THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2292, 3 February 1898, Page 38

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Br Pasquin. ' Tuesday, February 1. v. • Another capital performance of the new spectacular opera "Djiu-Djin" was given by the Pollards at the Princess Theatre on Monday night before a crowded and a responsive audience. In all respects the performance was equal to those that have preceded 'it, and from first to last the opera was well received. The scenery was much admired, and the singing, acting, and dancing won frequent applause, numerous encores being given. • . •Mr F. Jones, represent ative of Messrs Fitzgerald Bros., received a wire on Saturday to the effect tbab the film's circus had been landed in PTfod order and condition at the Bluff. The Dunedin seafon will be opened on Monday r.ight, and everything ia being pushed on locally in preparation for the initial entertainment. The c'reus will fee located on the Harbour Board ground in Crawford street. • . ' Me L. G. Sharps arrive d here Issfc week to make arrangements for the concert season of Madame Amy Shcrwiu, who will be supported by the follorcdnp artists : — Miss Kitfy G r ind!e7 (contralto), Messrs Arthur Deaue (baritone), Alberto Zelmiiii Cviolinis'), Heiberfc S-ionebara (flautist), snd Sz z«-pano«ski (pianiat). The season will be opened at the Priuccss Theatre on the 11th Ftbruary, and will extend over a week. j '." The opera " Rip Van Winkle " is to ba produced in Dunedin at Baste? titnp, und^r the direction of Signor It. Fquarise. Mr Alfred F. Gienfeli, who has assumed tat character with much success at Invercargil! and Oama'U, r.ill appear as Rip, and Misses R. and K. Blaney and Messrs Campbell and J. Swan wi'l be included in the ca<.t. *.* The final performer cc of " The Sign of the Crces " Company in Chmtchurch brought about (the Press gays) an orcuir*nce which is perhaps unprecedented iti the memory ot Cumtehureh playgoers— v'z , the rpsuing of a p'tci" with one actrees in the principal patl find the conclusion of ifc wiih another. Tnia occurred from the regtettab'e illness of Miss Ferrar, who fainted in ibe la"it scene ot the second act. Str'U'gely cnongb, the action of the piece demands that Jo epline, on h-aring the news of tho birth of a son to her rival, shows signs of fsinfcing. But tbe iUnc-f,s of Mi?s Ferrar came. a few secends before this. The curiairs was p-omptly lowered, and after a few minutes Mr Hawtsey came betore it pnd naadf an anuouncempnt which wa3 he^rd by the crowded ait lience with much rfgret. This was to the iffecL that Mis^i Ferrar was too ill to continue the part. Mi's Pagp, literally s-fc a moment's notice, changed from Ihe character of the B n{>rar<B Marie Louise to thst of Josephine, and Mrs Slaegß- ore Morris Blltd the former' part. *." While pkying afc Sydney Fi'z^eralds.' Circus crpaled s. stir among lovers of th;t clkss of entertaiumfiit by the lion aDd el^jihant acts. These acts so completely seized thf pnll c fancy (f&TjS <he Mail) that one is apt to rt'gnrd less the high gearrt.l merit of the giiow and the many fctms it c>)nt.ins. Mr Dan Fitz-ge-si^d fca^ some an.u^ifg stores ti> t- v ll <>£ how people are affected by the eight of an Utjphaut, moun'ed by a lien, ridicg a tricycle. Many people go as the refulfc of wagers to sls-nd near by and make certain that the elepb.ai.fc r> ally c"o's r"d- tbe tricycle, end their expressions of amaz-tnent at. dipcovering its genuineness are j amufcirg. The cost; of the set to the circus proprietor is give as £3000. • . ' A copy cf the GU*g<»w Quiz which I have recpivf d from Mr A. B. Greena-v^ay, well-known in Dunedin, conveys the infoimation that he is pla-rinp at the P. incess Theatre, G'asgow, iv " The Girl I Left Brliit'd Me." Mi Gwenaway is given the credit cf making his character — that of a HiuteraLt in the army — stand out realistically. • . • Miss P,»f tie Br wee ha^ bought the colonial rights of tbe very euccessful "Ijitfle Minister." atid will bricg the play to Australia, where she will hersplf perfoim the part of Lidy B b-'ie. Clement Scott has defctibrd Pattie Biowue as the best soubrette on the English stage. * . • Hell-its Mahatmas Rojal Blopraph Compsny, which has been playing to splendid business in Ma*t rbon, epen in InvercaTgill next week. •. ' Mr Dan Fitzgerald recently gave a Sydney intei viewer the history <f the Fi4zf;eroH brothers as showmen. They were at Ch*r'eville. Qaeensland, when a circus collapsed there, and they deci-itd to atarb or.p of their own. Toi* they did with a capital of £32, six horses, and the now famous pony Commodore, and a van waggon to carry thfir belongings. They had no terjt, but formed an enclosure with strips cf cai vas fastened to tjree s. The sbow was primitive, bub it paid fr. m tbe first, and with many adventures tie b-oth. rs wo»-k*>d down the west of Qiiepnslsnd and N>;w South Wale«. They came thus to Sydney, and pot an c~ g<gemeut with the World's Circus. Meantime the 7 were locking out f<.r attractions whir'n th*ir means, and when they beg^n thfir s e cond tour at Hunter'e Hill they had a tfufc and a presentable show. They worked wlorg the rivers to Tamwoith, having ftfquently to "put their t.hould«L i; i io the wheal '" of their waggon literally to lift ib out ot bog", but th<-y got over their troubles fafely, and wintered for eigiit wot ks at Tani worth. With a further augmented show they went out again, mpetingwith growing Fuccess, and presently did (xclletit business in the pioneer show to Western Australin, and after a successful time left ib ta winter at Fertb, while the now profusions proprietors stt out re nnd the world in search of novelties. The result was the great; circus which »pp>'artd at the Exhibition buildinp-, and included P. art, tbe high diver, who'<e fatal accident is so fiefii in evtryI one's memory. Aibrr touring a 1 ! the colonies, j the show was once tnorc wintered in We^t Amtr.ilia while Mr Dan Fitzgerald a-,ain ransacked Europe ior novelties, and brcugl t oub thf prerent rombinaMcn, which repieseiirs an outlay of I from £?5 COO to £30,000— a big juup from the I oiismial £32. nnd in which travelling expenses 1 f)ltii>« reac-h £1000 a weik.