THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquix. TUESDAY, August 18.

Mi«s Maud Beatty is appearing at the London -Palace Theatre with great success Tho New Ze-alander's looks, voice, and c'othes all coma in for eulogistic notice^. Jim Marion is lying in Wellington Hospital suffering from an attack of paralysis. Edmund Duggan, late stage manager for Win. Anderson, is now teaching elocution in Mol bourne.

P. R. Dix talks of nroducing "Robineon Crusoe" panto, in Wellington at Christmas. Walter Rivers i<j the Jiewly-appointcd stage manager at Dunedin Alhambia.

"Are You a Mason :" Company appeared 1 in Oamaru on Monday ajid Tuesday, and are due in Timaru on Wednesday and Thursday.

Prioes for tho Ada Crossley concerts in Now Zealand aro much discussed. Most in favour aro 7s 6d, ss, and 2s 6d.

The Stagpoolcs, musical sketch artists, open on Wednesday at Dunedin. Alhambra.

After his present engagement with P. R Di\ Johnny Colcman «ails for America.

The recently-opened theatre in Sydney (Her Majesty's) will accommodate 2000 people— 23o d.c, 670 stalk, aud 1000 in the gallery.

Popo aaid Sayleg, those genuinely-coloured comediane long timo with Rickards, and 1 Ir.'o with P. R. Dix, d.-ew £80 in Broken Hill recently — the miners' pay-night. Linda Raymond' is leading lady with Anderson's No. 2 Company, touring New South Wafles province*. A proposal is on foot in Melbourne to tender popular Johnny Wallace, the wellknown s.m.. a benefit.

Bland'olt recently presented Miss Annette Kellermann, the swimming charmer in "The Breaking of the Drought," with a greenstone life-belt mounted in. gold. Madame Marzolla, the "Biid Queen," with her company of feathered actors and actresses, is the best item on bill at Sydney Tivoli.

A line from the Rianos ("Monkeys and the Farmer") conveying good withes to Maoriland fiieiuU.

Nellie Stewart, after a season in Westralia, visits England for 12 months. Roso Hamilton, who played the part of Mrs Bang in "The Mesenger Boy," is leavmcj for London. A oompany recently showing in Dunedin lt-ft without paying the doorkeepers. Will they pay up, or shall I mention names? The dated for the Ada. Croscley concert tour in Now Zealand are: Wellington, Noember 27 ; Chri&tcliurch, November 30;

Diraedin, December 2; and Auckland, December 7 and' 9.

George Rignold was to have left London on tho 30th ult. for Audfiralfa.. "Handsomo George" proposes to spend the- remsiiKteir of his days in peaceful comfort at his picturesque little villa, overlooking the harbour at Elizabeth Bay, Sydney.

The little friction which has of lato c-xisted between Mr George Musgrove and the directors of the Wellington Opera House Company has been settled, and; business relations havo been resumed.

Dainty Olive Lenton, long *im.e P. E. Dix favourite, who recently joined Williamson's Musical Comedy Company "as unders^udy to Lilian Digges, replaced Rose Mus£rove in "The Messenger Boy" what timo that lady was assisting at tlvo op&ning of tho new theatre in Sydney. Tho daughter of aofcor- journalist Lanoo Lenton mado a hit. -*

Herro Sfchorek, which is Benno, the merry little theatrical representative, at prcseasfc arranging a Maoriland tour for Ada CVossley, i-nformed me that it was Mr Williamson's intention to send tho "Royal Comics" through New Zealand before tho end :>f tho pres-eiit year.

Somo timo ago I announced! that i-cgo-tia*tioiis fc-r -a New Zealand to\ir wero pending with the Woods-Williamson Dramatic Company. Ariangemcnts have been mado botavcen the Abbotts, of Auckland, and Charles Woods for a tcur of tho company, commencing in tho northern city on itvo conolusicn of the present season of tho Majeron's.

Mrs Ham-lion ("Tcm") Hill, who wa-J Beaunie Gellaiely when she danced tip-toe and kicked a sprightly leg in Bland'olt'a Company, is nov/ m London, living in luxury on hubby Tom's salary, made by singing "The Holy CJty" and other things with a fino baritone voice.

Engagements and marriages in. Tom Pollard's Opera Company arc so sudden and frequent as to occasion little suiprise. Latest "a,nnoiuicement" from Scutli Africa is tho engagement of Miss Agnes Smith to a Dunedin gentleman at present in Capotown .

Little known outside the managerial circle that manager J. C. Williamson purposes having real Maoris in tho o.ist of "Tapu" to do the haka"? and poi dances when that production roc? vp :\t one of the theatres on tLe Australian rude. Bert Royle haa been commissioned to go into the highways and byways of tho King Country to eecuro the diuky dancers. Special attention is to ba paid to face and figure. Young Maori gills aged about 17 years aro required. These will probably bo drawn frcm the Arawa tribe as posse-ssing the physical attractions necessary. Afc th<* farewell performance of M-js-grove's English Comedy Company in Sydney Miss Nellie- Stowart wa3 pi'es-ented with a harp of violet*. Thanking tho audience, Miss Stowart said: "I don't know what to say ! I've only got to thank you. You have always been so good to me, and that's why J wish to go away and visit England and America — in order that I may lewii more fully to deserve your generous encouragement. But I shan't bo away more than 10 months : I couldn't stay away longer than that ! And now it is not ' Good-bye,' but 'Au revoir,' and let me add that ' Memory will be. my happiness,' fcr you are enshrined there."

Tho Westminster Abbey Glee and Concert Party, whose delightful concerts will be we!] remembered, have been touring the Australian States wirh immense sucesa, drawing large audiences wherever they have appeared. The party have visited South and Western Australia, Victoria, and are at present in Queensland. On completion of their ecason in New South Wales it is their intention to return to Sain Francisco via New Zealand, visiting only the larger towns en route. Our musical readers will be pleased to learn that dates have been fixed during October for their reappearance in Dunedin. H. A., t.h., which ia Harold Ashton, theatrical hustler, left for Melbourne via the north and Sydney last week to make arrangements for the appearance of tho Mason Company in Melbourne.

The change from gay to grave was exemplified in a recent episode which began in the dressing-room of the Auckland Opera House and ended in tho Magistrate's Court. Two supernumeraries had been engaged to take part in the production of the play "For the Term of His Natural Life." One, who took the part of tho " Convict," found that during his presence befoi'e tlip footlights his clothing had been robbed of a watch. Suspicion fell on the second supernumerary, who, on the following day, yielded up tha watch to a constable, who sought him out in a Salvation Army barracks. Three months' imprisonment was meted out by the magistrate, and Supernumerary No. 2 now plays in reality the part that No. 1 waa taking when his watch disappeared.

Becrbohm Tito proposes to found a School of Acting in England. He will organise a Shakespearian repertory company for the provinces, filling up tho vacancies in it from among the most piomising students, who w ill also — as tho opportunities arise — bo> given parts in tho productions iai London. Ho will provide aU the necessary funds-, and devote tho entire profits derived from the working of tlie school to the establishment of scholarships. One of tho most popular cliches in Amer'ca to-day is known as "Floating Island," and during Miss Ada CroSsley's reccait visit she found it on the menu of every hotel from New York to San Francisco. Ordering "floating island" at one town, aho received the dish covered with a colony of red ants. Noticing that she made no attempt « to eat it, the waiter stepped up. "That is floating island," he> remarked ; "you ordered that."' "Yea," retmmodl Mis 3 Crossley, "but I didn't a'k for it to be inhabited!' 1

An amusing little incident occurred during the opening performance! of "Mama's New Husband" by the Stino and Evans Company on Thursday night, whioh served to show" tho resource of Mr Chas. J. Stine, tho leading comedian. Mr Stine was performing a specialty with Miss Olive Evans, in the course of whioh the lady is supposed to give- him a back-handed! blow in the face — just for fun, ycu know. By accident, however, the blow went homo and caught the comedian a resounding smack upon the cheek. Miss Evans was evidently highly amused, and shook with laughter. Mr Stine stood ruefully rubbing hia cheek, whilst the audience joined liia partner in the laugh. Whon tliP'r.2 was sufficient silence to allow of his being heard Mr Stine cast a comioally roproaohful look upon. <the lady, and 1 said "That's a nice way to treat a man. On iho first might, too, and 12,000 miles from home !" Renewed laughter followed this happy piece of gagging, and turning to the spectators, Mr Stine was warmly applauded, as with a beaming amUe lie arldjsd, "I'm

real g!ad! to be here,_ Ihough." And ha looked as if he meant it. Dear Pasquin, — Once more into tha breach. Show business in Auckland booming just now. Jo]im Puller'e Entertainers have returned, and have been duly welcomed by large and enthusiastic audiences. The modesty of fhe silvery-voiced John is shown in the ads. : "No stars, but % sho\/ of even_ merit." All the artists had a big reception, Albert M'Kisson, tho Jones Bros., Amy Blaekie, and the genial .proprietor himself meeting with special favour. Tho chow promises well, and no doubt will bo well patronised by the people here.

Geo. Stepheuson's Musical Comedy Com« pany opened hero on Thursday evening last to a big house. The local papers havo • a lot of good things to cay about the show, especially the Bicknells, specialty dancer 3 of the Darto type. The Maje-roni Company drew a, puked house at^the Opera House last evening, trhea MaeMahon and Leitoh's version of "Fop the Term of His Natural Life" was produced. Hundreds were turned away. Tho sc&ne-ry incidental io the piec& had -been especially painted by Messrs Leader, Williams, and Will Diamond, and called forth, groat applause from tho audience. The Hawtr&y Company finished up a rather tamo season on Wednesday night by having a large audience to witness "A Message from Mars." The oempany appeared at Rotorua last night. The Musgrove Comio Opera Company commence a season at His Majesty's on Augu?t 27 in "Tho Fortune Teller," to bo followed by "The Serenade." — The Tramp, Auckland, August 8. On a recent Saturday afternoon. Mr G. Barnes, representative of Musgrove's Opera Company, was haled before the StipcmdiarjMagistrate- at Wellington on a charge of failing to report himself to the Port Health, Officer, as required by tho Publio Health Act. Mr Barnea arrived from Sj'dney on Wednerday last. Like other passengers, ho was "pormitted to land" on condition that; lie reported himself daily. This he had not; done. Mr Myers, who prosecuted on behalf of the Department, said' tho case was brought as a warning to those who looked upon the licenses issued to them aa so much waste paper. The maximum penalty, ho pointed out, was £300. Defendant was fined £3, and ordered to pay £* 13s costs. Herr Benno Scherck, who is on a visit to the colony to meet Miss Ada Crossley, tho celebrated contralto, on behalf of Mr J. C. Williamson, is satisfied that sufUeienfc support will be accorded in Dunedin to justify his principal in making a flying tour through the colony, feiying ono ccnoert in. each of the four prinoipal centres, and ho has accordingly bookod December 2 as tho da to for the concert in Dunedin. Miss Ada. Crossley will be- supported by Mr Peterkin, tho basso who was brought out from England with Mr Edward Lloyd, whose singing* caused quite a sensation in Australia. Mr Percy Grainger will be the pianiet; and a tenor singer and a violinist, whoso naiiur have not so far boeii cabled, will accompany Miss Crossley.

Dear Pasquin, — I notice in Wt woek'a i=»ue of the Witness a paragraph to tha effect that ilis3 Elsie Moore, recently indisposed (ill?), haa returned to her old parfc of Violet Gray in "The Belle," replacing Mks Rose Musgrove, who essayed the parfc during Miss Moore's absence. From thia on© would infer that Miss Musgrovo was a> kind of understudy to Miss Moore in this part, whioh ie hardly tho case, sonee, if you recollect, Miss Musgrove played the. parti on the first production of the play by tho Musical Comedy Company at Auckland, anil Miss Mcore only played the part in th& other centres to give Miss Musgrove a rest. Another paragraph stated that Miss Moors had been playing Ro=a in "The Messenger Boy." If you will take the trouble to look at the cast you will observe that Miss Musgrovo took the part, as she did in the previous production. Miss Moore, I find, played her old parfc of Lady Winifred, though no mention is made of her in the report of th» production. Even after Miss Musgrove left tho company to join the company opening" His Majesty's Theatro in Sydney, I imdoraland that Miss Olive Lenton played tho part. I only write this in fairness to Mira Musgrove, who can hardly bo classed with Mi=3 Moore. — Yours, etc., Fach, Wellington, August 13. [During Mis* Moore's absence iv Sydney, while that lady was recovering from an operaticn to her throat, Mis<? Musgrovo played Violet Gray in "Tho> Bello of Nc'W York," but Miss Moore, on her return to tho company, resumed the loading part. Anyone who follows theatrical doings closely and knows the merits of th& two ladieq would not imagine for a moment; that Miss Musgrove was understudy to Misi Moore. Re the other statem.-mt. Mus Moore played Rosa for one night — perhaps longer — resuming tho pirt of Lady Winifred Olive Lenton, lato with P. R. Dix, playing Rosa luring Miy Musgrove'a absence in Sydney.— Pasquin.]

Major Pond, who died reoontly, had all the lecturing celebrities of tho world under his maaiagerial wing, but it was a grief to him that he- could never tempt TennyFoix or Gladstone. "I guess," he once said 1 , "Lord Tennyson and 1 Mr Gladstone ■would bo tho greatest draw wo could have. Americans would pay any money simply to git and. ttare at England's Poet Laure-ate... Aa for Mr Gladstone, I've tiicd to get him again and again, but ho won't come." Stanley was Pond's prize lecturer. He once* mado £22,000 out of 10 lectures. Lan Maclnren mado £10,000 in six weeks, and Winston Churchill made £1600. Major Pond was not a mere courtesy major. Ho fouphft os a boy in company with "Old John Brown," and aftonvards in the Civil War.

Mr Dan Leno, the woll-known comio actor, has (says our London correspondent) so completely broken down that he haa been placed in a home of health at Peckham. It is a sad case of mental collapse, brought about ontirely from overwork, and! has aroused widespread sympathy. For .several yeara Dan Leno has been growing in popularity. But he will draw no more, for his case seems hopeless. Like many earnest men who havo thrown all their energy into their work, and who have givern way under the strain, Dan Leno imagines that he i 3 still pursuing his usual occupation and giving performances ; and, what ip singular, that he is performing before tho King. In recent years ho has worked tremendously, earning an income in. five, figures^ He commenced aa a, atepdaneer, with 18s at week. [At latest advices Dan Leno was im« proving.— Pasquin.] Tho University of Chicago intends ta establish an open-air theatre for the production of elaborate dramas. Tho intention i^ to revive the classic auditorium with its terracedl unroofed rows of eeats for thousands of admissions. In order that tha classio drama shall be authentically pr»»

Bqnted 'tbo management must adhere strictly to classic jrules. In the classic theatre no woman took part in a drama, and women were rarely admitted as spectators. In the classic drama on© actor or at the most two playec all the parts. In the classic drama th. actor wore- a hug© mask, to symbolise- the part ho was impersonating and also to throw his voice all over the inclosure, t'as mask being fitted with a mcuthpicoc to increase, the sonority of the vocal organs, rho profound stillness, purity, and warmth of tho air of Greece and ancient Rome duiing periods of peace made aw open-air theatre oxpedieut and delightful. No showers of coot from soft coal chimneys littered tho faces f"d costumes of the audiences; no factory whistles interrupted the eloquence of the tragedian ; no locomotive fi'rieks drowned the comedian's jests. It may also lie necessary in the academic groves of the Midway 4o require- tho actor or actors to •wear overcoats in addition to tlie-ir masks. For the borders of Lake Michigan pr?^ Nt ornvincing contrasts to the shores of Hellas of the Tyrrhenian eea. Foot warmers might bo supplied for a small additional fee-