Music and Drama.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XVII, 23 April 1904, Page 23

Music and Drama.

The new English Comedy Company, which Mr Williamson has “imported” <<» play the ‘‘Marriage of Kitty.” “Cousin Kate,” etc., is underlined for New Zealand, opening at Auckland on August 1.

Signora Duse, the great Italian artist, Jias been seriously ill at Genoa, as the consequence of a neglected bronchial attack. Her condition was regarded as grave when the last mail left London.

According to “The Theatre” Mr. Harry Rickards during his recent trip engaged £BO,OOO worth of talent. Whilst in America in ten days he made contracts representing engagements to the tune of £14,000.

Mr George Musgrove’s “Belle of New York” company, with Frank Lawton, of whistling fame, in his original part of Blinky Bill, commenced its seventh year of tour last month at the Borough Theatre, Stratford, when the piece was provided with elaborate new scenery and dresses and several new musical numbers. Miss Lillian Digges, who was recently in New Zealand, was the Fili.

“Honour Thy Father,” a well-writ ten melodrama of sustained interest, has been the attraction at His Majesty's, Auckland, during the past few days, but will give place to the great railway sensational play. “The 10.30 Down Express,” on Saturday. Unquestionably this is one of the most “thrilling” plays of its class ever written, and crowded houses will follow it*> production in Auckland. In Sydney and Melbourne it achieved phenomenal success.

“The Growing of the Rata,” a drama of New Zealand life, was very successfully produced in Auckland by Mr Alfred Dam pier and his company on Saturday last. To those who know the habit, of the rata, a creeper which sends its roots downward from the fork of some tree, in which the seed has sheltered, and, increasing in size, gradually crushes and kills the parent stem, the title is full of dramatic suggestion, and a higii-ly-creditable drama has been produced by the collaborating authors, Mr Chas. Owen, a New Zealander, and Mr Adam Pierre, an Australian. The plot follows the conventional lines of melodrama in general, but has considerable originality in detail, and the characterisation is above the average. The chief villain of the play is Waireinu, a half-caste Maori, and in this character Mr Alfred Dam pier, jun., makes a very palpable hit. He has studied his subject, with much care, and the impersonal ion is certainly one which will greatly enhance his rising reputation as an actor of unusual ability in difficult roles such as this. The play is well staged and mounted, and should prove a good second to “Robbery Under Arms” throughout the colonies; for the local atmosphere is well managed, and New Zealand scenes arc well reproduced.

A good deal of feeling has been caus'd among a section of the French critics by the habit among English translators of omitting in their adaptations the name of the original author. Quite recently a French play, “La ('ha!claim*,” by M. Alfred Capus. was translated by Mr Uomyns’fair for Sir Charles Wyndham, who had purchased the English rights. It was called in its new dress ‘MyMhady of Rosedale," and in the course of the usual first-night speech Sir Charles paid a high compliment io Mr Carr, and omit led to mention even the name of M. Capus, or attribute to him any credit for the success of the play. It is pointed out by a Paris journal that when “The Second Mrs Tnnqueray” was lately produced at the Odeon the English author, Mr Pinero, both in the programmes and the notices, received at! the credit, while the translator’s name was barely mentioned. There does not seem any reason for the English custom. The translator of a play is not more important than the translator of a hook, whose name is invariably relegated to a minor place on the title page.

There will unquestionably !>e a very large audience indeed at the Opera House, Auckland, next Saturday, when Mr George Abbott, the young, popular, and plucky Auckland manager and inipressario, will introduce tu his fellow townsmen his recently formed Musical Comedy Company, which is to open with the ever popular “In Town,” .Mr Fred. H. Graham taking the part of the immortal Captain Codding! on. Mr Abbott’s company will be warmly welcomed for his sake, for it is recognised that hi* venture shows enterprise and courage of no mean order, but according to reports from the South they will soon make friends for themselves as well. The company would appear to bo very capable, and to play excellently together, while the various comedies in their repertoire are well staged and dressed. A season of musical comedy for it is some time since this popular form of entertainment had an innings, should do well in Auckland just now, The “new” melodrama—of which “The Great Millionaire” staged by Bland Holt at Sydney Royal recently is :i .sample—shows a tendency Io get back io the old “Silver King” model us to plot. The story is sensational the “Bulletin”), but rational and coherent. The incidents are rarely impossible. If the bread corner had been represented as having raised the price of Hie loaf to I/ instead of s;', there would be practically nothing in the story pjl pably outside the domain of real life. Besides having an air of reality. the drama is interesting, nnd is ’ staged with the great beauty of scenic effects which Bland Holt makes his particular pride. Mr George Grossmith and his secretary, who are now touring Canada and the States, had an unpleasant experience on a night journey from New York to Ottawa. Leaving the former at 7.0 p.ni., they were due at Ottawa 11.-40 the licit morning, but when 110 miles from there they were eaught in a snowdrift, their engine broke dewti, and they were snowed up for eight hours. Another engine amt snow plough had Io be telegraphed for, and these, in coming to the assistance of (he train, also gut snowed up, and had to be dug out. Eventually Mr Grossmith arrived at Ottawa ten hours late. At Ottawa Mr Grossmith had the honour of being invited to lunch at Government House by their Excellencies Lord and Lady Minto. On page 37 of this issue we give a picture of the line organ presented by Mr J. C. Macky to the Unitarian Church, Auckland. To musicians this organ is of special interest, as being the first application in the colony of tubular pneumatic action to a divided instru merit. Half of the instrument is erected on cacti side of the building. The organist’s seal is in the centre of platform, the main bellows being underneath tlie lloor, and operated by a Ross hydraulic engine. The reservoir itself is located witbin Hie organ. The detached con 010 is of solid carved oak, and tlie pipes are artistically ornamented, the whole organ reflecting great credit upon Hie builder, Mr George < Toft, of Eden Terrace. As might bo expected, the pneiimatie action makes the touch very delicate. ensuring instantaneous speech, with perfect repetition. The great organ has six stops, the open diapason being eight feet. lit the swell organ there are nine stops, the double diapason being ](> in length, as are also the bourdon and open diapason in Hie pedal organ. The total number of stops is 20. and the total pipes SBB. Several public recitals have been given on the which is pronounced one of the finest in tlie colonies. Further public performances arc being arranged

Music lovers in the provincial towns of Wanganui. Palmerston North nnd Napier will after nil have an opportunity of hearing Herr Albert Friedenthal, whose recent piano recitals are the sole topic of convcraation In Wellington musical circles. Owing solely to dates in Christ-

church ami Dunedin not being immediately availab'e this eminent artist will give one recital in each centre as follows: Wanganui on Monday, 18th; Palmerston North, Tuesday, 19th; and Napier, Friday, 22nd. Following the suggestion of Mr. Bccrbohni 'free’s incipient academy, Alisa Ellen Terry’s gifted son, Mr. (.Jordon Craig, is forming a school for the study of the art of the theatre, from which he intends to develop a qualified company of actors, singers, dancers, costumiers, illuminators ami other skilled craftsmen. The curriculum will Ihj on the lines of that ot a musical institution—that is to say, each pupil will have to go through a regular course of training in al! branches of his art, ami only special aptitude will dictate a special “study.” Mr Walter Baker, the hero of so many melodramas, was announced to appear in an undignified role at the District Court on Thursday, March 31. At the last moment an apology was made for his absence—he hud left for Sydney with the Bland Holt Company. The charge jvas that he had committed “an unprovoked assault” on a “super,” Mr Patrick Symon. A statutory declaration was put in by Mr Baker, but Air Dwyer decided that it was false and inconsistent, and “intended to mislead the Court.” Air Baker was accordingly lined 40/ with .£3 5/6 costs for bestowing a black eye upon a “super.”

The. new turn In Rickards' varied assortment at the Opera House, Melbourne, is the whimsical one of Air Nat Clifford, a comic singer and eccentric dancer, who is both comic and eccentric, a fact worthy of special note, as it sometimes happens that variety entertainers billed as comic and eccentric are neither eccentric nor comic. Nat Clifford was a success before he had been on the stage one minute, and his name goes on to the long list of smart, bright mid undoubtedly (lever entertainers whom Rickards has introduced to Australia. He is one of the most original eomic dancers we have seen, and can dance as well sitting as standing, and is ns amusing on his knees or on his ear ns in any other position. He sings his absurd songs with broad humour, and his patter is always laugh-provoking. < 'lilford is a funny dog, and 1 am grateful to him for a very lively 15 minutes. Jonny Grey is still a vision of loveliness, and Fred Russell's popularity hold*. Freda ’Maher is a bright feature of the first part, and Whitburn provides another resurrection. One of I he most amusing incidents in the late chimpanzee Consul's career was associated with an ultra-dignified Consul who crossed with the monkey from New York. This functionary took exception to the chimpanzee being addressed as “Consul.” and asked the captain to “put a stop to it.” The latter replied that he had no authority in the matter, and Consul remained the pet of the saloon for the remainder of the voyage. Air Bostock writes: “Consul was a native of Africa, bring born on the Gohl Coast, where I got him live years ago when quite a baby. He was dearer to me than any animal I have, and I confess tears came to my eyes when 1 got news

of his death. I did what I could to keep him alive, and he never travelled without being attended by a doctor. 1 shall have him brought to Paris to be embalmed, though I don't think I shall have the courage to see him; it would a licet me too much. I shall make a present of him to some museum or place where his memory will be honoured.” Aletzler and Co. have published “Women,” the song composed by Herman Finck, and sung by that very popular artist, Miss Ada Reeve. Air Bustace Baynes has written smartly, and Miss Ad.i Reeve's charming personality enhances the attractions of the song. Just one verse w ill serve to show what the song is like, and what Miss Reeve makes of it: — You women are creatures of dubious worth. Your merits are painfully few; From the earliest ages the woes of the earth Have been traced pretty clearly to you. Its Ihe first, law uf nature wherever you live That trouble shall pro in your wake. Men don’t so much mind ail the trouble you give. They complain of the trouble you make. Oh women! ’Twill always be so You’ll make trouble wherever you go. Though it sounds very’ sad You are thoroughly bad — I in one of you—l ought to know! AX ith Aiiss Ada Reeve’s arch and captivating delivery it is easy to imagine the effect she produces in this song.