MIMES AND MUMMERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9271, 25 June 1908, Page 2

MIMES AND MUMMERS.

! 4. (By THE LIMELIGHT MAN.) Beerbohm Tree is still agitating for a Shakespeare theatre in London, instead of a national monument. *•* Dudley Clinton is a good actor, and he proves his worth by his playing of Colonel Sapt in, "The Prisoner of Zenda." Pollard's Juveniles were at latest advices resting in Sydney, preparatory to attacking the country towns of New South Wales. *•* " The Prisoner of Zenda " is in every way a better play than " The Scarlet Pimpernel," and gives the Williamson Company more scope. *#* " A Matter of Money," a new seriout. play by C. M. S. M'Lellan, the author of "' Leah Kleschna," will be produced in America in. October. *•* Thft evergreen, "Johnny" Sheridan will opeox a season of pantomime at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday next, in conjunction with William Anderson. *•• A gentle hint from the critics regarding the presence of electric lights in the ball-room scene in "The Scarlet Pimpernel" had th« desired efiFoot. *#* A private letter from Melbourne advises that " The Merry "Widow " is one of the brightest and most gorgeous musical comedies that that town has seen. ••• "The Gay Lord Quex," the v most brilliant of all Mr Pinero's fine comedies, is being revived in London. it was first produced at the Globe Theatre in 1899. > *•* Cnristchuroh. audiences continue to display their ignorance of the drama by silly laughter, and last evening many of them were a distinct annoyance to their fellows. »•* Mrs T. P. O'Connor has written a play for Mr Andrew Mack, the wellknown Irish actor. It is an Irish piece, but has, it is said, no prooess^-servers and no red-coats. ••* There is quite a music-hall boom in London at present. Fifteen new variety houses for the city and provinces will be opened shortly and several others are planned. %• Mrs Cecil Edwardes, a leading London debutante, has signed- a contract to appear in " Faust" at Covent Garden. She is a pupil of Jean de Reszke, and sang in opera in Paris. ••• Kubelik's advance agent, Mr F. Tlalbot, is in town arranging for the famous virtuoso's concerts, and states that his progress so far has been a triumphal one. So it should bo. ••* Miss Ola Humphrey, in "The Prisoner of Zenda," is a distinct improvement on Mice Ola Humphrey in " The Scarlet Pimpernel." She plays with a reserve that is distinctly pleasing. ••* Mr Alfred Sutro has a play for Mr H. B. Irving, founded on the story of " Hippolyta," by Mr Maurice Hewlett, in "The Little Novels of Italy." The play will be in four acts/ and will be presented by Mr Irving m the English provinces. ••• , Mr W. Densera's pupils intend to produce in July a play by Mr E. Anderson (a Christchurch writer), founded on the turbulent times of the Huguenot persecutions in. France. Such a production should prove interesting. The amateurs are now busily rehearsing. ••• Mr Laurence. Irving and his wife, Mies Mabel Hackney, who created some consternation among the "old school" by joining the vaudeville ranks and going on the halls, will reappear there shortly in a dramatic novelty. They both 6peak in high terms of the, kindness of the variety theatre managers. ••• On May 27 Covent Garden Opera House was transformed and covered with decorations for a performance in honour of the French President. Act I. of Bizet's opera, " Pescatori di Perle," was produced, with Mdme Tottrazzini as Leila, and the garden scene from "Faust," with Madame Melba as Marguerite. Campanini was conductor. *•* A Loaidon writer met Mr Joseph Coyne, the Prince Damlo of "The Merry Widow/ hurrying to the tailors. He explained that he was going to get a new arm put in his uniform. In the waltz song he got his sleeve frayed, and had already worn out three sets of sleeves to the jacket lie was having repaired. " The Merry Widow" has been running now somewhere about eighteen months in London. *** Lord Howard do Walden, the wealthy peer, made Jus debut recently as a dramatist with " Lauval," an Arthurian drama, produced at the London Playhouse. " Lauval " is in four long acts, arid there are no " stars '- to monopolise the limelight. It was favourably received by the critics, and Mr Haroourt Williams and Miss Hutin Britton took the leading parts. The drama is said to bo ponderously serious. *** The next piece to be produced at the London " Play-house " >y Mr Cyril Maude will be by Mr Leo Trevor and Major Drury. It is. a comedy-drama, the locale of which is in the Island of Crete, at the time when the Powers made their demonstrations there a few years ago. One sceno will represent the deck of a battleship, and another the walla of the capital after a battle. Mr Maude will play the part of a young naval officer, and Mrs Maude that of a sprightly widow. *•• The " Scarlet Troubadours," a company of vocalists from London under the direction of Mr Edward Branscombe (of Westminister Glee Singed fame) are now appearing in Australasia with success. The company numbers eight performers, all of whom not only enjoy excellent English reputations as singers, but claim individually to 1 excel in some musical " specialty." The "Scarlet Troubadours" will come to New Zealand by way of Tasmania, and open at Invercargill. , *•* The benefit matinee to bo tendered on July 11 to Mr Templer Powell, of the Frank Thornton Company, promises to be one of the best of its kind yet given in Christchurch. Scenes "from "Julius -Caear," "The Hunchback," "Merchant of Venice" and j "Romeo and Juliet" will be given, i and Mr Thornton will present several items from his extensive repertory. The arranging of 6uch a performance is a graceful tribute from the " When Knights wea'e Bold " Company to their fellow-actor, «.iid tho ex-Christelmreh boy ehould be a<isured of a bumper house. "