STAGE GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 47

STAGE GOSSIP.

SOCIALLY WRITTEH TOR THK OTAGO "VrJTii?.*. Dear Pasquin, — Further proof — if any were needed— of the value of the Otagc Witness as a circulating medium in far-off lands reached " Bis *' last week in a letter from " India's coral strandn." In this column in the Witness of January 19 appeared the following paragraph • " Anyone knowing the present whereabouts of Mr Charles M'Keegan, for some tirnd a member of the Taylor- Carrington Company, will greatly oblige by communicating with ' Bis,' who has an important letter for the vonng New Zealander." This paragraph caught the eye of Mr Charles Taylor, proprietor i-f the Taylor-Carrington Dramatic Company now in the Eaafc. Mr Taylor very kindly supplied me with what information he could concerning the wheieabouts of young M'Keogan, and for hia trouble I thank him. " Pontious Pilot " is the name bestowed a member of the Tayior-Carrington Company, in New Zealand. It was awfully funny one morning recently m Wellington. Whilo tho members were at bieakfast the lady lead of the company approached the aforementioned Pcntious Pilot " with a copy of that morning's Times, and greeted him to the following effect : " Here Mr Sc-and-So. In order that yoxi may not suffer from an overdose of ' fat head ' over your playing last night, just rend this criticism. When 'Pontious Pilate' read in priutei's ink that he was a very capable barnstormer his hat fell dov.n over his cus!

"What's in a name?" Mr Edwin t" : i>;ich, ("' one of the two whitest men in fronj ";, the Rrpart young Australian manager, vow on: Efcst with the Flying Jordans, recently receivsd a f-nble fiom Cari Hertz to pilot the cl.wr conjurer through England, Scotland, and AVnles But young Geach, who, according to Ilia Indij. Sportsman, receives '' the biggest -ja'uiy over paid tc any manager in the East," had to decline with thanlcs. This reminds me that the proprietors of two first-class attractions, now in Australia, aro Dotty .trying to get the serviced'of Mr Geacb.

The funny " part of that cable which announced that Madame Sarah Bernhardt lost U!»r earruigf. ill un ascent of Mount Vpsuvue is that shi» nevorn wears pnv.

Edward Corrio Righton, the' well-known English comedian, who died receutJy in London, made h's first appearance on the Rtnge at the age of 15, under the Phetps's management, at Sadlers Wells, in Kotzebue's tragedy " The Stianger."' A list of his many parts would fill a page of the Witness. Ho was a versatile actor and was as well known in the provinces as in London. He was a popular member of the Savage Club, and was the author of " Brown L.yes " and other poems. He also wrote under the name of Corrie Burns the uersational drama " Insurance Money," produced at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, 4/6/9-1, and was the author of numeroua ccmic sonj; hits. His right name was Thomas Edwards Corrie Burns Kighton. He was tho son of Thomas Collins Righton, an artist, and nephew of John Corrie, a well-known English actor.

Thanks to Mr " Charlie " Taylor for an East India post card on the back of which is printed tho following: Lunsdowue Institute. Monday evening, February 6, 1899. Charlie TaylorElla Ciirrin,<;ton, supported by their new Australian Dramatic and Lyric Company. Special performance of Harry Paulton's " Niobe," the performance concluding with a musical melange, in which the Australian prima donna, Miss Laura Roberts, wili introduce selections from Frederic Bowyer and W. E. Sprauge's " The New Burmaid."

Tho repertoire of the Taylor-Carrington company, now in the East, consists of " Rip Van Winkle," "La Teutation," '" Home Rule,"

"The Outcast Wife," " Ould Ireland," " Never Despair," " A Woman's Oath," "My White Queen," " Moths," " Our Dutcher Vriend," the comedies " Husband's Night Out," "The Aquarium Girl," "An Irish M.D.," "My Friend from India," and the burlesques " Silly Little Trilby,'' " 'Arry tho Hindu," " Jolly Jack Sheppard," " Tony Tommy Atkins," and " The Queen's Sailor. ' Mr Ernest Blackstone, who came this way with Miss Fanny Wentworth, is treasurer for Mr George Rignold at Sydney Criterion. "Madame Sana Gene" opened the BroughV season at Sydney Royal on Saturday, April 1. This comedy as a prologue and three acts was originally produced in Paris— with Ma-

dame Rejane as Catherine, the easy-going washerwoman — in October, 1593.

M. Emil Lazern's Vaudeville Company, of " 10 star artists," was at latest at Launceston, Tasmania, and were playing to good business. Speaking of the star, the Daily Telegraph of March 18 says : — M. Emil Lazern is a conjurer, and he is undoubtedly clever. Although many sleight of hand artists have come to Launceston heralded by a greater flourish of trumpets, he can honestly be recommended as among the first flight, and much beyond the talent in that direction displayed by several whose blast was loud. His tricks were all neatly performed, many of them were new, and all were distinctly what may be classed among the mysteries of the conjurer's art. He got through with so much credit, and evidently created so much surprise by the feats of legerdemain which he displays, that it was a disappointment to all that he had to refrain from doing his best trick because of the natural modesty which prevented any gentleman in the audience taking a seat on the stage to assist him. His show alone is well worthy of the best patronage that car> be bestowed by the play-going public.

Little Violet Bishop, serio-comic, who was through here with Delohery, Craydon, and Holland a year or so back, is now with Emil Lazern's Vaudeville Company. Other members are Carleton (baritone), Wally Edwards, Will Stevens (through with Sinjin'B Burlesque Company), May Hiokey, a Tyrolean singer, the song' and dance team Thome and Dell, and Ted Sutton. W. C. Bays is touring manager. Adelaide "Quiz"' is still inserting, without acknowledgment, original paragraphs from this column." Some weeks ago I had a paragraph concerning George Rignold's Easter production of '' Othello." In the same I mentioned that the season would open at Her Majesty's. This should have been the Criterion. "Quia," an clipping the par, followed the mistake. But uiat is uothing — for " Quiz." In a previotxs issue the compiler of " Mems. About Mumpers " (who must have been very busy) stole over a dozen original paragraphs from this column, and inserted them in " Quiz " in almost the same running order as they appeared in the Otugo Witness, very kindly acknowledging one paragraph. S.s. Purnin, Outside Penang, Straits Settlements, 13/2/99. Dear Bis, — After Calcutta the Flying Jordans did a three weeks' season in Rangoon. I then took them up to Mandalay, 500 miles up in the interior, where I left them a few days since doing "turn 'em away" business. From Penang will do the wilds of Sumatra, where all trains are- "bullet-proof." Fact! So things may be somewhat lively. However, it's all good experience. After Singapore I shall take on either China or Manila, the latter preferred, if things would only cool down a bit. There is plenty of cash there if one could only get in. The weather here is simply great, sea calm as glass and old Sol as feverish as ever. I am weekly in receipt of the Witness, which of course keeps me thoroughly up to dato in " matters Mnoriland." Address care of Robinsin Company, Hongkong. Regards. — Yours truly,

EDWIN GEACH.

" Lip " : The tour you mention opened at Dunedin, Princess, July 4, 1876, and closed at Wellington. The following was the cast, with the " stars " in their original characters : — Deacon Skinner, Stuart O'Biien; Sergeant Flynn, H. H. Vincent; Corporal Sharp, W. H. Seagrave; Dr Pearson, R. A. Vernon; officer of the Day, G-. A. Coleman; Mrs Stofel, Mrs (" Mamma ") Stammers. Clay M. Greene's larce closed the bill. The songs then sung by Mis? Maggie Moore in the three-act piece were tho same as on the present tour, with thejaddition of " I like to walk me out," " She's just a sweet bouquet," " Pretty Roses, don't you tell," G. W. Hunt's " Dot nice young man," and W. H. Dclehanty's " Strawberries and cream."' The three songs, " Ridin' in a railroad keer," " Shouldn't wonder," and " Grandfather's Clock," were sung by Miss Moore in " The Fool of the Family." Charles Schultze was the composer of the Chinese song " Esau waya tutu lunga." This was sung in " The Chinese Question " by Miss Moore, as was also Ed. Harrigan's " The Babies on Our Block." S.s. Nineveh, Of Albany, W.A., 13/3/99. Dear Bis, — We had a splendid trip over, and are now bound for S'Africa. The brave warriors that wo have on board (tho Sydney Lancers) cannot face the sea. (" Man proposes, Neptune indisposes.") God knows how they will face a:i enemy. There are 120, with ofncvrsf, so when they get their sea legs we should have a good time. All the members of the Payne Family Bellringers are well. Will write you from S'Africa. — Yours truly, JOHN (" J. A. Y.") HODGffi. Mrs Charles Mathews (formerly Mrs Daven port), widow of the famous comedian, died in London, January 4. Lizzie Davenport was iin actress of some note on the American stage when she met Charles Mathews during his profession^ visit to the United States in 1857-8. They played together during his engagement at Burton's Theatre, in New York, which extended to 60 nights, and was said at that time to be the longest " star engagement " ever known in that, city. It was indeed during this engagement that they became man and wife. [Mathews'a firet wife, Madame Vestris, died, aged 59, August 9, 1856.] Mrs Charles Mathews (tho second) made her first appearance on the London stage as Lady Gay Spanker in Dion Boucicault's five-act play " London Assurance " at the Haymnrket Theatre on Monday, October 11, 1858. Charles Mathews played Dazzle, a part he created at Covent Garden Theatre, Thursday, March 4, 1841 (then presented to the public as the work of " Mr Lee Morton"). Mrs Mathews was the original of tho following: — Mrs Honcybun in Tom Taylor's " The Contested Election," Haymarket, 23/6/59; Mrs Sebright in Tom Taylor's "The Overland Eoute," 2S/2/GO. Early in the sixties she appeared for a short season with her husband at the Bijou Theatre, then adjoining Her Majesty'B Theatre, in a new entertainment called "Mr and Mrs Charles Mathews at Home," which enjoyed considerable success both in London and the provinces. The subject waa illustrated by drawings by Mr John O'Connor from sketches by Mathew* himself. In 1861 she played at the St. James's Theatre in a burlesque by Burnand, entitled " Faust and Marguerite," appearing in the latter character. Mrs, Charles Mathews rarely appeared on the stage since that date. Mrs Mathews was an essentially polished actress, with a decided bent towards refined comedy; but she was also an actresb of considerable emotional power.

Miss Fanchon Thompson, who has created such a sensation in Paris as Carmen, is an American by birth, and only 23. The beßtacting Carmen on the English stage was, perhaps, Selina Dolaro, who with her half-Semitic, half-Spanish face suited the part exactly. While her fame in England was at its highest point she accepted an offer of an American engagement with M. B. Leavitt, of Boston. She opened at the Fourteenth street Theatre, N.Y., in tho titular role in the burlesque opera of " Carmen." She made as pronounced a hit in this production as Minnie Hauck had in the original serious production of the opera und<*r Colonel Mapleson. After a pre'iminary season in New York the Leavitt Company took the road. Mismanagement led to financial stringency, which ended after the usual fashion. Miss Dolaro returned to New York a creditor of her niannyenient for a large sum. Scon

after her return, I remember, she appeared ad the Bijou Opera House as Olivette. The opera had been originally produced there, when the title role was played by Catherine Lewis (a daughter of Jeffries Lewis, the wel'known English portrait genre and historical painter), who made her debut at London Lyceum with Irving in soubrette parts and

singing chambermaids " in the farces which preceded or supplemented " The Bells " during its big run in 1872. Catherine Lewis came out to Australia under Wm. F. Lysfer's management in 1872. But to get back to Dolaro as Olivette. The company headed by Catherine Lewis had gone forth to fulfil its out-of-town contracts. Miss Dolaro and a new organisation kept " Olivette " alive to crowded houses till the end of the season. In her theatrical recollections Emily Soldene has the following about Selina Dolaro: " What an inimitable and Spanish and coquettish, and altogether 'too-too, don't you know,' shake she would give to her petticoats as she tripped down the stage. What a bleze of colour, red and yellow, and black satin, and gold spangles, and a high brass comb — such a comb was never seen before — with spangled mantilla, a red rose in her hair, and all over her little knots and fluttering bows of ribbon, and little metal tips and tabs that tinkled again, and black-3pangled stockings, and tiny, shoes embroidered with gold, and a tambourine with long and sweeping ribbons— all the colours of the rainbow— and little bobs of colour at th.c edges of hor skirts. On she. would come, wearing all these things, and a mixed expression which was supposed to be at once Spanish, and demure, and you believed in it, Until, stfo lazily lifting her white heavy eyelids, you were suddenly and certainly and completely cOnvinced that ' demure ' used in association with her was not the appropriate expression. The fashionable ' Dolly ' that was subsequently Selina Dolaro of those times was not the evolved. In the days lam speaking of, sho would, after the performance, make haste and get dressed (she invariably wore black), and wait on the stage in. the semi-darkneaa for her father, Mr Simmons, who was one of the first violins. He always canio up quickly, and, cotehing hold of her, out they would go— out into th« night— so attached, thoy seemed all in all to each other, the father with his daughter in one hand and his fiddle case in tho other." In the original prodnction of Henry Brougham Farnie's opera bouffe " Genevieve do Brabant" at the Philharmonic Theatre, Islington, November 10, 1871, under tho management of Mr Charles Morton, and the direction of Miss Emily Soldeno, Miss Selina, Dolaro played the Duchess (Genevieve). "Of course, as everybody has known for hundreds of years," continues Miss Soldone, "tha Duchess Genevieve'a situation at a certain period in history, and also in the opera, was more interesting than correct or proper. And as an instance of the sort of carefulness that was exorcised to provide a perfect ensemble, I may mention that five months after the production Madame Selina Dolaro presented to an admiring world a girl baby, and it was called ' Genevieve.' An accident in connection with a revival of " Madame Angot " at London Lyceum, as told by Miss Soldene, will be interesting. "We got an exceedingly good month's business- out of the ' Grand Duchess.' and arranged for the second month a revival oc 'La Fille de Madame Angot.' By this time Madame Selina Dolaro was ap artiste of importance, and I v wishing to give every eclat to these farewell performances, engaged her at a large Ralary to sing ' Clairctte,' and out oamo tho ' ad.' i " ' Miss Emily Soldeno has much pleasure in announcing she has secured the valuable assistance of Mmc Selina Dolabo who will appear in her original character ■ / Clairette in " Madamo Angot." ' " Then there was a little contretemps. As a matter of fact, the concluding verse of the opera belongs to Clairette, and she ought to sine; it. But I, having the might instead of the right, I suppose had always appropriated it to myoelf, and brought down the curtain with me in the centre of tho stage en tableau, as is the wont of prime donno in power to do on every possible occasion. When wo came to rehearse tho scene Mmc Dolaro positively refused to appear unless she sang the role as it r.tood in the score. Of course she was perfectly right, and as for me, I can only ssiy ' Moa culpa.' The upshot of this was thnt next morning the ' ad." said : " ' Miss Emily Soldene begs to announce that in consequence of a misunderstanding Mmc Selina Dolaro will not appear in her original chnracter of Claiuette in " Madame Angot." ' ' That afternoon a neat little coupe bowlecl up to the Lyceum stage door, a neat little tiger opened the carriage door, and a neat little lady stepped into the theatre and made a neat littla speech, and ' was so sorry to upset the arrangements,' etc., and next morning the ad. said: " ' Miss Emily Soldene has much pleasure in announcing that, the misunderstanding having been arranged, . Mmc Selina Dolaro ' will appear in her originul character ot Clairettv ' in. ~ " " Madame Angot.'' 1 ' " While in New York in 1888 Mrs Dion Boucicault and Miss Soldene went to see Selina Dolaro. She was living in 2dtK street — had some millinery parlours there. She was looking delicate and fragile, but -was not badly off, having recently had a benefit, got up by the " Lambs' Club " of New York, at which something like £800 was cleared. The idea was to send Dolaro to Florida, but she would not go. " Rather die in New York," said she, " than live in Florida." She was gay mid bright (concludes Mi3s Soldene), and wsi-lked down Broadway a bit with us. The next day I sailed for England, and thiee weeks afte 1.poor Dolly was dead. Many thanks to Verto, " the Magic Wonder," and Miss Milly Richardson, soubrcttc for a double autograph photo—" To ' Bis.' Dear old Otago Witness. Long may she wave. Heaps of luck. Auckland, 22/3/99." In the photograph I noticed that Verto wears tho medallion presented to him by Lord Glasgow, "in recognition of his skill as a conjurer, 24/12/94." Miss Richardson is a native of Christchurch. When a child she played Alice in ■' Rip Van Winkle " with George Leopold in the name part^ and was afterwards ansociated with the original Pollard Liliputians, when Flo de Lorme, Tottie Dawson, Ruth Wallace, Marion Norman, Liezie Donnelly, Amy Brooks, Bella Stewart, Eva Clements, Lucy Cobb, Harry Hall, and Tommy Hall were members. " Ver are dose kiddies now?" — Yours truly,

Our little boy was afflicted with rheumatism in his knee ; and at times unable to put hit foot to the floor. We tried in vain, everything we could hear of that we thought would help him. We almost gave up in despair, when some one advised us to try ChainUcrlain's Pain Balm. We did so. and tho «rsf. bottle gave fo much relief that wo (rot a second one, and, to our surprise, it cured hin- pound and well.— J. T. Bays, Pastor Christian Church, Ncodesha, Kan. For bale by all leading cliemibts.