AROUND THE WOELD

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 15 April 1903, Page 57

AROUND THE WOELD

(Feou Otago Witness Specials.) Queen Victoria Markets Hotel, Sydney, Yark street. February 17, 1903,

Dear Pasquin, — Just a few lines to let you know my whereabouts. Am sorry to have tc tell you that I am having a long .-e^t. only having come out of the Princa Alfred Hospital last Wednesday week, where I was an inmate with enteric fever, having laid up at my own hctel for three v/eeks, and sis weeks in the hospital. I zan tell you I have had a very rough time of it. They were going to give me up as a bad case after I had been three weeks there, and would not allow my wife to see me. Now I am resting, and recouping my lost health on the Hawkesbury Eiver, where I am accompanied by my wife. I lost 2sl 3lb, while my formei v. eight was lOst 61b. lam now putting on flesh very fast, nd feeling myself once again. Now, as iogard3 show bis. 1 have been very busy putting a show together in the shape of a pantomime sketch, which I have protected. I* is very funny from start to finish, and veiy mystifyftig in its illusioiiary effects. The title is "Will, the Witch, and the Watchman." Lasts about 20 to 40 minutes, and requires seven peoplt and a mil stage. "It's r.o peep show." I hope to make arrangements shortly so as the Maorilandcrs will have a chance "to see this class of chow, which will be all new to them, as it's a "dumb show right through," but full of comedy. I have also some of the very latest kinematograph films, which are v stai draw alone — " Tho Sign of the Cross," Mont Pelee in Eruption, Buffalo Bili'i (Colonel BUI Cody's), Wild West Show in the way-back ranches"— also Fawpaw's and Lell's Great American Circus. The two last-named re a full show in themselves. The machine to show them is the '•cry finest, and one that I have imported from Chicpgo, U.S.A., thi.» year, having arrived last month. It is six machines all iD one. having different effect part, and one that no ordinary kine. operator could work. He would be at a greater loss than with the kine We have also that "Beautiiul Cloak Effect Act, in which Mdlle. Vertc poses, and hei costume changes to lifferent designs of most delicate colours — birds, flowers, peacock, snake in flames, animals, etc. This act was put on here with Rickards by Mdlle. Lotty, and was a great draw. 1 am naking an iffcr to Mr P. R. Due's agent here for a season through New Zealand with the whole of my show. Should samo come to a head I will drop you n line, and, one way or 3ther, we shall como on to New Zealand by the end of the present year. Things theatricallj are very lull, though the city is very busy, and some great shows on the boards. I hear there are plenty of shows on the road in New Zealand, and some nice tale: xre told of successes with ome shows. We are returning tc Sydney Friday next. Shall send you some programmes of the various theatres. I must now draw to a close, thanking you for past favours.— l remain, yours faithfully, PERCY YERTO. Christchurch, April 9, 1903. Dear Pasquin, — Long ere this I expected to have had a. chat with you re things magical and otherwise, but owing to Mr Dix having shut the Dunedin Alhambra, I did not have an oujportunity a visit jout oitj. I did «»-

turn visit to New Zealand last November, open- ' ing with P. E. Dix at Auckland, where I showed for a month, then jumped to Christchurch, and from here up to Wellington. From there I returned here, opening at the Oddfellows' Hall, under tha management of Mr Will Jameson. We played here for a fortnight, then went on tour, opening at Ashburton, and thence on farther south. We have been doing good business notwithstanding the opposition. We open at Leeston next Monday, with Sonthbridge to follow, thence right down south. — Jameson has secured biograph pictures devoted to firemen, which are splendid. The combination is known as "Jameson's Entertainers." I worked for a week with Clark at the Theatre Royal. My present turn consists in the latest com and card manipulation, which has made a hit ! wherever I have worked it. An experiment in j the act is to cause one or more coins to dance : over the back of the hand from the ba&6 of . the thumb to the little finger. A brother in the mystic art opens at the Alhambra with Fullr; very shortly. He rejoices in the name of Dr Eowe. Will now conclude, trusting you are O.K.— Faithfully yours, " ALBEETO." Stratford, N.Z., April 9, 1903. Dear Pasquin, — Just a line to let -yon know how we are progressing. Business has been very good all along the line. We leave for Auckland on Good Friday, opening on Easter Saturday, in "The Worst Woman in London" at His "Majesty's Theatre. The hall in this town is a great credit to the borough — electric light throughout, and a splendid stage and auditorium. Hawtrey Company follows ua here. Some members of our company, including myself, visited poor Gus Glover's grave while in Napier. All the company send best regards. I sever my connection with the pre« sent management • after the Auckland season, and nope to appear shortly again in your city under another banner, of which more anon. I have just received from America some of the latest American illustrated songs and recitations, which, I trust, ere long will make as big successes as my old friends "England will see it through" and "As your hair grows whiter." Now, dear Pasquin, wishing you a jolly Easter,— l remain, yours faithfully, WALTEE RIVEES, Wm. Anderson's Dramatic Company. Hobart, March 30, 1903. Dear Pasquin,— Just a few more lines before we start for Africa. The Persic leaves tomorrow, and I can assure you we regret leaving New Zealand; it la just like leaving one's home. Enclosing clipping with account of a few parting words of goodwill extended to the company by Sir Joseph Ward, K.C.M.G. The' company gave him and Lady Ward an enthusiastic send-off. Theatrical companies have much to be thankful for tc Sir Joseph, for, as Mr Pollard jointed Dut, he received telegrams and letters from Launceston asking him to play there, but on account of the heavy expenses in railway travelling he was unable to do co. You can travel from Wellington to New Plymouth for 13s 6d, which is a nine hours' run, whereas if you travel from Hobart to Launceston it is 193 6d each way — np reduction j is allowed, and no concession made for a re- j turn ticket, and it only about five hours' run at the outside. With best regards.— Yours truly, Frank O'Sttllivan.