THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2782, 10 July 1907, Page 68

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

3s I'aswzx.

TUESDAY, July 9, 1907.

Matters are still very quiet theatrically, shows dramatic and operatic having deeerted us for the time being. The truly musical section, however, are in for a genuine treat this month with the advent of Miss Marie Hall, the gifted violinist, and Madame Carreno, the famous pianist. Following these artists hot foot comes the Jessie Maclachlan Concert Party, which is due next Mr W. J. Lincoln, representing Ed-win Geaeb's "Human Hearts" Company, has arrived in Dunedin to make the preliminary arrangements for the appearance of the company in the Princess Theatre on the 18th insk Mr Ernest Leicester, .the eminent heroic actor from the principal English theatres, will play the lead. His, career has been one succession of important engagements associated with the most notabte managements of the day. Five years with the late George Conquest at the Surrey Theatre (he created all the leads in ' Arthur ' Shirley's ' renowned dramatic successes) ; for two years at the Princess Theatre, London, in the original production of "The Two Little Vagabonds." On the death of William Terriss he succeeded this eminent actor at the Adelphi Theatre, and later performed with innumerable stars, notably Mr George Alexander and Miss Olga Nethersole. Mr Leicester is some 6ft 2in in Wight, and in the world of sport is known, having played leading forward for the Blackheath Rugby Football Club. Other engagements of importance include Mr G. R. Montford, said to be one of the best-dressed and handsomest villains on the English stage today. Miss Valentine Sidney is described as young, talented, and beautiful, with an excellent English reputation. The drama is produced by arrangements with Mr J. C. Williamson. The New Zealand tour, which terminates shortly, has been of an exceptional nature. The company open their Australian season on August 17 at the Princess ' Theatre, Melbourne. The manager of Cook's Pictures advises that the No. 1 Company (five are touring the Commonwealth) sails for an extended tour of New Zealand by the Miowera. The show is equipped with the latest biograph machinery, and a complete stock of new pictures. Mr H. L. Clark, a wellknown representative, comes in advance of the company. Prior to his departure from Wellington for Melbourne by the Monowai, Mr Ward Lyons, fhe well-known aotor, who for the past five years has been a member of the Taylor-Carrington Company in New Zealand, drops a line of thanks and best wishes.

From Oamaru comes information that the new municipal theatre in that city, which is at present in course of erection, will be opened in September next with an amateur production. Miss Maud Hildyard, the English aotrees who will tour Australia and -New Zealand under the joint management of Messrs Meynell and Gunn and Allan Hamilton, arrived at Perth from London by the Orontes, and will make her Australian debut at he Theatre Royal, Sydney, on Saturday, July 20. Mr J. C. Norman, a well-known Australian journalist and musician, and formerly of this city, is representing Herr Benno Scherek in advance in the management of the Carreno concert tour. Mr Norman -was a 'passenger by the steamer Warrimoo, which arrived last week from Melbourne. The season of the great pianist in Dunedin will commence On the 17th inst. Reported that Mr Alfred Lawton, who has been touring the colony with theatrical companies since 1886, and 'who was a member of the "Human Hearts" Company, is lying seriously ill in the Wellington Hospital? An item for the ladies concerning Mite Amy Murphy. Exauisite Eastern costumes are worn by Miss Amy Murphy ac Chandra-Nil in "The Blue Moon." Two of them are in. the most perfect shades of blue satin, the first, having a coat, pierced with sapphires, while the draperies that swathe the lower part of the figure ere embroidered with pink roses and gold, the metallic design edged with tiny fringes. Crepe de chine, with silver and blue pearls in profusion, forms another costume, and on her head is a quaint sunlike head-drefs of diamonds and pearls, the raye of -which stand out well over the ears. A good contrast to all the blue is the white satin bridal attire, exquisitely worked with gold and pearls, the h«addtess of flowers and jewels, supporting a veil of tulle, sparkling with CTyetal and fiU-HUfe

The musical director of Pollard's re-cently-formed Juvenile Opera Company is Mr E. C. Mowle, who as conductor of the Public Service Musical Society of Sydney has had some experience. Mr Mowle has excellent credentials for the position, and it is a tribute to his ability that he should have been recommended as musical director by the Professional Musicians' Association.

Coming" to ■ the performers (says "Prompter," in an inferesting description of Pollard's recently-formed Juvenile Opera Company), the promoters of the new company have been fprtunate in securing several clever young people from Mr C. Pollard's juvenile operatic combination, which was in Sydney recently, and in obtaining others from the principal Australian cities, where they have had considerable stage experience :_ indeed, all the members of ""the Lilliputian Company have beeD specially trained for the class of work which they will engage in under Mr Tom Pollard. Miss Lily Thompson, late of Mr C. Pollard's Juvenile Company, is the leading artiste. She is described as a particularly handsome and attractive girl. Miss Lily is something after the style of Miss Maud Beatty, though not so tall, and she will, like the erstwhile Pollardian favourite, play "boy" parts. Her support will be Miss Minnie Topping (also of Mr C. Pollard's company), "a slight, pretty girl of prepossessing appearance, who wi!. take the leading "girl" parts. Both these young ladies are the possessors of good voices. Miss Msy Topping (a sister of Miss Minnie) i* a soubrette, and is said to -be a second May Beattv in many ways. If this is correct Mr Pollard has struck 011. Mias Ivy Aldous, who is but 10 years of age, is said to be one of the cleverest children in Australia in the variety line. She has just finished an engagement with the -'Mother Goose" Pantomime Company, in which her work was praised highly. Miss Ivy Aldous has a good voice, is an accomplished yodeler. and is a clever all-round dancer. Miss Alma Aldous is a younger sister of Miss Ivy. She is eight years of age only— the youngest member of the company, — and does similar turns to her sister, and th" two will be associated in double numbers. Leslie and Vera Drummond are specialty artists, and Leslie is one of the comedians of the company— probable a future Percy Bertie Nicholson is a clever comedian and dancer, who has had a lot of experience on the stage for one so young. Miss Inez Hamilton is a charming young lady with a contralto voice of quality, who wi'i heard in serious ballads. Miss Ada Lacey ia a similar style of vocalist to Miss i Hamilton, but she has the terpsichorean I faculty strongly develowd, and was a member of the "Mother Goose" Company. No pantomime is complete without a. 1 ballet, and here again Mr Pollard is lucky, | for he has secured some of the cleverest juvenile ballarines in the Commonwealth. Their names are Dora, and Haide Rogers (twin sisters, by the way, Dora being exceptionally gifted as a ballanne), Dolly ' Lacey, Millie Cruickshank, Bessie Foy, Carnee Sleeman, Kitty Burke, Beatrice Cheal, ! Rena Firth, Alice Little, Edith Boulter, and Ruby Cooper. Mrs Aldous (mother of the Misses Aldous) and Mrs Mowle are acting as matrons. The scenery is being painted by Mr L. WiK ' liams, the well-known scenic artist, and the costumes are being designed and made iin Christchurch. An orchestra is being i formed, several members of which will be retained permanently, and the Jirst performance of the company will be given at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, on August 12, the season extending over 12 nights. The company, will then give performances at Ashburton, Timaru, Dunedin, InWcargill, and Gore, and a, complete tour of • the North Island will follow. Mr Tom Pollard will # be the sole producer of the works of the comoination, Mr W. A. Low \is the business manager, . and Mr E. Schatz, I under tand. will take an active ['part in the productions. 1 Miss Nellie sivewart left Adelaide by the German liner Kieist for Europe. She has accepted a starring engagement under Messrs Klaw and Erlanger, the well-known American entrepreneurs, beginning in September. Miss Stewart will visit her little daughter, who is at school at Lausanne, before crossing the Atlantic. On her arrival in New York the distinguished artist will begin to prepare a repertoire of 10 pieces for a long tour. Some of these Miss Stewart has long studied. She will play Rosalind, Juliet", Portia, and Beatrice, among other Shakespearian characters. The seating accommodation of the leading theatres and halls of M-elbourne and Sydney is as follows : — Melbourne — Her Majesty's Theatre, seating 2600; Princess's Theatre, 2100 ; Theatre Royal, 1900 ; Opera House, 1600; Biiou Theatre (closed for a long period), 1500; Gaiety, 1500; Town Hall, 2300; 'Temperance Hall, 1200; Athenaeum Hall, 900;— to t al, 15,600. Sydney—Her Majesty's THeatre, 2000; Theatre Royal, 1900: Lyceum. 1900; Criterion, 1700: Palace, 1300; Tivoli, 1200; National i Amphitheatre, 2200; Oxford Theatre, 700; Town Halt. 3300; Centenary Hall. 1500; V.M.C.A. Hall, 700 ; Queen's Hall, 700 ; St. James's Hall, 500; Victoria Hall, 700; — total, 20,300. The funeral book place in England recently of Mr Adney Payne, the well-known musio hall manager, who died as the result of injuries sustained in a motor car accident. The circumstances surrounding the accident were very pathetic, for Mrs Adney Payne was driving the car at the time. In trying to avoid a cyclist she ran the car on to a bank. The vehicle overturned, and Mr Payne, who was thrown out, was injured about the head. Mr Adney Payne commenced life as ' a, private in the 2nd Dragoon Guards. Hie first connection with a music hall, after leaving the army, was as manager of the bars of a provincial hou«e. Later he- became associated with many halls. Everything he touched prospered. "The public," he said, "want to be amused, and I am giving them the entertainment they want." It was on these principles that he built up a fortune, and became the monarch of the music hall world. His first deal was the buying of London Tivoli. working up the entertainment, and re-selling it to a company at a profit of £60,000, of which Mr Payne netted half. While preparing a s-pnsational stage appearance at Paris in what wa-9 to be called "the wild beaets' boudoir," Mmo. ifet-elli had a narrow psrape from death in a. lion's cape. Mme. Merelli's part was to lie on a divan with a lioness crouched on each side of her. Th© rehearsal of the scone had parsed off successfully spveral times, but at the laju turn one of rhe lionesses lost her temper and clawed lime. Merelli

fiercely on the left thigh.. The fury of the.' lioness was such that but for the prompt intervention of March, the lion tamer, she would probably have torn the unfortunate woman to pieces. Mm«. Merelli was in agony with pain, and after her injuries were attended to by a doctor she was taken to her home. Professor Brander Matthews, the spelling reform advocate, was ridiculing at Columbia College high-sounding names for commonplace things — tonsorial parlour for barber shop, funeral director for undertaker, and so on. "Two scrubwomen were talking the other day," he said. " 'What's your son Billy doin' now, Mrs Smith?' asked the first. 'He's on the stage,' the other answered. 'Driving a stage, do you mean?' 'Drivin' a stage? Nonsense ! Willie is an actor. He's a light comedian.' 'A light comedian? What part does he play?' 'He plays a silent part behind a black curtain, with his mouth to a hole forninst a candle, and when Alkali Ike shoots at the candle Willie blows it out.' " Miss Marie Hal), the- famous 'violinist, can only give 14- concerts in New Zealand in consequence of her engagements in America and Canada necessitating her departure from. Sydney on August 5 by the Vancouver mail. Miss Hall appears «t His Majesty's Theatre, Dunedin, July 12 and 15; His Majesty's Theatre, Christchurch, July 17, 19, end 20; Palmerston , North, July 22; Opera House, Wanganui, . July 23; Choral Hall, Auckland, July 25. • 26, and 27; leaving for Sydney on- Mon- | day, July' 29. ■» Madame Clara Butt's present fame is so , all-embracing that one is apt to forget , that she was ever unknown or that she had , such a thing as ,a debut. And yet it is < only a comparatively few years ago that a j tall you<ng girl of 19, her mobile face ' framed in loosely-bound masses of dark hair, stood before a huge audience in the Albert Hall, London, and delighted them ' with the power and sympathy and the volume of her glorious voice. It was in the Golden Legend that she first sang to a London public, on the same platform as , Madame Albani and Mr Edward Lloyd, i And the instantaneous success she made ! with the public was repeated in the papers j next day. The press vied with one an- ' other in heaping eulogies upon the new I singer, and -next morning Miss Butt, as she was then, awoke to find herself famous. The coming theatrical people in Aus-. tralia, 'tis still persistently rumoured, are Meynell and Gunn. The-- other day they tendered over the head of Bland Holt for the lease of Melbourne Theatre Royal, and Bland Holt wanted it very much himself. Then again, in London three new plays were offered in a clutch. "Will you take the Australian right for them all?" the agent asked J. C. W. "No, but I'll have that one," eaid the prince of entrepreneurs. "Sorry, can't separate 'em," rejoined the dealer, and then Meynell and Gunn happened alontt and took the lot. At latest, ' says Table Talk, this enterprising firm had , secured a whole ballet of beautiful London girls for export to Australia, and other evidence is abundant which snows that M. , and G. mearf to make themselves felt in . melodrama and other spheres as well. j Frederick Maccabe, the well-known yen- ' triloquist, was a great practical joker. Several years ago he was on board a Mississippi River steamboat, and, forming an acquaintance with the engineer, -was allowed the freedom of the engine room. He took ai seat in the corner, aisdf pulling his hat down over his eyes, appeared lost in reverie. Presently a certain part of the machinery began to squeak. The engineer oiled it and went about his usual duties. In the course of a few minutes the squeaking was heard again, and the engineer rushed over, can in hand, to lubricate tie same spindle. Again he returned to his post ; but it was only a few minutes until the same old spindle was squeaking louder than ever."Great Jupiter," he yelled, "the thing's bewitched !" More oil was administered, but the engineer began to smell a rat. Pretty soon the spindle squeaked again, and slipping up behind Maccabe, the engineer squirted a half-pint of oil down the joker's back. "There," said he, "I guess that handle won't squeak any more!" It . didn't. I Scottish music, like that of Ireland, poscesses most strongly the power of impressing the hearers, and either arousing patriot- j ism or conjuring up scenes of home and j of the country far away. No finer exponent of this class of music has arisen in later days than Miss Jessie Maclachlan, whose series of concerts commences at Dun- j eddn on August 2 at His Majesty's Theatre. | Miss Maclacblan is essentially patriotic. Since she was here, some 18 niowtha ago, ' Misa Maclachlan has made what might be truly called a royal progress through : Canada and ihe United StateSj and also received a most enthusiastic welcome on her reappearance in Australia. In Scotland, on her return from her world's tour, Miss Madadhlan met with a wonderful reception from her am folk. She has been fortunate in being able to associate with herself on the present tour Mr Douglas Young, who brings with him the reputation of being one of the fin-est of Scottish tenors. Mr M'Linden. who is well known as a talented 'cellist, also forms one of the company, and Mr Robert Buchanan is the accompanist and conductor. Lillian Rusaell was dining at an Atlantic Oity hotel. She had run down in the morning from Philadelphia in her 70 horsepower car, breaking most of the records b/ the way. During dinner Miss Russell told a story about a- handsome and vain actor. "A letter of his," she said, was put in another man's box at a cluib on© evening by mistake. The other man opened the letter, saw that ifc was a very "angry not© from a tailor demanding instant payment of a bill long overdue, and in dismay sealed it up again neatly, and put it in. the box of its rightful owner. Well, the rightful owner entered the smoking room that night with the letter in his hand. He .ran. it through, glanced round complacently, gave his moustache a twirl, and murmured : 'Silly little girl.' " It is not the. intention of Mr J. C. Williamson to disband the TitfceU Brune Company when its "star" completes her our-^. rent engagement and departs on her wellearned holiday. Instead, the company will be leorganised, with additions, and with Mr. Thomas Kingston in the lead, will be entrusted with the production of "Brewster's j llilliona," the immensely successful comedy I drama which Mr J. C. Williamson recently , acquired for Australia. Mr Kingston, vyho, before he came out, shared tho principal light comedy work in London, with Mr Gerald dv Maurier. will play the same part as the latter did in the London pro-

duction— tbafe of 3loate BrvnjU&u Uie

shrewd young New Yorker who undertake* the spending of one fortune in a year in order to inherit a sum six times as large, and meets with such unexpected checks in his well-meant efforts to ge* rid of tho cash. The Pantomime Company are beginning! their rush work pretty early in their touring • experiences, and the first inciderat of tha* character (which serves also as an example of the heavy expenditure to which Mr J. C. Williamson will be put in connection, with- the organisation) will occtu* on tho conclusion of their Perth season. They leave ithere immediately after the perforiranoe on July 27, and one of the fsstesfc boats in the West Australian service will convey them to Adelaide. There they will stop practically from tihe steamer to a special train waiting for them on the wharf, and be hurried to Broken Hill for a fivo nights' season, from August 2 fb August 7. Immediately the curtain f«Bs on the latter date, company and scenery will be> hurried on to the train again, and, leaving ait 2 o'clock in the morning, will travel on an unbroken journey right through to Ballarat, where they are due for three nights and- a matinee on August 9 and 10. The Broken Hill season — a most successful one— of Miss Tittell Brune, finished on July 6, and tihis week the company appear for three nigbte in Geelong. The following three days have been aUotfced as "rest" to Miss Brune, but she is anxious to give her services for the benefit matinee in aid of the Distressed Actors' Fund, to be held about that time, and her appearance as one of the wttor&otions of the programme in such a cause will certainly be appreciated by the public. When "The Spring Cfoiofcen" finally consents to be withdrawal from Her. Majesty's Theatre, Sydney,, it will bo followed by CellierV charming opera of "Dorothy/* which will be revived for a brief season. In tlhe meantime the Royal Comic Opera Company have already begun work on "Tho Dairymaids" es their next big production. Mr J. C. Williamson's new Musical Comedy Company has begun upon the preparation of its touring repertoire, which will come into operation when the Melbourne season closes, about the middle of next month. Hea&sd by "The Blue Moon" and "My Lady Madcap!' (rehearsals upon which piece have already commenced), the list will include "Tie Three Little Maids" and "Kitty Grey," neither of which have so far been done outside Melbourne and Sydney. For New Zealand this repertoire will be made still further attractive' by the addition of "The Little Michus" and "The Girl from Kays," both of which Mr J- CWilliameon reserved for fihis company -to> do there. Miss Marie Hall began her New Zealand tour >thia week, but it will not- be anything like as lengthy a one as that brilliant young artist deserves. Even with Auckland "cut out" owing* to Messrs J. and N. Tait's inability to secure dates in that city, it -will take Miss Hall all her time to cover the ground, and, as it is, she wiH have to take ship to Suva, there to catch the Aorangi (which leaves Sydney on ihe sth August). Otherwise she would not be ia time for those important engagements of hers, which have prevented her from making a longer sojourn in our midst. Madame Clara Butt .gave her farewell concert to England in the Albert Hall last Saturday, and tthough advices regarding it are not io hand at the time of writing, the occasion must have been one of the most memorable in the annals of English music. Madame Butt, her husband (Mr Kennerley Rumiord), and the concert party leave- England in a few days for Australia, where next September they embark upon vb& comprehensive tour outlined for them under the direction of Messrs J. and N. Tait. Whon Miss Butt married Kennerley Rumford there* was a difficulty — whether the great comtralto should be thenceforward Mrs Rumford or the baritone should be "Madame Butt's husband." Fortunately Mr Ruraford has & reputation of hia own that is quite sufficient in itself, MJad Madame Butt remains -as the singer's appellation 'to this day. An esteemed correspondent writes me under date Melbourne, July 2: — "You wilfbe pkesed to hear that Mias Amy Murphy has made a big hit vocally in The Blu« Moon,' and her singing each night causes a good deal of enthusiasm. On the opening night she was naturally nervous— making her first appearance with a professional company, and before an immense audience, — and was not as free in. action or aa good in dialogue as her more experienced colleagues, but Mr Bracy has taken her in hand, and each night has shown a, steady improvement, so it won't be long beforeshe is free from tihe slightest suggestion of -amateurishness. 'The Blue Moon is m huge success — one of the bigrgest we have had in musical comedy, and aH the new English artists can honestly be labelled Al. The company ia specially strong ia comedians and comediennes— Messra Gouriet, Clifton, and Parks, and Misses Daisie Wallace and Maud Thome. We will have a fine repertoire for New Zealand, lnolpding 'Blue Moon,' 'Lady Madcac.' 'Kittj Grey,' 'Three Little Maids.' The panto. is still on its victorious career, and they are turning them »w»y in Adelaide every night, and the two matinees per week *r« packed. "