THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 44

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By

PASOUN

Monday, July 11. To-night an entirely new programme will bo staged at the Princess Theatre, when the popular Mimi Diggers will appear in a fresh revue entitled “Adieu Mimi.” The vaudeville will be strengthened by the first appearance of Olivalli and his dog's, an act which appeared some years ago. In addition patrons are promised iresh routines from the Rev. Frank Gorman, Newman and Wynne, and the Two Cookes. Madame Marie Nilsson gave her final concert at the Burns Hall on Saturday night. Mrss Nilsson, who is accompanied by her sister, left for the north this morning. The Misses Nilsson will pay a visit to their parents in Christchurch, the family having come from the Homeland to the Dominion eight years ago. After singing in Wellington, Miss Marie Nilsson will go to Australia, where she is under an engagement for a concert tour. Mr Allan. Wilkie and his company went through to Oamaru from the south last week. The company had a short successful season in Invercargill, but only did fair at Gore and Balclutha. The company will open its North Island season at Palmerston North. The dea,th took place at Dunedin last week of Miss F ranees Grant, eldest daughter of the late Mr Francis Grant, of Milton. For the past two years the deceased lady followed her profession as teacher of singing and pianoforte at Win ton and Invercargill, and was ever ready to place her undoubted musical talents at the disposal of the community. Prior to going to Invercargill .she was a resident of Dunedin, and was connected with many musical organisations. Her bright, cheery, disposition made her a warm favourite with all. The late Miss Grant was a sister of Mrs P. de la Perrelle (Winton), Mrs Crowther (OreP’ J ki), Messrs R. L. Grant (Invercargill), H. 11. F. Grant (Gore), (J. L. Grant (sub-editor Stratford Post), and T. J. and L. N. Grant, of this city. Mr Tom Pollard is now engaged in the production of ’* A Country Girl,” which is to be staged in the Theatre Royal by the Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society for a season commencing on July 18. “The Cingalee” is being rehearsed by the Wanganui Operatic Society. The Cherniavsky trio, who are due for a Dunedin season shortly, are probably the most travelled artists for their ages in the world, having been ceaselessly afoot in Europe, America, South Africa, India, China, Australasia and other countries since they left Odessa 18 years ago. With, so much roaming around they have necessarily had some remarkable experiences, and Leo, the eldest, is writing a book of travel embodying their many adventures. A grand-daughter of Sir Henry Irving has made her debut on the London stage. She is a daughter of Mr 11. B. Irving, who tourned New Zealand some years ago. A society has been formed in New Zea, land, with headquarters at. Gore, for magicians am! hypnotists, particularly amateurs. It is known as the Mystic Circle. The official organ, the Magic Mirror, is published monthly in Sydney. In Los Angeles, where 80 per cent, of the American pictures are made, there are 10.000 artists altogether, who devote themselves exclusively to the making of pic tunes. “Fatty” Arbuokle, who returned to America recently from England, fatter and more, popular than ever, was greeted by a crowd of newspaper reporters who wanted to know the facts about his reported engagement to Dorothy Wallace. The famous screen artist replied, ill the words of Mark Twain. “My engagement has been greatly exaggerated.” Ellen Terry, as Portia, in scenes from “The Merchant of "’Venice,” was one of the “revivals’" on Shakespeare Day, who lias lost none of her old charm in accustomed scenes. Genevieve Ward, who is some years older than her famous contemporary, is the more youthful and more agile of the two. As Queen Margaret, in “Richard 111. this wonderful woman, whose memory and spirit are apparently unimpaired by her 82 years, created a furore of enthusiastic applause at the end of her great scene. Mario Tempest says of herself and Graham "Br-owne : “We said ‘Goodbye’ to our friends in England for six months, and we have been a wav seven years.” They expect to sail for the Old Country in November next. The company was playing in Melbourne at latest. The “Vice-Regala” Company directed by by Mr Victor Beck) i.s a, strong one, and is headed by Will Crawford, a comedian ot undoubted merit. The other members are: G. P. Hanna. Robert Pearce, Chris Kilner, Johnnie Marks, Norman French, Roy Aimpson. Lnslc+t Exton. Jessie Meadows, Hilda Meadows. Rosa D’Arcy, A. Southey, Bert Munyard, M. Demte, and Norman Hillier.

Barry Lupino and Billy Rego have completed their tour of South Africa, and are now in London. Barry returns to Australi i next year for .). (’. Williamson (Ltd.). Miss Nina Gordon, a London society entertainer, is a member ot Annette KoHerman's Company. Site is said to easily carry off the honours tor second place. Her imitation of Elsie Janis, Violet Lorraine, Harry Lauder, Connie Euiss, and even the divine .Melba ire: seif are shrewdly ciever and characteristic. the deatn of Mr Claude Bantock, comedian and character actor for many years with Williamson’s musical comedy companies, occurred in Melbourne recently. Air Bantock, who was 45 years of age, was a son of Dr Georg© Granville Bantock, a London physician. Two of his brothers — Air (now Professor) Granville Bantock, the celebrated composer arid conductor, and Mr Leednam Bantock, a character comedian and librettist—were in Australia with the London Gaiety Company which went “round the world” in 1894-5. Air Claude Bantock came from England some years later. He took many good character comedy roles in musical plays, and became popular in the various Australian States and m New Zealand. Practically all his appearances were made under the Williamson management. Two of his recent parts were the old farmer in “Theodore and Co.” and Bricheux, the regimental cook, in “Kissing Time.” In “The Maid of the Mountains,” making his last, appearance, he played the Mayor of Santos, and in the first act a brigand. Six or seven years ago he toured with Miss Florence Young s company in “The Climax,” playing the old professor of music. There was a large attendance of members of the theatrical profession at the funeral of the late Mr Claude Bantock at Melbourne on June 24. The service was conducted by Rev. J. Gibson in the chapel of Sleight’s funeral parlors prior to interment of the body in Melbourne General Cemetery. The pall bearers were Messrs Phil Smith, E. Sherras, Fred. Young, George Smith, Leslie Holland, H. Burton, A. Stigant, and W. Green Numerous wreaths were sent, amongst the senders being the directors of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Alessr3 J. and N. Tait, Mr and Mrs Leslie Holland, and the Commercial Travellers’ Club. It is beyond dispute that “HumptyDumpty,” “who sat on a wall,” with which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., opened a brief season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, has rarely, if ever, been excelled from a spectacular point of view. The stage surroundings are at times necessarily ot a sombre complexion to suit the particularly phase of the story of Humpty-Dumpty, but tor the most part the stage is clothed in gorgeous raiment, and presents a glittering and dazzling appearance. The scenes and scenic effects belong to the highest standard, and the results attained are of a most artistic description, and would be very difficult to improve upon with the stage space available. Inn “HumptyDumpty” the Williamson Company has secured the services of a bevy of exceptionally attractive, lissome young ladies, who put the finishing touch to a work well begun. The costumes worn, though the materials used would not, so far as quantity is concerned, result in a heavy draper’s bill, are exceedingly well designed, and there is a perfect blending of colour. There is an abundance of humour in the pantomime, most of which is provided by Albert Le Fre, who extracts a full measure of aniuse(Claudianna), Edwin Brett, the King of iiumpiiand, and Hector St, Clair. The chief comedy character is entrusted to Mr Fre, who extracts a full measured amusement from it without being unnecessarily vulgc6r. Mr St. Clair was another of the main contributors to the merriment amongst the audience. He played Pipchin, a bucolic youth afterwards known at HumptyDumpty. Air Brett as King Ptolomy put in some ciever comedy, especially when he appeared in conjunction with the King’s Spouse, Claudianna, and the King’s Prime Minister, Air Leo Stirling. Miss Beatrice Allen was cast as the principal boy (Prince Florizel), who is in love- with Estrella, afterwards known as the Princess Amaranth©, and filled the part and sang the music that fell to her quite creditably. Miss Marie Fanchonetti played which is not altogether a prominent part, satisfactorily, and sang several songs pleasingly, particularly “Rose of Love.” In a vocal direction a litle girl named Nellie Barnes quite captivated the audience with her singing of “I Want a Daddy” and “Tom Tiddler.” In addition to numerous ballets, such as “The Chicken” and the “Egg Flip,” etc., all of which were exceedingly well presented, Misses Josie Melville and Lucy Sullivan, the premiere danseuse of the company, appeared on several occasions and never failed to win loud applause with their clever foot work, and Air Ray M’Lean gave an eccentric and a long-shoe dance. An outstanding feature of the evening was the appearance of the Lccardo Brothers, who are exceptionally clever acrobats, and gave a wonderful turn. The orchestra fulfilled its part in the performance admirably, under the direction of Mr Robert. Keers, the management of the stage being loft in the capable hands of Mr J. C. Whitfield. WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS. Bi Peter Pak. July 9. Dear “Pasquin,”—The Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Company opened its season last Saturday evening to a packed house, which included a large party from Government House. “The Gondoliers” was the offering, and the company gave it a most creditable presentation. The old favourite was warmly acclaimed, and its many fine vocal pleasures heartily enjoyed. The com pany is strong in “voices,” and the chorus is an intelligent one. “The Mikado” goes up to-night, and should be able to fill the house for its short run of four nights. Air Harold Bowden is manager of th© company. The Fullers had bad luck on Monday evening. The rough weather delayed the Sydney boat, forcing her to shelter at Long Island, and thus a number of new artists billed to appear were unable to do so. However, they were all there on Tuesday, and made a big hit. Alias Beatrice ATKenzie, a comic opera prima donna, and Miss Ray Dawn, a gifted whistler, pre sen ted a novel act. entitled “Shadow-land,” and at once made good. An English comedy duo, Carlton and R.oslyn, also made a most favourable impression, as also did Donald Stuart, a comedy conjuror. Tlio present bill is a very strong one. The Cherniavskys reoitals wore so successful that an extra one is to bo given in the Town Hall to-morrow.

SHIPPING NEWS. MOVEMENTS OF OVERSEA VESSELS. U.(o City of Madrid left New York for Wellington 3rd inst. ibo ( ity of Lincoln left New York for Wellington 3rd inst. 11l - Athcnie ‘li London for Auckland 3rd i net Ihe Banffshire left Wellington for London 6ili inst. The Suffolk left Welling! on for Liverpool 7til inst. Jhe Niagara arrived Vancouver from Auckland 4th inst. Ine Dorset left London for Lyttelton sth inst. Hie Havre arrived Auckland from Singapore 2nd inst. The Lepanto arrived Lyttelton from New York oth inst, Iha Karamea left Wellington for London via Panama. 10th inst. . T 'ne Surrey left Lyttelton for Boston 9bh mst. IDe Mata.tua arrived Norfolk from Lyttelton 7t,h inst. The Port. Pirie arrived London from Wellington 7th inst. 1 he Vest Hepburn left London for Auckland 9th inst. the Romuera arrived London from Panama 9th inst. The Rimutaka left London for Wellington 9th inst. The Clan Alaclcan arrived Liverpool from Suez 9th inst.