THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3034, 8 May 1912, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasqum.

Tuesday, May 7. The recently amalgamated BrennanFuller management have started off well by making an engagement with Miss Carrie Mooro, the welt-known Australian comio opera artiste. Carrie Moore was leading lady for the J. C. Williamson firm for a number of years prior to going to England. If memory serves, Carrie Moore played Doloreo in " Floradora" with Mr Wallace Brovvnlow ip the lead, the title role in "The Runaway Girl" and "The French Maid," while 6he also played in "The Gay Parisienne" and "A Trip to Chinatown." Going to England. Carrie Moore was the Sandow Girl in "Tb© Dairymaids," and played Lind's part in "The Girl from Kays." Returning to Australia, she played Sonia in the original production 'in Australia of "The Merry Widow," creating an instantaneous success. Miss Carrie Mooro, curiously enough, has never paid a professional visit to New Zealand, and Monday night at the Theatre Royal, Wellington, was her first appearance. Messrs J. C. Williamson and George Tallis. of the J. C. Williamson Company (Ltd.) have left Melbourne on a trip to England and the Continent. During their absence the affairs of the firm will be controlled by Mr Hugh Ward in Sydney and Mr Clyde Meynell in Melbourne. Mr A. J. Patrick, of this city, who recently married Mias Joan Meynell, daughter of Mr Clyde Meynell, of the J. C. Williamson firm, arrives in Dunedin on Saturday with the "Everywoman" Dramatic Company. Mrs Patrick accompanies her husband, and Mrs Clyde Meynell is also making tho New Zealand tour. Tho final performance of 'Pirates of Penzance" was given by the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society at His Majesty's on Saturday night to a house crowded in every pa it. At the close of tho performance Mr M. Ck>hon (chairman of the Titanic rtclief Fund Committee) addressed a few words of thanks to the public for its generous patronage, which, he said, would ensure an exceedingly satisfactory financial result. When tho object of providing relief for those in need of it through the wreck of the Titanic was first mooted it was intended to <rivc a concert, hut Mr Percy James, with the Operatic Society at his back, had come forward with offers of assistance, and these had been readily accepted. Mr J. S. Sinclair also spoke in appreciation of tho public support, and then followed cheers for Mr F. G. Murphy (secretary) and Mr Sidney Wolf (musical director).

.The members of the "Evorywoman" Dramatic Company will arrive in Dunedin by the midday train from Oa.ma.ru on Saturday, and the same evening will commence a seven nitrhts' season at His Majesty's Theatre. The last two nights will be devoted to a production of Haddon Chambers's play, "Passers-by." Good progress is being made wifch_ the proposed continuous theatre in Princes street. Mr Hugh Wilson, the business manager, advises that he hopes to be able to open at tho end of the present month. Much interest has been taken in the competition for the most appropriate -name for the theatre. An independent committee

will decide on the most appropriate name sent in, and the result will be announced this week. The last exhibition of motion pictures and photo-plays was given at the King's Theatre on Saturday night, and on Monday the new firm of Brennan-Fuller established vaudeville at the royally-titled theatre. The management promises to place vaudeville in its true position, and will endeavour to maintain a uniformily high standard of excellence. By this means only will vaudeville be won back to popular favour. "Ben Hur," which is to be seen in New Zealand this year, was produced in Sydney on Saturday evening. . The first "Ben Hur" production was lost in its entirety by tilie fire at His Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, in 1902, so that the present production is entirely new. The present cast is as follows:—Ben Hur, Mr Eric Maxon; Messela, a Roman youth, Mr Haroourt Beatty; Simonides, a Jew friend of Isthamar, Mr Eardley Turner; Arrius, the Tribune, Mr Winter Hall; Iderim, a Sheik, Mr A. Styan; Drussus, Mr F. Compton; Balthazar, Mr Leslie Victor; Malluch, in the service of Simonides, Mr J. B. Afcholwood: Hortator, Mr T. Lloyd; Meteilus, Mr Boyd Irwin; Gaspar, Mr G. Chalmers; Khaled, Mr F. Cambourne; Centurion, Mr Carlton Stewart; Esther, daughter of Simonides, Miss Dorothy Dix; Iras, Miss Gwen Burroughs; Mother of Hur, Miss Susie Vaughan; Tizrah, sister of Hur, Miss Georgie O'Meara; Amrah, nurse of Hur, Miss Alma Vaughan. The death of Mr E. G. Myhili at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, has removed one of the best-known identities of the Adelaide stage. He had a varied career. Prior to accepting, some 12 years ago, a position in the property-room at the Theatre Royal, where he became property master, he was a vaudeville artist of note, having for many years been connected as corner-man with Mr Thomas Hudson's Company and Hugo's Minstrel Show. Deceased was 44 years of age, and leaves a widow and two children. The Quinlan Grand Opera Company, which is to ■ appear under the J. C. Williamson management shortly, is the costliest venture ever brought to Australia. It involved an expenditure of over £IOO,OOO. During the nine weeks to which the entire Australian season is limited, Mr Quinlan will pay out in salaries over £20,000. The ocean fares of the 160 artists of the company exceeds £16,000, while the costumes, scenery, properties, copyright foes, special translations in English, and the fo-< months' preparation and rehearsal in London absorbed £50,000. Besides being the most expensive organisation ever brought to Australia, it is also unique as being the first and only complete opera company that has ever come to this country. If the visit of the magician Jansen may be taken as an indication of the quality of the fare fco be provided in the future for New Zealand theatre-goers by the energetic young firm of Portus and Talbot (Ltd.), it is safe to predict that the new management has a bright future before it in this country. Janscai did well before he came to Australasia, and crowded houses have greeted him throughout his tour of the Dominion. His reception will doubtless be an encouragement to Messrs Portus and Talbot to continue their operation in this country on the same high-class scale, and they now announce that at the end of the present month a specially-selected minstrel troupe of talented musicians will open in His Majesty's Theatre. Auckland, afterwards visiting all the chief centres in both the North and South Islands. After the minstrel troupe will come the Countess de Cisnrros, who made suoh a name for herself in AustraLia recently in grand opera. She will be accompanied by an unusually gifted concert party, and will give a series of concerts both in the Commonwealth, and the Dominion. The particularly sad death of a young man well known to patrons of Fuller's Pictures in Dunedin and lnvorcargill is re]x>rted from Melbourne. William HoMoad, formerly operator at the firm's theatres, was on a holiday visit, and was stricken with appendicitis." The operation was looked on as successful, and friends were expecting him to be nut and about, when he suddenly collapsed. Peritonitis set in, and another o;>eration was performed, but Mr HoLitead never regained consciousness, and passed away on Friday, April 26. The interment, attended by friends and former feliow-employee-' of the dec-eased, took place at tho Coburg Cemetery, Melbourne. Mr George Stephenson's " Wanderers " have been having successful seasons in Australia, including 11 weeks at the King's Theatre, Adelaide, 14 weeks at the Theatre Royal, Brisbane, and five weeks at the r.ew National Amphitheatre, Melbourne. A Queensland tour, under the personal direction of Mr Stephenson, was inaugurated la-st week. The company ha 3 been considerably augmented and strengthened since the New Zealand tour, and now includes Jook Willis, the Scotch comedian, and Miss Ruby Santon-Dolby, a charming soprano. Miss Beatrice Mercer, and the Messrs Harvey, Black, and Brahms are

still with the company,, and Mr J. A. Mathcson is touring manager. A very interesting circumstance connected with the production of " Ben Hur" is that the management secured the same camel that it had on the last occasion this drama was staged. The camel was originally bought from a herd at Bourke. After the disastrous fire at Her Majesty's, in which the first production perished, the animal was sold to the Sydney Zoo. from the society governing which institution it is now being hired. This contradicts the story that lias been going around for some time as part of the. many fables associated with the ill-luck of " Ben Hur." that after trie disbandment of the original company the camel was taken to Brisbane, where it committed suicide Mine, de Cisnerca, the great mezzosoprano and contralto, who is booked for an Australian concert under the management of Portus and Talbot (Ltd.), was * to leave San Francisco by the 6.5. Manama on May 9. Mme. brings with her a : cellist and lyric tenor of the highest American repute, and will open her season in Sydney on June 22. After a brief season in the Australian capital she will then appear in New Zealand, touring in oil the principal centres. Though "The Blue Bird'' and his other works were written in French, and he has lived practically all his working life in Fiance, Maeterlinck is by birth a Belgian, and was born in the old-world town of Ghent on August 29, 1E62. He is therefore only 50 years of age. All his masterpieces have been first published in Paris, and no doubt if he would take the trouble to be naturalised he would long ago have been elected as " Immortal"—one of the members of the Academic Francaise. But he disdains honours, and chooses rather the immortality of his world-wide fame Like Shakespeare, he is "for all aeo and all time," and his plays and books have been translated into all civilised la,sg<!ages. In the most remote corner of the e&rth, is there one who has not heard of "The Blue Bird"? ... . . x . . Now that the Australian visit of the Quinlan Grand Opera Company is approaching, a good deal of interest centres in the man who organised this gigantic enterprise, and has sent a company of IWJ artists nearly 14,000 miles completely equipped in every detail. Mr Thomas Quinlan is the proprietor of the Quinlan International Musical Agency, New York, which controls the concert contracts in America and elsewhere of Caruso, Kreisler, Mischa Elinan, Schumann-Heinck, Sousa a Band, and other celebrated stars and organisations. Mr Quinlan is a dapper, alert man of 35, always dressed to perfection and 'ooking considerably younger than his years. His ruling passion is the production of- grand opera. He is himself an accomplished singer, a pupil of the great Maurel; and during a recent London rehearsal when Mr Robert Parker was absent, he went on the stage and sang the role of Valentino in "Faust" in a manner that brought down the house—which on that occasion consisted solely of newspaper critics and musicians. Mrs Quinlan will also be with the company. The plantation songs of the negroes in the Southern States of America have become known in all parts of the- world, but New Zealand theatregoers of the present generation have never had an opportunity of hearing these beautiful melodies sung by the descendants of the original composers, who sought to brighten their days of slavery with song and dance after work in the field* was done. Gathered together in the long summer twilights, these negroes were wont to pass many a peaceful hour in singing outside their huts and cabins, and they handed down their songs to their sons and daughters. Messrs Portus and Talbot, Ltd., are bringing a big minstrel troupe to the Dominion at the end of the present month, and the newcomers will open their tour at His Majesty's, Auckland, afterwards visiting all the other large towns. The troupe contains some exceptionally fine singers, and their unique performances should arouse more than usual interest among New Zealand musiclovers. Miss Hilda Spong says: " My own pet mascot is an apron I bought from a Maori girl when touring as little more than a child with my father's company in NewZealand. I have never been without it, and have worn it in many parts. I wore it as Ladv Huntingdon in "Ladv Huntingdon's Experiment." I doubt if there is an actor or actress who doesn't possess a mascot, or who would appear without it, particularly on a first night. This (is probably due to the gamble we all have for success. Sarah Bernhardt has a little jewelled skull. It was formerly the property of Rachel. Without this mascot she would refuse to go on the stage. I can see the superior smile of many at hearing this, but if the possession of some grotesque figure, a bit of ribbon, or a glove that once belonged to somebody else, a coin, a charm can be made to help us reach our respective goals in life, why should they not be cherished?" There arrived in Melbourne the other

day Miss Agnes Murphy, who came to herald the approach of the Quinlan grand opera season, which commences in Melbourne shortly under the management ol J. C. Williamson, Limited. Miss Murphy, who was formerly well known as a journalist in Melbourne, stated that the company is at present meeting with success in South Africa. The repertoire will include '.'La Boheme," "Madame Butterfly, La Traviata," "Faust." "The Prodigal s<>«>„ "Rigoletto." "Lohengrin," ' Carmen, "Aida," "Tales of Hoffmann," Tanniauser" (the Parisian version), "Valkyrie,' "The Girl of the Golden West," and "Tristan and Isolde." Thero will be three conductors, one each for, the French, Italian, and Wagnerian operas, and the company will altogether total 150 people. The artists include a number of worldwide reputation, including John Coates,'the tenor; John Harrison, who was out here with Ada Crossley; Lalla Miranda, the young Australian prima donna; Enriquetta Ornelli, who was selected by Puccini tor the role of Mimi in "La Boheme ; Jeanne Brola, who was engaged by Puccini himself for the title role in "The Girl of the Golden West"; W. J. Samuell. the baritone; Edna Thornton, the famous Wagnerian contralto; Charles M'Grath, Robert Parker, and many others. There are three complete casts for each opera. All the operas will be rendered in English. EVERYWOMAN. At His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening, at 8 o'clock, the curtain will rise on the first production here of "Everywoman." the gorgeously-mounted and en- ■ ormously successful dramatic spectacle which has enjoyed record seasons wherever it has been staged. The Australian and New Zealand rights of the piece were purchased by the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management at a very high figure, and the remarkable success which has greeted their enterprise will doubtless encourage them to devote still further attention to the presentation of higher class plays, as there is unquestionably a big public for them; especially in the Dominion this has been proven over and over again. "Everywoman," which is being played by no less than six companies in America, created an absolute sensation in Australia, whilst up to date its successes in New Zealand have been phenomenal. All high-class dramas must necessarily be presented by first-class artists, and in the present case the management have evidently been fortunate in getting together a particularly strong combination. After searching England and the Continent for a suitable actress to interpret the strenuous and difficult role of "Everywoman," Mr Williamson has fortunate enough to induce Miss Spong to leave New York, where she was "starring" in a big production. The character of "Everywoman" calls for the display of exceptional emotional power, and Miss Spong. it is said, is.equaj to all the demands and rises to great heights in her dramatic genius in the powerful scene, when seeing her youth fade away she dashes the mirror to pieces with a champagne bottle, and in the intense dramatic scene in the third act. Mr William Desmond has achieved one of his greatesttriumphs as Nobody, Mr George Miller will make his debut as Bluff," and Miss Elsie Clarens (another new arrival) will appear as Youth; Miss Emmn Temple will make her reappearance as Truth, Mr 'A. J. Patrick as King Love, Miss Dorothy Camming as. Beauty. Miss*Enid Bennett as Conscience. Miss as Modesty, Mr John Ralston as Flatterv, Mr. Robert AVhyte. jun., as Sturß, Mr J. A. Williams as Puff. Mr William Lockhart as Time, Mr Herbert. Leigh as Wealth, Miss Cissie Jamieson as Greed. Miss Florrie Ferguson as Self; Miss Mad<re Griffiths as Vanity, Miss Rene Tanswell as Vice. Mr Robert Beeston as Charity. Mr O. Cushin<r as Law, Mr L. Barclav as Order, Mr T. Curtain as Grovel. Mr Enesfc Gifford s«s Sneak. Miss Hetty Patey as Flirt. Miss Florrie Elsie as Curls. Miss Glory Chandler as Curves, Miss Eva Bi-owni, Shape; Miss Vi Martin. Sly; Miss Vie Scott. Giggles. The plav is produced by Chas. A. Wenman, Mr Lionel Walshe is., stage manager, Mr Fred Quintrell musical director: business manager, Mr R. Stewart. . Positively only five performances of "Evervwoman'' can be,given, and the last two nights of the season will b» devoted to performances of H»ddon Chambers' l ' fascinating comedy drama " Passers By." Thr> plans for both productions arc at fche Dresden, and day sales can be purchased at Jacobs's. STAGE GOS3IP. Mr Walter Fuller arrived in Dunedin last in th» interests of his firm. The Auckland Amateur Operatic Society produced •" H.M.S. Pinafore" for six ndghts last week, with considerable success? The Spencer Biograph Company is out with a new all-Australian film entitled "The Tide of Death," which has caught on in / Sydney. The engagement is announced of Mr Phil of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.), to Miss Eve Solomon, youngest daughter of M'- R. of We'lington. Blanche Marchesi, daughter of f.he famous teacher, is to visit Australia shortly. She will be the guest of Madame M-elba at " ("Vwnbe Cotton*." Lilvdale. Victoria. "The Blue Bird" has caught on in Sydney as an emblem of good luck. There ore Blue Bird brooches, Blue Bird hatpins, and Blue Bird mascots wherever one turns. The Playwright: Ah! The audience is calling for the author. The Manager: I hear 'em; but vou can get through the alley, and I'll hold 'em back while you hook it. Mips Sybil Arundale wag only 15 years of age when she made her first appearance in pantomime as principal boy. This was in " The Forty Thieves, at Liverpool. At the came place the year before she had appeared as principal girl. The youngest leading lady on the American etage is Miss Violet Heming, who plays an important part in "The Deep Purple" at Boston. Miss Heming has just completed her seventeenth .birthday. She is a native of England and a descendant of a well-known stage family. Chie of the horses purchased in Melbourne by the J. C. Williamson management for the big production of "Ben Hur" in Sydney is * full brother to the well-known performer .Istria, and as a colt was sold for 600 guineas. It will show its paces in the great chariot race scene. Mr A. Brandon-Cremer. manager of West's Olympia, Sydney, who is leaving for New Zealand on May 8, was recently presented by the staff of the front of the house with a silver-mounted cigar-case as a mark of esteem. Mr Brandon-Cremer will rejoin West's (Ltd.) in. August. "Kismet" was originally written for Mr H. B. Irving, who ddcl not like it, and refused In quick succession by Mir Arthur

Boiichier amd Sir Herbert Tree. It was left to Mr Aeclie to see its possibilities, and by producing ii to score one of the few recent big theatrics;! eruccesees. Mr John M'Cormack is touring America Sior to returning to Covent Garden Orera ouse. Wxiting from San Francisco to Mr H. N. Southwell, he speaks glowingly of his Australian experiences, and- announces his return next year for a concert tour of the Commonwealth and New Zealand. " Sinbad the Sailor" started its Sydney career to the biggest business opening registered by any of the six annual extravaganzas of the Williamson series. "Sinbad the Sailor" also headed the business return of the six for the second night. The entertainment, therefore, seemed well Launched for a prosperous run in Sydney. . Mr Henry Corson Clarke arrived in Sydney from the United States recently accompanied by his wdfo (Miss Ma-Tgaret Bale Owen). The American comedian has brought with him "Mr Foster of Chicago," "Lost Twenty-four Hours." and other pieces. Last year he toured the English provinces as Harrv Q. Condor in "The Dollar Princess. "Ben Hur" was. when the last American mail left, at the height of a big revival at the Amsterdam Theatre. New York. 1n« great- spectacular drama-, which is being staged in Sydney, has been- running continuously in America for over 10 years, under the direction of Klaw and Erlanger. from whom the Australian rights were secured oy the J C. Williamson management j Mr Walter Baker, of Mr William Anderson's new Dramatic Company, says that "After Dark" is his earliest love in a tneatrical sense, for it was in that play he made his first appearance on the dramatic stage. He certainly had an unimportant part on thaf. occasion, but still it was important in the estimation of Mr Baker, inasmuch as it constituted his introduction to the footlights of the drama. . .

The "arrival" of W. S. Percy m his reserved place as princioal comedian o. IJie J. C. Williamson Comic Opera Company, Table Talk eave. pleases the thousands, who hold in affectionate regard this clever little humourist. He is a worthy successor to George Lauri; but if he had followed his beaut lately he would have" packed his traps, shouldered his "grip,' and set out for Lngland and America. But persuasion of the right sort was brought to bear, and just m time. . . ~ The plav-going public of Paris is greatly interested "by the news of a scheme which has just been set on foot for adapting and producing a long-series of the finest dramatic works of other countries. The committee formed for the purpose includes some, of the principle figures of the theatrical world, among them Edmund Rostand, Sarah. Bernhardt, and Jean Richpin. Great care is to be taken in selecting, adapting, ana translating the works which will be produced. The benefit organised in aid of the widow and children of the late E. T. Steyne, who produced "The Girl in the Trainband "Sinbad the Sailor" pantomime for J-„V-Williamson, Ltd., took place at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, on Tuesday afternoon, £3rd and realised th* handsome sum of £260. •The Girl in the Train" Company, the "Sinbad the Sailor" Company, and Oscar Asche and Lily Brayton with their company, gave their services, and a fine programme was presented. i ••. The will of the late Mr B. H. Leete, better known as Mr Harry Rickards, proprietor o* the Opera House in Melbourne and similar places of entertainment in other parts of the Commonwealth, has been lodged at the Probate Office for sealing purposes. Deceased's personal estate in Victoria has been valued at £15,472. His interests in Sydney were much larger. • It has been already stated that the estate has been bequeathed to the widow and children, subject to bequests to his brothers-in-law. When the Sydney Mail left the advance booking for "Ben Hur" indicated great interest on the part of Sydney play-goers tn the production. When last staged in Sydney "Ben Hur" did wonderfully big business at Her Majesty's, holding at the old prices the record for takings for any one week at this theatre. At the time it was overtaken by fire, the advance booking was very heavy. This naturally had a great deal io do with deciding the management to make a second venture with General Lew spectacular drama.

When "King Arthur" Was produced in London comment was made on the fact that three knights—Sir Henry Irving, the star; Sir "Arthur Sullivan, the composer, and Sir Edward Burne-Jories, the artist—had been concerned principally in its preparation for the stage. A super who had failed to obtain a position came out to the front of the theatre. He stood gazing at the poster for a minute and muttered: "Sir 'Enry" Irvin'! Sir Harthur Sullivan! and Sir Hedward Burne-Jones! Three bloomin' knights—and that's about 'ow long I gives it!" Mr E. T. Steyne, who diet] in Melbourne the other day, had a fine record in opera and comedy. For some years he played the principal comedy parts with the Oarl Er«a Opera Company, and with William Greet's company in such plays as " Paul Jones," "La Cigele," "Falka," etc. He was also associated with the lato J. T Toole. Mr Steyne, who came to Australia to produce "The Girl in the Train*' and "Sinbad the Sailor" for J. O. Williamson, Limited, was one of Mt George Edwardes's best producers, and made no (ewer than 23 trips to America to stage gaiety pieces for that manager. "Passers By," which is to be staged by Mies Hilda Spong and company at the conclusion of the run of " Everywoman," is by Haddon Chambers, the famous Australian author. So successful has the piece proven that over £30,000 has been received by the author in royalties. The. play is at present running in both England and America. Its realistic and vividly interesting plot, and its delicious comedy, have conduced to its success on both sides of the Atlantic. Human nature is human nature all the world over, and there is so much of it in " Passers By" that it appeals to all people in all places. It was " East Lynn" which served to draw Miss Ada Ward from the ascetic life of an evangelist back to the artistic life of the stage. This lady, who left the stage eight or 10 years ago to become a reformer, remained true to her vow not to look inside a theatre again until she came to Melbourne a few weeks ago. She then saw Miss Eugenie Duggan in the part of Lady Isabel, which she had herself played hundreds of times in her happy theatrical days, and remarked that the sight gave her much remirfscent joy, and she felt the call of thd footlights strong upon her while she was witnessing the production. Most readers of novels have made themselves familiar with the story of "Ben Hur," which deals with the Roman occupation of Palestine at the time of Jesus Christ. In America the religious romance is regarded as a classic, and numerous editions have run into nearly a million copies. William Young's dramatisation of the book is most popular with American readers, and Messrs Klaw and Elanger have been playing the diama continuously throughout the United States for the past 12. years. The Sydney production 'will be on a lavished scale of completeness, and it Is estimated that it I will cost the management before the rise of the curtain over £7OOO.

Mr Oscar Hamnierstein las decided to charge theatre prices for- Beats at the London Opera ■ Hotieo for • the remainder of his winter season, eo that the prices will now range from 10s 6d for stalls to Is for the gallery. This will be London's first opportunity of witnessing grand, opera at the same prices which are obtained in the principal theatres. Under the new scheme London Opera House prices will now be as follow:—Five hundred seats at Is, 500 seats at 2s 6d. 500 seats at 4s, 500 seats at Os, staJls reduced 7s Cd and half a guinea• ; boxes, 2gs, 3gs, and sgs. All the seats in the house, with the exception of the gallery, wiU be reserved, and can be booked in advance.

George Miller, who gives a clever and amusing caricature of a theatrical manager in " Everywoman," was brought out from London to play the part, appeared in London in the famous production of the dramatisation of Elinor Glyn's " Three Weeks." The Lord Chemberlain having refused to issue a. license for the play, it was staged privately &t the Adelphi "Theatre in the presence cf a distinguished audience. The cast was a brilliant one, and the plav was produced by Mr Charles Haw trey. Mr Miller appeared as Captain Grigsby, and the principal part was taken by Elinor Glyn herself. The waiters and footmen for the play were. " borrowed" from the fashionable Hitz Hotel, as was ako the silverware, nrpery, and glassware. The production, says Mr Miller, was altogether unique. A novel and interesting presentation was iiWde to Miss Eugenie Duggan, of Mr William Anderson's Dramatic Company, just prior to her departure from Melbourne on her Queensland tour. During the last week ol' the company's season in Melbourne members of the audience were invited by certain voluntary enthusiasts who had taken the matter up to attach their signatures to an, autograph book provided for the purpose. About 3000 persons signed, and the volume was then presented to Miss Duggan as a nuirk of genuine friendliness and admiration. Among the signatures was that of a little child of five, and Miss Tuggan, on receiving the present, made crrateful reference to the kindness that ha& always been displayed towards her by the people of Melbourne.

Oscar Asche is not markedly superstitious, and yet there are a few matters to which 4ie pays scrupulous regard out of deference to the Goddess of Fortune, and one of these is hig loyalty to a luck-bringer. Playgoers with a good memory .and a keen eye for detail have notice*! that in the production of "Kismet" Mr Asche wears, along with his other weapons, a short, thick-handled knife of curious design—this knife being identical with the one he carried in " Othello.' Mr Asche treasures this as one of his most valuable possessions. It was given him years ago by an old' Moor, with whom Mr Asche had become associated through the production of " Othello," and who vouched for it as being of great age and with a rare, history. Ever since he came into possession of tliat old Moorish weapon, Mr Asche has enjoyed nothing but the most. wonderful good fortune, so he treasures it beyond all price. If he cannot find the. opportunity to wear it on the s.tage, it forms « conspicuous object in his dressing-room, right beside the mirror at which he makes up, so that his eye can constantly see it before him.