THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 63

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pakquin.

Tuesday, June 22. The Southland portion of their tour having concluded, the members of the PlimmcrHall Company passed through Dunedin last week en route to the far north. Mr Roland Stanley, the business manager, stated in a brief chat prior to his departure that the returns had so far been satisfactory, but they looked to the north for the profits. Always the North Island! How is it that the South is so far behind from the managers viewpoint? The site of the proposed picture theatre at the Exchange Court looks like nothing so much as a Belgian village after a German bombardment. Demolished walls and hundreds of tons of bricks and mortar meet the eye, but order is being gradually restored out of chaos. The work of demolishing' the interior of the court, which contained so many offices and compartments, has been arduous, but as soon as the site is cleared the work of the erection of the theatre will proceed apace. It is reported that Mrs Mabel Manson, well known in musical circles in this city, who has been in England these many years, has received an offer from the J. O. Williamsofl firm to return to Australia to take part in conic opera productions. This is not the first offer the Dunedin vocalist has received from the same firm; but she has again declined to accept, probably for the reason that she is doing, and can do, much better at Home.

The Violet Dandies, of whom we despaired of seeing these war times, are really after all to grace Dunedin with their presence. Mr Victor Bock, the reeentlyappointed touring manager, has arrived in town to arrange for the appearance of the Violets for a short season in His Majesty’s Theatre, following the present Christchurch visit. The Violets should blossoms like the flowers that bloom in the spring, particularly as our own Mies Dorothy Gard’ncr is one of the bright buds. The season of society snap-shots at His Majesty’s was brief and to the point. Beginning on Thursday, it closed on Saturday, when that clever entertainer Joseph Biascheck and his capable assistant, Miss Alyco Austin, betook themselves to Invercargill and Southland districts. Lovers of good music in the country got exceptional value last week in the tour of the Oherniavsky- trio, and audiences were vastly appreciative. The Russian trio returned to town on Tuesday, when they gave their farewell recital at Hie Majesty’s. The trio will tour New Zealand until such time as it is wise to depart for America. Mr Maurice Ralph, who has been associated with the Beaumont Smith enterprises for many wears, will be associated with Mr Harrington Reynolds, of the Palace Gardens Theatre, Brisbane, of which ho has secured a long lease, as general manager. Mr Ralph has been an extensive traveller. His longest trip was with the profit-making “Tiny Town.” This trip took him through Australia thence through South Africa, ’honor through Canada, New York, the States, and back to Australia again. The revival of Ma Mie Rosette recalls the fact +hat many old-time favored s appeared in it, including Nellie Stewart,

Floernce Young, Wallace Bro widow, Geo. Lauri, and Hugh Ward. Tho sudden death of Frank Muegrovc, referred to in last issue, is now exjhained by the fact that pneumonia was the cause. Deceased took ill shortly arrival in Melbourne from Dunedin, and died at Fairfield. He was tho youngest brother of George, and Harry Musgrove, and was 42 years of age. . , . Mr Harrington Reynolds, who is familiarly known as tho famous Father Kelly of “Tho Rosary,” has taken a long lease of the Palace Gardens Theatre, Brisbane, and it is his intention during this season to produce all the latest high-class comedies as well as to revive some of the old favourites. Ho will have associated with him a company of comedy artists, who will be known as Harrington Reynold’s Comedy Players, and will open on or about July 31. That most successful musical comedy “Tho Arcadians” is to bo revived in Melbourne shortly, with tho following cast: —Ethel Cadman as Sombra, Thelma Raye as Eileen Kavanagh (“the girl with the brogue”), Robert Whyte, jun., as Peter Doody (the role he has already played with great success), Leslie Holland ao Jack Meadows, Phil Smith as Simplicitas-Smith, and Maggie Dickinson as Ghrysea. Phil Smith, by the -way, has already played Simplicitas in England and America. There was only one member of the J. 0. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company in Melbourne who received the news of the revival of “The Arcadians” with perturbation. This was Robert vVhyte, jun. “You see, it’s so deuced awkward for me,” explained Mr Whyte. When I was told to play Senator Gilroy, the millionaire, in ‘The Marriage Market,’ I fed up so as to resemble as closely as possible the comfortable exterior of a millionaire with every luxury and a staff of skilful chefs to satisfy his appetite. I tell you I am in no conditon to play tho gaunt and haggard Peter Doody in ‘ Tho Arcadians.’ Why, I shall have to starve again, after all this luxury, and make a desperate sacrifice of my too—too solid flesh.” And the actor hurried away anxiously to the Turkish baths. “ Numbers of artists' hate the one-night stands in America,”, remarked Ethel Cadman, of the Royal Comic Opera Company at Melbourne Her Majesty’s, referring to her experiences in the States. She added: “ I loved the hustle and change of scene, and experienced a most enjoyable time, for this sort of thing appeals to me. Our company was like a big pienhe party. We went to the Indian Reservations, took a trip across the border into Mexico, among the ‘ greasers,’ played in Idaho, where the vaudeville soubrotte ‘ wants to go,’ sometimes slept over-night in “ the railway carriages for lack of other accommodation, and had many experiences that I hope some day to embody in a book containing an account of my travels.” Temple Harrison, who died recently in Australia, was. one of William Anderson’s comedians for some years, and latterly developed into a play-maker. Ho was with Charles Holloway and George Darrell in tho years gone by, and was in the cast of “The Sunny South” with Atholwoocl and other well-known actors. “The Winning Ticket” was a melodrama he wrote and secured good results with; but his latest, “The Sunny Co rner.” was produced at the King’s Theatre a little while ago, and got a different reception. Tho audience passed remarks about the play, and Harrison finally made a speech and argued the point with the spectators, making some caustic comments about the behaviour of Australian audiences. Louise Mack, the remarkable journalist who is about to give a scries of war lectures in Australia, commencing in Sydney on July 17, has won considerable renown rin England for the courage that she''displayed as a correspondent in Belgium. In an endeavour to obtain exclusive news, she cleverly concealed her own nationality, and. adopting tho mannerisms and language of a Belgian, she travelled through that stricken land, carefully noting its condition under tho German occupation. The hazards of her existence were further increased by the necessity of using false passports, and travelled in. prohibited places. Her extraordinary adventures will be the subject of the absorbing lectures which she has arranged to give with the pictorial support of numerous unique photographs and moving pictures.

Mr John Farrell, the well-known touring manager for the Williamson firm, who has returned to New Zealand to pilot “Cinderella” through the highways and byways of the Dominion, wires mo from Auckland that the tour has been amended. The Christchurch opening will now take place on July 12, and the season will extend to the 17th. Timaru will be visited on July 19, Oamaru July 20, and Dunedin from July 21 to 27. Johnny Farrell wires that business is ehormous. Miss Dorothy Gard’ncr, the comedienne of “ The Violet Dandies,” is the wellknown and talented Dorothy Gard’ner who made a name for herself in Dunedin in monologue work and in amateur opera. Since she left her native city some three years ago. Miss Gard’ner has been associated with Branscombe’s “ Dandies,” in which she quickly won a reputation. As a sketch artist she is now unique in Australasia, and as a composer has exhibited no little talent. Many of her most effective numbers arc of her own composition and arrangement. Miss Marguerite Leroy, of “ The Violet Dandies,” first won wide popularity as the premier danscuso with the company that started with extraordinary success in “ The Arcadians.” Her interpretation of the terpsichorean art is at every jaoint original and delightful. Some of her dances are witchingly expressive of life in radiant consciousness, the “ joio de vivre.” Her gaiety is spontaneous, cordial, compelling, the true Gallic type, and in her classic poses she is exquisite. Miss Leroy is well remembered in Dunedin as the Chrysea in the memorable production of “The Arcadians.” “THE VIOLET DANDIES,.” “ The Violet Dandies ” will make their appearance at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday evening next for a season of six nights. They include several notable performers, among them being Mr C'uthbort Rose, a comedian with a largo experience of the London stage. Mr Rose is a jester of the refined school. He is an excellent character comedian, whoso wit is natural and unforced. During the Australian season of “The Violets” Mr Rose achieved great success. Another prominent performer with this company is Miss Dorothy Maitland Gard’ncr, who gained her first stage experience an an amateur in the Dominion. Migrating to Australia, Miss Gard’ner’s undoubted "talent was quickly recognised by Mr Edward Branscombe, who her a. lengthy engagement. Tin’s was accepted, and Miss Gard’ner’s career has been

a flattering success throughout. Miss Gardner will be seen, in several roles during the season, prominent among them being the impersonation of various juvenile characters. The remaining members of the company are all experienced and versatile, and it is claimed that “ The Violets ” is undoubtedly the greatest costume comedy company ever sent to this country by the Branscombo proprietary. The box plan will open at the Bristol Piano Co. to-morrow morning.