THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 57

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

' .. ' ' ■ TOESI>AT, March 10. Madame Melba, has abandoned ier intention of returning to Europe via San Franchco. _ She -sailed by tho- Waikare from WeLlington for Sydney on Monday last. Her present intention is to leave Melbourne for England on the 13th prox. Ben Fuller, who is coming to take charge of the Alhambra Theatre, Dunedin, has arrived at the Bluff. He wires "All well, and regards." While in Wellington recently Mr Alfred Hill, the composer and conductor of the Maori opera "Tapu," received a wire from Mr J. C. Williamson offering him an important engagement, which the talented young Wellingtonian has accepted. " Tapu," produced by the Pollard Opera Company last Saturday evening for the first time in Dunedin, proved to be one of the finest attractions Mr Tom Pollard has yet given us. The music is delightful, the scenery truly magnificent, the dresses striking and well nigh perfection in taste, and the performance reflects the greatest credit on all concerned in its presentation, for few productions, London successes or otherwise, h»ve met with such universal approval. As Pollard Company leave on Sunday for Hobart, where they catch the boat for Capetown, "Tapu" will be repeated for the last time this (Wednesday) evening, and will make way during the remaining three nights of the season to revivals in order that playgoers may see all the principals in one or other of their favourite characters before leaving the colonies. "The French Maid" will be staged on Thursday, and in this piece the popular young actress Miss Gertie Campion, will be found in the character of Julie Bon Bon, a part in which she made such a decided hit on its first presentation in New Zealand. Oa Friday "Rip Van •Winkle" will hold the boards, and will serve to introduce Mr AIL Stephens in his famous part of Rip; and on Saturday, positively the last farewell performance before leaving for Africa, ,"Florodora" will be staged, and in tbia piece every available principal, inclndinjE Misses Alice Edgar. Connie Buttel. Alice

Pollard, Messrs W. S. Percy, H. Quealy, D. O'Connor, and others, will make a final appearance in Dunedin for some time at least. The members of the Pollard Opera Company are making the last performance here of that talented combination before leaving for- S. Africa a complimentary benefit one to Tom Pollard", in -token of the goodwill and esteem towards him, and to celebrate his twenty-second year of theatrical management in New Zealand. Tho promoters feel sure that Dunedin playgoers, who have always been moat liberal in their support of the Pollard Company, and ready to recognise and show their appreciation in a practical way of Mf Pollard's great enterprise in introducing from time to time to them London, Australian, American, and other novelties, will co-operate with them on this occasion, and by their attendance make the benefit worthy of the occasion. Mr Pollard is extremely popular, and but few people who attend a theatre have any idea of the hard work, anxiety, and great expense attached to the presentation of every new opera; and when we remember that the company has a repertoire of some 50 pieces, and that Mr Pollard has had to stage many of them without even a hint from the authors, some idea may be gleaned of the hard task he has had in hand; but that nearly all hit productions should have met with such marked success, speaks for itself as to Mr Pollard's great ability as a stage manager. It may be remarked that during his long term in the theatrical profession but. on one occasion only has bis services ben recognised in a practical form. However, we feel confident that Dunedin, which is looked upon as the home of the Pollards in New Zealand, will roll up in great force at the Princess Theatre on Saturday evening, and by their attendanco show their appreciation of Mr Tom Pollard's great enterprise in introducing to their notice for so many years all the latest successes in the comic opera and musical comedy world, and at the same time give a rallying farewell to all the popular favourites.

Fuller's Variety Co. reorganised for the occasion, open in Dunedin Alhambra next Saturday. Fred Duval left for the north last week, well in advance of the Anderson Dramatic Co. He returns to Dunedin in May. Madame Melba is said to have received £500 for each of Her five concerts in the large centres during her New Zealand tour, and £300 each for her concerts in Wanganui and New Plymouth. If this is correct, her total earnings in the colony were £3100. It may be' interesting to the Pollard Opera Company, who are leaving .New Zealand shortly for a tour of South Africa, to know that theatres are now in course of erection in Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. In the Gold Reef City two are going up, the larger of which will cost £100,000 and will possess every feature of value which the best theatre in London has.

Apropos of tho recent death of Mr James Montgomery, of this city, a correspondent forwards a programme of the Otago University Dramatic Club's production of "School for Scandal," in which James Montgomery is underlined, haying played Rowley in Sheridan's masterpiece.

Mr Michael Joseph, the popular manager for Wm. Anderson, left Dunedin by express on Friday last with a face all smiles after the huge success of his Dunedin season (another tribute to the Actors' Cemetery). Before leaving, he despatched the. following cable to John F. Sheridan :— "Booking you Xmas Princess ; best , theatre here ; arranging .other towns, commencing August; Dunedin prosperous. "-^TMany more happy returns, Michael.— Pasquis.] News, has been received by Mr J. C. Williamson this week of the death of Mr Chas.. Lauri, the famous comedian. Deceased, was a relative of Messrs Geo. and Ed. Lauri, at present in Australia, and in duo course was to come' out here under engagement to Mr J. C. Williamson. Jack Kearna, who has been touring the Canterbury district with Jameson's Entertainers,' received a wire from Mr P. R. Dix requesting him to join that manager's company in Wellington. Mr Kearns proceeded north on Thursday last. There is a possibility that when Miss Connie Buttel leaves Pollard's Opera Company, a sister of Miss Buttel, who has a weakness for the stage, will fill the vacancy. After the curtain fell on the last night of the Anderson Dramatic Co.'s season at Dunedin Princess a pleasing ceremony was performed, when Madame Chesini, thepianiste, was presented with a greenstone Maori mere as a token of esteem. Herr Zimmermann made the presentation. Wellington wind always has something to say when a circus happens along in that city, and the latest visit of Dan Fitzgerald's Big Show was no exception. Big business was done while showing, but the profits were sadly interfered with by the tents having to close down one night owing to the gale blowing. On a previous visit to Wellington Fitzgerald Bros, had one of their tents ripped up from hem to crown. Dan, who knew something of Wellington gales, did not wish to erect the tents that night, but brother Tom, not wishing to disappoint the public, said: "Up with her," and up she went. The first puff caught the tent, inflating it like a balloon. The next got fairly under it, and rent the huge canvas like calico. " There goes £70 in one hit," said Dan, as he saw the end flapping in the gale. The spectacular extravaganza "Djin Djin," and the Maori opera "Tapu," should prove the best pieces in the Pollard repertoire for the South African tour of that Co. As George Reid is somewhat of an unknown Quantity in South Africa, the comedy in tho

Maori opera will have to be written round another gentleman who wears 'an eyeglass.

A certain strongman touring New Zealand received several set-backs to his name and fame en route. None, possibly, moro severe than the refusal of the keeper of the refreshment rooms at a seaside resort near Dunedin to supply strongman and party with refreshments because it was Sunday! The party consisted of strongman and a wellKnown actor who, while out driving, stopped at the seaside resort to obtain a cup of tea. Arrived at the rooms, the strong one acted as spokesman : "Can we have some refreshments — a cup of tea and sandwiches," he asked of the lady who answered tho bell. "We don't serve refreshments on the Sabbath," came the reply. "Not a cup of tea?" "No." "Do you know who I am?" said the strongman. "No, I don't; and it wouldn't matter if I did; we never serve customers on Sunday." "But I am Mr , tho famous exponent of physical culture, and this is my friend, Mr . the wellknown actor." "It makes no difference who you are, I cannot serve you on the Sabbath Day !"

The gentleman who harangued the noble 100 unpaid supers from the o.p. side of London Adelph'i during recent Nance O'Neil collapse, what time the warriors were .declaiming, "We don't go. on untilwe get our bit," made a great hit, but did not succeed in getting tbe great unpaid supers to go on in the battle scene.

Mr" George Musgrove's Comic Opera Co. are now actively rehearsing "La Serenade," which is to succeed "The Fortune, Teller" at Melbourne Princess. * .

The American Co. which is to produce "Way Down East," and '^Lover's Lane," on behalf of Mr Williamson, is to arrive in Australia in May.

In an interview Madame Melba said that Clara Butt has a God-given voice but no brains. Ada Crossley is incomparably inferior to Clara Butt, and Melba thinks little of Amy Castles'a chances of becoming a great vocalist. Madame Melba, in the course of an interview with the Auckland Herald representative, referred to the action of the New Zealand Government in imposing the income tax upon artists travelling in tbe colony. "They were so frightened 'that I would run away" — and the diva laughed merrily — "that a man met me at the Bluff. But I don't intend to cheat them, you know. Of course, we never have anything of that sort in America, but I think if people are taking money out of the country they have a right to pay a tax. At any rate, they .followed us up, but, seriously, if an artisfc mattes a lot of money why should not she be taxed?"

A contract for £25,000 has been let for the re-building of Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney. The design will make the house equal to the best in London. Albert Lucas is credited with writing a, new original melodrama, entitled "A Dutch Devil," that will probably be produced on the Queensland tour of the Kate Howardc Company. ' Lucas has already appeared as a playwright, having produced pieces with mixed success in New Zealand,

The latest Briti&h Australasian contains particulars of the death of Miss /Maud La timer, which' was briefly reported, by cable a few weeks ago. It appears that Miss Latimer had been ailing for a few days with influenza, and appeared to l*e recovering, when she quit© unexpectedly succumbed to heart failure.

Mr Vernon Steele, another artist of Mr George Musgrove's importing, will be included in the "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" Company, which is to visit New Zealand, opening at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on the 11th of April next. While Madame Melba was witnessing the historical drama "If I Were King," at His Majesty's, Auckland, Francois Villon (Mr Cuyler Hastings), when about to drink to the health of his lady-love (\yho, by the bye, appeared under the portico, and is about to step down to the garden), instead of the usual line, "Here's to_ the fairest lady," etc., etc., turned it into, "Here'u to> the fairest singer this side of heaven, and, if my eyes deceive me- not; I see her now before me," at the same time looking up to the box where Melba was seated enjoying tho performance. When the curtaiu fell on the last act Madame, did not miss joining in the applause by most heartily clapping her hands. Mr Robert Grau has signed a contract with Madame Patti for a six-month tour in the United States. There will be 60 concerts, for eaoh of which Madame Patti is to receive 5000dol, and an additional 50 per cent. of the receipts when the takings for a concert exceed 7500d01. It is further stipulated that' the slim of 10,000dol shall be banked to bind the contract, and 40,000d0l banked some months before the tour commences.

. The performer* in "Buffalo Bill's Wild West" at Olympia, London, are men who have Been on the firing lines in every great war that has taken .place throughout the world since 1861, with the exception of the Japan-China dispute and. the Boxer uprising. Colonel Cody himseli is a veteran of the cival war of the United States, and was also chi#f of Scouts in the Indian outbreaks in Western America. The leader of the Cossacks wears the Cross of St. George, presented to him by the Czar for bravery at Plevna during the Russian-Turkish war. There are also two men now appearing with the United States Cavalry who were on the winning side in the Franco-Prussian controversy, while among the English contingent ire men who have seen service in India, Egypt, and South Africa. The detachment of United States cavalry and artillery boasts of veterans in the recent war in the Philippines. Roosevelt's Rough Riders claim among their number Tom Isabelle, who fired the first shot at the Battle of San Juan Hill and fought side by side with the Cuban Patriots, who now follow their own flag in the congress of the riders of the world. It is no idle boast, then, to say that nowhere else in the world are to be seen at one time and in one arena men who have been behind the guns in so many different campaigns. The military element is not confined to the arena, for some 60 ushers who are employed at Olympit are all reservists, who have fought to uphold the honour of the Union Jack.

Mr J. C. Williamson states that he would rarely have to go outside Australia for hinger3 for hi 3 Comic Opera Company were it not for a horrible twang in singing, and equally horrible accent in speaking which makes the appearance in possible in leading parts of many handsome girls who have naturally good voices. For these disfigurements he blames schoolmasters and musio teachers. But children do not learn to speak badly from the schoolmasters, but from their parents and from other children. The influence of the schoolmaster is only exercised for an hour or so in each school

day; the evil teaching of bad surroundings goes on nil the time. The fact . is- that in Australia the bulk of tho people have adopted the worst lingual features of the folks who come here. The prevailing Australian lingo is a mixture of the Irish, Cockney, Lancashire, Somersetshire, .and Northumbrian dialects, with a soupeon of Yiddisher thrown in. It is a lovely compound, but by no means such a concoction of all that is vile, ugly and repellent in human speech as that which prevails in the Bast End of London, and if the Cockney can throwaside at times his horrible tongue, surely even the worst of the Australians can do so more easily. The New Zealanders speak the purest English of all the Australasian people. LIMELIGHT LAYS. Some of the funniesfc'rhymejj'Mr Albert Chevalier has yet written .appear in s a little shilling booklet. " Limelight , Lays,"'- just published. Here is the song, of' "the -scene. -Shifter, one of those gentlemen who=— although we do not. or should not, see. much of them— are often literally tho power behind the thrina : — I takes hoff my 'at to >one bloko,. an'~to 'mi alone Don't know 'is name — Seen pickshurs of 'im tho' a liftin' on 'is own ' The World— nice,. bloomfn' game!-' l ' *• I've 'ad the Tah'r of London hon my back An' the Ahse of Lords as well — • Got fined, because I fell— That's a bit. of "oflright," ain't it? Why! I've' pulled dahn 'auntid castles wivaht spade or pick! I 'aver-that' s straight! , ' , Hall on my lonesome, too — in les3 than 'arf a tick— I 'aye— an' let me state, I've shoved the 'ole of 'yde Park bin its placeSquashed it into thirty feet. No 'ank! That's 'ard to beat^- , ' , It's a bit of "orlright," ain't it? THE STAGE-DOOR JOHNNIE. He wears his collar extra high; He screws an eyeglass in his eye; And tells you. with a simpering sigh, "Ho's awfully mashed on Connie!" "Who," he avers, "is doo3id nice,," But, if she follows my advice, She will not stand, at any price, The silly Stage-door Johnnie. He takes an hour to fix his tie— '• The most expensive coin can buy! He'd genuinely rather die Than not be in the fashion. He feels tho whole of his success Depends upon his style of dress, Which .must be such as will impress The girl lie "has a mash on." By nine o'clock he is in-stalled, And there he sits all night enthralled; His head (that's prsmaturely bald!) He wags with joy ecstatic, Ths while his cod-fish eye alights On Connie, in her silken tights; Then, borno aloffc on "rapture's heights, His praise is most -emphatic. "Bai Jove! Oh! ' Ain't she rippin' ? What! No flies on her? Well, rather not! The piece? Oh, yes, that's tommy rot, But Connie's simply splendid!" So on he babbles, like a rill Of limpid, clubland slang, and still . He warmly rhapsodies, till The curtain has descended. Then to the door he hies him straight, Which is to him. the heavenly gate From whence will issue, soon or late, His handsome, winsome Connie. At last. Oh, rapture! Here she comes! His heart-beat positively hums. But Connie snaps her dainty thumbs At the silly Stage-door Johnnie. He's not the sort of man at all A girl's affection to enthral, She much prefers them strong and tall; He's far too slim and dapper. She likes a manly sort of man, ■ Filled out with muscle, not with bran, And so she'll resolutely ban The Stage-door whipper-snapper. —"Daisy," in Modern Society.