Theatrical Notes.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13834, 20 February 1909, Page 2 (Supplement)

Theatrical Notes.

Latest bookings at the Theatre Royal, Timaru, are as follows : — 1 February 26tli —Ada Crossley. :' March 10th and lltli —Cooper's Biograph Company. March 13th and 15th —J. and N. Tait. March 17th and 18th—J. G. Williamson. ' March 24th—Timaru Boxing , Association. March 31st to April sth—West's Pictures. April 20th—Madame Melba. April 29th and 30th—Miss Florence Bailies. ; One of the characters that will play an important part in "The Man from ,Outback" (the .new Australian drama by Albert Edmunds), is a dog. It is now being trained, and its performance will be one of the most astounding eyer put on a stage. William Anderson's dramatic organisation will re-open at the King's (Sydney), in March with "The Man from Outback." Lennon, Hayman, and Lennon described as the world's greatest acrobats received a warm welcome at Sydney a few days ago. Their acrobatic and grotesque work -is likely to maintain them in,a leading position on the bill. The Juvenile Rogers quartette proved themselves first-class in an acrobatic, turn. Juggling has been brought to a fine pitch, but Lesso's performance can bo classed as high. He is remarkably adept in the use of the bulls, entehine them on his forehead .• —d li''- w'Hi ease. TTi ■ V'.l'mciir.; ( laiups niul nthi-r jugglinr-: lenin . earned l'( i'. him limeli applause.

From time to time mention has been mode in Sydney "Referee'' of the unusual theatrical talent there is among 'the juveniles in Australia. Every year there is some little tot, male and female, being "brought out," This fame has spread beyond Australia, for Mr. Bandmann, the leading entrepreneur in -India, and the East, has arranged for the despatch of an Australian band of children to tour those countries. This company will comprise nearly ' forty children, and they will leave Melbourne on , February 0. They open in Calcutta in March. The children will appear in such pieces as "The. Mikado," "The Geisha," "Blue Bell in Fairyland," and "The Sherry Girl." ; . _

. A funny story is told concerning Ellen Terry, when the great actress was associated with Irving. . During the production of "Madame Sans Gene" one night a cat walked on to the stage. Miss Terry thought the opportunity a good one to display the naturalness of her acting, and her readiness of resource, and, picking up the animal, she

stroked it for a time, then put 'it down again. She was suddenly startled by a roar of laughter from the audience. Looking round .to ascertain the cause, "Miss-Terry found that she had placed the cat on the stove on which she was supposed to heat the irons for the laundry, and which in parts appeared to be red hot. The cat had contentedly curled itself upon the "red-hot." stove to go to-sleep. Mr. Oscar Asche and Miss Lily Brayton have signed contracts with Messrs. Meynell and Gunn to play a season of six months' duration in Australia. 'As at present arranged they will carry ;no less than six productions, complete with; all scenery, costumes, and propertics, including their new production, "Count Hannibal" an adaption of Mr. Stanley' Norris C'onnelt and Mr." Tsche.

• Mr. Walter Fuller, of the firm of John Fuller and Sons, writing from Loudon on 28th ' December, says: "I went to the Adelpliii Theatre, and saw the first night of "Cinderella," which wont very, smoothly. Here I saw .the famous postcard beauty, Miss Phyllis Dare, and she is a very dainty performer. Miss Carrie Moore was principal boy, but I have seen lier to better advantage in other parts. There was some disturbance on the first night through .the claquers (paid applauders) making themselves too demonstrative, which the rest of the audience vigorously resented. One of the comedians alluded to 'Joe Chamberlain.' There was an outcry from the gallery of 'No politics,' which caused another uproar. Altogether it was a fairly lively

j 'malia. and Lenora, tlio strong rri|-I<? r.l Iho Tivoli, (Sydney), are ]8 and 10 yr-nrs of ago, and weigh list, and 10st. respectively. Olio of Anialia's groat, fonts is balancing bv her hands on. a pedestal, and Leonora balancing on her neck by her hands and then revolving round the pedestal. These girls were born in Genoa, Italy, their father having been prominent is strong-mail feats, and it is perhaps something of heredity that the girls should have such marked strength. Cristofolo is is a brother and 1(3 years of age, and does some fine balancing feats. The girls commenced doing exercises when three years of age. When nine and seven respectively, they went on the stage, and. wore an instantaneous success. They first appeared at the .Aden Theatre, Milan, then showed in Paris (returning for several seasons/there.), Ungland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, | Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, and other places on the Continent. Amalia and her sisters do a lot of arm and chest and shoulder work, especially with dumbells. Their advice to women who desire to be strong was to do plenty of exercise and keep at it constantly, and eat well. They liked the stage life, and had done remarkably well in the nine-odd years they hail been beiore the footlights—so well, in fact, that they intended retiring at the conclusion of another twelve months. Cristofolo, however, will continue in his work.

Mr. Harry' Shine began his professional carefcs at the age of 7, when lie was apprenticed to that well-known circus family the Wei by Cooks, from which be went to Dolf Kowolla's Circus with the comic Harry Troupe, with whom ho toured through Britain ami the Continent. Then ho went to school in Manchester, Bert Gilbert's: sister being the wife of the head teacher. When 14 Sb ino "joined a stock company. During his "teen" period he toured with his brother, John Shine, and played Marks in "Uncle Tom's Cabin. He was also in, "Buffalo Bill." "Old" Charles Lauri picked him up, in Glas- | gow when in a bad way. Shortly after he did drama and vaudeville, with panto, at Christmas. He was the Dame in "The Babes in the Wood" before-lie was 20. When engaged for Australia he was playing drama in London. He was brought out for "The Gondoliers," but lie did not play in it, and was transferred to the company playing the 'Lnglish Rose." He later nlayeil principal comedy parts with George Darrell Grittnn Biggs, Jennie Loo, Alyrn Komblo, and . othc stars of. the nineties, and was in the WilliamsonMnsgrove panto. "The Forty Thieves." He was also with George Eignold and Coppin. He has been several times to lnlia, and has played under almost every manager in Australia. Ho was a member of the firm of Gourlay. Walton, and . Shine that travelled the country with the diverting piece "Skinpod bv the lurlit of the Moon."