MUSIC ART AND DRAMA

Fair Play, Volume I, Issue 8, 23 December 1893, Page 16

MUSIC ART AND DRAMA

The Palmer-Beaumont Opera Company opened at the Tuam street Hall, Christchurch, to a very good house on Thursday evening. They play a very brief season in Christchurch, and then work their way further South. The Christchurch Truth reports in its telegraphic columns that Miss Mabel Neill has been awarded the gold medal of the Wellington Art Club for the best landscape. The name should read Miss Mabel Hill.

The Fakir of Oolu hardly met with a reception from the Wellington people that was up to his expectations, consequently his show petered out at the Opera House on Monday night, when he returned the entrance money to the few individuals who on entering found themselves amidst a wilderness of empty benches. Gilbert and Sullivan’s new opera, “ Utopia Limited,” seems to have hardly met with the enthusiastic reception that was expected. The critics all appear to differ in their decisions, but not one has given the production unqualified praise. As soon as the pantomimes in Melbourne and Sydney are in fair working order it is stated that Mr. J. C. Williamson intends going to Europe in search of further novelties for the ensuing season. The Marian Willis Company has been doing fan- business at the Exchange Hall during the past week. The “ New Magdalen, ’ in which Miss Willis appears as Mercy Merrick, was, taking everything into consideraton, put on in good style, the different members of the Company sustaining their parts ably. On Thursday night, “East Lynne” was staged, Miss

Willis appearing to advantage in the dual part of Lady Isabel and Madame Vine.

At the entertainment which is to be given this (Friday) evening, in aid of the Hawke’s Bay sufferers, the City Council has stated its intention of extending its patronage. .

A special feature of the concert which will be given at the Opera House on Christmas night will be the singing of “ Oh, Christmas night,” and the “ Star of Bethlehem. There will be specially prepared limelight illustrations. Mr. W. B. Cadzow will sing the tenor music, and Madame Cadzow will act as accompanist. Vincent Crummels over again. Rising Actor (to Wellington librettist): “You touch up plays, I understand ; introduce new business, and that sort of thing ?” Wellington Librettist: “Oh 1 yes.” Rising Actor: “Very well. I’m going over to Australia next week with ‘ Hamlet,’' and I want you to rewrite the play so as to bring in two kangaroo' dogs and a baby wallaby I’ve got.” The Melbourne Sun speaks as follows of Miss Gracie Noble of the Brough and Boucicault Company. “The girl remained in the convent for six years and it was probably during this period her latent and. inherent talent and liking for the drama grew deeper.” This is very pretty but we had always heretofore been ignorant of the fact that a convent was a training ground for a comedienne; but then we live and learn.

The Bland Holt Company, which passed through Wellington last week en route to Australia, have arrived in Hobart, Tasmania.

The entertainment given at the Skating Rink on Tuesday night by a number of members of the Working Men’s Club, for the benefit of Mr. Chris. Smith and family, was a most successful one. Both the concert and dance were well attended. The AVorldng Men’s Club orchestra and Jupp’s Band gave their services gratuitously, and Mr. Walter Smith, who acted as . accompanist, deserves considerable credit for the success of many of the items on the programme. A substantial amount was netted for the beneficiare. We understand that Mr. McDonald, the artist, better known in Wellington as “ Pasquin,” contemplates a visit to Australia with' a view of settling either in Melbourne or Sydney. Mr. H. A. Jones' new blank verse tragedy, “ The Tempter,” notwithstanding the praise bestowed upon it by the London critics, seems to have fallen upon the public with a dull sickening thud. Young Westmacotte who played minor parts in the Potter-Bellew Company when it was in Australia, has recently returned from England where, according to his own account, he hardly met with an enthusiastic reception. There are plenty of “ rising young actors ” in England without the colonial importation. A number of actors whose names are fm-mlinr to Australasian audiences are appearing in London at the present tune, amongst whom may be mentioned Miss

Olga Nethersole, who is a prime favourite in the English capital. Herbert Flemming is now, playing at the Adelphi, HH. Vincent at the St. James, Miss Pattie Browne has achieved a firm position, Mr. George Anson is at the Haymarket, Billy Elton at Drury Lane, and many others are doing well. Mr. A. R. Lawrence, who was a long time with Bland Holt’s Company, is now appearing in New York; and Mr. Percy Lyndal, also well-known south of the line, has left the Globe Theatre to accept an American engagement.

“ The Dean’s Silence,” an adaptation of “The Silence of Dean Maitland,” by Lewis Scott, was produced in Adelaide by Mr. Walter Bentley during the early part of this month. Whether it was the fault of Mr. Bentley or the playwright, this deponent sayeth not, at any rate the drama, which started in a rather sickly manner, rapidly merged into galloping consumption, and finally passed away to the accompaniment of bleak winds blowing through an empty house. It is pretty nearly time that Mr. Bentley carried out his alleged original intention of making a tour through Germany to teach the Teutons how “ Hamlet ” should be played.

To-morrow evening (Saturday) the new Criterion Theatre (late Cenlral Hall) will be opened by the Empire Minstrels and Specialty Company. The Company, which is under the management of Mr. Price, comprises twenty members, and a variety entertainment is promised that will be in advance of anything yet presented in Wellington. Songs, dances, and special turns are advertised, including the latest London and American successes.