MUSIC AND DRAMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 21, 25 May 1907, Page 23

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

Irish people are proverbially enthusiastic, warm hearted, and generous, and certainly Mr. Andrew Mack has reason to remember tluese qualities are richly preseved among his countrymen in Auckland, where this famous son of Erin finishes a successful season this week. It was during the run of “Arrah-na-Pogue,” which, it will be remembered, in the version as now played, has only three acts, at the close of act II last week the house remained in darkness as a signal to the audience to retain their seats during what proved to be a very pretty little ceremony in the form of a presentation by Irish admirers to the popular principal of Mr. Williamson’s company. Over this little function Mr. G. Higgins presided, the others present, besides the Mayor, who made the presentation, being Messre. J. J. O’Brien, D. Flynn, Hall-Skelton, and M. J. Sheahan (hon. secretary). The Mayor, after referring to the natural bonds of sentiment between Irishmen, dwelt in particular upon Mr. Mack’s services in bringing a real Irishman before the public, instead of the stereotype character of former days. Mr. Andrew Mack evidently greatly appreciated the compliment, ami said that by giving him exactly the same present they had made their future King during his visit to New Zealand, he felt that they had made a king of him. The proceedings closed with cheers for Mr. Mack, the Mayor, and New Zealand (called for by Mr. Mack). The greenstone casket presented by Irish citizens formed a graceful and charming gift. As Mr. Mack pointed out, it is an exact facsimile of that presented to the Duke of York six years ago. The silver work is emblematic, by fern and shamrock leaves, of Ireland’and New Zealand, and includes a representation of the Auckland Harbour. The inscription is: “Presented to Andrew Mack by the Irish citizens of Auckland, May, 1907.” Mr J. C. Williamson’s new musical comedy company promises to be particularly strong in the two departments which make up its title —musical and comedy. Besides Miss Amy Murphy, Miss Maud Thorn, and Mr Reginald Kenneth in the former category, it will have the services of Miss Celia Ghiloni, whose splendid voice will be a decided benefit. She will also be extremely valuable in the comedy section, for which, in addition, there will be Miss Daisy Wallace, and no less than three leading comedians (Messrs Gouriot, Clifton, and Parker). The chorus, too, which is being “collected” in Sydney as well as in Melbourne, contains excellent material, and cverythings points to a brilliant success when they make their debut in “The Blue Moon” at the Princess’ Theatre on the 22nd June. Jt _*« A cable from Mr J. C. Williamson’s London representative announces that “Brewster’s Millions” achieved an emphatic success on its first production there at the beginning of May, and its reception indicates that it will be one of the . season’s biggest hits. J» jl A London paper has taken upon itself to announce that Mr J. C. William’ son intends to import the whole of the American company now playing “The Little Cherub” in New York for the purpose of producing the piece in Australia. For a manager who, in less than a month will have two companies at his disposal quite capable of taking up any musical comedy ever written, such a step would be on the face of it absurd, apart altogether from the fact that Mr J. C. Williamson is not so impressed with the piece’s merits as to make him think it worth while to engage a special company for its production out here.

Madame Clara Butt 'will accompanied to New Zealand on her approaching visit under Messrs J. and N. Tait’s engagement by a little party numlmring fully a round dozen of individuals. These will be in addition to her husband ami children, her sister, her secretary, and a maid and nurse, besides the e oneert party- who are to accompany the great contralto on her tour. Ji The well-known English actress, “ Miss Maud Hildyard,” and a first-class dramatic company, with a repertoire of four or live pieces, will arrive from England in Australia about the end of July, and after playing a season in Sydney. will come on to New Zealand, under the direction of Mr. Allan Hamilton, in conjunction with Messi’s. Meynell ami Gunn. The tour will take about three months, and will open in H.M. Theatre, Auckland, on Monday, 16th .September, for three weeks, all the principal towns being afterwards visited. Ji JU Miss Marie Hal), one of the world’s leading violinists,is a pupil of that great virtuoso, Seveik, with whom Kubelik completed his studies, and Messrs. J. and N. Tait tire certainly to be complimented for bringing sueh great artists to NewZealand. Miss Marie Hall will open in Melbourne on June Ist, with Professor Marshall Hall’s orchestra, the season lasting about a fortnight, after which Sydney will follow, commencing 15th June and finishing about 25tb, with Brisbane to follow. Then Miss Marie Hall will make her New Zealnad debut at Auckland about the middle of July, working south. J» Ji Every little while there comes the statement that the Lord Chamberlain has forbidden the presentation of this or that play on the English stage, as in the recent ease of the prohibition of the “Mikado” in London, and in a vague sort of way it is realised that the official wields an immense pow<‘. Few know the amount of red tape involved in the first production of a play. At least seven full days before the premiere a eopy of the play must be sent the Lord Chamberlain. If the play is in one or two acts a fee of £5 must be sent, if of more than two acts a double fee is exacted. The play does not have 10 be typewritten, but if in script must be in an exceedingly- clear hand or the script will be returned with a request f or a more legible copy. Even did his time permit, it is not probable that the Lord iChamberlain would assume that his position qualified him to pass expert judgment upon a play, and so he maintains an examiner, for many years past Mr George Alexander Redford, who nets in his stead. If the play is passed, a formidable document about half the size of this page is sent to the manager, empowering him to produce the play, and a three-inch red seal gives it the propertone. If the title is ehanged, permission must be had from the Lord Chamberlain, and any alteration of the text must be approved by him. Each manuscript is bound and placed on file, and the library forms one of the most. complete collections of modern dramatic writings extant. JI J* In conversation with a music publisher recently Pope Pius the Tenth declared himself well satisfied with the progress of the Gregorian chant in Catholic churches. At the same time he significantly asserted that he was not in favour of the complete, exclusion of all church music other than Gregorian. All that he asked was that there should be nothing worldly sung. Jt Jt The inimitable Herr Benno Seherek, brilliant pianist, prince of good fellows and raconteurs, and “doyen” of avant couriers for artists of the first magnitude, has diligently wired this paper

and the Pres- generally that the first Melbourne appearance -of Madame Carrenos, 'tfie famous piano soloist, was "an overwhelming magnetic success. Hundreds had to be turned away from the doors, and the furore of evoked by the Venezuelan pianist could only be compared to the first reception of Melba in the Victorian capital.” Herr Benno has so splendid a reputation for the artists lie Ims had the honour of helping to present to New Zealand audiences, that the fact that this great star is also to visit »s will cause a flutter in musical cities. Madame will meet a warm welcome in New Zealand. It will be pleasant, too, to meet “Notre Ami Seherek,” for his polish, his enthusiasm, his enjoyment of life, invariably, leave one with a sense of rejuvenation. Also, there will lie Hew stories—one has no doubt of that. Ji J» Never before in the history of the Australian stage has a pantomime tour of so comprehensive a character been arranged as that which Mr J. C. Williamson has just planned out for “Mother Goose.” It will take in the whole of Australia and New Zealand, and will last right through the year until December, when the company, with largely augmented ranks, will go straight on to the production of another pantomime for Melbourne next Christmas. d* J* Mr Edward Nable, late of the Macmahon Dramatic Company, contemplates forming a comedy company in Sydney for a tour of New Zealand if he can get suitable dates. If not, he will tour the East. J* J* There are fine possibilities in the plot of “Brewster's Millions,” the Australasian rights of which Mr J. Williamson has just secured. The action is supplied by the heroic efforts of a young American to get rid of a £200,000 legacy in order that he may qualify for one six times that amount, left him on condition that he spends the first in twelve months. He does his best to that end. but the fates are against him, and the fishiest investment he tackles always turns up trumps. The accumulation of his capital goes on at an alarming rate, and it is only half an hour before the time is up that he has the supreme satisfaction of finding himself penniless. C* J* It is said that Herr Slapoffski may step into the departing Signor Mazon s shoes as conductor of the Sydney Philharmonic and Orchestral Societies. J* J* Mr. Edwin Geach has arranged lor another visit to Australasia at an early date of Mr. Frank Thornton, the clever comedian, who scored sueh artistic successes—ami made money, too— in “Charley’s Aunt” and "The Private Secretary.” Mr. Thornton brings several new pieces with him, notably a comedy, which is said to be exceedingly funny, entitled “When Knights Were Hohl. J» The Auckland Shakespeare Society lias definitely decided to continue its readings during the present season, and w ill make a start on June 12 with “As You Like It.” The cast is a very line one, and will include Miss Ivy Buddle, Miss Pearl Gor vie, Mr. Archdale Tayler, Mr. Singer, Rev. Mr. Jellie, Air. Montague. Ibis society has done a lot of excellent work since its inauguration, and the decision Io continue its readings should be good heal ing to all lovers of Shakespeare. We may safely predict for it another successful season. J* Mr Alfred Bill, conductor of the Exhibition Orchestra, is taking a holiday at Rotorua. Whilst there, he will complete a new Maori cantata, on which ho has been engaged during his spare moments for some time. It is said that the subject is one of the many romantic Maori legends. Seeing that Mr Hill has already given us the charming cantata, "Hiuemoa,” the advent of the new one will be looked forward to with great interest.