THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 427, 29 September 1898, Page 15

THE STAGE

I_By

Obpheus.]

“ Ornheus ” will be glad to hear from those managers of theatrical companieswuriug New Zealand who desire that the public shall know the movements or the com nanies Any information as to dates etc., will be acknowledged in these columns, as well as any other items interest to the theatrical world. All letters should be addressed — Orpheus,” Spouting and Drama i REVIEW, Vulcan Lane, Auckland.

Opera House: Professor Dante.—Great expectations filled the house on Monday evening with an enthusiastic crowd, but, however sanguine the anticipations, the reality far surpassed them—indeed, as to the possibility of solving or explaining such marvels of magic, the oft-quoted line from the Professor’s namesake, “ All hope abandon ye who enter here," might well be graven over the entrances of what the unco guid deem our Auckland Inferno. For the information of those who insist upon making Dante rhyme with ant, 1 may as well say that the word is a dipsj liable, and rhymes with As a prestidigitateur Dante executes his tricks with neatness and despatch, completely baffling the sharpest eyes, and stultifying the maxim ex nihilo nihil fit by producing in an instant articles of all sorts and sizes—nay, more, they vanish and re appear at the wizard’s sweet will m most bewildering fashion. The feats with watches, burnt ’kerchiefs, water turned into wine, etc., good as they are, are a bagatelle to what follows The canary trick is beautifully done. Making a paper cone, i ante imprisons therein three lively birds, holds the cone while standing at one side of the stage, fires a pistol, and hey, presto ! the birds appear in a small cage at the other side. One bird, proving refractory, is ground under the Professor’s heel, and presently pulled out, alive and kicking, from the coat collar of a gentleman in the outside stalls. From six tin cylinders, open at both ends, the Professor extracts plates, knives, forks, cups, saucers, bottles of wine, glasses, tablecloths, servittes, etc , etc., and lays a magic supper. Madame Sans Gene, placed in a wire cage, and hoisted in mid-air, like Mahomet’s coffin, mysteriously vanishes in a flash. Nanko and Koko, two Japs, exchange places in five seconds after the former has been sealed up in a sack, and placed in a trunk, locked and corded, which is also placed in a larger trunk similarly secured. The local colouring and mise-en-scene in this illusion are splendidly done. Similarly effective work is achieved in the “ Beggars Dream." Dante, as Mephisto, showers banknotes on the sleeping beggar girl, hypnotises her, and compels her to step on to a platform, a canopy descenas and immediately rises, showing the beggar in a sumptions modern costume. The canopy descends again, Dante throws in alighted bank-note, the canopy is illuminated like a Chinese lantern, and, in the twinkling of an eye, the lady has vanished. Of the spiritualistic seance and cabinet feats one must say that nothing approaching such inexplicable wonders has hitherto baffled a watchful committee, including Dr. Hope Lewis, Messrs Holland, Turner, and two other gentlemen. The medium, securely bound, with coins held between the knuckles of all his fingers, and sticking-plaster fastened over the cords on his wrists, plays musical instruments, knots and unties handkerchiefs, etc , etc., and, although a committee man may at any moment tear aside the curtain, there he sits on his chair with everything secure, and his mouth full of water, with the mouth organ or horn which has just sounded lying on the floor. Mademoiselle Edmunda’s bicycle ride in mid-air, and in all sorts of impossible poses, vertical, horizontal, and perpendicular, is another staggerer to the believers in Newton’s laws of gravitation. Again, the clever young lady’s blind-fold feats with figures on a black-board, and card-divinations, are incredible until actually witnessed. In Part IV. Dante again performs a series of wonderful feats, including the magical coining of halfcrowns, and pouring liquors of all kinds from one innocent-looking black bottle, which he finally breaks with ar hammer, revealing a lively young rabbit. From a map of the world the flags of all nations are rapidly extracted and displayed, and finally the map falls, revealing Mademoiselle Edmunda waving the Star-spangled Banner. Dante during the whole performance has his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, leaving the arms absolutely bare. He wears knee breeches and stockings, and apparently there is no space to conceal articles on his person. The season ends on Saturday evening. No one should miss distinctly the best entertainment of the kind ever given in New Zealand.

Pressure on our space this week forbids an, extended notice of Miss Celia Dampier’s benefit concert at the Choral Hall. It was crowded, and completely successful.

John Fuller’s Excursions. — A happily chosen title for a compact and competent company suggests what the entertainment really is. Ihe Myriorama, manipulated by Mr John Flora, takes the spectator, if not bodily at least in imagination, on most interesting excursions. The views are clear and beautiful, while the company can boast tome really good musicians. Mr John Fuller sings with exquisite taste, and his mellow and pure tenor voice charms his audiences as completely as ever. Mr Howard Chambers, an Auckland boy of whom we may well be proud, comes back with his splendid voice in rare form and a much improved method. Miss Hetty Warden is gifted with a pure and sympathetic soprano voice, and sings with culture, intelligence, and refined taste. Miss Lydia Walters recites

with a clear enunciation, much pathos, and power Mr Ben Fuller is a natural humorist, his songs and duets with Miss Hetty Warden, never failng to tickle the risible muscles of his audience. Mr John Flora, besides skilfully manipulating the fine instrument which produces the views, is capital in comic songs. Mr Walter Fuller is an accomplished musician all round. Not only is he finished violinist and a brilliant piano soloist, but he is also a reliable accompanist. Sitting before a piano, with an American organ close at hand, he makes excellent music from both instruments, either jointly or separately. As “Orpheus ” is leaving for a holiday at Te Aroha, he is unable this week to give details of Monday night’s performance, but has great pleasure in recommending every one of his readers this compact little show, one striking merit of which is the promptitude with which every item follows its predecessor. Next Monday the audience will be taken “ Through Ireland on a Jaunting Car,” when the far-famed sights of old Erin’s Isle will be displayed, and National and appropriate songs and recitations will be rendered.

Auckland Liedertafel. —To-morrow (Friday) evening, at the Choral Hall, this popular society gives another of its delightful concerts. Amongst other items the “Joy Waltz” will be given for the first time in Auckland; also “ When Evening’s Twilight ” and “ The Sabbath Call.” Miss Mclntyre, the lady soloist, will sing choice songs, and Mr W. M. Quinn, the favorite baritone, will also sing. Good wine needs no bush. These concerts are always enjoyable, the part singing being really lovely.

On Thursday evening at Berlin House, Grafton Road, Mr W. H. Webbe gave his 83rd open evening for visitors. As usual, the programme was a high-class one, and much appreciated by an overflowing audience. Five piano quartettes, bv Beethoven, Moszkowaki, Schulhoff, Herold, and Gobboerts, were excellently rendered by pupils of Mr Webbe and Miss Spooner. Ihe Misses E. Gn'lick, E. Spom r, and Mr A. Walton played cipital piano solos. A piano and organ duo (Miss Leirchtield and Mr Webbe) and a piano duo (Misses Bold and McMasters) were among the best morceaux of the evening. Miss Lily Thomson and Mr A L. Edwards contributed choice songs, and Herr C. Naujoks, besides a masterly solo on the flute, played a sympathetic violin obligato to “Twilight is Falling," daintily sung by Mr A. L Edwards. The recital was quite up to the customary high standard.

The Woods-Williamson season closed on Saturday evening, when “Joseph of Canaan” was repeated to a satisfactory audiedce. The hard ‘ graft” bestowed upon producing four difficult plays in three weeks should be well rewarded during the tour, as the company is now letter perfect.

At the very successful smoke concert given by the Auckland Association footballers ou Saturday evening capital items were contributed. Especially good were the songs given by Messrs WynyardJoss, Gus Coates, and Morrison. Musically, the programme was exceptionally strong.

“ The Mikado ” and “ Gondoliers,” to be produced in December, will run sixteen nights, eight performances to each opera. Mr P. B. Dix, determined to achieve success, is leaving no stone unturned.