THEATRICAL, AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 60

THEATRICAL, AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Br Pasquikt. TUESDAY, May 9. Mr Leader Williams (Christchurch) : Water-colour sketches of "Rip Van Winkle" to hand. Have done as you desired. Reported that Mr George Fuller Golden, the clever society entertainer appearing with ' Rickards's Vaudeville Company at His Ma- , jesty's, receives considerably over £100 per '< week. The Amazonian giantess Abomah, who i toured these parts recently under the man- | agement of Mr J. Miller, has been taken j over by Wirth's Circus, with whom ehe will show. Those clever and graceful charmers of J Ifche silver wire, the O'Meers Sisters, now ! showing at His Majesty's, are accompanied > on the present tour by their father, an old- j time circus clown and tight-rope walker. j There "was quite a gathering of theatrical - managers in town last week, including, ' amongst others, Mr Edwin Geach, Mr Beit Royle, M_ Harry Skinner, and Mr Fred Duncan (of Rickards's), Mi T. J. West, and Mr H. Hayward (of West's Pictures and the . Brescians Orchestra). ' As giving an idea of the salaries paid out to some of the artists at present with Rickards's Vaudeville' Company at His < Majesty's, the box office receipts have to j total £100 nightly before there is a penny " profit in. the show for the enterprising man- ' ager. _ _ j The many friends in this colony of Mr i Rohert Brough, the popular actor, will re- j gret to learn , that he was unable to appear j on the opening night in Australia (at Perth • on the 22nd ult.) of the Brough-Flemrning ( Company, owing to an attack of hemorrh- I age. He was reported to be much better the next day. Mr Brough has for years ' been a martyr to dyspepsia. It is not generally known that Charles Albert, who got his first notice for a clever comedy 'role as the Insect in "Paul Jones" j with Tom Pollard's Opera Company, has taken comedian Fred Graham's place with Wm. Anderson's "Sinbad the Sailor" pantomime, playing Mrs Sinbad to Miss Elaine Ravensberg's " principal boy." I had a letter from the ex-Pollard comedian the other day in which he conveyed good wishes to friends in New Zealand. Charlie Albert is spoken of as a young New •Zealand comedian probably owing to his having made something of a hit while travelling up and down the country with the popular Pollards. Mr Bert Royle passed through Dunedin on Friday en route to Invercargill, where the- Bio-tableau of the Russ- Jap War was shown for a couple of nights. The nights of the Bio-tableau are numbered, and New Zealand will know the picture show no more for a long time to come. Mr Royle reports satisfactory business all over the colony. Grossi, the man of mystery, who has terminated his New Zealand tour, passed through Dunedin one day last week for Invercargill, where a couple of nights were put in. The last town visited on the tour was the Bluff, where stands the most southerly lamp post in the world. News has been received from South Africa that everything possible is being done for Miss Gerfte Campion, but the worst is feared. The local committee met last week, and on the strength of a cable received from a responsible person in Johannesburg, decided to arrange for the passage of Miss Campion's mother to South Africa by first boat. A sum of £20 has been cabled to defray expenses, leaving a balance of £25, which is all that is left to the credit of the fund hi New Zealand. A popular comedian who will again show in Dunedin with the Fullers is Will Stevens, who has been with the "Firm" for over five years. The "sad-eyed shriok" has been absent from Dunedin for upwards of 12 months, and his return is being looked forward to by regular patrons of the Alhambra. Mr Harry Skinner, business manager Oi Harry Rickards's Vaudeville Company, is making his first trip to New Zealand, and this despite the fact that he has been in the show business in Australia for upwards of 30 years. Mr Skinner speaks enthusiastically of the country, and predicts for managers great theatrical prospects. He is negotiating for a series of big American attractions to tour New Zealand and Australia in the course of the next 12 months. This is the "American invasion" so frequently referred to of late. A passenger from Sydney by the Warrimoo on Saturday was a gentleman rejoicing in the rather uncommon name (in. the profession) of Thompson. The newcomer made his debut at the Alhambra on Saturday evening, and created a very favourable impression. A Bendigo appreciation of Charles Albert, the ex-Pollard comedian, as Mrs Sinbad with Wm. Anderson's "Sinbad the Sailor" pantomime: Mrs Sinbad was played by Mr Charles Albert, a young New Zealand comedian, who created a most favourable impression, on Saturday night. His performance, which -was an excellent imitation of the drolleries of his predecessor, was splendid throughout, and his really _ clever dancing roused the house to a high pitch of enthusiasm. "With the compliments of Mr Alfred Dampier" conies to hand a handsome souvenir, made glorious by the reproduction of the principals of his compact company. Acknowledged 'with thanks from Mes-

dames Maedonald and Smith handsome souvenir programme of Williamson's Gilbert and Sullivan Revival Opera Company. This company, by the way, which has been doing splendid business in the north, is due here at the end of the present month. The Revival Company opsns in Chris^sliuroh for a season on Saturday evening. A good deal of curiosity has been evinced as to the meaning of the word "Brescian," as applied to the Brescians Orchestra and Singers. The name has been derived from a town in Italy, called Brescia, famous as the home of the violin. The present company thought that the name was a good one, and so adopted it. Mr Edwin Geach, the young theatrical manager, paid a flying visit to Dunedin last week, having come over hot haste from Sydney by the Warrimoo on business connected with West's Pictures and the Brescians Orchestra and Singers. Mr Geach has secured this talented combination for an Australian tour, which commences in Sydney early next year. Here let me pause to congratulate Mr West and the Brescians on securing the services of tho capable young manager. Mr Geach • had intended catching the Sonoma for America, but altered his plans somewhat, and on Sunday sailed by the Warrimoo for Melbourne. Provided nothing happens along in the meantime, Mr Geach will sail for America by the Ventura, leaving Sydney at the end of the present month. It is his intention to explore America with a view to securing novelties for Australia and New Zealand. Should the land of trusts and combines not furnish what is wanted, England will be visited. Of interest to Highlanders in Dunedin. | Miss Jessie Maclachlan, the Scottish prima ! donna, arrived in Sydney from San Fran- j cisco by the Sonoma. Miss Maclachlan ; has had a brilliant career on the concert stage in her own country and in America. So well is she appreciated in Canada and J the United States that she has recently had three consecutive seasons. The last I one commenced at Quebec at the beginning of September, and up to the time she left San Francisco she had given 140 concerts. Interviewed on arrival, Miss Maclachlan chatted gaily about her visit to Australia, which she has long looked forward to. She was glad to have telegrams of welcome on landing from warmhearted Highlanders in Perth and Dunedin (N.Z.). She got a glimpse of New , Zealand at Auckland on the way from ; America, and heard a lot about Dunedin, ; which was originally a Scotch settlement. With glee she exclaimed, "Why, in Dunedin they have Highland services, with sermons in Gaelic. For you know I come from Argyleshire. I am a regular Highlander, and a Gaelic speaker — a mad Scotch lassie enthusiast." Mi&s Maclachlan is a typical Highland woman, with bonnie black hair and flashing eyes, and, it should be added, winsome features. It can be seen at a glance that she has a lively, impressionable nature, and it v can well be understood with what pathos she treats the beloved music of her country. Everything Scotch is dear to her, and she speaks eloquently of national achievements as well as the melodies of her country. West's Pictures and the Breseians' Orchestra and Singers brought a phenome-nally-successful season of nearly four weeks to a close at His Majesty's on Wednesday evening. The large building was packed to overflowing to see and hear the last of the talented combination. During the evening Mr West took the opportunity of thanking the people of Dunedin for their very generous patronage, and promised a return visit about Christmas next. The company commenced a six-nights' season in invercargill last evening, and just on going to press I received the following wire, which explains the happy position of things: — "Standing room only at 7.40; record booking; show going magnificently. Regards. — West and Brescians." Alfred Hill's new Moorish comic opera — the name of which is being withheld for the present — is to be produced at His Majesty's, Auckland, from June 26 to July 1. A chorus of about 50 picked voices has been in rehearsal for two months oast, and this week full rehearsals, with principals, are to be started. Mr Hill's diversion from Maori music to the Oriental type has revealed in the young New Zealand composer a fresh vein of melody that is going to astonish even his most sincere admirers. I am told on excellent authority that the new work comprises an unusually numerous collection of haunting airs, sometimes described as "catchy." For his collaborator Mr Hill has on this occasion taken Mr J. Youlin Birch, musical and dramatic critic of .the New Zealand Herald, whose theatrical experience ranges over the past 20 years at least, having been gained in the Mother Country and in America. In addition to his journalistic and critical training upon the Herald staff, Mr Birch has behind him some years of stage experience, so that he comes out as a librettist under favourable conditions. The "book"' of the new oipera is described to me as light and amusing, giving plenty of scope to the cast of performers. The locale is Morocco — quite a fortunate choice, as it turns out, in view of present complications in that Sultanate, — and this enables a lot of spectacular effects to be introduced. Special scenery has been painted for the opera by Mr Will Diamond, who has given proof that the local article can be as good as the imported. The stage manager is Mr George Warren, who also plays the chief comedian role — one of the cleverest amateur comedians in the colony. The cast _of principals also includes Madam Lilian Tree (formerly of Covent Garden Theatre), Mrs Ernest Davis (formerly Miss Marion Mitchell, of "the Pollards), Mrs Charles Phillips (formerly Miss Cissy Sanford, of the Pollards), Miss Lucie Ehrenfried, Messrs M. Hamilton Hodges (Auckland's , premier baritone), H. B. Coney, and T. J. Durihingham. By the way, it is a striking commentary of the esteem in which Auckland people hold their own folks that 50 of their fellow-citizens have guaranteed for Messrs Hill and Birch the requisite sum of money wherewith to stage their work for a week. Dear Pasquin, — We have finished the Otago districts, and are at present doing South Canterbury. Performed here (Fairlie) last night to a full house; same at Pleasant Point and Albury. On Good Friday we gave a- sacred concert at Oamaru, in the Weir Street Hall (there is no theatre there), and again had a big house. Ten days later returned and gave a secular concert, wnen we had to refuse money before 8 o'clock. Although the seating capacity is 475, managed to pack in 580, which is the greatest number that has ever been crammed in. On Monday show at Temuka; Tuesday, Geraldme; Wednesday, Winchester ; Thursday, i TJftaalES ftoyal, Timaruj, Friday, PlUiv

sandel ; Saurday. Southbridge. We shall finish Canterbury in four weeks' time. All the family are well, and yours truly, Jno Black, Black Family, Fairlie, May 7, 1905. A London cable announces the death of Mr Charles Arnold, the well-known actor. Mr Arnold was singing at one of the weekend entertainments at the Savage Club, when he was taken ill, collapsed, and expired in a few minutes. The late Mr Arnold made his last appearance in Dunedin in November, 1900, on which occasion was produced the then new comedy " What Happened to Jones." Mr Arnold was married to Miss Dot Fredric. Some three years ago the dead actor sailed from Australia to London for the purpose of retiring and settling down in Kent ; but the love of the old life was ico strong, and he again faced the footlights. It was said that he was only waiting to secure a big attraction to make anotner descent on the colonies. Mr Arnold is best remembered for his character of Hans in "Hans the Boatman."

Apart from her more modern roles Miss Tittell Brune is likely to have a useful Shakespearian repertoire before very long. Already she has been seen and liked in "Rom-co and Juliet," and during the present Melbourne season it is proposed to stage "The Merchant of Venice," with Miss Brune as Portia, and probably Mr. A. E. Greeaaway as Shylock, a part in which he has already appeared. Later on "The Taming- of the Shrew" will also be added to the company's list. Only recently the Australian actor Mr Oscar Asche and his wife, Miss Lily Brayton, made a success of this comedy in London.

Tho Gilbert and Sullivan Company, still pursuing its triumphal tour of New Zealand, is now actively rehearsing ' "The Gondoliers," and it will most probably be produced shortly. This will make seven of the Sullivan series in which the company has been seen, and it is not intended to add' any more. Considering the short time in which the Repertoire Company has been in existence, it has worked wonderfully well to bring its work to a. completion, and it is satisfactory to know that the Australian public is recognising in a most gratifying measure the enterprise of Mr J. C. Williamson in thus reviving the old-time favourites.

The company engaged in the revival of "La Fille dv Tambour Major" at the new Theatre Royal, Melbourne, has been handicapped severely as regards illness. Achille Rebottaro on the opening night was indisposed, and soon collapsed, throat < trouble, serious and painful, being the j cause. M'Nicol Turner, who took up the signor's part, played under difficulties^ a very bad throat handicapping him. Next Miss Ettie Carlisle fell sick, but kept going, although very ill, and Johnny Wai-** lace the last few nights has appeared under difficulties. Again, all through the run of "Tambour Major" Miss Maud Thornton, shapely and bright, has been a victim to nerves and sickness (says Punch), but has pluckily struggled along, and done well, holding up her end of the log so strongly j that but few suspected 6he was sick. No greater co-mpliment can be paid her than this ignorance on the part of theatregoers. That her work has been so satisfactory J that no one suspected her indisposition says j more than mere words can.

Mr J. O Williamson has found it necessary to contradict most emphatically a wholly unauthorised rumoiir that Miss Maud Jeffries will shortly terminate her engagement with him and retire into domestic life. As a matter of fact, Miss Jeffries has but recently agreed to continue with her company, at anyrate until the 13th January next, and she has no thought or intention of giving up the stage until then. Mr George Musgrove ha^ng abandoned his dates in Brisbane, Mr J. C. Williamson has secured His Majesty's Theatre there lor June next. The Knight-Jeffries Company, at present repeating in Sydney its Melbourne experience of increasing popularity, will open a short season there on the 26th June, prior to its departure for Adelaide and West Australia.

The recent purchase by Mr E. Vickery of the Lyceum Theatre in Sydney and his announced intention of dismantling it as a place of entertainment leaves the two best theatres. Her Majesty's and the Royal, in that city under Mr J. O. Williamson's control, while at the present moment he is occupying Her Majesty's and the Princess in Melbourne with two of his strongest attractions.

The "star" turn at Fitzgerald's Circus is that of the Herberts. Tho troupe consists of Mr and Mrs Herbert (the renowned Kate Silbon), their nephew (a Herbert), and niece (a Silbon), and one other, and it has become world-famous. Mr Herbert is of the third generation. His father was Ijson, whom the older generation will remember as a noted and daring circus rider, and Leon's mother was a star performer. So was his wife. Mr Herbert first came here from. America with Hs parents in John Wilson's Circus for a year in 1876. In 1880 the family again visited' Australia, and the young man became an equilibrist in Benhamo's Circus, a small concern that loured the country towns. Therein was a young Australian, "clowning," one Dan Fitzgerald — to-day the well-known senior partner in Fitzgerald Brothers' big circus. Bad times "and things in general" brought financial disaster to Benhamo at Adelaide, and the clown and the equilibrist, being the chief creditors, took over the shattered fragments, and "ran" the show "on the roads" for six years. But as tho equilibrist partner remarks now, the while his eyes are on the tautening of wire guys "it was very up-hill work all th© time." Finally Herbert sold his irterest to Tom and Dan Fitzgerald, and left Australia in 1889 as a member of the great Silbon troupe — of which he was destined to become the leader, and "Tom and Dan" were to blossom into a powerful circus firm which replaces tho little "one-horse" concern of Benhamo's "outfit" with special steamers and special trains, and lays the wide world Under tribute for its attractions.

Prejudiced persons in the> United States had warned Mr Andrew Mack that Australian axicliences were slow to see the point, hypercritical and unenthusiastic. He had been, according to his own glowing Ijeetimiony, most pleasantly disillusioned. After his first appearance at Hei- Majesty's, Melbourne, last Saturday (April 15), he declared that ho had never played to a finer aiidienee in his life. He found that instead of missing the smart bits of the dialogue, they responded magnificently, and, indeed, almost anticipated the lines and the laughter. In his own opinion, Tom Mcore ncve.r went so well, even in. America, where the people's patriotism for

a home-grown product mads its reception, apart from its own merits, always a cordial one. Mr Mack has been, playing to excellent he-uses since- his opening night, ana everything goes to show that his tour wile be a most buccessful on©. "The Way to Kenmare," another piece of the modern Irish type, will be his next effort, to be followed by an elaborate production of "Arrah-na-pogue." Th&re will only be a season of nine weeks altogether in Melbourne, succeeded by seven weeks in SydV ney. He opens in Brisbane on the 7thf August, and in Adelaide on the 26th August, West Australia, seeing the last yf£ him. He ha© to be in America again in October, but it is to be hoped that Newt Zealand will beforei that be given a tasta of his quality. There can certainly be no two opinions concerning the popularity of Miss Tittell Brune in the eyes oi M&lbourne audiences. Despitei the various attractions Easter invariably brings in its train, the Princess Theatre was crowded on Saturday evening: last (22nd April) to welcome her back after her extended and most successful visit to West and South Australia. Her reception was a magnificent one, increased, perhaps, by the pomp and circumstance with which she makes her first entrance in "Theodora The audience waited patiently while tne. lone lines of guard's, courtiers, handmakbns, and flower-girls filed on to the stage, and then, as the single, slight figure, decked in all the gorgeoueness of the .Byzantine empress, stepped on to the- stage, burst cut into a continued applause which kept her bowing for several minutes before the action of the piece was resumed. Mr J. C. Williamson -has equalled, if not bettered, hia previous successes in staging Sardou's powerful story cf the woman who, from a waif of the arena, rose to the majesty of the Eastern Empire, and no opportunity is missed cf displaying the glory and luxury of those splendid years when the great Roman Empire was in the final stages of its decay— a d^cay hidden beneath the lead of wealth that concealed its rottenness until tlvei last cataclysm overwhelmed it.

From one point of view there- does not appear much probability that the patroro of the cheap portions of the theatres will reap much benefit from the action of the Sydney City Council in taking 1 steps that mean the abolition of the queue system. Tha action taken by the oounoil is aimed at the early-door system, but the managers point out that the decision of the authorities will not have the effect of lowering the p.rices in any way. On the contrary, it will, according to Mr "Williamson, have the opposite effect. For instance, under the present arrangement a popular part of =the theatre is filled up to a certain extent by the patrons of the early door, and after that the shilling people are allowed in as far forward as they can get. If, however, the early-door system is interfered^ with, this portion of the house will be partitioned off, say into divisions of 2s and Is, and the probability is that the latter portion will be very limited in extent. The result of this will be that the occupants of the shilling section would not get as far forward as they are able to do now. "Besides," adds Mr Williamson, "why should! tha City Council interfere with the financial side, of our business? If the patrons of the thoatre are willing to pay the price, ■what has it to do with, the council, especially when it is remembered that people in Australia jret their amusement so much, cheaper than they do in England? Productions suc'i aa 'The Orchid' and 'The Cingalee' are absolutely up to the standard of the best London productions, according to the published opinions of Australians who have visited London themselves, and, therefore, playgoers do not object to pay the small extra charge for the satisfaction and comfort of getting a good seat." The view of the managers as to the queue system* is largely supported by the police, one prominent official having declared that it is the beet system for ths public in ©very way, because it prevents the wild rushing, with the possibility of accident, and it also protects them from pickpockets.