The Stage.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume VII, Issue 2, 1 November 1902, Page 148

The Stage.

The Musgrove Opera Company.

By HILDA ROLLETT

WAS charmed straightway by the beautiful blue eyes of the prima donna, Miss Josephine Stanton. They are prettily

fringed with dark lashes, showing clearly against a very fair complexion. " I have any amount of time ; have just been out, and am delighted to have a chat with you. Do have some tea." So we settled down to a very interesting talk, during which we discussed many things, even — which will appeal to the fair sex — to point lace. Of the latter Miss Stanton showed me great quantities which she has herself made at the theatre. Although she is very modest on the subject, my judgment told me that the work was exceedingly good.

" Yes ; I am American. I have never been in England, though I intend to see London at any rate, on my way back."

" Yes ; I was through New Zealand with my own company over a year ago. I enjoy New Zealand immensely, and, as much as anything, because it has good stores. Your shops are just as up-to-date as those of Sydney or Melbourne, and the arrangements are very artistic. I like them very much." " I have been playing in opera for ever so long. Just before I left America I was very much tempted to take the part offered me of JDolores in ' Florodora.' It was going to have a great season in New York. However, I thought I should like to come out here with Mr Musgrove's Company. Yes ; it is easier work with these musical comedies ; but one does not, in the role of prima donna, score nearly

as much with an audience as do those who have the funny parts. Again, in the make-up costumes we are not recognized quite so soon when we appear. But I like colonial audiences. Indeed, in all my years of acting I have always had success in that way, that is to say, I feel that the audience is in touch with me."

" I know sixty operas, that means that I have been cast in sixty. But at the same time, if you asked me at this moment to sing something from ' Faust,' or ' Martha,' or anyone of them, 1 should be quite unable. I think that most of us are like that. But we know the whole thing once we have looked over it again, and have made a start."

" How long does my engagement last ? Oh ! a year. Then I shall return to America. And while I think of Australia, I must tell you what a charming sweet woman Miss Nellie Stewart is ! She is one of the few women who have not forgotten, in their high positions, how to be nice, kindly — oh ! everything that is charming." " How do you like the setting of these things we are doing ?" I expressed my appreciation ; Miss Stanton went on.

" The dresses are really beautiful, and the general staging, especially in ' A Chinese Honeymoon/ and that exceedingly pretty ' Porcelain March ' are excellent. We can do nothing better than that in America. I have never seen any work, either in scenery or costuming, which is better that that Mr Musgrove puts on." " How do I like being in other

companies ? Well " — with a laugh— " not quite as well as I do having my own company ; but the members of this are very pleasant and agreeable. There are, too, very many clever girls amongst the choruses ; very clever indeed." " No ; I cannot say that there is much colour in the part of Su Su. The lines are very, very tame, and all the surroundings of the

Princess are so .farcical that she cannot be expected to show much dignity. Just imagine the familiar relations that exist between the common servant maid and the Princess on the throne. Oh ! of course it is a wildly impossible kind of plot. But these musical comedies are the fashion at present." " Yes ; I intend to settle down

Hanna, photo,

some day. I think I shall choose Honolulu for my home then. It is a charming place, and the people are just as nice. It is very up-to-date ; lovely theatres and things of that kind. Let me show you some gifts I received there." Among the latter were some of the finest opals I had seen, an oval one an inch long and broad in proportion. Then there was a belt made

London

of silver coins about the size of a shilling, clasped with a blue enamelled buckle.

"Do have some more tea ? No ; then you don't like it !" I protested against so wrong an inference, and rose to go. Miss Stanton accompanied me to the street door, her last words being : " Remember, when you come to America I shall expect to see you."