STAGELAND

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 151, 1 August 1914, Page 4

STAGELAND

Sheridan's ever new "School for Scandal," and other plays of established reputation.

"Immortal Ca-sar dead," etc. —an Australian scribe brings sad news that Andrew Iligginson, male beauty and comic opera songster, adored by the

jeune fille of all ages, is running a hotel in some back Victorian township called Wangaratta —"To what base uses."

Alexander Watson, the famous reciter—it would be better to call him a dramatic company, for he is all that in one person, is announced to open his

Wellington season this evening. He gave 4<i recitals in Melbourne alone, and created a record in attendances, and it is safe to say lie. will do the same here, since Christchurch took to him so kindly- on his last appearance here a couple of years ago. He has just concluded a very successful season in Dunedin. In the New York "Musical Courier," Mr D. F. M'Sweeney, representative for Mr John M'Cormack, describes Australia and New Zealand as "splendid countries from a musical standpoint. The people there," he says, "have not been surfeited by au excessive number of musical attractions, and welcome enthusiastically any really great artist. But," Mr M'Sweeney adds, "the artist must be, above all things, young. The Australians, .being a vigorous people, only respond to vigorous art. In this respect they are a good deal like our Western Americans. The revival in Melbourne of Gilbert and Sullivan's . "lolanthe" recalls, a fact that is probably not known to the bulk of those interested in the theatre —namely, that the late Robert Brough was specially brought from England to play the part of the Lord Chancellor in the first production. And Mrs Brough, then known as Florence Trevelyan, was the fairy queen.

Thus the Press agent gives the tip to Scots inclined to be friendly, but dubious:—"Mr Harry Lauder is not a total abstainer (as" has been reported recently), although he is an extremely moderate drinker."

Speaking of the Opera League's work, it is said that the financial support (finance is always the big problem) is so satisfactory that the list of membership is now closed. The league will produce Alfred Hill's oj>era " Giovanni" in Sydney on Monday night. Miss Florrence Young, as already-announced, will appear as the Princess Violette, and Mr Philip Newbury will take the title part.

N'York "Puck" has fixed up a quick selection rating of theatrical shows for its readers, according to the ''Bulletin." It labels each current show A, B, or C

for good, fair, or bad; 1, 2, or cording to the way the public is rushing it; and x, y, or z as drama, comedy, or musical. P denotes that "PuekM itself recommends it, and * that the show is having an extraordinary run. So the hustled New Yorker can just go for the "A P *" among the two dozen shows available, and select x, y, or z accordingto his feelings at the moment.

Messrs Alf. Liuley and George Stephenson are at present busily engaged in Sydney engaging artists for their dcw pantomime company. Already negotiations have been completed with some of the principals, including Miss Olive Bobinson, who will be principal boy; Miss Molly King, principal girl; Mr Con Moreui, to play Dame; and Mr Charles Howard, as the demon. The pantomimes are '' Bluebeard'' and '' The Jam of Cathay." Miss Kthel Clifford has been retained to arrange the ballets and marches, and Mr Harry Whaite will be responsible for the scenery. The company will reach New Zealand about October.

Fritz Hart, for some years one of J.C.W.'s musical directors and who:was last round New Zealand with the "Miss Gibbs" company, has been appointed director of the Marshall Hall ~Conse!rvatorium. He left off conducting . for musical coihedy shows a couple of years ago in order to take up the job • of musical critic to one of the Sydney morning, dailies, and has gone ahead as a. composer since. His operetta " Pieretlte, ' * which is to be*presented by the Australian Opera League in Sydney shortly, is bowbeing rehearsed in Melbourne. Mr Beg* Boberts is to appear as Pierrot.

Mr Paul Dufault has left. Sydney for Vancouver. So comprehensive hasbeen his-tour of Australia and New Zealand that he proudly claims that he knows more about these countries than, many of the people who are living in them. Mr Dufault (says a Sydney paper) speaks with delight of his experiences, and incidentally mentions his enjoyment of some of the fine scenery on the West Coast of New Zealand. The motor drive from Westport to Reef ton through the ; Boiler Gorge- furnishes, he says, a series of the most "beautiful views one could see auywhere*