THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 57

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquik.

TUESDAY, April 25

The receiUy-fornied Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society has abandoned the idea of staging '"Rip Van Winkle" during winter show we<ik in Juno next, as was originally intended, preferring now to wait until latei in the year. Fred Gvahatn, the wo'l-known comedian, arrived from Melbourne by the Warrimoo on Tuesday, under engagement to the Messi-s Fuller and Sons. Since his last visit to New Zealand the gentleman who made Brown, the waiter, famous in "The French Maid" has been appearing with gieat success with Wm. Andersen's "Sinbad the Sailor" pantomime on the Australian side. Mr Graham is accompanied by his wife, professionally known as Miss Nellie Dent, who was a member of the Beerbohrn Tree Company. The two artists made their appearance at the Alhambra on Saturday evening. Mr George Buller, advance representative for Mr Harry Rickards's New Touring Company, arrived) by the Moana on Sunday morning from the north to arrange for tho coming season in His Majesty's Theatre, opening on Thursday, May 4. Owing to a bereavement in the family Fred Foley (Zamoni), the -clever singlehanded entertainer, who recently started a tour of the southern goidfields, has had to cancel several of his dates. He was, however, able to take up the tour again at Owaka on Easter Monday.

It is leported that the proprietors of the Princes C<mrt, Melbourne, where the screaming crowds race down the- waterchute and. the toboggan glides swiftly on its course, are inquiring! as t« the prospects of establishing similar amusements at Auckland and Wellington. Len Monk, of this city, who played cricket and acted between whiles with Hawtrey's Comedy Company through New Zealand and Australia, is now a member of Charles Hollo-way's Dramatic Company, and the while he does not play so much cricket as usual, he . is more of an actor. I shall bo pleased to welcome back the young Dunedinite when Holloway's Company visits us in June next.

There were several departing pros, Dunedin Alhambra last week — amongst others, the sprightly serio Alma Lyndon, the juvenile coonists Delwyn and Tye, Bob Foster, Harry Hart, and society entertainer Harrison. All these have gone north to fulfil engagements in other centres on the Fuller circuit.

It appears now that Win. Anderson's booming pantomime "Sinbad the Sailor," with its wealth of scenery, fun, and pretty choristers, will not visit us until early next year. Fred Graham, now in this city, who played in the panto, in Australia, speaks enthusiastically of the production, and predicts for it a glorious tour through Maoriland.

Mr Harry Thomas, one of the workers "behind the scenes," who toured with Tom Pollard's. Opera Company through South Africa, is now with Musgrove's company at present holding forth at Dunedin Princess.

The Pollard Opera, Company, which is not quite the same pretentious show remembered in New Zealand, was at latest i*j Broken Hill. The company is flue, to open in Adelaide about May 12, on wnich occasion they will stage "The Belle of New York." What changes have taken place in the ranks of the Pollards since "the Belle" was first produced !

Mr Frank Musgrove, who toured New Zealand with Hayvtrey's Comedy Company when that combination was a power in the land, is now in Dunedin with the "Broken Melody" Company. Since his last visit Frank has listened to the "voice that breathed o'er Eden."

Percy O'Brien, the young theatrical representative with the American accent and the Irish name, has gone north to pave the way for the "Broken Melody" Company.

George Musgrove told a Ohristchurch interviewer, amongst other things, that Christchurch was quite satisfactory as a show town, but nothing to what it would be when they get the new theatre and the electric tram system. He could not promise that all his companies would visit Christchurch unless a new theatre was provided.

The death is reported in Denver (Col.) of Ferry the Frog, who visited New Zealand sonid three years ago, and was said oa that occasion to receive salary equivalent to half a sovereign, per minute. The writer counted Ferry one of his best friends in the profession.

Miss Nance O'Neil opens her Australian season in Melbourne on June 17 next. Her stay here will only be a. short one, but she is bringjin.sr several new plays, in. eluding "The Fires of St. John" and "Judith," -while opportunity will be made for the revival of some of her old repertoire pieces, such as "Magda" and "Elizabeth." Mr M'Kee Rankin accompanies her, and for her leading man Mr Charles Dalton has been engaged. Curiously enough, Mr J. O. Williamson some five or six years af?o tiied to secure the same actor for Australia. He lias earned a considerable popularity in the States, making Lis greatest hits in Marous Superbus, of -which character he was the original exponent in America. Under the heading of "An Actor's Suicide," a Perth telegram advises that Edward Henry Jewell, better known by his stasre name of Harry Gilbert, committed suicide at Albany rocentlv by cutting his throat with a razor. ' Gilbert was for a long time under engagement to Harry Rickards, and for the past few years has been in the West. Mr Rickards is outvieing himself of late with the talent he is sending to New Zealand, and the present coin pan v. who are to open in 'His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday, May 4, is fully up to tho standard that entrepreneur has set himself. The shining light is Mr George Fuller Golden, a humourist from America, a gentleman who fully upholds the traditions of the Stars and Stripes for keen wit and fun. He \ has lately finished a twelve months' engagement at tho Palace, London, which is of itself a sufficient guarantee of his powers. He is well supported in all classes of vaudeville, the O'Meers Sisters being wonders of the aerial wire, graceful and intrepid, and the Australian papers credit them with being a show sufficient in themselves for price charged for admission. HLstoricus is a clever little mitr of eight years old, who gives dates and particulars of almost any event asked her. She is, in fact, a perfect 1 encyclopedia.. Music is supplied by Leg

Frassettie, who are expert performers on the harp, violin, and xylophone. Mr Fred Millis, an old favourite, will be to the -fore with his ventriloquial feats. The Salambos (weird electrifiers), Malle Yasiho (illustrated songs), OHivette (lightning calculator and mind reader), Emil Lazern (mystifier), and Tom Dawson (comedian) — these ladies and gentlemen form one of the strongest aggregations of talent New Zealand has yet. seen. "Standard Theatre, Johannesburg-, S.A., Maroh. 17, 1905. Dear Pasquin, — It is a lorg time since I havo written to you, though I bent you a paper or two trom Rhodesia, during my trip up there. I was rather fortunate in my venture through Rhodesia, but had a wretched fortnight in Capetown. I opened at the Opera House on Boxing Night with ' Hazellcirk,' but the Exhibition, at Is per head, was strong opposition. I am now with Sass again, having joined him on his return from England, and am doing very well. We are at piesent playing a revival of ' Old Heidelberg,' which has always been such a success in South Africa. T. B. Thalberg did aot come out again, but Sass has found a good man in Cla-ude King.* Wo are very busy rehearsing 'The Scarlet Pimpernel,' a new play, but recently produced in London. Under separate cover lam posting a photograph which might interest you. Gertie Campion is still here, but getting gradually better, the financial assistance she is receiving from New Zealand greatly bucking her up. Charley Fanning is at present playing with the Empire management (the Hymans) at the JSmpire, but goes to Capetown next wee-k for a season at the Tivoli. Things are very bad in South Africa jusfc now, though in this town there always seems to be money for bars and amusements, and the theatres rarely suffer with good companies. Do you remember Harold Lloyd, who was with Brough in Australia for six years? He was my partner in my late venture, and is at present managing Sass and Nelson's Musical Comedy Company ('Sergeant Brue ') in Oa.petown. Sass is well, and prosperous. We have Mr and Mrs Reginald Dartrey with \is. Do you remember them in New Zealand, and' also Eugene Mayeur, who was out your way with Roberts in 'The New Boy' some yeais ago? With kindest regards, — Yours sincerely, Retkolds Denxiston."

The opening performance of "La Fille dv Tambour Major" by a mixed company of professional and amateur actors and actresses was given in the new Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on Saturday, April 8. His Excellency the Governor (Sir Reginald Talbot), accompanied by the Hon. Miss Grosyenor and his staff, were among the audience. The staging of the piece was on an elaborate scale, and the new 'heatre never looked brighter. The performance went with a swing, and the grand finale, representing the triumphant entry of the French army into Milan, when the stage is crowded with the entire company, was received with enthusiasm.

Little hope was entertained at the beginning of March for the recovery of Mr Luscombe Searelle, who was then seriously ill in San Francisco. Mr Searelle is well known to many old Australians as the composer of^ "The Wreck of 'the Pinafore," "Bobadil," and other operas. A number of years ago Luscombe Slaarelle was the director of the Tivoli Opera House in San Francisco, and made it justly popular with theatregoers After he left there (says the Era) he went to London, and there made a name for himself as a composer. "Sata. nella." a well known piece, is from his pen. Next he drifted to South Africa, and there amassed a large fortune in the theatrical business. At one time he was ownex of Jit least a dozej theatres, and counted among his friends such celebrities as Barney Barnato and Cecil Rhodes. The Jameson Raid wa3 the cause of his downfall. Lord High Commissioner Milner saved his neck, but he was compelled to leave the country, and all his property was confiscated. Ho went to New York, and there became acquainted with Mrs Ella Wheeler Wilcox, and collaborated with her in the Biblical play, "Mizpah, or the Story of Esther." A 5,000,000d0l claim ot Mr Searelle against ths British Government has been allowed, and will soon be paid. This claim arose out of Ihe confiscation of the property already spoken of before the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa. He was a pronounced British sympathiser, and was deep in the schemes of the revolutonists at the time of the Jameson Raid. Among other acts in favour of the uprising he purchased several thousand stands of arms, and concealed them under the stage of his Johannesburg Theatre. A Boer stage hand discovered the secret of the hidden rifles, and informed President Kruger. Not only were the arms confiscated and used against the English later, but all Searelle's estate was taken by the Boer Government, and he was sentenced to he shot. He was given his freedom thereafter, and allowed to depart, never to return.

" This was the first time," said Mr G. H. Smith the other day. referring to his recent visit Home, " that I missed seeing Johnny Toole for the past five or six years. Poor chap, he has been going about in a bath chair for a lonw time now, almost dead to the world. But, strange to say, ha seems to wake up to something approaching hjs old self regularly from 11 at night till 2." This is a curious and somewhat pathetic circumstance, and apparently goes to show how strong an influence on a man's constitutional mind is exercised by his habits of life. It was between those hours, no doubt — between the conclusion of his performances -and bedtime* — that the celebrated comedian spent the happiest periods of the 24- hours, when, flushed with the success of his representation, he indulged in jollity and gave way to the indulgence of that humour with which he appeared to overflow.

It is a long time since there has been such a depression as there is at the present time amongst the working members of the theatrical profession in London. The stage is lamentably overcrowded ; and the start of the provincial companies upon their spring tour has left hundreds of actors and actresses unemployed, and in some cases stranded in town. Big managers are inundated with applications for employment from all classes of performers. The task of interviewing the unliapuv players — a courtesy when the English manager usually shrinks from — is often a pitiful experience. ** Mr Edward Branscombe's Westminster Glee and Concert Party intend, on completing a tour through the Far East, to pay another visit to Australia. Upon their return to London Mr Branscombe re-orga-nised his party, practically doubling its sfcreuq^th. The company now consists of a double male quartet, seven solo soprano boys^ and is still accompanied by Madame

Marie Hooton, Mr Edward Branscombe, Mr Percy Coward, and Mr Dudley Causton. Mr Charles Ch ameers, who conducted the* last Australian tour, and has since piloted the company through South Africa, India, Burmah, and China, continues manager of the party. The company are travelling to Brisbane by way of Hongkong and Shanghai, and will be due in Sydney early ia June.

When Mine, Slapoffski came to Vancouver from. Australia a few months ago (writes a Canadian correspondent) she was, it is saf e to say, considered chiefly remarkable for her name. She quickly won favour on the Pacific coast, and recently news came from the- Eastern States that she had made quite a hit. Mme. Slapoffski has been pi-ofuselv interviewed in the American style. According to her " Australia is very fascinating, an excellent field for this profession. If things theatrical are not good it is of no use to take them to Australia. The people are very critical, but also very generous in their support of good things'* And if they like you, my ! they can't do> enough for you. They deluge you with flowers." "We have flowers here," said the interviewer. " But you're very stingy with them," retorted Mme. Slapoffski. Madame has a photograph of Melba, so, naturally, the reporter began tcrtalk of the great singer. " I like her." said the lesser singer. " They're very proud of her in Australia. Tear the roof off for her. So> they should." The reporter said he had heard otherwise as to Melba's popularity in her native land. "How is that?" ho asked. " Oh, a lot of people don't like her because she's abrupt," was the explanation of Madame Slapoffski. " She says righfi out what she means. Perhaps it is because I do, too, that I like her so much. Bub they all admire her sineinjar. How could they help doing so." Madame Slapoffski is fond of telling that she did something unprecedented in Australia, where she was asked to take the role of Elsa- at half-past 1 of the day on which she first sang it. "Mr Musgrove's Drima donna fell ill," she explained, " and he requested me to take her place. I knew the part except the last; act, but I had to learn that, to sing with a tenor I didn't know, and without any rehearsal, and the performance went without a hitch. No one sang Elsa after thafs but me."

The management has removed the round of cheese, so familiar fo actors, from the bar of the Bodega, in the Strand, London. It had become quite an institution. When times were bad they paced the Strand

With eager feet and hopeful breast — The Denizens of play-house land,

"Who deem a play-house life the best. They plied the agents with a will,

They cared not when they failed to please; The times were out of joint, yet still

They loved the old Bodega cheese! They bore the hollow play of dress

With acts of lace, and crepe de chine— • The amateurs who bring distress—

The agent'? scorn, the critic's spleen; But sorrow now in every heart

Each glad sensation seeks to freeze; The best of friends, alasJ must part,

And thou art gone, Bodega cheese! Dear friend of youth, so round, so big,

You topped the bill at many a show! You laughed at each- successive dig Dealt forth by each successive "pro."

"When dancing-dolls and frills are rife,

And seriou3 drama fails to please, You added interest to life, Oh, comforting Bodega- cheese! — Arthur Coles Armstrong.