THE STAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 51

THE STAGE.

"SonttTtlutionf from lie Profession eh-ODlellnethrir.ttovTmeutl ■at tSoin;* are ittTitod. All communiendoai to be addreMcl "Piiqutn," Otngo Wltneil Office.

J2RINCESS THEATRE BOOKINGS. _ ftobert Henry Dramatic Company — December 26- (Boxing. Night) to January 8 (1990). K. Brough, Comedy Company— January 12 to

' January 28 (1900). Williamson and Muegrove, February- 1 to Feb-

ruary 7 (1369). Pollaid Opera Company, February 8 to Feb-

ruary 17 (1980)t Bland. Holt Dramatic Company, March 16 to March 30 (1900).

THEATRICAL ASD MUSICAL NOTES.

Bt Pabqttiit.

TUESDAY, December 26.

With so many theatrical companies in our midst the time would be most opportune for the members of the profession to show their patriotism and appreciation of "the boys who do the fighting" by inaugurating a "patriotic fund " amongst themselves. ■ Every artist worthy of the name is a true patriot, sensible and sensitive to a degree, and would show his sympathy with "the 'thin red line of 'crocs" by generously subscribing to such a fund. Members of the dramatic profession are al j ways in the front when assistance is required by their fellow creatures, but this is a special call, and T am sure that every member of the various companies, from the call-boy -to the manager, will rise to this great occasion. Each company could decide on the most suitable manner of collecting subscriptions, but I would suggest that those willing to subscribe contribute whatever amount they could afford per week as long- as the war lasts. This could then go to a general fund, to he known as "The Theatrical Patriotic Fund." Tarn sure the management of the Otago Witness will gladly chronicle in its theatrical columns the amount collected each week by the various companies throughout New, Zealand. The popular Robert Henry Dramatic Company have returned to Dunedin, and open tonight in the Princess Theatre in the drama "True Metal." The company has been considerably strengthened eince it last appeared here, amoug the new faces being Miss Marion "Willis, and Messrs Pattern, Milford Haven, and Ward-Lyons, all professionals of merit. After playing Duuedin for a season of 14nights, the company travel to Christchurch, opening >n the Theatre Royal fur a short season.

New Zealand has seldom, if ever, been honoured by so many first-rate theatrical companies as at present, and playgoers in the chief centres have an undeniable treat in store. Bland Holt opens in the* Opera House, Aucklandi on Boxing Night with "Sporting Life." "The Trip to Chinatown" Company are in New Plymouth for Christmas week. Pollard's Opera Company commence a season in Opera Bouse,- Wellington, with the much-talked-of Geisha." ChriEtehureh will have the honour of welcoming back to New Zealand the everpopular "Broughs," whose season in the '-City of Nor'-westers" opens with "The Liars" on. Thursday, 2£th inst. The Henry Dramatic Company make their reappearance in Dunedin on Boxing Night, opening with aaenßational melodrama of London life, entitled "Tcuo Metal." Professor Anderson (the Wizard of the North) and Mdlle Blanch also open in Dunedin on Boxing Night for an eight nights' season.

Dear Pasquin, — I have to thank you on behalf of Mr Conor and the Hoyt and M'Kee Gompany for your wire to them wishing them a- successful time in New Zealand. Judging from the success they are- achieving in Auckland, I think they may look forward to a splendid tour. Am pleased to say that the notices in both dailies and weeklies were very appreciative, as you will doubtless have observed. It is not actually definitely settled yet that we play in Chrietchurch and Dunedin, as it is just possible, they may have to return from Wellington to catch the boat for 'Frisco. However, I am hoping- such will not be the case, as I am sure their comedies would go down immensely in the South Island. — Yours sincerely,

HAROLD ASHTON

(Williamson, and Musgrove) . tJ sincerely hope that Mr Conoi and "The Trip- to Chinatown" Company will conveniently mie3 the 'Frieco boat and come on to Dunedin, where a warm welcome awaits them. - — Pasquin.].

The celebrated American comedian, Mr Harry Conor, and Messrs Hoyt and M'Kee's Company, from the Madison Square Theatre, jVew Yorkv who, under tho direction of Messrs i f . C. Williamson and George Musgrove have "been appearing in the Opera House, Auckland, have' just concluded an immensely successful season, the theatre being crowded nightly. The entire press of the northern city is- unanimous in according the highest praise 'to the -performances, and Mr Conor is specially singled out as being one of the fine-it coiredians ever seen in this country, it being stated that a more laughable presentment than hia Welland Strong in the musical comedy "A Trip to Chinatown" could scarcely bo imagined. In addition to the piece mentioned the repertoire embraces two other musical comedies — viz., "A Stranger in New York" nnd "A Texas Steer." Amongst the principals of the company are Mr Hugh J. Ward, character comedian from the Grand Opera House, Piltsburg ; Mt Tom. Browne, a marvellous flifHeur, who is said' to have the gift of whistling an air in two keys simultaneously; Mr Sam Marrori, farcical comedian and eccentric dancer, Mr Arthur Eacie, tenor, and Mr WjlL Bernard, leading juvenile. Included in the cast is also the papular baritone' of the Royal Comic Opera Company, Mr Wallace Brownlbw, who has ecored so many successes in the different operas. The ladies include Miss. Allene Crater, a charming soul«rette from the Frances-Wilson Opera Company in Now York ; Miss Viola Gillette, eontralt'o; Miss Edith Hoyt, soubrette ; Miss Maria Adame, soprano t Miss Emma Siegel, ingenue-; and Misses Nellie and Lizzie ' M'Coy, two exceedingly . clever "dancers. It has not yet" been definitely settled as to vrhethei tha company visit Dunedin, as it is possible they may return from. Wellington and' catch the 'Frisco ' steamer, but should they play here, it will be early in February...

That-the success of "British Born," the military spectacular drama produced by; the- Roscus Dramatic Society in- the Princess Theatre on-Deccmber 15 and 16 in aid of the New Zealand C6ntingeni/ Fund, was a great one, artistically and- financially no aiie will deny. Tho public, who are the best judges of a performance,; pronounced ifc as the finest:, from an amateur pojnt of view, seen in Dunedin, and .as a fitting climax the treasurer announces that- the Hum of £100, the result of the two nights' performances, will be handed over to Hie New Zealand' Contingent- Fund. This jras made public at the mass- patriotic meetiru:

held in the 1 Agricultural Hall last Friday evening 1 , but for some reason it was overlookedin the press.

The Roseius Society, encouraged by their success in Dunedin, have decided to give the public of Oamaru a chance of seeing "British Born," and an opportunity of showing their patriotism.. Accordingly "British Born" will pc staged at the Theatre Royal to-night (Boxing Night), the net proceeds of which will be devoted to the New Zealand Contingent Fund. When "The Geisha" is produced in Dunedin in February by the Pollard Opera Company, playgoers here will look in vain for the appearance of three well-known favourites in the company — Miss Maud Beatty, Miss Marion Mitchell and Miss Emily Metcalfe. Where are they? Alas! married ! We should have lilted to have had them- always with us, but we bow to the inevitable.

Rumour was, perhaps, not such a lying jade after all, when it announced that Mr Wallace Brownlow was likely to be secured to play Reginald Fairfax in the Pollard Opera -Company's production of " The" Geisha." Mr Brownlow has certainly not been secured to play in " The Geisha," but he is in New Zealand all the same with " The Trip to Chinatown " Company, and Dunedin playgoers will probably have the opportunity in February next of renewing their acquaintance with the popular baritone. The Macarte Sisters, the first of Air Harry Rickards's importations, have already established themselves warm favourites at the Bijou Melbourne. They are nightly received with storms of applause; and bid fair to rival Paul Cinquevalli in popular esteem. Bland Hol^'states that his present tour through New Zealand' has eclipsed all 'previous records. This must be very gratifying to all in the company, and especially to the actor-manager himself, whose season in Dunedin, unfortunately, was not "one of the best." BusineES in Christchurch and Wellington was splendid, and in Auckland, where they open to-night (Boxing Night, the company is sure to have a. phenomenal season. " Pasquin " reciprocates the good wishes of Mr Harold Ashlon (representative of Messrs Williamson and Musgrove), Mr Conor, and " The Trip to Chinatown " Company, and, though a trifle late, they are none the leß3 sincere. That enterprising manager, Me Tom Pollard, has secured the services of Miss Jennie Opie, the Perry Sisters, and Mr William Paull, the baritone, from the Royal Comics, for the New Zealand production of ''The Geisha," which takes place at the Opera House, Wellington, to-night (Boxing Night). I expect to hear that the largest theatre in New Zealand (the Wellington Opera House) will be unable to accommodate by one-half tho crowd who anticipate being present to witness the premiere of the Japanese opera. Mr Albert Bellman and Miss Lottie Moore, the clever and popular sketch artists who were with us about this time last year, have made themselves so popular at the Cremorne Gardens, Perth, that they have been re-en-gaged for another month.

The Brough Comedy Company brought their Melbourne season to a. close on the loth inst., with a revival of ".A Village Prie3t," the very noticeable change in the cast being the substitution of Mr Joseph Came for Mr Titheradge. The Broughs are passengers by the Mokoia en route for Christclmrch, where they open on Thursday, 28th, in " The Liars."

The Steele-Payne Family have been playing a phenomenal season on the We3t Coast. In all the towns on the Coast they were greeted by large and appreciative audiences. I am pleased to chronicle a successful tour — they deserve it.

Charlie Arnold, with the popular andcapable L. J. Lohr as manager, opens with " What Happened to Jones at the Princess, Melbourne, at Eastertide.

The M'Adoo Jubilee Singer 3 and tho Passion. Play Cinematograph open at the Melbourne Town Hall at Christmas.

The pale of seats for the benefit performance in aid of the Old Actors' Homes, held on the 16th met., at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, realised £475 ; £45 was given for one box and £27 for another. The sale establishes an Australian record. The benefit, it is expected, will realise over £1000. M'Aqoo'b Georgia Minstrels and Alabama Cake Walkers have been performing with great success throughout the New South Wales provinces. They were at latest at Port Pirie, and are booked for a season in Tasmania, opening in Launceston on Boxing Night. Speaking of the performance at Broken- Hill the Barrier Truth says:— "This is undoubtedly the best and strongest variety combination which has visited the Hill for many a day, and he would be hard to please indeed who could not enjoy tho performance. There is something to hit every taste, and nothing to offend any. The programme presents at once quality, quantity, and variety. The fact that every item is encored nightly is evidenco enough of the appreciation of the audience whioh gathers night after night." Miss Ada Julie Bon-Bon Reeve hag set an example to her brothers and sistera in the profession.' Writing to the Daily Mail she says: "With reference to your article 'How Best to Provide for " Tommy's " Relatives,' I have instructed the management of the Lyric Theatre to hand over to you my first week's salary from the production of ' Floradora ' that you may place it as a donation from me towards that most deserving fund."

" San Toy," the new musical comedy produced at Daly's Theatro in October,, is said to follow in a general way upon the linea of " The Mikado " and " The Geiaha." Though the whole story is laid in China, there is but one character who speaks pigeon English. Tho story shows how San Toy has been brought up as a boy in order to escape the edict of the Emperor that, as the daughter of a Mandarin, she should join the Royal Guard at Court. Miss Mario Tempest plays this part, and Mr Hayden Coffin, appears as Bobbie Preston, a young Englishman, who discovers that San Toy is a srirl, and falls in love with lier. Mr George Edwardeg has staged tbe raw yiiw with splendour, and it is generally considered that, though not artistically distinguished, the production will prove popularly successful.

An exchange says : — " What I want to know is, What's the good of amateur acting, any road? Nobody benefits. The playera go deadly sick and worry themselves to skin and bone; they're jolly glad when it's over. The audience — well, they get a bit sick, too, and they're not. sorry when it's over, either. Sometimes they act for a charity, and it would be lots more oharity if they didn't.'" Comment is needless.

Curious, says Adelaide Critic, how the public compare actresses. Those who wept over tho " Sign of the Cross " plump for Miss Ada Fevrar as against Miss Henrietta Watson, but to my mind tho former is not in it with Miladi.' Miss Watson possesses not only a more beautiful voice, but beate Miss Perrar at all pointa as a powerful and versatile, actress. — Demon.

MR WALTER EHIBY'S RECITAL.

The attendance on Friday evening at Mt .Walter Hirby's song recital was only moderate. The wet «v«nituE aad .the strong; counter attraction

at the Agricultural Hall were doubtless re- . sponsible for this. Whatever were the reasons for the paucity of the attendance, there can be no doubt that those present thoroughly enjoyed the programme which was presented. Mr Earby, who comes here with a good reputation, soon proved that the reputation is well deserved. He is the possessor of a. light tenor voice of good range, while the quality is sweet and sympathetic. To these natural advantages there may be added the attractions of clear enunciation, good phrasing, and fine expression. Mr Kirby not only knows his songs thoroughly, but he is successful in presenting them in a manner which proves that ho has given the songs conscientious study. Mr Kirby was down for four songs, but he had to add three more before the audience were satisfied. The numbers he chose were "Alice, where art thou " (Ascher), " The star of Bethlehem" (Adams), "Angels guard thee " (Godard), and "An evening song " (Blunienthal). From tho very first Mr Kirby carried his audience with him, so to speak, and the applause at the conclusion of each item was very hearty. As encorea Mr Kirby gave %f A-sthore," " In yonder fair valley " (accompanying himself on the piano), and " Stars." He also took part with Miss Blaney and Mr Jago in the trio " H Naviganti" (Randegger), in which the blending of the voices was very good. Miss Rose Blaney, ever a popular singer, so pleased the audience with her rendering of " My dearest heart " • (Sullivan) that they insisted on an encore, and Miss Blaney gave the evergreen " Coming through the rye." Miss Blaney's other song, " Robin Adair," was also encored, the added number Toeing " Jeannette and Juno." Mrs Wakeficld-Holines contributed " Sunshine and rain " ((Blumenthal) and " Two cities " (Gray) in 'an acceptable manner. Mr James Jago, who was in good voice, rendered " Where willows whisper " (Ashcroft) and " Love's proving " (Lohr) very successfully. Mr G. H. Schacht's violin solo, Mozart's " Sonata," was very enjoyablo, and Mr W. E. Taylor rendered as a pianoforte solo Grieg's " Aus dera carueval" is his usual finished manner. Mr Taylor and Miss K. Moloney acted as accompanists, and their names are sufficient guarantee of good work in this department.