Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XVII, 25 April 1903, Page 1144

Music and Drama.

Matlame Adelina Patti is <i() years vf Dani. the tenor, who came through New Zealand with Amy fast les. is new *inging in New York. On dit that Mr. J. C. Williamson’s next <*oni]Minv to tour New Zealand will be the Royal Comic Opera Company. A new English etnnedy company opened at the Palace. Sydney, on Sat linky last in “Are You a Mason?" said to bo remarkably funny. Melba sailed for Ixmdon from Australia last x\rek. There was a large and enthusiastic crowd to bid her farewell. Air. Charles I>. West ma cot t, who made many friends when in New Zealand seme three years ago with the Stanford Dramatic Company, is business manager of the “Sweet Nell of Ohl Drury’’ Company. Mrs. Howie i”Te Rangi Pai’) has been touring England with a concert party, of whh-h the other memltrrs were Miss Rosa Bird. Mr. Barton McGuekin and Mr. Arthur Walenn. Mr. Bv» t Royle. Mr. J. ( . Williamson’s representative in New Zealand, pro pcs<s to locate himself permanently in Wellington. He ha- just returned from a visit io Australia. If is stated that E. 11. Sot hern and Justin Huntly McCarthy, besides collaborating on a history of Francois \ illon. are going to work together on a wpipl to “If 1 Were King." Mr. J«»hn F. Sheridan, who has he. n phix ing a. season at the Criterion Theatre, Sidney, was accorded a farewell demon--l ration last week, when he was presented with a gold watch, suitably inscribed. Mi Titdg«- had a leading part in ‘ A Married Woman." Mr Frederick Fenn’s now play, which was produced in February, at the Metropole Theatre, ('nmlnnwvvll. London. Ho appeared as Geoffrey Kent. The “Daily Graphic” speak- of “A Married Woman’’ as a •■‘l'ital Pl»y- ' Madurae >u>anna the veteran juti-to. who sang at the Coronal ion of Ihe late Queen Victoria. and y.iio trained and introduced io London audiences Ihe late Madame Patey. the world-fam-ed contralto, says that Miss Ada Cro-s- - b ;, v. ho visits the colonies shortly, is the most perfect of Jiving contralto Mr. Allan Hamilton, who has l»ceii n ;<nagi’.ig Mr. Brough’s company during a tour through < hina, expects to reach Meiljournc next month. In a letter from shanghai he announces his inten'ion <f paying a visit to Air. L. 1. Ixihr, who Jias given up business mauagenu nt. and w’.-o uov. resides .it Invcrloeh. For pei-isting in smoking in the pit of tie theatre in Napier rhe * the:* night a i> .m was lined 5 without costs. The

Bench, while only i’dl’cting a lenient p-i alty. -aid the public mi’.-1 be protectM. It was not fair to ladies present and to others who objected to toll. < o -moke. People who went to the theatre ha.l a right to be protected. ’I here ’.vas too much annoyance of various kinds al the theatre, and the Bench \\a> determined to put it down. Mi— May Beatty is so jtopular in the ryes of the Piincws audiences that ther. i-a general lament that the “For--1 me Teller” give* hrr -o poor a chance. Fa el voile watches for her. and hails her nt last in the third act with great demonstrations of delight. "die pleases the men with her gaiety, her plump figure. and her prettines®, she raptures those of her own sex through her great, taste in clothe®, her mischievous spirit which never loses a certain refinement! and delightful feet. If you have never espied or particularly noted May Beatty’s fret, do so when she next tri|H on your board*, remarks a Melbourne writer.

Many Aucklander* will be sorry that the Gaiety Company at the City Hal! is now one of the things that were. Saturday night was the la*t occasion for the genial P.R.D. to stand at the entrance door and watch the audience filing in to that place of amusement where so many have whiled away a pleasant hour. in future Mr Hix will confine his attention to managing His Majesty’s '"hcatre, of which he has secured a ten rears' lease.

Sousa’s sixty musicians, who are coming out to the colonies, are creating a sensation ia London. They are considered the finest band of musicians in the world, and have been twice commanded to play before the King. The passage money and expenses connected with their travelling to and from Australia will be considerably over £OO9O. They will reach Australia in the latter part of this year or the beginning of next x ear.

A common trick with ladies who remove their headgear in the theatre is to draw a feroeiotis-looking Gin hat pin and jab their straw to the seat in front. A smooth-faced person with hair parted down the centre like the second son of the suburban butcher, and wearing a "magpie suit, cried aloud in I'.is agony in the stalls or Dunedin Princess on Saturday evening, when an innocent lady in the seat behind him jabbed a big black hatpin through a small "gem” hat into a broad black back, remarks "Otago Witness.”

Mr. Frank Thornton, who opened in Sydnev at the t riterion in "< barley’s Aunt” on Faster Saturday, describes New Zealand as vastly overdone from a theatrical standpoint. In his first week in Wellington. a city of 45.UC0. he had Madame Melba, Fitzgerald's circus, a variety show and the Williamson Opera t’ompany to contend with. Early in March, within a radius of fifty miles, there were five instinct dramatic companies touring in the Taranaki districts. Mark Hanibonrg, the famous pianist, passed through Auckland by the Ventura to take up hi* Australian tour with Mr. John Lemnmne, the flautist. The company come to Now Zealand during the coming winter, opening in Dnnedm on •Tune 17. and concluding alwmt five weeks later in Auckland. Besides Leminone, who is a prime favourite with New Zealand audiences. Hambourg will lie supported by hi* brother Boris, a 'cellist of repute, and Miss Mabel Bachelor, a soprano with a voice that i* said to b? divine. Having had a most profitable time in Auckland, "The Worst Woman in London” has reluctantly made way for "The Mariners of England,” and. though I would, be the la.-t to wish to speak disrespectfully of any lady half as popular as - The Worst Woman,” it must be confessed that "The Mariners” are more to my taste. A* a fact, there are not manv much better melodramas than Buchanan's "Mariners of England.” and it is exceedingly well staged. The iimane <-osnie relief is an aggravation to the llesli, and could and should be cut down with a ruthless hand, for anything mote, ho'ielcssly silly and wearisome has seldom lieen sci-n even from the comic man. who is almost always an unmitigated be re. Father Christmas, in "The Silver King.” is the onlv comic man to whom •he writer cherishes any feeling* save those of resentment.

The follow ing is an exact reprint of the wording of a theatrical advertisement which reaches u« all the way from Cairo: "tine special night will take place in the Egyptian Theatre, which i- situated at. the lieginning of Abd-el-aziz-street. And which will start showing some different new and aueient plays on Friday, d o’clock at night. <> February, and tl»* said name Alsl-el-Ranof Hehny intends to show the |>coplc all kinds of majecy to lite iieople who would honour his place. He also represent to sight a’l that, new and ancient majecy and sports which were used in Egyptian anciant lsralight“ and Europeans, and all sorts of congeraring and wonderfully plays

and gessing about ;lie idias and returning the dead body ,o life which shall of now don't surprise* every spectator, and evcrvtliing ••a!. Ix» proved by the sight seen.” Ills MAJESTY'S SCH<M>L OF MUSIC. The opening of the new music room and concert hall in connection with Mr J. F. Bennett’s His Majesty's School of Musie, and the presentation of the silver medal and certificates of the Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.C.A:., London, won by the principal's pupiir took place at His Majesty’s Arcade last Thursday night. There was a very large attendance. The concert halt was greatly admired. It is spa<-ious ami roomy, and will accommodate a large number of people. It has been mo-t elegantly furnished and decorated. The windows are covered with transparencies of notable places, several large mirrors adorn the walls, and the decorations are in perfect ta*te. The’ seating accommodation consists of luxurious swing theatre ehairs, which are upholstered in crimson plush, and there are four splendid pianos—one, a Beeustein grand, for the use of the students and the quartette classes. The function was specially interesting, inasmuch as Aidlie. Dolores, the celebrated French soprano, was present, and opened the room and presented the medal and certificates. The following were the successful pupils:—Silver medal presented by the Associated Board, Loudon, for second highest marks in New Zealand, Miss Helen A. Morris. Local Centre: Piano, Fourth Grade—Honours certificate, Miss 11. Morris; pass eertincate, Miss 1. Bolous, Helen MeG. Huy, Birdie .Morland. Local Centre: Theory of Alusic—Miss Ella Afarv Browne. Aliss Elsie E. C rowe. Mir ? Ellen M. Douglas, Aliss Elsie Edmiston, Miss Leon Keyes, Aliss U. Le Bailly, Aliss E. Macalistcr, Aliss Daphne Slade, Aliss Alary R. Le Baiily. Miss Jessie Le Bailly, Aliss Helen Aforiis. Gold Aledal—Mr Bennett’s gold medal was secured by Aliss Daphne Slade. I.oeal School Examinations: Piano and Theory—Higher Division: Distinction, pianoforte, 11. A. Alorris: pass, pianoforte, E. G. Alacalister, E. M. Crowe, D. AV. Slade. M. A. Gedde*, B. L. Alorland. Al. E. Alorland. J. E. Alaxfield. Lover Division: Distinction, pianoforte, D. AV. Slade, E. Af. Browne; pass, pianoforte, W. T. Chamber*. E, AV. Edmiston,

E. F. Crowe, E. J. Rvrie. E. M. Douglas, 11. A. Lamb. M. R. Le Bailly. J. S. Lc Bailly. C. E. 1-e Bailiy, R. E. Mackenzie, R. J. Best. Elementary Division: Pass, pianoforte, R. M. Brewer. A. A. Gallery, A. V. Chambers, J. Geddes, A. Geddes, A. Seilev, 11. Seller, L. Selh v. Rudiments of’Musie: Pa**, D. \V. Slade. E. W. Edmiston, E. M. Crowe, 3.1. R. Le Bailly, C. E. Le Bailly. J. S. Le Biillv. 11. A. Morris, L. Chambers. A. A. Gallerv, E. G Macalistcr, M. A. Geddes, R. B.st.