THE THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7890, 21 December 1903, Page 1

THE THEATRE.

MUSICAL AJND DRAMATIC NOTES. c , In Dunedin, Harry Plimmer stood out of the " Arizona " cast last two, nights of the charming American play, a new actor, Mr H. C Buckler, who goes out to South Africa with the Frawley Company, undertaking the part of Captain HodgmaJn. Th© new Hodgman (reports " Pasquin ") is something of a success, and will fill the gap left by the departed Plimmer, who joins the Knight-Jeffries Company. Referring to Miss Crosaley's Auckland concerts, a writer in the " Graphic " sayff : — " One oan but admire and applaud, yet ait the same time it almost seems a pity that mo 'finished a singer and so glorious a yoice should be even onoe in a concert wasted on "ooon" songs, which, though the foesb of their class, and sung with: exquisite feding and delioaoy, were yet not calculated to show to its fullest advantage so fine a voioe as that possessed by Miss Crossley." The secret of Miss Crossley'a enthusiastic receptions in this oolony has been that sh© sings to the multitude, who prefer that iher extraordinary vooalism shall be interpreted largely through ballads rather than in a programme of high-class musio. Referring to the advent of Fitogerald's latest circu* to this colony, the Southland " Times " cays : —^Fitzgerald Bros, may fairly claim to have achieved the impossible — they have restored public confidenc€ in the circua poster, which has come to be regarded ac a flaring bait for the credulous. The promises of circus proprietors are rarely fulfilled, and, "once bit, twioe shy," the brilliant pictures which meet the eye on the hoaaxlings are passed by with a cynical smile. " The same old thing " has 'been the verdict of disappointed spectators for some years past, but last night Fitzgerald! Bros, presented an entertainment, fresh and 1 novel, wihioh must be accorded the foremost position in the " circus history " of the oolony. An elocutionary recital, given in Wellington last week by Mrs Adeline Issett and her pupils, was well attended and received very high praise from local critics. Mrs Izetfc is not only an excellent elocutionist herself, but has apparently the rare gift of imparting a large measure of her talent to others. A southern writer pays the following compliment to Miss Eva Denniston, of the Frawley Company: — Tbe scene in "Arizona" presented by the talented company at His Majesty's Theatre between Bonita (Miss Eva Denniston) and Lieutenant Denton (Mr Daniel Frawley) is the most oharming love scene the writer has ever witnessed. He would like to change places with Lieutenant Denton. The Chief Justice .in Melbourne refused the applioaition to stay proceedings in the SlapofNri-Muff-grove suit, pending an' appeal. Subsequently, the action wherein Mr Musgrove claimed £2500 from Mr Gustave Slapoffski for alleged breach of contract, was settled out of court, and the case was struck off the list. "A Boycotted Actor" draws attention in the London " Era " to a atate of things which haa reached an even more pronounced stage in the States. He cays : — ''Though an actor of proved merit and long experience, I find myself hopelessly handicapped by the 'theatrical trust ' system. In two or three years all the theatre, in London, with about three exceptions, will be controlled by two, possibly three, men. If I offend one of these men, or he takes a personal dislike to me and my acting, I am barred at from six to eight theatres. Can suoh a state of thinge be good, either for the profession or for the art it practices?"