AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2102, 7 June 1894, Page 37

AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP.

(Special to the Otago Witness.) Dear Pasquin, — The "coon" with the big top-knot who played all over Australia, on the strength of a tremendous head of white hair, is now in the States billed as an Australian aboriginal ! Amongst the shows at Coolgardie and Wayalong goldfields are Professor Hylaiid's Circus, Fred. Davy's Marionettes, Montgomery's Circus, Arthur Vivian's Variety Company, Perry's Circus, and Ed. Skipp's Variety Company; also various side-shows. The variety company organised by Fred. C. Hiscocks (of the old firm of Hiscocks and Friedman) for the reopening of Sydney School of Arts (where Daniel Webster Tracey once had a good spell) has done very good biz since their openiDg night. There are several new people in the show, including Miss Vera Stewart, who has a pretty face and a fresh voice, and Mr George Turner, interlocutor. The Marvenie Bros, conclude the programme with a clever ladder and acrobatic drawing room entertainment, and Horace Bent makes things hum with his comicalities. Tessie Cleveland (for a long time at the Cyclorama) never fails to get an encore; while the sisters Levy, Lyla Thompson, J. F. Spencer, Ed. Lawler, Amy Sherwood, J. S. Whitworth, and Harry Hargreave (an endman with a good voice) all work hard to make the show a success. I wish Mr F. C. Hiscocka heaps of luck in his latest venture. Dampier's Company opened at Bcniigo on May 24. When Frank Thornton returns from Maoriland, instead of " where the nuts come from," it will be "Charley's Aunt from Maoriland, where the women's pants come from." Alfred Woods (once with Charley Warner), who has been trying his hand at goldmining on the Wyalong fields, is back again in Sydney. A recent performance of "Struck Oil" at Melbourne Royal was boomed as being under " the grand fashionable patronage of bis Honor Chief Justice Sir John Madden, LL.D., and lady." Madden refused to grant an injunction against the "Struck Oil " advertisements. Mr George Gibbons, at one time with Baker and Farron, and also with " Uncle Tom's Cabin," has returned to Sydney after an absence of 12 years, and is now managing Sydney Alhambra, the new scenery for which has been painted by Mr G. M'Donald, an artist who, as yet, has been chiefly known in Maoriland as a caricaturist under the norn de guerre of " Pasquin," and who turned out some excellent work for Mr Bland Holt on his recent tour through your colony. "After Dark" will shortly be staged by Rignold's Company at Sydney Her Majesty's. fctoach, M.P. (Brough), in "The Bauble Shop " : "We don't want men of the world in British politics. We're going to make a clean sweep of 'em." A strong lite in a city like London, where Jabez Spencer Balfours, Verney-?, et hoc genus homne are numerous. Frank Emery's company is out Newcastle way. Frank Cates is leading man. Melbourne Salvation Army has sent out a minßtrel troupe, 12 men in led trousers and shirts, called "The Metamorphoses" — the troupe, not the tiousers. Mr A. Clifton Alderson (the ghost in

"Hamlet" with Bentley's 1892 company) i now on a tour in the English provinces playing Wilfred Denver in " The Silver King." Garner's opening piece at Melbourne Bijou, the modern society drama "TheMoralsof Mayfair," is " The Turn of the Tide," produced by the London Comedy Company some 12 years ago. Hans Phillips plays his old part. Frank Harcourt makes a hit with Rignold's Company as Herr Michaelo Kennedy in "A King of Crime." Letter recently received by Bland Holt: — " Veneered Sir, — I wish to go on the stage, and I would like to join your theatre. I have been a bricklayer for five years, but, having failed in this branch, I have decided to take to acting, it being easier work. I am not young, but am 6ft without my boots. I have studied elocution, and am found of late hours." Mabel Staunton, Florence Lydey, and Will Wesley (of the " Uppah Ten"), Jack Shannon, Bertie Williams, Harry Sinclair, and the Jones Bros, are among the performers at Sunday concerts down the harbour. Referring to the toymaker's daughter in " The Bauble Shop," Lord Clivebrook (Titheradge) says: "She is good, if ever goodness and innocence dwelt in any woman." Then he adds reflectively, " If ever they did." Louis Wallace, Alec Hopkins, Minna Phillips, Rose Deane, and the Eland Family at Coogee Aquarium Sunday afternoon concerts. A young man made an application to George Rignold for engagement at Her Majesty's, and, among other things, said he did so wish to see his name in print. " Then why don't you get some visiting cards printed," remarked Henry Gus. Bruno, America's boss endman, and George H. Wood, the somewhat indifferent comedian, return shortly to Sydney under engagement to Harry Rickards. Darrell's Dramatic Company opened in Brisbane on Saturday, May 19, with "A Lucky Lot" (produced in Dunedin, M.L., at Exhibition time). Big Allan Hamilton is business manager, and little Joey St. Clair advance agent. Harry Cremars' Minstrel and Burlesque Company opened in the Victoria Theatre, Wyalong, on Saturday, May 19. Cremar says he intends putting on fresh performers every fortnight. Every crowd on tour, from a circus upwards or downwards, as you like it, seemingly is either in, or converging on, Wyalong, That genuinely good and clever crowd, the Godayou Tokio Troupe of Japanese with Rickards's Tivoli Company are again fetching Sydney audiences. The memory of Addie Conyer's voluptuous figure lingers lovingly in the minds of Sydney Johnnies yet. Addio'a face was not her fetching feature, but the " Venus di Medici " wasn't in it with the rest. Addie has been paralysing them in South Africa. Some of the Sydney orchestras want shaking up a bit. Theatre music in this city is pretty often only an echo, and not a very harmonious echo either, of the German Band outside. At the present time there are loads of stoney meculah pros, in New South Wales trying to earn a living anyhow. Many good names are to be found on handbills in little country towns, and not a few familiar footlight faces haunt newspaper offices. The hard-up actor makes a poor journalist ; and, witness the utter failure at Sydney Opera House, the journalist makes a confoundedly poor actor. — Yours truly, B. S. Poverty Point, May 26.

HOME NEWS. Dear Pasquin, — A correspondent writes me from the village across the sea : — London, S.W., April 15. Last night Mr Henry Irving with Miss Ellen Terry and the company just back from their tour through the States reappeared at the Lyceum in a revival of "Faust." The audience, which was a representative one, came not to see "Faust," but "Irving," and the great actor's reception baffles description. It was past midnight when the curtain was finally rung down. Herr Meyer Lutz, the veteran Gaiety conductor, js to be accorded an immense benefit in celebration of the 25th year of his musical directorship at this theatre (his professional silver weddiDg). Included in a vast array of talent are the following artists not unknown to Australasians : — E. J. Lonnen, E. W. Royce (" Blueskin "), Edward Terry, J. L. Shine, J. L. Toole, Fred Storey, Lionel Brough, Letty Lind, and Alice Lethbridge. There is also a possibility of Nellie Farren appearing. At Mr Tree's theatre, The Haymarket, Miss Irene Vanbrugh, out in the antipodes with Toole, and Lionel Brough are appearing. You will doubtless be surprised to hear that Edward Terry has returned to burlesque, supported by Kate Vaughan, Charles Danby, and the sisters Levey. He is appearing at his own theatre. At Horace Sedger's Lyric, in Shaftesbury avenue, "Little Christopher Columbus" is still running Btropg. A marionette dance, introduced by Alice Lethbridge and E. J. Lonnen, is a special feature. John F. Sheridan is also in the cast — probably his last appearances before leaving for Australia. Rose Dearing is taking well at the Alhambra. Master Harry Zetta, who was brought Home by Lonnen as " The Australian Nipper," is at the Empire. Carl Hertz is producii g new illusions at the Middlesex, but does not talk of a return visit to your colonies. • Fred Mason is doing several hills — the Pavilion and the Tivoli amongst others. Billee Barlow (Little Jack Shepherd) has returned from the provinces, and is now at the Royal, Holborn (where also is Alice Leamar), and the Pavilion. The tableaux vivants are now the draw to the halls, and George Mu?grove, of Williamson and Musgrove, is busy engaging talent and obtain ing the models for similar productions in Australia. Last Call. Sydney, May 28. INTERVIEWETTES. {Conducted by Correspondence.) I. — Miss Priscilla Vehne. At what age did you go on the sta^e ? — At the age of 13 years. Where, with whom, and iv what did you make your first appearance? — In Sydney, with Williamson's Opera Company, in "H.M.S. Pinafore." What training had you ? — Not any ; selftaught. What were your ambitions ? In what line : comedy, burlesque, drama ? — Burlesque and comedy. What are your ambitions cow ? — To always get new business. What parbs do you prefer, male or female ? — Male, and principal boy in pantomime. « Do you prefer burlesque or pantomime ? This is the first time I have played principal boy in pantomimes. I was specially engaged from the Tivoli, Sydney, by Mr St. John to play these parts. Have you any ideals ?— Oh, yes ;to attain the top of the ladder artistically in my profession, and, also a large banking account. P. Romptbr.