THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 523, 27 December 1900, Page 9

THE STAGE

[By

PAUL PRY.

•• Pam Pry” will be glad to hear from those managers at theatrical companies touring New Zealand who desire Bat the public shall know the movements of the come main Any information as to dates, etc., wiU be acknowledged in these columns, as well as any other items of interest to the theatrical world. All letters should be addressed— •’Paul Pry," Sportins and dramatic B»ViHW, Vulcan iLane. Auckland.

The Georgia Magnet, who achieved a great triumph in Sydney, has lately been attracting tremendous audiences to the Melbourne Bijou.

The censor of plays in the Lord Chamberlain’s office has refused to issue a license for the production in England of the Biblical play * Joseph of Canaan,” written by the Bev George Walters, a Unitarian Minister, formerly of Victoria, in collaboration with Mr George Rignold, and produced some years ago at the Theat e Royal, Melbourne. The first performance of Mr Stephen Phillips* Eoetical drama, “Herod,” at Her Majesty’s, tondon, by Mr Beerbohm Tree, aroused a feeling of the liveliest interest. Mr Phillips’ play contains three acts and one scene only. This represents the entrance to the private apartments in Herod’s palace. The entire action takes place in what may be called the Hall of Audience, whence the spectator, looking down from the eminence on which the palace is set, is able to descry the city of Jerusalem. A bridge spans a deep gorge, separating this hill from one visible in the backgrou d. In his first two acts the author deals with the tragedy of Mariamne’s death; in the last with the madness of Herod himself. Each act contains a special spectacular feature. In the first We have the Tabernacle procession, a picture of extraordinary magnificence, heightened by the presence of numberless worshippers, bringing with them offerings of fruit and grain and carrying palm leaves in their hands. The second act is conspicious for its wonderful “mob” scene, wherein the infuriated citizens, making a bead long entrance across the bridge, are opposed by Herod’s followers. Here we may expect an effect not less striking than that created by the crowd ip the forum scene of Julius Cssar. For the third act is reserved a tableau of singular and profound pathos. The mad Herod sits upon his throne in the Hall of Audience, mooculy brooding over past events. To distract his thougts graceful dancers and exquisite singers are introduced, but all to no purpose. Then come artificers from al! parts of the world, bringing gold and priceless jewels, emeralds, rubies, turquoises and pearls, designed for the beautifying of the temple, which Herod has promised io rebuild. Yet their endeavors to attract the King’s attention are also futile. At last the embalmed body of Mariamne is borne in, and the distracted Herod throws himself on the inanimate form of the woman whose death he had himself contrived. “Banjo” Paterson’s lectures at House have been very well attended, and

ception given him has been hearty in the extreme. Mr Paterson has interested those who have attended his lectures immensely, and from time to time he has amused with humorous descriptions of events which have come under bis ken. On Tuesday evening his subject was “ The Empire’s Call, or the New Zealanders and Australians in Action.” Naturally this was highly appreciated by Aucklanders, for Mr Paterson repeated all the good things said of the colonials by the various generals under whose command they have served. On Friday the lecture was about “ The Ever-victorious ‘ Bobs ’ and Fighting Generals,*’ and wound up with “ Humours of an Army on the March ” Throughout the lectures were illustrated by some capital sketches and kinematograph pictures. Mr Paterson and Mr Smythe leave for Sydney at once.

On Saturday night, Bexo, the great equilibrist, will appear at Fuller’s Show at the Agricultural Hall. During the approaching holidays, Mr John Fuller will provide a great and varied entertainment. Plenty of new artistes are booked to appear during the next fortnight.

Harold Ashton has lately been touring in Western Australia with a War Biograph, The pictures he is showing are excellent.

On Boxing Night the City Hall will be gay with the new first-part scenery which has been painted by Mr L. Williams, the scenic artist of Pollard’s Opera Company.

Mies Maud Hewson io at the present time touring in Western Australia with the “ Two Worlds ” Company. Exchanges speak very highly of her singing and acting. On Monday, December 17, Mr John Fuller, junr., on behalf of Messrs John Fuller and >ons, formally took oyer the Wellington Ohoral Hall from the Choral Hall Company, the price paid for the building and grounds being £5260.

Mr Pete Hughes arrived in Auckland last Week, and has since been busy talking about the charms and capabilities of Nance O’Neil.

The Hodge and Harper Dramatic Company is now permanently settled at Wanganui. During the Christmas holidays the company will produce “ The c’ctroon.” During the past two months the success of the company has been very great. Good news for all! Miss Nance O’Neil appears here on Boxing night, December 26.

We are are promised some splendid war views for next Tue«day night at the Oity Hall.

Mr Fuller continues to hold the; Agricultural Hall with big success. New talent of great merit is coming along regularly. The price of admission to the show is absolutely low, and no wonder the crowds roll up every evening. The “ Demons,” viz., Lennon, Hyman, and Lennon, with a large number of other favorites have held crowded receptions The new first part “ Cruise of the Sunbeam,” makes an effective picture for the opening, and the entertainment all through is deserving of patronage*

Mr Dix is making great preparations for ’Xmas week, and from the array of talent assisting, there can be little doubt but that great support will be accorded him. The management can certainly not complain of the patronage accorded them of late, and last few days have been no exception. Messrs J. O. Bain,- Frank Clark and the other clever artists continue to attract splendid audiences, and one can spend a really pleasant evening with them at small cost Some first-class new talent is announced; from reports received, Joe Cowan’s appearance may be looked forward to be with pleasure. The entertainment to be provided on ’Xmas night should attract a great house, the bill of fare, including Chinese and Boer war views, io of the best.

The Nance O’Neil season promises very well, for.already a large number of seats have been booked for the opening and succeding nights. Wednesday (Boxing Night) is the first occasion on which we shall have the pleasure of seeing the talented American actress. The opening play is “ Magda.” Of Miss O’Neil’s acting in Sudermann’s work, an exchange spoke of the first night in Melbourne in the following terms : —Let it at once be said that Miss Nance O’Neil’s first appearance was a veritable triumph. The reputation that has preceded her, far from being exaggerated, has by no means done justice to her remarkable histrionic power. Gifted with a presence and a voice, a face and figure, sufficient in themselves to enable their possessor, given only moderate intelligence, to take high rank on the stage, she has in addition that faculty for realising a character which, in the actor, is genius. Free from the faintest suspicion of staginess, she is the kind of actress that is born, not made. If the promise of her first night in Melbourne be fulfilled throughout her stay, few will deny that we have had the opportunity of seeing, in the flower of her youth and freshness, an actress who is destined to recognition in the world centres as having been born to the imperial purple of the stage.