THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Bt Pasquin.

Tuesday, May 23, 1905.

Interest in the fate of Miss Gertie Campion is still being shown in a practical manner in Dunedin. The other day two additional subscriptions to the fund, which was supposed to have long since closed, came to hand. Information has not yet been received as to -whether Mrs Campion has sailed for South Africa- to join her daughters or not. The local committee anticipated receiving word by the last Melbourne mail.

Lovers of good melodrama will regret to hear that owing to illness Mr Charles Holloway, who was to have commenced a season with his dramatic company at Dunedin Princess next month, has -had to cancel his dates, and . for the present abandon the New Zealand tour.

A letter was received by the latest San Francisco mail from Howard Thurston, the famous illusionist, advising that he contemplates a tour of Australia and New Zealand, leaving America this month. He comes under the management of M. B. Curtis, who introduced " Dante the Great " to colonialsl Th"urston's is the most elaborate illusionary entertainment ever brought to the colonies, and his entire business is new and original.

The recently-formed Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society is moving on its way rejoicing. Rehearsals of " Rip Van Winkle " under Mr Sydney Wolf are being held every week- The results have been very pleasing, principals and chorus showing marked ability. -It -is safe to say that "on • ■ the night " there will be given a very capable performance. Mr George " Sievvvright, a well-known amateur, has been cast for the name part. The Princess Theatre has been pencilled for July, when it is intended to produce " Rip," and November,' when " Dorothy " is to be staged. The society was fortunate in securing from the Oamaru Amateurs scrip and band parts .of.jbhe famous opera, together with scenery for same. Mr Edward Branscombe, who introduced the Westminster Glee Stingers to Australia and New Zealand, has offered a prize of £5 to the local Competitions Society for the best rendering of one of the party's famous glees. The society has cabled to Melbourne, where Mr Branseombe is at present located', its acceptance of the offer. As the singers from Westminster commence their Dunedin season on October 5, a.nd the competitions commence on October 8, it is anticipated that an interesting comparison of the rendering of the glee will be made — the Westminsters at the Princess and the local aspirants at His Majesty's.

Mr W. A. Juncker, the well-known composer, who is responsible for " I was> dreaming." ia now the conductor of Gilbert and Sullivan's Revival Opera Company. Oldtime playgoers who remember Mr Juncker as conductor of Dunning's Opera Company in the eighties will be pleased to welcome him back when he appears here with the Opera Company next week. Several changes at Fuller's Temple- of Vaudeville took place on Friday night, when comedians Fred Rivenhall, Sam Wilson, and Ted Stanley, together with Misses Florrie lieigh and Eileen Murray, made their last appearance prior to leaving for Auckland to join Fuller's Company at Auckland Opera House, opening on the 27th inst.

Owing to the departure of Mr George Matheson for Sydney, Mr H. O. Campbell, of His Majesty's Theatre, will look after the interests of the Gilbert and .Sullivan Company xmtil the arrival of the revivalists.

Per Johnny Fuller, jun., of local Alhambra, Messrs John Fuller and Sons generously offered the proceeds of a performance towards relieving any pressing needs of the chip-wrecked crew of the French ship Anjou. Owing to the action of the New Zealand Shipwreck Relief Society in placing means at the disposal of the men the firm's kindly offer was not taken advantage of.

The following telegram, received this morning from Mr T. J. West, of the West'© ! Pictures and the Brescians Orchestra and Singers, speaks eloquently: "Turned them away every night at Timiaru. For example — At 7.30 last night the stalls check-taker said : 'If I open this door again they will fall outP Regard's." iMr R. F. Foster, jun., a well-known tenor, who is about to depart for Melbourne, there to study voice culture with a view to teaching the art, will give 1 a concert in Hia Majesty's Theatre this evening. Several of Dxmedin's leading vocalists will assist in the programme. Mr Will " Jamieson, advance manager for Montgomery's Entertainers, passed through Dunedin to-d"ay en route for Inveroargili, there to arrange for a short season of the 00. Efforts are- being made to secure dates in Dunedia during winter show week. Acknowledged with thanks from Mr A. Cowan, right-hand man for Edwin. Geaeh, a miscellaneous assortment of theatrical programmes, including a souvenir 'gram on silk of the opening- night of the Palace Theatre, Sydney. On it I notice, amongst others, the names of Bellman and Moor&, Sydney Daano, The Delevines, and the Winteron Sisters, of whom Miss Gertie j

Campion, now lying was one.

By kind permission of Messrs Fuller and Sons, Mr Fred Graham, the wellknown comedian, who is at present showing in Dunedin Alhambra, has been loaned to the management of the Birch-Hill Opera, who have asked for his services to play the comedy role in the production which ia to be staged at Auckland at the end of June.

Mr H. C. Campbell, secretary of the Dunedin Choral Society, has received a cablegram from the representative of Mr Watkin Mill* intimating that Air Mills and his quarteit party will co-operate with the society in producing ' Elijah" and the "'Rose Maiden." Subscribers to the society have thus an unusual treat to look forward to. Lovers and supporters of musio in Dunedin should assist the society by becoming- honorary membars, as the pi-ivileges granted arc> far in excess of the value of the subscription.

The favourite aofcor Howard Vernon, who is with the Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Co. which will be seen here next week, interviewed in Christchurch, told a pressman the story about Gilbert and the testy old gentleman who mistook him for a waiter. The old gentleman came downstairs, grumbling about everything and everything dee. Seeing Gilbert, he said to him, i 'Here, call me a cab directly.' 'You're a cab,' said Gilbert. 'What do you mean, sir?' said the old party. 'What do I mean?' said Gilbert ; 'why, you asked m>e to call you a cab, and if you ai'e not a eal», you're a d d old growler.' A growler, it may be explained, is a London term for a rickety four-wheeler. "But," continued Mr Vernon, "I will tell you a good story not relating to Gilbert. In Singapore we had to stick up our own bills, as the natives usually doing that service had a knack of putting the bills upside down. So as to enable the members of the community to read our placards without standing on their heads, we had to fix them up ourselves. We used to wait until all were fast asleep, and them slip on our pyjamas, take a bucket of paste each, hire a native cab, and take to the road. On one occasion we were startled by hearing a terrible growl -issuing from a clump of small tne-.s, and as it had been reported that a maneating tiger was roaming about the out skirts of the town, we naturally concluded we were doomed. The next moment we saw a huge animal bounding towards us out of the darkness. We dropped our buckets of paste and let drive with our revolvers, and ran for our lives. We must have hit the brute, for we heard an awful yelping. The cab driveir bolted when he heard the shots We got to town as quickly as possible. Next morning we Kad a visit from the Malay police sergeant, and a summons for trespassing on private property, and shooting a large St. Bernard dog. We gave up bill-posting after that. Mr George Matheson, representing the long-looked-for Gilbert and Sullivan Revival Onera Company, .arrived from Christchurch on Friday night to make ready the way for the- operatics, whose season in His Majesty's is to commence on Monday next, May 29. It was only a flying visit," and the dapper little agent departed for the .north on Friday morning to pick up the steamer for Sydney, sailing on Saturday. An unlooked-for message from headquarters contained marching orders for Perth ahead of the Royal Comics. G. M. has gone to fulfil the mission. The old-time actor Horace Lingard, who passed through Dunedin last week with the ** Broken Melody " Company, hopes to be out in the colony again before the end of next year with a company of his own playing farce comedies. Termination of Rickards's Vaudeville Company, headed by George Fuller Golden, sees the departure for their respective countries of the clever and graceful wire-walkers the Sisters O'Meers, the musical artists the Fraisettes, and the electric marvels the Salambos. George Fuller Golden will alone remain in Australia, where he has not yet appeared. The talented raconteur opens at Sidney Tivoli immediately on the company's arrival from New Zealand. It -was confidently anticipated when ths dates at the Dunedin Princess in June were cancelled by Charles Holloway that Andersons Dra-natio Company would have taken them over, but a wire received the other day advises that it has no such intention.

Miss Maud Amber, the Junoesque lady, late of the American Travesty Stars Company, who has just recovered from a severe illness, has been engaged by John F. Sheridan to appear in the musical play " King Dodo," the Australian rights of which have been secured by the " Widdy O'Breeon.' John F. Sheridan and Company will tour New Zealand under the management of Mr Allan Hamilton. The company appears at Dunedin Princess on Boxing Night. New plays have been secured, including " The Earl and the Girl," " The Housemaid," and an American musical comedy called " The Money Makers."

Mr Bert Royle, who was the moving spirit in the Gertie Campion. Fund, has arrived in Wellington from the south. A sum of £621 12s 8d was sont from New Zealand to Miss Campion—£s2l 12s 8d forwarded by Mr Royle through Reuter's Agency and £100 sent direct to Miss Campion at Johannesburg by the Dunedin Carnival Committee. The amount subscribed in Wellington amounted to £145, £96 of which was gathered in at tb3 theatrical carnival held on the Basin Reserve in November last. Mr Royle has received a letter from Miss Campion thanking the New Zealand public in terms of the most heartfelt gratitude for their loyal and generous friendship in her hour of trial. Miss Campion mentions in the letter that the financial aid she had received certainly preserved her life, and she speaks most hopefully of her returning health. "But," says Mr Royle, "the caWft message received since the letter was written seems to dash hope to the ground, for in it Miss Campion said her doctor forbade her travelling, and she asked for her mother to be sent to Africa. I have no news since then, but I am sadly afraid she would not have sent for her mother, to whom she hoped to return so soon, unless the r&lapg© was very serious." Sine© the proprietors of His Majesty's and the Princess Theatres have united for the common good several changes have been made in the management. Mr H. C. Campbell now looks after the intei'ests of His Majesty's Company and also that of Messrs Fuller and Sons, as proprietors of the Princess. Arranging of dates and bookings for both playhouses are done

ill in South Africa, t through Mr Campbell. Previously His Majesty's and the Princess had separate ." behind the scenes " staffs, but under the new arrangement, whereby, with the exception of certain seasons in the year, such as Christmas and New Year, Easter, winter and summer show weeks, only one theatre at a time is let, it is intended to run with only one staff, that of His Majesty's having been retained for the purpose. j Theatrical managers will be interested to learn of the new arrangements made for the letting of His Majesty's and the Princess Theatres in this city. Managers will have the option of engaging either theatre at I a weekly rental of £60 for the first week j and £50 lor each subsequent week of the ] same tenancy, in addition to which £14 per week will be euarged for light, the services of an electrician at the switoh- | board, cleaning the front of the house, stage, I and oloak rooms, and attendance in the I cloak rooms. No notice asking for fees to Ibe erected in the oloak rooms. The proprietors guarantee that the two theatres shall not be let at the one time to any two theatrical companies except during the Christmas and Easter seasons, during the Agricultural Summer and Winter Show weeks, and on occasions When a large influx of ! visitors to the town is expected. The proI prietors agree that no seats shall be reserved 'in either theatre. The attendance of fire- , men at either theatre to be paid for at the rate of 3s 6d per night. Admission to either theatre to be not less than 3s, 2s, and Is. j Mrs Clement Scott appeared at Bow I street, London, the other day (says a Home paper) on an adjourned summons charging her with detaining certain papers and documents belonging to the trustees of the Neil- | son Fund, of which her late husband was one of the trustees. The fund in question was established in 1881 for the benefit of needy members of the theatrical profession by a gift of £3000 from Admiral Carr-Glynn in memory of Miss Neilspn, a well-known actress. Mr Robinson said that his client had maue a most careful search amongst her late husband's papers, but had failed to find any documents whatever belonging to the trust or relating thereto. On his advice the defendant declined to go into the witness box. Ultimately the summons was dismissed, but an application for costs was dismissed. With the usual enterprise characteristic of the management of the London Alhambra, ' the directors have introduced to their pro- ' gramme Sylvester Sohaffer, jun., who is described as the versatile phenomenon of the twentieth century. Such a distinction does mot unduly flatter his remarkable powers and cleverness, for on his first appearance he held his audience spellbound with bis unique performance, and a.t the finish was much applauded. His repertoire is as remarkable for its length — extending, as it does, over 70 minutes — as for its variety. He commenced by doing some wonderful things with cards and coins, his quickness of finger manipulation quite bewildering even the closest watchers. Then he came out in the role of a lightning painter, and in three or four minutes' there was an oil painting facing the astonished spectators, and in a like time armeared a painting- in delft. As a Japanese and modern juggler he interested, amused, and mystified the onlookers. Then he showed his powers as an equestrian of the Spanish high school. , He went through the "Risley" act, with, dogs as auxiliaries instead of children, and then, taking his firearms of all shapes and ueseriptions, he gave substantial proof to his claim of champion shooter. With the violin he was equally at home, and his impersonations of Paganini and Strauss and' as a minstrel were marvels of mastership. His concluding items of Jeux olympiques and apotheosis, earth and the five continents to a close an entertainment the like of which has never been 6een in London. Mr J. C. Williamson has received a cable from London saying that "Leah Kleschna," with Lena Ashwell in the title role and Sir Charles Wyndham. filling the principal male oharacter, was an immediate success there. With the alterations in the arrangements regarding Miss Tittell Brune, it is probable that Sydney will see the first Australian production of this powerful problem, play, which has now both a London ana New York reputation in its favour. The first night of "The Cingalee," at Her Majesty* Theatre, Sydney, last Saturday, 6th inst., was celebrated by an immense audience, who were- enthusiastic in their approval of the many tuneful numbers, the humours of the plot, and, above all, the gorgeousness of the staging o>f Mr J. C "Williamson's latest musical comedy. The efforts of the various principals were all heartily appreciated, notably so in the ease of Miss Margaxet Thomas, whose transfer from the concert to the lyric stage may be described unequivocally as a successful move. Miss Rose Musgrove was most cordially received on her re-advent to the musical comedy stage in the bright part of Peggy, and, needless to say, Mr George Lauri and the rest of the older favourites of the Royal Comio Opera Company made the very most of their opportunities. An audience exceeding in numbers and! enthusiasm even the first attendance on Mr Andrew Mack and his company greeted the new star in "The Way to Kenmare," at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, on Saturday evening last, 6th inst. Both Mr Mack and the round dozen of capable supporters were most cordially applauded for their respective efforts, and in the case of the young Irish comedian himself, who played a careless, jovial part, and Miss Annie Berlein, very notable successes were achieved. The' next production of the company will he "Arrah-na-Pogue." Although Mr Mack is under contract to be in the United States again by October 23, Mr J. C. Williamson has so arranged his tour that short seasons in Wellington and! Auckland will at any rate be managed. Some time ago Mr Geo. Edwardes, perhaps the most successful exploiter of musical comedy in the world, stated that that class of piece was doomed, and that playgoers' taste, judging by the popularity of "Veronique," was turning again to light opera. He backed his opinion last month, in London by staging Andire Messager's latest effort "Le Petit Michou," afc Daly's Theatre, and was rewarded with a most flattering reception. So great was the impression it made, indeed, that Mr J. O. Williamson has already secured the Australasian rights, and it will be added to the repertoire of the Royal Comio Opera Company. It will be rememibered fchat^ Mr Williamson some little time ago acquired the rights of "Veronaque" also. "Le Petit Miehou" concerns the perplexities of a small tradesman, who, like Buttercup, in "Pinafore," mixed the babies up, and is called upon to decidie the embarrassing 1 question wliioh is his own infant and which the one oonfided to his care by a too cajrefiil marquis. The part was played, in

London by Mr Ambrose Manning-, who wa» a leading comedian in the late Wilson Barrett's company.

The rest of Miss Tittell Brune's present season at Melbourne Princess Theatre will be devoted to the revival of a series of very interesting standard roles. In quiok succession "Camille," "Sunday," "L'Aiglon," and ''Romeo and Juliet" will be produced, and; tihe season will culminate in a fortnight of "Th© Second Mrs Tanqueiay," with Miss Titteli Brune as Paula. An interesting feature of this last-named production will be the appearance as Oayley I>rummle of Mr Albert Gran, who played the part when the piece was originally produced in London. Mr Watkin Mills nas started on another round-the-world concert tour, and it is confidently anticipated that his companions in the tour will rise successfully to the high, expectations and requirements of the people of the colonies. Tihe soprano is Miss Edith Kirkwood, who is reputed to be thoroughly experienced in oratorio and ballad work ; Mr Harold White, a pupil of the wonderful Garcia, is the tenor; and Mias Gertrude Lonsdale, the oontralto, is a "Singer of high reputation. Throughout his tour Mr Mills will make a special feature of Mm. Liza Lehmann'e charming sooig-cycles "The daisy chain" and "In a Persian -garden." Mr Mills has mentioned that 107 concerts were arranged for in Australasia, and t>'ae company expect to sail for Sen Francisco on November 27 on a two months' tour of the States. On boaxd the boat the members of the company gave three concerts, and assisted in the church services. This was so appreciated by the ship's company that on the night preceding the arrival at Fremantle Mr Mil's and his associates were each presented with a handsome memento of the voyage as a token of the passengers' appreciation. Lord and Lady Plunket the other day motored, into a. country township (says the Ohristchuroh Press), and drew up at an estabHehment which used to be an hotel prior to tihe passing of reduction. The lady who came to the door was asked whether the building was an hotel, and after answering in the negative she inquired in all good faith if the party in the motor was thetheatrical troupe which wae expected to/ give a play that evening. Amid a good deal of merriment an explanation was made, and profus© apologies were offered. After a little friendly conversation the lady effected the sale of an educated parrot for a good round sum to the party, which conveyed its purchase away in thet car. Mrs Maesmore Morris, the- "beauty actress," interviewed in Wellington: "Directly I arrived in London," said Mrs Morris, "I won a beauty prize. I then played leading lady with the most prominent actors, inoludiner George Alexander, Sir Charles Wyndham, and 1 others. And it was while in London that I read of myself in different papers as the 'Australian Actress' and 'Australian Beauty.' I used to be so amused when I saw these headings, for I knew that had I been, a failure Australia would not have been so ready to claim me. However, Australia has much to be proud of; she hast produced some of the finest artists of the present day." In all J. C. Williamson's long list of successes in musical comedy, there have only been four that have shown a better record than "The Orchid." These four were "Florodora," "The Geisha," "The Country Girl," and "Paul Jones," and it i* doubtful whether some of them will not succumb to the new record-breaker before it has quite finished its course. Already it has played to excellent business for 22 weeks in Australia (10 in Melbourne and s 12 in Sydney), and Adelaide, Brisbane, and the West, to say nothing of New Zealand, still await it anxiously. The antipodean verdict in this instanoe at anyrate, says "Critic," sees eye to eye> with the London one. On March 23 last at the GaietyTheatre the same piece achie-ved its 500 th, performance, and even with that length of run behind it showed no signs of fading in public appreciation. Most of th© London papers commented favourably on the occasion. A sum in simple proportion is all that is necessary in order to show that the 150 or so performances in Australia are betterthan the 500 in liondon, when the vast difference in the population is taken into consideration.

Apologists for the Sydney theatre system of making an early-door charge, says a. Sydney paper, and keeping patrons waiting outside until some are wearied into stibmitting to that extra impost, now claim that if all seats were booked, there would be a heavy loss, for no one would book for sonn* of the. back .seat?, from which little can be seen or heard. Then why have such seats? Purchasers of theatre tickets are as entitled to -get. what they nay for as are buyers of any .particular brand of whisky. Not one in. a thousand buys a ticket to stand; or buys to sit where he can see nothing. When- the management takes a man's money ib really - contracts with him to give him view and hearing of the show. Unfortunately, he doesn't" understand hia rights as a rule, and that assists the growth of practices which are "eharp," if they are not dishonest. The theatrical managers seem to olaim that, without the early-door exaction, and without taking advantage of th& innocence of the public by selling tickets for standing, or for seats from whicn little or nothing can be seen, they would: not be able to make ends meet. Then the. remedy is obvious — an honest and aboveboard increase in the tariff for admission.