Across the Footlights

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14260, 10 January 1920, Page 3

Across the Footlights

PLAYS AND PICTURES. (By Fra Dlavolo). THEATRE ROYAL. . Nightly—Pictures, j KING’S THEATRE. ; Nightly—Pictures. I EVERYBODY’S. Nightly—Pictures. N.S.W. State Orchestra. The concert by the New South Wales State Orchestra in Hamilton this week will be- an unforgettable memory to those who were privileged to be present. Many of us had not previously realised what orchestral music really meant. The visit of the Orchestra should do much to develop a taste foe j the best in music, and may lead to the I fuller consideration of the suggestion that a Stale Conservatorium should be established in the Dominion. These two results are what Henri Vcrbrugghen is aiming for. i It was refreshing to hear the way in which the members of the Orchestra spoke of their great leader. One player . told me that Mr Vcrbrugghen is not ; only a great musician, but is unusually gifted in knowing how to deal with the men and women under him, possessing wonderful tact. The Orchestra is just a happy family, this result being mainly due to the personality of their conductor. Mr Vcrbrugghen is not a poseur; he is entirely free from “swank” and mannerisms, and is always natural, with the spirits of a happy boy. The same player expressed the hope that the present would be but the first of several tours, which might help to foster the taste for good music in New Zealand. He was satisfied that, in pro ■ portion to population, there was just as much talent in New Zealand as in Australia —perhaps more, for the Australians, as a whole, were a pleasureloving people, with perhaps little inclination to foster their aesthetic tastes. There should be little difficulty in establishing a State Conservatorium in New Zealand; and if the visit of the New South Wales Orchestra brought this appreciably nearer they’ would feel well repaid for the trip. A State Conservatorium. Mr Henry Vcrbrugghen was very enthusiastic regarding the establishment of a State Conservatorium of Music in New Zealand, and considered it should be worked for enthusiastically. He spoke of the marked effect the New South Wales institution was having on the musical life of Australia, mentioning that the course was a University one of six years. The student was compelled to take this course; thus if he set up as a teacher later the public could rest assured that he was fully qualified. With these competent teachers the pupils received better training, and so the very foundation of musical education was right. Mr Vcrbrugghen is very hopeful that as a result of the visit of the Orchestra interest in good music will be quickened in New Zealand. i Grand Opera. “Faust," “II Trovatore," “Madame Butterfly"—what a musical feast I had during ray recent visit to Wellington, where the Williamson Grand Opera Compaay is producing grand opera to crowded audiences nightly. Amy Gaetlee appeared as Marguerite in ‘"Faust” and as poor little Cho-Cho-San in “Madame Butterfly,” and Ralph Brrolle as Faust and Lieut. Pinkerton respectively in the operas named. In “II Trovatore” Misa Strela Wilson was Leonora, Signor Yittori Lois Manrico. JVRss Vera Bedford Aeuzena, and Signor Carl Formes the Count di Luni. A rather novel effect was produced by the ladie* singing in English and the men in Italian. Signor Lois is a fine dramatie tenor, and has a most attractive personality, and Miss Wilson also has youth and good looks to assist her •—rather an unusual asset with a grand opera prims donna. I was rather disappointed at not hearing Miss Gei iuuc Johnson in “Lucia di Lammormoor.” After her singing of the Mad Scene the audience “rose at her,” cheering and waving handkerchiefs ia the air. Such a scene of enthusiasm is rarely seen in New Zealand. The eeacoa in Wellington is proving a great financial success, night after uignt people being turned awsyy Usually the queue for the early doors gather* about 5.30. And people are going because they enjoy the operae—not because it is the correct thing to do. I met dozens of .people from Maeterton and Palmtrston North who had gone down to Wellington entirely for the opera season, and intended being present every night ef their stay in town. Wirth’a ®ireus. Wirths’ Girons, now in the Seat)* Island, is certain to have a successful tour, for it is abont five years since it laet toured the Dominion. Ameng the novelties that will be presented for tht firet time are the Eddy Duo, the Cevine Troupe, the Three Garcias, the Zoe Sisters, the Flying Winskills and their Charlie Chaplin clown. La Belle Onra. Leo Montforl and Silly Danny and his fleok of performing geese. Mr Tci Bailey, the Howards, and Ford win also appear. Accompanying the eireus is a -fine travelling menagerie. Daisy Kennedy, Violinist. Messrs .1. and N. Tail, who have introdaoo'd many mueieal celebrities to New Zealand, will present Miss Daisy Kennedy at the Town Hall, Wellington, to-night. Miss Kennedy, who has been described by the London Morning Post as “of her sex, -the foremost living violinist,” is an Australian, and recently returned after yfears of study and concert ea^enienee. Female Impersonators. Owing to the exigencies of war—the banning of anything-in petticoats from near the lines—-a new type of entertainer was evolved, in the female impersonator, and some wonderful talent in this direction was unearthed. New Zealand is now having an opportunity of seeing some of these clever Diggers who, to cheer their comrades, donned skirts and other feminine accoutrements, and appeared as the “sweet young thing” of musical comedy. Perhaps no more natural soldier “girl” has been seen here than Mr Wally Burrow, of the Kiwi Entertainers. He was grace and feminine lure personified, his dancing being such as would not disgrace an experienced ballerina. Unfortunately, his voice docs not coincide with Ids trirPsh ,ir'"e"r' , ”cp. rmd his work w--limited to dancing and pantomime. Mr Wilf. Thompson, the other foma!*> :, epersonator of the Kiwis, on the other hand possesses a voice of which any girl performer might be proud, but was not so feminine in ids movements. We are pleased to see these “girls” who charmed the soldiers behind the lines. Jottings. The popular English Pierrots are due back in New Zealand early this year. A member of the Kiwi Entertainers mentioned that in England he had paid 10s to see Charlie Chaplin in “Shoulder Arms.” “Don’t Change Your Husband,” an all-star production, will be ttie attraction at Everybody’s Theatre to-night. It comes with a reputation as a very fine picture. While in Wellington I met Hie Digger Pierrots, who were “laying off” for the holidays, preparatory to undertaking a

tear ef the South Island, with Australia j to fellow. I faave te acknowledge Christmas and New Year greetings, by .this week’s Ameriea* mail, from Francis X. Bushman, Warren Kerrigan, and Bryant' Washburn, ;the well-known movie stars. Mr Owen Cardston, of the Kiwi en- j tertainers, is not unknown in Hamilton, i Some years ago he organised a carnival j here en behalf of the instrument fund i ef the Municipal Band. | Among the audience at the Wellington Opera House during a resent performance ef “it Trovatore” by the Williamson Grand Opera Company! noticed Mr and Mrs P. 4 Cubilt, of Hamilton. The news of the death of Mr Cyril Scobell at Wellington last week will be received with regret by the many people who snjsyed his dramatic saoßslogues | at the Digger Pierrot entertainments, , “Mt Verbrngghen is always the same—just one of ourselves is the j street, i» the Main, in the concert ball, j i* tie lecture room,” was the jffiibkt* ( paid by a Member of the N.S.W. State Orchestra the other day. Mr Alfred Hill, assistant conductor ef the New South Wales State Orehestea, is pepelarly known in Hamilton, as i» ether parts, as the composer of several Maori songs, light operas, and orchestral numbers. As usual, there were many latecomers at the Kiwis’ entertainment in Hamilton ea Tuesday night, and the enjoyment «f the audience was 'tnarcad for some time by the movements of these offenders. “The White Heather,” to be screened at the Theatre Royal to-night, is a picturisation of the well-known Drury Lane drama, produced in New Zealand some years ago by Bland Holt. Williamson’s Musical Corbedy Company will eoaelude a successful season in Auckland to-night and will then play the country towns on the way south. As usual Hamilton is omitted-from the tsur. Mr W. S. Percy, long associated with the Pollard and Williamson companies.appears in “The Girl for the Boy.” a musical adaptation from the French, j presented by Mile. Gina Palenne at Hi t | Duke of York’s Theatre, London. One I critic says that Mr Percy’s “sound hum- j our as the chauffeur sweetheart helped considerably." and there are similar comments from other quarters. One of the principals of the .1. G. Williamson Musical Comedy Company missed the Waiolahi, which look the members of the company to Cowes Bay, near Auckland, where they held a picnic. A seaplane was secured from Kohimarama, however, and the lady arrived at tier destination at the same time as the steamer, much to the astonishment of the others. Mnsie-lovers will be interested to learn that Mrs Walter Gray, the wellknown singer and teacher, who has delighted local audiences on several occasions, lias decided to visit Hamilton on Thursday and Friday of each week to teach. Mrs Gray is a singer of wide experience.