Music Drama

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VI, 10 February 1900, Page 270

Music Drama

Mr Bland Holt closed his Auckland season on Saturday. His stay in the North has been a succession of triumphs, and he left, on his Southern tour with the assurance that his presence will always be welcome in Auckland. Although the season extended considerably over the period originally intended, Mr Holt’s popularity was not a w’hit less when he left than when he began. It was a matter for regret that the company was not able to produce their latest drama, “The Absent-minded Beggar,” while in Auckland.

After an absence from Auckland of over two years the Brough Company opens a short season on Monday next in the Opera House. To the Broughs, New Zealand owes the production of high-class pieces, which but for them playgoers here must have been content to know by name only. Lovers of the drama, therefore, have been looking forward to the return of this powerful organisation with no little pleasure. On this occasion the Broughs bring with them several new plays which have been in turn the event of the London dramatic season. Acted in Australia, these productions by the leading playwrights of the day have scored a wonderful success, and there is every reason to anticipate a similar popularity here. The company will stage as its opening piece Henry Arthur Jones’ comedy “The Liars.” This will run three nights and will be succeeded by Pinero's great success “The Gay Lord Quex.” Following these during the season will come “The Adventures of Lady Ursula.” by Anthony Hope; “The Physician," by Henry Arthur Jones; "Lord and Lady Algy,” by R. C. Carton, and some of the old plays with which the name of the Broughs is inseparably connected in the colonies. “The Second Mrs Tanqueray,”

"Dandy Dick,” “Sowing the Wind,” and of course “Niobe,” will be amongst these. Amongst the new faces we shall in Auckland be called on to welcome are Mr Carne, who has earned high favour down South, Messrs Lovell, Dartray and Victor, all of whom are well spoken of. Miss Bessie Thompson. Miss Evaline Marthese, Miss Laura Hanley, are amongst the new actresses. Mrs Brough is sure of a warin welcome, mid the same may be said of those old favourites, Miss N'oble and Miss Temple.

Maggie Moore and Harry Roberta are reaping a good harvest in the Slates. Their 'Frisco season opens in a few weeks.

Mr Musgrove is said to be making a clear profit of £IOUO a week over “The Belle of New York," which has been running two years without a break; and protniaes to run a year longer. .

Mr J. €. Williamson will produce his pantomime "Little Red Riding Hood” in Melbourne on the 24tb inst. The Princess has been takeu for the production, which will be ou the same scale of magnificence that characterised the staging of the piece in Sydney. The Fitzgerald Bros, are booked to open at Invercargill next week, ami thence will tour New Zealand. The circus has had a most successful time of it in Australia, playing to big money. Since they were last here the brothers have added to the attractions of their entertainment, and among the new wonders to Ire shown here are the lion, elephant and bicycle act, the riding tiger—a wonderful act; the Waldorf troupe of statue artists, 12 in number, with their own limelight etTects; Miss Daisy Shand, a lady rider; Miss Necedah Leon, hurdle act rider; the Rizzio troupe of leapers, tumblers, and riders; Madam Sarlna, a wonderful trapeze artiste; the sisters Wingate, one of whom does a slide for life, hanging by her teeth, from one end of the tent to the other; Miss Rose Aquinaldo, a contortionist from Cuba, who does a most marvellous feat, balancing on her teeth in a bending position.

The Pollards are now in Christchurch, their trump card at present being “The Geisha.”

There was a badly sold man at the Christchurch theatre on Thursday night, says the “Press.” When Mr Browm came on as the waiter in “A Trip to Chinatown,” and commenced whistling, one of the audience leaned over the dress circle and looked into the orchestra to see who was playingthe piccolo. But there was no one. and the sound did not proceed from the orchestra, but from the stage, where Mr Brown was busy mixing cocktails. There was no one more enthusiastic in redemanding the clever item than the one who took it to be an instrument.

Madame Antoinette Trebelli, writes to a friend in New Zealand that there is a strong probability she will visit this colony again shortly.

Harry Rickards is spending £2OOO in alterations to the Adelaide Bijou Theatre, which will be opened at Easter.

It is said that Mr George Musgrove is coming to Australia with an entirely new company’, and will open about four months hence in the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Mr J. C. Williamson has secured the Australasian rights of the new Savoy Opera “The Rose of Persia,” and also of all the old Gilbert and Sullivan operas for three years.

Mr Walter Bentley, with his newly organised company, is now at Newcastle. He intends to visit Tasmania and New Zealand shortly, and meditates a tour through India. His repertoire will include “The Silver King,” “The Bells,” “Garrick,” “Rigoletto,” “The Prisoner of Devil’s Island,” and several Shakespearean dramas.

Mr Sydney Bracy, son of Mr Henry Bracy, of Williamson and Musgrove’s Opera Company, has left Australia for London.

The following letter has been addressed to Mr Hannibal A. Williams, whose season of Shakesperian recitals concluded last week:—Auckland, N.Z., Jan. 27,1900, Mr Hannibal A. Williams, Grand Hotel, Auckland, Dear Sir, — The two recitals given by yourself and Mrs Williams, under private patronage, have afforded so much pleasure and gratification to those who heard them that we shall be glad if you can make arrangements either to prolong your stay among us or return later to give a few public recitals. Your interpretation of the plays of Shakespeare, of which we have had a taste in the rendering of" “As You Like It” by Mrs Williams, and “The Taming of the Shrew ” by yourself, is so pleasing and delightful, and characterised by such simplicity, elegance, and artistic finish, that your recitals cannot fail to be of the highest educative value to all who may be privileged to hear them, and particularly to our young people. We therefore hope for a further opportunity of hearing both yourself and Mrs Williams in the delineation of the masterpieces of dramatic composition. Faithfully yours. Hugh Campbell. J. F. Montague, J. C. Smith. J. M. Brigham, C. M. Calder, A. Wight Thompson, D. W. Duthie, Fredk. E. Ba nine, 11. Pent la nd Norton, (’. J. Parr. J. G. Watson. Frank Jno. Whittaker. William Coleman. T. Buddle. E. Weymouth, Graves Aitkin, H, Gilfillun, jun., IL Ilcmus.