MELBOURNE NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2454, 27 March 1901, Page 55

MELBOURNE NOTES.

By Onlooker.

MELBOURNE, March 15

Dear Pasquin,— Things in the theatrical world aTe ncirly at high tide, for the Melbourne ioik are really having a terrific catalogue of amusement fare to choose from, us almost eveTy, building in "Smellbourne" that can be called a theatre or hall ia let to some one or other; Hut when the Dook comes along won't things wing and hum! I cannot say any more than I have said about "Florodora" at Hei Maj'esty's, find that is that it is a bonny musical comedy (as many term, it) I preferring to cftll it comic opera pure and simple. "Florodora" has almost got the record for length of run cf the one play, and it is announced to hold the boards till Easter, when tho stage at Her Majesty's will be ihe working place of a Gondolier Comic Opera. Company, which is going to play the late Gilbert and Sullivan fine opera for a week, and up till the time the gifted American tragedienne, Nance O'Neil, comes along and fills a long-felt want to tragedy admirers. Bland Jioit, with "In Sight of St. Paul's," started on a reproduction on the 9th, and it is taking favourably. I hope -to get to the Royal to-morrow night and see it again. I must make one remark I forgot to mention m my last on B. H.s artists. Walter Baker is unfortunately starting to "gabble" his words, and this is to be regretted, for Baker is a good man anil a great favourite, and I uever like to think that popularity should kill a man, and it does some.

Had a long talk with good oVI Fred Daweon (soa of Mr Jas. Dawson, of your city). He is (as I wrote before) luniimg Rodney (the second Maccabe). and doing gieat business. Rodney is a smart man. and can am v "oneman show" all right. Fred tells me he hopes to be in his dear old native land (New Zealand) by August, and I think he will get a good time there.

G. F. H. Barnes dropped in this morning to say "Good-bye," as he is leaving for Sydney to-day. Barnes is as well liked in Australia as in Maoriland, and is looked upon as an up-to-date and smart theatrical manager. With Madame Dante he will tour Tasmania next, then be here for the Duke's visit.

Miss L. B. Mi"Smith. a daughter of Dr L. L. Smith, and cou^m of the popular theatrical advance, G. F. H. Barnes, was the winner of the gold medal (pianoforte). Royal Academy of Music, London. She is a child of only 16 summers.

A receLt advertisement in the Melbourne dailies for four tall coloured men, for Her Majesty's Theatre, icmmds me of similar notices which have often been adopted as a 'cute means of advertising — though it is not so in the present case. Dan Barry was in the lead of this eort of thing. When he staged ''His Natural Life" at the old Alexandra, he advertised "Wanted, 100 convicts, for the pioduction of 'For the Term of His Natural Life.' None but genuine gaol birds need apply" Also for "The Roil cf tli9 Drum," a hash-up of the Boer War: " Wanted, 150 ugly men of ferocious countenance and savage disposition, to represent Boers." His announcement that he had a "genuine old 'lag' in the production, specially brought from Tasmania at great expense," was hardly as ingenious as his prize for the best essay on the Seventh Commandment, the name of one of his alleged powerful dramas. Dan had the art of advertising at his fingers' end, and he made lots of money at the Alexandra, rent of wiiicii was only £10 a week. Miss Peggy Pryde has married the youthful Mr Pearson, of Melbourne, who accompanied her to London. Peggy is at present appearirg at four halls nightly in London. She returns io Australia and the various Rickards houses in November.

Mrs Sheridan (Mies Gracie Whiteford) and Sheridan, jun. (Bertie) will return to Australia next October.

The "Passion Play" is in course of rehearsal for oroduchon at one of the leading Melbourne

theatres on Good Friday night. Several leading artists will appear m the production. 'Tis a fact that Brown-Potter and Kyrle Bellew are coming out to George Musgrove this year. Ran acioss Frank Reidle, quondam High School disciple and law clerk in Dunedin, and brother of popular and ever-fresh J. A. X. of that ilk, of the Dresden. Frank has developed into a piospsrous aiictioneer m mining Bendigo, but has been suffering somewhat of late from a complaint common to his craft — ''minister's throat." Have to thank Mies Nellie Stev/art for a lovely autograph pholo of her dear old self. This week has been a. week of faiewelhng. On Tuesday I saw Donald Macdonald and Al Geach off by the s.s. Oceana. I shall not forget Al's farewell word "Kia-ora" as he shook hands. His London address is care of the Argus Office, Fleet street. I saw Miss Bertha Bird and Mrs Howie off by the Runic to-day to London. Melbourne, Februaiy 8. Dear Onlooker,— Please accept my veiy giatcful thanks for the very kind and encouraging notices about me, which you have inserted in j-our Melbourne Note 3. I am indeed fortunate in seeming the goodwill of such an influential journal as the Otago Witness, whose theatrical . columns are so widely read and warmly appreciated by the profession in Melbourne. Permit me also to thank \ou for the insertion of my photograph, which appeared in a recent issue of the Witness, aud is the best I have seen. I assure you I shall ever remember your kind and flattering i:otices, and when I arrive on "the other side of the world" I shall not forget to keep you advised of my movements and progress. Wishing youraslf, Pasquin, and your valuable and delightful journal eve?y prosperity, — I am, very sincerely youis, Bestha Bird.