STAGE AND STUDY.

Observer, Volume X, Issue 603, 24 January 1891, Page 17

STAGE AND STUDY.

Another sculptor, by name Millet, has passed over to -the great majority. Madame Patti received .£32,000 as her share of 43 concerts given during her American tour. Miss Freda Marsden and company start their ■ country tour on or about February 2nd. An excellent afternoon was spent at Miss Achurch's last ' At Home ' on the Opera House stage. Mb Sydney Hoben, the gifted young New Zealand •pianist, is making a professional tour of the colony. Grattan Riggs, a likely visitor to New Zealand, '©pens at Sydney Royal, in Arrah-na-Pogue, on the 31st inst. Mrs Grttndy to happlicant for 'ousemaid's place ; '* What is your name ?' ' Shakespere, mum, but no relation to the play-hactor of that name, mum.' Mr Frank Bradley, the distinguished organist of Madame Burton's Concert Company, is giving a series of -organ recitals at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The season closes on Saturday evening 1 . Mrs Cooper, in singing such songs? as c The Zuyder -Zee ' and ' Rory O'More,' has developed a vein of piquant humour which is most effective and not at all unbecoming this popular little cantatrice. ' Mr Tim Doolan's Reasons for the Retirement of Sir George Grey ' is the appalling title of a comic song :in the repertoire of Mr Coates, the funny man of the Freda Marsden Concert Company. E. J. Odell, the popular and amusing entertainer, contemplates a visit to the colonies. He will in ail probability be managed by Foster, and may bring one or two other clever people along with him. The concert for the benefit of Mrs Edmonds, under the patronage of the Auckland Caledonian Society, is to take place thi9 (Thursday) evening, in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road. Mr J. H. Pnilpott is musical •conductor, and has got up a most promising programme. R. W. Cary, known as New Zealand Cary, has just 'gone. to join the ansrels' choir ' and should make an •excellent addition, as his baritone singing whilst in this colony gained him considerable fame. He will also be remembered as ojganiser of the original Pirates of Penzanee Company in this colony. The Harvey Brothers are to be the next occupants of the Opera House, where they will open shortly after the departure of the Achurch Company. It is thought J F. Sheridan, with ' Fan on the Bristol, 1 will open here ;after the Minstrel Show has wound up. Miss Elra May's benefit eventuated last (Wednesday) night. This clever little lady, it is stated, has retired from stage life at the request of her husband (Mr Boothroyd Fairclough) She will undoubtedly be a loss to the profession, as her career up to date as an operatic prima donna has been highly satisfactory. Madame Burton's four farewell concerts, which ■came to a close on Friday evening last, were not quite so successful, financially speaking, as might have been - anticipated. The programmes provided were equally meritorious, if not better than those of the first season, but the lack of attendance is no doubt due mainly to the fact of the numerous counter attractions. We a,re indebted to Mr W. T. Smith for receipt of his prospectus, an elaborately printed and neatly compiled pamphlet, of 32 pages, demy quarto size. It contains ■quite a host o? testimonials from representative journals and men of note, both from America and England, besides other interesting matter useful to temperance advocates, giving hmts as to how to hold missions at small cost, suggestions, etc. Ano'Her Wild West Show is now running at the Friendly Societies' Gardens, Sydney, in opposition to Wirths' Wild Westers. Dr. Carver, a shooting star ■of world-wide repute, and past master of theatrical prairie business, is running this show. He has a genuine Red Indian encampment on the ground, likewise a considerable following of reckless cowboys, who take it in turns to get scalped, and are under engagement to kill "the fleet-footed Sioux at least once a day — twice on apecial days. t_^____^__ The edition de luxe of Mr Thomas Bracken's works, which will be isßued ere long, promises to be a most attractive and interesting volume. The artistic work will be a principal feature, some of the best colonial artists having had a hand in the illustrations, and the pictures are executed in Leipzig, Germany. Amongst other interesting matter contained therein will be a historical sketch of New Zealand by Sir Robert Stout. The preface is from the pen of Sir George Grey, and Lord Tennyson has accepted the dedication, which is -undoubtedly a distinct compliment to the author. Theatre-goers of Masterton rolled up in force at the local theatre on New Year's Night to witness a much advertised play, • Judge Not,' announced by Mr D'Orsay Ogden. At the time for the rise of the Curtain, Ogden profusely apologised for their inability to produce as advertised m consequence of the absence of some of the company, and offered to substitute another performance. It turned out that the company, all told, consisted •of three, who vainly attempted to appease the Mastertonians by recitals and comedy farces, but were immediately hooted down. After several such attempts, the now thoroughly infuriated mob rushed the stage but the lights were turned out and the actors made good •their escape, just in time to save rough handling Odgen is well known in Auokland, while the name of the play calls to memory the fact that Thome, who was advertised to produce ' Judge Not ' here, fled on the eve of the performance, leaving his friends to mourn his strange and sudden departure.

Madame Patky and her select concert, company have bidden farewell to Australia, and intend doing China and Japan. On return they will visit New Zealand. Gilbert and Sullivan are said to have buried the hatchet, and sworn eternal amity. They are already collaborating on a new opera which will be produced next season. The smallest theatre in London is probably Toole's, which holds about .£l5O. The Royalty is very little larger, while Terry's holds only about ,£l6O. The Gaiety, Avenue and Adelphi hold about .£250 each ; the Criterion is smaller ; the Court holds about «£240 ; Globe, .£2lO ; Haymarket,.£3oo ; Savoy, about .£320 ; and the Prince of Wales' about .£250.