THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasqcin

Tuesday, July 29

We have scorned delights to live laborious days, but the coming of “ Puss in Boots” opens a vista of glorious nights. The pantomime will burst forth in all its splendour at His Majesty’s on Saturday, and the old theatre, which lias been as gloomy as a tomb, will again bo flooded with light and made gay with laughter. The cat pantomime is entering the last lap of its New Zealand tour, and when the curtain comes down on Saturday, August 9, “ Puss in Boots ” will lie packed away and the trunk labelled, “Hobart.” “No doghooks.”

Mr Richard Stewart, business manager of the “ Puss in Boots ” Pantomime Company.

arrived in. Dunedin from Christchurch on Saturday night, and on Sunday took passage by the Mooraki for Tasmania, where he is to ac t as advance agent pending the arrival of the company, winch then proceeds to Adelaide and Perth, where the tour closes. At the conclusion of the New Zealand tour of the “Puss in Boots ” pantomime at Dunedin on Saturday next, Mr John Farrell, touring manager for J. C. William,son Company (Ltd.), will proceed north to advance the cause of the Royal Comic Opera Company, which commences a New Zealand tour at Auckland in September. The repertoir of the Royal Comics, who have not been seen in New Zealand since the “Our Miss Gibbs’’ tour, will include “The Quaker Girl’’ and “ The Sunshine Girl.” All the old favourites will make the Maoriland tour —amongst others. Miss Grace Palotta, who is now a member of the Royal Comics. The last occasion on which Miss Pallotta visited New Zealand was with Hugh Ward’s Comedy Company two years ago, when the actor-manager took farewell of the professional stage to join “ the-firm ” and Miss Palotta left for Vienna. Miss Frances Ross, well remembered as leading lady for the Bland Holt Company what time Walter Baker was leading man, has decided to try her fortune in America, and will leave for New York in the course of a week or two. On July 31 at the Theatre Royal, Miss Rosa is to be tendered a complimentary benefit by her brother and sister artists in Sydney. The Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society has in contemplation the staging of another opera in September, and fancy turns to “Mies Hook of Holland,” which opera has been revived by the Royal Comics in Sydney- By the way, Miss Olive Godwin made her reappearance as Sally Hook after a 12 months’ holiday in England. It is openly prophesied that George Tallis will succeed J. C. Williamson as governing director of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.). Hugh J. Ward will continue to be in charge of one of the two branches in Australia. Clyde Moynell "is another director, and the business manager of the concern is E. H. Major. Madame Slapoffski, who will bo remembered for her vocal achievements with Mr George Musgrovo’s Opera Company some years ago, is returning to Australia in October next. Her most recent appearance was with the Quinlan Opera Company at Birmingham, when she appeared as Marguerite in “ Faust.” Miss Maud Wingfield, the clever young actress who is appearing as the demure lady missionary in “ Excuse Mo,” at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, is to be a member of the Oscar Asche-Liiy Bray ton Company during the forthcoming South African tour. She has also been engaged by Mr Aecho for his next London season. Miss Wingfield i« a New Zealand girl, who started walking on with just one line to say in “ Gef-Rich-Quick Wallingford” last year, and she is, in consequence, much pleased with her good fortune. During the illness of Miss Josephine Cohan, Miss Wingfield, as understudy to Miss Beatrice Holloway, who played tlie American star’s part during her absence from the oast, was called upon to play her principal's role, and her good work in this emergency brought her under the notice of Mr Fred Niblo, who, seeing her obvious ability as an actress, gave her the chance in “ Excuse Me.” which made possible her present desirable engagement. It is worth noting that the death of Mr J. C. Williamson in no way affects the future operations of the firm which has so long borne his name, and which will probably continue to be known as “ J. C. Williamson (Ltd.)." When the amalgamation with the Royal management was arrancred some time ago, about three-fourths of Mr Williamson's interest in the firm was taken over by Mr George Tallis, one of his own cadets in theatrical training. Mr Tallis lias, in fact, been the guiding spirit of the firm for a long time past. Although the late Mr Williamson in ail his more recent journeying* abroad kept an eye lifting for anything of special promise in the theatrical world, his trips were rather a finest for health than theatrical attractions. Mr Tallis resembles his late partner in some respects. Both faced big undertakings, which also meant big risks, with quiet se’f-possessioti. Mr Tallis has been probably the more ;u! venturous of the two with a really desirable project in view. His persona! syii'ivithic« In theatrical ent' itaimnent are somewhat wider than those of his late mentor and partner, and those who know him host feel assiin <1 that the enterprise by which the Cum has won an enviable remit,it lon is not likely to shro'k- under his leadership. “The greatest, moment in rny life.” said S : r Forties Robertson to an Express renrepentn five. “was. I think, when f placed Hamlet for (he first time. It was at the Lveeum Theatre on September 11, 1897. I had played it as a lad in the drawbar room at home, with my sister ‘doubling’ (lie parts of Onhelia and one of tin; graved'ggers, and it had been for many years the one ambition of my life I felt very diffident about playing it. however, until Irving finked rno why I d'd rot do so. When I protested that I oonskhred my aspiration egotistic, he replied; ‘No ambition which

is worthy and noble is egotistic so long as one is sincere in it. Go ahead ! Play it!’ Not long afterwards, taking my courage in both hands, I did. The next morning I was greeted by Irving with: ‘You’ve done it, my boy! You’ve done it!’ and he dapped me affectionately on the shoulder. Irving added: ‘Now go and play it round the world,’ and after 16 years I am taking his advice.” M. Volinin, premier dancer of the Imperial Russian Ballet, now in Australia, is reported to have been amazed at the excellence of the dancing of the Australian girls. Twenty of the J. C. Williamson dancers appeared before him in Melbourne, so that he might choose some for the corps do ballet for the Geneo and Russian Ballet season. “How much train?” ho inquired after the first three had concluded. “Nino months,” lie was told. M. Volinin shrugged 'his surprise. To make a thorough test he set a number of difficult steps, but each timg the girls were equal to the occasion. The dancing of Mies Maggie Dickinson startled M. Volinin out of his composure: “Amazement, amazement,” ho exclaimed when she finally bowed to him. Out of the 20 dancers 17 were chosen. Unlike most pantomimes, the story of “Puss in Boots’’ is followed quite closely, for the cat is given the magic fairy boots, and, putting them on, becomes endowed with the power of speech. Thus equipped, ho challenges the ogre to a series of lightning changes, and in turn he becomes a gorilla, lion, and finally a mouse, which Puss at once gobbles up, and secures his humble master a patent of nobility and, incidentally, a lovely bride with whom to live happy ever afterwards. Sir J. Forbes Robertson and Lady Forbes Robertson (Mies Gertrude Elliott) had an enthusiastic reception at Drury Lane on Juno 3, when they appeared in their final performance of “Mice and Men.” The new knight nver played better, and when the knight never played better, and when the long that lie was compelled to make a little speech. “It would bo idle affectation on my part,” ho said, “to ignore the reason for the overwhelming reception you have given us to-night. Ladies and gentlemen, it is fine to receive honour and to bo recognised, but what is finer still is to find_ that the honour Is so well received by friends and acquaintances, and by a great house so full as tire. It is not easy to express my feelings, but it has come home to us both, and you have put upon us a crown to onr honour by showing us that you are glad.” “PUSS IN BOOTS.” Christchurch has now added its voice to that of Sydney and Melbourne, declaring “Puss in Boots,” which is to bo staged hero by tlie J. C. Williamson management on Saturday night next, the best, brightest, most stupendous, and cleverest pantomime production which has yet delighted Australian playgoers. “Puss in Boots” is said to bo freely peppered with unique and wonderful specialty turns, extraordinarily clever acrobat, ism, remarkable mechanical effects, beautiful ballets, catchy songs, tuneful melodies, wholesome fun, magnificent scenery, and gorgeous costumes. It is also stated that the aggregation of artists engaged to interpret the characters form the strongest combination of comedians, singers, dancers, and specialty stars yet organised for an entertainment of this description. It, was only the offer of a very large salary which tempted the famous Gaudsrnidts to leave Europe, and Messrs Collins and Hart, the other specialty stars, are, it is said, two of the highest-paid artists who have ever visited Australasia. Miss Violet Loraine, who created quite a furore in the idle of Colin, is considered one of the, if not the. leading pantomime principal boys in England. She has youth—she was the youngest “boy” that had appeared at, Drury Lane —vivacity, a fascinating appearance, and a wonderful personality. Naturalness and gaiety are two of the characteristics one notices immedhiiely in Mbs Loraine, who is also gifted with a really good voice. Mr George Miller, who takes the role of Dame .Shortly, comes with a big London reputation. He has played the Dame in a number of successful pantomime productions in England, and one of his biggf't hits was achieved in the leading comedy part in “A Runaway Girl." Mr Pip Powell, who last \ ear made himself a great favourite with New Zealandt rs as the Dame in “Sinbad,” has scorn! even In-avdr as King Grabbles, a pari wlreh g : ves him every opportunity to exh’bif his abilh ics as a first-class humourist. Another new arrival is Miss A'ier> Russon, who will appear as Afire. Miss Russon has. It is said, a sweet soprano voice, which she uses to cverv advantage in a number of eafehy songs; she also possesses a dainty figure and a pretty face. Mr Fred Leslie’s inline means a tower of strength in the east, as apart from his capabilities as a first-class ei.median he is also one of the greatest dancers of the day. Smc’al interest centres in the appearance of Miss Tvv Schilfing. a vonng Australian who, it is stated, can hold her own with the best dancers in this or anv other nnrt of the world. The cast also includes Messrs Vernon Davidson, O. E. Lennon (who has created unite a sensation in the role of the Cat), Stewart Garber,

Rupert Darrell. E. H. Sutton, G. Williams, also the Misses Dorothy Firmin. Rit'u Renas, Nellie Leslie, Ruby Kennedy, Daisy Chcyne. The plans will be opened at the Dresden to-morrow (Thursday) at 9 o’clock. A queue will be formed' at 8 o’clock.