The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 609, 25 September 1902, Page 10

The STAGE

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BOOKINGS. ~•'■< / Opera House, Auckland : September 22 to October 13- Geo. Musgrove’s Compan; October 18 to November 22—Pollard Opera Company , December 26 to January 21—Geach-Willoupbby Co. JHis®Ma.jesTy’s Theatre.JAuokland December 26—Opening night, J. C. Williamson Com pany, 4 weeks. January 27 to February 14, 1903—Frank horntoi X' ■' i Comedy Company March 16 to April 4—Hawtrey Comedy Company. April 11, 4 weeks—Holloway Dramatic Company Opera-House, r October 13,14 and 15—Gerardy Concert Company , October 18 to November 6—Geo. Musgrove lAladdm/vi November 7to 22-J. C. Williamson Co. November 24 to December 6—Geach-Willoughby Co. December 26 to January 2„l9o3—Chas. Holloway Co. February 24 to March 14, 19C3—Frank Thornton Co. April 11 to May 2, 1903—J. C. Williamson Co. May 4 to. 30, 1903— Hawtrey Comedy Company . / Theatre Royal, Christchurch : . ■ November 14 to 22—Geach-Willoughbv Comedy Co. November 24 to December I—J. C. Williamson Co. December 2 to 13—Musgrove’s Pantomime Company December 16 to 23—Harry Bickaids No. 2 Company. December 26 to January B—Frank Thornton Corned' Company January 26 to February 7—C. Holloway Dramatic C Princess Theatre, Dunedin;’ October 25 to November 7—Geach-Willoughby Compan November 10 to 29—Musgrove Pantomime Company , December 1 to 18—Frank Thornton Comedy Company December 26 to January 22—Pollard Opera Co. ’(■ January 24 to February 14—Hawtrey Comedy Co. Feb 14 to March 13 —Holloway Dramatic Company Dix’s Gaiety Co. nightly at the City Hall. Auckland Aloambba Theatre, Dunedin , Opeba House, Christchurch ; Theatre Royal. Wellington. The musical sketch, “A Dress {Rehearsal,” was very successfully performed by some lady amateurs in aid. of the funds of St. {Mary’s Women Guild in the Parish Hal), Parnell, on Friday evening. There was a large and appreciative audience. . The play (words by G. R. r Sims, and music by Louis Diehl) represents a dress rehearsal of “Cinderella,” by the pupils of Miss Jones’ school, and the amusing situations arising from the misconception of a good natured visitor who mistakes the lamentations of Cinderella for cruel conduct on the part of Miss Jones, and calls in a constable to arrest that \ lady, ihe following were the'performers taking p»rt: —Miss Jones (Principal of Grove House Academy), Mrs Cooper ; Mrs Jarvey (Elocution Mistress), Mrs J. L. B. Bloomfield ; Mademoiselle Epinard (French Governess'., Mrs Hugh Wright; Miss Prudence Pinchbeck (a Visitor), Mies Harding; Roea Jennings (afterwards Fairy Godmother), Miss Maud , Howard ;; Amy Fibba (afterwards Cinderella), Miss G. Hunt; Clara Wilkins (afterwards the Prince), Miss Cooper; Sarah Ann (the Greedy Girl),l Miss O. Lusk; Sophonisba Spivins (the romantic Girl), Miss 1 L. Kies ing ; Martha Higgins, Miss M. White; Clara Jackson (afterwards Spiteful Sisters), Mrs Nichol; Humpie, Mies D. Gilfillan ; Servant, Mias J. Ireland. Th® pianist, Mrs S. Jackson, and. the conductor, Mr 8. Jackeon, also con-

tributed much to thA t uccesa of the performance Many of the musical numbers were encored, the tisteful melodies all receiving excellent interpietation. - # . # * « I The Auckland Liedertafel gave their third concert for the present season at the Choral Hall on Friday evening last. In spite of a very wet night the hall was crowded. The programme submitted wss varied and good. The Society were quite up to their excellent standard, and were heard at their best in their rendering of Dudley Birch’s part song, “In Vccal Oombat.” This item includes two well-known melodies. The tenors led off with a verse of “Then You’ll Remember Me,” and the basses followed with a verse of “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.” In the third verse both sets of voices were heard together in their own particular melody, and the effect was remarkably fine, lhe harmonv of the two airs when sung together was very effective, the singers doing full justice to the efforts of the composer of the clever part song. This number received great applause, and was fully appreciated by the audience. The Society’s remaining contributions were the part songs, “ The Village Blacksmith” (Hatton), “Liberty” (Paliard), “The Long Day Closes” (Sullivan), “Harold Harfager ” (Werner), “ Evening ” ( ibt), “ Love Reigneth Over All” (Elsaseer), and “Tar’s Song ” (Hatton). Madame Chambers sang three items, which were new, and her sweet and able rendering received well-merited appl use. They

were “A Moonlight Song” {(De Koven) and the bracketed numbers, “My Heart and Lute ” (Kjerulf) and “ The Answer .” (Bohm), each item being encored. Mr T B< Rpwe bias) contributed in pleasing s'yle “ I Fear No Foe” and “The Mighty Deep,” having to respond to an encore for the latter solo. Two instrumental trios for clarionet, ’cello and piano were given by Messrs Hooper, Plummer and Towsey. The concert was Conducted by Mr Arthur Towsey, who also played the accompaniments for the soloists. Mr H. O. Simmonds accompanied some of the Liedertifel part songs on the piano. “Th J Painted Woman ” is the last new play prcducad in J ondon. 't he heroine is so called frcm her pink and white complexion. , <he o ening scene is in Queensland, where the hfTOine’s father keeps a low gambling house and sale on, and forces her to sing and dance to amuse the rough habitues. Afterwards she becomes a fami.us actress in Australia and England, but retains her Queensland sobriquet An exchange says “ the play may only turn out to be a conventional melodrama, but the title is attractive at this time, when every woman paints more or less ” * ♦ ♦ # Messrs Callahan ' and Mack, the clever delineators of Irish character who are at present touring New Zealand under engagement to Mr P. R. Dix, have had a new play written for them b, Mr Hal Beid. It will bear the same title as the charming little playlet with which they have delighted the patrons of the Christchurch Boyal during their 15 nights’ season at that house, viz , “The Old Neighbourhood.” There are twelve characters in the cast, the two principal parts being played by Messrs Callahan and Mack, and are on the same lines as in their little sketch. It is the intention of Messrs Callahan and Mack to form a company on their return to America for a lengthy tour of that country, after which Australia and New Zealand will be visited. * * «• «■ An open evening for visitors in connection with Mr W. H. Webbe’s School of Music was held last Thursday evening. The overture, Weber’s “ Oberon,” arranged as a piano quartette, was excellently played by Misses M. Anderson, E. and G. Spooner, and M. Webbe, who were amongst the successful candidates in passing the senior division in pianoforte playing at the recent T.O.L. examination. The piano soles, viz, Beethoven’s fins “ Sonata, op 7, No, 4,” Chopin’s beautiful “ Nocturne, op. 37, No. 2,” and a charming “ Barcarolle,” by Rubenstein, were played by Miss Madeline Mitchell in an artistic manner This young lady, who has been a pupil of Mr Webbe’s for some time past, was the only candidate in Auckland this year who was successful in obtaining the diploma of associate pianiste, T C.L. A beautiful serenade (Lowe)’ was splendidly rendered on two pianos by Misses Mitchell and Webbe. The visitors’ items included Mascheroni’o “ Ave Marie,” most effectively rendered by Miss L. Condon, a young lady who possesses a pleasing contralto voice. The violin, organ, and piano accompaniment added to the charm of this popular sacred song. Miss Sybil Lewis’ violin solos, “Aria”’(by Bach) and “Spanish Dance” (by Sarasate) were much appreciated. Mr Hamilton Hodges delighted his hearers with his rendition of Beethoven’s cantata, “ Adelaida,” and Noel Johnson’s “ lhe Rose ” and “-'J he River by the Sea.” During the interval Mr Webbe expressed pleasure in announcing that at the recent theoretical and practical examinations held in connection with both the Associated Board, R.A M and R.C.M., and Trinity College, London for which results have been.announced, the whole of his and Mias Spooner’s pupils who

had entered had passed, most of them with honours «nd dis'inction. ■» . * * . * Our Wellington correspondent wrie? under date September 18th that Biokarc s’Vaudeville Coxnpa y opened on Tuesday night- - at .the Theatre Boyal to a splendid house, she turn of the Jackson F mily was the most popular item oh the programme,] and they were vociferously recalled, each time responding with somethingbetter until they seemed fairly tired out. It is. an artistic turn, and will live in the annals of the colonial stage. So also will that clever team of young acrobats, Derenda and Breen, whose club swinging is a perfect revelation, and must be seen to be appreciated. Fagan and Byron, & decidedly clever sketch team, with some clever songs composed by Barney Fagan, work up a very clever sketch, and during their turn disclose some very pretty dresses. Winton and McGinty are als • entitled to some praise for their very clever work. Miss Jennie Obie, the Clarence Sisters and Miss Neva Oarr-Giynn with another latest bioscope fill up a very attractive bill, in which there is not a dull moment. ~ . . Kelly and Ashby’s World Entertainers-Opened at the Opera House on Monday last to a good house, and business is very good. There are two brilliant items in the bill in acrobatic work, namely, that of Kelly and ishby, the bounding biUiardiste, whose turn was loudly applauded. The other turn, that of Morris and Wilson in a slightly altered version of Sam Kee’s laundry, fairly entitles them to lejoice under the cognomen of “the boneless wonders,” Dorothy Boberts and her coons do not seem to find much favour from the wilder portion of the audience. Percy .’ James, Beryl Gilman and Ivy Fulton assisted to pass a pleasant evening. ... The Van Burg Dramatic Company arej playing “ Struck Oil ” this week at the Federal, and the inauguration of cheap drama has added considerably to the coffers of the management. . . . The Coronation Kinematograph Company , a local enterprise, have secured a number of films of the Coronation, and will show them at the Opera House, opening, on September 26tli. The season closes on October 10th.—(No.) ABBOTT’S OPERA HOUSE. Abbott’s Opera House in Wellesley-street has just undergone a very grsat alteration, and as at present 'constructed will form one of the most up-to-date play houses in the colony, and a great improvement on the old style, both for visiting artists and the theatre going public. 1 he contractor, Mr W E. Hutchison, has just handed over the building up to contract time. The theatre has been altered extensively, and done up from end to end. The whole of the interior was stripped, dress circle and all; before the actual work of alteration was begun. On the ground floor the orchestral stalls have been increased by three more rows, and the pit has been abolished, the stalls now stretching'right back to the eastern wall. The ground floor wi l now have seating accommodation for some 850 persons. lhe dress circle has been remodelled, and will seat some 280 people, there being seven tiers of seats. The slope or the fl o- has aleOi been increased, so that those at the back have a better view than formerly, while those at either end cf the circle have a full view of the stage. The old seats are in use, but they h-ye been done up neat and tastefully. The staircase leading to the circle has not been altered. The cloak-rooms have been thoroughly renovated, while fire escapes lead on to the new balcony m Wellesleyetreet. There are sin private boxes, three on either side of the house. Those on the ground floor are.entered from the orchestral stalls, whilst the/ four upper boxes (on the dress circle and amphitheatre levels) are all approached.by stairs

- . - Ij. liAjfeW leading out of the dress circie. ’X'he uinpni theatre, or upper circle, is a complete innovation. It is constructed on the same principle as the dress circle, it# front row being some 18ft below the roof, which has been raised 10ft, and is fitted with approved ventilators. The dip of the amphitheatre is also considerable, thus ensuring an uninterrupted view from the back. There is seating accommodation here for fully 500 people. Wide benches constitute! the seven tiers ot s%ats, and aisles are formed by steps leading down the centres and aisles, bix feet have been added on to the depth of the stage by taking down a painted frame at the back and bringing forward the proscenium, which is now square. There are five new dressing-rooms above the stage, fitted with every convenience, while those downstairs have been thoroughly done up. It is the intention of the proprietors to have the whole theatre fitted with electric ighting there will be lights throughout the auditorium, and 27 lights in the dome, while electric fans will be placed in the dress circle. Oyer the entrances a handsome new verandah has been erected as a shelter. This verandah has a fine balcony, available for a promenade for dress circle and private box patrons, and valuable m case of fire. Above the verandah will be placed a 2,500 candle-power arc light, and below two 2,000 candle-power lights. The whole of the work has been carried * out under the supervision of Mr A. P. Wilson, architect, from sketches made by the Hon. W. Pitt, which were adopted by Mr Wilson to meet requirements. DIX’S GAIETY COMPANY. The usual change or programme was submitted at the City Hall by Dix’s Gaiety Company, including new items for all the performers and artists. Large houses are still the order of the -day (or night) of this popular people’s show. The first pait of the programme is as follows : — Overture, “La Perouse,” Gaiety orchestra; opening chorus, “ dally Ho,” Gaiety Company; comic song, Booms to Let,” Mr lim Howard ; serio comiic, “ Mary Green,” Miss Olive Lenton ; descriptive song, “Way of the World,” Mr George t)ean; comic song, “ Hip Hooray,” Mr Fred nivenhall; ballaa, “When We Meet,” Miss Alice Layton; finale, “ lhe Sharpshooter,” characters by Messrs Dean, Eivennall and Howard. In the second part, after a selection by the orchestra, Miss dive Lenton is heard in one of her .favourite serio songs, for which she has to respond to a number of loudly demanded encores, <■ In the song, “ In the Pale Moonlight,” she made a decided hit. Miss Ethel Gwynne and Mr George Dean are very happy in their comedy sketch, “ A Game of .Life.” Mr Tom Woottwell received a great ovation on his ap- ' pearance, and contributed three items, which were fully! appreciated, his comic songs, clever ( contortions and antics being applauded to the echo* Miss Emily Lyndale, an English serio, was also a great favourite judging by the recep tion given nightly Messrs Manvers and Wood in their songs and banjo items are pleasing. Mr Tim Howard, a comedian small in statue but large in voice, fun and merriment, makes a gre.xt hit, and causes much laughter by his songs and dances. The programme closes with a number of first-class animated pictures by the Edispnograph, and on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings there was presented for the first time in Australasia a living reproduction of the Coronation of King Edward VII. ana Queen Alexandra.

Un Wednesday afternoon a special matinee was given to enable the school children to see the Coronation pictures, which at the time form one of the greatest events in British history. Last night (Wednesday) several new artists were billed to make their first appearance in New Zealand, including the Harvey Boys, who are described as the Great Boxing Comedy Team, . and who have a very big reputation on the other side, the Sisters Smith, and Mr George Bentley, comedian and end man. NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY/ Mr G. H. Barnes, advance agent for Mr Musgrove’s new English Comic Opera Company, arrived this week from Sydney to make arrangements for the New Zealand tour of the Company, Mr Barnes informed me that Mr Musgrove regretted very much to have to disappoint New Zealanders m not being able to send “Sweet Nell” as arranged,but owing to the indisposition of Miss Stewart, who has been too severely shaken since her father’s death, and now with her mother dying and her sister seriously ill, it is imperative that she should remain near them. Mr Musgrove, however, promises a visit of Miss Nellie Stewart and “Sweet Nell” early next year. So as to keep faith with the theatre-going public, the management have decided to send the present Comic Opera Company th ough New Zealand at an enormous expense, and cancelling Australian dates. 'J he plays to be presented will be “uhe Chinese Honeymoon” and “The Thirty Thieves,” which have been creating such a success and furero in Sydney and Melbourne. The cast is an especially strong one, inc uding Miss May Beatty, Miss Josephine Stanton, Messrs Edward Lauri. Foster Courtenay, W. B. bhirley, J. O. Piddock, and other well-known and star artists. There is a grand opera chorus of 60 voices. The scenery by Messrs Goatcher and Coleman is said to be the bast ever presented in Australasia. We are sorry to say that only a short season will be allotted to Auckland, and will be limited to seven nights, opening at Abbott’s Opera House on October 6th. • * a A. St. Hill’s American Club Show have removed to Dunblane Hall, where they are producing their biograph show twice nightly before large and appreciative audiences. The pictures include the world’s champion prizefight betweenjJefferies add Fitzsimmons, eight rounds of which arr very clearly shown by animated pictures reproducing the actual fight. A match between Dixon and McGovern is also shown, and a number of comic and interesting views of athletic performances and contests. The show is particularly interesting to sporting enthusiast;. Another novel item has been added in the programme, viz., a wrestling match with a live bear by gthe trainer, Paul Hunger, and the performance of “ Horace,” a trained monkey. The management have arranged to show the great Corbett fight in a few days and other new pictures. ♦ * ,* » Our Sydney correspondent v rites :—Theatre Boyal— l< A Chinese Honeymoon ” is still being played to crowded houses. I am informed by Mr T. Hudson, manager for Mr Geo. Musgrove, that Miss Nellie Stewart will be unable to visit New Zealand at present owing to the death of her father and the present illness of her mother. Mr Musgrove, rather than disappoint the Nev?

Zealand public, intends sending the “ A Chinese Honeymoon ” Company, which will leave here on the Ist October. The New Zealand public will have much pleasure in seeing Miss May Beatty play the part of Fi Fi, in which she has been .such a great success. The company is a very strong one, and should prove a great success in New Zealand. . . . Palace Theatre —Mr J., C. Williamson’s Company is now playing “ The Belle of New York ” to crowded houses. The cast is an exceedingly strong one. . . . Lyceum Theatre—At the Lyceum Bland Holt is now playing “ Riding to Win.” It is drawing large audiences lhe excitement of the sensational cycle-racing scene, in which a number of professional riders “ pedal fast and urious,” and the fun evolved from the part of the Australian “ contingenter,” by Mr Bland . Holt, chiefly winning applause. . . . Criterion Theatre—“A Lady Slavey” is now entering upon its seventh week, and has had a very suecessful season throughout Saturday next a change of programme is to be made'with “ The Genial Mrs Goldstein.” Herein Mr John Sheridan will appear as Rachel Mendoza, with Miss Celia Davis as the married daughter and Mr Charles Kenningham as the errant husband. . . Tivoli Theatre —Mr Wallace Brownton had a great reception on bis first appearance under Mr Harry Rickards’ management. The programme at present is a very strong one, the theatre being crowded every night. STAGE POOR NOTES. Another change of at the City Hall. « * ♦ * Mr George Riga old passed through Auckland last Friday en route for England via America. » * w • Mr Frank Rais, whom New Zealanders will remember visited the colony as stage manager for Mr Anderson’s No. 2 Dramatic Company, is now engaged in the same capacity for Mr Dan Barry’s Company touring Victorian provinces. ♦ » «■ * Miss May Beatty’s “ I Want to be a Lydy ” in “ A Chinese Honeymoon ” is said to be the success of the piece, and is responsible for four or five encores every evening. «. ♦ * There is a boom in the musical comedy line in Sydney at present. No less than three theatres are given over to the joys of this merry form of entertainment. • * - » » • An exchange says that Sir Henry Irving is to produce “ Olivia,” “Charles L,” “Louis XL,” “The Bell's,” and “Waterloo” during his Australian tour. • • ® ft, Mrs Brough’s first appearance was in 1879, when she Splayed Buttercup in “Pinafore” with D’Oyley Carte’s Opera Company at the London Savoy. ’■■•’ • • ~ -- -- Mr Philip Newbury and Mdme. Emily Spada were to leave Sydney for England by the s.s. Oh ; na on the 20th inst.

Miss May Beatcy will play the principal part in “The Fortune Teller” whan it is produced .V- 1 by Mr Musgrove’s Company. *'* * a New pictures at the £t. Hill Club Show'll Biograph. New artiste at the City Hall, including “ The Harvey Bays,” described ae the great boxing i team, the Sisters Smith, and Mr Geo. Bentley, i'-’?- »'» « * Tom Woottwell was accorded a bumper house- Sji on his last appearance at the City Hall on. '< Tuesday night. ' • * * * ft ' “ A Pasteboard Crown ” is the title of a novel , “ of stage life by Miss Clara Morris, the American actreee, whose autobiography created a sensation , in the literary world in the early part of thia .j--year. Cuzler Hastings, the American actor importedby Mr Williamson to play the title role in “ Sherlock Holmes,” has made a Jjbig hit in Australia. . ■. . ■ • ■-.•■•.•nW Southern papers speak very highly of the duo, .;<£ Callahan and <Mack, who are to appear at the- 7 City Hall shortly. * «’ * * * ' Madame Melba has arrived in Australia, and has had a magnificent reception. What chiefly concerns us is as to whether or no we are to •. have the pleasure of hearing her in New and when. ♦ # * • Madame Lydia Yeamans-Titus, the clever lady ' recently here with the Cinquevalli Company, $ and Mr Titus were through passengers by the Sierra to ’Frisco last Friday. ft * * * “ A Chinese Honeymoon ” will be the piece on October 6th at Abbott’s Opera House, a,- • * • * • Miss Ada Ferrar and Mr Percy Brough appearing in “ A Woman of Impulse ” at theLondon Comedy. * * • « Mr Wallace Brownlow has joined the Sydney Tivoli under Mr Bickards’ management. * * * * ■ v-X‘ The latest London “Stage” says that Sir J;; Henry Irving’s visit to Australia will probably take place in 1904. * • * Miss Josephine Stanton was out of the cast of “A Chinese Honeymoon” at the Boyal for . several nights, owing to a bad throat, and her . i place as Soo Soo was filled by Miss Daisy Davis.' - • • The Janet Waldorf Company, which has been ; reformed in Melbourne, and includes a number of well-known and capable performers, Will leave ■ .the city named by the Ophir on, the 14th of next month, its destination being India. After playin? there, the company will go to Burman, China, Japan, Honolulu, and America.