Music and Drama

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 26, 23 December 1908, Page 15

Music and Drama

The hearty support awarded to Mr. Ed 1 . Branseombe’n ''Scarlet Troubadours” wherever., they appear, js conclusive evidence that the style of entertainment has hit the 'public taste, and is likely to become as popular here as it has already proved itself in Knglan<l. This clever party of English vocalists and humorists commenced a short season at the Choral Hall, Auckland, on Monday evening, and has been attracting remarkably good houses. Amongst the most favourably - received numbers contributed by the "Troubadours,'’ are those given by the male quartet. The disbanding of the famous Meister Glee singers just at the time when the "Searlet Troubadours - ’ -were leaving England, enabled Mr. Branscombe to secure the services of two members of this celebrated combination, ami their serious melodious numbers, as well as their eeeentrie musical comicalities, which are further enhanced by the introduction of suitable costumes and actions, have secured for them enviable reputation. ■ Ji "The Messiah” was successfully performed in Auckland last week by the local Choral Society. The singing of Mr. Hamilton Hodges was the feature of lire' evening. After a splendid season al! over the Dominion, "The Searlet Troubadours'’ opened a return tour of the Dominion on Monday. The company have an almost, limitless repertoire, and each new entertainment seems better than the last. They show in Auckland every evening this week except Christmas Day. JX Ji At Napier last week a Council meeting of the Professorial Society of Musicians was held. A certificate of incorporation was also received from the RegistrarGeneral’s Department and a communication from the Auckland Society of Musicians asking that delegates be sent to attend the forthcoming conference of New Zealand musicians, which takes place this year in Auckland on January 25th and 26th. At a previous meeting it was decided to encourage musical competitions in Napier, and. on the proposal of the secretary, seconded by Mr. Sydney Hoben, it was decided that members of the Council wait on Mr. J. V. Brown, M.P., asking him to call a public meeting at an early date to push the matter forward. .Si Jt “ The Red Mill,” said to be one of the most amusing and varied of musical comedies, with a novel Dutch flavour all its own, will commence a tour of the prosperous and good-natured Dominion on Boxing Night, the inaugural performance taking place at His Majesty's, Auckland. "The Mill" is reported to suit its company to a T (whatever that may be) and to be more than ordinarily tuneful and fascinating. According to the “Sydney Mail,” whose critic is reliable, it opens with the elements of an unusually strong story of farcical comedy type. It has plenty of vivacious dialogue and clever repartee. It is greatly superior to the ‘ 'Prince of Pilsen,” and the laughter which it provokes is of a spontaneous kind—not at all the result ot mere infection. If. in the second, the performance gradually degenerates -into a variety show, it is a very good sort of variety show. This though not cxtiaiagant adulation, is quite sufficient to make “the average playgoer want to see “The Mill” and judge for himself. e* Are New Zealanders fond of Dickens’ W** shall presently see. A Dominion tour by Mr. Edward Reeves. Professor ol Elocution at Adelaide Ihiiversity. opens in Auckland on Monday next, when "A t'hristmas Carol” will be the chief attraction. As the story of Dickens' Carol is ever increasing its sale in book form, ami lovers of the book are constantly multiplied, there ought to be a large audience to hear Mr. Reeves tell the story in the language of the writer -with out* the aid of notes of any description. It is, perhaps, the one of Dickens’ works which best lends itself to the artist, ami Mr. Reeves comes with a reputation of

being an accomplished elocutionist, and the power to pass from character to character with an easy versatility and a clearness of enunciation that will be delightful to’ all lovers of the great humorist.'

Whenever Mr. Reeves has given this lecitstj in the Commonwealth, he has met with enthusiastic and eulogistic references, and whilst listening to him we are promised portraiture by means of voice, expression, and gesture; and as the story includes the doings of Marley’s Ghost, old Fizzi wig’s Ball, Bob (’ratchett’s Christmas Dinner Party, Poor Tiny Tim, and many others, he has certainly ample scope to display his artistic abilities. & One of the important features announc'd of the coming Christmas attractions is the visit of Miss Florence Baines in the exceptionally funny farce “Miss Lancashire Limited,” opening on Saturday night next at the Auckland Opera House. The advent of this bright star some 12 months Irack proved a startler to the public of Sydney. Almost unheralded, the lady stepped from the boat with her company from England, and two weeks later the public of the city were most enthusiastic over the bright artist who nightly sent them into convulsions of laughter. For ten weeks without change of bill the Palace Theatre was packed. A tour followed, and Miss Baines repeated her success in Melbourne. Determined on visiting New Zealand before returning to England, the company Opened in Christchurch early in November, a season in Dunedin and Wellington following. Again more than the usual success was the good fortune of Miss Baines, the southern Press declaring her to be one of the finest comediennes seen in the Dominion. 'The character of Mary Ellen Thompson, in which Miss .Baines appears, is described as one of the most fun-provoking characters seen for a long time. Miss Baines sings many songs during the performance, but her famous laughing song is her most brilliant effort. Supporting Miss Baines is a fine, efficient company. The season is only a limited one. The plan is now open at Wildman and Arey’s. J* New Zealanders have a very warm corner in their hearts for Maggie Moore, and will be delighted to hear of the extraordinary ovation she received at Sydney Palace after five years of absence. There was a roar of welcome when Maggie Moore stepped on the stage, and the applause that followed seemed to last live minutes. At the end of the first act the curtain had to be raised half a dozen times while Maggie Moore stood “blowing kisses’’ near the footlights. The applause was kept up during the presentation of Howers in all sorts of designs. There were bouquets, wreaths, crooks, boomerangs, harps, and even stands of Howers. One admirer passed up to the stage a Teddy bear. To some of the Howers the Australian colours were attached. Others had the stars and stripes, ami others broad green ribbons. Mr. Roberts, who came to bis wife’s assistance, piled up the “floral tributes” until-Lizzie Ntofcl was completely hidden. There must have been two van loads of Howers. More Howers \u4-e presented alter the second act, and there still remained a fair supply for the end of the third act. At the close of the play shouts of “A speech! A speech!” came from all sides. Maggie Moore said: “I am not Lizzie Stofel now, but just Maggie Moore, and I cannot thank you enough for the welcome you have given me. It is long ago since I first p’nyed Lizzie Stofel, and those who were little children then are now grown m< n and women. That was thirty four years ago, and I am still playing the part of a kid. and somehow I think I’l • be playing it in thirty four more. (Cheers.) It is not because the years < ieep by and we get little pleats in our laces that we get older in our hearts. I may be a bit thicker than 1 was then, but my heart is just the same, ((beers.) You al) love Australia, and I love it too. In'caiise 1 have made my bread and butter here and you have always been so kind to me. ;\gain, thank you very nuidi.” (Cheers.)

That brilliantly actress and playwright. Miss Rosamond Rees, daughter of VV. L. Rees, of Gisborne, is on a visit to. her r relatives at Poverty Bay. Since leaving England she has heard of♦ the acceptance of another play of hers, entitled, “The Happiest the World.” It was to be produced at theCoronet Theatre, in London, on November 30th, as a curtain-raiser to ’“Brewster's Millions.” Miss -Rees iw Only in New Zealand on a short holiday, and hopes to play in Australia before leaving again for England. Before leaving she was playing Lady Merstoit in Frederick’* with Mrs. Brown Putter ami though they wished her to remain with them until December she was determined nyt to put off her trip to New Zealand any longer. & Boxing Night will hop the opening of a new picture company in Auckland. Ihe Royal Pictures ate well known in the South, having played long seasons in Dunedin and Christchurch. while they have lieen established for twelve months in His Majesty's, Wellington. The management has secured a long lease of the Royal Albeit Hall, and intend to produce the same programmes which have made its companies so popular in the South. & After (’hristchurch. the William Anderson Dramatic Company will make a tour up the West' Coast of New Zealand. For this the already strong repertoire of the company will be augmented. In addition to “The'Squatter's Daughter,” “Tin* Village Blacksmith.” “'rhe Face at the Window,’’ “When London Sleeps,” and “Thunderliolt” will be presented. It is the first limp 'such a large organisation as * William Anderson’s has toured the West Coast. Pollard's .Juvenile Opera Company, under William Anderson’s direction, is touring W.A. to particularly good business. At Kalgoolie the organisation made a decided hit. attracting crowded houses uuring the whole season at An derson*s new Cremome Theatre. William Anderson’s great Christmas attraction at the King’s. Melbourne will be a new up-to-date version of tin l evergreen American play. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Special engagements are being made for the production. Coon ballets, quartettes, and choruses, and numerous other incidentals are being introduced. Eliza’s escape across the river will be done on a tremendous scale, and the Vision Seem* will lie a revelation. The Dominion tour of the Royal Welsh Male Choir will commence in Auckland on January 17 th. These world-famed choristers have met with huge success wherever they have appeared. and have received municipal courtesies in all the large towns in Australasia. Their tour will embrace the larger centres in New Zealand. They appear in Wellington on February 2nd. Christchurch the 17th. and Dunedin about the first week in March. 'The fact that this clmir has won over £lO.OOO in prize money, and has won the championship at all the Great National Eisteddfod competitions, is sufficient proof that they are amongst the world's best singers. Miss Rosiun Bm-kmann. the Now Zealand . oprano. has been very signal successes as “Marguerite” in “Faust” at Sydney Criterion. She sang on alternate nights with Madame Slapoffski, and “Punch'’ says the part is her best. She has also appeared with success in ’ll Truvatorc.” Mine. Albani, the well known prima donna, following the example of Mr. Sims Reeves. Mr. John Coates, Mme. Cavalieri. and other singers of eminence, has agreed to amiear in vamlcville. She commenced a fortnight’s engagement at the Pavilion music hall in Glasgow on December 7th, at “a very high salary.” Mme. Albani says that the earnest endeavour that has lieeu succohsliillv made to raise the tone of performances g»v« n at music halls has been m> remarkable that she willingly listened to the proposal that she should accept an «ngagemeut.

An incident of the production of “Faust” by the National Opera Company at the Sydney Criterion the other day, was the singing of Mephistoph-eles by Herr Greder in German. The artist delivered a few phrases in English, but then dropped into German, and went through the op *ra without taking any mon* risks in English. His singing was nothing out of the ordinary. He pulled through on his acting. “1 do not blame Herr (heder for. singing in German (says the “MelbonriK Punch” correspondent). It was Hobson’s choice —that or nothing, lie could not have sung the part in English. Still, it must be con fessed that it was ridiculous to have a (verman Mcphistophclcs while all the other parts were sung in English. Something even worse ocrurred vvliile Mr. William Green, [uoknown as Signor Verdi, was appearing in Sydney with tin* MontagueTurner Opera Co. “Lucretia Borgia” was to be given in English, with the burly American baritone as the Duke. ‘’Lucretia Borgia” was one of the* stock operas of the company. On the night about which 1 uni writing the manager came before the certain at 8 o’clock, and asked the indulgence of the amlieiHs* on Ah. William (iieen’s behalf. “I regret to have to announce,” said the manager, “that Signor Verdi ha.* not had sufficient time to learn his part in English. With your kind indulgence, ihe Signor will sing in liis own language.” 'The opera was tiien coniHH iH <*d, and “Signor Verdi” went through his part, in Italian. Annij Montague and the late Charles J'lirner had to smile while they were singing the trio with the Italian-American in one of the most dramatic scenes.” ' r Am it was in the sacred cause of charity, Mme. Adelina Patti's appearance at the Albert Hall last month, and the conse<|iient breaking of her vow of retirement, must be excused. She is not given to “farewell’’ and “iKisitively the last farewell” so much as are some of the- .concert platform. The greatest offender in this way was Sims Reeves, who "farewelted” for about 20 years. “May I have the gratification,” lie wrote to “my dear Antoinette Sterling.” “of num bering you among my contributors to mj F ‘Farew'cir at the Albert Hall on May II? 1 need not say how pleased f shall !>e

with an answer in the affirmative.” The date of writing was March 29, 1891; Sims Reeves died in 1900, and the interval of nine years was not spent by any means in silence. Vienna appears to have discovered a new tenor. His name is Tamini, and up to a few years ago lie was, it is said, the manager of a bank in Mannheim—a post he relinquished in o> 4 er to devote himself to singing. Opera-goers in the Austrian capital heard him a few nights since in “Carmen, - ’ and lavished upon hi m a good deal of enthusiasm. J* The National Opera Company is being gradually recruited in Australia as regards principals as well as chorus. In “11 Trovatore,” now under rehearsal, I notice that Miss Florence Quinn has been allotted the part of Azuctsna. Madame Slapoffski is to be the Leonora. & The Florence Baines Company has scored a decided hit in Wellington with “Miss Lancashire, Limited,” the Theatre Royal being crowded in every part nightly. The “Star’s” representative says that the piece is a most diverting one, and Miss Baines, in the main role, achieves a genuine triumph. Among the prize-winners who took part in the concert at the distribution of prizes at the Guildhall School of Music on Oct. 31 was the young New Zealand violinist. Miss Audrey Richardson, who played Wieniawski’s “Faust” fantasia. (Miss Richardson, who is a pupil of Mr Johannes WollT, is notable as a Merchant Taylor’s scholar holding the school (violin) prize, 1906, the Tillie Gold Medal, J 907, and the Tubbs prize, 1908. So delighted was Mme. Tetrazzini at reaching F in altissimo during a concert she gave recently in Sunderland that she threw her arms round a woman listener who occupied a platform seat and kissed her ecstatically. & & Israel Zangwill, the Zionist leader, has been creating a stir in New York social circles, and more particularly among the “four hundred,” by the production of his latest drama. “The Melting Rot.” The play deals with Russia and America, and is particularly scathing in its delineation of American family life. The Divorce laws of the United States are attacked without mercy, ami therefore the play is well patronised. “Teddy” Roosevelt thinks it a trifle over-strong, and has told the author so, hut Mr. Zangwill holds to his opinion that it will do good. To make a play draw, an attack on some section of the public seems to be the best means. J? JC New York has seldom had to submit to Buch a succession of dramatic failures as the Broadway theatres are now recording, says the mail just to hand. The cause is a mixture ot hard times, hot weather, election, and indifferent plays. “Miss Billie Burke, however, has captured the whole city.” The only .other pronounced personal success is Harry Lauder. The George Musgrove’s “Belle of New York” Company is still touring in Rugland. They were at the Grand Fulham at latest mail advices.- The combination lias been on tin- road now Jor about ten years, ami has a very much altered personnel. AH'. l.awt'm ami his whistling, are. however, still a strong attraction.

Miss Lena Ash well, one of the leading English actresses of the present day, and at pfesent at the Kingsway Theatre, was quietly married at tire Westminster registrar’s office on Saturday, October 31, to -Qr. Henry Simson, a physician living in GrOsvenor-street, and the eldest son of the late Robert Simson, of the Bengal Civil Service. The intention of their ncinageress had not been made known at the theatre, so the wedding came as a surprise. The decree in the lady’s divorce from her former husband, Mr. Arthur Playfair, was made absolute a few days, earlier. J* Mr. W. J.-Lincoln, the well-known theatrical - avant courier, is about to sever his connection with the MeynellGunu syndicate, in order to take up a position on the managerial staff of the Florence Baines Company, which opens in Auckland on Boxing Night. “The Merry Widow” concluded its continuous run of 421 performances in New' York a few weeks back. The receipts have been so exceptional as to seem to warrant notice as a matter of news. It was announced by the management that more than £962,000 have been paid to the treasurers of the New Amsterdam during the run there, and it is estimated that more than seven hundred thousand people saw the Viennese operetta. The title role has been sung by no less than seven prima donnas. Mr. Donald Brian played Prince Danailo more than eight months consecutively, and Mr. R. E. Graham, as the comical Popoff, missed playing his familiar role but a few times. JX Of The Beatty-Mclntosh Company, at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, has added “Jim the Penman” to its long list of successes. Staged at the Haymarket Theatre, London, for the first time in 1886, Sir Charles Young’s thrilling story of the career of James Ralston, the gentleman forger, ran for over 300 nights, and has been on the boards ever since in some part of the world. The piece was received by' the audience at the Theatre Royal with enthusiasm. At the end of the Melbourne season, the com pany goes to West Australia, and appears at Adelaide on its way to Sydney. J* <£* A report has reached Wellington (says our correspondent) that important developments in the Australian theatrical world may' be looked for hi March next. It is whispered that a firm, which at the present time has its hands full in the matter of big speculations in the Commonwealth and New Zealand, is likely to break up its forces, in which case another theatrical entrepreneur will take on the contracts made. J* J* The two latest command performances at Windsor have been Mr Martin Harvey’s “Corsican Brothers” and Mr Lewis Waller’s "The Duke’s Motto.” The theatrical performances given on state occasions at Windsor Castle always take place at 10 o’clock, in the Waterloo Chamber, and arc timed to end a few minutes before midnight. The improvised theatre is arranged always to accommodate about 200, exclusive of the servants, who are provided with scats in the gallery at the back, and the stage, though small enough to necessitate special scenery being painted for the visit of a London company, is well equipped and as well lighted as any modern theatre. Since concluding the previous Auckland season, the “M'g Wiggs” company has traversed New Zealand from end to

end. The rapidity of transit from town to town, and the general bustle that has been indulged in, have astonished the American contingent considerably. 3 je It has been stated that before the curtain rises on Meynell and Gunn’s Christmas production of ‘’Cinderella” at the Theatre Royal. Melbourne, an expenditure of over £6060 will have been incurred. It takes money' to put on a spectacular show these days. The dresses in the Fairies’ Boudoir scene are put down by' the management at over £lOOO. Mr. Charles Parnell, until lately musical director- at, the Fuller firm’s Wellington play house, will attempt to lower the world’s record for continuous pianoplaying in Auckland in a week or two. The present record is 51 hours 5 minutes.