THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2387, 30 November 1899, Page 51

THEAT RICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pabqttcn.

Mr Allan Hamilton, touring manager of the Brough Comedy Company, writes: — " Our arrangements for a tour of New Zealand are completed. The company will leave on the 20th December for Christchurch, after which, Dunedin will be visited, opening on • r aniiary 12 and remaining until the 28th. During that period most of the following Inlays will be staged: — "The Liars," "The Adventure of Lady Ursula," " Lord and Lady Algy," "The Physician," "The Gay Lord Quex," "Tyranny of Tears," "The Brixton Burglary, " "Niobe, " " Dandy •Dick," "Tanqueray," and "Village Pric3t." This Tepertoire is much the heaviest Mr Brough has ever brought down to New Zealand, and will necessitate our carrying fully 250 tons of scenery and appointments. The company for the New Zealand tour will be as follows: — Mr and Mrs Brough, Misses Temple, Noble, Bessie Thompson, Martheze, Mathers, Hauley, Gillie 3, Brown, Rochfort. Messrs Lovell, Came, Dartrey, Victor, M. Majeroni, P. Brough, M'lntyre, Grattan, Pringie, and Hards. The opening production in Dunedin will be " The Xiiars." •Just on going to press we .aTe advised by cable that Professor -Dante, the clever conjurer, through here some little time since, was accidentally shot by a companion while shooting near Dubbo, New South Wales, yesterday. The" wound is in the groin, and his caee is considered hopeless.

The present season of Northcote's Kinexnatograph Company .in the Princess Theatre is the most successful ever played here by the company. This is accounted for by tho fact that the pictures are all up to date, and ■without doubt the finest lot ever produced in the colony. The artists, though numerically small, are clevei and neat, and the ■variety turns free from that "blueness" which frequently mars otherwise good performances.

Mr Harry Abbott, the genial and energetic advance, informs me that Mr Norlhcote has received invoices of the first consignment of animated pictures dealing with incidents in the Transvaal from the Cape. They are on board the Rakaia, and will probably arrive in Dunedin about December 8. Tho following is a list of the more striking pictures : — " President Kruger leaving the Volksraad, Pretoria " ; " Johannesburg street ecene " ; " Through Capetown on a tramcar " (this picture was taken duriug the first days of the declaration of war, and is most realistic and full of interest); "A Kaffir warfiance": "The Transvaal crisis " (12 pictures); "Procession of field battery to docks" (this film, which is 250 ft long, shows the complete company of the 63rd Field Battery, Bristol). Besides the above, the collection includes a number of other pictures dealing with the present crisis in South Africa ; also Ihe latest London success, a film 400 ft long, described by experts to be the finest naval picture in existence, showing our gallant ** sons of the sea, " at drill, and presenting ihe various stages which the raw recruit goes through before being turned out the '* finished article " — a British man-of-warsmau. Theße, in addition to their already large repertoire, aiid with consignments arriving by each incoming mail, should make Northcote's Kinematograph Company one of the largest picture shows in this part of the globe.

Miss Nina Schlotel, a clever little violinist, •well known in this city, was married on September 25 at College Church, Parkville, Melbourne, to Mr John Hay, of Hawksburn.

Mrs Walter E. Baker, wife of the handsome hero of the Bland Holt Company, is at present the guest of Mrs Prescott Taylor at Whangarei. Mrs Baker has for some time past been very ill with organic heart trouble, and it was thought a trip to New Zealand -would improve her health. I sincerely hope co.

The Pollard Opera Company have during their two years' tour of New Zealand (they opened in Wellington, December 26, 1697, with the Japanese extravaganza "DjinDjin ") played several big seasons, but it is doubtful if the present season in Auckland has ever been eclipsed. During the run of "The Belle of New York," which lasted 12 nights, " standing room only " was the announcement each evening. The firit six performances of "The Belle "~ resulted in the netting of- over £1000. This, I~am safe in Baying, has never been accomplished by any other theatrical , company in New Zealand. One night's takings alone (the Prince of Wales's Birthnight) amounted to over £200. Mr Bert Royle, the representative of " The Firm," has very kindly granted permission to the Roscius Dramatic Society to sing any selections from -" The Belle of New York " at the performances to be given by the Rosleius on December 15 and 16 in aid of the New Zealand, Contingent Patriotic Fimd. An esteemed correspondent in Pollard's Opera Company, advises me that Miss Jennie Opie, the Australian artiste, who has been engaged by Mr Pollard io fill the vacancy caused by tho retirement into private life of Miss Maud Beatty, has arrived in Auckland. Mibs Opie made her first appearance on Saturday last, sustaining the character of the

Duchess of Muffshire (played here by Miss Emily Metcaiie) in "In Town."

It has puzzled me, and, no doubt, many others on learning of the sad fate which, befell Qaptain Lorrtaane at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, through a balloon accident, why he did not drop on realising his perilous position. It is not generally known that when the parachute broke away from the balloon " Hercules," the strong man (through here recently with, the Farming-Rivers Company, and now of Fuller's Vaudeville Company, Christchurch), shouted to Lorraine (then 20ft or 30ft in the air) : " Drop, drop now ! I'll catch you even if I break my own neck to stop your fall.'*" Lorraine refused, believing, perhaps, that there -was another way out of the difficulty — that " other way " we shall never learn. The subscription list in aid of the heart-broken widow has reached over £150, £10 of which was donated by Mr Bland Holt.

Mrs Milbourne (Miss Maud Beatty), principal boy in the Pollard Opera Company for the past eight years — a very popular member of a popular combination — made her last appearance with the company on Saturday, November 18, in "La Poupee." She left on Monday by the Waihora to join her husband in Australia. Miss Beatty's place in the opera, company will be hard to fill. Sincere congratulations to Miss " What-might-have-Been(ie) " Galletly, of the Blind Holt Company, on her engagement to Mr Hamilton Hill, the popular Australian baritone, at present with the Orpheum Company, Honolulu. Orange blossoms ire also announced fn connection with "Miss "Marie-Camp-ion (sister of Gertie, of "Gay Parisenne" and "French Maid" fame), a member of the Royal Comic Opera Company, at latest advices producing "Robin. Hood" at Her Majesty's, Sydney. New roles at present 'being sustained with great success by several principals late of the Pollard Opera Gompany : — Miss -Maud Beatty (Mrs Milbourne), MiES Marion Mitchell (Mrs Moss-Davies), Miss Emily Metcalfe (Mrs George Cleaver). It is on the cards that a well-kno\yn and clover impersonator of " O_f-course-you-can-never-be-like-us" Whelan will sing "In far Cahoe3," from " The Belle of New York," at fhe Roscius Dramatic Club's performances next month in aid of the New Zealand Contingent Patriotic Fund. Mr Cecil Laurence, who stage managed the Pollard production of " La 'Poupee," has arrived in Auckland, and has been re-engaged by Mr Pollard to superintend the' staging of the naughty Tea-house opera, "The Geisha," to be presented for the first time in New Zealand, at the Wellington Opera House, on Boxing Night. We will have the pleasure of seeing the tuneful Japanese opera in February next. A Strange Coincidence. — While Williamson and Musgrove's Royal Comic Opera Company revived "La Poupee" on November 18 at Her Majesty's, Sydney, the Pollard Opera Company also revived "The Doll" ("La Poupee ") at the Opera House, Auckland, on the same date. Mr Sid Doody, now appearing with Fuller's "Vaudeville Company, is practically a - new member in the profession, having left the navy some two years ngo to join Mr Harry Rickards's Gompany. Since that time "he lias been with several' vaudeville and comedy companies. Mr Doody and Miss Edie Wright, with whom he does several sketches and' duets, were members of the original Gaiety Company which opened the City Hall, Auckland, under Mr Dixs management. After a successful season in Auckland, Mr Doody and Miss Edie Wright went on tour -with Hooper's Colossophone Company, leaving that combination' a ehort while since to join Mr Fuller's Company in Dunedin. Mr Andrew Hodge, the advance agent for Henry Dramatic Company, drops a line to the effect that notwithstanding the unpretentious weather, his company are playing to tiptop business in South Canterbury, appearing for three nights at Timaru Theatre Royal, producing ' : Under Two Flags," " Shamus O'Brien," and " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The company played Geraldino and Temuka with satisfactory results, and reappeared at Timaru in " Outlaw Kelly " on Monday night. A benefit in aid of the Oamaru Hospital closes the tour in that part of the country, and the company proceed to Gore for three nights, commencing on the 30th ; then follow, Tapanui, Wyndham, and Invercargill. A new drama, "The Miner's Daughter," has been in rehearsal for some time, and previous to being staged in Dunedin at Christmas will first be produced at Invercargill. The members of the company arc all well and happy. Rowley's Waxworks and London Company, I am advised by Mr Fred Woods, the advance agent, are doing good business in the North Island. They have jußt concluded a very successful season in Palrnerslon North. On Show Day in that town, large crowds visited the waxworks, which was opened at^9 a.m, and hundreds were turned away at the evening's entertainment. Several startling novelties are in preparation.

After a fairly successful run at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, " Our ' Native Home" was withdrawn on November 17, making way on Saturday, November 18, for a new melodrama of modern life," The Power and the Glory," . by Mr Chanle3 Darrell, author of the. drama ' " When London Sleeps.

Dante the Great, having just concluded a highly successful tour of West Australia, South Australia, and Victoria (appearing in Melbourne- during Carnival Week), will shortly inaugurate a farewell tour of Australia under the direction of the genial L. J. Lohr and the management of Edwin Geach. On the conclusion of the Australian tour Danto will bo piloted by Mr Geach on a prolonged tour of the East. This is rather disappointing to New Zealanders as a return season of 1 the popular and clever .conjurer and hjis talented company has been looked forward to with considerable interest.

Mr Orpheus M'Adoo is doing splendid business with both his popular companies. The Georgia Minstrels and Alabama Cakewalkers have just concluded a highly-success-ful season at Adelaide Royal, a tour of the provinces following. The Jubilee Singers met with an enthusiastic reception on the opening of their season at Perth, "West Australia

Adelaide audiences are flocking to the perj -formances of "Thß Christian," with Mr Kingston as John Storm and ' Miss Henrietta Watson as Glory Quayle. Miss Emily Hughes, who has lately been touring Queensland with Mr Williamson's No 2 dramatic company, returned to Melbourne a week ago, and was summoned straightway to Adelaide. There seems an idea of her joining the company playing there if need arises.

Mrs Pattie Brown has quite recovered from her serious illness and was at latest advices touring the English provinces in the new musical comedy, "One of the Boys." Miss Ada Reeve has" given up her part of San Toy because she considered she could make nothing out of it, and expects to take the title role in " A Runaway Girl " at the Gaiety, London. She has been extremely popular since her return from Australia

3?eggy Pryde is announcing in London that when her English engagements are played through she is going to settle in Sydney. First she plays 12 months in England, then two years in Australia, then South Africa, five months in America, and finally back to Sydney. Mr Charles Godfrey (" Quite a don, don't you know "), through this city some two years ago, was at latest advices appearing at the Gaiety Theatre, Birmingham.

Mr Courtice Pounds, who succeeded Mr Joseph Tapley as tenor of "The Firm's" Royal Comic Opera Company, was ill in London when the mail left.

Miss Ina Laurence (Mrs A. E. Greenaway), according to the London Era, has been brave enough to sign a contract -with ,Mr Herbert Flemming to play principal. . comedy parts on his forthcoming South African tour.

Lionel Rignold, for whom "Lorgnette," in last week's issue of the New Zealand Mail, makes kind inquiries, has made a decided hit as the '" funny man " in " Going the Pace " at the Princess Theatre, London.

"Tyranny of Tears," by the ex-Sydney dramatist, Haddon Chambers, is touring in New York, where it is described by the critics as "the finest comedy of our time."

Miss Lilian M'Carthy, out in Australia with the Wilson-Barrett was playing the heroine in ''Alone in London" .at the London Princess when the mail left, owing to the illness of Miss Kate Rorke. Owing to the prevalence of influenza among those who were to take part in the concert arranged by Mrs Collet Dobson, it has been found necessary to change the date from. De=eember 5 to December 2L A really attractive programme has been prepared, in which a number of Indies and gentlemen who are not frequently seen on the concert stage will take part.