Music and Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 226, 22 November 1894, Page 8

Music and Drama.

THE BENTLEY SEASON. “Friends,” an adaptation of Victorien Sardou’s “Nos Intimes,” is smartly written, and with nice discretion toned down to ’the pitch of British morality. It bristles with crisp epigrams and funny situations. Mr. Bentley makes a splendid success of a fine role as Doctor Simpson — a character reminding one of Sherlock Holmes or Doctor Bell, upon whose marvellous powers of diagnosis Conan Doyle is said to have built up his famous detective. Mr. J. H. Martin, as Mr. Marland, was simply immense. Miss Mildred Bolton played superbly the old lady’s part of Mrs. Mustard. Mr. J. H. Crossley made quite a feature of the hobbledehoy part of Raphael, and convulsed his audience. Miss Ida Gresham and Miss Minnie Brandon as Cecile and Marie, Miss Flo Anderson as Jenny, and Messrs. Gilchrist as Maurice, Rede as Mr. Denson, A. Money as Mr. Mustard, and Alf. Boothman as the nameless friend from China, etc., etc., all played capitally. “ Friends ” drew excellent houses, and proved the most popular piece in the company’s repertoire. Mr. Bentley’s fine impersonation of Hamlet is too well known to need criticism or praise. Miss Ida Gresham’s Ophelia was a marked success, and the charming young actress won a well-merited recall after the mad scene. Mr. M. Majeroni played Laertes with graceful finish and power. Mr. Alf Boothman as Claudius displayed dignity and correct and distinct enunciation. Mr. J. Martin’s First Gravedigger was full of quaint and grim humour. The ether parts were well played. The powerful drama, “ The Silver King,” a piece which suits the company, has been very successfully played since Saturday evening. The season closes to-morrow evening, when “Richelieu,” one of Bentley’s best impersonations, will be staged.

At the Choral Hall on Wednesday evening the Young Ladies’ Orchestra drew a good house, and under the able baton of Miss Emily Reeve, satisfactorily rendered an attractive programme. “Stradilla,” “ Moonlight in the Forest,” “ Queen of Hearts,” “ Marie Antoinette,” and “Noralie,” were all pleasant selections, creditably rendered by the orchestra. Mr. Connell’s Glee Club gave in excellent style several tuneful morceaux, Macfarren’s “ Break, Break” and Smart’s “ Cradle Song ” especially being excellent examples of good partsinging. One of Mr. Connell’s young sopranos possesses a telling and sweet voice, - which -should be tried by the Choral Society in cantata and oratorio. Messrs. Rolle (H.M.S. “ Royalist ”), Mr. Gee, and Mrs. Coates contributed good songs; and the gentlemen kindly sang extra numbers to fill the gap occasioned by Mr. Edwards’ absence through indisposition. On Friday and Saturday evenings at the City Hall, the Gourlays (brother and sister) gave an entertainment of the Snazelle-type. Miss Amy Gourlay has a sweet mezzo-soprano voice and dances and recites well. Her brother, besides singing and reciting, creditably gave a most wonderful display of grotesque dancing of the Yokes and Paine description. One would credit him with having a pair of india rubber legs. The effect of the lime-light pictures was somewhat marred by the undulations imparted to the cloth owing to half a gale of wind blowing across the stage. Mrs Langtry has left England for America, where she will play a four month’s season.

Arrangements have been made by Mr Twinning for Messrs Thornton and Arnold to undertake an Indian tour with “ Hans the Boatman,” “ The Private Secretary,” “ London Assurance,” and the inevitable “Charley’s Aunt.” The last named piece has been well received at the Theatre Cluny in Paris, where it was recently produced under the title “ La HLarraine de Charles."

The sum of £190,000 has been paid for the Eden Theatre in Paris by the Credit Fonciere. The house in question has been in existence for the past 12 years, but owing to there being too many fingers in the managerial pie and the sinking of a tremendous amount of capital, it was found impossible to make any profit at all.