Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VI, 8 August 1903, Page 384

Music and Drama.

Maggie Moore leaves for New York th:* secund week in November. It i> understood that Air George Musgrove has caiiccßed all l«is New Zealand dales pencilled fur the end of the year. Mr J. Brown who was ahead of the World's Eiiiert.ainers during their New Zealand tour, is now acting in the same capacity for the Westminster Glee and Concert Party. The Westminster Glee and ( <mcert Party returns to New Ze.land in October. Dates are booked at the Opera House, Auckland, from 20th to 22nd of that month. A cable from London states that ?Jr Justice I’arweli has granted the well-known acti<s<, Miss Olga Nethersole. r.n injunction to restrain the production Lv Air Bernard Espinasse, of Sydney, of a version of “Sappho” on the ground of an infringement of copyright. The Auckland Choral Society’s third concert was to have taken place on Tuesday evening (after wo went to pre-s with i hi- issue). The last rehearsal oh AFon day did not give promise of any very signal success. A poorer "final” has probably seldom been heard. From genial George Tullis and IFis Majesty's Thea tie, Melbourne,; comes a regular “park” of future postcards, Beautifully print e<L with scenes from "The Messenger Boy.” The Musical Comedy Comp.uiy did exceedingly well with “The Belle of New York.” Miss Bigges as I'ifi coming in for much commendation. The Majcroni Dramatic Company has been doing • it i-factory business at the Opera House. "The Shamrock and the Rose’’ followed "Justice at Last,” and proved a very popular piece. On August 7lh the company will stage Me.tlousy,” an I on the following night will put on Liat Stirling drama, "For the Tenn of His Natural Life.” Walter Kirby w tiles from London by the ’Frist <> mail: ‘ Just a line to send Lest, wishes t<» all New Zealand friends. I have conn* <m to London from Paris on the advice of Madame Aleiha. 1 sang for Alons. Boulty. who declared himself charmed with my voice, and wishes me to go in for opera. At present I am studying with Signor Lorens and Mr. Fran klan C live.”

Fred Duval on American reporters: “And,” said the reporter, "of course you think San Francisco is the finest city in the world?” “No.” “Ah! you prefer Los Angeles?” “No!” "Seattle?” “No!” “Chicago?” “No!” “N’Yark?” "London?” "No!” "Paris?” "No!” “What, then, sir, do you think is the finest city in the world?” I answered “Waikouaiti.” “Dog gone me if ever I heard of it,” he observed. And next morning ho had a lump in his paper about me and Waikouaiti.

Once again the City Hall is the nightly scene of merriment and music. Once again the ebony-faced bones and tambos crack the jokes wo all know so well, but always laugh at. and all is as it used to be. Air John Fuller, for whom Aucklanders have always had a soft spot in their hearts, has taken up the tale where Air P. R. Dix left oil. and it is to be hoped he will be able to hold the attention of his audience fur many days to come. The opening performance on August 1 w as certainly encouraging, and the warm reception which the neople gave the tenor, who has so often charmed them, showed that he was Aery welcome. The decision arrived at to send the Trowell boys to Frankfurt, to the Hoch Conscrvatorium. instead of to Leipsic, has been arrived at only after long consideration, and after all the arguments for and against have been duly weighed. The reason for the step now resolved upon is that at the Hoch Conscrvatoiham Master Thomas Trowell will have the benefit of the training given by the great ‘cellist. Hugo Becker, who is probably unrivalled at the present day as a teacher of that instrument, says the “New Zealand Aiail.”

The enterprise of Mr. George Stephenson in bringing from America a complete company of representative artists, with a new repertoire of the latest comedy successes, is a theatrical event which is creating the greatest interest. The company, which was specially selected in America by Mr. F. W. Duval, arrived on Monday by the s.s. Sonoma, and will make their first appearance in the colonics at His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday, August (ith. During the season three of the latest comedy successes will be presented, viz.. ‘ Alama’s New Husband. ’’“Brown’s in Town,” and "W here Is Cobh:” These plrys wee specially selected by Mr. Duval, and the exclusive Australasian rights have been purchased l»y Air. George Stephenson. The initial production wnl be “Alania’s New Husband,” for which new scenery, costumes and properties have been c.xpics-1y prepared. As is generally known, Mr. Stephenson recently despatched Mr. Duval to America with instructions to secure the best attraction in that country most suitable to the tastes of New Zealand and Australian playgoers. Air. Duval was successful in inducing the Stine and Evans Comedy Uoinpany to make a trip to these colonies, and Ju* speaks in terms of the highest praise of each member of the organisation. The box plan is now open at Wildman, Lyell and Arey’s. Tn Auckland the Hawtroy Company are doing fair business. "Other People’s Business” is really a clever little play, and the young authors deserve warm commendations thereon. An immensely successful matinee performance of “Little J .ord Fauntleroy” was given on Saturday before* a packed bolls a of enraptured children. r i lie company played up to t’lcir exceptional audience in line style. and the charming little play never went better. Though late in tlu* day. a tribute should bo paid to the immortal Hobbs, as presented by that fine actor, Mr. Oily Deering. It is not too much to say that absolute genius is shown by Air. Deering, and the part could not possibly be better played. The Little Lord of Miss Lorking is an exceedingly clever performanc *. ami Air. Haw trey is of course an ideal Earl of Dorincourt. Vnquestionablv the theatrical event of the week, though outside Now Zealand, was Dip opening of the new Her Afajesly’s Theatre, Sydney, built by Air. J. ( .Williamson, in conjunction with Mr. IL

H. Vineent. of St. James’ Theatre, London, to replace the edifice burned down last year. The new theatre is a very magnificent and up-to-date building, and has cost Mr. Williamson the traditional* “hatfnl of money.” The veteran actormanager, who seems to have the secret of pcr|>etua] youth, appeared himself in his old part in “Kerry,” and received a tremendous ovation. As was previously announced. the whole of the proceeds were devoted to charity, and as no seat in the dress circle sold for under a pound, and others in proportion, the amount handed over to various Sydney institutions must have been considerable. Mr. Williamson received many congratulatory telegrams from friends in all parts of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, including messages from the branches of the New Zealand Institute of Journalists. The whole theatre-going population of this colony will wish Mr. Williamson every success in his new playhouse, lie has been a good and plucky impresario and manager, and always takes New Zealand with his schemes, so that we have of late years been exceedingly well catered for in regard to amusements. The common idea of a manager is that he has nothing to do but. sit in a luxurious room in l.is theatre and wateli his bank account augment. As a fact, it is as arduous, as wearying, and as speculative a business as there is in the world. There are large gains, no doubt, but also heavy losses. Nir. Williamson has experienced the vicissitudes inseparable from the profession, but in the main fortune has smiled on him. and it is the hope of this paper and thousands who have enjoyed his productions that it may continue to do so.

Tt is probable that Mr Harry Weir will visit New Zealand at no distant date. Negotiations are proceeding with a view io his taking the tenor solos in “Elijah,” ‘•The Messiah,” and “The Golden Legend." at the forthcoming ’Musical I'estival at 'Wellington. Mr Williamson has engaged the Canterbury Hall in December for Miss Ada Crossley. It is probable that Air Harold Ashton, now here in advance of .‘•Are You a Mason!” Company, will pilot Miss

Crossley through New Zealand. The support to the star is said to be very strong, indeed; far stronger than accompanied the great Melba. ,

An occasional correspondent writes from Rotorua -.—The Mushroom Dramatie Club played the comedy, “My Sweetheart.” at the Assembly llall, Rotorua, ou Wednesday and Thursday evenings last week, and received a splendid reception. The cast was as follows: Snow, Mr McLeod; Dudley Harcourt, Mr F. W. Tomlinson; Dr. Oliver, Mr F. I. Ellis; Tony Faust, Mr H. J. Blomlield; Joe Shotwell, Mr W. H. Young; Farmer llatzcll. Mr W. Wiggs; Mrs Hatzell, Mis C. B. Tuner; Lena Fleeter, Mrs D. 1. Barron; Tina Hatzell (My Sweetheart), Miss Malfroy. Miss Malfroy, as Tina, played the name part with a spirit ol great freshness and energy. As Lena Fleeter, the adventuress, Mrs D. Innes Barron was ideal. Her posing was very graceful, and at times gave considerable dramatic force, which added to the action of the piece. Mrs C. B. Turner, as Mrs Hatzell, had a very heavy part, anil entered fully into her character. She was decidedly original and funny, and calls for special mention. As Farmer Hatzell Mr Wiggs made the most of his part. The character of the sportive doctor, who trios to bring about .Miss Fleeter’s downfall, was in the hands of .Mr Ellis, whose enunciation was exceedingly good. Mr Blomlield, as Tony Faust, appeared to be perfectly at home. He played the part with great thoroughness, no point being spoiled. As Snow, the negro, .Mr McLeod was very funny. Mr Tomlinson, as Dudley Harcourt, and Mr W. 11. Young, as Joe Shotwell, the gambler, filled their parts very creditably. The stage management was m the hands of Hr Wiggs, the seenery being from the brushes of Messrs. Steele and Blencoe. Several pieces were delightfully rendered by the orchestra, under the control of Mr Horace Stewart. Miss Euipson played the various accompaniments most acceptably. Several beautiful dresses were worn by .Miss Malfroy- and Dlrs D. I. Barron. Great credit is due the club, which is only in its infanev.