The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 438, 15 December 1898, Page 9

The STAGE

LBy

Orpheus.]

“Orpheus” will be glad to hear from those managers of theatrical companies touring New Zealand who desire that the public shall know the movements of the companies. Any information as to date% etc., will be acknowlodged in these columns, as well as any other items of interest to the theatrical world. All letters should be addressed —•• Orpheus,” Sporting and Dramatic REVIEW, Vulcan Lane, Auckland.

“ The Mikado.”—On Wednesday evening in last week, at the Opera House, the Auckland Opera Company very successfully produced Gilbert and Sullivan’s favorite Japanese comic opera, which has run to good and increasing houses until replaced by “ The Gondoliew” last night (Wednesday). A really strong cast, powerful orchestra of seventeen, and picked chorus under Herr Carl Schmitt’s skilful baton, together with brilliant dressing, good scenery, and the admirable stage-management of Mr J. Stoyle, both commanded and deserved the success achieved. There is a wonderful vitality about

4 ‘ The Mikado.” " “ You may break, you may shatter, the vase if you will, But the scent of the roses doth cling to it still! ” Despite the numerous performances given in Auckland this charmingly quaint and original work reveals fresh beauties at every representation, and in the present instance new business and effective little points suggest that, like Cleopatra, Age cannot wither nor custom stale its infinite variety.” A few words about each of the principals, and, to follow the polite maxim place aux dames, I take the ladies first. Mrs R. H. Hopkins makes a fascinating Yum Yum, her pure soprano voice revelling in the tuneful solos, duets, and other concerted morceaux, while she acts with all the graceful esvieglerie which the role demands. • The toilet solo, “ The Sun Whose Rays,” was most effectively rendered. Miss Lily Thomson’s Pitti-Sing is a bright and vivacious impersonation, '' and although the music is in places rather too low - for her she sings her solos and the parts allotted to her in the ensembles very well indeed. Peep80, in the hands of Miss .Ethel Boulton, plays capitally up to the other little maids, who altogether fill the bill most satisfactorily. Miss Emily Beeve’s Katisha is a finer performance than ever, her singing of “ Hearts Do Not Break” and “The Hour of Gladness” being undeniably the vocal features of tne production. In the dialogue she might perhaps infuse a little more dramatic force -into some passages. Mr Archdale Tayler’s Koko is a veritable triumph all round, singing, facial play, gestures, dancing, and melodramatic fervour compelling admiration throughout. Mr E. Keesing made an encouraging debut as the Mikado. He has a resonant and telling baritone voice, clear enunciation, and makes his points effectively, but I misted the ineffable disgust usually displayed at Katisha’s interruptions. Mr A. L. Edwards looks, acts, and sings Nanki Poo’s delightful role charmingly. On the stage he makes quite a typical Jap, and his dramatic instincts come out strong—indeed, if anything, his singing would be more effective with just a soupcon less marcato in cantabile passages, but “A Wandering Minstrel I” and. the numerous other fine morceaux, whether solos or concerted, were, nevertheless, brilliantly rendered. Mr Q. Tracey Hall’s Pooh-Bah is ■another fine impersonation, both vocal y and histrionically, especially when we remember how genial and full of bonhbmmie that gentleman is off the stage. Doubtless Mr Hall bears in mind W. 8. Gilbert’s hint to the first Pooh Bah (who could make nothing of the character) —“ Play it as if you are wearing an onion as a breast pin” —and so keeps his everlasting sneer unrelaxed. His splendid voice and artistic singing as usual sc 'red all along the line. Mr Theo. Queree’s Pish-Tush made its usual success. His voice, although not very powerful, has a penetrating timbre which tells most agreeably in solo as well as ensembles. In manipulating his fan he is facile princeps. Space will not permit of"’ detailed mention of the plums, but I may say briefly that they were all up to the mark and deservedly encored, especially Mr Archdale Tay'er’s “ Tit Willow” and “Little List” songs, new verses introduced into the latter being well received. “ The Gondoliers” now holds the boards with a splendid cast and accessop.es, and is bound to draw even better bouses than “ The Mikado,” but criticism must perforce be reserved for next week’s issue. Exhibition Music: “ The Creation.”—On Tuesday evening the Choral Society performed Haydn’s greatest oratorio to a vast crowd, with a vaster outside unable to obtain admission. It was a mistake to make th ; s concert free. As the performance >eceiveda full notice in these columns three months ago, it is nut necessary to give detailed criticism. The soloists, Miss Lorrigan (soprano) and Mr H. Brett, again sang excellently, especially the former. Mr John Prouse replaced Mr Dufaur, and was very successful. The chorus sang with fine volume and effect. The additional Exhibition membersdid notimprovetheorchestra, which, owing to insufficient rehearsal, did not play bo well together as the original Choral Society band, which at the former production had carefully worked up the music. The conductor was quick to realise that disaster was imminent, and took perforce some numbers much below the traditional tempos. Hence the soloists, and especially Miss Lorrigan in her fine rendering of “ Un Mighty Pens,” was severely handicapped in phrasing. However, in the second portion, the orchestra did much better, and “ The Creation” _as a whole was enjoyed by the enthusiastic “ crowd.' Mooney, who was through New Zealand some time back with Crawford, is now working with Harry Rickards’ show in Sydney.

On Wednesday evening the Young Ladies’ Orchestra, under Miss Florrie Thorpe, gave a concert in the Choral Hall, affording a real treat to a large audience. The programme lasted an hour and a half and included some of the best items in the repertoire of this popular society, all being admirably rendered.

On Thursday night the Exhibition orchestra and soloists gave a splendid vocal and instrumental concert, but the attendance was but meagre owing to the charge of half-a-crown being imposed, which people who had received free admission to “ The Creation” did not appreciate. The orchestra, under the baton of Mr Arthur Towsey, played Rossini’s “ William Tell” overture, selections from the ballet music to “Coppelia” (Des Libes), Mendelssohn’s “ Cornelius March,” and Moszkowski’B “ To Foreign Lands” very well indeed, but surpassed themselves m Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony, No. 8,” which was an exquisite treat. Mr John Hill displayed great taste and delicious phrasing in Balfe’s “ Come Into the Garden, Maud,” bowing his acknowledgments to a decided encore. Miss Large sang with refined delicacy and sympathy Godard’s “ Angela Guard Thee,” and, in response to an imperative encore, sang “ Cherry Ripe” with facility and archness. Mr John Prouse brought down the house with Schumann’s dashing song, “ The Two Grenadiers,” and substituted a melodious song, “ I Cannot Help Loving Thee” (by Clayton Johns). Mr Arthur Towsey and Miss Prouse accompanied with taste, sympathy, and precision.

Mrs Williamson (Maggie Moore) and Mr Harry Roberts intend making a tour through New Zealand early next year. After finishing in the colony they will take an all-Australian company to America and England.

Living Whist. —On Saturday evening a crowd of interested spectators watched admiringly the movements of a living pack of cards trained by Dr de Clive Lowe. Tee hor ors—especially the four queens —were most beautifully dressed, and, indeed, so was every card in the pa k. A bugler sounds the assembly, and two heralds, accompanied by a couple of Touchstones, marshal in the suits in the following order, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades, to music frojn Miss Florrie Thorpe at the piano. A graceful dance by the court cards follows, after which the whole pack, in a series of clever evolutions, shuffles itself. Then the players (Messrs Churton, Tewsley, Baume, and Whitaker), arrayed in acadamic robes, enter, the hands are dtalr, and play c >mmences. Each player calls his card in turn, and the cards advance to the centre, the winner of the trick announces that fact, the four c irds bow gracefully and are led off by the herald to the winner’s side. The next lead is called and the game proceeds until the thiiteen tricks are turned, when the score is announced, the cards again shuffled and dealt for the next hand. The effect is really striking, and especially interesting to .whist-players, who can recognise correct leads, second and third hand play, trump signals, etc. Five hands altogether were very correctly played, the games selected being from Cavendirh, including, as a finale, ihe famous Vienna coup. A and B (Messrs Churton and Tewsley) finally won the ■"•'bber. The games ended, beautiful dances and evolutions are again performed, with limelight effects by Mr Mu-kie showing up tbe tasteful costumes splendidly. A final dance, in which the plain cards circle round the court cards, is

especially striking, Miss Thorpe playing Mendelssohn’s “ Spring Song.” The bugler then sounds the retreat, and the suits sorts themselves and march out in the same order as they entered. Great praise must be given ts Dr de Clive Lowe, who designed all the dresses and trained the performers so perfectly, and to the Messrs Ingall and others who lent valuable aid. Living Whist will doubtless be repeated, and later on Living Chess will be given.

In all probability the Pollard Company will stage “ La Poupee” after the run of the “ Gay Parisienne” and “ The French Maid,” as negotiations are now in progress, and a definite answer is expected from Mrs Williamson by the next mail.

We see from a Wanganui exchange that Miss Kitty Mostyn is to be tendered a benefit there. We regret very much that this bright little actress, playwright, and manageress should be in need of a benefit, but, if she is, no one in the profession could be a more worthy recipient. As an actress Kitty is a formidable rival to Jennie Lee in boys parts ; as an adaptor and playwright she is versatile and thoroughly au fait in the art of working up situations; and as a manageress she has always been willing to deny herself in order that her company might be paid in full. We hope that her bad luck in New Zealand will be counterpoised by the hearty reception she is sure to receive on her return to Australia. Mani Auckland playgoers will recollect the exce.lent piano playing of Miss May Habgood (Mrs Tommy Hudson) when she was last through here with the Hudson Surprise Party, and will regret her .recent death in Adelaide. Her demise will be a serious loss to the company, which was to have started on a tour through India.

Fuller’s Palace of Wonders. —The Agricultural Hall, notwithstanding strong counter attractions, continues to be thronged with visitors. The waxworks, with life like portraits of Her Majesty the Queen, Lord Salisbury, Gladstone, Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain Bismarck, Dr Jamieson, Pope Leo XIII. (a splendid figure), General Booth, Kruger, Mrs Langtry, Madame Melba, Rangitsu ghi, Chang the Giant, Duchess of Buccleugh, Miss Fortescue, Princess de Chinay, etc., etc., ail beautiful y dressed; and the Chamber of Horrors, with i's large collection of notorious criminals, deserve careful inspection. Other attractions are ihe comic glasses, in which those who gaze see themselves in all forts of distorted fashions ; over- fifty stereoscopic and cosmoramic views, phonograph, automatic fortune-telling machines, electric batteries ; weighing, lung-test-ing,strength testing,and mild gambling machines; the Missing Link and other illusions, an autoorgan, the la-gest umbrella in the world, and a host of other curiosities Concerts, Punch and Judy, etc., etc., are given at intervals, and novelties are constantly being added. Who would not spring a sixpence for all this ?

Madame Melba expects that her trip through America will extend over five months. It is possible that she may visit Australia next year, and then we shall probably have a visit from her to New Zealand. Prominent comedians in England are paid salaries almost approaching that of journalists in New Zealand. Mr Dan Leno has been engaged t<> appear in “ Orlando Dando” at a salary of £2OO weekly and £5 extra for encores.

The little magnetic lady who poses as an J animated wax figure at John Fuller’s Palace of Wonders, and whose stall is first inside the entrance on the right, has caused not only a lot of amusement, but also considerable confusion, to those who took her for a “ wax-work” and commented audibly on her appearance, discerning too late that she was a charming combination of flesh and blood, and enjoyed a joke at visitors’ expense. She’s a dainty morsel, and has ' evidently inspired the office poet to break out in verse— Magnetic, {esthetic, and apologetic, She poses just inside the gate, And we wonder and blunder, and find out, by thunder! She’s not made of wax—just too late. So rigid and frigid, this dainty young midget, A triumph of art seems to be, As our measure, with leisure and probable pleasure, , She takes while we criticise “ she.” For just when we’re reaching, intent upon teaching Some friend that we’re quite up to “ cheese,,’ A programme—while chaffing, her merry lips laughing— She’ll hold out, and say “ Penny, please !” Charlie MacMahon is putting on a number of sensational melodramas at the Lyceum Theatre , in Sydney. Among the members of the company may be mentioned Mr Fred Patey and Miss Marie D’Alton, both well known in Auckland. The Cremorne Gardens at Perth (W.A.) have been re opened under the management of Mr Lawrence, who has engaged a number of new people from Sydney and Melbourne, to appear there during the season. The Cogill Bros, have dissolved partnership. Charlie is at present under engagement to Harry Rickards, while Hairy is running a circus and variety show under canvas, and touring the different Victorian townships. Johnny Collins, who has just returned from Sydney, reports that Rowley has been doing excellent business with his “ Waxworks Combination.” The company has been disbanded for the present, but the waxworks will still be exhibited. The show is now in Tasmania. Mr Rowley goes home to England shortly; in search of novelties. He will re-organise his company about next February. A rather amusing, but somewhat embarrassing, incident happened to Mrs J. 0. Williamson (Maggie Moore) recently, while travelling with her little niece from Melbourne to Adelaide. Mrs Williamson was rather late in catching the train, and at the last moment was hurried into a compartment which contained one passenger, a gentleman. The gentleman turned out to be none other than Mr J. C. Williamson. The situation, which was awkward enough in all conscience, was accentuated by the little girl remarking in a very audible whifper, “Oh, auntie, there’s uncle.” Report hath it that the lady and gentleman treated themselves to a com prehensive stare, and then became abnormally interested in their papers. Mrs Williamson got out at Seymour (the first station) and changed her carriages. The efforts of these two brilliant comedians to appear utterly unconscious of one another’s presence must have b en exquisitely comical, and it required all Mrs Williamson’s facial control to resist enjoying a hearty laugh. Mr St. John, who was in Auckland some time back with the St John-Hayman i ompany, has been having a bit of bad luck in Sydney. He took over the Alhambra Theatre there, and was doing fairly well, when Johnny Coleman left him. To make up for this deficiency he brought over Pope and Sayles from Melbourne. Business picked up, and he was rapidly becoming a formidable rival to the Tivoli. This didn’t suit Harry Rickards, so he made Pope and Sayles a sporting offer to break their engagement and secede to him. This they did, with the consequence that the Alhambra went to pieces, leaving St. John a heavy loser. Harry Rickards’ Company follows the Pol- .. lards at Dunedin. Ihe company includes Ugo Biondi, the Italian rapid change artist, and' Bellman and Moore, the American specialty team. Rickards will not vi?it New Zealand, as his business in Sydney renders it impossible for for him to leave. The Firm’s second dramatic company are playing a season at Ballarat, where they produce “ A Royal Divorce,” “The Prisoner of Zenda,” and the “ Lady of Lyons.” Harry Plimmer is playing lead. Mr Jo Sinclair seems to have a happy faculty for getting into trouble. His last experience has ' been in Perth, Western Australia. It seems that he engaged the theatre there from the lessee, Mr Molloy, who raised objections to hie overcrowding the house. Sinclair paid no attention to the protest, and Molloy brought the matter before the authorities. On visiting the theatre the next night, Molloy was met by Sinclair, who immediately proceeded to sail into him, and administered a good thumping. Latest accounts state that the lessee proceeded against Jo for assault.