THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 459, 11 May 1899, Page 9

THE STAGE

[By

Orpheus.]

*• Ornheus ” will be glad to hear from those managers of theatrical companies touring New Zealand who desire that'the public shall know , the movements of companies. Any information as to dates, etc., will be ack Indeed in these columns, as well as any other items of Interest to the theatrical world. All addressed --‘ Orpheus,” SPORTING AND DRAMATIC Review, Vulcan Lane, Auckland.

Madame Albani’s great vocal gifts are equalled by her kind and charitable disposition. She has been delighting an East End audience of some thousands at the Stepney Sunday Union with “ Angels Ever Bright and Fair,” “ Home, Sweet Home,” and <c God Save the Queen. In the second verse of the National Anthem (by her special request) the whole audience joined with impressive effect. Madame Albani received a tremendous ovation, and left behind her a memory which will not soon be forgotten in East London.

On Tuesday next, at the Opera House, the Auckland Banjo, Mandolin, and Guitar Club tender a complimentary concert to Mr Arthur Towsey, their able and popular conductor. The specially-prepared programme includes wellknown and favorite performers, viz , Misses Ethel Mclntyre, Mary Towsey, Messrs Hamilton Hodges, Abel Rowe, A. L. Edwards, and Arthur Ford; who will sing choice selections. The instrumentalists comprise Messrs Wynyard-Joss, C. McFarlane, George Rowe, and J. Lawrence. The full strength of the club will play their best morceaux, and Dr. de Clive Lowe will contribute a ventriloquial sketch.

Breaking the late Poet Laureate’s Head. —At the Waxworks Exhibition, in Edgeware Road, London, an amusing fracas led to legal Erooeeding. Some lively youngsters, it seems, ad a difference with the management and proceeded to smash up figures. The custodian interfered and a free fight arose, during which one of the attacking party pulled off Lord Tennyson’s head and flung it at the caput of the defending guardian. The latter head proved the harder, and the poet’s was smashed into a shapeless lump of wax and hair. £2O was claimed for the exlaureate’s broken head. The case was adjourned for the production of another witness.

Poetic Alfred’s head, when turned to wax, 1 Did break itself in breaking of the pax!” Poor Jarley, straight appealing to the p’leeee, Was bound to keep the pieces and the peace I” (

Mb Edwabd Corbie Righton, familiarly and affectionately known as Teddy, whose lamented death began the New Year, rose to the top of the theatrical tree from a very humble start. As callboy at Sadler’s Wells, under Mr Charles Phelps, he persistently begged for small parts, and so graduated into Mr Charles Kean’s Company at the Princess’. After a long struggle in the provinces, he established his reputation and returned to London to become a popular favorite. At the old Court Theatre, under Miss Marie Litton, he found many congenial roles, playing in Gilbert’s famous satire, “ The Happy Land,” interdicted by the Lord Chamberlain because of the caricatures of Messrs Gladstone, Lowe, and Ayrton. Teddy Righton’s skits of Irving, Wilson Barrett, and high-kicking Miss Wright were immensely droll. Latterly he shone most in domestic drama, his old bookseller in “ Liberty Hall” and the breezy mariner in “ Wild Oats” being special fuccesses He had been in harness on the stage sOr upwards of fifty years.

At the conference of musicians, held at Plymouth (England) in January last, an interesting paper on “ The Influence of Prejudice” was read bv Mr Frederick James, of Leeds. He condemned the prejudice which existed in some quarters against music by English composers, and regretted the absence of such music from programmes of State concerts. Much English music, he held, was equal, if not superior, to foreign. Mr James also referred to the question of Sunday musical performances. None of them, he said, would wish to countenance any desecration of the Sabbath, but he maintained that listening to good music could not be harmful, and was certainly on a higher plane than discussing politics. Bravo I Mr Frederick . James, says “ Orpheus.”

' -'‘'■The-Ernest (Toy Concert Company.—While these lines are being printed—Wednesday night ,—I hope the . Opera' House is well filled with lovers of goodL music/ and so proving that the decay of than legshows, and -comic rubbish has not quite demoral ised Aucklanders. The comp my of artists led-by Mr Ernest Toy, and under the management of kindly and capable Mr Marcus, comes with a high reputation. Throughout New Zealand the critics have with one voice bestowed unstinting praise on each member of the combination. Although still in his teens, Mr Ernest. Toy has earned marked distinction for finished and brilliant performances on “ the king of instruments,” havingwon important prizes in competition and his L.R.AM. His tone, bowing, execution, and deep sympathy are pronounced truly artistic. Miss Ranee Rees (the pianist) is a still younger, though equally brilliant, musician who has met withy'' enthusiastic approval at every performance. A firm and elastic touch, with marvellous powdr and ripe intelligence, are characteristics which astonish all who hear this young lady play. Miss Alice Simmons is an Australian soprano of recognised ability. Without great volume her v 4 ce 10 pure, sweet, and true, and her method jfeund. Miss Maud Dalrymple is gifted with that rare organ, a true contralto voice—not the cqffinmonplace mezzo which so often has to do f° r the real thing. Her taste and sympathy are pronounced exquisite. Such a combinati fi should not fail to attract and delight large aftidiences throughout their short season. J?