Theatrical Notes.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13939, 26 June 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

Theatrical Notes.

Mr 11. R- Kobcrts, who is appearing as Howard Wilson in the '"Fatal Wedding," at Sydney, was selected by Mr Frotiman in New York to play the title role of "The Little Minister" to the Lady Babbie of Maude Adams, the idol of "America's playgoers. Mr Huberts, however, was unable to accept ou account of an agreement just entered into with David Belaseo, subsequently appearing under that management in the original productions of " Du Barry" and "Sweet Kitty Bellairs."

M.M. Pathe Freres, the French cinematograph him manufacturers, who are now establishing branches in Australia, claim to have discovered a colour process, and they recently exhibited in Melbourne tropical scenes in the Sunda Islands, showing the rich preen bamboo foliage. A second film showed six trains, three up and three down, passing each other at Richmond (Melbourne). The latter film has caused considerable surprise both in London and in Paris.

What a change in theatrical Australia now from a few years ago. Competition is improving matters, and the public are in for a good feast. J. C Williamson has a new musical comedy company, and in addition to the various well-known companies at present on tour, there will shortly be addetl Hugh Ward's Company, Oscar Asche and Lily Brayton, William Gillette (from America), George Willoughby, all these with new faces and pieces, while £here is a new comedy organisation sprouting. ■)

Cinqttevalli, now at Sydney, is credited with being one of the mostlearned of vaudeville artistes. As a linguist he shines, the languages he speaks fluently including German. French, English, Polish, and Italian. He plays the violin, mandoline, anil piano, and on one occasion rather astonished a private audience by playing his own accompaniment on the piano at the same time as he played the violin. He might include this feat in his present programme. He also dabbles in hvonotism, and is an enthusiastic amateur photographer.

Mr "Walter Bentl.\v will make Lis reappearance, on the Australian stnyo today at the Theatre Royal. - Adelaide, in "The Silver Kins," under the management of Mr J. C. Williamson. Subsequently Mr Bentley will play a three weeks' season at His Majesty's Theatre. Brisbane, opening on August 30. and then tour through the North, with a tour of New Zealand to follow. Mr ! Bentley, as Wilfred Denver, will he seen in. one of his best performances. He starred in America when he was selected by Wilson Barrett to nhiv "-e part in succession to Mr Osmond Tearlc. Later he appeared in the role in London and Australia.

The last English mail brought the notices of the new farcical comedy. " Mr Preedy and the Countess," which Mr George Willoughby is to bring out to Australia when he arrives with his new English company to appear under the management of Rupert Cralke. Meynell and Gnnn. The acco'iinfe of the play are most' eulogistic. The "Era" describes it as one ,of the funniest pieces seen in London for many years; whilst the " Dailv Mail" * remarked that " roars of laughter, "'sometimes so loud and prolonged as to r disturb the' progress- of the play, reg warded the clever author's skill, and the success of 'Mr Precty and the Countess' was immediately assured" Grossmith's famous farcical comedv, '"The Night of the Party," will also be staged by the Willonghby company, which arrives nest February. .

Playgoers of the earliest generation who are not familier with the varied and interesting career of Miss Magirie Moore may be surprised to learn that the popular representative of Lizzie Stofel in "Struck Oil" and Bridget the cook in "The Fatal Wedding," included Shakespeare and comic opera in her extensive and varied repertoire. But such is the case. She played Ophelia and Parthenia in America to John McCullagh's lead, and Queen Elizabeth to the Mary Stuart of Rose Evans—both noted artists in their day. In drama, too, she has hail a most interesting career. For example, she has played in turn the child, the grown-up daughter, and the mother in "Rip Van "Winkle." and side by side with those parts snch extremely opposite characters as Tonsv, Lizzie' Stofel, and Fanchette in "The Daughter of the Regiment." She numbers amoru'st

her greatest successes Bettina in '' La Mascott." the Duchess in " Tlie Gon- ■' doliers," and Katisha in "The Mikado."

The interview is (says a Sydney paper), a familiar form of theatrical " Copy." Scarcely an actor or actress who is of any note arrives, without they are subjected by the energetic theatrical reporter to the interviewing process. In America, Mr Harry Roberts had some interesting and curious experiences with interviewers, and the mention of this promoted the querv as to his opinion of this form of advertisement. " I do believe in interviews " said Mr Roberts, " if 'conducted within proper limits. It is, in short, a form of advertisement which every actor and actress welcomes, and it is to be encouraged so long as there is no attempt to pray into one's private life is to overstep the bounds of good taste. Do not let me be misunderstood, however. The practice of interviewing becomes an abuse when the actor is merely made to serve the purpose of supplying frivolous and uninteresting • copy,' and to expect an actor to talk about the best way to cook tomatoes, or how to hang wall-paper, is not only stupid, but vexations. But in the broad sense we love to he interviewed."

English fides bring nfxrs .that Miss Lalla Miranda was leaving for South America as prima donna in several of the best-known operas. She was offered a season at St. Petersburg, but declined it. Miss Iris re Cairos-Rego, a Sydney pianiste, recently created a very favourable impression in Berlin. Her brother, also studying in Berlin, made successful appearances there. Miss Emily Marks made her debut at an Aeolian Hall recital recently in a French and English programme, and received a line reception. It is stated that Mr Hamilton Hodges, who recently left New Zealand, has several engagements awaiting him in England. Miss Eileen Castles lias just concluded a four months' tour with Mr George Edwardes. Mr Arthur Mason, formerly organist at the Sydney Town Hall, was engaged to play the organ at the big Queen's Hall concert on May 4. Mr Tralford Foster, of Melbourne and Perth, who has been touring with the La Seala Opera Company, is said to be returning to Melbourne shortly. Mr Cyril Keightley played successfully in the Shakespearean festival recently. Miss Henrietta Watson (Mrs Radelifei, who visited the colonies some years ago, recently lost '"»r husband, who was oidy 36 years of age.