THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquix.

TUESDAY. April 4. The erstwhile proprietor 1 of the Princess Theatre (Mr Jacob Showman), who has been in Dunedin for some weeks settling Up matters in connection with tlie sale of the theatre, departed for Sydney by the Monowai on Thursday.

On dit that the recently-formed Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society purposes staging "Rip Van Winkle" during the winter show week in June next. Tho Princess Theatre has been booked for the production. Mr Ben Fuller informs me that inquiries are being instituted in Wellington for the purchase of His Majesty's Theatre in that city as a building site. The Fullers, who own the property, are prepared to consider a. "sporting offer." Miss Jessie Ramsay, of this city, will appear in the leading role of "Tambour Major" when it is produced in Melbourne on April 8. Miss Mabel Lane, well remembered round these parts us a conscientious actress, "im2Darted a touch of realism to Huguette in 'If I Were King,' lifting it out of the commonplace." One day last week Hiss Nellie Stewart

received a wire from "Pete" Hughes, representative of the "Broken Melody" Company, advising that th© company, which has for its star the- actor-musician Van Biene, opened in Auckland to splendid business. The Knight-Jeffries Company will produce a new drama entitled "His Majesty's Servant" during tho Sydney season. This piece will subsequently be seen in New Zealand.

Two ox-Pollard artist?, Mrs Ernest Davis (Miss Marion Mitchell) and Mrs Charles Phillips (Miss Cissie Sanford), are taking part in the Hill-Birch comic opera, which ie to be staged at Auckland from June 19 to Juno 24. Besides the principals, there is a chorus of 40 in training. The rumour was current in the citj- a few days ago that dengue fever had broken out in Brisbane, and that the theatres were closed. This news has since been confirmed by cable. Stephenson's Musical Comedy Company were occupying the Brisbane Theatre Royal when the fever broke out. Private advices state that they were closed up with the rest. I understand that Mr and Mrs Stephenson have gone down to Sydney to escape the fever. The young New Zealand manager is indeed unfortunate in having to close down in the height of his season. The company is now at Newcastle.

The entertainment given in the Princess Theatre a few nights aig© by the amateur talent of the city in aid of the funds of the Free Public Art Gallery was so successful in every way that there is a possibility' of it being repeated at a future date. The gross reoeipts from the performance amounted to £128. and the net £87 ss.

The latest arrangement in connection with the "ferry" service between Wellington and Lyttelton. whereby steamers now leave Ihe former city at 11 p.m. on Saturday nights, will prove a boon to theatrical managers in charge of touring companies. Previously, in order to fulfil dates in Christchurch, unless special arrangements wen© made with the Union Steam Ship Company, Saturday night had to be lost in the Empire City. Now companies can play Wellington on Saturday and catch the steamer the same- evening for Christchurch, and be ready to open in that city on the Monday. Fuller's company., which terminated a season in Wellington on Saturday, was the first to benefit by the change. Mr Hayward, the representative for th© Brescian Concert Party and West's Picture Show, who has been "looking after ther interests of the entertainers »in New Zealand for the i ast three months, is just recovering from a severe illness.

Musgrove' s Dramatic Company terminated a Dunedin season on Tuesday evening with a revival of the charming play "Old Heidelbprg." Occasion was taken at the final performance- to present everybody in the audience with a special souvenir of Mis? Nellie Stewart. The company at Timaru on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, producing "Sweet Nell of Old 'Drury" and "Camille." A season in Christchurch follows on April 7, the opening piece being "Sweet Nell of Old Drury."

Arrived at the latter >end of last week West's Picture Show and the Bieseian Concert Party, all the way from London. The tmique company, which commences a Dunedin season in His Majesty's on. April 10, numbers 14 souls all told, under the management of Mr T. J. West, who has appeared before royalty on 29 different occasions. This must be taken as a strong recommendation that the show is a strictly proper one. Being so, it wjll appear to Dunedin amusement lovers who pride themselves on their propriety. The New Zealand tour will extend over six months — maybe longer. Australia is not to be exploited until March next, when th« Geach-Cowan-Miller sjndicat^ take the show over for a tour of Australia. Mr Ben Fuller informs me that satisfactory arrangements have been made with the directors of His Majesty's Theatre, whereby it shall not bs competent to book dates at both theatres at the same- time save during Christmas and Easter weeks and winter and summer show weeks. This arrangement, it is understood, will ensure managers against the possibility of opposition caused by the presence of' two theatres in the city. The agreement, J understand, is binding for five years, but may be cancelled by either side giving six months' notice. Mr H. C. Campbell, of His Majesty's Theatre, has the letting of both theatres.

The Westminster Glee Singers, which combination did such marvellous business on its last visit to New Zealand, is making another tour of the colony. Mr Branscombe has booked dates at the Princess for October next. The Glee iSingers should repeat their former triumphs. Mr Allan Hamilton, manager for* the Brcugh-Flemming Company, writes me under date Sydney. March 25. 1905 : "You will have a very heavy theatrical year during the nest 12 months. New Zealand is a wonderful show country. I am off to join. the newly-formed comedy company in Perth (W.A.). Tho new company commences a season in Perth on April 22. opening the new theatre with 'Beauty and the Barge.' I have very great hopes of the new- venture, and will let you know from time to time time how matters are progressing."

Dear Pasquin, — As you will see, we are way down in the cold regions, where to be comfortable, you never want to travel without a foot warmer. We opened at Orepuki last night to a. packed house, and sent everybody home well satisfied with theshow. Orepuki is a good show town, but you must strike here on a Saturday night. Since writing you last, we have shown Invercargill, where we had a gr-ea/fc season of two nights. What with the town pasted red, white, and blue with good paper, and the municipal band playing in the rotunda, and then marching down to the hall, and playing a few selections in front, we could not very well fail to move them. At five minutes to 8 there was only standing room left in the spacious Zealandia Hall, and the show went through without a hitch. The second night was nearly as good, the big hall being again well filled. On Friday morning we moved down to the Bluff, where Mr Sutherland welcomed us right royally. We had another packed house that night?. It was a treat to show in Mr Sutherland's cosy little hall, which, in my opinion, is the finest hall of its class in New Zealand. Companies finds every convenience there, even to a clean towel in each of the dressingroom,?. We were all sorry to leave the Bluff. With best wishes from faithfully yours, R. WhEeleh, Orepuki, April 2. "Would-be Reformer" formulates a scheme to prevent the unseemly struggle at the box-office : — I always hold that those who have- lived in London, even for a short time, have had an education of immense value. The educa-

tion applies to theatrical matters as much as to other practical affairs of life. How the struggle witnessed at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night contrasts with the scene presented any night outside a theatre N in magic London ! Sometimes as early as 5 o'clock people will congregate outsido the doors of the cheaper parts of the house ; but instead of gathering together in an un/ily mob they stand two and two, pair behi^ pair, just in the order they arrive at thjr^heatre door. Naturally, they do nofc g^y "straight out into the street, but wind v/T'the pavement, keeping close by the wall. And so they wait, quiet and happy, somethN^s for hours. Then, when the ticket office is op>*ifld, there is no unseemly rush, but the people file past the ticket box, and pass quietly into the theatre. No fighting, no' heat ; all is calm and businesslike. And truly no scheme could be more equitable. The early bird gets the seat, even though it be humble Miss SpJwrow, while Mr Hawk, 10 times as strong but a minute later, has to wait his turn quietly, and sit behind Miss Sparrow through the evening. What could be more just? This is the scheme that I would have the authorities in Dunedin adopt.

There is now on view at Messrs Laidlaw and Gray's. London House, a real Stradivarius violin. It is shown by Mr C. Flavell Hayward, the conductor of the Brescians Orchestra and Singers, who supplies the following particulars. The violin was made by Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis, Faciebat Anno, 1725. It is a fine example of the great Italian master's handicraft, and is of the period known as the " Grand Pattern " in contradistinction to his earlier work, which is of two periods, usually described respectively as the " Amatiste Pattern " and the " Long Pattern." This violin was procured in Spain and brought to England by the late Charles Reade, D.C.L., etc., the eminent novelist and man of letters, who sold it to tho late Henry Hayward, solo violinist to 'the court of his Majesty-the late King William IV. It is the property of "The Brescians," and will be used by them at their musical performances to be^ given in conjunction with West's Pictures at His Majesty's Theatre during their stay in Dunedin.

In order to further popularise the- theatre Mr Ben Fuller purposes abolishing the cloak room fee. At present the cloak rooms are in charge of attendants, who have to rely upon the generosity of their customers. There is no stated sum charged, but every person using the rooms is expected to contribute something. On theatre nights, as at church services, there is a great run on tho smallest silver coin of the realm, and only on very rare occasions does the carrying away of his night's "takings" cause the attendant any anxiety. Theatrical managers when talcing over His Majesty's Theatre in this city have invariably had to curtain off portion of the huge dress circle, which, owing to its enormous capacity, presents a barn-like appearance unless toned down by a packed house. This dividing of the theatre into two parts — dr-ess circle proper, and for want of another name, family circle — has always been a drawback to His Majesty's. The defect, I understand, is to be remedied shortly by the removal of several rows of the rear seats, which will be placed in .the stalls. Ife is intended to substitute a promenade, at the end of which will be placed ladies' and gentlemen's cloak rooms. The alterations are to be completed in May next.

A London cable states that Captain Frederick John Fraser, of the Indian Army, brought an action to restrain Mr George Edwardes from presenting "The Cingalee," on the ground that its idea and general scheme were derived from his unpublished play, "The Hanjiahn ; or Lotus Girl." Mr Edwardes denied that "The Cingalee" was derived in plot or ideas from "The Hanjiahng"' The jury awarded £3000 damages.

Mr Frank Weathersby, who toured New Zealand with John F. Sheridan, and who has since returned to does nofc forget friends in Moariland. The last mail to hand brings best wishes from the popular manager, who is now stage manager for Mrs Langtry, at Terry's Theatre, London. Mr George Musgrovo intends to bring out another Grand Opera Company shortly, if he can come to arrangements with certain singers he has in his mind's eye. He expects to be able to do so on his coming trip to London. The repertory, as before, will include the familiar Wagnerian operas, but at least a couple of those yet unknown hex-e (says a Sydney writer) will be staged, as well as "Carmen," etc., and several famous opera 3 which have never been performed in this country. The English Comedy Company has now completed a 12 months' engagement wi.th Mr J. C. Williamson, and after the production of "The Duke of Killiecrankie " it will be disbanded. Miss Rose Muagrove is to be transferred to the Royal Comic Opera Company, and is already studying the part of Peggy in "The Cingalee," which will be the attraction in Sydney at Easter. Miss Florence- Hamer will join the KnightJeffries Company. Mr Wilfred Draycott, with Mr and Mrs Permain (Miss Florence Le Clercq). returns to London.

Mr Bland Holt will terminate his present season in Sydney with the production, of an Australian domestic drama, by Sulton Vane, entitled "The Betting Book; or The Gambling Evil." It has a Victorian plot, and some local scenes are being prepared by Mr John Brunton. They will include a country football ground, a bush racecourse, and a tote-house in, Fitzroy, which is raided by the police. The leading lady of the piece will be Miss Harrie Ireland, and Mr Baker and Mr and Mrs Blaud Holt are included in the cast.

Mr Sam S. Shubert must be one of the boldest men, let alone theati-ical managers. He has allowed one of his managers to discharge Miss Marion Alexander "because she is not pretty." The pretty discharged one is suing for damages estimated at a cool two thousand. A St. James's Gazette correspondent is good enough to furnish us with what she says in her indignarion : — "I shall prove to the Shuberts and to the stage manager that I am pretty. I have been with the Weber-Fields forces, with Anna. Hold, and with George W. Lederer's companies, and that is certificate enough. I am considered uncommonly pretty, and am prepared to prove that I am." One day Fanny Davenport replied to a friend who wished her autograph to "treasure beyond anything else in the wide world" with this on a card, "Pass two, Fanny Davenport." Her pride had a fall when her manager brought it to her the same evening- with other passes she had written. Richard Mansfield several years ago wrote his autograph on a sheet of

paper sent for that purpose by a flattering petitioner. It came back to him at tha end of the week at the hands of hia treasurer. The autograph fiend had written "Pay bearer lOdol" over the signature and cashed it at the box office. Now Mr, Mansfield (says an American pressman) rarely writes autographs. When he does he endorses the other side of the paper, "autograph" just across his name. At the dinner table one day recently, in St. Louis, a waiter asked Tim Murphy for a pass to the theatre. Murphy shoved aside th« waiter's flowing four-in-hand, and wrote on his white shirt front, "Pass two. Tim Murphy." The waiter went to the boxoffice and exhibited the shirt front. The ticket seller had a sense of humour, and he stamped the shirt bosom a couple of times with the stamp of the theatre. With the checks for seats the waiter took his "honey" to the theatre. The ticket taker. reached for the shirt front to take the passThe darky turned yellow, and whispered in the ticket taker's ear: "'Skuse me, boss. Couldn't I leave it for you to-morrow morning?" , One of the best-known figures irt the theatrical world of 20 years ago was Henry Herman, who, in addition to being business manager for the late Wilson Barrett, collaborated at one time with Henry Arthur Jones and W. G. Wills, the famous dramatists. Herman— "Daddy Herman," as he was constantly called— had a glass eye, which on one occasion figured prominently in a joke he played upon a brutal cabman. "Cabby" was driving Herman home to his residence at Hampstead, and on the way mercilessly thrashed his horse. Herman objected to the man's cruelty, says Mr George R. Sims in his interesting hook entitled "Among My Autographs," btit said nothing until he got out of the cab. Having first carefully removed his glass eye, he held it between his fingers and thumb, and exclaimed, "That's what you have done, you scoundrel. You have cut my eye out with your whip. I shall give you into custody." The cabman gave one horrified glance at the eye, exclaimed, "Oh, crikey !" and, without waiting for his fare, whipped up his horse and drove off at a furious rale.

The Knight-Jeffries Company produced "If I Were King" at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, the other evening. Julius Knight played Francois Villon and Miss Maud Jeffries Katherine. Of the acting one critio says : — On the first occasion of its production in Melbourne Mr Cuyler Hastings assumed the part of the hero. Good actor as he was in his own line, he was not of tho romantic temperament, and the representation could not be counted among his triumphs. Mr Julius Knight is, in outward seeming at anyrate, better qualified to meet the requirements. He fills the eye if he does not satisfy the expectation of a convincing reality. His 19 a picturesque presentment, which will please those who have no desire to look below the surface of things. He bears himself bravely in the court scenes, makes love with the impression of earnestness, and confronts boldly the scheming, cynical monarch. Up to the extent of his abilities he does well, and it would possibly be unreasona-ble to demand more. Miss Maud Jeffries as Katherine de Vancelles is also an attractive figure, and illustrates forcibly the haughty pride of the patrician. Emotional power might transform both these characters into something more vivid.

The new vaudeville company which Mr Harry Rickards has sent to New Zenl.»-r? includes amongst others Mr George Fuller Golden, tho world's greatest society entertainer; the Sistera O'Meers. queens of the wire ; the Salambos, wireless telegraphy, through the human body; Les Frasettis. violin, harp, and xylophone soloists; Fred Millis, the world's greatest ventriloquist : Historicus, the child marvel and memorist ;' Ollivettej, mathematician and lightning calculator; Mdllc. Yasiho, beautifully illustrated songs ; Tom Dawson, eccentric comedian ; Emile X.azern, conjurer and magician ; and others.

Playgoers of Chicago are enjoyißar the production in English of "Parsifal," the last of Wagner's great music dramas tho first appearance of which in America aroused so much comment last spring, when it was given at New York. Mr Henry W. Savage, who was responsible for the second! reproduction of this drama away from Baireuth, has never before so thoroughly won the admiration of the critic, who affirm that, although the presentation was upon a smaller scale than when given by* Conreid at New York, it was not excelled there in the harmony of its scenic effects and the deep religious " atmosphere,' apparently such an essential fe&ture of this impressive musical drama.

" I met Miss Gertie Campion in the city a few days ago," writes the Johannesburg correspondent of the Chri>tchurch Press, in a letter dated February 24. " She continues to make rapid progress towards recovery, but the doctors tell her thai she is not yet strong enough to undertake the long sea voyage necessitated in reaching her home in Melbourne. She has her sister with her at the Sans Souci Sanatorium." The following are comparison casts of "SWEET NEtLIi OF OLD DRURY." 1903. 1905. Harcourt Beatty . . Charles II Harcourt Beatty Harry Hill . . . . Lord Jeffreys . . . . Harry Hill Vernon Steele ..Sir Roger Fairfax.. Malcolm Dunn Sydney Stirling . .Lord Lovelace . .James Lindsay Wilsden Lawson . . Lord Rochester . . Leslie Woods Alfred Tapping ..Percival Dudley Clinton Claude Fleming ..Rollins — Grant E. B. Russell ..Lacy Leslie Woods — Fleming .. ..Captain James Clavering . . . . Leopold Stach John Bouchier ..Lord-in-Waitins>- .. — Wyatt Minnie Sadler ..Lady Olivia .. ..Mrs Ifaesmoore Vernon Morris Alice Farleigh ..Lady Castlemai/ie.. Nannie Bennett Emily Levettz ..The Duchess of . . Ev. Devenport Portsmouth Elith Stewart ..Tift'en Amy Willard Nellie Stewart -^Nell Gwynne . . . . Nellie Stewa. i

WEST'S PICTURES COMPANY AND THE BRESCIANS' ORCHESTRA AND SINGERS.

The Corinthic, of the White Star Line, brought to New Zealand "West's Picture Company and the artists knowa as the Brescians' Orchestra and Singers, 14 in number, and they at once came on. by the Tahuie to Dunedin. By reference to our advertising columns it will ba seen that the company ie anuounced to make its first appearance in ISTew Zealand at His Majesty's Theatre. Dunedin, on Monday, April 10. It may be a somewhat interesting fact to many Scotchmen to know that they gave their last performance m Scotland in the New Central Hall, at Tollcioss, Edinburgh, on February £, to an audience of nearly 3000 people, and before appearing in public again they have journeyed over 13,000 miles to their next stand. The laige audience assembled in Edinburgh to gi\e them a sendoff was most enthusiastic, and wished Ms

Vest and his party all success amongst their kinsfolk in the colonies. The performance they present will consist of a series of the best and latest cinematographic productions obtainable in Britain before they started, and although we have had several animated picture shows from time to time in this country, we are told to expect from West's pictures something totally distinct and far ahead of anything we have hitherto seen. Some of the details of the various studies to be projected "the .latest type of machine the Urban Bioscope — are promised. The pictures are to be accompanied by suitable music, both vocal and instrumental, thereby, in many instances, telling the story to the ear as well as to the eye. The British press has been unanimous in describing West's pictures as the finest examples of cinematography ever presented in the Home Country, many of them being simply "works of art as regards the colouring of the scenes. With respect to 'the Brescians' Orchestra and Singers, who form the other uortion of the entertainment, they also are highly spoken of as a party of young and enthusiastic artists, each and every member being a vocalist and an instrumentalist combined, and ioxmittg together a strong musical team. They have a repertoire of over 1000 items, giving selections from grand opera, gems of comic opera, Homeland ballads, Septet iiKs, etc., etc., and are particularly strong in glee-singing and orchestral selections. The names of the ' artists forming the Brescian Orchestra and Singers are : Miss Domenica Martinengo (contralto), Miss Antonia Martinenero (mezzo soprano), Miss Adelina' Martinengo (solo Violin), Miss Sara HenSy (soprano), Mr Fred Mills (humourist), Mr Rudall Hayward ('cellist), Mr H. Hayward (violin), Mr F. C. Hayward fmusical director}, and all lovers of beautiful nrasic may confidently look forward to something of great excellence from this talented musical party.