The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 446, 9 February 1899, Page 9

The STAGE

[By

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 acknowledged 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.

Exhibition Music.—On Wednesday evening in last week a most enjoyable ballad concert comfortably filled the Choral Hall. Mr Charles Kissling, in excellent voice, was loudly applauded for Jude’s “ Young Brigade” and Pontal’s “Foghorn,” both songs admirably rendered and accompanied by Mr Arthur Towsey. Miss Maud Hewson scored another brilliant success with Adams’ “ I Know a Valley by the Sea” (encore, Tito Matei’s “ Leave Me Not,”) and Denza’s “ May Morning” (encore, Cowen’s “ Children’s Home”). Miss Hewson is now an established favorite, her splendid contralto voice and finished style and production never failing to charm her audiences. Mr Walter Kirby’s ideal tenor voice once more aroused enthusiasm. Adams’ “Star of Bethlehem,” beautifully sung, was imperatively encored, a dainty ditty, “ Gondola Dreams,” by Slaughter (composer of “ Marjorie”), being substituted. Later in the programme Mr Kirby sang, with exquisite taste, Blumenthal’s “ Evening Song” and, for the inevitable encore, Walton’s melodious and passionate “ What Might Have Been.” Great interest was excited by the debut of Mr E. H. Ranginia, a Maori geiitleman —discovered by Mr Towsey, and gifted with a light baritone voice of equal quality and sympathetic timbre. He sang Barnard’s 44 Bid Me to Love” and, as an encore, 44 Denza’s 44 Call Me Back,” and, later on, gave Adams’ 44 Island of Dreams” very sweetly. With study and practice, Mr Ranginia will reach a still higher standard. That favorite soprano, Miss Ella Farrell, received a warm welcome. In capital voice she sang, with exquisite taste, Somerset’s “O, Pray For Me” and Haddock’s “ The Soul’s Awakening,” being loudly applauded for both songs. The concert was under the able direction of Mr Arthur Towsey, who shared the accompaniments to the various morceaux with Miss Kent. Mr Hoffman’s fine Brinsmead grand was the instrument use A, and once more proved itself especially suitable to the human voice.

Mr Harry Rickards’ Company.—Frequent changes of programme filled the Opera House right up to Saturday night, when a most successful season closed. On Thursday evening, the last performance “Orpheus” was able to attend, a pathetic one-act drama, “ Blind Love” (specially written by Mr Bernard Espinaese for Miss Noni Rickards), made a distinct hit. The central idea is an act of noble self-sacrifice by Dea (Miss Noni Rickards), who, finding that her old lover, Richard Fearing (Mr Hamilton Hill), is really in love with another lady, Helena Vernon (Miss Katie Rickards), but is too honorable to throw Dea over, breaks off the engagement herself, on the ground of mere childish love. Miss Madge Rickards (as Trixy, a hoydenish damsel), showed great promise, and Mr Albert Bellman (as Mr Fearing), the heavy, but affectionate, father, played extremely well. Miss Noni Rickards won true sympathy by a sweet, simple, and pathetic rendering of blind Dea. Miss Lottie Moore and Mr Bellman, in their delightful sketch ( 4 In Clover”), with coon songs, dances, and quips innumerable, were popular as ever. Mr Winton’s ventriloquial marvels and wondrous mechanical figures aroused shrieks of laughter, Maginty, Sloper, Captain Slocum, Pete, etc., etc., being in their best form. Signor Ugo Biondi’s “ Scandal in a Restaurant,” with its lightning changes and irresistible humor, and his series of composers and conductors, never tire his audiences. Messrs Foreman and Fannan, with their clever patter duos, dances, and side-splitting repartees, always receive an ovation. Miss Clara Llewellyn and Mr Hamilton Hill introduced new songs (excel lently rendered), and the orchestra (under Mr David Cope) played with great taste and ability. Mr Rickards and his talented company will always be welcome in Auckland.

Ihe Pollard Coneerts at the Exhibition. —On Friday and Saturday evenings the Choral Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity by people anxious to hear some of the popular favorites upon the concert platform. An encore was demanded in every case, and though there could be no doubt about the enthusiasm of the appreciation, too much encore is rather hard upon the singers. Miss Marie Mueller sang “ The Carnival ” and 44 Il Baccio ” on Friday, and on Saturday gave 44 Because of Thee ” and “ Mia Percella.” Miss Mueller sang in finished style, and her rendering of “11 Baccio” was marked by particular brilliance. Miss Gertie Campion on the first night gave 44 Why must we say Good-bye” and 4 Susie-U,” and ' on" the following night sang “ Only a Penny” and “Love me just a little, Sue.” Perhaps her greatest success was 44 Only a Penny,” but all Miss Campion’s songs were marked by her usual artistic taste and careful execution. Mr Ernest Fitts sang “ The Yeoman’s Wedding Song,” “ I Trust Her Still,” 41 Bid Me, To Love,” and “ The Waggoner ” in excellent manner, the first song suiting his fine voice admirably. Miss Maud Beatty «. n the first night sang “The Valley by the Sea” and 44 When We Meet,” and on the second gave “Until We Meet Again ” and 44 Forget Not to Forget.” Miss Beatty was quite at her best, and delighted

the audience with every item. Mr W. S. Percy, of course, made a hit with “ Sammy, My Old Friend Sam ” and 44 The Diamond King,” and on Saturday met with renewed success in 44 The Awful Little Scrub ” and 44 They Would Not Do for Me.” Mr Harry Quealy was, of course, equally successful with 44 Why Don’t You Marry the Girl,” 44 I ’Appened to be There,” and scored well with an excellent rendering of “ The Tin Gee. Gee.” Mr Horace Gleeson played Chopin’s 44 Second Waltz ” and Stanhiuser’s 44 Parade ” on the Saturday, and each gave scope for an exhibition of his delicacy of touch and faithfulness of execution. Mr Gleeson accompanied the singers throughout the concerts, with one exception ; this was when Miss Marie Mueller played the accompaniments for Mr Fitts on Saturday night. The concerts were eminently successful, and proved as attractive as any musical gathering of the Exhibition season.