GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 462, 1 June 1899, Page 9

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

[By

Paul Pry.]

Madame Trebelli’s first concert will be given at the Choral Hall on Friday, June 9. The Broughs producid “The Liars” at the Sydney Royal on Saturday, May 20. The play was very favorably received.

“ The Belle of New York” proved a big draw at Her Majesty’s, Sydney. Hudson’s Surprise Party is now at the Adelaide Bijou doing very good business. The cable states that on Monday Miss Maggie Moore obtained a decree nisi against Mr J. C. Williamson. Mr Johnny Coleman has been very ill, and was for some time in a private hospital at Carlton, Melbourne. He is now convalescent again. Miss Amy Castles, the talented young Australian singer, had a big benefit the other day prior to the departure of the coming songstress for the Old Country. Alfred Dampier’s version of “ The Three Musketeers” met with much success in Adelaide. “ Robbery Under Arms” was Dampier’s closing play at the Adelaide Royal. Mr Julius Knight had a benefit matinee on Thursday, May 18. The play chosen was “ The Sign of the Cross,” and the actor had a cordial reception from the very well-filled house. The Countess Russell, who will be well remembered in connection with a notorious case, took the leading pa’t in “ A Runaway Girl” at twentyfour hours notice. The Countess has be. n favorably criticised by the English provincial papers, and is sure to take a leading place upon the stage. Madame Melba has scored another triumph as Juliette in Gounod’s opera, ‘ Romeo et Juliette,” which was produced at tbe Covent Garden Theatre London. The cable states the house was packed and that the singer was warmly congratulated upon her success by the many Royalties present.

Mr William Yardley, the old Cambridge cricketer, has collaborated with Mr Byatt, and adapted from the French, a new musical comedy. The music is by Mr Louis Varney, end, like the libretto, is said to be bright and sparkling. The title is “ L’Amour Mouille, or Cupid and the Princess.” When Mr Henry Hamilton’s “ The Three Musketeers” has exhausted its popularity at the London Garrick, a new drama entitled “ Change Alley” (written by Louis Parker and Murray Carsoo) will be produced. From such playwrights one always expects something good, so “ Change Alley” ia looked forward to eigerly. The Kinematograph and X Ray combination had a good attendance at the Theatre Royal, Napier, on the Queen’s Birthnight (writes our correspondent). In consequence of the theatre being previously engaged for the following night, they went to Hastings for a three-nights season, and open here to-night (Monday) for a one-night performance. Walter Bentley gave an entertainment at the Melbourne Town Hall recently, and the critics speak highly of his descript’ve lecture on “ The Passion Play.” Bentley met with so much iuc cess that on the following Saturday (Miy 20) he give a unique performance entitled “Mirth, Song, and Story.” There were many stereopticon pictures, and Bentley was assisted by some popular singers.

Mr. Fletcher McAdoo arrived in Auckland yesterday for the purpose of meeting his brother (Mr Orpheus McAdoo), who arrives by the mail boat next week, bringing with him a company of thirty-eight minstrels and musicians Mr McAdoo’s company are bn their way to Sydney for a tour of Australia, and in about a year’s time they will return to New Zealand. Writing on Monday last, our Napier correspondent says—On Thursday and Friday nights the Ernest Toy Concert Company appeared at the Theatre Royal, and they also gave a matinee on Saturday afternoon, but the houses were none too good during their stay. The company took their departure for Sydney, via Auckland, by the Westralia on Saturday night. Things Chinese or Japanese are taking a strong hand in stage matters now-a-days. At London Daly’s there is a new comic opera called “ San Toy, or the Mandarin’s Own.” It is written by Mr Edward A. Morton and composed by Mr Sidney Jones. The cast includes such wellknown performers as Miss Marie Tempest, Miss Hilda Moody, and Messrs Haydn Coffin and Huntley Wright. Our Napier correspondent writes —The Maggie Moore- oberts Dramatic Company brought their Napier season to a close on Wednesday night, the 18th ult., with the production of “Hans, the Boatman,” which attracted a fairly good house. During their short stay here the company have made a host of friends, and they can rest assured that when they return here theatregoers will give them a hearty welcome. The Fredo Company made their appearance to a good downstair-house at the Gaiety Theatre, Nnpier (writes our correspondent) on Thursday,

and though their tariff is. on a lower scale than is usually charged here the entertainment was far in advance of more pretentious shows that have been in evidence in Napier upon several occasions. The acrobatic feats of the organisation are their long suit, and their displays in this particular line will take a deal of heading off. The combination will visit Wairoa, after which they proceed to Gisborne and Auckland. On Saturday nigh tour o’d friends the perennial Pollards will be once more at the Opera House. Fred Duval tells me that tl e season will open with that strong favorite “ Djin Djin,” and that the extravaganza will be repeated on Monday and Tuesday. Ou Wednesday and Thursday Aucklanders will hare the privilege of renewing acquaintance with “ The Gay Parisienne,” and on Friday and Saturday “The French Maid” will make her re appearance. On Monday, June 12, the English and Australian success, “La Poupee,” will be played for the first time in New Zealand. The Pollards will not play “ The Geisha” during this visit, as time will not permit of the necessary rehearsals. “Boccaccio” will be played during the season, and in this opera Miss Dai ; y Davis (the new soprano) will make her first appe rance in Auckland as Fiametfa “ Djin Djin” will no doubt commence the season well, for there are sure to be new songs and fresh witticisms. The performance of “ Under Two Flags,” the spirited military drama adapted from Ouida’s popular novel, attracted a good attendance to

the Opera House on Tuesday of last week. The Henry Dramatic Company have played this piece to big houses in all the provincial towns in the colony, and it has proved to be one of the most popular plays in their repertoire. The part of Cigarette was played by Miss Billie HowArdS much vivacity. The actress gave a most intelli--gent representation of the impetuous, passionate, yet tender, little daughter of the regiment. Mr Robert Henry (Bertie Cecil) played with earnestness and vigor, and gave an excellent delineation of Ouida’s hero. In the scenes with Colonel Chateauroy, Mr Henry’s acting was marked and full of suppressed power. Mies Kathleen Raleigh made a very pleasant Venetia, Miss Dora Mostyno effectively filled the part of Norah McShane, and Miss Laura Keene in the character of Lady Greneveue did all that there was to do. Mr F. Birkett made Colonel Chateau rey the military tyrant depicted by the anthoress, and adds to:the favorable impression created by bis impersonation of Robert Cutcliffe in “ Shamrock and Thistle.” Mr Humphries made an amusing Rake, and the other characters were efficiently sustained. On Wednesday and Thursday in last week the sensational drama, “ Blind Justice,” was staged, and the piece met with a favorable reception from the audience on each night. The story is one of virtue and villainy, with the former righted at the conclusion of the play. There is plenty of sensational incident in the story of the perils of the innocent hero and his injured wife, who most ably represented by Miss Kathleen Raleigh. Miss Billie Howarde (as “Mikado” Samuels) again made herself a warm favorite, and with Mr W. J. Coulter (os Daddy Samuels) and Mr Humphries (as Toby Samuels) provided the humorous portion of tie play. As Ned Hajes (the hero) Mr J. R. Good >ll acted in capital style, and the same maybe said of Mr H. N. Douglas as Pierre Vaudrais and Mr F. Birkett as Robert Fairlie. Mr A. S Hodge was the Edward Hayes, and play ed in good style. f On Friday and Saturday the Henry Company’ staged the realistic drama, descriptive oi life in modern London, entitled “ True Metal.” The play is full of sensational features, has many dramatic situations, and is equipped with the usual villains, who are instrumental in making innocent persons suffer for crimes they know nothing of. The virtuous are made to suffer for the wicked, but in the end things right themselves —vice c ucks himself over the balcony and virtue is rewarded in the stereotyped satisfactory manner. Miss Billie Howarde (as Trottey, the lame rag and bone merchant with his real live donkey) had a part that thoroughly suited her. Mr Robert Henry played Rats, and, with Mias Dora Mostyn as Sally, accomplished the dark deeds designed by the superior villain, Jasper Clews (ably represented by Mr F. Birkett). Miss Kathleen Raleigh acted with quiet force as Edith Chester, and (as Jack Dane) Mr J. R. Goodall did very good work. The bluff and hearty old miller, George Chester, was in the hands of Mr W. J. Coulter, who did excellent justice to the part. Mr R. N. Douglas took the part of the Rev. Dane (the uncle of the scapegrace, Jack) and acted with his finished skill. All the minor parts were effectively filled, at d the staging and scenery left nothing to be desired. ■ The Henry Company started a heavy week on Monday with a representation of Dion Boucicault’a famous Irish drama, “ The Shaughraun.” The Moya Dolan of Miss Billie Howarde was not bo successful as other characters she has played. She was bright and clever, of course, but she lacked the Irish accent. Miss Kathleen Raleigh and Miss Laura Keene were the Arte O’Neill and Clair Ffolliot respectively, and both acted gracefully. The Conn of Mr Robert Henry was a good character study, but there was a jerkiness about his delivery that was not altogether pleasant. Mr . H. N. Douglas made an excellent Father Dolan. MrW. J. Coulter was an efficient Corry Kinchela, and Mr J. R. Goodall gave a painstaking interpretation of the English officer, Captain Molyneux. Mr A S. Hodge was the Robert Ffolliot and Mr Humphries made a fair Harvey Duff, the treacherous spy and informer Miss Dora Mostyn as Mrs O’Kelly (Conn’s mother) gave a good delineation of an Irish peasant woman. The mimr characters were all well filled, and the scenery—especially in the third act —was excellent. On Tuesday the Henry Company staged “From Scotland Yard,” a drama bristling with sensation. Last night the time-honored “East Lynne” waa presented; this evening (Thursday) the patriotic Irish drama, “ Shamus O’Brien,” will be played ; and to-morrow the season will be brought to a close with the production of a new modern drama entitled “ The Parson’s Oath.” The Gaiety Company still pursjie the even tenor of their way at the City Hall, the constant and varied change in the entertainment providing the amusement-seeker with a diet that is much appreciated. On Saturday night the Gaiety Minstrels gave quite a new first part, and kept the crowded house in a continued ripple of laughter. Mr Walter Rivers sang in his usual taking style “The Union Jack of Old England” and “As the Sun Went Down.” Miss Georgie Devoe, who has a moat artistic wardrobe, was excellent in “ A Night Out,” and, with Mr Chas. Faning, scored a big success in the sketch, “High and Low.” Messrs Carleton and Sutton sang a new song, “ Sweet Evangeline,” and gave an eccentric step-dance and some lively patter in the second part of the evening’s amusement. Mr Charles Faning waa great in “Oodle Oodle,” and, in response to a very vigorous encore, gave “A Cat Duet” with an attractive jodelling chorus. Miss Nellie Finley sang “ All in a Garden Fair” very tastefully, and the Howard Sisters were very successful in their song, “The Art of Making Love,” and their subsequent very graceful dancing. Mr Tom Edwards provided, plenty of fun with his song, “ Ruh Home, Eli,” and his acrobatic feats were well appreciated. Jalvan (the conjurer who was here with the McAdoo Com pany) made his re appearance under Mr Dix’a management on Saturday night, and his graceful dexterity was very much admired. Last night there was another,change of programme, and a big house was the consequence.