GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 460, 18 May 1899, Page 9

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

[By

Paul Pry.]

George Grossmith’s burlesque, “ Great Caesar,’ will not be produced at the London Opera Comique after all. It will be staged at the Avenue, with Miss Ada Reeves, Miss Decima Moore, and Willie Edouin in the chief parts. I have received from Manager Callender, of the Heller Company, newspaper clippings announcing the splendid business done by the clever illusionists and the other members of the company. At the Victoria Theatre, Newcastle, N.S.W., big houses were t e rule whenever the company performed. “ For She is the Belle of New York” is the popular air in Melbourne just now. Everybody either whistles, hums, or tries to sing it. Oh that we might have it in Auckland for a “ short season,” for the melody would, perhaps, give the small boys a rest from the Chard whistle. A change is good for us all, you know. During one of Dante’s performances at St. George’s Hall, Melbourne, when “ The Great” started incinerating Mdlle. Edmunda, a lady in the audience called out “Oh ! The wretch,” and as soon as the fair partner of Dante’s wonderful feats appeared safe and sound at the wings the excited dame loudly cried “ Goodness me! She has come together again.

“ Atlas” has passed this story (from Melbourne Punch} on to me —“ Sydney has one M.P. who is the father of two dozen children (not out). He is credited with the intention of raising a constituency for himself.” Perhaps “ Atlas” has handed on the yarn because he wants to give Charley Faning a “ friendly lead,” and he knows the artist will find it here.

Writing from Rangoon, Burmah, Frank Hatter (the popular American performer) says that the Flying Jordans have had a very successful Eastern tour under the able management of Edward Geach. The Jordans’ tent holds 4000 people, and at Calcutta, on an' occasion when Lord and Lady Curzon visited the show, over 8000 people had to go away without seeing the performance. Our Napier correspondent writes—On Thursday night last, the Moore-Roberts Dramatic Company commenced a short season at the Theatre Royal, “ The Prodigal Father” introducing them to Napier theatregoers. The efforts of the company met with hearty recognition from a full house, despite the fact that the night was a most unpleasant one. “ Struck Oil” followed on Friday to another good audience, and on Saturday night, when “ Forty-Nine” was billed as the attraction, large numbers rolled up only to meet with disappointment, however, for the manager informed intending participants of the evening’s performance that Miss Moore was, through illness, unable to fulfil her promises. The lady was anxious to appear, but her medical adviser considered it would be advisable for her to forgo her engagement for that evening. “ David Garrick” and “ The Chinese Question” are underlined for tonight (Monday, May 15), “ Forty-Nine” and “ Hans the Boatman” to follow on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. On Tuesday, May 2, the Sydney Criterion was packed by the vast audience which attended the complimentary matinee tendered to Madame

Emily Soldene. A big programme was got through. It ineluded the third scene of the second act of “ The Merry Wives of Windsor,” by George Rignold’s Company ; the first act of “ Lord and Lady Algy,” by the Brough Company. Then Harry Rickards sang his immensely popular song, “ That is a Woman’s Way.” Harry Rickards was followed by a debutante, Miss Ida Chantrey, who gave a capital imitation of’John Coleman singing “ I ’Appened to be There” in “The French*Maid” ; Rodda Percy, who sang “ Come Back to Me”; Philip Newbury and Julius Enight, the latter reciting Owen Meredith’s “The Portrait” in splendid style Madame Spada was Ruff wring from a severe cold, so the scene from “ Faust” had to be omitted. As & finale the first act of “ Les Cloches de Corneville,” with Madame Emily Soldene as Serpolette, was given. On making her appearance the beneficiaire received a tremendous ovation, and it was some time before the people ceased applauding and allowed the piece to go on “ Just Look at This” was warmly encored, and at the finish of the act Madame Soldene gave “ The Kissing Song” (from “ Genevieve de Brabant”), which was also vociferously re-demanded. At the conclusion Madame Soldene appeared amidst a heap of beautiful floral tributes. She made a pretty and grateful little speech, and, after thanking those who had taken part in the performance, said that though she was going to London the best of it was that she would, return to Sydney, where she had spent so many happy hours.

The Henry Dramatic Company open at the Opera House on Saturday night. Lucifer has departed for Newcastle, N.S.W, where he "joins Harmston’s Circus for the tour through India, China, and Japan. The Gaiety Company has been playing to good houses all through the past week, and as there is always something new and fresh for the audience, it is not surprising to find the City Hall well,filled. Last night the first part of the programme was devoted to refined minstrelsy, which looks likely to catch on.

A notice of the Auckland Mandolin, Banjo, and Guitar Concert has been unavoidably crowded out, but will appear next week. Charles Arnold will be in Sydney next August when he will show “What Happened to Jones.” Melbourne will be visited during Cup Carnival time.

“ Woman and Wine” has proved such a great success at Melbourne Theatre Royal that the contemplated changes will not occur for some little time to come.

Paul Cinquevalli is astonishing the natives oi Melbourne with his wonderful juggling. Harry Rickards describes him as “the most finished performer in the English-speaking world.” On Wednesday in last week the Auckland public had the first opportunity of hearing the Toy Concert Company at the Opera House. At Dunedin, at Christchurch, and at Wellington musical people pronounced Mr Ernest Toy to be a remarkable young violinist, and said that Miss Renee Lees was a pianiste very far above anybody that had played in New Zealand recently. With such high reputations to support them, it was naturally expected that the music-loving Aucklanders would flock to hear the two young musicians. But after all that had been said about the attraction good music had for our citizens, it was disappointing to find very indifferent houses on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday there was a far better attendance, while on Monday last—when the prices were lowered —there was quitea respectable audience. I am sadly afraid we do not appreciate high-class music and singing, or surely we should have given the Toy Company a far handsomer reception. On Wednesday, Mr Ernest Toy delighted the small, though critical, band of listeners by his most skilful execution, accurate harmony, and very soulful expression. The young player at once confirmed all the good things that had been said of him, and throughout displayed a brilliance of style that is little less than marvellous in such a youth. Mr Toy played Gounod and Sarasate’s “ Faust .Fantasia,” Mendelssohn’s “Allegro from E Minor Concerto,” and a fantasia on “ The Old Folks at Home.” As encores the violinist played Pierne’s “ Serenade” (a charming thing), a sweetly pretty “ Caprice” by Ganz, and Tolhurst’s “Berceuse.” For everything he received warm applause from those who appreciated his beautiful playing. On Thursday night Mr Toy was eminently successful with Bazzini’s “Witches Dance,” bowing with exquisite skill and charming everybody with the delightfully bewitching melody. In Wieniawski’s “ Souvenir de Moscow” the performer brilliantly executed all the di i cult passages, certainly showing in this piece his complete mastery over the violin. On Friday Mr Toy gave a splendid rendering of Felicien David’s “ Andante and Scherzo Capriccioso,” and, in response to a vigorous encore, played the ever-popular “ Intermezzo” (from “ Cavalleria Rusticana.”). The intermezzo was a most artistic piece of work, and I must say the same of Mr Toy’s playing of Vieuxtemps’ “ Reverie.” He played with intense feeling, and on Friday seemed to have recovered from the depression of spirits which rather marked one or two pieces earlier in the week. Throughout Mr Toy was accompanied by Miss Renee Lees, the wonderfully-clever little pianiste. These two young musicians are in perfect sympathy, and to this I attribute some of the success of the violinist. Miss Lees is a player with remarkable ability, admirable taste, and very great technical skill. Probably only Mr Toy himself can recognise to the full the assistance given him by the accompaniments of Miss Lees. The young artiste has a beautiful touch (firm, yet soft), an exceptionally graceful style, and a brilliancy and certainty of execution almost unexpected in one so young. On the opening night Miss Lees played Liszt’s arrangement of Mendelssohn’s “ Wedding March,” Moskowski’s “ Valse in E Major,” and Liszt’s “ Rhapsodie, No. 8.” On Thursday the pianiste selected Schumann’s “ Faschingsschwauk,” Raff’s “ Cachouca,” and Ketten’s “ Caprice.” Each of the numbers was played in perfect style, and, in response to an encore for the “ Cachouca,” Miss Lees gave a brilliant playing of Chopin’s “ Valse in D.” For the delectation of the people on Friday evening the pianiste chose “ Faust” (GounodLiszt), Chopin’s “Ballade in A Flat,” and a Paganini —Liszt “ Study.” The young player was most cordially applauded every evening, and she most thoroughly deserved all the praise she received. The contralto of the company. Miss Maud Dalrymple, has a lovely voice. Her lower notes are very pure and true, while the higher notes are not in the least bit forced. During the week Miss Dalrymple sang Sainton-Dolby’s “Out on the Rocks,” Blumenthal’s “ Sunshine and Rain,” Molloy’s “ Home, Dearie, Home,” Behrend’s “ The Cry of the Little Ones,” Sullivan’s “ The Lost Chord,” Cowen’s “ Promise of Life,” Lawrence Kellie’s “ Douglas Gordon,” Behrend’s “Crossing the Bar,” “The Masquerade “ May or May Not,” and the quaint Manx lullaby “ Husheen.” In all her songs Miss Dalrymple displayed very great artistic talent, and in every case charmed the audience by her tasteful singing. The soprano, Miss Alice Simmons, was also very successful in pleasing her hearers. On the first night, in Torry’s “ Queen of the Night” and Ganz’s “ Sing, Sweet Bird,” she had ample scope to display her vocal powers, and, as an encore to the last-named song, gave “ Cornin’ Thro’ the Wye,” with an archness that was irresistible. On Thursday Miss Simmon’s songs were-—Cowen’s “The Children’s Home,” Parker’s “ Houpla Carina,” and Millard’s “ Waiting,” while on Friday she sang “ Dear Bird of Winter” (Ganz) and “ Poor Wandering One” (from “ The Pirates of Penzance.” She also sang *’ The Miller and the Maid” and “ Annie Laurie” as encores. Mr Marcus, who has a very sweet and cultivated tenor voice, sang on Wednesday night only in the trio, “O, Memory.” This old favorite was sung very nicely indeed by Misses Simmons, Dalrymple, and Mr Marcus, and it s a pity we have not had the advantage of hearing the tenor more often. Monday’s concert I shall have to leave until next week. The company make their last appearance to-night (Thursday), and I hope to be able to record a bumper house.