AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 17 August 1893, Page 37

AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP.

Dear PAsauiN,— Bob Courfcneidge, who remains in Sydney, "is better than Lonnen," now that Pooh Bah and the Gaiety crowd have gone Homo. Thus a Melbourne writers— *" I have often wondered what t there really is ' eminent' about Lonnen, unless it is the black eye, in which case he received his eminency in Maoriland. We never hear of the eminent Robert Courtneidge. That's all right; but Bob Courtneidge is one of the best comedians that ever took a cue in Australia. .Further, though I never remember seeing Courtneidge, I think it redounds to his credit to find that he is not starred in the wrecking of a newspaper office. Oh dear, no. As per usual, it's Lonnen here, there, and everywhere! Lonnen! Johnnie Hall, the Australian King of Burlesque (peace to his ashes), was worth a dozen specially sorted and selected Lonnens, and we made no fuss over J.L. But then Johnnie usen't to wander round the town looking for newspaper editors and gore." Melbourne Bijou Theatre was opened on Tuesday, August 1, under new management. " David Garrick," preceded by " Our Bitterest Foe," filled the bill. The company, a mixed one, was made up as follows :— Messrs F. C. L Appleton, A. G. Poulton, Robert Yernon, B. D. Haygarth, Harry Hill, W. Beresford, Harry Diver, Scot Inglis; Misses Eugenic Duggan, Jennie Bryce, Meta Pelham, and Hilda Fraser ; and "star" Mr A. B. Greenaway, who, they do say, suffers from that most horrible of stage diseases, " big head." Four places of amusement open in Marvellous Smellbourne :— The Princess Theatre, the Bijou, and the two music halls, the Gaiety and Alhambra. Snazelle is en tour. Catherine Foote, an ex-Gaiety end-girl, is said to have mashed and marned-the son of a Victorian judge. . Mr Frank Cates (through Maoriland in 1890 with the Frank Thornton Company) "benefited" on Monday, August 8, at Sydney Criterion Theatre, generously -granted for the occasion by Messrs Brough ■and Boucicault. Ditto Mr Cecil Ward on August 4, when ."Sophia" filled the bill/ "The Double Event," with Mr George Darrell, the author, as the star, was to have been started at 8 punctual at Sydney Her Majesty's on Saturday, July 29, but owing to an unfortunate accident to Miss Kate Bishop it was found impossible to present the sporting drama, and at the last moment Mr George Rignold decided to stage "The Crimes of Paris," Miss Myra Kemble at very short notice having agreed to assume the role of La Belle Helene. Miss Eemble received a very warm reception, and the frequent applause that greeted her efforts showed that her acting was thoroughly appreciated, and certainly the keen conception which she showed for the author's ideal was the more creditable when it is remembered that she assumed the position at a few hours' notice. It appears that on the previous evening, while Miss Kate Bishop was getting out of her carriage, one foot slipped on the wet pavement, and she severely sprained her ankle, Her medical adviser at once informed Mr George Rignold that she would be unable to appear, the result being Miss Kemble was engaged in her place. There was a crammed house on Monday night, July 31, when " The Double Event " was proceeded with. The cast was a very strong one, including Miss Jennie Lee, Miss Myra Kemble, Mr George Darrell, and the full strength of the Rignold Company. O vev 100 auxiliaries appear in the Melbourne Cup scene, and in the race itself no less than 20 thoroughbred horses ridden bj well-known professional jockies compete. One of the scenes — Interior of Tattersail's Club Rooms, Sydney — has been specially painted for this production by Mr Alfred Clint.

Comparing the two comedians, Elton and Lauri, the general opinion is that Lauri's performance as the Vicar in Grundy and Solomon's " Vicar of Bray " is a, long way ahead of what Elton could have done with it.

Madame Fanny Simonsen was tendered a benefit concert by her friends and pupils at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday, July 29. The concert was an artistic success, but the attendance was not very large. Miss Katherine Vinceni, a gifted lady solo violinist who has been playing with Harry Rickards and Company at Sydney Tivoli Music Hall for the last six months, has introduced an act somewhat above a variety show. The now "turn" is entitled "The Spirit of Music." The violinist appeared in Mephisto coptume, by Sam May ot London, and the acene-waß moat effective. The charaoterwhich Miss Vinceni impersonates sells her 'soul ' to the devil for music, and whilst deploring , the absence of her violin, it comes to her, apparently from the clouds. She artistically interprets several beautiful airs, and the violin and bow again mysteriously disappear. At the conclusion of the act Miss Vinceni was loudly. applauded.

" For the Term Of His Natural Life," after a five nights' run at Sydney Royal, was withdrawn on Friday, August 4, in favour of "The Minor's Right." The Brough-Boucicault Comedy v Company open its tour on August 18 at Adelaide. The tour will extend for nine or ien months, during which every place of importance in Tasmania and Maoriland will be visited. - The members of the touring company are :— Messrs Brough (last through Maoriland in 1888 with the 8.-B. Burlesque Company, of which "Teddy" Royce, E. B. Manning, Charles Brown, W. Warde, Florence Harcourt, and Fanny Robina were members), A. M'lntyre and George P. Carey (both through with the Frank Thornton Company, 1890), G. S. Titherage (through in 1887 with the Royal Comedy Company), Cecil Ward, and Boucicault ; Mrs Brough, Mesdames Bessie Major and Emma Temple (both 'through in 1888 with the Burlesque Company), Romer, Gibson, and Nobel. The Maoriland dates of the Brough-Bouci-cault Company are as follows :— Open in Dunedin for a 13 night season, December 26, 1893, to January 9, 1894' ; Christchurch, 12 nights, January 11 to January 24 ; Wellington, 17 nights, January 27 to February 15 ; Napier, six nights, February 17 to February 23 ; Auckland, 19 nights, February 26 to March 19 "The Prince of Theatrical Agents," Mr L. J. Lohr, will pilot the show ; the courteous and obliging W. H. Wallace (whom I have to thank for the above particulars, and who has been connected with Messrs Brough and Boucicault ever since their opening Melbourne Bijou Theatre) will appear in his dual capacity of acting manager and treasurer. ' In the BrooghBoucicault Comedy Company Maorilaud playgoers have "a treat in store." One of their pieces, "The Amazons," w4s> only withdrawn last week after a four weeks' run to overflowing houses. . Walter Bentley requires dramatic artiats "in all lines of business" to support him during his

season at Sydney Criterion, commencing Saturday, September 2. ©• S. Poverty Point, Sydney, August 3.