ARMES BEAUMONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 61

ARMES BEAUMONT.

By R. B.

The nows cabled from Melbourne on July 18 of the demise of Amies Beaumont would arouse feelings of very sincere regret among the older section of theatre-goers — that is to say, those who began to attend the theatres in the early “seventies. ’■ Armes Beaumont was well known and popular in New Zealand, but he was more appreciated in Australia, and particularly in Victoria, as a singer and a man. Certain incidents connected with his career, such as the accident which caused a partial loss of sight, the fatherly interest taken in him by that remarkable impresario, the lute W. Saurin Lyster, and bis unassuming manliness all helped to endear him to the theatre-goers of Victoria, apart from the admiration folt for his voice. As a singer, when in his prime ho was looked upon by his admirers as a sort of Australian Sims Reeves. Undoubtedly his voice was good and Ins method sincere and unaffected. Ho was also a very fair actor, with a good stage presence. ,«The writer first hoard Armes Beaumont in Ballarat, ns a concert singer, in the early “seventies,” when he aroused great enthusiasm with (he two songs, “Tell me, Mary, how to woo tie. e.” and “Little Footsteps.” Then ho was hoard in “iter Freischutz,” and later in “Maritana.” when he made a most convincing and attractive Don Ca-sar. The “Maritana” cast on this occasion included Mrs Fox (said to have been a sister of Beaumont’s) as the heroine. Georgia Ilodson (Mrs W. S. Lyster) as Lazarillo. with the other parts filled by Rain ford. Kitts, and Mr and Mrs Morrison (Miss Jennie Winston). It was a notable performance, owing to the fire and enthusiasm Beaumont t'>rew into the part. Had we such a singer now with a similar magnetic personality, we might possibly hear less alioui anti-militarism. On this occasion the duet “O. Maritana” was •riven with delightful effect, the voices of T'veauniont and Mrs Fox blending beautifully. The groat solo. “Let me like a soldier fall.” was given with great effect, and it aroused the- house to intense enthusiasm. Later on Beaumont challenged comparisons with the Italian tenors, including Rosnuti. by. taking (he great tenor role of Vasco ])i Gama ••' A r -'■•'•-beer’s “L‘Africaine”; this was with the Lyster am! C’agli company. Next he essavrd oratorio successfully; then a concert ( l eomenient with the I Inrand nis. which brought Inti again to New Zealand ; then hick to Melbourne to lake the tenor roles in Gilbert and Sullivan's operas; then hack to New Zealand again with Alice Rees and Verdi in these operas, (hough by this time his fine voice had begun to deteriorate. Then to Mellxmine again, singing at concerts and in oratorio, besides teaching singing: still popular, still a name to conjure with and to arouse enthusiasm. Then came waning powers and a greatly diminished income. Now he has gone. Surely we are justified in saving he did not live in vain, lie gave of his best: lie aroused enthusiasm: he was industrious and sincere: lie made many friends; and ho was manly There are many v.ho will cherish It is memory as an artist and a man.

FULLERS’ PICTURES. 1 'ho weekly change of programme attracted a largo attendance at the Princess Theatre on July 28. The pictures screened wore a judiciously varied series, and could hardly fail to please the most exacting lover of moving pictures. Some beautiful views of the Crimea were shown, and fully justified their title —‘‘The Garden of Russia.” A film that appealed strongly to New Zealanders was a series of views depicting a climb up Mount Egmont, in Taranaki, and gave patrons a very fair idea of the natural beauties for which this mountain is justly famed. Another film deputed a marvellous performance of “Hadji,” an acrobat, who appeared to be able to do many things, such as lighting a cigarette, eating with a fork from a plate, etc., as well with his feet as most people do with their hands in the ordinary wav. In his own

particular line Hadji is certainly a wonder. The star film, “ Till Death Us do Part ” depicts the triumph of love over worldly advancement in. quite a refreshing way. Another society drama, “The Pawned Bracelet,” shows how a voting wife pawns her husband’s gift in order to raise some cash because lie refused to make her an allowance. Her efforts to get the bracelet back without her husband’s knowledge only lead to worse complications, and she is forced to make a clean breast of everything in order to clear her character from a suspicion of scandal. Of the comics, one entitled “It Made Him Mad ” is of the best, and kept the house in a roar of laughter. An instalment of the Patho Gazette was also screened. Excellent incidental music was provided and the entertainment was a thoroughly enjoyable one in ever} - way. KING’S THEATRE. The antithesis of the cheerless and somewhat gloomy conditions that prevailed out of doom on July 28 was found within the King's Theatre, where a programme replete with all the latest vaudeville dainties was presented before a packed audience. The bill contained the names of no fewer than 17 performers, and. as many of these recalled the pleasantest of associations to lovers of good vaudeville, those present early prepared to devote themselves to the irresistible charms of mirth and music. It is probably a long time since a programme equal in all respects to the present one was produced at the King's Theatre, and the performers one and all seemed inspired to put forward their best efforts by the encouragement of an enthusiastic audience. The most popular group of artists proved to bo " Huxhain's Serenades. ’’ who are making a short reappearance after the lapse of several months, ami the old adage that *’ absence makes the heart grow fonder” seemed to receive an exemplification in the warmth of the welcome they were accorded. Messrs E. J. Sidney and Co. are a group of Continental performers <if considerable repute, and the male member jumps in a manner that would have done credit to Mark Twain’s famous frog before the ;n----troduetion of enervating quantities of lead to his capacious interior. Even within the somewhat circumscribed limits of the stage these artists clear quite astonishing heights and distances with wonderful facility, and rows of chairs and tables present no barrier at all to their rapid progress. Oarno and Francis are a. duo of acrobatic artists of great strength and wonderful development, and while one exercises his agilities in a variety of directions the other plays upon the risible faculties of the audience with no little ski'.!. Harry and Nellie Quoalv are a pair of oh! favourites, and they dispense comedy with a lavish hand in a turn that can only ho described as a humorous medley. The only remaining contributor to the evening’s entertainment was Ernest Pitcher, and. though last, he was by no means least on the scroll of merit. While he held the stage the audience could truly be said to represent “ laughter ho'ding both his sides,” for during his clover songs and witty patter those present were fairly convulsed with merriment, and he was recalled time after time.