A Canterbury Composer.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6518, 10 April 1889, Page 3

A Canterbury Composer.

© The Cape papers appear to have a thorough belief both in the musical talents and the' business capacity of the composer of Bobadil, The " Arguß " says :— Mr Lnscornbe Searelle, the most energetic theatrical and operatic impresario who has ever visited South Africa, arrived yesterday morning from Johannesburg, en route for England by the Grantully Castle to-day. He will be away from South Africa only ten weeks, his trip to London being for the purpose of engaging artistes to augment his opera company now playing at his own theatre at Johannesburg. This company is now in its third year in South. Africa,' and everywhere it has appeared, the members have played to such houses as have been unknown for years in the theatrical annals of this country. This fact has been not only due to the merits of the different artistes, but more especially to the wonderful talent for organisation, enterprise, and managment of Mr Searelle. He has not been afraid of expense; if anything was required it was procured. Hence his phenomenal success in this country. He happened to be in Johannesburg when everybody was decrying the Gold Fields, but with commendable acumen he grasped the situation, and invested in land and property. The result is that Mr Searelle to-day is a rich man. His soul, however, is still in his profession, and his visit to England will result in his bringing out an operatic organisation such as South Africa has never before seen. H© etill keeps the principal members of, his present company, but will augment it with a good chorus and orchestra and a few principal artistes. Mr Searelle has now under his immediate control all the principal theatres of South Africa, having made arrangements with the different lessees to give his companies the prefer- ' ence over all others.