Music and Drama

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, 22 June 1907, Page 25

Music and Drama

As Miss Marie Hall stepped on to the platform of the Melbourne Town Hall for her first concert, the huge audience saw the "slight, frail, little figure,” noted the confident but modest demeanour, and with the first few notes felt relief that there was the genuine artist. With Mendelssohn’s Concerto the soloist has to wait but two quick bars of introduction to plunge into a rich, passionate theme calculated to display tone, temperament, and all the resources of technique. Then follows the second melody in E major, a tender mood, which Miss Hall gave with just the right amount of sentiment, and after that the finely wrought development—the brilliant cadenza and coda. The whole movement was a splendid piece of artistry, notably the second subject and the cadenza, and long continued applause proclaimed her success. J 8 “The School for Scandal” was read by the Ponsonby Shakespeare Club last ■week, and was thoroughly enjoyed by a very large audience. Mr. W. H. Graham as Joseph, and Miss Eileen Landon as Lady Teazle, particularly distinguished themselves, and Mr. A. Coutts was excellent also as Charles. Miss Russell as Lady Sneerwell, is deserving of special mention, and the other parts were well filled. Ji Jt The Auckland Shakespeare Society, which for some unexplained reason, threatened to dissolve itself after the close of its very successful season last year, has thought better of it; or to be exact, the director of the society, Mr. Montague, sole manager, arbiter of fate, and distributor of parts, has decided to continue his dictatorship, and to keep the society (and Shakespeare) before the Auckland public. The attendance, judging by the first reading last Wednesday, will be larger than ever, and it is obvious the society is appreciated and fills its own particular nitch, “As You Like It,” was chosen for the opening, and provided Miss Victoria Von Meyern, with a ch’anee to distinguish herself in the part of Rosalind, which she certainly did to no small degree, being well backed up by Miss Pearl Gorrie, as Celia. Of the male parts, most were disappointing in some degree, except the Touchstone of Mr. Singer, and the Duke Senior of Mr. Jellie. The singing of Mr. Parrow of “Blow Blow Thou Winter Wind,” made amends, however, for the shortcomings of the rest of his sex in the east; it was an altogether admirable performance, and the lovely accompaniment was well played. “Mother Goose,” after a short return season in Melbourne, will be on tour for the next six months, visiting Adelaide (two and a-half weeks) and Perth (two weeks), and then returning to Brisbane, playing at the provincial oentres en route. A New Zealand tour and a visit to Tasmania will bring them

up to November, when the company begin on the 1907 pantomime rehearsals. A published rumour is to the effect that the Melbourne and Sydney seasons of the pantomime gave a profit of £20,000 to Mr Williamson and his partners. Of course, it is only a rumour, but Mr Williamson has admitted that “Mother Goose” is the best-paying enterprise he has ever handled. Ji Ji Madame Teresa Carreno is one of the most eharming women it has ever been my lot to meet, writes “Gennette” in the “Sydney Mail.” Apart from her musical genius, she converses brilliantly, anil possesses a most delicate ease of manner. She was born in Venezuela, in South America, and where her father was Minister of Finance, and, having travelled throughout practically the whole of Europe, this talented woman with the silvery-grey hair speaks several languages perfectly, and her English has just that little touch of accent which is so alluring. Madame Carreno regards Berlin as one of the homes of music. There the eWeore fiend stalks rampant. Indeed, at one time, says Madame, no less than five encores were demanded after one concert, and the lights had actually to be put out before the audience would disperse. Imagine being able to sway a vast concourse in such a fashion. The talented player has a daughter who, too, possesses this wonderful musical gift, and who is also the subject of a charming romance. About a year ago she became engaged to a Colonel Blois—an officer in the British army, and who was in Berlin studying for the operatic stage. As the parting between them was so severe, it was suggested that Colonel Blois should foft-jw his bride-elect out to Australia, and marry her there. This he did, and the wedding took place in Melbourne last week, and Colonel and Mrs Blois are now spending their honeymoon in the country. He intends to resign from the army, and to give the whole of his time to his art. Madame Carreno has two small daughters, at present in Melbourne at school. She is intensely interested in her visit here, and thoroughly enjoys our blue, skies. Her advent has given us one of the greatest musical treats we have ever experienced, and it will take us some time to entirely forget the charming woman whose brilliant conversation was so enjoyed by those who had the privilege of talking with her. Ji Ji Under the direction of Mr. J. C. Williamson, a season of historical and romantic drama will be inaugurated at His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday evening. Mr. Julius Knight, who makes his reappearance here in the leading roles, is supported by a notable company of artists, who were specially selected by him during his recent tour through England and America. The plays to be staged here were also selected by Mr. Knight, because they are at present the most successful productions on the London stage, and also on account of their suitability for Australian audiences. The initial production is "Robin Hood.” A dramatic romance, with a flavour of the historic, and a breath or two of the poetry of the woods, vigorous action, deeds of knight-errantry, an atmosphere of merrie England in the good old days, such are the component parts of the new piece. “Robin Hood” has had an exceptionally successful career in the colonies, and recently in Wellington overflowing houses were the rule. The story of the play is specially adapted for the display of picturesque scenery ami elaborate costumes. The principal scenes are Nottingham Castle, the Battlements, Much’s Mill on the Trent. Friar Tuck’s Hut, and a glade in Sherwood Forest. This latter one is said to lie a triumph for the scenic artist and stage manager. The lighting effects, depicting the breaking of dawn, with Robin Hood’s followers asleep on the ground, makes a fine picture. Among the artists who are supporting Mr. Knight will be found Messrs. Herbert Bentley, Leslie Victor, Hubert

Willis. Gordon Macintosh, Reynolds Denniston, Harry Plinnner, A. J. Patrick, Rege Rede, A. Andrews, and Misses El-bert-Orton, Dorothy Sidney, Mary God frey, and Elsie Wilson. During the Auckland season the company will stage “Robin Hood,*' “Raffles/' and “Brigadier Gerard,” which are all new. and “Monsieur Beaucaire” will be revived. w* Owing to pressure on our space, several paragraphs for this column are unavoidably held over.