THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 59

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

I Bt PASomy.

TUESDAY, August 14, 1906. The Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society has engaged Mr Tom Pollard to come to Dunedin prior to the society's production of Dorothy" to give the members a thorough coaching before the opening performance. The gamin of the 'neighbourhood will rojoice greatly at the news that Wirth's Circus, with all that pertains thereto, will pay us another visit shortly. Mr George . Wirth, writing from Toowoomba, says : '*We wil] be over your way shortly with the largest concern in the way of a circus that has ever visited New Zealand. The show is now so large that we anticipate some difficulty in getting one boat to carry us across to New Zealand, but we will bring the full show, or none, even if wehave to travel in instalments." There wiH be a dearth of shows, dramatic or operatic, in Dunedin for the next' month or so. Why managers so studiously avoid the months of August and September in Dunedin is beyond comprehension. The Invercargill Amateurs are putting on "Les Cloches de Corneville" in November next, and have hired scenery and properties of the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society. Those olever patter comedians Will tnd Charles Bovis, who are appearing with 1 Fullers' Entertainers at Dunedin Alhambra, terminate their engagement with the firm in the course of a couple of weeks. The brothers return to Sydney at the expiration' of their contract, and -will spend a short holiday in the New South Wales capital. I regret to chronicle that the wife ot Mr Will Bovis, who was Miss Flo. Darlev, of George Stephenson's late company, ard more recently of the Royal Comics, is in indifferent health. Mr J. A. Miller, probably the same who toured New Zealand with Aboroah the Giantess some year or two ago, has tocently returned to Melbourne from a trip to Noumea with a variety company. lie reports the country to be a very expensive one to work, and the methods strange to an Australian showman. Albert Whelan, the clever impersonator and mimic whom George Stephenson introduced into show business in England, is doing well in the Old Country. Whelan is booked up for a year ahead. Austin Rudd, the comedian vocalist, who was a big-salaried artist in New Zealand in the days of the vaudeville boom, was appearing at the Empire, Newport, at latest. Miss Lillian Digger, the dainty l'ttle artiste round here with Williamson's "Runaway Girl" Company, was at latest taking part in "The Belle of Mayfair" at the vaudeville Theatre, London. Besides the many special engagements made and projected by Mr J. C. Wiiliimeon for his pantomime at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, next Christmas, it is his intention also to utilise the services of the chorus and some of the principal- of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company iv ordor lo still further strengthen the combination which will undertake the production. The touring of that company will therefore be suspended for the period of the pantomime season, but will be- taken up again inincdiately afterwards. Mr John Beau champ, the experienced actor whom Mr J. J. Williamson engaged for "old man" parts with the Tittell Brune Company, is proving a most valuable *dtlition to it, and his presence in the oast of the various playe has ln»d the effict ot materially strengthening the productions, and of still further improving the general balance of the interpretation. Reports speak of his excellent manipulation of tlio characters of Pater in "Merely Mary Ann, 1 ' the General in "Leah Kleschna," and Tom Oxley in "Sunday." Certainly, from all accounts, he may bo considered — as was indeed anticipated — a, very decided acquisition to the Australian stage. Messrs C. and J. Maomahon are at present in Australia busily engaged in organising a strong dramatic company for their forthcoming New- Zealand tour, which will commence at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, on September 8, and continuing thence to all the southern towns and centres, taking in the show dates at Palmerston North, Napier, Hastings, etc., Christchurch at Exhibition time, and the west coast of the South Island at Christmas. A number ot strong dramatic novelties quite new to New Zealand have been secured, and a special engagement has been entered into for the first appearance in this colony of the eminent Irish-American actor, Mr Charles E. Verner, who will appear in a series of new and popular Irish dramas. In the course of his important tour come of the sterling favourites of the Macmahon Dramatic. Company will re appear, reinforced by several new and highly capable artistes. Mr George Buller, representative of the Leslie-Harris tour in New Zealand, advices that the clever London society entertainer will play a return season of two nights in Dunedin, commencing on Ootober 2. The following tour has been arranced : Chm£church, 13 to 18 ; Auckland, 25 to 31 ; .Koroma, September 1 to 3; Paeroa, 4; Waihi,

5 and 6 ; Hamilton, 7 ; New Plymouth, 10 ; Hawera, 11.; Wanganui, 12 and 13 ; Feilding, 11 ; Dannevirke, 15 ; Napier, 17 /nd 18; Hastings, 19 and 20; Wellington, 22 to 29 ; Oamaru, October 1 ; Dunedin, 2 and 3 ; Gore, 4 ; Invercargill, 5 and 6. Sail on Bth for JMelbourne. Dear Pasquin, — Just a line to inform you we intend next month making our usual tour of Maoriland, and I expect to arrive in Dunedii* in a fortnight's time- to arrange the preliminaries. We are bringing a new company of seven star artists, including, of course, Mr and Mrs Steele. Miss Lorraine Tansley, who hails from Dannevirke, New Zealand, is our leading contralto, and has won golden opinions throughout Australia. Mr James Williams has again rejoined our company, his voice being better than ever. About our new artistes I shall write at length in my next. Our entertainment was simply a revelation through Queenslinvt, New South Wales, and Victoria, where we have not travelled for 10 years.— Yours sincerely R. T. Tbegaski, Steele-Payne Family. Ballarat, July 31. . The Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society is rehearsing vigorously in connection j with the production of "Erminie." Mr Tom Pollard, who is well-known iv connee:>on with theatrical matters in Mew Zealani. , and is at present under engagement to the New Zealand International -Exhibition, is the stage manager, and under his training the various performers are reaching a fti£H St^fhe O Corrick n Family of Musicians, well known throughout New Zealand, are at present touring South Australia, and having crowded house Probably no company in Australia can . boast , of the versatility of talent and musical ability possessed by the Corricks. During * recent season in BallaVat (the musical centre « Australia) tnc Ballarat Courier said:- Since their previous appearance here the Corricks We developed into even better musicians. Three years ago the family consisted largely of young folks of undoubted musical talent. Now they have to us aK-e to more than hold their own with any musical organisation touring the Commonwealth. All the accessories are in keeping with the excellence of the programmes. The company carries an eight horee-power motor engine and dynamo tor stage lighting, projecting their moving Pictures, and outside ilhimmatione, ™th the necessary switchboards etc. This electrical outfit was imported direct from Papa by Mr Albert Oorriok, i&d is the adnuwtaon of all experts a-nd the envy of all picture companies. The Corricks proceed to Western Australia at tho of their Soi'th Austrahan tour. Two more plays have just been secured by Mr J C. Williamson for Australasia. One of these, entitled "Human Hearts, m of the melodramatic order, and has been a reigning success in that class of piece for some time, both in England and America. The other is "When Knighthood was in Flower," an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Charles Major, who is already favourably known to, Australasia .as the author of "Dorothy Vernon of Haddcm Hall The play is a romantic costume comedy-drama of a similar type to Dorothy Vernon." and in all probability will bo eventually added to the repertoire of Mies Tittoll Brune. Miss Apnie Mayor, one of the most popular of Australian actresses a few years ago, who will be remembered as haying appeared as KclHc Denver in the original production of "The Silver King, . is on her way from South Africa, and intends presenting her entertainment, '.'Drama in Camera," throughout Australia. Since leaving Australia Miss Mayor has toured successfully the United States and Canada, thence England and South Africa. Her entertainment is original in character Various scenes are given with rapid changes of costume and make-up. Nearly 100 are presented, ranging from historical characters to modern impersonations. Ihe second part of the programme is devoted to a portrayal of s Wives, which has reference strictly to the great dramatist's plays, and has no bearing on I'is private life. Juggler Cinquevalli speaks five languages well ; says that some tricks— for instance, hi- great billiard ball feats— took him many years to perfect; that the simplest juggling acts cause the greatest applause; that it is very disappointing to invent and ( perfect a really great feat to find it go without a hand" The cause of histakiug to iuggjing for a living was an accident. As a child !.e was an aerial performer, known as the "The Little Flying Devil. One night he fell some 70ft from the trapeze bar and as a. result lay in 4he hospital tor months. To amuse himself he juggled with all manners of available articks while on, hi<s back, and became so proficient that he took to it for a living. Miss Gracie Whitefortl, well known in Australia and -New Zealand, to a London interviewer: "Yes, I have been to Australia-, New Zealand, China, and America twice, and apart from the discomfort of unpalatable journeys, like it. The audiences are so lovely to English performers, and, of course there is much to be seen; but what spoils my pleasure is the ground vermin. Like many another -woman, though I would face a regiment of toldiers, ( I fear mice, and when I tell you that in , the<« hot countries, with insufficient sanitary , arrangements, rats march pa«t you in , droves, somewhat Jiko a stampede of . maddened cattle in the Au&trahan bush, ; and in wvo more like puppies, I need not tell you my nerves wet* often cou- , siderably tried. At Parkos New South Wales, during a ■ performance given by Dan Barry's com- j pany, the gas used for producing a bioscope j display exploded, setting the Royal Hall j on fire The cinematograph machine had been placed on a temporary stand at the rear of the hall, and the films showing the disaster wrought by the San Francisco earthquake were given, concluding with a stage explosion. A humorous series, "Much I Ado About Nothing," was being shown, j when a second explosion — not intended in j ■ the prearranged programme — occurred. The noise it caused was about equal to that occasioned! by ihe discharge of a 6mall cannon. The hall was packed in every part, between 300 and 400 persons being inside the building. For a few seconds the audience did not appear to realise what had happened, and apparently regarded tho report as a part of the performance. It was not long, however, before the J spectator* realised that the building was ablaze near the ,«-tage, and a rush wa6 made j for tho exits. A few people were knocked , down and trampled upon in the stampede, come ladies fainting, but, fortunately, no- J thing vory serious happened in the way of personal injury. Meanwhile- the gas and films blazed up fiercely until a bucket of

water which was dashed on the seat of the lire reduced the flames, and the work of subduing the blaze was soon completed. The back doors had the paint blistered, the architraves were burned nearly through, and the pine ceiling took fire. The loss to the company is estimated at £150, and it is not covered: by insurance. Probably £10 worth of damage was done to the hall. Interviewed in London, Mr Haxry Rickards wa3 asked if he could* offer long contracts to English artists. He replied : "No; don't let anyone be misled on that point. At one time I used to be in a, position to offer artists engagements lusting for 2* weeks. Now I cannot give them more than 12 or 14-, and 16 weeks j» an outside limit. You see, tlie Australian publio demand frequent changes. Not so many years c.go 1 coilid run a star performer for three months each in my Melbourne and Sydney theatres ; now the drawing powers come to an «nd in four weeks in any one town. At tho same time, even under this new order, our variety establishments are more patronised than ever. lam open to make a great number of engagements a good way ahead. I haven't many vacancies for this year and next, but I am prepared to negotiate more fully for 1908." Mr Ben fuller, general manager for the Messrs Fuller and Sons, leaves Wellington about the middle of September for Australia in search of new attractions for the circuit.

Mr Lex M'Lean, the Scottish athlete and Sandow exponent, opens for a short season at the Alhambra on Saturday evening ; also Les Wharton (coon impersonator), Miss Pearl Lovell (serio). and others.

A Wellington correspondent writes: " Leslie-Harris, the society entertainer, has been drawing crowded houses. He was an intimate friend of the late Mel. B. Spurr, and composed many of the musical monologues "and clever eongs introduced by that gentleman. Mr Harris attracted the same audiences night after night. One seldom hears such original stories as his, and his method of telling them is inimitable. Mr Harris is a very clever musician, has a good baritone voice, and is a wonderful mimic, and his whole entertainment is most refined, delightful, and something not to be missed." Mr Harry Rickards, now in London in search of talent for his various vaudeville companies in Australia, confessed to a London interviewer that .business last Easter was absolutely unprecedented. In four weeks the Australian Vaudeville King said h* took more money than he had ever taken before in a similar period.

The sensation at Sydney at Sydney Tivo:i is the act of one Brinn. This remarkabUs man, after an exhibition of wonderful muscular development, explains that for over two years he has been engaged in th's latest feat. Then the attendants hoist a machine gun, to which is attached a -nr-all platform whereon is seated a bluejacket. The weight is announced as 4001b. This little trifle Brinn balances on his forehead and ohm, and while the audience holds its breath in fear as to what might happen should the slightest miscalculation in judgment occur, the bluejacket gets to work and 20 shots ring out in quick succession. is a most sensational turn, and is attract'riff a great crdwd of spectators nightly.

The part which Mr Julius Knight is to play iirthe coming Shakespearian season at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, is that < I King of Bohemia, Polixenes, in "The Winter's Tale." Mr Knight has been engaged for this production by Mr Beerbohm Tree. The occasion will be particularly eventful by reason of the presence of Miss Ellen Terry in the cast. "The Winter's Tale' 1 will not be produced until October, and meanwhile Mr Tree will tour the provinces next month, visiting Blackpool, Newcastle. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, Manchester. Liverpool, and Birmingham, where he will finish in Ootober.

Mr Wilie Edouin, released from his theatrical engagements, contemplates an early appearance at tho music-halls in a monologue. This is another indication of the importance which "the halls" have acquired in the eyes of the profession of lab: years, for since Mr Edouin, after his experienced in Australia and as a member of Miss Lydia Thompson's stock company in America, appeared in London under the management of that well-known actress in 1872, he has devoted himself to dramatio and musical comedy. He has played in London General dcs Ifs in "The Little Michus," Hoggenheimer in "The Girl From Kay's," Tweedlepunch in "Floradora," and other characters made familiar to us at this side of the world by Mr George Lauri.

Miss Beatrice Izett, formerly of Sydney, and now a resident of Los Angeles, writes in a letter to a Sydney friend some interesting impressions of a trip she took to Venice, near Los Angeles, that sho might see Madame Sara Bernhardt, who played there during her recent American tour:--"We were walking slowly- along the pier, when there, sure enough, was 'the divine Sara.' loudly dressed, heavily painted, powdered,- and perfumed ; her hair, in colour a bright gold; her hat, large and wide-brimmed, surmounted ■with three terrific red ostrich feathers ; while a long sil'c coat, trailing on the ground, completed th j picture. After seeing her in ' Camille ' m the evening, I felt quite ashamed of my cool criticism of her street appear* nce ' In ' Camille ' she loked not a day over 28. Her voice is silvery; her laughter rang liquid clear as a bell. She has a voice that not only speaks, but thinks. In the death scene, when Armand comes in behind her. and the nurse gradually prepares her for his presence, she turns, flinging her arms about like an excited, overwrought child; her cries are thin, broken, voiceless, and uncontrollable — it is as a child that she flics into his arms. It is no use; — my pen cannot paint h«r; her art is so subtle, so clear, so exquisitely delicate in finish." France is at present in ecstacies over the visit of Sisowath the First. King of Cambodia, who is accompanied by one sister. 20 *rhe3, and a ballet of 69 sacred dancing girls. The King landed at Marseilles, sent the local nopulation into a state of hysterical enthusiasm, and proceeded to Paris which was anxiously waiting, sir weeki back, the first performance of the sacred ballet. His Majesty is recording his impressions of the tour in a diary to be published in book form subsequently. Interviews wUh Sisowath's Lord Chamberlain, which indicate that things are rather bad with France, according to Cambodian ideas contain the following passages:— ''The French people talk a great deal, all talk together, and women interrupt their husbands without fear of punishment. But most people are rude in France, and the rudest ai*e the men who make pictures. Many of these persons have net IX&a TS.-

frained from threatening the sacred dancers of the King with the machines they carry in boxes. Everybody wears far too many, clothes, and they are worn all day long. Men and women meet together in large companies, and quite without shame. They pray little or not at all, but their temples are magnificent, and built of fine- stone.'' A decision of importance, to theatrical managers was given at the Salford (Eng.) County Court recently, when Jessie Bradburn and his wife, of that town, aued the Regent Theatre and Assembly Rooms (Ltd.) for £75 damage^ for personal injuries sustained by the female plaintiff. The latter said that she vent to the afternoon performance at the Regent Theatre on December 5. When she entered the gallery she was told to go to the other side, where there was sitting room. The lights nacl been turned down, the performance being 1 in progress, and in the darkness she feft down four steps, with the result that her ankle was broken. She said there was no light at all near the place. It was stated on behalf of th© defendants that there was ample lighting from two windows, and ifc was urged that no negligence on the part of the defendants had been proved. People entering a- place which must, at times, be in darkness ought, if the lights were down, to wait until they were turned up, he said. Judge Parry said ho thought the mishap was due to Mrs Bradbnrn's carelessness. It geemed to him she ought to have waited for the lights being turned up. If she moved about in the darkness she did so at her own risk. His Honor accordingly found for the defendants, who made no ap* plication for costfi.

The " human ostrich," Robert Naysmith, who for years amazed crowds of people at fairs and fetes held at different places in England 1 by swallowing nails, hatpins, and stones, and eating glass, has paid the penalty of his extraordinary diet. He died in the Islington Workhouse Infirmary on June 23. It was stated at the inquest that Naysmith, who was 34 years old, was a. member of a highly respectable Scotch family, his relatives living at Montrose. He lost touch with them some years ago, and earned a livelihood by exhibiting himself as a. " human ostrich." He chewed glass, swallowed needles, hatpins, hairpins, and nails; but the inevitable result followed. He became ill, 'and had to give vi» his "profession." Afterwards he earned » few pence a day by selling boot laces,- but he became worse, at last he had to seek admission to the parish infirmary, which he entered last April. He informed the doctors that he had been swallowing nails and hatpins, but they did not believe him at first. Shortly after his admission he told one of the nurses that he had been swallowing nails, and asked for a knife to> relieve himself of them. This was reported to th© doctors, who thought that the man was mad, and ordered that a watch should be kept on him. A few weeks ago an abscess formed on his body, and when itwas opened a brass-headed nail was found in it. The doctors then questioned him closely, and* discovered that the etory was true, end that he had been made the subject of several magazine articles, describing him as a "human ostrich." Ifc was decided.- however, that he was too weak to stand an operation, and ho gradually eank and died. A post-mortem examination was made, and more than 30 nails and hatpins were found in the body. Some> of them were in the liver, some of them in the kidneys, but the larger number wer© in the intestines. The actual ;ause of his d«ath was gastritis end peritonitis. The jury returned * verdict of " Death by misadventure."