DRAMA AND MUSIC.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15444, 5 September 1914, Page 3

DRAMA AND MUSIC.

BOOKINGS. THEATRE ROYAL. 1914. Sept. 21—Orchestral Society. Oct. 5 and 6 —Tile Dandies. Oct. 7 —Niblo Comedy Company. Oct. 26 —Royal. Oct. and Nov. 2 —Carroll. 1: Bnnty Pulls the Strings." Not. 7 —Julius Knight Company. Dec. 4 and s—Linleys—Linley and Stephenson's Pantomime. OLD DAYS IN THE THEATRE. Old plays are not included in that aphorism of the sentimentalist about "eld wine, old books, and old friends'" being "best," though old players might gain a place in every revision of tlie phrase by a playgoer of more than fifty. An effort to test opinion on this point, or some such motive, has made Mr. Bertram Forsyth revive "old days/' in London, and show acting "as it used to be." With this effect on the critic of the London "Standard" :

"Before the curtain went up the audience was treated to a number of selections on the harpsichord by the young Mozart as lie appeared at the Haymarket Little Theatre in 1765, of whom it was written that ' all the over-, frures were of the boy's own composition.' Next came the arrival of- 'a royal personage,' and down through the stalls, attended by his suite, and preceded by Kemble holding a candelabrum, came the august gentleman'to be. placed with many bowings in/a seat near the stage. Mr. John Philip Kemble (impersonated by Mr Forsyth) then recited a- well-written prologue done for the occasion by Mr Arthur ScottCraven, and to the cry of an orangewench in the audience calling ' Sweet China oranges,' the play.began. "For the most part the producer has treated his subjects in a spirit of gentle burlesque, and quite wisely he has gone to some of the most bizarre episodes in the history of the English stage. "Thus we had that terrible precocity, the Infant Roscius (impersonated very successfully by Miss Delia Pointer), appearing as Norval in an act of the tragedy ' Douglas'; Roscrns, better known as Master Betty, for whom Pitt onoe adjourned the House of Commons, so that members might go and se© him perform, who was honoured by King and Queen, and who made a large fortune before he retired from the stage. With him were Mrs. Siddons, her extremes of passion and gesture admirably portrayed by Miss Marjori© Patterson, and I Mr Kemble. stamping grandiloquently, bowing lowto the applause of Eminence in the front tow, and generally behaving in rather a mountebank fashion. This was 'as it used to be'' no doubt— with a bit of Mr Forsyth superadded

'' ' Hamlet' next with -Mr Garrick stalking about in an amazing plumed liat. a comic Hamlet if ever there was one (the burlesque must have been laid on rather thick here), and finally, in a passion, driving away at his sword's point the spectators who had encroached too far on the stage." NOTES.

The insulting attitude of many German musicians toward America is illustrated by a story of Brahms and Dvorak related in a German periodical by Oskar Nedbal, who was a pupil of Dvorak at Prague. One day Dvorak returned from Vienna in a state of great excitement. His class was assembled, but instead of teaching, he presently began to weep like si child. When he recovered his composure he related what had happened. He had called on Brahms, who had been the first to discover his genius, and who, on this occasion, was indignant because he had accepted an offer from . New York. " Remain here, dear Dvorak," Brahms said; " do not follow the fashion of the who positively sell their art to the Yankees. It is unworthy of an artist to cross the ocean merely for pecuniary profit, and to make music for these dollar folk." "But, esteemed master," replied Dvorak. "I am not going of my own inclination; I go because I have a wife and children to support. And over her© I shall not earn as much in a lifetime as" the Americans offer me for a short time." But Brahms was not silenced. "Do not go !" he repeated; "I have a. feeling as if we were selling our music to the Americans. All I possfßs is at your disposal. Take whatever you want." Dvorak repeatedly spoke of this generous offer, but it did not prevent him from going to New York, because*, as he said to Nedbal, Ik l would hav<> been asbtamed, after" all that Brahms had done for him, to accept money from him in addition.

Arnold Dolmetseh, who. tried in vain some years ago to convert American music-lovers to his belief that the modern pianoforte is inferior to the harpsichords and clavichords of the days of Handel and Bacli, still holds forth in London, where, some weeks ago, he gave another of his unique concerts in wh'.eh. these old-fashioned instruments were exhibited and played, together with. obsolete viols of the seventeenth centurv.

The Paul Dufault season closed in Sydney with » very full house at the Town. Hall. The tenor was in wonderful voice. H s siaig.ng of the "Marseillaise" was inspir.ng. The au.dience jo : ncd with li'm in "God Save the Kr.g.'' Patriotic fervour was very high. Besides the between Br tain and France has never been so cordial as it is at present. Dufault haj returned to America.

Yvhethei' the theatres are to suffer from depression durng the continuance of tho war depends much upon the point of view (observes tho "Australasian"). To the seriously nrnded, theatrical entertainment at such a time finds its parallel in the fiddling of Nero wliil-o Rome burned. The rat onal and more universal attitude is quite d.fi\-;r-ent. It may be strongly urged tiiut as a tonic lor depression of sp : rit, an opportunity for getting • our thoughts away from fears and forebodings for a lew hours, light entertainment was never better justified t'han it is now. That feeling vaguely described as "the dumps" is just one of the worst things from which a community may suffer. Anything that will lie'ip to lift- peoplte out- cf it stands just'lied—and herein is distinctly the mission of the theatre.

A feature of Messrs Stephenson and Lmley's pantomime wheh is to visit New commencing at Auckland in October, will be the spectacular effects, music, and ballets arranged by Miss Ethel Clifford, who will introduce something un'.quo. In keeping with the spirit of the t'mes it has been detided to conclude the pantomime with a war tableau entitled "Our Defenders." The three, principal illusions which Le Hoy, Talmo, and Bcsca will bring on t'heir forth coming trip to New Zealand are "Nero," in which two l.ons van. sli itom their cage at tho wove of Le Roy's wand ; the Ind an rope trick, and "Noalvs Ark." This last-mention-ed feature is described as one of the most popular that Le Roy has ever exhibited. Oil (an empty stage he erects the ark, and, iiavng completed tho houseboat menagtirie. lie commences to take therefrom animals, birds, etc. How the l.ving cargo gets inside the ark is Le Roy's secret.