Across the Footlights

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13851, 31 August 1918, Page 10

Across the Footlights

PLAYS AND PICTURES. (By "Fra Diavolo.") Bookings. i'HEATRE UOYAL. August :{()—l>arcy-Smith Fight Picture September 20—Cappelli, Italian tenor, September 23, 24—Scarlet Troubadours. October 22nd—J. C. Williamson. Vacant dates—Pictures. KING'S THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures.

Cappelli, Operatic Tenor. Music lovers are delighted at thj announcement that Signor Cappelli, the operatic tenor, who has been creating something of a furore throughout New Zealand during the past month, will give a concert in Hamilton on the 20th prox. This promises to be the outstanding musical event of the year. Cappelli first toured the Dominion with the Gonsalez Grand Opera Company last year, when he quickly became first favourite with audiences, his fine voice and artistic methods making a marked impression. On the present concert tour Cappelli is scoring a triumph everywhere, and is rousing large audiences to enthusiasm unequalled since popular Paul Dufault galvanised musical people in New Zealand out of their accustomed calm.

Cappelli has strong support in Miss Vera Bedford (soprano), Lucien Caesaroni (bass) and John Amadio (flautist). Harold Whittle will be at the piano, and those of us who have often listened with delight to him know what that means. It is likely that the Cappelli concert party will attract a crowded house in Hamilton.

"La Mascotte."

It was gratifying to see the largo attendance and the enthusiasm displayed at the meeting of the Hamilton Operatic Society on Tuesday night. With such a successful inaugural meeting, the prospects for the coming season are particularly bright. It was decided to proceed with "La Mascotte" at once, the first practice to be held in the Town Hall on Friday next. "La Mascotte" is a happy selection for the next production. It is bright and tuneful, with a humorous story. and provides means for effective staging. The opera deals with the love of Bettina, the turkey-girl (the mascot) and Pippo, the shepherd. If the mascot marries, her power departs, so naturally it is the aim of everyone to separate the lovers. King Laurent, the superstitious ruler, and Rocco, the farmer, are exceptionally active in this respect, and their manoeuvres cause much merriment. Of course, all ends happily, with Bettina and Pippo "in the clinch," as our American cousins would say.

"La Mascotte" has been very successful wherever staged by amateurs, and it Is likely that its production by the Hamilton Operatic Society will be equally popular. It is expected that there will be a big muster at the practice on Friday night. All members and intending members are *sked to be present, so that a good start may be made with the work.

Male Voice Choir. At a meeting held in Hamilton the other night it was decided to form a Male Voice Choir. There was present: Messrs Gregau, Tassell, M. Casey, G. Casey, Empson, Payne, Miller and Hudner. Mr E. C. Tassell was appointed conductor, and Mr Payne secretary. Mr Tassell was authorised to obtain suitable music, and a start will be made immediately, the first practice probably being held next week. It is reported that 25 men have already expressed their intention of joining the choir, and it is expected that before long the membership will reach 40. A gratifying feature is that several honorary members have come in, thus placing the finances upon a satisfactory footing from the commence. ment.

The prospects for the Male Voice Choir are exceedingly bright. It is likely that the first concert, which is sure of liberal public patronage, will be given shortly. Is She a New Zealander?.

An exchange says:—Admirers of Miss Mary Piekford, the popular screen artist, will be surprised to hear that she lived for many years in Dunedin, where she attained some prominence as an amateur under her correct name, Dolly Nicholson. Her father was interested in the fruit industry, and, with his family, he emigrated* to California. Miss Nicholson was first introduced to the manager of the A.B. Picture Company by the famous Johnny Sheridan. Jottings.

There is a possibility that the pantomime "Cinderella" will be produced in Hamilton, all the characters being taken by children. An amusing slip occurred during the staging of "La Mascotte" by the Masterton Amateur Operatic Society some years ago. In one of her songs, Fiametta sings, "Then there came a storm with thunder, lightning zig-zag-ged through the air." As given on the opening night, it went, "Then there came a storm with lightning, thunder zig-zagged through the air." This unusual electrical disturbance raised a hearty laugh.

Kathlene Macdonnell and Charles Waldron commenced their Auckland season last night with "Romance." The Scarlet Troubadours will open in Auckland to-night. Vera Pearce, principal "boy" of the "Dick Whittington" pantomime, recently through New Zealand, has left for America, having secured a lucrative engagement there. Sydney James and his Royal Strollers are back in Sydney with a new revue. "Pierrot Pie."

The New York Variety of May 31 states: "George Tallis, managing director of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is in town looking over numerous theatrical enterprises that might be suitable for Antipodean consumption. He has a deal on with Charles Dillingham for 'Chin Chin and Mack o 1 Lantern.' " Miss Frediswyde Hunter-Watts (Mrs Allan Wilkie), who has been visiting the United States on a health trip, returns to Australia shortly.

Hurt Bailey blew into Sydney during the month on his way to Brisbane. "Where have you been lately?" he was asked. "Celluloiding," he said. "Celluloiding?" "Yes," he aflirmwl. "A tour of the bush towns. The jumps were too quick to get washingdone, so I had to buy a cc-uple of celluloid collars."