People Talked About

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XXI, 21 May 1904, Page 2

People Talked About

Mr. Herbert Flemming. After an absence of about 13 years Mr Herbert Flemming, who will be recollected by playgoers as a most excellent “leading man,” has returned to the colonies as a manager. Mr Flemming has brought with him for the entertainment of the nation Mr Mel. B. Spurr. whom critics and public in Melbourne have pronounced to be one of the finest monologue entertainers ever seen in Australia. Mr Flemming, during Iris career in Aus-

tralia. supported many leading players, among them Mrs Scott Siddons, with whom he played as far back as 1878, Miss Louise Pomeroy. Mr Charles Warner. and Miss Janet Aehurch. While with Miss Pomeroy, Mr Flemming was associated with a Shakespearian company. which included no fewer than five

“stars.” It was one of the very few companies* that had five members whose names were spelled in capital letters on the bills. They were Miss Pomeroy, Mr W. J. Holloway, Mr Theodore Hamilton, Mr William Hoskins, Mr W. H. Leake, and Mr J. Wallace. The last engagement Mr Flemming played in Australia was with Miss Janet Aehurch and Mr Charles Charrington. He left Australia with them, and visited India, Egypt and then appeared with them in London at the Avenue, Royalty and Garrick Theatres.

After this Mr Flemming played engagements on his own account at the Adelphi and Haymarket Theatres. The piece he appeared in at the Adelphi was Henry Pettitt’s “A Woman’s Revenge.” At the Haymarket he supported Mrs Langtry in “The Queen of Manoa ” and “Agatha Tylden.” These engagements concluded his stay in England, and in 1896 he went to South Africa to support Miss Fortescue. Struck with the possibilities of the country as a field for

dramatic enterprise, Mr Flemming decided to go into management, and from that time until last June he remained there, controlling as many as seven companies at one time. He was the only manager to obtain permits to go into the conquered territory, and his companies appeared at Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Pretoria. Mr Flemming still holds his theatrical interests

there, but. in want of a rest, he decided to come to Australia, and in this connection Mr Flemming finds himself like many people in tils profession—they always want to get back to Australia. Meeting Mr Spurr at Port Elizabeth. he saw an excellent opportunity of combining business with pleasure, and at once engaged the clever entertainer for a tour of Australasia.

So far the trip has proved highly successful from both points of view. Mr Flemming has found much pleasure in

renewing acquaintance with his old Australian friends, and business has been excellent, Mr Spurr having enjoyed capital seasons in Melbourne. Sydney, Tasmania and Brisbane. Mr Spurr’s entertainment is unique in its way, consisting, as it does, of musical sketches, musical monologues, songs, recitals and zither interludes. It is more than likely that Mr Flemming will make his re-appearance on the Australian stage during his present

trip, ami with this object in view he has brought several plays with him. He has already been in communication with prominent managers with regard to a season, but they have not been completed yet. However, it is practically certain that playgoers will be able to renew their pleasurable acquaintance with this excellent player. Interest to Mr Flemming’s return to the Australian stage will be added by the first appearance here of an English actress. Miss Beatrice Dav. the “star” of his dramatic company in South Africa, who will support him.

A Veteran Musician. On March 17 last Maunel Garcia, universally known as the greatest teacher of singing of the past century, celebrated his 99th birthday. In the strictest retirement, but in full possession of his wonderful faculties, he lives at his picturesquely named house. “Mon Abri.” in Cricklewood, England. Since 1848 Mr. Garcia, who was born in Madrid, has lived in England, and it is by our usual titles of “Mr. and Mrs.” that he and his wife are known to their friends. Most people, however, persist in Italianising his name to Signor Gareia. His host of pupils number among them such favourites as Jenny Lind and Chas. Santley. The last pupil he taught after his retirement from active work as a professor of the Royal Academy of Music was Mr. Sterling Mackinlay, the son of his old friend and pupil. Mme. Antoinette Sterling. His two sisters —the famous Malibran and Pauline Viardot—achieved great distinction in opera. They were the first to give grand opera in America. The latter is still living in Paris, and is about 10 years younger than Mr. Garcia. The venerable musician comes of a long-lived family, his mother living to a great age. Mrs. Garcia attributes her husband’s long life to the fact that he has always been engaged in congenial work. Hs has also been always blessed with that priceless boon, a sound digestion. Three years ago he wintered in Egypt, and since this visit he has been very little bevond his garden. His last public appearance was at a meeting of the Laryngologieal Society last year, -when he made a speech. Fifty years ago ho invented the laryngoscope primarily for the purpose of studying the mechanism of the human voice. Tt has been the means, however, of openin'' up a great advance in surgery. Bv the mirrored image of the throat and windpipe it has boon possible for surgeons to accomplish that which before necessitated an incision being made in the front of the throat. Among various gifts which has been presented to Mr. Garcia is a silver tea service, which many eminent doctors gave as a slight recognititon of his services to surgery bv this simple invention. Mr. Garcia was present at Cambridge in 187“ on the occasion when Brahms and Joachim were presented with hon orarv degrees. He remembers the delight with which he heard Brahms’ "First Bvmphonv” there for the first time. He also remembers the first performance in England of Bizet’s “Carmen.” when Minnie Hauk, the American sonrano. took the part of the wayward Mr. Gareia still has the greatest affection for evervthing Spanish, and loves to be road to in that musical tongue. He is a capital chess player.