THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 54

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasqtttn.

Tuesday, October 30,

Miss Hetty Muret Avill probably sing " Ben Bolt" in "Trilby" during the NeAV Zealand tour of the Crane-Power Company.

The "Valdares, the clever trick cyclists Avho were through here a feAV months ago, have joined the JPercy Sinjin Company at the Theatre Royal, Brisbane.

Johnny Coleman has taken aAvay .with him little-boy Bain, and intends making an artist of the kid. Boy Bain is certainly Aery clever, and under Johnny Ooleman his talent Avill come out on top, '

Mr James Bain, the cleA-er lion comique avlio has been delighting Dunedin audiences Avith Percy Dixs Gaiety Company, left last Aveek for the North. lie is undoubtedly one of the cleverest artists in his line that this scribe has seen. When he made his boAV to a Dunedin audience Avith poor Charlie Godfrey in 1896 he Avas recognised as a coming star. The young Queenslander has only been five and a-half years in the profession. He came into prominence at a ,&pecial night for footballers given in honour of the Queensland rep. team avlio were visiting Sydney, of which Jimmy Bain Avas a member. His success was so marked that he decided to take to the boards professionally. At the conclusion of his engagement with Mr Percy Dix Mr Bain intends going direct to America. Thirty years of age, clever and amusing, and, best of all, a gentleman, " Pasquin " wishes the young Australian the success to which his undoubted talent entitles him.

■ Fred Sinclair has feigned a contract with Mr Williamson for the panto season. Previous to joining Mr Williamson's Company Mr Sinclair Avill probably visit New Zealand.

Miss FitzmaXiric Gill, the clever actress for some three years Avith Bland Holt, has now entered into an engagement with Nance O'Neil Company.

Ben Fuller Avill have five slioavs running in Noav Zealand shortly — one in Auckland and Wellington, two in Christch.\*roh and one down the West Coast.

Dear Pasquin, — I see in your description of Fuller's show at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunedin on tSaturday night (Witness of 4th October), 29fch September, you' mention that Sivroni, one of the star comedians playing there, came direct to Mr Fuller after completing an engagement -with Harry Rickards (the "only" Rickards) in Melbourne. You] must have made .a mistake surely. He was, up to 'abotit a 'month ago, flaying with Slacey's People's Concert Company in the Temperance Hall here in Hobart with his wife (Miss Kate Carlton). He was with Stacey's Company for about three months, and proved an immense attraction, filling the hall (which holds^OO people) every Monday night, when thestTconcerts were given. Since he has left here, the concerts have been discontinued, as he Ayas the mainstay of the ■whole show. Mr Sivroni's wife left here lor Dtmediii direct to rejoin him on Ist October, going direct in the s.s. Monowai. I forgot to mention that E. A. Stacey (manager People's Concert Company) in Sivroni's firat few appearances here billed him x as " late with Marry Rickards " — so he was evidently Avith Rickards in the first place. Things theatrical in Hobart have been rather brisk lately. Your old Dunedin friend Walter .Bentley Avas here a little Avhile ago for four nights, playing " The Christian " for three nights and " Dr. Bill " on the last night. Hundreds were unable to get into the Theatre Royal when he played " The Christian." Then Mr Harry Cogill's Musical' Comedy Company has just completed a six nights' season here, giving us "A Stranger in NeAV York " and "A Trip to China Town," Avhich Avere capitally played to big houses. Miss Kate Howarde's Opera Company opened yesterday, under Mr Robert Henry, in " Sins of a City," to be followed by the Crane-Power Company, and later by Chas. Arnold's Company (who play here for about three nights previous to opening in Dunedin on Bth November). So you see Aye have something to look forward to. — Yours, &c, Alex. N. Teagxje. Hobart,' Tasmania, October 16, 1900. [My authority for the statement was the manager to- Avhom -Mr Sivroni Avas engaged. The statement AA'as correct in so far that SiA'roni Avas originally VAvith Rickards. — Pasquin.] "* Dear Pasquin, — Having formerly advised you that Mr Northcote avoulc! be out by the just arrived 'Frisco mail I Avrite to correct. Well, at the last moment he found that he could not get the show complete in time, so he Avrites that he would leave London per s.s. Austral 1 , coming here via Australia and due about the middle of November, and we hope to make a date in Dunedin early in December. Mr Northcote advises me by letter of full particulars re the shoAv. It is I the original "Pepper's Ghost," Avith the addition of Gompertz's Spectrescope and Spectral Comedy Company, and the repertoire contains among other attractions a dramatised A'ersion of the late Charles Dickens' s " Christmas Carol," also an adaption of Gounod's "Faust," garnet's grand Scotoh opera "The Mountain Sylph," Schiller's beautiful mystic poem "The Storm of Thought," a ne-fv spectral farce " Muddlehead in a Fix." the comedy "The Haunted House," and an item described as a carnival of spirits, entitled, P. P. P.," or the "Poor Poet's Plague," and a number of others neAV to New Zealand. You know Mi Northcote is not one given to boasting (not to me at all events), and he writes that has secured " the biggest and best illusion shoAV in the world" — so things ought to boom. Things here aie going strong, Dix and Fuller "Variety shoAvs doing big biz, another variety shoAV at the Federal' (the old Cri.) doing payable biz, Pollards jiißt domoluding < a xeoord Reason — that, sublime English opera "Maritana" proving a veritable money spinner — Pollards being^ summoned for oVeroroAvding on its third production. Fuller is sending a strong combination dojvn West Coast (5.1.), the genial "Bis" going in advance. They, should make things hum down in Nell Gwynne'B country. Hoping I have not encroached too much .on your space,— l am as ever, smilingly yours, Hahbt Abbott, Wellington, October 27. [Encroach

Pollards open in " Djin-Djin " at Heßr Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, on December 23. " If there were no men in the Avor'id Avomen. avouW never suffer or ever be happy." — Tess (Mis 3 Edith Crane), in "Tess of the D'Urbervilles."

A gentleman well-known, in the profession: told me the other day that it Avas as easy as: rolling off a log (easier) to get an engagement in Ncav Zealand per medium of the various theatrical agencies in Australia. Mr Percy Dix and his energetic and obliging manager, Mr Alec Anderson, are leavingr precious few boulders unturned to 1 make the Alhambra Theatre, in DoAvling street, ai popular place of refined entertainment. Thafc they are succeeding in doing soi is evinced! by the crowds Avho flock nightly into the pretty Dowling street playhouse. The.shoAV, at present under Mr Dixs management is a« splendid ,one. Frank Yorke is the big man; of the co., with a big voice and a- bagger reputation, .which he has already fully justified. His " Gordon Highlander," Avhich has tlie merit of being neAA', is painfully funny. Olive Lenton is a dainty little serio Avho lias avoiS golden opinions for her graceful dancing and singing. Miss Lulu Lesch is another valuable lady member of the co. And if Mr P.' R. D. continues to keep up the standard of excellence at present maintained at the Alhambra he need not fear the Avant of support from the Dunedin public The Devella Sisters, clever little boxing 1 artists, who try to knock chips of? each other's; Xiretty faces (but Avho do not) to music operh Avith Mr Dix at the Alhambra on Wednesday. The well-knoAvn advance, Mr L. J. Lohiv has arrived ii? town ahead of Charlie Arnold' and his " What Happened to Jones " Company. Charles Arnold opens with "Jones" at the Dunedin Princess on November 7, immediately on the conclusion of the CranePower (season. Prof. Northcota of Kinematograph (not any sort of graph) fame has been touring England^in search of novelties, and judging by his letter to the ever-smiling One he has secured something with which he intends I shakirie us up in the near future. The Professor arrives in New Zealand from London: about the middle of November. In the meanwhile his energetic advance — Harry Abbottsis on the look-out for a Avalking lady, a singing soubrette, character gent, -and singing ■ comedian. Little Lily De "Vere, the dainty serio who . came out to New Zealand under engagement to Mr Ben Fuller, and of Avhqse serious illness T made mention in these columns a feAV Aveeks ago is still confined to her bed. Poor Lily only performed a Aveek at the Alhambra Avhen she Avas taken ill. but in that Aveek she showed ' Ayhat she Avas capable of doing, and established herself firmly, in the graces of Alhambra audiences, avlio Avish the little serio a speedy recovery. Not many variety artists "out of collar" either in Australia or NeAV Zealand at present (a feAV "in collar " Avho might be chopping wood witli advantage — to the wood). Tho variety boom in the two colonies almost completely absorbs all the talent. One, hoAvever, " out of collar " and Avho should not be chopping any sort of wood is Johnny Tudor. 1 Johnny is trying to keep up his end by teach- ! ing burlesque dancing in Dunedin. A Dunedin lady who made several trips through New Zealand with the Pollard Opera, Company is now playing the role of a successful and charming manicurist, a la Sophie Fiillgarney in this city. After the Grand Opera Company vacates Melbourne Princess, Miss Nellie SteAvart with a comic opera company Avill take possession ( with the " Scarlet Feather," Avhich Avill run up till Christmas, Avhsn it Avill make way for pantomime. Speaking of Australians going 'Ome to play up and break things Miss Nellie Stevrart says Avhat is wanted in England i 3 youth, beauty, and strong personality. She thought Australian actresses too broad — she did not use the Avord in its vulgar sense — and too ver- , satil'e for the British public avlio as a rule preferred a more sober and sedate style of actingto that adopted by artists from Australia. Nellie ought to know — she does. Charlie Wheeler of the Bland Holt Company sends me a souvenir programme of the B.H. Sydney season, Avhieh has been a remarkably successful one. The company are due in Melbourne in Carnival Aveek, opening in that city Avith " The Absent-Minded Beggar." Mias Grace Palotta is coming out to Australia ,under engagement to Mr Williamson, and AA'ill in all probability figure in the Christmas panto. • Mr W. F. Hawirey, whe Avas a member of the "Sign of the Cross" Company, and subsequently acted as stag© manager for Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, is, in conjunction Avith his brother, Mr Charles Hawtrey, bringing out a dramatic company, of Avhioh the leading juvenile Avill hi all probability be a son of the Avell-knoAvn artist and author, lately deceased, Mr G. dv Maurier. Tho company Avill open in the Palace Theatre, Sydney, on December 27 with " A MessagC from Mars," and will subseqxiently visit Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and possibly New Zealand. Miss Gerty BarloAV, Avho came to Dunedin. as a member of Walter Bentley' s recentlydisbanded company, drops a line to the effeefc that she is getting on Avell Avith Fuller's Company in Wellington. Business 'is splendid, and eA'eryone extremely happy. Two Aveddings which took place in the profession recently: — Miss Eva Wilson to MiTed Holland, and Miss Thome to Mr Adson. Mr Tyrone PoAver and Miss Edith Crane afc the conclusion of the New Zealand tour with Mr Williamson's Dramatic Company intend spending about four months' holiday in New, Zealand, during Avhich time they Avill visit; all the places of interest. It is just possible then that Mr Power and Mies Crane Avill undertake the responsibilities of management. Dick SteAvart, the genial business manager of the Crane-PeAver Company, is making his eighteenth visit to the colony. His first appearance in Dunedin was about 22 years ago, when he came to this city as a member of the Stewart Family Bright Lights Company. Mr Hugh Gorlitz and his Avife, Madame) Amy Shenvin, are quitting their beautiful home at West Hampstead for a perfectlyfitted residence at Shortlands, Kent, which' they have named " Huonville," after Madame Sherwin's Tasmanian home. Madame SherAvin and their little girl have recently beeni recruiting in North Wales. Their only son, Mr Louis Gorlitz, Avho is intended for tha diplomatio service, is an accomplished lin<- . guist, and has made great headAvay with the> initial part of the training. . Lottie 6ollins, of "Ta-ra-ia-boom-de-ay " fame, has arrived in Sydney under engagement to Mr Harry Rickards, and AA'as to open! under that manager at Sydney Tiv. on October 20. . Miss Collins is stated to be the mosti expensive artiste Mr Rickards has engaged. The Brough Comedy Company concluded a! six AVeeks' season at the Theatre Royal; Perth, on October 13, when "Niobe" was played) to an audience which, packed every, corner of the theatre^ Intense enthusiasnx .jj^yl.ed. In^aiOT^to^yoj^rous calls, Mr

Brough. stated the success of the reason was quite be3"ond his most sanguine expectations. He considered the Perth playgoers among the most staunch supporters of the theatre he l\ad ever met in his career. The company left for Kalgooriie to fulfil a, two weeks' season, after which they embark for India, and China. The advance booking for Kalgooiiie has already j reached the unprecedented sum of £1700. j 'Donald Macdonald, the war correspondent aEd lecturer, who is an Australian, had a novel, though not original, experience in Master Jon on a rec«nt Monday. He was speaking with some friends in his hotel, when in came three Australian bushmen. They lost i.o 'tinre in proclaiming themselves, and in inviting Mac. 'to partake of their hospitality. This the correspondent courteously refused. Then one of the trio insisted upon reciting — which he did with dramatic pathos — «,nd, as the war lecturer retired from the room, he was visibly affected, and exclaimed, "Xou should be -on the stage to-night, not I." The elose_of the incident saw a Jimp object whispering to the journalist, " Can you lend us a coupler bob? " — the genial Mac. parting bis " bit " with a sigh, and a general 'admission that there is something in being an AuEtralian, after all. Thus the grand opera programme on the return to Australia of Miss Nellie Stewart : — From many lips the greeting falls, By some expressed in smiles and nods; It's warmly echoed in the stalls, And echoed up amongst the gods. So welcome Yum-yum, Josormme, Rosette and Mabel, Phyllis too, And Dorothy — in short, we mean, Kight welcome, Nellie — all of you! Miss Nellie Stewart, with her wonderful youth, her up-to-date frocks and .her tur quoise, is at present the most tnlked of and most eagerly watched personage in Melbourne. In her hotel slic k gaped at and studied, and in the street she is followed and dogged "by membert of an" admiring 1 public. One sees sample? of both eexef eagerly walking behind her -and taking in the back effect. Then they suddenly break into, a hurried amble and get some distance 1 in front of the object of their regard and curiosity, and then, without any warning, whes'l about and casually stroll towards the embarrassed lady. The Stewart looks, chiffons, and those turquoise — (I anticipate an epidemic of bhio beads in all shape? and sizes as a result of the advent of those strings of blue jewels. Miss Stewart set a fashion in bangles here years ago, and now, as far as Australia is concerned, is starting a new fad in neck chains. A fall in -pearls will soon be gazetted, and | the azure stones will be all the go) ; and next Saturday night it is a foregone conclusion that Australia's greatest light opera star will | come in for as much attention as "-I1 Trova- j tore." — Melbourne Exchange. ! Dainty Irene Franklin, who finishes her Tivoli season on' Friday night, has had offors from every leading manager both in Australia and New Zealand. It is quite possible that the little lady will succeed Miss Dorothy "Vane in Mr Williamson's comic opera company. Her ambition is to appear in that branch of tho business. Mr W. R. Sinnotte has received a cable stating that Claude Calvert (one of the Hockley Bros.) died in Manila, P.1., of typhoid fever on the 16th of September. The Rockley Bros, were members of a Vaudeville company which Mr Siimotto sent to Manila on the 28th of May last, and had been very succe?^ful. The Kockles>- Bro?. will be remembered as having appeared with Mr J. C, Williamson's last pantomime, and also- with Mr Chap. Holloway in his late Easter attractions. Mr Claude Calvert leaves a widow, who i* little more than a girl, and Mr Sinnotte informs us that he is getting up a subscription on her behalf. Mr C-xlverfc'p mother died from shock on Sunday, and was buried yesterday.

Akbivam.