THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 63

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquik.

Tuesday, March 7. In addition to the proposed alterations and improvements to His Majesty's Theatre, tho Messrs Fuller and Sons purpose redecorating the Princess, and making it one of the most complete vaudoville houses in the Dominion. Mr Hankinson, the decorative artist, has returned from Sydney, where ho has been busy with tho Sydney Adelphi, and will make a start at His Majesty's this month. As soon as Hie Majesty's Theatre is finished Fullers' Vaudeville Company will bo transferred thereto, and will remain while the work of redecorating tho Princess Theatre is in progress. It has been freely stated in the north that the New Zealand tour of tho Royal Strollers has been abandoned in the meantime; but, ae if in contradiction to that statement, Mr Scott Colville writes mo from Auckland to tho effect that he is at present mapping out a plan of campaign for tho forthcoming attack of the Royal Strollers, which has been decided upon by Messrs J. and N. Tait. "Wo open here at. the end of tho month, and sifter playing all tho

moneyed town 3 of the North. Island we cross the strait, and wend our way down to your bravv city, where we ' stroll' at Plis Majesty's Theatre from 20th to 25th May. The Royal Strollers have met with enqrmous success throughout Australia, and played a 14 weeks' season to capacity business at the Palace Theatre, Sydney. They are undoubtedly a very fine combination, who have been together for many years, and are recognised as the leading costume comedy company in England, where they have appeared by Royal command before the King and Queen. I am certain that their entertainment will appeal to the discriminating Dunedinites, and if Sydney James and ' Billy' do not make a hit I will run grand opera in Central Otago for the remainder of the winter months."

—Mr Dickson Moffat, a member of the well-known family of Scottish actors, died suddenly in his bath at his London residence. He had been busily rehearsing for " JBauldy," a play to bo produced in London in the course of a few weeks. Mr Moffat, who was 51 years of age, was a brother of Mr Graham Moffat, the author of "Bunty Pulls the Strings," recently in Dunedin. He was a native of Glasgow, where his father, a well-known elocutionist, was teacher of that art in connection with the University. Mr Dickson Moffat early made a name for himself as a public reader, and acted effectively in sketches, principally Scottish

All who remember the New Zealand tour of " The Gay Gordons," which followed "Tiie Arcadians" in 1911, will not have forgotten the dry comedian of the company, Tom Graves. Word has been received that Tom Graves d.'ed suddenly in Chicago on December 22 when appearing in a production entitled "Nobody Home." Deceased was very sensitive to the criticism of the press in certain towns in New Zealand, and during the Dunedin season ho opened his heart cut to the writer on the subject. He was a brother of George Graves, the famous London comedian.

During the recent Dunedin season tho Royal Comic Opera Company was rehearsing, amongst other pieces, that wonderful success "The Belle of New York" for early production in Melbourne. As most theatre-goers know "The Belle" from Cora Angelique to the old drunk in Pell street, they will probably find some interest, as I did, in the new cast: Ichabod Branson, Leslie Holland; Harry Bronson, Reg. Roberts; Polite Lunatic, Phil. Smith; Doc. Simpkins (the father of the Queen of " kamic apera"), Claude Buntock; Blinky Bill, Charlie Albert; Violet Gray (the 'Belle), Ethel Cadrnan; Fifi,, Minnie Love; Mamie Clancy, Nelly Paine; and Cora Angelique, Florence Young. " The Belle " goes up next week after the revival of " Gipsy Love." I confess being a little curious about the cast, and will bo anxious to know how it gets on, especially Ethel Cadman as the Belle and Minnie Love as Fifi.

Mr Edwin Gcach, who has been on a holiday visit to New Zealand from Sydney after an eight years' absence, returned to Australia by the Riverina on Thursday. Mr Geach \\p.s unfortunately not able to visit the South Island, but he made all inquiries concerning the picture theatres before returning to Sydney.

Mr Angus M'Lcod, who oame out from England as manager for Maud Allan, is associated with Daniel Meyer (a wellknown London manager) in a plan to enter ; thc American vaudvejlle field in conjunction with "legitimate" and picture activities. These managers projDOSC shortly to offer Madame Steinheil, who was the central figure in a Paris murder mystery; Madame Rejane, the wonderful French comedienne; and Sir John Hare. They also intend (according to the New York Dramatic Mirror) to establish branches in India, South Africa, and Australia. One of the new-comers with tho Tivoli Follies is Miss Eileen Redmond, an Australian artiste, who gives every promise of rising to the top of tho tree in her profession. Although little more than a girl, Miss Redmond has been decidedly successful to date. After playing small parts in Australia with the J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) management, she went to South Africa in a leading role in the 'Vuss in Boots" pantomime. At the conclusion of the tour there she secured a lucrative engagement in vandcville, and was then booked for London. She repeated her triumphs in some of the best halls there, and was rapidly becoming a big favourite when an attack of neuritis and rheumatism forced her to return to tho warmer climate of Australia.

Dunedin admirers of the Cherniavsky Brothers will bo pleased to learn that the talented trio are at present touring East Canada with great success. Mr Howard Edie, managing director, says the boys are already booked for 63 recitals in tho United States, beginning in October next. At Government House, Ottawa, they recently had the honour of playing before their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and the Princess Patricia, after which they were entertained at afternoon tea. Only the members of the Royal household were present, and their Royal Highnesses expressed grc-at delight at the brilliant and -wonderful musical ability of the artists.

A London cable states that a section of tho theatrical press is discussing the possibility of employing only British artists in the music halls. Theatrical agents journeying to America to book turns received an official hint and cancelled their trip. After closing down on vaudeville in Christchurch for some time, Messrs Fuller and Sons have decided to reopen the Opera House in that city. To Miss Daisy Jerome has been allotted the task of reopening vaudeville in Christchurch on Monday next. Mr Walter Helsdon, who was temporarily in charge at the Princess in this city, has arrived from Wellington to take charge of tho Opera House. It was only yesterday (wrote a London correspondent on January 18) that one of the most romantic love stories of the war was disclosed. It concerns Miss Pat Peel, a chorus girl in a revue, and Lieutenant Edward Ross Mnlock, of tho Gordon Highlanders, who was killed at Neuvo Chapclle. By the will of tho officer, made in an army paybook, the lady inherits property worth £15,000. Miss Peel, a dark, vivacious g-irl, is a member of tho company playing "Keep to tho Right," ono of the many revues now popular. None of the other ladies of tho company suspected that Miss Peel, drawing as she docs each Saturday tho same unpretentious salary as themselves, was heiress to a fortune. None of them connected her with a lady who was plaintiff in a case heard in the Probate Court last November, wherein tho judge decided in _ favour of a will, although tho paybook in which it was inscribed could not be found. It is estimated that tho estate, which includes railway stocks and shares and house properties, produces an income of about £6OO a year. This, of course, Miss Peel cannot touch until tho

death of Mrs Mulock. In the bank, however, there was a deposit of £2OO to the lieutenant's credit, to which she was entitled. The sane and serious section of the community —and in war-time they bulk largely —will welcome the coming to this city of Miss Dorothea -Spinney, the talented tragedienne, who has spellbound large audiences in other of the centres of the Do million. Good wine needs no bush, and Miss Spinney's reputation in London, New York, " Melbourne, and Sydney should be sufficient to enable her to pass muster, even in difficult Dunedin. Miss Spinney's specialty is Greek tragedy, that antique fountain-head of all drama and all religion, and by reason of her wonderful voice and exceptional histrionic ability she is able to recite an entire Greek play, impersonating alike chorus and characters, and giving even to the most striking situations their correct colour and values. She commences her Dunedin season in the Burns Hall on Friday, 17th inst., with a recital of Euripides' great tragedy of "Hippolytus This will be followed at intervals by the same dramatist's "Iphigenia," "The Trojan Woman." and "The Bacchae," in every case using Professor Gilbert Murray's translations in rhymed English verse. There will also be a "recital of "The Ant;gene. of Sophocles, and an evening of Irish plays by Syngc, Yeats, and others. Already there is a rush on Gilbert Murray's books, and Dunedin society is getting ready to receive Miss Spinney. The season promises to be both a success and a sensation, and it should be a revelation to many of the possibilities of Greek tragedy.

Further particulars are to hand regarding the late Wilbur Dartnell, the first actor to win the Victoria Cross, an honour m which the whole profession takes a justifiable pride. Lieutenant Dartnell, who was for some time with Mr .Bland Holt, went to South Africa with the Australian Bushman Contingent at the time of the Boer war, and during the campaign gained the King s and Queen's medals. He was also the possessor of another medal for service during the Zulu rebellion in 1906. Ae an actor ho was versatile. He toured South Africa under the management of Mr Leonard Rayne, Mr Brough-Pearce, and Miss Amy Coleridge. Mr Dartnell retired from the stage in 1913, and settled down in East London, Cape Colony, where he started a. successful business as a forwarding and commission agent, at the same time taking a keen interest in local amateur theatricals. At the outbreak of hostilities in Europe he was one of the first to offer his services, and joined the Twenty-fifth Battalion, Frontiersmen Fusiliers. His kindly disposition endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.

The 13th is not popular in the theatre. Not a single play was produced on that date in any month in London of all last year. As a number it is avoided in the dressing room; and any reader who possesses a playbill containing a cast with 13 members may be sure that he has a rare, if not a unique, treasure. Friday is also a day that comes under the ban of general superstition. True, Mr Bouchier last year threw superstition to the winds, and produced "on a Friday in June " The Green Flag," which ran for nearly 70 performances; but others who tried it wer<-. less fortunate. "The lload to Raebury," produced on a Friday at London Criterion, had onlv 10 performances; and "A Daughter" of England," the only other example of a Friday play in 1915, was withdrawn from the Garriek after the 19th. The death is announced at New York of Miss Ada Rehan, the celebrated actress. Miss Rohan, though only 56, had not appeared on the stage since 1906; but there are still many theatre-goers, both in England and the United States, who have vivid memories of her distinguished rendering of a great variety of characters. Born in Limerick in 1860, and educated at Brooklyn, U.S.A., she made her first appearance on the stage at the age of 14 as Clara in "Across the Continent," at Newark, NewJersey. Her talent was at once recognised, and she went quickly from one success to another. Her retirement when only 46 was lamented by a very wide circle of admirers in America and Europe. Miss Rehan's versatility was remarkable. Between 1875 and 1878 she played nearly 200 different characters. With Edwin Booth, Laurence Barrett, John M'Cullough, and others, she gave fresh charm to the heroines of Shakespeare. In 1879 she was engaged-by-Augus-tin Daly for his New York theatre, and played under his management in London, Berlin, Paris, and other European cities. Miss Rehan was specially successful as Rosalind, Katherine, Viola, and Lady Teazle. Her first appearance in London was at Toole's Theatre in 1884. Later she appeared at the Strand (1886), the Gaiety (1888), Lyceum (1890). and Daly's (1893 and 1895). Miss Rehan, though she spent most of her life in America, had a great affection for England and English audiences. "I don't think," she once said, "that the Americans are nearly so ' demonstrative as the English. Your pit and gallery, when they are pleased, leave no room for doubt. They simply 'go' for" you." Despite ■ his appearance of perennial youth, Mr Ashmead-Bartlett, who will shortly set out on a lecturing tour of NewZealand, is one of the most war-worn of correspondents. The Greco-Turkish war of 1897 was only tlie first of his experiences in modern warfare. He saw the Russian collapse at Liao Yang, Stossel's formidable defence of Port Arthur, the Yankee attack on San Juan Hill in the Hispano-American war, and he had a military command in the Boer war. In the present war his experience as a correspondent in Flanders and Gallipoli would make a book of exciting adventures. The lectures are being given under the direction of J. and N. Tait.

With 30 theatres open nightly, and most afternoons too. the statement that they have been badly hit by the war may seem an exaggeration, yet it is strictly true (says a London writer in a review of the theatrical year). Managers and actors, with a few rare exceptions, have had to exercise economy. The public was not spending as much money in the theatre as in other years, and the plays that made fairly largo profits did not number six. Outside competition, too, has hit the theatres fairly hard —revues and kinomatograph attractions have been "boomed" in opposition, and within the world of the theatre there has been an appreciable difficulty to tempt authors to work for what they regard at present as a dull market. The number of new plays produced last year was about 20 fewer than the average of the past few years, but the revivals were as numerous as ever. Musical plays were below the usual figures, but the invasion of revue entertainments —which arc much easier to stage—win account for the difference. The plays of all sorts produced and revived in 1914 were: —Plays of two or more acts 47, musical plays 5, pantomimes 3, one-act plays 14, revivals of plays of two or more acts

33, Shakespeare's plays 3, revues (those in music halls not included) 6. CLEMENT L. WRAGGE. Amid the constant vibrations of this, the greatest of all wars, it is a positive relief to the mind —even for a brief period—to be enabled to contemplate loftier things. To this end all those who possibly can should make a point of attending the grand scientific entertainment at the various towns to be visited during the present tour of the Dominion of Clement L. Wraggc, the worldfamed meteorologist and astronomer, who will give his latest masterpiece, entitled "The Eternal Universe and the War," during which he describes and particularly deals with the lesson inculcated by the war in the light of the evolution of the human race viewed as a unit in the grand scheme of eternity. Those who had the pleasure of hearing Mr Wraggo's magnificent address on the occasion of his previous visit to this town will recall the splendid illustrations of the finest pictures and celestial photographs then shown, which have been materially added to in the meantime by collections obtained from the leading observatories of the world. Those who saw his collection arc not soon likely to forget it, and the great impression created by his superb powers of language and magnetic attractions. The entertainment must be seen, and the splendid illustrations witnessed, before one can properly appreciate the value of such a discourse in the grand cause of higher education. Suffice it to add that never since the time of Proctor have New Zealanders had such intellectual treats. The following tours are included : —March 8, Clinton ; 9, Gore ; 10, Edendale; 11, Wyndham; 13, 14, 15, Invorcargill; 16, Bluff; 17, Nightcaps; 18, Otautau ; 20, Rivcrton ; 21, Thornbury ; 22, Orepuki; 23, Lumsden; 24, Riversdale; 25. Tapanui; 27, Hcriot; 28, Stirling; 29, Kaitangata; 30, Milton; 31, Lawrence; April 1, Outram; 3, Clyde; 4, Alexandra; 5, Ranfurly; 6, Middle-march; 7, Mosgiel; 8, Waikouaiti.