THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 46

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES

Br Pasqtiin. TUESDAY, April 11. The season of the Woods-Williamson Company was brought to a close on the sth by a complimentary performance which was tendered to Miss Maud Williamson. , Not ■ only did the members of the Ernest Toy Concert Company iuterrupt their course,of entertainments on the occasion of the performance, but tendered their valuable assistance to lnors^ fully promote its success. The thrilling, brilliantly-written oneact drama " The Children of the Commune," afforded Miss Williamson an admirable opportunity to display those gifts which have made her stay here such a source of pleasure to so many playgoers, and her performance evoked the most cordial demonstrations. When she, with Mr Alfred Woods and the other members of the company who took part, were called before the curtain, at the termination of the piece, she was made the recipient of several beautiful floral tributes. The coatributions of the Ernest Toy Company were received with manifest pleasure, and encores were demanded in several instances. Mr Toy's piece was Sarasate's " Zigeunerweisen," and Miss Renee Lees's " Tarantella " (Leschelizky).t. The contributions of all the other ladies and gentlemen who took part were successfully delivered, and contributed much to tbe enjoyment of the audience. Those who took part were—Miss Dalrymple, Mrs J. H. Coombs, tho St. Georges, Meßsrs Marcus, Boothman, Bla!»e. Brown, Jago, Thomas, de Chateau, and n'l orchestra under the direction of Mr J. H. Coombs.

The Ernest Toy Company brought tliMr Dunedin season to a close on Saturday night, when an entertainment, announced at popular prices, attracted a large and appreciative audience to the Agricultural Hall. The young violinist who has won for himself such golden opinions during his stay here played a fantasia orj airs from " Trovatore," Eller's " Steyikche Weisen," and repeated Saraeate's " Zigeunerweisen," and it scarcely need be said tlvat the performance of these pieces was marked by such execution "and skill ihat his auditors demanded encores in e\ery instance, the performer good-naturedly supplementing his efforts by contributing two other pieces. Similar compliments were paid Miss Renee Lees, whose pianoforte soli were Liszt's " Rhapsodic No. 11 " and Liszt's arrangement of the valse from Gounod's " Fauat." The vocal portion of the programme was entrusted to Misses Simmons, Dalrymple, Messrs Marcus, M'Donald, and Young, all of whom acquitted themselves satisfactorily.

Fuller's Waxworks are still doing phenomenal business at the AJhambra Theatre. The change of programme on Saturday night introduced Mr Thomas Curran, a descriptive vocalist, whose item " Kimberley " received a double encore. Tho old favourite seems to get moro popular than ever. Tho company will be augmented next week by the appearance of Mr Will Stevens, a clever comedian last here with St. John's Burlesque Company, and .a week later by Miss Violet Bishop, a clever serio and dancer. Evidently the Waxworks hnve come to stay.

Mr Robert Kennedy, the Scottish vocalist, has received such substantial encouragement in his new avocation of voice trainer as to warrant tho prolongation of his stay in Dunedin by several weeks.

Manager Lohr drops me a line from the Palace Theatre, Sydney, dated 29th ult: — " Just given ninetieth performance in Sydney. We s?ive 101 performances here and then go to Melbourne to open there on April 15. Come back to New Zealand next summer for a farewell trip. Kindest remembrances, etc , L. J. L."

Miss Ada Crossley has just been engaged for 20 concerts on the Albani tour through tho English provinces in October and -November next. She was obliged to refuse an offer for a Palti tour, fixed at the same time, but she has signed a contract with Patti'a manager, Mr Percy Harrison, for 20 .^concerts in March, 1900.

A Bournemouth (England) paper, commenting on Miss May Pollard as the heroine in "Tho Belle of New York," says that Miss Edna May herself could not be more natural. Miss Fanny Liddiard is playing the second part.

The Woods- Williamson Company disbanded at the close of the Dunedin season, the two principals returning to Melbourne by last week's boat. The tour of the company has been universally unfortunate, and the second season in Dunedin resulted in the ghost refusing to walk and the consequent disbandment of the company. Two of the lady members — Miss Muriel Nation and Miss Nina Burns — Jre to be tendered a benefit on the 21st inst. by ihe Dunedin Garrick Club, and I trust the Princess Theatre will be packed on the occasion, and thus afford them a good send-off. Alfred Dampier and his dramatic company while playing at Broken Hill some months ago were made the victims of a cruel practical joke. They were out picnicking, and, to give zest to the outing, it was arranged that some of the party should travel in the mail coach in their stage attire, while others would once again fill the roles of bushrangers and troopers. The affair had a climax. Some practical jokers won over several of the real police to their aid, and, explaining tho intentions of the theatrical folk, sent out tho genuine troopers to arrest tbe masqueraders on the pretence that they were mistakn for the perfect article. Expostulations notwithstanding, several of the ringleaders were taken into custody, and for a long time the police professed to believe that they had made a brilliant capture. — " Crotchett," in the Tasmanian Mail.

At the Nouveau Cirque, in Paris, a wonderful performing horse named Good Night in delighting the spectators by his exploits, which are so remarkable Uiat he enjoys the unique distinction of having been patented. This remarkable geegee first pushes a bed into the middle of the arena, arranges the bed, clothes and the pillow, and sets a chair beside the couch to read his "Figaro," for sW soporific, before he lies down. Then he lights a cradle, uudieeaes, atrstohes himself cosila;

on the bed, blows out the caudle, and makes believe to slumber. Presently, however, he starts up into a' sitting posture, jumps- out of bed and -tosses off the clothes, pretends to find a big flea and kill it. Then he is disturbed afresh by a burglar, whom he chases frantically* around. Such a performance certainly deserves the distinction of a patent.