STAGELAND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2031, 18 August 1920, Page 6

STAGELAND.

(By Dionysus.) __ BOOKINGS. Theatre Royal. Aug. 20-2"- r "The Wishing Well" (nid of Church of England Girls' Hostel). Aug. 28-Scpt. 4—"The" Geisha" (Christchurcli Operatic Society). Sept. 7-14 —Carter, the Magician. Sept. 15-21—"The Australian Diggers." Sept. 23-Oct. o—"The Passing Show of 1920 (J. C. W.). Oct. 11-18—"Tiger Rose" (Tait). Oct. 19-21—John McCormack (Tait). Opera House. Fuller's Vaudeville. Choral Hall. Aug. 24, 26, 28—Evans-Gange Concerts. Amy Evans, who is to be heard at the Choral Hal! next week, is a Welsh 6oprano, and is described as one of the most gifted singers of our time. The ">'Bulletin," Sydney, said: "If Wales boasted of crowned heads instead of princes, then Amy Evans would be the Queen of Wales." The diva has a commanding appearance, and possesses a voice that expresses every shade of the passion of the human soul. Fraser oange (who in private life is the husband of the famous diva) is said to possess one of the most remarkable voices yet heard from a concert platform, and when he appears to have given out the full power of his vocal attainment he astonishes the hearer by giving out much more. • * • Among the arrivals by the ITlimaroa at Wellington last trip was Mile Irma Caron, the daughter of the well-remem-bered French musician, M. Leon Caron. This charming and versatile singer and musician is spending some time in New " Zealand, on her way to a London engagement under Mr Robert Courtneidge, who is placing her as lead in comic opera. • » * Those who remember the tour of Madame Albani, many years ago, and who remember her in the days of her operatic triumphs, will learn with regret that the singer, who once had the musical world at her feet, has fallen on hard times. A recent cable message from London in the Sydney "Sun" mentions her as having been granted a Civil List pension of £IOO a year. Madame Albani, who was born near Montreal in 1852, and is therefore 68 years of age, made her debut in Italy 50 years ago. In the last quarter of the last century hers was a name which conjured crowds to any theatre or hall I in which she was to sing. She was the protege of monarehs, being a special favourite of Queen Victoria's, and at one time Court singer to the Emperor ef Germany, and she received several "decorations. And now she is in reeeipt of £IOO per year as a charity pension! • » » , A new three-act musical comedy, "Oh! Julie!" is at present being played at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. In the cast are Ethel Levey (Mrs GrahameWhlte), who is making'her first venture out of the world of revue, as far as London is concerned, and George Graves, who differs from most highly-paid comedians, in that he is genuinely funny. » ♦ * A cablegram received from New York, dated August 11, announces the death at New London, Connecticut, of "James O'Neill, the well-known American actor. In his day he appeared with stars of such magnitude as Adelaide Neilson and Edwin Booth, alternating parts with the latter. Among the many roles to his credit are Gerard in "The Adventures of Gerard," Pete in "The Manxman," and John the Baptist in "The A'oice of the Mighty." • * » * A cable message from Sydney announces the death of Essie Jenyns (Mrs Wood). When she was on the Australian stage, no player was more popular than she in Shakespearean roles. On her marriage she definitely retired from theatrical life, and only emerged from her retirement to take part in Ellen Terry's Benefit at His Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, in 1914. At this benefit,- every actor and actress of note in Sydney appeared. Miss Jenyns played Nerissa to the Portia of Ellen Terry, in the Trial Scene from "The Merchant of Venice," which the writer had the pleasure of witnessing. She then displayed all the charm which won her such popularity in Australia. • » • Describing the "mango trick" performed by Hindu fakirs, Carter, the

magician, who opens a season in Christchurch on September 7, says: —"The trick is very simple. You just plant a seed in the earth, water it, cover it with a cloth, and, removing the cloth, reveal a little mango tree or bush. But the fakir I saw had a new wrinkle. You could see the tree pushing up the cloth, eonewise, as he played on a squealing pipe he took from the pouch at his side. I made him do it twice. Then I caught on. After planting the seed and then showing a tiny sprout, inserted cleverly as he withdrew the cloth the first time, he slipped under the cloth, as he replaced it, a dormant cobra, which he took from his pouch. The music of the pipes has a peculiar effect on the cobra. It makes him stand up on his tail and wave about. That gave the appearance cf the tree growing. Of course, the rest was, merely sleight-of-hand —whisking the cobra bai-k into the bag, and the tree out, and sticking it into the ground, all the while withdrawing the cloth. But the cobra as a 'prop'? No thanks," said Carter. "I prefer lions."

When recently in America, Mr John Griffiths, who was last here with Paul Dufault, secured a concert company for a tour of Australia, and, with his knowledge of the conditions, engaged Mr Paul Costello, Irish-Italian tenor (whatever that might mean), Mr Elias Breeskin, violinist, and Mr Arthur Loesser, pianist. Judging from reports to hand, his engagements have met with the greatest success in Australia, so much so that he is playing a return season in Sydney, prior to coming to New Zealand. Mr Griffiths has associated with him Mr Duncan Neven, as manager. The latter was last here as manager for Mile Antonia Dolores.

The Gilbert and Sullivan opera season at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, will be characterised by short runs and quick changes, in"nrder to allow of the production of the following operas:— "The Mikado," "The Yeoman of the Guard," "The Gondoliers," "lolanthe," "Patience," "Trial by Jury," "H.M.S. Pinafore," "The Pirates of Penzance."

Vesta Tilley (Lady de Frcce) recently entered upon her last fortnight as a professional performer. She received the most tumultuous of receptions at the London Coliseum. From the moment her number went up until she had taken half a dozen "curtains" and made a speech, .she was cheered with extraordinary heartiness. As an impersonator of "K'nuts," Vesta Tilley has held pride of place on the English stage for more years than the older theatregoers care to remember.

It is appropriate that the J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company should have been organised for a season in Australia at a time when the Gilbert and Sullivan revival is arousing tremendous enthusiasm in both England and America. The J. C. Williamson management has got together a strong cast of principals and a magnificent chorus, recruited largely from the grand opera company recently under the firm's management. On Saturday night, August 7, the season commenced with "The MikaMo," at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, the cast including the following:—Villiers Arnold as the Mikado, James Hay (his first appearance in Australia) as Nanki Poo, John Ralston as Pish-Tush, Albert Kavanagh as Pooh-Bah, Eileen Castles as Yum-Yum, Patti Russell as Peep-80, Ethel Morrison as Katisha, Thelnia Carter as Pitti Sing, Charles R. Walenn as Ko-Ko. The opera will be produced by Minnie Everett, with Dick Shortland as stage manager, and Gustave Slapoffski will be musical director.

Mr Austin Strong, who wrote "Three Wise Fools," in which Mr John D. O'Hara has recently been appearing, is the author of several successful plays r which have scored solidly in England and America. These include "Little Father of the Wilderness," "The Pied Piper," "The Toymaker of Nuremburg," and "A Good Little Devil." It will be recollected that Mary Piekford appeared in the screen version of the last-mentioned play. "Three Wise Fools" has proved the most successful of all his plays, both in England and America, and has brought him some thousands of pounds in royalties.