the "Mountebanks" at the Lyric Theatre, was married at All Saints', Finchley Road, on Jane 5, to Mr A. M'Guckin, tho well-known baritone singer. The lady will, of course, not leave the stage.

On Madame Patti's arrival in Liverpool from New York she informed a press representative that she never had a grander reception anywhere than in America. At her last concert in New York 3000 ladies persisted in kissing her. President Harrison gave a reception in her honour, attended by tho elite of New York. Three special concerts in Madison Square Gardens realised 75,000d01.

From the Bulletin : —

George Rignold is not lucky. Ho let his Sydney theatre and went to Adelaide and Melbourne to play to poor houses, while, with Sydney Royal burnt down and Sydnoy Criterion shut, money was being turned away from his own house every night.

Some of our readers well know Mrs Baylis, manageress of tho Scotia Music Hall, Glasgow, from which she has just retired, after 40 years' experience. She always worked her halls on strict teetotal principles, yet thpy wpre firstclass, and she has paid salaries from LIQO a week down.

Bessie Rignold is of the third theatrical generation.

Bornhardt interviewed: "Yeez, our ' Cleopart' tour has been one fete. At Milburn twenty dousand peoples reciefe me at the Chemin de Fer. Dey take the horzes out of my carriage, and drag me along Bourke street to the deatre. De Governor 'Opedown crown me with golden laurel. We take 1000 livre monnaie ze first night. Mr Wheelhamson have made his fortune. He drive now a coche-and-four cream horzes. Ho offaire me forty dousand livre to come back. In Sydnaie — oh, charmante ! I go shootainge at Lilydalo, and gill one elephant, two lions, one tigarre, a lafling chackasse, and a bear six veet high, vich run up a kum-dree. I keep some of dese in my batt-room, but helas ! they die ! I haf now but one gangaroo-tog."

Home correspondent (June 24-) : —

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good," and the latest has been an attempt to make capital out of tho lato Rainhill murder business. " Deeming ; or Doomed at Last " was lately presented to a Liverpool audience, and promptly suppressed by the examiner of plays. Mr G. W. Anson has arrived here from Australia, and received a most hearty reception. This excellent comedian made a bitter enemy of the London public some time ago by an injudicious speech to an audience, and the result was his visit to Australia. That, however, is forgotten now, and his abilities will be again heartily recognised by all theatre-goers. Very flattering comments have been appearing in the various papers here.

Mr Frank Thornton, ran through New Zealand with "The Private Secretary," has again taken up the rule of Rev. Robert Spalding at the Comedy, whore he is meeting with much success. His performance is the same, and as funny as ever, and compares very favourably with those of Beerbohm-Trce and W. S. Penloy in the same part.

Another play will shortly be produced in London from the pen of D. Christie Murray, whose "Ned's Chum" proved rather unsucceFsful here, though it is still running and doing

fair business in the provinces. Mr St. Maur id its pilot, as of old.

Mr Elton has made his return from your side of tho water, and, being an exceedingly clever actor, will not be long before finding something good for himself.

All the theatres are iv a bad way just now. The wave of theatrical depression which has spent its force on Australia has gathered fresh onergy, and is attacking modern Babylon. Even the Lyric Theatre, with that successful opera " The Mountebanks," is feeling its force, and Mr Horaco Sedger has resolved to close his doors for a time, until the autumn most probably, when the prett/ opera will trip it again right merrily. At the Garrick Mr Hare has removed "A Fool's Paradise," and will produce "A Pair of Spectacles " once more until the middle of next month only, when tho company will take a provincial tour. On returning to town Mr Hare will put "Robin Goodfellow" on the boards.

By arrangement with the enterprising Mr Henry Abbey, Mr Irving will again betake himself to America. Next September twelvemonth he and Miss Ellen Terry and the reßb of his company will commence a tour of the States, to last 30 weeks. They will be seen first in Sao. Francisco in " Henry VIII," but, of course, Mr Irving will give other plays of his repertoire. An interesting feature of this tour will be the inauguration by tho Lyceum company of the new theatre Mr Abbey is building in New York.

" Hero and Leauder" has succumbed at the Shaftesbury, and Mr Kyrle Bellew and Mrs Brown-Potter are " resting." At the Parkhursfc Theatre a nautical melodrama has been produced entitled "Nelson; or, The Dream of an Old Salt" — a rather cumbersome title. Although the name implies much of Lord Nelson, there is in reality very little of him. It will not run long. Mr J. R. Rogers, of Minnie Palmer fame, and who facetiously signs himself " Yours merrily," has just returned from America, where ho has arranged a prolonged tour for Mr Wilson Barrett, who, I am ' sorry to say, is "played out" here. Mr Rogers himself will pilot Wilson through America, and anticipates a "real good thing." I hope so with all my heart, for Mr Barrett is an excellent actor.

The last nights of the "Vicar of Bray"aro announced at the Savoy, which theatre aleo intends to close its doors for a short period. There is quite a little famine theatrically speaking, and to keep open a theatre means a sure loss of money to tho management. " Blue-eyed Susan " at the Prince of Wales' has been replaced by a pantomime play, which is having fair amount of success, entitled " Les Statutes de Commundeur."

The distinction of Doctor of La.vs about to be conferred by the University of Dublin upon Mr Henry Irving will be the first honour of the kind ever bestowed upon an actor, as such, Sir Augustus Harris having, of course, received his knighthood from his connection with the city. It never occurred to the Government of tho day, or to any learned body, to officially recognise tho genius of Garrick or Edmund Kean. Two or three years ago the idea of conferring a knighthood upon Mr Irving was mooted, but the Lyceum chief rightly judged that such, a line on tho bill as "Hamlet by Sir Henry Irving " would have a disturbing effect. Tho letters LL.D. will not be open to the same objection, since tho distinction is not ono that is used in tho every day business of life. A dramatisation of Mr Walter Besant's novel " They Were Married " proved a failure at the Strand last week.

An almost unparalleled failure in the later annals of London theatrical life has occurred in connection with the New Princess's Theatre, Oxford street, when Mr Sidney Herberte Basing's management came to an abrupt conclusion. For somo time past this theatre has been the scene of great productions, and such artists as Henry Neville, Charles Warner, W. L. Abingdon, Arthur Dacro, Mrs Dion Boucicault, Mr John Carter, Miss Olga Brandon, and Miss Ella Terriss might have been seen nightly on its boards, until the uninitiated had imagined that the New Princess's was rapidly cutting tho Adclphi out. But it appears after all that such was not tho case ; even the appearance of such names as the above on tho daybill cannot apparently guarantee "house full." " Strathlogau," the final production, was notified in all the papers as a particularly grand one, a powerful company had been engaged, special scenery had been procured from tho brush of W. T. Hemslcy (our foremost scenic artist), and tho services of Hugh Moss (the "king of stago managers") had been retained, and, although tho x j iece itself was not the most brilliant of brilliant dramas, I may unhesitatingly assert that it was a grand production. " Strathlogan " was due some two weeks before it made its bow to the public in Oxford street, but postponement after postponement, although tending to aggravate "the great 8.P.," did not plant any grain of suspicion as to the true state of affairs within its multitudinous breast. However, it was at last produced and four nights was the length of its run, probably the shortest run on record. Then it came upon us like a thunderclap that the New Princess's Theatre was in the hands of bailiffs, on a distraint for rent. One thousand pounds' worth of new scenery was promptly "chalked" by the "man in possession" (in this case a plurality), and the clothes of tho popular favourites appearing there seized with equal celerity. This was rather hard on the artists, and I am pleased to learn that steps are being taken to obtain the restoration of their property. Perhaps no one felt more surprised at the collapse than the manager, Mr S. Herberte Basing himself. Such faith had he that he had apparently placed his "little all" in " Strathlogan," confident of success. Forty supers had been carefully drilled for the big scenes, and from these and the members of the orchestra came the first signs of distress. On the opening night there was only Ll7 in the house ! On the Friday night there was nofc nearly as much ; on the Saturday the trouble began, being, of course, pay-day, or " treasury," as it is termed in theatrical parlance. Tho members of the orchestra made a demand for their wages, and not seeing tho necessary forthcoming, refused to play the music. The audience in front, though meagre, clamoured for the rise of the curtain. Then the supers struck, and there was very little chance of "Strathlogan" making its appearance that night. However, one of the lady members of the company came to the fore and advanced a considerable portion of the managerial debt, and the play proceeded. On the Tuesday, when a thin "gallery" and a much thinner "stalls" collected at the doors, they were found closed, and closed they remained for the rest of the evening — and still.