THE Lourcnette

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 707, 16 July 1892, Page 15

THE Lourcnette

Snazelle has just concluded his season in Auckland and is shaking the dust from his feet an a preliminary to a pleasant little jaunt to Fiji. Lower prices, and slightly less inclement weather conduced towards better business during the last few nights, but the conditions were still unfavourable ano the attendance was not by any means in keeping with the merit of the performance. Snazelle has no reason to entertain very pleasant recollections of the Auckland people, for the show was unique in more respects than one and merited crowded attendances. But then, again, any show would be entrancing indeed that would tempt people out on such nights as we have had. The places of amusement are now closed for a season, but Wirths' Circus will fill the breach handsomely, and Madame Goldenstedt's concert will be an attraction for one night this week. There is another twopenny- half -penny show announced to fill up, but it is of the ' catchpenny ' kind, for which the public are too often made to pay the piper. Snazelle may open in Auckland again on his return from Fiji, and, if so, he is certain under more favourable conditions to do a much better businesss. # # # Great interest attaches to the concert to be given by Madame Goldenstedt on Friday evening for the reason that it is her last appearance in New Zealand prior to her departure for Europe to complete her musical studies. Madame Goldenstedt is one of the most gifted lady vocalists that New Zealand has produced, and her future career will be watched with the liveliest interest throughout the colony. That her professional success may be as marked as that of some of Australia's most talented daughters will be the sincere wish of all who know her. Madame was heard at a disadvantage on the occasion of her previous concerts here, as she was suffering from the effects of a severe cold, but she is now in splendid voice and is sure to repeat her Wellington successes. Amongst other morceaux, she is to sing the ever-popular ' Last Eose of Summer,' the ' Aye Maria ' with violin obligato, and, with her younger sißter, the beautiful duett ' Sainted Mother ' from Maritana. Miss Cowern, a young lady from the West Coast who is completing her musical training under Mr Towseys care, will assist, in addition to Mr A. L. Edwards, Messrs Towsey and Adams, and the clever Italian musicians, the Truda Brothers. The concert should be a musical treat, and apart from the attractive programme, I hope Madame Goldenstedt will have a splendid ' send off.' # * # i went across with a party of friends last week to see the performance of ' Aladdin,' given in Devonport Hall in connection with the district school, and we were all charmed. The hall was crowded. The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr Alf. Bartley, and as usual were most successful. The entertainment from Btart to finish was an immense success, the scenery (there were seven scenes) being both effective and appropriate, the dresses perfectly charming and tasteful, and the acting and elocution of the young folks being in many instances vaßtly superior to some of the so-called professional torturing which we are at times called upon to endure. [Taking the characters in the order of their arrangement upon the programme, the Emperor (Miss M. Patterson) performed her part with a grace and quiet dignity that won the applause of everybody. The Vizier, by Miss DoraMorrison, although a difficult part for one so young, was most creditably performed. I would scarcely believe that this was the young lady's first attempt at acting. Pekoe, by Miss E. Peacocke, (also her first appearance), was very good indeed. Aladdin, by Miss Minnie Goldie, was excellently impersonated ; she makes

a capital rollicking boy, bat did not exhibit quite sufficient fear oc curiosity in the Gave scene. Albanazar by Mr Stuart Burningham was good. Miss L. Baker as the Slave of the Lamp acquitted herseif remarkably well ; her dress was simply charming. The Genius of the Ring (Master J. Cardno) created a good deal of amusement, as did the two imps. Miss J. Hunt sustained the part of the Princess with great credit, and looked quite captivating in her bridal costume. I would suggest for her benefit that she should evince a little less consciousness and deliver her words in her natural tone of voice. Her singing was very good indeed. Mr Fred. Bower's impersonation of the Widow Twankey was a great feature in the night's entertainment, his get up being remarkably good, and his bye play causing considerable merriment. During the palace scene a dance was performed by twelve young ladieß attired in very graceful costumes, they having been especiallytrained for this by Miss Harriett Burgess. Tiie entire management of the entertainment, as well as the training of the characters, was in the hands .of Mr Benge, which is always a sufficient guarantee of its success. Many are trying to prevail on Mr Benge to produce the entertainment in town, and should he consent to do so, there is no doubt he will receive liberal patronage. * * * I hear that the newly- formed Devonport Choral Society will render 'Joan of Arc 1 under Mr Towsey's direotion during the first week in August. #' # * Mons-. Leon Driver, solo pianist, who is just completing a most .successful tour in the South Island, will soon be here again. He intends to give a farewell recital in Auckland prior to his leaving New Zealand for the Chicago Exhibition. # # # Mr W. Hughes has booked the Opera House for the first week in September, and the suspicion is that he is bringing over the Italian Opera Company. And if Hughes is bringing it, there must be something good, with dancing and music and pretty girls in it. By-theway, why do the daily papers call him Mr ' P.' Hughes ? one would think he was a Hibernian. He is a plain American ' William,' and is called ' Pete ' for short by his friends. Perhaps that is why the" Mr P.' # # # Everyone who saw Mr Walter Bentley, the eminent tragedian, when he was here some weeks ago, will be interested and pleased to learn that his season at the' Garrick,' Sydney, is proving a great success. Large houses are the rule, and the business appears from papers to hand to be about the best that is being done in, the New South Wales metropolis. One paper, referring to Mr Bentley's Matthias, in the 'Bells,' says:— By his pourtrayal in Matthias, Mr Bentley has given us another proof, not only of his versatility, but of the possession of great intensity and power. His fine, scholarly impersonation of Hamlet, his fervent acting as David Garriek, his admirable low comedy in ' Cramond Brig,' and his masterly playing as Eichelieu, had already stamped him as an actor of high ability. Jt was reserved for his Matthias to set the seal of his sue-" cess in this city. Throughout the first two acts Mr Bentley plays with a terrible, earnestness, and an intensity evidently the outcome of a perfect study of the character. It is in the third act, however, that he naturally enough makes the deepest impression. For here the assassin, his reason almost deserting him,, passes into a trance, in which he imagines himself to be on his trial for the murder, and being subjected to mesmeric influence, he reenacts the crime in all its derails. Finally, having, aa he thinks, coufoastxl all, he" is sentenced to death, and waUeiH but to feel the hangman's rope* about hii neck, and to die in an agony of fear and remorse. Such a character cannot be properly pourtrayed save by an actor of exceptional merit, and such Mr Bentley undoubtedly proved himself to be. # # # Mr Bentley's success is all , the more interesting to us by .reason of the fact that he is booked for a return tour through New Zealand this year. He will be back in Auckland, I believe, about the middle of December. His company has undergone some changes since it was in New Zealand, the only old members remaining being Miss Hansen and Messrs Lachlan McGrowan and H. Hill. Miss Hansen is Btill spoken of by press critics as lacking in power, but otherwise her notices are good. Mr McGowan is also coming in for some very laudatory notices.