EXCITING CLOSING SCENES. THE SHERWIN OPERA COMPANY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 295, 1 September 1888, Page 4

EXCITING CLOSING SCENES.

THE SHERWIN OPERA COMPANY.

Regarding the brcaking-up of the Shenvin Opera Company in Melbourne "Table Talk" says: — "The case of 'the Australian Nightingale' is indeed a very sad one. After many years of study and travel, Miss Sherwin saved ±5,000, and now all this money and a great deal more has boen swallowed up during a three months' season at the Melbourne Opera House. Matters were very critical as far back as a month ago, bufc several friends of Miss Sherwin rallied round her hupband, Herr Hugo Gbrlitz, and lent him money enough to carry on business until the opening of the Exhibition, when it was expected that the great influx of strangers to Melbourne would fill the theatre nightly. The result was, however, just the reverse, as the strangers came to enjoy theuuehes at the balls, banquets, receptions, aud the other numerous Exhibition festivities. On Tuesday last ' the ghost did nob walk,' which, interpreted irom theatrical parlance into plain English, means that Herr Gorlitz had to stop payment. The scene on the occasion of 'no treasury' at a large theatre is unique, and the events ot last Tuesday certainly deserve more than a passing notice. During the « hole morning the final rehearsal of ' Der Freischutz ' was proceeding on the stage, and none of the artists and numerous employees suspected, even for one moment, that they were reheat sing in vain, as there would be no performance that evening. At one o'clock, however, the treasurer was unable to face his numerous creditors, who were waiting in the vestibule, and the unpleasant news had to be conveyed to them by deputy. A hasty consultation then took place, on the stage, between the principal artists, and it \\a-> agreed to continue for a few nights under different management, if Miss Amy Sherwin would give het ser\ices gratis. The Australian Nightingale im mediately agreed to do anything it was in her power to serve those who were her fellow sufferers by the disastrous ending of the unfortunate reason. It was then settled that the peiformance should take place. In the evening the doors of the theatic weie opened. The artists were dressing in their rooms ; the tirst scene set; the diffeient parts of the house, with the exception of the dress circle, were rapidly filling ; and the newspaper critics had arrived to judge of the perfotroance, which, however, did not take place, owing to the orchestra refusing to play unless they received arrears ot salary. A scene of confusion then took place before and behind the curtain, whilst the prima donna was crying bitterly in her dressing loom.''