MUSIC ART AND DRAMA

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 6, 9 December 1893, Page 16

MUSIC ART AND DRAMA

' The Myra Kemble Dramatic Company finished their season at the Opera House, Wellington, on Tuesday evening last’, with a revival of the “Profligate." It had been the intention of the mannagement to tender Mr. George Leitch a benefit on the final evening, but so many requests were received to put the “ Profligate” on again, that Mr. Leitch agreed to withdraw. Since our last issue three pieces have been staged, viz.—“ Jane, “The Nettle,” and “The Librarian.”_ “ The Nettle,’’ a very clever production by Ernest Warren, was put on as a curtain riser on Friday night, and played by Mr. Sass and Miss Emma Gwynne. The piece is really a pretty little comedy, there being actually no plot, but only a humourous situation -well worked up, and aided by bright dialogue. Guy Charlton, a man about town, is much aggrieved at having been lampooned, as he imagines, under the heading of “Notable Noodles,” in the Nettle, & society paper. He goes to the editor’s Chambers', with the idea of horsewhipping him, and meets instead of the man he is after a very charming young woman, with whom he falls in love, and who turns out to be the editor’s sister. His unfortunate position is eventually made smoother by his discovering from the young lady that the satire which had appeared was not intended for him, and everything ends happily. “ Jane ” is well-known to every New Zealand playgoer who has seen Miss Kemble act. It is one of her best parts and generally meets with success wherever it is staged. Mr. Sass who appeared as William Tipson, the waiter, hardly had an opportunity to show to Iris best advantage, but he made as much as he could out of the part. Mr. Leitch played the part of the old gentleman, in a manner that was not at all bad, and Mr. Plimmer seemed cast more happily than usual as Charley Shackleton. A word of praise is due to Miss Flora Anstead in the role of Miss Chadwick.

On Saturday night the “ Librarian ” was put' on with a great flourish of trumpets. We do not wish to say harsh things but after seeing Mr. FranK Thornton in the “ Private Secretary.” Mr. Leitch seems a dank dismal horror in the part of the Reverend Robert Sparerib. His “ business ” is strained and devoid of humour and after the first weak complimentary laugh given at his entrance, the audience seemed to sink into a state of gloomy lethargy, the majority of the gentlemen present only arousing themselves to go out and see a friend when the curtain fell. The rest, of the caste made heroic endeavours., to buoy the thing up, but it was no use, the production had flopped with a dull wearisome thud and to float it again was a hopeless task. ' “The Librarian” is described as an

adaptation from the German of Andrew Moser. The “Private Secretary” is said to have been taken from the same source. We are told that the two adaptations were made by different playwrights, if this be the case, the imaginations of the two writers must have run in singularly similar channels, for as - the productions are staged there is hardly a variation, except the alteration of the names of a few of the characters. To the ordinary observer it looks as though one adaptation had been corrected by the manuscript of the other, however, as we are unable to state which author was guilty of plagiarism, we will have to speak of it merely as a curious coincidence.

Mr. J. A. Montgomery, advance agent for J. J. Kennedy’s Dramatic Company, passed through Wellington en route for the West Coast this week. The company which numbers fifteen, will open on Boxing night and will play right through the West Coast, returning to Wellington early next year.

Mr. Macduff Boyd, whose portrait we publish in this issue, is a well known and popular violinist in Wellington. He was born in Glasgow, and began studying the violin at the age of ten, under Mr. Calvert, and afterwards had for his tutor Mr. W. H. Cole, both of them excellent masters. He played for some years under L. Zavertall, now conductor of the Royal Artillery Band. Mr. Boyd next went to Canada, and was engaged as leading violinist of the Philharmonic Society, which was at the time under the baton of Mr. F. H. Torrington. Eventually he decided to come to New Zealand, and arrived here from America about six years ago. Shortly after his arrival he was engaged by Mr. R. Parker as" leader; of the Harmonic Society, a position which he still retains. ” Mr. Boyd has made himself very popular in

Wellington, and has given music-loving people many a treat by his violin solos of selections from great masters. A strong friendship has sprung up here, between him and Mr. Robert Parker, and they have been associated in many of the most enjoyable concerts given in this city. Mr. Boyd has succeeded in gathering together a large clientele of pupils and has many friends who will be pleased to recognise his portrait in our columns.

Mr. Arthur Garner, late of the linn of Williamson, Garner and Musgrave, who is, at the time of writing, in Melbourne, is said to be contemplating taking over the Alexandra theatre. If he does he will have the good wishes of many who, like ourselses, know his sterling worth and genial manner.

- The Juvenile Operatic Troupe are still rehearsing diligently for the production of “ The Grand Duchess.” Mr. F. E. Jones is acting as general manager and musical coach, and is. confident of bringing them up to the mark by the time the production is put on.

It is rumoured that Dick Stewart, jr., intends visiting New Zealand with a company, early next year, Things theatrical are in a very depressed state in Australia at the present time, and New Zealand seems to afford the only opening for a company to pay expenses.

Professor Richard, of electric notoriety, is at present lecturing and selling electric chairs in Queensland. The bushy-headed little man is reported to be doing good business and sweeping in the shekels of the confiding Queenslander.

The Orchestral Society of Wellington is making preparations for a grand concert at the Opera House in the near future. If the standard of previous entertainments is kept up, the music-loving people of Wellington should have a treat hi store for them.

The Wellington Harmonic Society also intends to take advantage of the idle season at the Opera House, and will give one or two entertainments including vocal and instrumental music.

Mr. John Duthie, in celebration of his successful return to Parliament as a member for Wellington City, gave a musical evening to his friends and acquaintances at Thomas’ Hall on Monday evening last, There was a large attendance and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Songs and orchestral selections were given by wellknown amateur artists. At the conclusion of the first part an address was made by the chairman and responded to by Mr. Duthie, an interval was then allowed for refreshments, and the entertainment concluded with several vocal selections and a dance which was kept up until the “ wee sma’ hours.”

Mr. L. J. Lohr, who will pilot the Brough and Boucicault Company through this colony, has left Melbourne for. New Zealand.