SYDNEY GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 10 April 1901, Page 61

SYDNEY GOSSIP.

By Cigarette.

Now that the muggy days of March are upon us the shops are full of winter things, and women, ever eager to seize fashion by the forelock, are now intent on choosing winter frocks.

Shades and colours this year are certainly artistic. Pastel shades of reds, greens, and soft browns make glad the eye so lately offended by the glaring blues and majentas of yore ; and although half mourning will be "de rigueur" for all who attend the Duchess's receptions, there will be many anxious to don brighter colours in the meantime.

There is no doubt that black has a depressing influence on our spirits, and one can easily imagine that actresses are influenced by the colours they wear. Mrs Brown-I'otter always feels "emotional"' parts in white ; Sarah Bernhardt, "tragic in yellow ! while "adventuresses" on the stage are usually garbed in flaunting reds. There is a soothing influence about green that everyone acknowledges, and blue has a certain air of innocence about it specially suitable to children.

Sydney's triumphal arches are gradually disappearing. The "Military Arch," one of the most, graceful, was laid low last week, and the "Commonwealth" arch is to be sold by auction as it stands. Doubtless these will be replaced by something equally decorative when the Duke and Duchess arrive, but at present Sydney does not appear wildly excited over that auspicious visit. Last year's visitation of the plague was the means of doing a great deal of good in cleaning the city. The result is that instead of last year's apathy, everyone is on' the alert, folk having at last realised the truth of the saying that "Prevention is better than cure." Metal discs • are affixed to all ropes on vessels berthed at the wharves, and rat-catching is still a Jbusy industry.

There will soon be no necessity for children to be taught to play the piano, and the drudgery of "practising" will be a thing of the past, for owing to the invention of the "Pianola," anyone without the slightest knowledge of music can play the most difficult pieces at sight! I went to see the instrument the other day, and was delighted. It looks something like a harmonium, and is pushed up in front of a piano ; tlia performer sits down and presses with his feet on the bellows, which causes a current of air to work the little fingers of the pianola which in their turn play the piano just like ordinary human fingers, only far more correctly ! Accompaniments to songs, operatic music, dance music, oratorios, everything, were beautifully played, time and expression being regulated by touching metal an^angements in front of the instrument. The pianola costs £50, and will play any piano. * » ff k •

Mr Burns-Walker, an old Dunedinite, gave a most enjoyable concert the other night, introducing two of his pupils to the public — Miss Carlotta, Young and Mr Montagu Chapman. The lady has a charming voice, with lovely bird-like notes in the upper ranges. Mr Chapman has a powerful voice, and would do well in opera, having great power of facial expression and imitation. Mr Alfred Hill assisted with the violin, and appeared to have had his hair cut.

"The Ladder of Life," a play that you will shortly see in New Zealand, has quite taken Sydney by storm, owing to its military spirit and general excellence. The battle scenes are highly convincing, and "Gordons to the Front" is a splendid tableau. Miss Eugenic Duggan and Messrs Bobert Inman and Bert Bailey are the mainstays of the piece, which derives its jwyjie from t!*e "Silveaisj," three joung men

aciotuts, who foim themselves into a ladder and lescue the Lero and lieiome from danger at ciitiCiil momenta.

The Pollard Company have been playing "Djm Djm ' at Htr Majesty's. The transformation scene was particulaily lovely, depicting the "Birth oi Australia." This beautiful conception was invented and executed by Mr John Goidon. And as if this were not enough, there was also a delightful exhibition of Professor Godfrey's performing animal--, monkeys and dogb, V) ho do all sorts of wonderful tricks, one of the smallest monkeys wheeling a perambulator round the stage \» bile he &mokes a pipe ! "Djin Djm" was succeeded by "Trilby," then by "The Christian," ard next week "The Royal Divorce" is to follow.

Last night I went to fee "Turn, Dick, and Harrj " at the Palace Theatre, and ever since my jaws Lave ached from overmuch laughing. It lias been said that women have no sense of humour ; if so, then Mrs Pacheco, the writer of this comedy, is a notable exception, for funnier situations than those phe has conceived would be hard to imagine. It is impossible to describe, so you must wait until it comes to New Zealand. Mr W. Hawtrey, as an irascible old general, is sublimely ridiculous, and Mr Herbert Ross, as the son and heir whose disguise leads to all the funny complications, is a clever actor. Percy WalsLe, as a German wigmaker, is highly amusing, although his is only a small part. The ladies of the company aie all good, and the frocking is particularly chic. In the cur-tain-raiser "A Highland Legacy," a charming little one-act play, Miss Winifred Austin wears a very pretty frock of some white material with Eton coat faced with pale blue. The coat re of the square shape, with wide sailor collar and two quaint silver buttons. The toque worn with this costume is white with black ouill and blue rosette. Miss Ruby Ray looks best in a green gown much tucked, the neck very slightly decollete, displaying a becoming large white collar of lace. Her bronze hair, dressed low in the neck, forms a lovely contrast to the green of the gown.

There is some talk of the two art societies amalgamating, so as not to lo?e the Government subsidy, which is threatened to be withdrawn unless the rivals "kiss and be friend*." At present pictures are a drug in the market, a« far as Sydney is concerned.