MUSIC AND DRAMA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 211, 9 August 1894, Page 8

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

The Thornton-Arnold combination, at present travelling in New Zealand, open here in the Criterion with “ Charley’s Aunt” in a month’s time. Arthur Farmer, who has not appeared on a Sydney stage fora great many years, is organising a company to present the public with a season of comedy in the Criterion, the opening piece being “ Dr. Bill.” A.' E. Greenaway proceeds to America by the Mariposa. He. has been taking an active part in directing the productions staged during Miss Hilda Spong’s season. Bland Holt is closing his season with “A Woman’s Revenge,” a melo-drama which has not before been staged in Sydney, and which was originally written for the Adelphi Theatre by the late Henry Pettitt. “ Morrocco Bound,” which is under rehearsal, will not be staged until the end of September. Her Majesty’s Theatre has been witnessing a successful revival of “ Uncle Tom’s Cabin” at the hands of Rignold. Mr and Mrs Sass are to leave for England to-day. Sass has entered into an agreement with George Edwards for the control of a comedy company for the Cape. The new piece, “Ma Mie Rosette,” will, after all, probably not be staged during the coming season of comic opera. Brund, who arrived here by the Mariposa, is delighting the public at the Tivoli, Harry Rickard’s theatre. Mrs Annie Besant, piloted by R. S. Smythe, will arrive at Adelaide at the end of August. Talmage has had large audiences at his lectures. One of his most popular, utterances at the Centennial Hall the other night (says the Star) “ was to the effect that he who can sing and won’t sing ought to be sent to Sing Sing. To which we, who have passed much of our life in writhing under the torture of the amateur tenor, desire to add that he who can’t sing and will sing ought to be censured severely and fatally with a meatchopper, or, more horrible, elected to be an aiderman of Onehunga.” A St. Vincent de Paul grand charity concert is in progress of preparation. Messrs Williamson and Musgrove have granted permission for the production of the Easter Hymn from “ Cavelleria Rusticana,” and, several military bands have been secured for the anvil chorus ( ‘ Il Trovatore.”) The choruses will be supported by four hundred voices. A readable “ par.” in the Australian Star alludes to -the name given to the piece at Her Majesty’s called ‘‘Grand Burglars’ Night.” A company of “ pros.” were discussing the subject the other night over a drop of Gaelic whiskey. Some of them voted the advertisement a vastly humorous effort, others thought it a neat skit, on Mr Spong’s “Banker’s Night” at the house up the street, and all but one was inclined to treat the affair aS nothing more deadly than a trade trick, anyhow. But one pickled-visaged individual in lemon juice accents said he knew the rights of the thing, and so as not to miss any pleasure in giving the business away he told the company how that advertisement came to be inserted. “ As a matter of fact,” said he, “ it was this way. A number of crib crackers were tried last sessions for a number of more than usually serious ‘jobs,’ and the judge, feeling that an example had to be made, and recognising the inadequacy of hanging or a life sentence to meet the case, condemned each of the accused to sit out a performance of ‘ Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre. In fulfilment of the sentence they were brought to the theatre quietly by the police, held down forcilby during the performance, and liberated at the close of the show. You may call it heartless behaviour on the part of the judge, but that is exactly what occured.” Having delivered himself of which, this walking cloud sat down content. Upon anything so illnatured we.decline to offer any comment. The Darlinghurst Skating Rink will be the scene of a grand carnival in August 9th, when Alfred Wyburd, who has been 16 years before the Sydney public, will be tendered a benefit. Preparations on a great scale are being made in connection with the affair, and it will commence at 2 p.m. and conclude at 2 a.m. Influential patronage has been promised, and all the talent of note will assist. . Harry Barrington re-opens the School

of Art in a few days with a burlesque and variety company. The exhibition of the model of the Tower of London has arracted lirge crowds of people. The Royal Comic Opera Company opens in the Lyceum a week hence, u h in Paul Jones will be staged. Miss Nellie Stewart will take the part of Yvonne. Next Saturday George Rignold reappears on the stage of Her Majesty’s in the part of Pierre Rigarde in Agnew’s four act drama called A Lion’s Heart. A variety troupe are giving entertainment at the Gaiety, which is now managed by G. Gibbons and D. Tracy. The performances are as varied as any one could wish. Miss Spong is to be given a farewell benefit performance. The comic Elton has returned from a sojourn at Bathurst where he has been rusticating. Constance Stayton is the author of the Lady Veoline Waltz now on sale here, and dedicated to Mrs Brough.