THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 515, 7 June 1900, Page 9

THE STAGE

[By

Paul Pry.]

.• Paul Pry” 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 dates, etc., will be acknow(edged in these columns, as well as any other items of Interest to the theatrical world. All letters should be addressed—•• Paul Pry,” Sporting and dramatic Review, Vulcan Lane. Auckland.

The Elizabethan Stage Society gave a performance of Million’s u Samson Agonistes ” at the South Kensington on Saturday, April 14 Ido not remember hearing of any previous stage production of that work. “ Comus ’’ has been seen in London, and was not half bad. “ Samson Agonistes ” should make a fine play, for it is infinitely more dramatic than “ Comus.” Mr Henry Arthur Jones was to produce a new play at the London Duke of York Theatre at the beginning of this month. Title and plot were a profound secret a short time ago. Mr Laurence Irving’s five-act melancholy drama “ Bonnie Dundee ” was produced at the London Adelphi in April. The critics agree that as a literary effort it is rather fine, but though there are many dramatic situations in the play it lacks energy of action. “ Words, idle words,” the drama abounds with; welt written, too, but there is no humour to speak of, and therefore it is said that the pl ft y will bear the test of time.

After a triumphant tour in ■he English provinces Mr Charles Wyndham played Cyrano de Bergerac ”at his own theatre on April 19. The reception accorded to the celebrated actor was extremely cordial, and Miss Mary Moore was also most heartily greeted by her hosts of friends. A short time ago some folks spread the rumour that Madame Sara Bernhardt was so severely suffering from ill-health that she would have to give up her profession. The great actress, however, says she never was better, and the news is satisfactory to her many friends, though it may be annoying to her enemies. Her latest success, “L’Agilon,” pleases the public almost as much as it gratifies the actress who has declared that she will play it at least six hundred nights. Miss Minnie Palmer —“ My Sweetheart returned to London at the beginning of April, after her very successful and very lengthy tour through America. On her return to England she opened at the Metropole theatre with the play that made her famous, “My bweetheart.” By the way, I wonder what has become of her erstwhile husband, “Yours Merrily,” Johnny Bogers ? He was a great showman, and wherever he. is I will wager that business is booming.

Mr J. C. Williamson has lengthened Miss Nance O’Neill’s engagement through Mr McKee Bankin. The Australasian tour will now last until December 1. The fair cities in New Zealand will be visited, in addition to Melbourne and Adelaide. And then the young American actress will have a three months’ holiday, travelling in China, Japan, Egypt, and the South of France before appearing in London, where she is expected to make her bow sometime near next Easter.

Mr William Pauli, who left Adelaide for England at the end of last month, sang at a reception given by the Adelaide Mayoress. He was encored, and had got part of the way through his song when he suddenly stopped and left the stage muttering, “ I’m not going to sing to a cup and saucer accompaniment.” He rightly protested against the jangle going on in the refreshment rooms hard by. An English exchange, speaking of the late Charles Godfrey, amongst other kind things of the departed comedian and singer, says : “ Godfrey invented the descriptive song and the military lyric. ‘On Guard ’ and ‘ Across the Bridge ’ became popular favorites, and have shown the way to countless imitators. But his genius was equally facile in a lighter vein, and most people will remember the madness of ‘Hi-Tiddley-Hi-Ti.’ There was no limit to the cleverness of the man in his own particular pro® fession j he could spring from grave to gay and carry his audience with him. Had he been blessed with a good education? he would undoubtedly have occupied a premier position upon the legitimate stage, for there are few actors in the front rank to-day with greater talent.”

Writing to the Sydney Sunday Times, from ’Frisco, under date April 19, Miss Maggie Moore says : —“ Since writing you last we have played San Francisco, and they didn’t ' like us a little bit. We got what they call in this country a ‘roasting.’ Not only did one particular critic roast us, but we were burnt to a cinder —there wasn’t enough fat left to sizzle us. “ It was after Nat Goodwin came backhand made a speech before the curtain about how he was treated in Australia, running it and everything down, that, the first chance they got at an Australian actor they decided to have some fun. Well, we got it, and yet we are alive. You may •be sure I didn’t put the notices in my scrapbook.

“ Anything Australian doesn’t seem to please. One paper spoke of the Sydney-cut clothes of a gentleman in the company ; another said ‘ Dean Maitland’ was a ‘British bloodthirsty melodrama.’ Well, lam a native of San Francisco, and 1 am ashamed of the place. I didn’t so much care for myself, but for those who were strangers in a strange land it was cruel and unjust. However, ‘ God’s good to the Irish,’ and some day I will look back and laugh at my return to San Francisco.” The popular actress informs the Australian public that she and Mr Harry Roberts have two rattling good offers on hand for the coming season. The Moore-Roberts Company have disbanded, and at the time of writing Miss Moore was “ resting.”

Our Christchurch dramatic correspondent writes : “ The only show I have to chronicle last week is “ The Shaughraun,” at the Royal, put on by the Garrick Dramatic Club, who were assisted by Mr Charles Blake, (well-known to Review readers). Mr Ryan (“ Tibby Ryan) made an excellent Conn. The part m : ght have been written for him. I was agreeably surprised. Candour compells me to admit that “ Tibbv’s ” previous appearances on the boards had not led me to suppose there was any danger of the Avon catching fire as the result. But as Conn he certainly shines. And, of course, as a reciter of humorous selections he has no equal locally. Blake’s assistance was invaluable, he is really a clever artist. The piece was fairly mounted, and ran to satisfactory biz for three nights. . . The firm of John Fuller and Bon.< continues to flourish like the green bay tree. I hear the Leslie Bros are making a hit at the Oddfellow’s Hall. , . Our new Agricultural Hall is begin-

ning to show up. The builder is certainly losing no time. There is some talk of providing the great concert hall, when finished, with a powerful electrical organ; and that reminds me, a tender has just been accepted for lighting our Jubilee Exhibition (to be held in the Agricultural Hall and annexes) by electricity. Mr Wynyard-Joss, the well-known mandolin player, left for Sydney by the Mararoa on Monday. Chatting the other day with a man, who is certainly not a feather weight, we got on the City Hall. During the conversation my friend said, “ I have given up Turkish baths. I now go to Dix’s Palace of Delight on Saturday nights, and there I get a good show and all I want in the way of a Turkish bath for the one inclusive price.” , Mr P. R. Dix’s Gaiety Company will almost directly establish a branch at Wellington in the Exchange Hall. Mr Alex. Anderson, who came here as the man in advance for the Douglas Aucelon-Walter Bentley Company, will be Mr Dix’s manager in the Empire City. Miss Ida Roslyn and Mr Frank Yorke will be included in the artists performing on the occasion of the opening. New artists will be brought over fron Sydney and Melbourne frequently, so that a change of bill will be introduced every week. Auckland will share in the new talent, and we may reasonably expect even better times than the good ones Mr Dix has been giving us. I wish the venture at Wellington every success.

The Rev Charles Clark gave his final lecture en Tuesday night. Throughout his season at the Y.M.C.A. Hall, the public have shown great appreciation of his lectures and recitals, and I am sure the memory of Mr Clark’s visit to Auckland will always be a very pleasant one. His lectures have been a sort of education to many, so valuable and so informatory in matter and so brilliant in manner of delivery. Mr Howie, who has appeared on Mr Clark’s platform while he has been at the Y.M.C.A. Hall, has had a very good reception at the hands of Aucklanders, who have delighted in her splendid singing. The Douglas Aucelon Company, with Mr Walter Bentley as the bright particular star, commenced a twelve-night season at the Auckland Opera House on Monday night with a performance of that fine old drawing drama “ The Silver King.” Messrs Henry Herman and Henry Arthur Jones became famous as dramatists when the play was produced at the London Princess in 1882 by Mr Wilson Barrett, and ever since then “ The Silver King ” has never failed to attract a good house. And on Monday, notwithstanding the bad weather, a very large concourse assembled; to welcome home again Mr Walter Bentley, whose Wilfrid Denver was very highly regarded when the popular actor paid a former visit to Auckland. The part is one that admirably suits Mr Bentley. He was really fine in the scene where he thinks he has murdered Geoffrey Ware, and in the dream scene he also rose grandly to the occasion. His pathos was as good as his passion, and altogether his interpretation was an excellent one. Miss Ada Woodhill—who, it will be remembered, was a member of the Moore-Roberts Company in Auckland about twelve months ago—was the N ellie Denver. - Miss Woodhill has undoubtedly made much progress since she was last here, and she invested the part with a good deal of individuality. Mr Johnson Weir worked very hard as Elijah Coombe, the old Jew marine store dealer and rascally villain, and Mr Orlando Daly was a very capable “ Spider,” or, to give him his proper name, Captain Skinner. Both these characterare familiar in melodrama, audit is perhaps bes cause we are accustomed to meet them so often that we fail to observe any striking originality in either representation. Miss Helen Gibson, as the “ Spider’s ” unhappy wife, did well and looked handsome. Denver’s faithful old retainer Jaikes was in the hands of Mr L. de Chateau, who, though he rather overdid the semblance of senile decay, acted well. Space is limited, and therefore I cannot mention every member of the Company’s cast, but I may say that the Cissy of little Miss Ethel Lorking was a very promising performance, and that earnestness and attention to detail marked the interpretation of every character. The stage management was good and the scenery effective, and I am sure Mr Bentley

deserved the appreciation bestowed upon him by the gratified audience. “ The Silver King ” was played again on Tuesday and last nights. This evening “ David Garrick ” will be produced, followed by “ Othello ” on Friday, and the Very laughable “ Dr Bill ” on Saturday. Miss Dora Judson’s pianoforte recital at the Choral Hall on Monday night was well patronised, and the numbers who were present enjoyed a rare musical treat. The talented young lady was assisted by Miss Alice Batger, Mons, de Willimoff and Mr Horace Stebbing, and. the consequence was that the concert was a delightful success.

A voice from the pit on Tuesday night when Wilfrid Denver is remorsefully accusing himself of murdering Geoffrey Ware: “ Never mind, mate, we know you didn’t do it !”

The Cornwall Family of Bellringers and Musicians have just completed a tour of the Taranaki districts They had bad luck to strike wretched weather, and hence business was not of the best. — (Taranaki Correspondent).

Our Christchurch dramatic correspondent writes :—“ The Happy St Georges,” opened here on Thursday. The show is not half bad. Consists of a mixture of kinematograph, myriorama, songs, dances and humourous sketches Horace St George is a clever young artist, and is assisted by his wife, and another lady, the possessor, like Buttercup, of “ a plump and pleasing person.” Your old friend Harry Baxter is managing. I had a few minutes chat with him on Thursday morning. He explained that he is waiting the return of Mr Northcote, who has gone Home and to the Paris Exhibition, in quest of novelties. When he comes back Harry will rejoin him. This will be in about five months’ time. Meanwhile Mr Baxter is running the St George’s, and I think they are to be congratulated on having ' secured the services of so capable and popular a manager. Talking of Northcote Mr Baxter said to me : “ He’s after real novelties. If ho can’t get hold of something really up to-date he’ll dig down into ancient history and secure something so old that it will be just as good as new.” Mr Northcoteis to be commended for his enterprise and ingenuity. I have no doubt that whatever hejbrings back will oatchon in New Zealand, for he had made his name with the amusementloving public. . . . Ran up against Fred Duval to-day, and was delighted to hear the Pollards (who open here on the 6th, Wednesday) intend to play a two-week season at the Royal. They open in “ lhe Geisha,” and follow it up with “The Gay Parisienne” and other old favourites. But for the plague scare the Company would be over on the other side now. So, you see, it’s an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. Thanks to the plague we get the Pollards ' putting in a fortnight with us as an extra and unexpected attraction.

Mr T. Niell, a. popular member of the Auckland Ori: ket Club, left for South Africa on Monday last, to try his luck there; He has been an active player here for eight years, and has put up some very fair performances with the bat. He captained the Auckland Cricket Club XV in 1898 99 and was vice-captain of the Senior XI last season ; he also represented his province on two occasions. Mrr Niell accompanys him, she has been a live member of the Parnell Lawn Tennis Club for a number of years.