Theatrical Notes

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14238, 2 July 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

Theatrical Notes

Tho Lnr.tlrm "Siac©" says:—"Mr. Henry Kcnthle, who iins just returned fi oui Australia, secured while there a novelty in i.:c.l comedy sketches, which ho describes as a 'r.eai Australian and wliiuii ho will produce shortly." Mr. .Frank Sneaight, the young elocutionist, who will shortly appear in the Commonwealth under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. is likely to be heard in selections from Shakespeare. Mr. Speasght is an earnest student of the great English poet., and has achieved disttaction in England and America for his interpretation. Mr Percy, in ''The Dollar Piineess," figures as a member of the Monte Piete Club of Tennis Players, his badge being the si cm of the three balls. In order to introduce as much as possible the true local colour into the game he plays in the piece Mr Percy lias been hauntin;* the tennis chnnmVmship matches in Sydney during the v. hole fortnight they have been in progress. A London • payer, May 12, has, this paragraph about a well-known Australian :—"Miss Sophie Hnrriss, who was beginning to despair of ever finding a worthy successor to "The Prince of Pdscn." during her recent round of the Continental theatres has hit upon a musical comedy containing a part after her own heart, and is hard at work completing the necessary preliminary formalities for its production. It is said of Madame Emma. Calve that she is not wont to conceal her opinion of those who have had the misfortune to incur her displeasure- On ; one occasion she was present at a select supper party in Paris.- and candidly gave her estimate of Parisians who had subjected her to criticism. On another o'c.nsion the singer was even more imperious in her an<ier. Slio was appearing in Dresden, and learning that the tenor had dared to criticise her vocal methods, indignantly reproved him during "the performance. Tho feelings of the tenor can Tvell he imagined.

In referral!? to the Russian dancers a Homo pnpnr says:—"Mile. Karsavina is a • first, dnnepr' of tiro Imperial Theatre, St. Petersburg. Kho learned dancing at tho Irnnorial School, mid graduated with a. diploma of tho first decree. This diploma, entitles tlio holder to employment in tho Imperial theatres. Mile. Baldina is a graduate of tho same school, and holds a, diploma of tho first degree. M. Tvoslofr, who graduated at tho Moscow Imperial schools which ho entered at the ago of eight, took his first degreo ten years later. AH threo artists were promoted to t'ao 'first dancers' rank within a few years of obtaining their degrees." Considering its humblo beginning, the Besses o' ill' Barn Bund has attained a remarkable position in tho world of

As is now very well known, it | was on,'.dually only a plain workingmen's \ hand, hut it ia not so well known that its early years wero marked by a. somewhat humorous struggle for funds. Money was- not to he had in large quantities in those early days, and no rich patron ever camo along with a proKent of a eheouo or a set of instruumeuts. Moreover, practice was infrequent and irregular, and tho members of tho hand wero so scattered over a large mill district that it wa.s often a heart-breaking task to bring them together. Now tho conditions are altogether different. All tho small capital that, tho hand possesses has been Rained in competitions and concerts, and from the profits of its one, .small social club. Aflor her English engagement, upon which she enters early in September, Madanio Sarah .I'ernharill. will begin her seventh tour of tho United States, "f am sorry to say that thai will ho my last, visit to America," writes tho famous actress to a friend; and then she follows up t his statement with Iho reminder, which will come as a surprise to all who aro cognisant of her remarkable vitality, thai on October 'J!! of tby present year she. will celebrate her sixtysixi.li birthday. For her American tour, which begins on October 31, Madamo Bernhardt has prepared a repertory | consisting of no less than fifteon plays, . Irene Dillon, tho dentist';) daughter who took lo tho stagfi, lias captured a. Chicago bull or bear, or some finch animal, in the Wheat Pit, of that city (savs the "Bulletin"). She is to bo' married this month. Mamma Dillon, who will just wait for tho weddiliP'. arrives in Melbourne at tho end of July. Hereby is a budget sky-high of. press cuttings about, tho dainty lady's theatrical fluttnrings calculated to warm the hearts of Mrs and I'lorrio Green, who taught tho young Ireno how to dance. The Boston "American" splashes a full-sized portrait, and an interview headed "An Australian; Girl Comes to Town." She went to New York without engagement, and was lucky enough to fall into jilaoo in a week. Rinco then she htm don© continuously touring with Schubert and i "l) ; ck AMiHt.ingtnn." Now the affluent Chicago wheat johnny is piloting .lay g, domestic jijwtj _