THE THEATRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8246, 20 February 1905, Page 1

THE THEATRE.

DRAMATIC NOTES. (By PROMPTER.) London "Era" has changed hands, Mr Edward Ledger, who had conducted it for forty years, having been advised by his medical men, after a severe illness, to retire from the management. The new proprietor is Mr William Hamar Bass. • ' The following post-card, to hand from the Driscoll Brothers, dated January 31; Tivoli Theatre, Sydney, is selfexplanatory: — "As brother and self are leaving Australia to play aseason at the Orpheum Theatre,' Manilla* thence on to England, we desire to thank you sincerely for the many kindnesses bestowed on us -by your paper and also to thank Mr . Fuller for being kind enough to . poefe- > pone our existing contract with ;, ;hiin ■ until our return from th« "l)ig: smoke." ■■;... When Miss Florence Young leaves for America next month, Miss Alexia Basfsian will join the Royal Comic Opera Company as prima donna. Miss Amy Castles will be the principal of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company for the tour in New Zealand. In addition to Patience she will appear as Josephine, Yum Yum, Phyllis, Mabel and Elsie Maynard. A recent issue of the Melbourne " Herald " contained a lengthy illustrated interview with the veteran theatrical agent, Mr Harry Lyons. The interview concludes with the statement that "Mr and Mrs Lyons, in spite of their long run on the -world's stage, still retain "m'ucl»jO.f ; that^ spirit, of unrestrained vigour which we call youth." . Mr George Oscar Starr presided >at annual meeting of Barnuln and Bailey, Limited, in London recently. The gross profits amounted to £322,780, which showed a reduction in takings of £78,827. This considerable decrease, the chairman said, was very largely met by the decrease in general expenses. which,,, under the usual , adjustment of provisions for wintering expenses, amounted to £262,820, or a net decrease of £64,113 on >last year. The net profit was £76,247. "The Best of Friends," a Drury Lane melodrama by Cecil Raleigh, is Bland Holt's latest production at Sydney Royal. It 'created an excellent impression. The ",Referee" says:- — As usual, the acting was consistently even, and maintained a high standard. Particular mention, however, must be jna.de of the. capable work of Mr Baker, Mr Albert Norman, Mr Arthur Styan, Miss Francis Ross, Miss Harrie Ireland and Mr Bland Holt, all of whom had parts which might have been specially written for them. , Miss Brune's Juliet is a lovable, lifelike conception (writes Melbourne "Table Talk"). It has given rise to many comparisons being made with former Juliets, and such comparisons are interesting when looked at from a proper point of view, viz.-, as to differences of ctinception and portrayal; but not when a Juliet of long ago is raised as a standard by which a modern interpreter is judged. That is an unfair comparison. By' many Miss Brune is accorded the palm of excellence, with but one exception, and that exception, strange to relate, falls to an Australian, Miss Elsie Jennyns, who was peculiarly fitted by nature for ' the part. She was beautiful, graceful, had a lovely speaking voice, and was still quite young, in fact in her teens. Little wonder if she excelled, even when handicapped by an elderly and unromantic Romeo, and a not too strong support from the rest of the cast. By a coincidence, Mr Greenaway was a member of that company, and if rumour does not err played Romeo once or twice. This will give him the unique record of playing lover to the" two most winning and attractive Juliets that the majority of presentday playgoers can recall, in fact, of the two best Juliets, according to many judges, seen in Australia during the last Quarter of a century at least. The Calcutta " Englishman " contains a lengthy chat with Mr Tom Fitzgerald. Here is an extract: — "Our, •representative interviewed Mr Tom Fitzgerald, who is staying with" Mrs Fitzgerald at the Great Eastern Hotel, and obtained some interesting particulars as to tbejmgin and progress of i a show that is acknowledged by all who have seen it to be one of the best Ansjtralia has ever sent us. It is to^Mr Dan Fitzgerald that tEe circus owes its^ existence, but it is to the excellent bcJncss capacity of his brother Tom that it owes most of its success, and, moreover, it is to the latter's progressiveness that we owe this visit. ' Dan started in business through a- cough,' said Mr Fitzgerald. ' The doctor told him that he had to travel, and he did. But rather than ask his mother for his expenses he joined a circus. • He soon became treasurer, and by hard work put by some £300, when he left the circus and started in business on his own account. This was twenty-five years ago, and in those days circuses were not, in Australia, at least, the shows they are now. After a nomadic existence in the backwoods Dan returned to Adelaide, in South Australia, and I then joined him. I brought in some money, and, after enlarging the show a bit, we toured through Australia and New Zealand, had a good time, perhaps,' added Mr Fitzgerald, Z'eminxscently, ' arid when we got to Queensland w« found ourselves nearbc

broke, our capital and stock-in-trade consisting of £32, six horses and the pony Commodore. However, we started out again, and have never iooked back since.' This, in fact, was the origin of the mammoth show . the Fitzgeralds now possess in Australia. Experience had taught its lesson, and from that time, as Mr Fitzgerald put it, 'we made money all along. 5 " In an accompanying note Mr Topi reports excellent business everywhere.