THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 25 May 1907, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

By Prompter.

COMING SHOWS. 26th May to 15th June— William Anderson's Dramatic Company. 24th June to 13th July — Williamson's Julius Knight Company. 15th July to 20th July — Jessie Maclachl an Concert Company. 22nd July to 10th August — Musgrove's Grand Opera Company. 12th August to 24th August— J. C. Williamson. 16th September to 6th October— Allan Hamilton's English Star Company. 7th October to 26th October — MacMahon Brothers' Dramatic Company, ith November to 16th November— WiUoughby-Ward-Oeach Comedy Company.

ARRAH-NA-POGUE," the third piece presented by the Andrew

Mack Company, is well known to most playgoers as one of the most representative of Irish dramas. The tale of the devotion of Shaun, the Post, who is ready to doom himself to an ignominious death in order to save the reputation of the fair Arrah, is a familiar one. Mr Mack's company gave a thoroughly good representation of the play. Mr Andrew Mack himself took the part of Shann, and invested it with several delightful touches of originality. The pathos rang true, and was never maudlin ; the humour was brought out quietly, and was all the more effective for the entire absence of straining after effect. "His singing, as usual, was a feature of the performance. " Good-night, My Love, Good-night," a pathetic little ballad written and composed by himself, was given with rare effect in the prison scene. His rendering of " The Wearing of the Green," with his alternate bursts of passionate declamation and quiet pathos, roused the audience to a liigh pitch of enthusiasm.

Miss Jane Kelton was seen at her best as Arrah, and never forgot the brogue, although some of the other characters rqade frequent lapses into unadulterated Sassenach. Miss Mac Stevenson was an effective Fanny Power, and Miss Annie Mack Berlein gave a characteristic rendering of the part of Katty Walsh. Mr William Townshend's pourtrayal of the part of Michael Feeny was one of the features of the performance, and was a veritable triumph in villainy. Mr Martin Alsop, for once deserting the paths of evil, took the part of the manly and tenderhearted Colonel O'Grady, and, with the exception of a somewhat indifferent brogue, did exceedingly well. Mr Charles Aveling made a good Beamish McCoul, although bis brogue forsook him in the first act and never came back any more. Messrs J. Monley and J. Durkin were well suited with the parts of Oiny Farrell and Lanty Lanigan respectively. The scenery was superb, especially the Abbey of St. Kevins, with the moonlight reflected in the water, and the Arrah Glen with its waterfall effects.

Last Tuesday, Aucklanders were regaled with anew play in the shape of •' The Way to Kenmare," described as a drama, but which is, in leality, a delightfully subtle comedy. The plot centres round a contest between Dan Maguire, an Irish- \merican, who has made a nice little pile out of gold mining in America, and Clement Fairley, an unscrupulous individual of a cynical turn of mind. Pan Maguire, the real heir, travels from America to Ireland to claim his rights, and is promptly followed by all the other principals. This is not original, but it is convenient, both to the playwright and everybody else. Finally, after some delightful touches of comedy and brilliant repartee, Maguire comes into his own, and the cynical Fairley is sent to the right-about. Mr Andrew Mack gave a highly-finished rendering ot the part of Dan Maguire. In his sallies of repar-

tee he has a delightful knack of hesitating a moment, which imparts a natural touch to his smart sayings. Especially good was his assumption of Larry, the Irish jarvey. Miss Jane Kelton was excellent as Rose Donald, and Mr Martin Alsop was all that could be desired as Clement Fairley. The other members of the company sustained their parts well. To-morrow (Friday) is the last night of the season, when a revival of "Tom Moore" is promised.

The programme submitted at the Opera House this week is decidedly above the average. Stewar,t, Bain, and McKcnzie, three jovial tars, apparently of Scotch extraction, give a clever exposition of dancing, including a hornpipe and a decidedly original statue clog dance. Marton and Manton are a pair of capable comedians endowed with a good stock of patter. The Stagpooles have returned after two and a-half years' absence, and this clever trio have lost none of their versatility, their comedy sketch providing a fund of entertainment. Nelly Power, a serio singer well known to Opera House patrons, is back again, and has resumed her old popularity. Amy Blackie sings "Little Boy in Blue," and is generally recalled vociferously. Lucy Lavinia is a popular comedienne, and her songs are always acceptable. Val Newton sings '■ The Village Blacksmith " in a large and sinewy voice, and is assisted with illustrations. The assistance is superfluous.

Will Diamond's light baritone voice is beard to advantage in bis songs, and Shaw and Gilbert introduce new patter and newer "business." "The Robing of the Gods" is, as usual, proving to be the outstanding feature of the programme, and Mr J. E. Ward's artistic novelty has evidently hit the popular fancy. Mis? Ruby White is seen in several new poaes this week, including a reproduction of the immortal " She." Victor the Great gives a good ventriloquial turn, and Bob Lloyd is a comedian of exceptional merit. Pearl Livingstone is a decided favourite, and her singing of " Something for Your Money" entails many encores. Jesse Manton, a new arrival, is a smart comedian, and should become very popular with Opera House patrons, while Will Gilbert's comical songs, accompanied as they are by extraordinary contortions, are always productive of roars of laughter. To-morrow (Friday) being Empire Day, a holiday matinee will be given. The programme will be the same as at night, and, in addition, Professor Beckford's Punch and Judy Show has been engaged.

Madame Blanche Arral paid us her farewell visit to Auckland last week, and with her two concerts and matinee has left behind recollections of a brilliant singer and a charming actress. At the matinee in the Opera House she was seen and heard to better advantage than on any previous occasion, because for once she was able to use scenic surroundings. Both her other concerts were also gems of their kind. Madame has returned to the south, and is working her way towards the scene of her principal triumphs, Paris.

The Macmahon melodrama company, which has been touring New Zealand for the last twelve months, has just been disbanded at Wellington. The "Macs" promise new attractions at an early date.

There are fine possibilities in the plot of " Brewster's Millions," the Australasian rights in which Mr J. C. Williamson has just secured. The action is supplied by the heroic efforts of a young American to get rid of £200,000 legacy, in order that he may qualify for one six times that amount, left him on condition that he spends the first in twelve months. He does his best to that end, but the fates are against him, and the fishiest investment he tackles always turns up trumps. The accumulation of his capital goes on at an alarming rate, and it is only half-an- l hour before the time is up that he has the supreme satisfaction of finding himself penniless. '

Rhoda Dendron, the barefooted i dancer, is likely to pay another visit ■ to New Zealand shortly, f • . . 3 > k • , T r 9 i , r

The Wirth circus proprietary have just finished at Sydney what they declare to be the biggest season of their career. • • • ...

Tom Pollard is stage-managing the performances of "TheJ Geisha" by the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society this week. The cost of production it stated to be about £500. • • «

Miss Marie Hal, the famous violinist, whom Messrs J. and N. Tait are bringing to the colonies, will begin her New Zealand tour in Auckland about the middle of July.

• • • Madame Clara Butt and Mr Kennedy Rumford, with their concert party, are to commence their tour of the colonies at Melbourne about August, and will reach New Zealand in November. • c

• Miss Amy Murphy, of Dunedin, who is being enthusiastically farewelled in the aouhern towns, was wooed by J. C. Williamson on six different occasions before she consented to join his performing forces. • * a

Andrew Black, the Scotch singer, who begins another tour of New Zealand next month, will be accompanied by Leopold Premyslav, a Polish violinist, whom some Australian papers declare to be equal to Kubelik.

• • • Aubrey Richardson, a New Zealand child violinist, gave a successful recital recently at the Hall, London. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and party were present, and favourable notices have appeared in the newspapers. • • m

William Anderson's handful of interests in Australasian show businesses just now: The Wonderland City at Bondi, a travelling theatre and circus, two dramatic companies, and a musical comedy company. William has in view further .melodramas on Australian life, encouraged by the success that has attended " Thunderbolt," and "The Squatter's Daughter." • * •

Mr Julius Knight's season at the Theatre Koyal, Sydney, which has been productive of three new and intensely entertaining plays, terminates on the 25th May, the company leaving immediately afterwards for New Zealand. Mr J. C. Williamson is wishful that before he leaves Mr Knight shall give his admirers an opportunity of seeing him as Monsieur Beaucaire, and possibly another of the older favourites in his repertoire. It is probable that the run of Brigadier Gerard will be shortened to admit of this plan being carried out.