The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 512, 11 October 1900, Page 9

The STAGE

£Bv

Paul Pry.]

•• Pam Pry” will be glad to hear from those managers at theatrical companies touring ■ New Zealand who -desire that the public shall know the movements of the come magian- Any information as to dates, etc., will be acknowledged 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 8 WVIBW, Vulcan l Lane. Auckland.

An agitation against the music hall agent is Spreading in England. The time of this superuous and vulgar personage, as he exists in London, is come, and soon, it is hoped, he will nnly be.a memory—a horrid, haunting recollection. The average agent’s commission from vaudeville performers , is 10 per cent, and it is a known fact that there are six agents in London who collect in commissions among them not less than £lOOO every Monday morning; and they don’t do anything for it. That’s the worst part of the whole transaction They get some unfortunate artists—Why the average music hall person hasn’t up to dale asserted himself and fought these so-called agents is a mystery—on their books send them to managers (to whom they oould go without an introduction if these idlers and middlemen did not exist) and draw big bonuses for nothing It’s about tune some* thing was done in the matter. Miss Nellie Stewart, before her departure for Australis, entertained at her London house at an “ at home ” a very big crowd of notabilities. The aristocracy and upper Bohemia were largely represented. Many Australians were present. Mim Stewart’s house is called “ The Mia Mia,” a.n<j many very funny definitions and translations of the word are given in the English papers —all wrong ones. ITh Howie, the well-known contralto, was redly entertained at a farewell concert, at Gisborne, on Thursday evening. The talented aingar shortly leaves Christchurch for the Old Country, and, therefore, the people of her native town did their utmost to give her a whole-hearted send-off. Mv George Musgrove has arrived in Melbourne, and in answer to an interviewee he •aid the company included representatives of nine nationalities, and consisted of eighty people, of whom no fewer than forty, were of the orchestra. Mt Musgrove went on to say, “We will open in the Princess’ Theatre, Melbourne. J have made complete arrangements for a good season there. As soon as possible after our

arrival in Victoria we will come before the public. I have engaged the Grand Opera Company for six months, and during that time the public will be supplied with the beet we can give. The Grand Opera Company will play for six weeks in Melbourne, and then go to Sydney. Afterwards arrangements will be made for visiting Ade'aide and elsewhere. The engagement of the people m the company is for six months, but the time may be extended. To start with we will give ‘ Faust,’ • Carmen,’ *Il Trovatore,’ ‘ Maritana,’ ‘ The Bohemian Girl,’ ‘ Lohengrin,’ ‘ Tannhauser ’ —which has never been produced in Australia—and ‘ Satanella.’ After the Grand Company vacates the Princess, Mies Nellie Stewart with a Comic Opera Company, will take possession with the “ Scarlet Feather,” which will run up to Christmas, when it will give way to pantomime.” Mr Alfred Dampier’s “ Macbeth,” at the Sydney Criterion, has been very highly commended by the critics. Mr Ben Fuller entered the holy bonds of matrimony on Saturday last. After the honeymoon is over he is expected to pay Auckland a visit. Mr P. R. Dix has taken over the Alhambra Theatre, Dunedin, from Mr John Fuller, and hereafter will do business in the Scottish City without opposition.

Our Southern friends will, without extend a hearty welcome to little Eileen Boyd, and she should keep things booming for Mr Dix wherever she appears. Fuller’s Bijou Company have a trump card in the Flying Jordans, and Charles Fanning with Miss Georgia Devoe are sure to draw. Charlie Hugo, the veteran comedian, is once more with us. He keeps his end up as of yore. Mr Dix is most happy in his selection of artists, and the De Vella Sisters with Miss Ethel Clifford make a welcome addition to the strength of his company. The “ Yeomen of the Guard ” is a most tuneful and pretty opera, and the Auckland Amateurs are fortunate in their choice. Large houses are certain, for they could hardly have struck a more opportune date, as playgoers have now to depend so much on local effort. The caste is a strong one, and the scenery is being specially prepared. Mr Walter Biven was accorded a splendid reception on his re-appearance with the Gaiety Company in Auckland.

Miss Lili Sharp possesses a voice of great sweetness and purity, pleasing the critics immensely. It is difficult, however, to .a large concert audience- in Auckland, and little encouragement is offered high-class musicians to visit us. M. Bafalewski is a pianist with wonderful execution, and at the same time a violinist of no mean order. A successful farewell concert was given in the Y M.C.A. Hall on Tuesday evening

Concerning the London season, the Daily Mail says:—“There .is no probability of Mr Pinero making his re-appearanoe, but he has been preparing the ground for a new piece, and has probably by this time * got it in his head;’ Mr H. A. Jones, on the other hand, will provide new plays for Mr Wyndham and the Duke of York’s Theatre. We shall see a new piece by Mr J. M. Barrie—a most important event; Mr Gundry ‘ fills the bill ’ at the St James’s, and Captain Marshall will have a new comedy performed at the Haymarket. Mr Haddon Chambers should in the not too distant future have a production at the St James’s. Mr Esmond’s ‘ When We Were Twenty-one ’ may, perhaps, be brought over by Mr Bat Goodwin. Very appetising, too, is the announcement of a new and original poetical play at Her Majesty’s, ‘ Herod,’ by Mr Stephen Phillips, probably the only poet of to-day, except Swinburne, of course, who rises above the ‘ minor.’ It is for this play that Mr King Hedley has been engaged.

The seating and also standing capacity of the Opera House was taxed to its utmost for three nights during race week, and on the occasion of the Wanganui Pops. The programme was comprised of songs, dances, jigs, etc. Mr James Driscol, who made his appearance in his invisible slack wire act, was loudly applauded. Miss Rose Olifford also made her first appearance and scored a decided success. Mr Charles Naylor was in great form, especially in the final act, “ Snorkey,” in which he was assisted by Mr Charles Voss. The Adelphi Dramatic Company were also playing here during race week at the Oddfellow's Hall and had fairly good houses. Mr Edwin Geach has booked the Opera House for the Ist November for the return visit of Mr Donald McDonald, war correspondent. . . The British Biogzaph Company open their Wanganui season at the Opera House on the 10th . . ... Mr Charles Voss has received a cable from Mr Charles Holloway, fixing his dates for the Wanganui season,, during March races, commencing on the 4th and terminating on the 9th. . . . Mr J. 0. Williamson’s Dramatic Co. have booked the Opera House for a nine night’s season, commencing on December 20th, when “Trilby,” “The Christian,” “The Three Muskateers,” and “ Teas ” will be produced.— (Wanganui Corresdondent.) Notwithstanding the fact that little Eileen Boyd has left the City Hall, the place has been well filled night after night. Miss Alice Layton, Miss Olive Lenton, Mr Sam Gale, Messrs Adson, Craydon, and Holland, and the ever popular Leslie Brothers keep up the attractiveness excellently. On Saturday night Mr Walter Bivers made his re-appearance. Last night (Wednesday) the J e Vella Sisters, vocalists and dancers, were to make their first appearance here. They do a boxing turn which is described as really excellent, That clever trio, .Messrs Adson, Craydon, and Holland, continue to amuse the people immensely, and there are not two opinions about their ability and agility. Miss Alice Layton’s sweet singing and Miss Lenton’s dashing humour are always received with much favour.

The Liedertafel concert last Friday was, as . is usual, very well attended, and a delightful .: evening’s entertainment was gone through. The part songs were excellently rendered. “ The Chorus of Spirits and Hours,” from Shelley’s “ Prometheus Unbound,” composed by Dudley Buck, was highly appreciated, as was the Same composer’s “ Bugle Song.” Miss Hettie Evans and Mr W. Musker wore the soloists for the evening, and both did well. Mr Towsey’s conducting was, of course, admirable, and there is no doubt that the members of the Liedertafel owe a great deal to his untiring efforts. To-night (Thursday) there will be a performance of Mendelssohn’s oratorio “ Elijah ” at St James’ Hall. One hundred and twenty performers will take part. The production is in aid of the St James’ Twentieth Century Fund. The Fuller show, at the Agricultural Hall, is booming tremendously. The Flying Jordans are a great draw, and night after night the hall has been packed. Little Venus, in her new act/■ “ The Leap for Life,” keeps one’s nerves at tension, and the applause she receives at the conclusion is deafening. Fuller’s is an excellent show, and should not be missed by anybody. Last night (Wednesday), the re-appearance of Mr Charlie Fanning and Miss Georgie Devoe was announced. The popular comedians are sure of a very hearty welcome from Aucklanders. Otherwise, too, the bill of fare at the Agricultural Hall is excellent, for Miss Eva Wilson* and the Misses Thorne and Dell are still very strong favourites. /./* That delightful songstress Miss Lili Sharp gave a matinee at the Y.M.O.A. Hall yesterday— Wednesday—-afternoon. The talented soprano has quite captivated the hearts of all music lovers, in Auckland, and it is to be hoped that we may hear her again before she leaves Auckland. Her concert on Tuesday night was well attended, and both her singing and the playing of Mons. Bafelewski and Mr Williamson's vocal efforts were. all listened to with deep interest by a critical audience.

For not getting a permit allowing her child to perform, the mother of Eileen Boyd was on Monday fined £lO by the Auckland Stipendiary Magistrate. “ Daisy of Ours ” by Mr Henry Gray pro* duced by the Catholic Literary Society at St Benedict’s Hall on Wednesday in last week proved a worthy succession to the clever author’s “ Wreck of the Saucy Puss.” The lines spatkle with wit/ and the local allusions are excellent. The Society ought certainly to give another performance.