AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP

Otago Witness, Issue 2171, 3 October 1895, Page 37

AUSTRALIAN STAGE GOSSIP

(Specially Wiutten fou the Otago Witness.) Dear Pasquin,— Tho Royal Comics closed their season at Melbourne Princess with "The Mikado," 19 Bland Holt closed lub season at Melbourne Rival with " Tho Prodigal Daughter," 14. Gorge A. Jones, Etfcie Williams, and Frank Yorke are with Hickards's company at Melbourne Opera House. George Edwardea's company, prior to their departuic for London, commence a farewell tcuson at Melbourne with "Gentleman Joe" Saturday, 21. Tho Royal Comic Opera Company open at Sydney Lyceum 21 with "Ma Mic Rosette." which is lulled for 21, 23, 24, nnd 27. "Li Fille de M^'lniue Augol." goes up 25 and 20. Foreman aud Fann-tti take a benefit at Sydney Tivoli 18. George Eignold will conclude his managership and leßseeßhip of Sydney Her Majesty's 21. The Gourlay-Stokca Combine, which only recently finished a Maoriland tour, have reorgauisod, and open a season at S>dney Royal tonight (14) with the threo-act musical comedy "My Sweetheart." Tony Faust Mr William Gourlay Dr OlivKr Mr Lachlan M'Gowan Dudley Harcourt Mr R»lph Roberts Harold Bavtlett... .„ ... Mr Mario Maj«roni Joe Shotwell Mr Charles Field Fami«r Hatzell Mr E G. Coughlat Jeaines , ... Mr k\ C Sherbourne Mra Fleeter ... ... Miss Nellie Moityne Mrs Hatzell Miss Maggie Ford Jane Miss Hope Nation Milkmaid Mis 3 Rose 'lreUwney Tina Miss Amy Gourlay Heard at Adelaide Royal last Thursday night whilst the gallery crowd were getting restless and calling on the orchestra to "Strike up" and the management to "Up with the rag "— Bear-eating gent in gallery (loquitor) : " Up with the blooming rag ; your« too bally .slow. It's enough to make a dog strike his godfather. They do thing* better'n this in Coolgarilio, s'help me g*wd I " Then the noisy noodle was quiet for a while. But ho broke out again whou in the fust sceue of "An Ideal Husband" Mra Marlcby gives utterance to the sentiment that " Nowadays people marry as often as they can." Here the boozer, evidently ;a lucky one returned from Coo'gardie, chipped in with, "By gawd, you're right there, old woman." That last straw broke the gallery usher's endurance, and the bold beery boy was tapped on Ihe shoulder aad escorted out of the theatre.— Quiz. George Rignold commences at Melbourne Royal October 5 with " Joseph of Canaan." Alec. Cochrane, George Leopold, Charles Fabert, and HfiroM Chichester aro members of Charlej Arnold's Company at Capetown. Writing of the Brough-Boucicault Company an Adelaide paper says : — " Mr Boucio.ault has however challenged hia admirers on quite two points. He has led the Adelaidg public to institute comparisons between Mrs Brough and at least one of his leadiug ladies, and he has opened hU season with a pUy which many of his friend 9 will probably decide is not quite up to the B. and B. standard. As it in, we must all feel indebted to Mr Boucicault for having permitted us to see two London act rest 03 play under conditions that, although not, psrh.vps, quite favourable to them, afforded us an opportunity of seeing on the stage at one time ha it's who>e performances have created a very lively discussion in the eastern colouies. Miss Geraldine Oliffe impressed one as a lady who was holding herself in roservo." Some of the travelling theatrical companies seem to bo having a hard time of ft just now (says the Forbeg Times). Not long ago a company with a good reputation weie fairly branded in Forbes, and were compelled to make a business compromise with some of their creditors before they wer* in a position to leave town. Litor bfcill, a company with rather a high-sounding classic title left Young in a most impecunious condition, aud finally reached Grenfoll, when a dismemberment had to bo resorted to. The " advance agent" managed to reach Forbes, and his first visit was to the newspaper offices. But his reputation, or ) that of his compiny, had preceded him, and as ho hod no funds with wh s ch to pay rent for a hall, nor yet for his advertisements. He could not make his announcement*. Meanwhile two strag«levs fioin the troupe had managed to reach here from Grenfell, but tne trio were quite peuniless. One of them had a concertina, and as a last reeort the threo endeavoured to " raise tbe wind" by an attempt at street singing, and after dark on Saturday night, dieguteed as " niggov minstrels," they managed to rake in a few odd sixpences and were no more eeen, having gone to swell the pitiable ranks of the unemployed elsewhere. 'ihe GourlaySlokts Company are drawing large audiences at Sydney Royal with "My Sweetheart." Charles Schnelle, styled " the English burlesque comedian," appeara at Sydney Tivoli 21 "for this night only." t Miss Grace Noble, of the Brougb and Boucicault Company, is (says an exchange) going to London, with the idea of Bemring an engagement in the little village, just as Miss Brcnda Gibson has sueoeeded in doing. Miss Noble will, however, find it difficult to obtain a mauiger like Sir Henry Irving, who in just looking lound for fresh talent ; and, again, Mr Austin Brerctou may not be on the spot to put in a good word for tbe young lady, as he was able to do in the c<ise of Miss Gibson. The latest is to the effect that Miss Noble has received a three mouths 1 engagement fioni W. and M. to appear in " A Royal Divorce." Doesn't John Morley mite a chance of enacting the part of Napoleon ? John Hare, who contemplates an Australian tour, made hfs first appearance on tbe I ondon stage just 30 years ago the 25th of this month, at the Princo of Walea Theatre, as Short in " Naval Engagements." Hare is a ncm <U theatre. His correct name is John Fails. He ha 3 played the following parts in tho first London productions of T. W. Robertson's pieces:— Lord Pfearruigant in "Bociety." Prince Peroveky v " Oars. Sam Gerridge n "Caote." Hon. Bruce Funquehere n "Play." Beau Farin tosh v "School." Dnnscombe Dunscombe n "M.P." He retired from the Prince of Wales Company at tho close of 1874, and entered upon the management of the Royal Court Theatre, which Tie opened on Saturday, March 13, 1876, with a comedy by Charles Ooghlan, entitled " Lady Flora," in which Mr Hare played the part of Due de Chavannes. Miaa Roland Watts Phillips has arrired in London, where Bhe has renewed acquaintance

with the many distinguished folk of the jonraalistic and theatrical world who were Intimate with her father— the dramatist whose play, " The Dead Heart," was produc d two years ago at the Lyceum. Mies Watte Phillips seuda an interesting account of her visit to this theatre on July 19 to witness the presentation to Sir Henry Irving. " The crowd was immense," she writes. " I found mysalf with Mis L'onel Rignold — with whom I am staying— jammed ngainst Misi Elizi Johostone (who visited Sydney with Toole's company) and Mia3 Henrietta Watson in the vestibule of the Lyceum. In the short time we were together I learned that Mr Toole was better, and hoped, after a change of air at Folkestone, to be at work again. Th~n wo were carried off our feet, and I found myself in the stall", with Mr Eugene Mayeur(who had just returned from the Australian torn- of ' Tho New Boy ') in front of nw and Mr Lawrrnce Cautley behind me. Notabilities were to the right and left of me. One box contained Miss Fanny Brough, Florence St. John, Bronda Gibson, and Miss Mill ward ; another, dear old 'Granny Stephens'- the original Mrs Willoughby in tho 'Ticket-of- Leave Man'— Lady Monckton, and Miss Mary Moore. Opposite gat Miss Ellen Terry and Ada Hehau. When the curtain drew up we found the stago filled by the committee of gentlemen. The buck was draped with crimson velvet curtains. In the centre of tho stage was a table draped with black, under which was tha casket. On one side a red-drapci table with the reporters at work. When Irving and B»ncioft walked on the whole audience aroao en inane, and the enthusiasm was great. Everyone felt how much Irving had earned tho honour of knighthood. When thespeuchifying was over, with that well-known sweet smile of his he turned and asked us all to come on to the stage to inspect the casket -and book. There I chatted with Pattie Btowne, who lookod r*diaut, but fatter than when in. Australia ; with Nina Boucicault, as protty an, but thinner than, of yore ; and with Genevievc Ward. I also had ft glimpse of William Rignold, W. H. Vernon, and Beerbohm Tree, bo that it was quite an afternoon with old friends." Mr Robert B-ough has secured for production in Australia "Tlw Notorious Mrs Kbbsmith"; Mo srs Yardley and Stevenson's farcical comedy, "Passport": two of Augustin Daly's pieces, "Nancy ana Co." and "7-23, or the Casting of the Boomerang " ; and Malcolm Watson's comedy, "The Haven of Content." Mr J. J. Foster, who originally conducted Remeuyi, the Hungarian violinist, through the colonies, is managing the Marquardt (on cert Party, which includes Miss Constance Evelyn, the Sydney contralto, and Mr Hawkins, formerly pianist of Ihe Bessie Doyle Party during their Indian season. Tho Mnniuardts propose visiting Western Australia aud Now Zealand bpfore returning to their horn« in the United States. Juliet Wray will appear iva Pat-a-tout in " The Old Guard " at Sydney Lyceum, 28. There is some talk about the rovival of "H.M.S. Pinafore" by the Royal Ooinic Opera Company. Doean't tli ut announcement eeum to carry our minds a loug way back when J. 0. Williamuon was tho Sir Joaepli Porter and Muggie Moore the Josephine? And yet, although J. 0. used to get wofully astray with Ids music, was not the performance thoroughly enjoyable, and should we appreciate "Pinaforo" under other and newer conditions? It is very questionable (says an exchange) whether the first success of Gilbert and Sullivan will et&nd a revival. It may do so, but the experience will be attended with much risk. Mi 3* Katherine Hn,-«y has only a unall pait in 11 An Idual Husband," but she justified her inclusion in oven the c*lebratei B and B Company by the manner in which she assumed the parb. The lot of the pi»y-aotor who has the god fortune to belong 1o Mr Daly'n theatrical company must be singularly happy. It must combine, so to speak, all the advantages of a quiet Christian home with the more fleshly attractions of a " variety " life. Accoiding to the New York Sun, when Mr Daly took his company to England recently he canned a eot of rules to bo printed for the guidance of the ladies and gentlemen. They were to be "clean and tidy," to hangup their clothes after using them (instead of throwing them violently on tho dining table, it is to be presumed), and they weio all to be abed at 10 o'clock sharp, neither dallying after that hour with instruments nor singing in the staterooms. But tha insidiously d«wllv " rule" is the one which soaks to regulate tho deportment of tho lady members of the company towards strangers. "Mr Daly will be pleased if th*s ladieK of the company will decline introduction to strangers, and in the event of a solicitation the question should be referred to him." This will probably be the unkindest blow on behalf of tha moral welfaic of tho company of all. Most theatrical folk find the society of each other irksome at tho best of times, but tbe dendly burden of a voyage in company would bo insupportable without the preaenceof "stranger*." And yet Mr Dalv proposes to «ct as a comprehon-ive chaperon. It seems probable that he is tho boldest man of his age. Philip Wirth recently applied in the Capetown Court for a divorce from his wife on the ground of alleged infidelity. One Frederick Boxhall was the co-respondent. Mra Wirth (nee Jennie Hodson) protested her innocence, nnd affirmed there was a conspiracy against herself amongst certain members of the community. Phil lost the case. Herbert Fleming is playing leads with Miss Fortescue on her South African tour. Tommy Edwards, W&llialla, and E. Holland are working "Sam Kee's Laundry" at Sydney Empire. Will Whitburn'a now minitrels are playing Melbonrne suburbs. Miss Muriel Qarr plays Lady Betty in "Dorothy " with the B. 0. O. Company. M'Kis-'on and Kcarus. a clever knockabout team at doing a specialty entitled "Tho Floor G»v« Way," at Sydney Tivoli. It is 12 months since they last appeared at this hall. The subject of tha new pictorial representation at Sydney Cyclorama is Jerusalem at the time of tha Crucifixion, and at the private view the highest praise was bestowed on the work of artist and Bt»ge mounter. The pictures have been painted witn a skill that bringuthe wonderful interest of the story most vividly before the mindaß well as the eye. The astonishing effects by which all the salient features of the palaces and houses aad figures and streams are made to stand out is almost marvellous, whiUt the archaeological correctness of all the detail illustrates the care which has been bestowed upon the work. One seen here some of the great scenes frf m ancient ' history presented with force and vividness that seem to make them live again, whiUt some of the groupings require looking at several times beforo one can realise they are not actual flVh and blood. An able lecture accompanies each exhibition of the great sceno. Miss Jenny Watt Tanner (through Maoriland with " Tho Now Boy " Company) is now with the Brough-BoucicauH Company. In "The Second Mrs Tanquerny," ML«s Watt Tanner *>lays Mrs Cortelyon (played by Miss Romer with B. and B. iv MaorilAnd '94). Cecil Ward, who has been for many years a valuable member of B. and 8., leaves the company at the close of their Adelaide season, and, says an exchange, intends entering business as a sharebroker. Mark Twain, the American humorist, was entertained 24 by the Athenroum Club, Sydney, and was enthueiaaticably ereetdd by a gathering of the most notable politicians and journalists of that city. George Ri&nold makes bis farewell appearance at Sydney Her Majesty's, 21, as Lord Cloncarty in Tom Taylor's comedy-drama "Olancarty. Mlsb Maud Williamson plays Lady Clancarty ; Agnes Knight, the Lady Betty Noel ; Fanny Reynolds, Mother Hunt; and Mr Stirling Whyte, king William 111. "The Old Guard," after an Interval of two

years, will be staged at Sydney Lyceum, SB.-i» Ybure truly, Bis, Poverty Point.