The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 26 May 1898, Page 13

The STAGE

[Bi

Orpheus.]

Opera House: Ma Frank Thornton.— “Jweet Lavender,” Pinero’s most skilful blending of pathos, humor, and idyllic beauty—revived after a lapse of some seven years—once more charmed large audiences on Thursday and Friday evenings. Mr Thornton’s Dick Phenyl is a ‘ masterly study of a strikingly original conception. A brilliant, yet briefless, barrister; a career broken by one terrible weakness, drink; the instincts of a true gentleman and a noble heart bursting like a young oak through the acorn shell of inebriety; the preternatural acuteness of a keen intellect in its lucid intervals of sobriety; modesty, meekness, and penitence contrasted with reckless despair, intellectual arrogance, and conscious power, yet all controlled by an unselfish and affectionate nature. Add to this complex character a rich vein of kindly irony and humor, both robust and delicate, and you have a rough but inadequate analysis of what Mr Thornton s Dick Phenyl is composed. Taking the other characters in programme ordel?, Mr Fred. Shep herd’s Geoffry Wedderburn is a fine impersona- ■ tion of a difficult and not very attractive role; his Lancashire burr is perfect. Mr A. Cochrane plays (Clement Holt in quiet and gentlemanly fashion, winning all sympathies. Mr George '. Rowlands hits off the irrepressible Horace Breen, with his strong American twang and incessant patter, very successfully. Mr Carey is a benevolent and kindly Dr Delaney. Mr E. Haygarth is capital as the love-lorn hairdresser, Bolger. Mr Maw, the dry-as-dust so’ic tor, is faithfully impersonated by’ Mr W. J. Townsend. As Mrs Gilfillian, the' fashionable and worldly - wise matron, Miss Elsie Carew is admirable, the change of disposition wrought by misfortune being a most artistic bit of work. Miss Florence Poole is lively and fascin iting as Minnie Gilfillian. Mias Meta Pelham makes Ruth Holt perhaps somewhat too consistently lachrymose, but, nevertheless, wins sympathy throughout. Mis’ Clare Manifield, in the title role, scores her auccess of the season, playing with genuine pathos and winning grace and simplicity. Besides a dainty and charming appearance, she displayed emotional power fanbryond I er previous efforts.

“ The Bookmaker” was produced, on Saturday ■evening to a capital house, and the new piece immediately jumped into high favor. It is full of go, witty epigram's, and studded wi'h strong situations. Mr Frank Thornton’s wonderful versatility is again displayed in a character totally distinct from any of his previous roles. J oseph Trent, the metallician, who unexpectedly inherits a baronetcy, combines the slangy dialect and uncouth manners of the average *’ bookie” with the good, feeling and generosity of one of Nat ire’s noblemen. His heart of gold reminds one of Tennyson’s lines—“ Kind heards are more th n coronets, and simple faith than Norman blood ” Anything more delightfully quaint, funny, and characteristic in the horsey line than Sir Joseph has never trod the boards. Space will not allow of even an outline of the capital plot ora selection of the many telling quips noted for quotation. “ The Bookmaker” will rank .with “ The Private

Secretary,” “ Dick Phenyl,” and “ Charley’ Aunt,” as the best in Mr Thornton’s repertoire, and the play will hold its own with those doughty rivals. Splendid support is given by Mr Fred. Shepherd (Earl of Harborough), a dignified nobleman in difficulties; Lord Burleigh, a scampish and unscrupulous aristocrat (Mr G. Rowlands, who does not quite discard Horace Breen’s Yankee twang) ; Lord Maidment (Mr W. J. Townsend, who struggles manfully with a role somewhat out of his best line) ; Mr A. Cochrane, whose Hon. Jack Carew is excellently played; Mr E. Haygarth, who infuses genuine dry humor into Mortmain, the Earl’s solicitor; Bubbles, a splendid sketch of an old and odd family butler, by Mr George Carey ; Lady Jessie, a sporting and sportive young lady, by Miss Clare Manifield; Sybil Hardwicke, a charming, lovable, and spiritual damsel, by Miss Madge Corcoran; and Polly, a bigamous adventuress, superbly played by Miss Elsie Carew. The Bookmaker” was again a brilliant success on Monday epening, and Mr Thornton’s enjoyable and successful season closed on Tuesday with “ The Private Secretary,” staged again in compliance with numerous bespeaks. The company is now undertaking a short tour through the country to wns. What a rare treat for our Thames, Coromandel, and Waikato readers!

Auckland Choral Society.—The (performance of Williams’s “Last Night at Bethany” and Cowen’s “ Transfiguration” drew the customary packed houses. Both sacred cantatas may be described as solemn, chaste, and impressive works, containing much scholarly writing for both orchestra and singers, but rather lacking in individuality. It is, perhaps, somewhat too much of a good thing for the average audience to listen to two decidedly churchy compositions in one evening, and in future the selectors would give more pleasure, when choosing a double bill, by contrasting the lively and gay with the severe aid grave. Both band and chorus mustered in large force. The band, led by that accomplished violinist Mons. Willimoff, on the whole played very well indeed, and the chorus displayed good attack, volume, and tune. The voices were well balanced numerically, save that a few more tenors would have improved the ensemble. Still, the nine tenors made up, in quality and volume of voice, for their numerical shortcomings. The solos in both cantatas were taken by Miss Marion Taylor (soprano), Miss Minnie Lye (contralto), Mr J. Ferriday (tenor), and Mr W. Musker (basso). Miss Taylor has a clear and full soprano voice, but is inclined to sing sharp, a blemish which will doubtless disappear when she has become accustomed to singing with an orchestra. Miss Minnie Lye, although not gifted with a powerful voice, sang with true dramatic instinct and faultless intonation the many and somewhat broken recitatives allo led to the contralto. Mr J. Ferriday was not in his best voice, but struggled manfully against hoarseness, and sang with much individuality and precision—“ Who Would Not Fear Thee” being splendidly rendered. Mr W. Masker sang correctly, but was handicapped by having, to render both biritone and bass music. His best effort was “ Fear Not,” delivered with much dramatic force and fire. Herr Professor Carl Schmitt kept his forces under control with his wonted tact and efficiency. Miss Yates (at the piano) and Mrs S. Jackson (at the organ) rendered valuable assistance. Haydon’s immortal Creation” will be put in rehearsal on the 31st inst. This magnificent oratorio always arouses enthusiasm among the members, who will doubtless ensure a good performance by attending rehearsals and working con amove.

Rowley’s Waxworks at the Agricultural Hall.—This interesting exhibition is attracting crowds of visitors, who not only admire the large collection of life-like wax figures, but also find side-shows, acrobatic performances, and “ Punch and Judy” very seductive. The hall has been most tastefully arranged and decorated with flags, trophies, devices, etc., etc. Besides splendid wax portraits of Her Majesty, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of the Royal Family, the figures include Mr W. E. Gladstone (the Grand Old Man), whose recent death is so universally lamented; Lord Salisbury, President McKinley, Charles Dickens, Sir Henry Irving, Stanley, and Emin Pasha, Fred. Archer (the famous jockey), General Gordon, etc., etc. Some famous ladies include Ellen Terry (the glorious Queen of the Lyceum Theatre), Margaret Scott (the lady who lived 125 years), Mrs Booth (of Salvation Army renown), Daisy Bell and her sister (a lovely blonde on whom President McKinley seems to fix a loving glance), etc., etc. Famous criminals include Jabez Balfour, Deeming, Mrs May brick (very beautiful), Peace, Mrs Dean (the baby-farmer), the Kelly gang, etc., etc. The magnificent pictures of famous places are a treat in themselves. The exhibition thoroughly deserves the liberal patronage bestowed upon it.