THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 59

THEATRICAL AND MU SIC AL NOTES.

By Pasqciji.

TUESDAY, August 7, 1906. A reproduction from a photograph of the late J. L. Tcole, the famous comedian, whose death was announced by cable last week, appears on one of the illustrated pages in this week's issue of the Witness.

By the last English mail news came to hand of the continued success of the talented young Dunedin actor Mr Reynolds Denniston. who was at latest playing at the Savoy with a company headed by the clever English actress Miss Lena Ashwell. Prices at the Savoy are : Stalls, 10s 6d ; balcony stalls, 7s 6d ; first circle, 5s and 4s ; pit, 2s 6d : gallery, Is.

Mr Sydney Cook, of Cook's Pictures, has entered into an arrangement with the Black Family of Musicians, whereby they will combine for a Sydney season, commencing in the Lyceum on October 6.

Fullers' Entertainers continue to cater liberally for public patronage at the Alhambra, and the "general" is not slow to appreciate the efforts of the company and management. Big business has been the portion during the past week. The departure of Madame Yeaman6-Titus left a vacancy not to be filled at a moment's notice: star artists are not to be had for the asking. Cook's Picture snow — one of the innumerable animated picture shows at present touring the colony — did splendid business in Invercargill during a short season in that town. The company is now playing the small towns en route to Christchurch, where a season commences on August 20. Mr Cook, the proprietor, passed through Dunedin last week for Christchurch for the purpose of securing an animated picture of the Grand National, to be run on Tuesday next. The success of Madame Yeamans-Titus at the Alhambra has been phenomenal, the popular theatre being crowded nightly during the clever artiste's tenancy. Madame Titus made her farewell appearance on Wednesday evening, and was given a heart y send-off.

"We were taught the Maori war cry by the famous All-Blacks," writes Mi&s Eileen and Doris Woods, the New Zealand twins, who have been appearing at the various London music halls in Maori action songfi. These young ladies appear to have scored a great success in England, particularly at Folkestone, where they were accorded a splendid reception. The Misses Woods forward picture post-cards of themselves in Maori costume.

An ex-Dunedin pressman — Louis H. Paul, to wit — i« now editor-in-chief of the Theatre, a bright little theatrical paper published in Sydney. Mr Paul hopes in the course of time to have the paper issued regularly as a weekly. The season of Dalso the Great, which commenced at the Princess Theatre on Saturday, July 28, and which was to have extended over the week, terminated after the second performance on Monday evening. So far as theatrical attractions are concerned, Dunedin is to be deserted for the next couple of months. Tho first company to cause U6 to rejoice by its presence will be Mr Anderson's "Tambour Major" Comic Opera Company, ■which is billed to commence a season in the Princess Theatre on September 26. In the meanwhile Fullers' Entertainers will keep bright the sacred lamp of vaudeville at the Alhambra.

William Knight, a coloured man, had an exciting time at' Bostock and Wombwell's Circus, in Prince Alfred Park, Sydney, on the morning- of July 3. Me was removing a baboon from its cage, which was to be painted, when the animal suddenly sprang on hie back. The keeper called loudly for help, which was soon forthcoming; but before the beast could be beaten off Knight had sustained severe wounds on his back. He was removed to the Sydney Hospital, where the doctor found it necessary to put in seven stitches. The baboon was severely thrashed for it« share in the fight, and several of its teeth were removed.

Mr G. B. Lewis, the doyen of the Australian stage, who died in the Alfred Hospital. Melbourne, on July 18, at the age of 87, had undergone an operation a few days previously. Mr Lewis was born in Clement* lane, London, on November 19, 1818, when George 111 ,waa King. His chief line of busings in early life was in connection with circus ventures, and as he was a very capable master. *f.ey turned out, as a rule, most fortunate. For some time in Australia, especially in Melbourne, he was in theatrical management, holding the Bijou Theatre for many years with a succession of good companies. Unfortunately, in the latter period of his life he was drawn into the land boom, and virtually lost the Bavings of a lifetime. In June of last year a benefit tvas tendered him at Her Majesty's Theatre, and the result was a record one for that description of entertainment, no less than £350 being netted on the occasion. Mr ' Lewis married Miss Rose Edouin, a most capable actress and elocutionist, by whom be had one son. Mrs Lewis is engaged in "The Squaw Man" Company, and was '

fulfilling her engagement, as usual, until a few days before her husband's death.

Confirmation of the news of Miss Carrie Moore's success in London comes from Mr J. N. Tail, the well-known manager. Mr Tait saw Miss Moore in her now famous interpretation of the "Sandow Girl," and states that she at last forced London to recognise her talent. Mr Tait had also the gratification of witnessing the success of Miss Alice Crawford, whose acting in "Shore Acres" has placed her among the first-class actresses of England. The John F. Sheridan Musical Comedy Company, which recently concluded its first week in "The Earl and the Girl" with great success at Brisbane, will open its Melbourne season with the same play at the Theatre Royal on September 22. The company will include over 90 artists. Coney Island, New York, described as "two miles of delirium," on the seashore, was recently plunged into wild excitement by a visit from Madame Sarah Bernhardt. On arrival, the actress was besieged by an army of touts for different shows, technically known as '"barkers." all of whom spoke French with the Bowery accent, which Madame Bernhardt did not understand. Her presence at " Luna park" was secured by a trick on the part of the manager. Tho rival show, "Dreamland," contrived to secure a promise of Madame's attendance, but as she drove along in the direction of the entrance, her carriage was surrounded by "Luna Park" vehicles, and was forced onwards to that "world-famed place of amusement. As Sara shot the chute and looped the loop, prices were raised to extortionate amounts for the privilege of sitting near her. and she drove away with the crowd singing in chorus, "What's the matter with Sara? She's all right." The New York pross attributed to Madame Bernhardt the announcement that at Coney Island she had had "the time of her life."

Mr James Bain, who toured New Zealand with the late lamented Chas. Godfrey, and subsequentfy went into management on his own account in Tasmania, threatens to develop into a big theatrical manager. Matters have prospered with him of late years, and he has now five companies under his management, employing upwards of 100 artists.

The tall American Mr E. J. Kilpatrick, who introduced Chefalo. of loopmg-the-death-trap fame, to Australia, and subsequently to New Zealand, was at latest in Java. He announces having booked Chefalo to appear at Brisbane early this month.

Apropos of the benefit; to Miss Ellen Terry recently, which realised £6000, some of the mo<»t notable benefits of recent times are the following:— Miss Lydia Thompson, £3000; Joe Grimaldi, £1700; Ina Compton, £5000; Miss Nellie Farren, £7000.

At the conclusion of the Repertoire Ooera Company's season in Wellington. Mr Henry tiracy, on behalf of Mr J. C. Williamson; thanked the public of Wellington and of New Zealand for the support that had been given them during the tour. In his opinion, the company deserved that support, for he could say in perfect freedom that it was the most hard-working company it had ever been his pleasure to manage. At the close of his remarks the whole of the company sanp "Auld lang syne.' in whioh the audience heartily joined. There was a groat crowd on the wharf to see the company off to Sydney, and as the Moeraki moved away across the quiet waters of the harbour the compan/ struck up a good-bye chorus.

Madame Amy Sherwin : " I have some methods of my own which may be unorthodox, but I have eenerally found effective. For instance. I use a concertina in sriving a lesson to show a correct system of breathing. No, I don't play it, but when I draw it put to its full extent, and then cl<-'e it up, I have given my pupil an ocular demonstrtion of the way in which the lungs should be inflated and relaxed, which 'm one of the first things to^ learn how to do properly. It sounds simple, does it not? You think you do it every day? I am sure you do not, and I am sure not one in a thousand does. And I am also fetire that if everyone were to practise that simple exercise daily on my concertinaprinciple the world would rejoice in a bigger percentage of strong, healthy lungs."

The " Squaw Man" Company hae already given every proof that it is composed "of sterling players from the greatest to the least of the characters, and around many of the actors and actresses some interesting facts are grouped. Mr J. C. Williamson's new leading lady, for example, can look back upon a very complete repertoire acquired during the comparatively few year*, she has been on the stage. Mies Humphrey has appeared in no less than 200 parts, many of them requiring an actress of decided emotional ability for their interpretation. Another popular member of the cast is Mr Rapley Holmce, who plays the graceless scamp- ot a good-natured cowboy, 'Big Bill. If heredity and environment go for anything, the last profession to which Mr Holmes should gravitate would bo the actor's. For his father is a Methodist clergyman of high standing in Canada, and among his uncles, and other relations he counts no kss thdn eight ministers of the gospt'l. His parents regard his calling with little approval, and will never go to sco him act ; but Mr Holmes is an enthusiast who believes in the stage as a moral force, and to all objections he returns the answer that he too has been ordained to a, high profession. Possibly the best-managed theatre or hall in the world is in New Zealand. " I played there with a vaudeville thow once," remarked Evelyn Scott, of the Royal Comics, to a Gadfly writer. " Not one of our items called forth any applause whatever. After the show our manager said, in a great fury, ' Well, we don't' play here to-morrow night ; the public won't stand us. We teom to have made a rotten impree«ion.' So we decided to pack up and move oa to the next show town. As we were strapping up our boxes the manager of the hall came up. 'What are you doing?' he exclaimed. 'We're going to clear out,' ans\yered our manager. ' It's no good staying here — the public won"t stand us. They didn't give us much encouragement last night.' ' They enjoyed the show very much,' said the Ics6ee of the hall. ' But they didn't clap, stamp, or applaud in auy way,' argued our chief. ' Stamp or clap,' ;»olled tho other. 'I should think not. Let me catch aßy of 'em stamping, clapping, or making & noise in my theatre, that's all !' "

From Mr Arthur Mabee, of His Majesty's Theatre. Auckland, comes to hand a poster of "The Lady Typist," a musical comedy which is to be produced in Auckland on August 13. 'Mr Fred Graham, the wellknown comedian, will clay the pxiacinal

corned}- part in addition to stage-managing the production. There is no doubt about the success of " The Squaw Man" in Australia now, and each performance strengthens its hold upon the play-going t/üblict /üblic to such un ertent that the whole five weeks to which the first

Melbourne season of Mr J. C. Williamson's new drainatio company is limited seems likely to be occupied with that piece alone. I^ery evening, sees the great auditorium of Her Majesty's Theatre thronged with a most appreciative audience, who evince the keenest, nterest in the story so admirably told by Mr Charles Waldron, Miss Ola Jane Humphrey, and the othei members of the company, and unfailingly demand numerous "curtains" at the end ot each of the four acts. Though in all probability neither of them will be wanted for the present season the company has already added "The Virginian" and "Tho Christian" to its repertoire for tho tour which commences in August 11 As regards the latter play, its completely adequate representation is assured, for both Mr Charles Waldron and Muss Humphrey have "starred" in the two principl parts — John Storm and Glory Quayle lespectively, — and their several interpretations have been unanimously approved by those who have had an opportunity of judging. \t tho conclusion of f hc present Sydney season Mi.«S Tit tell Brune embarks for New Zealand, opening her tour at Wellington on September 5. For that tour Miss Bruno will have an especially strong repertoire, including as it does four such powerful attractions as " Dorothy Vernon," " Leah Kleschna," "Merely Mary Ann," and "La Tosca, " without reckoning upon the older favourites.

The piace of the Tittell Brune Company at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, will be taken by the Gilbert and Sullivan Company, who go there on September 2 after their Brisbane visit. After three weeks in Sydney Mr J. C. Williamson is sending the combination direct to West Australia, where they will begin a tour on October 1. Something •" extra special " in the way of gorgcousne6 is promised by Mr J. C. Williamson for his pantomime at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, this Christmas. Mr Coleman has already commenced on the elaborate scenery necessary for the production, ami the staff mechanician is busi.y at workevolving schemes for the best method of reproducing a series of startling electrical effects, which are to be one of the chief features of the piece. Last month Pinero's great play " His House in Order," which Mr J. C. Williamson has secured for Australasia, passed its one hundred and fiftieth performance in London, and Mr George Alexander had already organised two companies who are to tour the English provinces simultaneously. The late Sims Reeves was fond of telling a story that related to an early engagement in Glasgow which was arranged through a metropolitan agency. One of the items on the programme was "Hail, smiling morn," and, of course, Mr Reeves was put down for the solo portion. The chorus consists of an echo, and the London agent asured the soloist that a satisfactory choir had been engaged. The whole matter was settled hurriedly. Mr Reeves was at first disinclined to accept, as other engagements prevented him from reaching Glasgow in time for a rehearsal with the choir. "Don't worry about that, my dear 6ir,' eaid the agent. 'You will find the choir perfect." The concert was a success, and in due course "Hail, smiling morn" was called for. When the soloist came to the lines requiring an echo ho delivered them in his best manner — "At whose bright presence darkness flies away." Imagine lm horror when the echo repealed his words m the broadest Scotch :-" Flees awa' ; flees awa' 1" Yet Sims Reeves averred that not a person in the audience smiled or appeared to see anything incongruous. W Ren h« talked over the matter with a baillie after the concert, the good man assured him : — 'That's nothing at all. You were a little wrong in your pronunciation and the echo was correct. You see, it was a Scottish echo."

According to Mdlle. Yvette Guilbert in a London paper, the actress of to-morrow will be a lady of learning with the classics at her finger-tips. To accomplish this extraordinary result, the good lady proposes that from the age- of 18 to the age of 24 those intending to adopt the stage a« a career should have "a course of serious preparatory study in a literary college and a school of acting." At the end of that period the actress of to-morrow will be ready to tackle any part that may be given to her, and to come off with flying colours. Commenting upon these remarks, the Pelican observes : — "Having achieved success and a large 6alary — for one is of not tho smallest use without the other — her education will presumably be completed by learning how to drive a motor car, to wear seven bracelets at once, to sup late every night of her life without impairing her complexion, to pose nicely to photographors, to assume the airs and manners^bf a duchess on public occasions, to preside with grace at a charity bazaar still, to get pV;ture postoards of herself in all the shop windows, and finally to marry a lord. Having done that there will be only one really useful piece of information for the actress of to-morrow to acquire, and that will be how to give a farewell, a final farewoll, and a last farewell matinee without exciting tho suspicions of the public."