The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 662, 16 October 1902, Page 10

The STAGE

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BOOKINGS. Opera House, Auckland?: September 22 to October 13—- Geo. Musgrove’s Company October 18 to November Opera CompuLy December 26 to January (21—Geach- Willoughby Co. His Majesty’s Theatre, Aucklan December 26—Opening [night, J. C. Williamson • Com pany, 4 weeks. January 27 to February 14, 1903 —Frank hornton Comedy Company March 16 to April 4—Hawtrey Comedy Company.; April 11, 4 weeks—Holloway Dramatic Company, Opera House, ' October 13,14 and 15—Gerardy Concert Company , October 18 to November 6—Geo. Musgrove (.Aladdin;[Co November 7to 22—J. C. Williamson Co. November 24 to December 6—Geach-Willoughby Co. December 26 to January 2, 1903—Chas. Holloway Co. February 24 to March 14, 1903—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-Willoughby Comedy Co. November 24 to December I—J. C. Williamson Co. .... December 2to l3—Musgrove’s Pantomime Company i December 16 to 23—Harry Bickards No. 2 Company. _ December 26 to January B—Frank8 —Frank Thornton Comedy Company January 26 to February 7 —C. Holloway Dramatic C . r ■ Prinoebb Theatre. Dunedin October 25 to November 7—Geach-Willoughby Company November 10 to 29 —Musgrove Pantom me Company December 1 to IS—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 Diz’s Gaiety Co.-nightly at the City Hall. Auekla nd Alhambra Theatre, Dunedin, Opera House, Chri.-t--church ; Theatre Royal. Wellington. It is safe to predict that the Opera House will be crowded on Saturday evening, when the , Pollard Opera Company introduce to - our notice for the first time in Auckland “The Messenger Boy.” Until last week, this great London Gaiety success had not seen the light of day in Australia, Mr Pollard en;oys distinction of having been the first to stage it in Australasia and at Dunedin some four months ago. “The Messenger Boy” has had one succession of triumphs whereever 'staged in New Zealand, and Auckland is not likely to prove an exception to the rule.

Miss Alice Hollander is in Paris studying French. I "

To give some idea of popularity of “The Messenger ; Boy,” it.may be stated that it rjan for sixteen consecutive nights in Wellington, which on a population basis, would be equal to something like 1100 nights in London.

Our Napier correspondent writes : —A crowded house greeted the Pollard : Opera Company, who opened on Saturday night, October 4. The piece produced was Mr Tom Pollard’s great success “The Messenger Boy.” “The Messenger Boy” is practically bright and lively, and is full of genuine fun, the music is tuneful and catchy. the libretto cannot be described as remarkably witty, but, nevertheless*, abounds in humour, Mr W. S. Percy is ;ust as witty as .ever, and scored a hearty welcome on his first entrance. He impersonates the irrepressible Messenger Boy,' Tommy Bang, in nis own effervescent and inimitable way. Mr Ralston made a capital Hooker : Pasha; and in the capacity of that functionary's underling “Cosmos Bey, Mr J. O’Sullivan acquitted himself w ell. Mr Dave O’Conndr had a good part. Mr H. Quealy deserves to be highly complimented for his Captain Potts, and his solo, “They all . after Pott.” The Mrs Bang of Miss Edgar was very pleasing. Misses Buttel, A. -Pollard, N. 'Wilson, G. Campion, Karkeek, and others, all singing and acting well. .. Monday, October 6, “Florodora,” was staged with, great success, and drew a good house. ... The Wirth Bros.’ Circus opened on Tuesday and Weclnesday to good business. The various performances were well received, especially the Tiger Blondin ancl Howard Brothers, and Casinos. . . McDermott and Cooper’s Imperial Biograph open to-nighe. ; »*. * * * Our Sydney correspondent writes :— Palace Theatre : “The Belle of' New York” was brought to a close last night, after a very successful run. On Wednesday night the delayed promise of “The Messenger Boy” will take place, and it is promised that the presentation will Lie. one of exceptional grarideur. The full strength of . Mr Williamson’s Musical Comedy Company will appear in the cast. . . . Lyceum Theatre : Mr Bland Holt’s stirring production, “Riding to Win,” is now in its last night’s. On Saturday night next the present bill will be succeeded by “A Million of Money,” one of the oldest and best pieces in Holtian repertoire. . . . Criterion Theatre: Mr John F. Sheridan’s presentation of Mrs Goldstein, with its catchy musical numbers, capital chorus and ballet, and pretty stage settings, was warmly appreciated, while Mr Sheridan, Mr Charles Kenningham, and the other members of the lengthy cast, played and sang briskly and enjoyably. . . . Theatre Royal ■ The much-boomed “Sherlock Holmes” an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan .Doyle’s creation, will be staged tor the first time

here at the Royal next Satm day night by Mr Williamson's Dramaeic Company. The part of the detective will be played by Mr Cuvier Hastings, an American actor of great repute, Mho will be supported by a specially selected company. At present the production is l having, a great season in Melbourne.

Our Dargaville cosrespondent writes : — The Royal Dramatic Company has had a most successful tour through the Northern Wairoa district, In Aratapu the audience was so highly delighted with the performance of “The Strategist” that they gave three cheers twice for the company. The hall was comfortably filled. Dargaville turned out two nights to see “The Strategist” and “Librarian.” Moriarity’s Hall is a very large one, and the seating accommodation was hardily sufficient for those who witnessed the performance, and Mr Fairburn, the manager, was so pleased at the success and the right royal welcome his company had received from the W airoaites', that he has decided to play for a whole week in Dargaville during the Christmas holidays). Kaihu, as usual, turned out to a man, and they had a very crowded hall. They commence their Waikato tour on the 13 th October, when they play Pukekohe, thence as far as Rotorua and the goldfields.

Our Wellington correspondent writes under date October 9th :—That Dix’s Gaiety Company have settled down into the old grove, and are at present doing splendid! business at the Royal. Callahan and Mack are with us for two nights this week, and are “knocking ’em kite high.” Their tiirn is one that one would never tire of. Tom Wootwell is in his last nights, as also are Nelstone and Forrest. Miss Jennie Johnston, a one-time Fuller balladist, made her first appearance this week, and acquitted herself creditably. Geo Bentley, comedian, and W. Woods also; made first appearances at the Royal this week. Misses Emily Lyndale and Pearl Lovell, and Mr Miller Fraser fill up an attractive bill. This- week there will be the first appparandes' of Fred Lloyd, comedian, and the Smith Sisters, dancers, Frank M. Clark and Joe Cowan will also be in the bill. . . On Tuesday and Wednesday next, 14th and 15th October, the sixth Annual Carnival at the' Opera House of the Wellington Physical Training School’s exhibitions, 300 performers taking part. — • The Carrie Davie Dramatic Company will re-open at the Opera House on Saturday; 11th, with “The Irish Detective.” * « * * , . * Wirth Bros, have been doing good business through the .Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, and Wairarapa. districts: They open at Wellington on October 16 for an extended season.

STAGE DOOR NOTES. Messrs Callahan and Mack have proved . a good draw at the City Hall this week. ‘•The Chinese Honeymoon” party have left for Wellington. 1 The Pollard Company are again in Auckland, and will introduce to us “ The Messenger Boy ” next Saturday night at the Opera House. ’ * * • Miss Smyth s opera, “ Der ’Wald,” has received high praise from the London critics. • ' * * * ' * # “ Johnny Sheridan ” is making a success of “ Miss Goldstein ” in Sydney. Tha Willoughby-Geach Company opens itt New Zealand campaign at Dunedin on , the 25th inst, **♦♦* . . . I 1 ■ ' ■ '' • J’ ,* The porcelain ballet and march, which formed the finale for the “ Thirty Thieves,” was the prettiest and most effective scene in the. play. 1 * * * * Little Vera Kearns is making a great hit at the City Hall, and has becomu a great favourite. ■ ' *** * . * Mr George Musgrove’s English Dramatic Company appear in Melljourne during Cup week. * ' * * * * . The Marvellous Howards, who are the “ stars of Wirth Bros. Circus and Menagerie, are creating considerable notoriety , by their remarkable exhibitions in the towns visited by them. # I * * ♦ The Fisk Jubilee Singers are at present touring Tasmania. A trip through New Zealand by this gifted troupe is in the near future. * ’ * * * * ’ Mr Arthur Neilson and Miss Elsie Forrest are back in Auckland again, and are aj: pearing at the City Hall under Mr Dix’s Management. • ; • / » «- » * * Athas and Collins were -starring at the Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead,, when the latest mail left London. ,