Music, Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 220, 11 October 1894, Page 8

Music, Drama.

By

The Prompter.

Fitzgerald Bros.’ Circus. Although the tented show over which the Fitzgerald Brothers hold sway only arrived by the Talune on Tuesday last, everything was in readiness for opening the show the same evening as advertised. One is apt to wonder how these travelling concerns are so quickly shaken into position, but how it is done concerns us little so long as their mushroom - like growth does not carry with it a want of completeness in the various “acts” for which we pay admission money. Certainly no charge of incomplete preparation was noticeable in connection with Tuesday’s show, which may unhesitatingly be described as one of the best circus entertainments ever pitched in New Zealand. The performers are all at the head of their different “lines,” no effort is spared by the management to study the comfort of patrons or ensure a rapid and exciting bill of fare, and the menagerie attached to the show includes many animals seldom seen in old world circus organisations. The horse training acts of Mr Dan Fitzgerald and Mr W. E. Jones are most interesting pieces of evidence as to how far the training of intelligent equines can be carried and in the matter of equestrians the show may fairly claim to possess a strong hand. The “ modern Daniel,” Capt. Graham, gives a daring and decidedly interesting exhibition of lion taming, entering the den of the Kings of the Forest in a manner that reflects great credit on either his nerve or the good sense of the animals. They might chew him up, but, to their credit be it said, they content themselves by giving vent to hoarse remarks which may or may not convey sentiments of the most bloodthirsty description. While the Hons confine themselves to remarks only, the “ act” will remain a most interesting one. When those remarks turn to acts it will be more interesting than ever. The circus only remains with us until the end of the week, Saturday being announced as the date of the closing performance. On that day a martinee will be given. The Fillis’ Circus Company have quitted Australia for a South African tour. The third concert of the series arranged by the Auckland Orchestral Union and Auckland Liedertafel, will be given tonight in the Choral Hall. The programme to be presented is a decidedly good one, and should ensure a large audience. Messrs. Thornton and Arnold have parted company as I see by the last Australian files to hand that the “ Taylor -Arnold” combination’s production of “ Captain Fritz ” followed “ The Private Secretary ” at Sydney Criterion on September 29th. Mr Thornton has arranged to return Home, his wife being ill. Miss Henrietta Watson, who since her arrival in Australia with the BernardBeere Company has been so successful on the other side, and whose departure for England evoked a shoal of Press notices lauding her ability and regretting her flight for Home, will return to this side of the world after a short stay in the old country. Miss Watson returns to England for the purpose of visiting her mother and, after a brief holiday will return to the Australian stage on which she is a strong and well deserved favorite. The champion piano thrasher is located in Rome, where he recently won a wager by playing uninterruptedly for twentyfive hours at a stretch. After accomplishing this piece of hard labour (which must have been as hard on the auditors as the performer) the pianist wagered one thousand lire that he could go on playing then and there for six hours longer without one minute’s repose. The wager was covered and the player again proved victorious. The Rome corres pondent of the London Telegraph who tells of this Vandal writes that the player’s hands were sadly swollen and disfigured after the call of “ time,” and that “ one of the gentlemen who stayed up the first night and part of the next day (presumably to watch over the conditions of the wager) is now confined to his bed.” After listening to a piano for twenty-five odd hours the drums of his ears should be, like the hands of the player, “ sadly swollen and disfigured,” -

Mb Allan Hamilton, who was here with th» Myra Kennedy Comedy Company, has issued a writ against the Central Standard, a Brisbane publication, claiming £lOOO damages for alleged libel.

The Musical Festival proved a huge success (wires my Wellington correspondent), the Opera House being packed every night. Mr A. H. Gee’s singing created a'.perfect furore. It is probable that another festival will be held here during Xmas week.

Miss Pattie Browne, the clever young actress who was the apple of the Australian theatre-goers’ eye prior to her departure for England scored a signal success in a piece called “ The Derby Winner,” produced recently at Drury Lane. Sir Augustus Harris has engaged Miss Pattie for his Christmas pantomine.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act that came into force in England on August 20th provides that no child under the age of eleven years may perform for profit anywhere save in buildings duly licensed for public entertainment and then only upon the permission of the .local authorities. Not much of a precaution, that.