DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 19, 7 May 1892, Page 473

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.

THE LYON MAIL,’ a very powerful drama, will be reviewed at the Lyceum after the doors are

closed on * Henry V111.,’ which is still drawing crowds to the great tragedian’s playhouse. Many people consider Irving is seen at his best in this play, which is, if anything, more ghastly and impressive than ‘ The Bells.’ The picture of Irving in the character of Dubose, which heads our column, is taken from a capital photo, and gives a good idea of the actor’s ‘make up’ fir the part.

The Royal Comic Opera Company scored a striking success at the Princess Theatre at Melbourne when ‘ Carmen ’ was produced. The fine scenery and picturesque costumes, added to the tuneful music and the extremely clever acting of Mr William Walshe, as Don Jose, in his scenes with Miss Marie Halton, who took the engaging part of Carmen, produced a most favourable impression upon the audience. Mr Charles Ryley was in splendid voice, and received several well-merited rounds of applause during the evening. The castanet dance took well with those in front, and the general production of Bizet’s masterpiece created a very favourable impression, which is likely to secure a good run for Mr J. C. Williamson’s latest venture at the Princess Theatre. There is just a chance that Williamson will try New Zealand with the Comic Opera Company at Christmas if he hears good reports from the Montague-Turner people.

All our colonial comedians are leaving us. Billy Elton has gone by the Ormuz, Teddy Royce intends to follow, and now Mr John Sheridan—Bridget O’Brien, Esq., over whose inimitable Irish impersonations we laughed and laughed with heart some time ago—has decided to return to England. We are not again to enjoy the happy witticisms of the Irish and Yankee mother-in law, the wooden-legged Crosstree in ‘ Black-eyed Susan,’ the mining swindler, the French footman, the Saucy Nora and the masher Fluter, and the delightful duet, ‘ The Little Peach,’ by Johnny Jones and his little sister Sue. The visit of Sheridan to New Zealand had been greatly looked forward to. It was to have eventuated in about three months’ time. Now, alas ! it may be for years, or it may be for ever. The wailing over Elton’s departure has, by the way, been both prolonged and deep over in Australia. The following lament in verse, culled from a Sydney source, is excellent: GOOD-BYE TO ELTON. Goodbye ! farewell! the anchor's weighed Your bark is on the ocean blue. And we, disheartened and dismayed. Are left to hanker after you. You’ve been the soul of many shows. The sole support—so full of snap ; But you are gone, and goodness knows Whom we can get to HU the gap. Good-bye! old chap. In ‘ Blow for Blow ’ you made your bow’. We blew your trumpet straight away; Yet blow for blow you give us now By going thus, alackaday ! You have enjoyed a thumping screw, And worked to earn it with a will. The while your name in favour grew Your price went higher up the hill. Good bye! dear Bill. Most funny stars are apt to wane And quit the heavens all too soon, But you, again and yet again, Have risen like a funny moon. And beamed upon the roaring crowd Whose sides you never fail to shake ; With one accord they all allowed That ‘ Elton fairly took the cake. And no mistake! When other lips and other hearts Their tale of admiration tell. You’ll not forget the good old parts In which we learned to love you well; Nor let the cruel hand of time Proud memories of yore destroy. In distant land, in colder clime. We evermore will wish you joy. Good-bye. good boy !