GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 489, 7 December 1899, Page 10

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

[By

Paul Pry.]

It is estimated that nearly thirteen million people have witnessed the performances of “ The Sign of the Cross.” P. R. Dix and his Gaiety Company return to the City Hall on Saturday night. A big house is sure to be on hand to welcome the returned wanderers.

The Fitzgeralds have been touring Gippsland since the Melbourne season came to a conclusion. Business has been very brisk, far better than it was in Melbourne.

George Rignold travels to England at the beginning of the New Year. It is probable that his farewell appearance will be in one of his favorite Shakespearean roles.

Ernest Hogan’s Afro-American Minstrels passed through Auckland on their way to the Thames, where they play a short season, opening to-morrow (Friday). All the way up the East Coast they have met with great success, and at Napier their reception was cordial in the extreme. “ The Black Patti” has been a big attraction, while, judging from reports, Ernest Hogan is more comical than ever.

The Era, referring to Miss Pattie Browne as Kitty in “ i ne of the Boys,” with the Arthur Roberts’ company at Burnley, says that “ her playful earnestness and sweet simplicity created a most favorable impression ” Mr Fritz Rimma, who visited Australia with the last London Gaiety Company, is said to be “ quite imposing” as a general in the same production. That remarkable woman, Eleonora Duse, has been appearing in Berlin as Cleopatra in Shakespear’s play. At least (says the Pelican) the play was described as by William Shakespeare on the programmes, but seeing that the drama has been cut and hacked and twisted and turned to suit the actress, that her Cleopatra is described as being “ not Shakespeare’s, but Duse’s,” and that Antony was practically shelved, the lady might just as well have added authorship to her numerous talents while she was about it, and left Shakespeare out of it altogether. Mr Rowley, of Rowley’s Waxworks, is at present in Auckland making arragements for the opening of his exhibition and variety entertainment shortly before Xmas. Since his last successful season in Auckland, Mr Rowley has visited the Old Country, and has brought back with him many interesting novelties. In addition to the waxen effigies, the company includes twenty-two variety artists, who will help to make the entertainment attractive and up-to-date. Mr Rowley had a five week season in Wellington, with packed houses, and at Wanganui he was equally triumphant. The company opens at ISapier tonight (Thursday), and, after the conclusion of the visit, the show comes on to Auckland. As the Agricultural Hall will be engaged, the Rowley Waxworks will be exhibited in Durham Street.

The Sydney Referee, writing of Dante’s accident, says —“ The army of friends whom ‘ Dantethe Great’ has made in all parts of Australia and New Zealand will be sorry to hear that he was a victim of a shooting accident at Dubbo on Sunday. While out for some trigger sport with his pianist and a friend, the former accidentally shot him in the groin. ’ The accident apparently was a very serious one, for Mr A. Clarke wired immediately asking the Referee to request Mr Edwin Geach (the popu ar young manager), who was in Sydney ‘ ahead,’ to cancel all dates till Brisbane. Mr Geach wired back, and in reply was asked to go to Dubbo at once, and to take up a leading Sydney physician. The accident is very hard luck both to Dante and Geach, for the clever illusionist does not open in Brisbane until Christmas. Newcastle, where he was to have opened next, and a number of other big towns, had. been extensively bided, and halls had, of course, been engaged. This unfortunate occurrence, therefore, will mean a very serious financial loss, apart from medical expenses.” Mr Geach, wiring on November 28, said that the doctors held out little hope of Dante’s recovery.

Of Mr J. C. Williamson’s latest production of Sydney Evening News says —The music of “Robin Hood” is very far in advance of what is known as comic opera “ Robin Hood” itself is stated in the bills to be a “ romantic opera,” and, so far as the music is concerned, this title, while notifying that it is something above opera bouffe, hardly does justice to its merits, which are many. It is full of bright and pleasant, and often plaintive, melody. Indeed, it contains a wealth of “marvellous sweet music.” That it should have been popular in America for ten years is more creditable to the musical taste of America than is the fact that it has only now obtained an opportunity to be popular in Australia to the musical enterprise of this country. That passages in “ Robin Hood” call up occasional memories does not detract from their beauty. In no case is there anything like copying or adapting. As a matter of fact, all music—like all literary or dramatic work —must here and there recall, more by suggestion than by actual fact, something which has impressed itself previously on the mind. The author of the music of “ Robin Hood” (Mr de Koven), therefore, can be praised for.having composed a work as far above the ordinary opera which comic opera companies give us as in melodrama, let us say, “ The Silver King,” is above the ordinary run. It seems a pity that the librettist of “ Robin Hood”—a gentleman with the unobtrusive and long-familiar name of Smith —cannot be congratulated upon having risen above the level to which the librettist of half a century ago — who wrote the words for the opera .' of the day—’established. But, in truth, the words of the libretto do not matter much. Where it is not necessary to be funny, Mr Lauri is independent of libretto, and, helped by Mr Bracy, produces the fun without which no self respecting audience would nowadays be satisfied. The enormous audience which filled Her Majesty’s Theatre to repletion on Saturday night, while sa iefied with the fun produced by Mr Lauri and assistants, perfectly appreciated the beauty of the music of the opera, and to this they were helped by the fact that the concerted pieces and the choruses were admirably rendered. But it is only truth to say that there is such a wealth of song

n “ RobinjHood”;|that JJsubordinateJlcharacters’ while acquitting themselves creditably, are unable to do.full justice to their onoortunities.} The annoiinceme nt {that Harry Connor and Hoyt and McKee’s company will perform here during Carnival week (writes our Taranaki correspondent) will be hailed with satisfaction by all patrons of the theatre. It is seldom that we have the pleasure of witnessing the efforts of a first-class company, so that their visit will be very welcome. That the company will do big business here is a certainty.

Our Napier correspondent (writing on the Ist December) says —The four-nights season of the Hogan Minstrel Co., inaugurated at the Theatre Royal on Monday night, was productive of good business—houses full to the doors being the order during the period of their tenancy, and long before the time appointed for the raising of the curtain an d “ standing room only” was the notification that greeted those who had not taken time by the forelock. The minstrel performances, which took place upon the two first nights, were far and away the best of their kind that have been given here for years, and the hearty, spontaneous bursts of applause gave ample evidence that satisfaction had been given to patrons of the shows. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which constituted the bill-of-fare on the concluding nights, showed the company in a ' different kind of performance, and their success was just as great as in the variety programme. By their genial and courteous conduct the company made heaps of friends, who assembled on the wharf on Friday night to give them a send-off when they left by the Mararoa for Gisborne. Conspicuous amongst the number were a party of Maoris who had come some distance to see the last of the talented troupe. On Friday afternoon the company gave an exhibition of base-ball on the Recreation Ground before a large crowd of spectations, when the intricacies of the American national game were well interpreted. Our Christchurch dramatic correspondent writes We’re feeling just a wee bit dull after the wild dissipation of Carnival week. “ Suffering a recovery,” you know. The only fresh show I have to chronicle this time is “Two Roses,” produced on Thursday (Floral Fete) night at the Royal, and again on Friday. “Two Roses” is an extremely difficult piece to handle, with its polished dialogue and the brilliant acting its demands. And this, no doubt, was why the Cash Comedy Company elected to stage it. Amateur artists always are so ambitious. However, the principals certainly acquitted themselves with credit. Mr Wood-Jones, a gentleman in whom the professional stage lost an ornament, was a capable Digby Grand, and Mr Wentworth Watson’s Caleb Deecil was admirable. Mr A. J. Barnard was good, too, as “our Mr Jenkins,” while Miss Wells’ Lottie was pronounced Al. * * * The news of poor Dante’s sad death in N.S.W. was received here with much regret. Dante was very popular in Christchurch. When he was last in this city I had the pleasure of an hour’s chat with him behind the scenes, and found him a delightful companion—full of fun and with that quaint way of telling a story for which so many Americans are famous. “I won’t say goodbye,” he remarked when we were parting ; “ let it be au revoir." Poor fellow i * * * About 10,000 people attended the Floral Fete on Thursday, at the Show Grounds. * * * The 75th night of Fuller’s Waxworks, at Oddfellows’ Hall, and the show is going stronger than ever. * * News is scarce this week, so, for the present, adieu! Writers of the latest Japanese production at London Daly’s a critic says: In “San Toy; or The Emperor’s Own,” Mr George Edwardes has given us another of those bright and sparkling musical comedies that have made Daly’s theatre so famous. With a little compression “ San Toy ” will be as amusing and entertaining as any of its predecessors. The plot deals with the very simple story of a Chinese mandarin, who to keep his daughter in his native town of Pinka Pong, instead of sending her to join the amazon guard of he Emperor, dressed her as a boy, and was suct

cessful in his stratagem, until the Emperor ordered all the eldest sons of the mandarins to Pekin. Mr Morton’s dialogue is bright and witty, the lyrics are rhythmic, and Mr Sidney Jones’ music is the best and most tuneful that he has ever written. Nothing could have been more lively or graceful than Miss Marie Tempest’s impersonation of the little Chinese Igirl, who masquerades as a boy. As a vocalist Miss Tempest has few equals on the operatic stage; her method is beautifully simple and true, her voice pure and full. Mr Rutland Barrington) found an excellent outlet for his humorous talents in the part of the mandarin, and Mr Fred Kaye got all possible capital out of the role of Sir Bingo Preston. Miss Hilda Moody looked pretty and sang two songs daintily, and Mr Hayden Coffin was excellent as Captain Preston. Mr Huntley WYight was exceedingly funny, and provoked roars of laughter by his quaint performance; Mr Mackinder, Mr Scott Russell, and Mr Colin Coop showed ability in small parts, and Miss May Buckley was dramatic in the part of a widow rebelling against a harsh custom of the country. Miss Topsy Sinden danced with almost incomparable grace, and Miss Leigh was sprightly throughout. “ San Toy ”is splendidly dressed; such a beautiful blending of color, such admirable, grouping, such, effective chorus singing, have rarely been seen or heard. Mr Hawes Craven’s opening scene is rivalled only by Mr Joseph Harker’s Emperor’s Palace. Sumptuous and elegant in every respect, the mounting is a credit to the English stage. The reception of the piece could not have been more cordial, and nothing can be much more certain than that “ San Toy ” a year hence may be still at the height of its prosperity. Referring to the most lamentable end that closed the career of the far-famed and much respected conjuror, Dante, who wi’l be remembered in Auckland as one of the most refined and accomplished single-handed entertainers that has ever graced the boards of our local Opera House, the Sydney Evening News adds the following : — Dante (whose real name is Jones) was born twenty-eight years ago in Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah (the Mormon State), U.S.A., where his father carried on the business of a watchmaker and jeweller. His father was an expert watchmaker, and constructed for Brigham Young (the Mormon prophet) a watch which required no winding, the necessary power being applied to the works by opening and shutting the case. His father was fond of dabbling in magic, and the son inherited the taste, but the father did not favor the son’s devoting himself to the study; and often, when he found him poring over a new trick in spare moments, would say “ My boy, it is very good, no doubt; but it won’t pay”—a prophecy which was signally falsified by the conjuror’s subsequent successful career. Dante’s first public performance was an amateur entertainment, which he gave at Salt Lake City, and which proved very successful. As a result, Douglas White, afterwards San Francisco correspondent at Manilla during the Spanish-American war, advised the budding magician to try his fortune on the professional stage. He followed the advice, making his first appearance at New Orleans, where he achieved a remarkable success. He then toured the United States and America, and also showed at Havana and Oienfuegos, in Cuba. The war compelled him to return to New York, and he then determined on an Australian tour. He left Vancouver for New Zealand on June 2, 1898, playing en route at Honolulu for a week, with satisfactory results. He also played with great success in all the principal towns of New Zealand, whence he came to Sydney, and opened at the Palace Theatre in October, 1898. After an extraordinarily successful season, he afterwards performed with similar success in Melbourne, Adelaide, and other Australian towns. A second season in Sydney was followed by a tour in Tasmania and New Zealand. He next visited West Australia, South Australia, and Broken

Hill, and was working his way back to Sydney across country when the accident, which put a premature end to his life, occurred. Patrons of the City Hall have not been neglected during the past busy week. Fresh songs and new dances have been put on in order to make the entertainment varied and attractive. Every one of the artists has worked hard, and all have met with success. On Saturday night some new people will appear, and on Monday the members of the No. 1 Gaiety Company will combine with the artists now at the City Hall and give the public a monster programme. The managers certainly leave no stone unturned to give the people plenty of amusement for their money. Elsie Leslie, who advertises herself as the Australian soubrette, is appearing at the London Alhambra. She sings serio-comic and coon songs. St Paul’s states she can do better work than this. She is an accomplished singer, and it is a pity to see her spending her talents as a soubrette. A company produced melodrama of a sanguinary type in a certain city. To ensure success, invitations were issued for the first night to all the local undertakers. The result went above all expectation. The piece was one with several deaths in every act. The papers next day gave glowing accounts of the cheering from the audience. The cheering came from the undertakers. They were unable to contain themselves at the sight of so many deaths. They viewed the piece from a business point.

Writing on December 2, a Sydneysider says— The “ Anglo-American” matinee being arranged by Mr Williamson for Tuesday next, at Her Majesty’s, promises to be a big affair. The proceeds are to be divided between the New South Wales Patriotic Fund and the fund being raised by Lady Randolph Churchill to equip the American hospital ship, Maine, for South African service. All the local managements are assisting. The Royal Comic Opera Company will play the strong second act of “ Robin Hood,” with its effective “tinkers’ chorus,” Robin’s serenade, etc.; Mr Harry Connor and his company will play an act of the “Stranger in New York”; Mr Rickards’ Tivoli Company and Mr John F. Sheridan and the “ Little Christopher” Company will all appear, and besides these combinations individual performances will be given by Messrs Rignold and Bentley, Miss Hetty Holroyd, Mr Pauli, and

Miss Vane, who 'are not in the “ Robin Hood” cast, and others. Seats were auctioned at the theatre on Tuesday afternoon. The box brought £lO, and seats from 22b down to 7s 6d, but the bidding was not bnsk.| ““The .complimentary farewell concert tendered to Herr Zimmermann by the Old Chums and Schoolfellows’ Association will take place at the Opera House on Saturday evening. I hope to see a big house, for Herr Zimmerman has always been very generous in assisting at every entertainment for a deserving cause.*’ _______ . On Monday the Opera House should be crowded with playgoers anxious to welcome the Hoyt and McKee Company in “ A Trip to Chinatown.” Harry Conor’s phenomenal success as Welland Strong wherever he has played the part should ensure a good reception for the clever comedian. Miss Allene Crater and Miss Helen Merrill, and the other members of the company are also sure to receive a warm welcome. Tom Browne (the whistler) I heard at the London music halls a few years ago. He has considerably added to his reputation since then, and I am certain Aucklanders will find him an amusing and interesting entertainer. Plans have to be made long ahead in these days, and Mr Wilson Barrett (according to the Daily Mail) is already laying the lines of his programme for his next Lyceum season. With September, 1900, he will be due again to take up the managerial burden in his present quarters, but this time he will invoke the aid of Shakespeare in the task. His choice has fallen upon “ Henry V.,” of which he promises a production upon a scale of great splendor, and as worthy of the traditions of the theatre as his efforts can possibly make it. A year hence, Mr Barrett may make a prolonged tour of Australia and New Zealand with a revival of “ Henry V.” as the chief item of his repertoire.