THE DRAMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XXIII, 9 June 1900, Page 1096

THE DRAMA.

The Rev. Chas. Clark's return season in Auckland was to have concluded on Saturday last, but in response to numerous requests the popular lecturer deferred his departure to Sydney for two days, and on Monday and Tuesday gave two more entertainments. He was assisted by the eminent contralto, Mrs Howie.

A verv large audience gathered in Auckland Opera House oi* ’Tuesday of last week, when the members of the Banjo, Mandolin, and Guitar Club gave a farewell concert to Mr Wynyard Joss oil the occasion of his departure from Auckland to Australia. A programme of great variety was presented, the following ladies and gentlemen contributing items: — Miss Maud Howard, Miss Lily’ ’Thomson, Miss F. Maxwell. Miss Akensten, Miss Sybil Lewis, Mr Wynyaril-Joss, Mr Hamilton Hodges. Mr W. J. Ryan. Mr Percy Blackman, Mr E. Warsaw, Mr I). Warsaw, Mr Abel Rowe, Mr Horace Stebbiug, Mr A. L. Edwards, Mr (I. M. Reid. Mr Bert Robinson, Mr Maefarlane, Air Partridge, and Mr A. Bartley. Mr Wynyard Joss thanked the audience tor their kindness, and at the close of the evening the performers joined in singing “Auld Lang Syne.” The popularity of Mr P. R. Hix's entertainment continues unabated. With plenty' of variety he keeps his audiences in spite of counter attractions. The Henry Company are now touring the Auckland Goidflelds districts. Fitzgerald's Circus left Auckland for Australia on Monday last. The show opens al Charters Towers, Queensland, on the 15th with the

new attractions brought from Enrope by Mr Tom Fitzgerald. Haddon Chambers’ “Tyranny . of Tears” has hud a splendid reception from tlie Sydney critics.

Mr Williamson lias arranged for a prolongation of Miss Nance O'Neil's Australasian engagement, and we in New Zealand will be afforded an opportunity of seeing the American tragedienne.

It is not easy to keep count of the patriotic songs that are making their appearance now. Among local productions I notice one composed by Mr Lionel D. Cox, the words being by the late Hon. Vincent Pyke, AI.L.C. Tuneful and spirited it should, under the good title of “The Old Flag,” obtain no small measure of success.

During a recent performance at Adelaide of the "Pirates of Penzance” by tlie new Royal Opera Company Mr George Laurie in the part' of Major-General got himself up to resemble Lord Roberts so well that the audience was fairly carried away. Mr O. Bainbridge, who is said to lie on a walking tour round the world lecturing as he goes, does not appear to be making the pace. When last heard of he was only at Gisborne. We learn that Mr H. Rossiter has forwarded through Lord Ranfurly copies of liis songs “England is Mistress Still” ami “Zealandia” io Her Majesty the Queen as a memento of her birthday from a New Zealand composer.

Mr Harmsworth. of the “Daily Mail," lias cabled instructions which, if enforced, will render liable to prosecution, for an infringement of copyright, any person who fails to pay over to the designated agents the proceeds of the singing or recitation of the “Absent-Minded Beggar.” This action has been taken because the local committee ignored the conditions under which the money was raised and was to be used. Christchurch has now' a new' Amateur Dramatic Society which goes by tlie name of the Garrick Club. It recently produced Dion Boucicaiilt’s “Sliaughratin'' with a good deal of success according to the local critics. The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society will produce ‘’The Grand Duke" on the 20th inst.

Lazerne. a prestidigitateiir, who is touring- in the north, is said to be remarkably clever at sleight-of-hand tricks. Mr J. F. Sheridan is coming back to Auckland in November next. deferring to the present Pollard season in Wellington the “Post” says “There would appear to be substantial truth in Air Pollard’s assertion that the revivals are better appreciated than new productions, for the Opera House was very comfortably tilled, ami there were encores by the dozen."

Owing to a boycott organised against her on tlie ground of the immorality of some of the plays she appears in, Mrs Langtry lias been forced to cancel certain of her engagements in the States.

August von Biene has just given his 2000th performance in England of his play, called “The Broken ATelody.” He could not find audiences for his play in the States, where the great, dull, middle class of playgoers does not exist. “The Broken Melody” was not lively and strong enough for the illiterate multitude, and quite out of the question as entertainment for cultivated persons.