THE LORGNETTE

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 41, 29 June 1907, Page 6

THE LORGNETTE

By Promoter,

COMING SHOWS. 9th July- to 12th July— St. Patrick's Dramatic Society, " Maritana " 15th July to 20th July — Jessie Maclachlan Concert Company. 22nd July to 10th August — Musgrove's Grand Opera Company. 12th Aitgustto 24th August— Kickards's Vaudeville Company. 16th September to 6th October— Allan Hamilton's English Star Company. 7th October to 26th October — MacMahon Brothers' Dramatic Company. 4th November to 16th November — Willoughby-Ward-Ueach Comedy Company.

" IJOBIN HOOD," as presented by 1^; Mr Julius Knight and his ; strong supporting company, is one of the most picturesque plays which has been seen here for many a long dfciy. It carries with it — as from the very essentials it must do — the atmosphere of romance. The tale of the outlaw of Sherwood Forest and his lqve for Maid Marian is a wellknown theme, and the playgoer who goes to see"Kol)in Hood" will find that he does not need to worry his brain "in trjing to follow an intricate plot. Truth to tell, "Robin Hood" is in reality a series of exquisite tableaux, portraying to the prosaic mortals of the 20th century the ways of the people who lived in the days of 41 derring do," when Kichard the Lion Hearted held the throne. It goes without saying that such a theme lends itself to effective colouring, and full advantage has been taken of this opportunity.

So far as the plot is concerned, it centres, of course, roucd the adventures of the bold Robin Hood, wl o is seeking to keep Maid Marian from the grasp of Hugo de Longespee, a Norman baron, who h desirous of wedding the fair Marian. De Longespee is favoured in his machinations by Prince John, the unprincipled brother of Richard Cueur de Lion, and this gives the playwright au opportunity to introduce a sub-plot portraying the bitter feeling existing between the Saxons and the Normans. The play opens at Robin Hood's sylvan home in Sherwood Forest — a wonderfully effective piece of stage setting, only excelled by the beauty of the last scene, which portrays the gradual dawning of the day in the forest, and the awakening of the outlaws from their slumbers under the greenwood tree.

The other scenes are laid at Nottingham Castle and at Much's Mill on the river Trent. Here it is that Robin Hood makes one of his most daring escapes from the clutches of the law. Disguising himself as the decrepit old Dame Much, he sits secure in the presence of Prince John's minions, while they uuwittiugly escort a spurious Kobin, to durance vile. Again, a splendid opportunity is given for dramatic effect when Kobin beards the haughty prince in his own castle and keeps the retainers at bay by covering the prince with his deadly bow. An outstanding feature of the play, by the way, is the introduction of incidental singing. The opening chorus of the outlaws and the vocal solos of Allan A'Dale are brought in with a most pleasing effect.

The company is one which was selected by Mr Julius Knight himself, and is very evenly balanced. Upon Mr Knight himself falls the bulk of the work, and he makes the most of his chances. Robin is a picturesque figure, his moods varying from grave to gay, and while the part does nob suit Mr Knight so well as some which he has sustained in the past, still, that is more the fault of the playwright than of the actor. Wherever a chance for fine dramatic effect exists, Mr

Knight makes full use of it, and, from the time he leaves his sylvan home to save maid Marian from de Longespee, to the time he is endowed with an earldom by King Richard (newly released from his Austrian dungeon by the minstrel Blondel) Mr Knight presents a consistent picture of the daring Robin.

As Lady Marian de Vaux, Miss Elbert-Orton, a lady with a fine stage preseuceand a resonant voice, gave a good rendering of her part. As a matter of fact, the dramatist has not given her any great opportunitiep, except on one or two isolated occasions. Mr H. J. Bentley gave a really admirable exposition of the hard and callous Prince John, and Mr Harry Plimnier (an old favourite) was a. manly Richard Ccear de Lion. Mr Herbert Willis did good work as Friar Tuck, and Mr Rupert Julian ably sustained the part of Hugo de Longespee. The singing of Mr A. Andrews, as Allan A'Dale, was a fine feature of the. performance. Miss Mary Godfrey was a stately Eleanour of .Aquitaine, and Miss Dorothy Sidney made a vivacious Adela. The staging was all that could be desired by the most captious. " Robin Hood " will shortly give place to the adaptation of E. W. Hornung's "Raffles."

People who are fond of playing naughty games ot chance may gratify their sinful propensities by going to Fuller's Opera House. They may get seats, and they may not. If theydon't go early they won't. Keenan and Lewis are two new arrivals. Sam Keenun is a sort of comic cyclopaedia. He siugs, also he dances, likewise he somersaults, furthermore he mimics. Phoebe Lewis is a taking serio, and her Salvation Army song magnetically draws an abundance of pennies from the audience. If all Sallies were like Phoebe, conversions to the Army would be frequent and free Keenan and Lewis also combine in a hilarious sketch. Ted Stagpoole's comic singing, backed up by his extraordinary antics, fairly brings the house down. "Quarrelsome Neighbours," as interpreted by the Stagpooles, is a mirthprovoking item. Bonita, the crack shootist, would be a godsend to the National League. There is a rumour that this young lady can stand on her head and shoot the nose off a mosquito at a range oi 200 yards. Possibly this is slightly exaggerated.

Cleopatra complacently decks herself with squirming snakes, to the evident horror of gentlemen who have been out during the interval to see a man ibout a dog. Ivy Goodwill sings and dances pleasingly, as also do Nellie Power and Doris Baker. Bob Lloyd is specially favoured by the gods, who appear to have a particular fancy for "We Parted Un the Shore." Bob cheerfully complies with the law of supply and demand. Val Newton's singing of "Queen of Angels" and (< The Desert" is a good feature of the performance, illustrated songs evidently suiting the popular fancy. Pictures by the Warwick Bioscope are always welcome, the representation of a paper chase being both interesting and imusing. Altogether, patrons of Fuller's get their moneys worth and a little bit over. On Saturday next the Klaers will make their first appearance with their performing animals ; and Keldie anl Davis, acrobatic song and dance artists, will also join the company

Judging from reports and from the enthusiasm displayed by those connected with St. Patrick's Operatic Society, much is expected from the forthcoming production on July 9tb. Certainly, the Society has gone to very great expense in engaging such artists as Mr James Crabtree, the well-known Sydney tenor, and also Missßosinaßuckniann, and should, on that account alone, meet with very great success. Much is said of the chorus, which consists of sixty picked voices, and the grand ballet and minuet. The orchestra is to be led by Colia Muston, L.R A.M. There will also be new scenery and a new wardrobe. " Maritana" should be both an artistic and financial success. Mies Madoline Knight is to be the Lazariilo,

Mr Cecil Ryan Don Jose, Mr Lonergan the King, Mr McElwain the Marquis, Mr Johnson the Captain, Mr Pritchard the Alcade, and Mrs Nelson the Marchioness, while on Thursday evening Miss L. Knight will play Maritana. The funds accruing from this production are to be devoted to the building fund of St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The Auckland Society of Musicians are providing a musical treat at St. Andrew's Hall on Saturday next. This will co.nsist of " An Evening with Wagner." "'j'thfl President (Herr Johan Wi6laertj" r wnl give a description of " Tannhaiiser," and the principal musical numbers will be contributed by such sterling artists as Madame Wielaert, Miss Freda Rosewarne, Mr John Carter and Mr Barry Coney. The names alone are a guarantee that the event will be one of rare artistic excellence.

Mr Cecil Ryan, the Don Jose in " Maritana," is a cousin of Marie Narelle.

The Elton Comedy Company, from Sydney, are now touring the Auckland district, and appear at Helensville next Monday and Tuesday, with Dargaville and other Northern Wairoa towns to follow. Mr Alfred Burton is the advance representative.

Miss Violet Mount, formerly an Auckland soprano, but resident in Melbourne for the last year or two, has started on her long-talked-of trip to England. She left Melbourne by the Afric last month.

Meynell and Gunn are venturing into a new field by forming a comic opera company. Several of the leading artists have already been engaged, and Mr John Gunn is leaving for England to secure others. " Miss Hook, of Holland/ "The Belle of Mayfair," and " The Girl Behind the Counter," three English successes, are among the operas to be produced.

Mr J. C. Williamson, before leaving for England, decided that the pantomime to be produced in Sydney at Christmas should be " Blue Bell of Fairyland," one of Mr Seymour Hicks' s recent successes, the music for which was written, by Walter Slaughter.

Miss Mabel Munro, second daughter of Mr G. S. Munro, late general manager of the Christchurch Exhibition, has been appearing at Daly's Theatre, London, in "The Lady Dandy."

It is quite on the cards that Miss Marie Hall, the talented violiniste, may be heard here, after all. By a judicious rearrangement of dates, the management hope to be able to overcome the difficulty experienced in procuring a suitable hall. This will be good news to the musiclovers of Auckland.

Miss Olive Lenton, the clever soubrette, one time member of Pollard's, and latterly of J. C. Williamson's Comic Opera Company, has arrived in London by the Mooltan.

Miss Florence Quinn, the New Zealand singer who has joined the Williamson "Mother Goose" Pantomime Company, takes Miss Celia Ghiloni's place as the fairy. Miss Ghiloni will join the "Blue Moon" Company in Melbourne.