Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XII, 25 March 1899, Page 364

Music and Drama.

On Monday next the great Australian fax cm rite. Miss Maggie Moore, and Mr 11. K. Roberts, with their company will open in the Auckland Opera House. Throughout the tour of the colony this combination has won marked success. The plays which they stage are all of a popular character. New Zealand playgoers, we are sure, have pleasant memories of Miss Maggie Moore in ‘Struck Oil.’ that evergreen drama with which the Auckland season will open. This play will be followed by an entirely new dramatisation of ‘The Silence of Dean Maitland,’ which in turn will be succeeded by ‘A Prodigal Father,’ a farcical comedy by Glen MacDonough. The ‘Trilby Burlesque.’ which is described as inimitably amusing will also be played.

The complimentary concert to Mr Walter Kirby takes place in the Auckland Choral Hall on Thursday first.

Fraulein Fuchs, the talented young violinist who toured Australia some time ago. has been doing great things in America. Her admirers in Chicago presented her with a violin worth over £ I OOP, and she has signed a contract with one of the best companies in the States.

Harmston’s Circus will give two farewell performances in Auckland on Thursday and Friday next. The New York section of ‘The Helle of New York’ Company. numbering a dozen members, passed through’ Auckland last week on their way to Melbourne. The London contingent was despatched from the metropolis by Mr George Musgrove 011 February 10. and has now arrived in Australia. Mr Coventry, a noted New York stage manager, has also gone to Melbourne in advance, together with Mr Girard, the comedian of the company, and is now engaged with Mr Gordon in preparing foi- the Easter production of ’The Belle of New York" at the Princess’s Theatre. It has been stated that Mr ‘Pete’ Hughes contradicts the statement that Mr Williamson contemplates sending the ’Geisha’ Company to New Zealand this coming winter, but we have it from Mr Hughes only a day or two ago that there is a strong likelihood of the company paying us a visit. LONDON INTERVIEW WITH NELLIE STEWART. Miss Nellie Stewart, unquestionably the most popular aetress who ever appeared on Australian boards, has been interviewed in London on her success—which is really of a phenomenal nature —and her intentions. Miss Stewart says she is determined to succeed for the sake of Australia. Asked if she was satisfied, she responded enthusiastically. ’Yes, indeed!’ is the instant response. ’1 am more than pleased; I am proud and delighted and jubilant! Everybody has been kindness itself to me. but oh! you ean’t

imagine what an ordeal that first night was to me. It was terrible. 1 wanted so much to be a success, for my own sake, and for the sake of the management, and, above all, for the credit of Australia. It sounds conceited, 1 suppose, but I belong to the theatregoers of Australia, and I love them, and 1 didn’t want it to be said for them to hear that I had failed over here. I was quite a stranger to the audience; I was perhaps the only principal in the company who was not a popular favourite, and I don’t mind confessing that I felt nervous.’

How ‘our Nellie’ carried the Drury Lane audience clean off its feet is now ancient history. So, as the interviewer said, there was no cause for nervousness. (Questioned as to her future intentions. Miss Stewart said: —

’After leaving here at the conclusion of the pantomime sea-son, 1 join a new operatic syndicate to make a short tour of about five of the most important provincial cities, and then we return to London and open at one of tlie West End theatres. I don’t know which theatre it will be yet, and I am not sure which operas we shall produce. “Ala Mie Rosette” is io lie one, and we shall play the Australian edition, which was a big success in the colonies. You may imagine how pleased 1 am at the prospect of appearing in a part which, if 1 may say it with becoming modesty, 1 made a success in out there.’ ‘And after that. Miss Stewart, what are your big, broad prospects, or shall 1 say in what direction do your general ambitions lead you?’ ‘Ultimately to Australia to home. I want to establish my success here first. At present it is a pantomime