MELBOURNE NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 57

MELBOURNE NOTES.

Dear Pasquin, — The season ot Mr Musgrove's Shakesperian Company is fast drawdng to a close at the Princess Theatre, and I'm sure their departure will be greatly felt. They have done exceeding good business here, and their interpretation cif some of Shakespeare's greatest comedies has been appreciated io the full. The musical portioa of the pieces especially came in for great praise, and the singing of the popular Miss Dora Rignold was received with marked appreciation. This week the company has been reviving old favourites. Monday and Tuesday "As You Like It" was produced ; last night and tonight "A Midsummer Night's Dream, and on .Friday, the closing night, a mixed programme will be presented, made up of favounlte act 3 from "Twelfth Night," "As You Like Ifc," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and the balcony scene from '"Romeo and Juliet," with Miss Nora Keiin as Juliet and Miss Dora, Rignold as Romeo. A special mus cal programme wall be rendered by the full strength cf the Princess orchestra, inider the baton of Albert Zelman, jun. Or Tuesday next the company leave for London by the R M.S. India, with the exception of Mi Athol Forde, who goes to Sydney to be marr.ed, and Mr W. H. Denny, who goes tc America. Mr Norman Partridge, after reaching London, will almost immediately proceed to New York, wheie he has been engaged to play "Barabbas," tne season commending about Easter. On Saturdny night we were tc have had a production cf Oliver Goldsmith 1 ' "She Stoops to Conquer," under the management of Mr Denny, but it now seems doubtful if we will be sc favoured, as nothing has been heard of the enterprise lately.

"The Country Girl" is tak'ng such a hod on the Melbourne public that IV ceitain it will be quite five or «as wsks yet before she viil let go, and give our Mao^i product on a chaiice. Mr Tallis is more than pleased at the way "The Country Girl" has caught on, and prophesies a good run for it in New Zealand, where it will open 111 Dnncdiii at Ea=ter. It i wonderfully blight all through, there beh'g .10 particulai sttu 111 the piece, aUhough I think George Lauri, Claude Bantock, Miss Young, Miss Musgiove, anJ M>s r Scott share first honours. The company have "Tapu" m active lchearsal, a"d intend to produce it after "Tlio Country Girl" has worn cut her we)-

Although doing enormous business with "A Desperate Game" at th- Rotal, Mi Hot has decided to withdraw it op Saturday iii'ght. "A Desperate Game" hfs been producd ps only Bland Holt can produce a play of such a spectacular natuia. and it has hoon credit to

even this master at the game. The company has been seen to the best of advantage in parts which suit all concerned. The next piece will be a revival of the domestic and highly emotidnal melodrama, "In London Town."

Honours seem just about even among the stars at the Opera House, where Vulcana and Atlas display the results of scientic physical development. In lifting a weight of 2201b above her head with one hand, I think Vulcana outshines some of our strong men. Clarke and Hamilton create no end of enthuszsm with their clever turns, while Johnny Johnston's rnusLC-al sketches are highly amusing, as also is Ventriloquist Winton with his irrepressible M'Ginty. On Saturday night a sextet of girls from the Old World make their first appearance, Mr fitckards having engaged them from the Empire Theatre, London, on his recent trip. 'The Two Bells " a clever pair of young ladies, likewise from London, who dance and sing attractively, also made their appearance. Mr Rickards evidently made the most of bis time and opportunities when visiting England . "Little Red Riding Hood," in its second edition, has beer drawing just as large houses as it first did, and speaks well for the enterprise of Mr Tom Perm.au, the manager. Last Saturday evening during the performance of "Little Red Riding Hood" Mr Perman was presented with a diamond ring and an address by 'his staff, company, and assistants to commemorate the first anniversary of his management. Everybody was enthusiastic, and the prodeedings, although a complete surprise to Mi Perman, passed off splendidly, and good wishes were expressed for his future succes3. The usual performance took place at the Gaiety on Saturday, but all hands knocked off early to assist ie Mr Perman's presentation. Good business is being done at both houses, and Mr Perman thoroughly deserves the success which has attended his efforts.

In opening with "Monsieur Beaucaire" at Her Majesty's, Sydney, the management of the Knight-Jeffries Company showed exceedingly good taste, as it has drawn 3plendi-d business since Boxing Night, and will go strong till the end of the week, when it will give place to Hall Caine's "Eternal City." Both Miss Jeffries and Mr Knight come in for special praise id "Beaucaire," and are ably supported by a wonderfully strong and even company. The company return here for Easter, and play "The Daring of the Gods," after which some revivals of old favourites will probably be presented. "The Sleeping Beauty" is still being presented at the Royal, Sydney, and is doing well, especially at the matinees. Miss May Beatty is fast recovering from hei indisposition, and has again resumed the role of the. Prince. The complete rest has dome her a world of good. The panto, will be taken to Newcastle at the close of the Sydney season.

"Tiie Great World of London" lias, run itself to a close, and on Saturday night the Lyceum will witness the first production of f companion iDlay, entitled "'Saturday Night in London," which is expected to do well. At the Criterion the Charles Hol'.oway Company i 3 now in its farewell ceason, playing with great effect in "For the Sake of a Woman." The company leaves next week for New Zealand, where Mr R. Mallarkey is now making a-dvance arrangements. Things are still booming at ihe Tivoli, where Mi Hairy Rickards is personally supervising the management, and right well is he catering fo the Sydney public. SmceCirnoc, the handcuff king, succeeded in releasing himself from the almost barbarous fastening which Mr Hugh M'lnto3h inflicted on him, ths theatre has been packed to overflowing nightly, patrons having to seek oihei houses of amusement. Cirnoc, though, is not the only draw. Professor Dewai and the troupe of educated animals which accompanies him also come in foi a great shaie of appreciation, as does Mrs Sims Reeves, Miss Jenny Grey, and Miss Maud Faning, and Messrs Fitts, Whitburn, Sullivan, Harvey, and Arthur Elliott. As m Me/bourne, success has been with that wonderful little entertainer, Mel. E. Spurr, eveijwhere he has been, and he has simply taken Sydney by stoim. The Queen's Hall, although practically unknown a fey/ weeks ago by the theatre-going public, is new being filled nightly by Sydney's most fashionable residents, and Mr Spurr is just as great ? favourite with the Gods as with the reserved stalls.

Geoige Stephenson is having a most successful season at the Palace with "Mama's New Husband," and there is no sigr of its being withdrawn yet. The brightness and evenness of the show is generally remarked on, and the success of the piece is no doubt centred l on those two features. What George will put on next is not known yet, end may not bs thought cf for some weeks to come. Mr Heggie, if the Hawlrey Company, which shortly opens in Sydney, passed through here this week on his way to Adelaide, where ho spends a month's holiday making, prior to jcining his comp'.riy m Sydney. After the conclusion of his New Zealand tour Mr J. F. Shf-ridan opens in Adelaide for a season, commencing some time in February At pieaent the Orpheum Vaudeville Company are showing at the Adelaide Tivoli tc good business.

Miss Ada Cross ley leaves Australia by the Wakcol from Albany this week, and in doing so sends hei last farewell letter, which runs as follows- — "I am delighted at the spontaneity and warmth of my receptions everywhere throughout Australia. I entertain the most, affectionate remembrances of the people, and I wish them every prosperity. '

Have met Mr W. Manson, who is or his way back tc Engla id, after having done good business in New SouO Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. He visits South and Western Australia, and then proceds Home direct. PRO'IPT.

January 21