AROUND THE WORLD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 55

AROUND THE WORLD.

(From Otago Witness Specials.) liiietniayer's Waxworks,

Melbourne, September 13, 1900.

Dear Bis, — Let me tune my lyre and relate^ for the benefit of the many readeis of the Ol<j Reliable, the litest in tho theattical world of marvellous Melbourne. Two companies con<' eluded their season last week — viz., Brouglu at the Princess and Nance O'Neil at Her Majesty's. Both aforesaid crowds did well!

Broughs left for W.A., where they play a season prior to their departure for the east.

Nance O'Neil Company left for Adelaide', After the City of Churches they leave for JNTev/ Zealand, where I predict a series of triumph's, Edith Ciane now occupies Her Majesty's, Williamson, so far, has no cause to cornplaiit at his tenantry of the lat3 Alexandra, now renamed Her Majesty's. All through the Nance, O'Neil season it was filled with a fashionable ciowd that had hitherto ignored its existence. All sorts of lumours are roaming re what Musgrove opens the Princess with. Majbe grand opeia — ' Faust. ' I would not like to pay out his preiiminpiy exes. Tneatre renovated, to be paintpd, interior and oxter* jr. Scene p:i inters hive been working for some tirao on all new scenery (the said painteis sent oui. fvoin England), and impelled corripa.iv?, orchestra, and instruments. After the Princess season he opens Sydney Lyceum December 1, and a panto, here at Christmas, with Sfellle Stewart as principal boy.

'Ihis is to give notice that J. D. Rowley, of wax-wot k fame, left on the 22nd August by the Aberdeen for South Africa. I fancy he is a bit too soon, but if his correspondence proves things are all right, I shall rejoin lmn in November.

The pai>ers for the last two months have been stating that Rickards will start lebuikling the Opeia House "next week. But co far things icmain the same as usual. Biz &i the Bijou has been pretty good, but it seems peculiar that Melbourne and Sydney, two iecognised cities, can only support one variety show- Such is the fact. It has been tried, with loss to those who experimented.

According to a par of yours in the Witness, tvo variety shows ere now running permanent m Wellington and a third commencing. How is it done' I watcheJ Rickards's biz in Melbourne. It is the English artists that draw, or sti angers fioni eomewheic. A fresh artist, such as the common or garden variety scig and dance, improves biz a, bit. A good double turn (imported, mind) makes a favourable imoression on the pay box throu^iout their engagement. But a novelty i= what fetches them — something clever, something original. . The great Cinquevaili filled the house nightly, and caused two matinees weekly. JMext to him conies Luclwig Amann, the great facial arti=t, who impressed. me more then any other I've seen of late. The marvellous control he ' * had " ovei the features or His face, 'his study of the minute details, each character being distinct — Lord Eobeits, Kiuger, Chamberlain, etc. What a contrast, yet portrayed with such fidelity. Ludwig Amann went konw to fulfil other engagements. But another man, Keilderson, is talking of coming your way. He does exactly the same as Amann. Whoever secures him will have a sure_diaw. The impersonations of the Piince of Wales and her Majesty should go big in JSTew Zealand. That is all at pre sent. — -Your erratic correspondent, FRED WOODS.

Melbourne, September 10.

Dear Bis, — -I trust the world Las been kino to you since last we met. You were doubtless surprised to hear of M'Adoo's death. Poor old chap, he had been long suffering. As you remarked in your obituary, although a ''cullud pusson, ' he was a white man. and a gentleman. By the way, the Old Reliable is the only paper in Australasia which published a, photo of deceased.

I severed with the combination on M'Adoo' s dodth, and went into manfgement on ray own account, opening in Sydney on August 20. I have met with great success, and intend bringing a succession of novelties from England soon if Fate treats me kindly.

Fred Dowson severed his connection with M'Adoo some months ago. He has been very ill, but I am glad to say has recovered now, and goes o.i the road shortly.

Lance Lenton, who died at Melbourne recently, was the brother of Walter Keen, and the son of a Tasmanian medico: He was at one time recognised as c, clever dialect comedian. He read for the law, but joined the vrofession as pious to Vi r cston ?ncl Hussey's Minstrels. Bes>t wishes to the Old Reliable. — Yours truly, C-. F. H. BARNES.