The STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 663, 20 November 1902, Page 10

The STAGE

[By

AMICUS.]

BOOKINGS. Opera Houhe. Auckland : October 18 to December 4—' ollard. Opera Company December 17 to 20 - Auckl md Dr miatie Society December 26 to January 21 —Geaeh- Willoughby Co. January 23-Madim Melba Concert February 9 to March 4—Miss Fitzmaunce Gill’s Co . March 16 to April 4—Hawirey comedy Co April 11 to May 2 Holloway Dramatic C mpany • June 8 to 26—Geo. Musgrove's “ Sweet Nell Company June 27 to July 10-Harry R.S kards His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland December 26-Opening night, J. C. Williamson Com pany, 4 weeks „ , • . January 27 to February 14, 1903—Frank Thornton Comedy Company March 16 to April 4 Hawtrey Comedy Company. Abril 13 to May 12— Holloway Dramatic Company Opera House, Wellington : November 7 to 22- J. C. Williamson Co. November 24 to December 6—Geach-Willoughby Co. Peet inter 8 to 17—r ickaids’ Company December 18 to 24— Majeroin Dramatic Company December 26 to January 2, 1903—Chas. Holloway Co January 19—Madame Melba ■ January 23 to February 21-Pollard Opera Company February 24 to March 14,1903—Frank Thornton Co. ? pril 11 to May 2,1903—J C. Williamson Co. May 4 to 30.1903— Hawtrey Comedy company ’ Theatre Royal, Christchurch November 17 to 22—Geach-Willoughhv Comedy Co. November 24 to December I—J. C. Williamson Co. December 2 to 13—Musgrove’s Pantomime Company December 16 to 23—Harry Bickaid’s No. 2 Company. December 26 to January B—Frank Thornton Comedy Company January 26 to February 7 C. Holloway Dramatic C February 19 to March 7 Hawtrey Comedy Company. Princess Theatre. Dunedin November 10 to 29—Musgrove Company December I to 18-Frank Thornton Comedy Company December 16 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 Ci. nightly at the City Hall Auckland Alhambra Theatre. Dunedin . Opera House , Christchurch ; Theatre Royal. Wellington. Our Wellington correspondent writes under date of November 13th, that Mr P. B. Dix vacated the Theatre Royal for five nights this week, while the company are operating at the Palmerston Show During the vacation, the Royal was crowded to the doors last night, the occasion being a first-class concert pro-

vided by local talent,- and organised by Mr Moore (the Missioner to Seamen), in aid of the s.s Elingamite sufferers. The result, though spontaneous, was a big success, both vocally and financiilly.,

The Royal will be re-opened on Saturday, 15th, with the ever popular favorites, Callahan and Mack, in their charming playlet, “The Old Neighbourhood.” First appearance of Brown Parker, athlete and ball puncher. Frank M Clark and Miss Olive Lenton in their burlesque of the Dirtos. Ernest Fitts, Sam Rowley, Misses May Lewis, and Jen Johnston, and the K itagraph in the bill. . . Mr J. C Williamson’s

Musical G unedy Company are scoring very well with ‘‘ The Runaway Girl.” The houses are beiig packed, nightly, and the very fact of their .being no opposition, makes it go all the better. The numbers, “ Follow the man from Cook’.s Soldiers in the Park,” and others, follow* i quick succession, and the fun is kept going furiously from start to finish Fred. H. Graham, Claude Bantock comedians, and Miss Lillian Diggers, who sings ‘‘Sly Cigarette,” “I’m only a Singing Girl,” and “The Boy Guessed Right,” comes in for special mention. Miss Rose Musgrove, who with Mr, Graham sing “ The Dutch Duet,” and th a Courier duet is also a favourite. Tenor George Lyding also appears. “Sin Toy” is underlined for Monday next.

Mr George Cathro in advance of Montgomerie’s Entertainers, is in toWpj arranging a provincial tour for the company, which, he says, is an exceptionally good one. The Biograph pictures are new and up-to date in style and subj ects. Paeroa is to be visited on Novemb* r 26, Waihi, November 29 and December 1, Te Aroha, December 3. Hamilton, December 4, Rotorua, December 10 and 11, Cambridge December 12

Mr Charles Carter, the popular tenor of the Pollard Opera Company, is severing his connection with the company, and in recognition of his past services and friendship, the members are tendering him a complimentary benefit, which it to be held next Wednesday night. Tne pit-ce choseu for the occasion, is ihe av burite opera “Mari tan a.” Mr Carter taking the part of Don Cseser, a part that h° can fill admirably, and Aucklanders. will be able to hear his good tenor

voice to its full advantage. Mr Carter first appeared before the public at the age of 12 years, when he took the part of Dick Whittington at a school performance, and from that has climbed to the sumit he has now attained. He is going to England to have his voice further trained, and New Zealanders will watch with interest the pxogress of the young and ambitious colonial in his pro fessional career. Mr Carter claims Blenheim as his birthplace. The booking office wad opened last Monday, and judg ing by the demand for seats the occasion will be awardedjby a bumper house.

The Pollard Opera Company are to revive the ‘‘Belle ..of Kew York” tomorrow and Saturday nights. This pi oa is one of Auckland’s favourites, and bumper houses should be the order of things. Mm. ay and Tuesday there will be no performance, the Opera House.being otherwise engaged Wednesday night Mr C. Carter is to be accorded a benefit, and it is probable that “ Rip Van Winkle ” will be put on for Thursday and Friday. On Saturday night, November 29, the season will close, the company leaving for New Plymouth on {Sunday. November 30

The musical comedy “ The Toreador ” has fairly caught on at the Upera House. Ihe Puhurds scored good houses all last week, the piece going so success ully. that the n anagement have decided that it shall ho. d the boards until Thursday. Miss Connie Buttel is making a great name for herself with her clever and bright interpretation of the part of Dona Teresa, and for her capital rendering of the solo “ My Treador,” has to respond to several recalls each evening. Mr O’Connor is given every chance for his fine voice to be heard, and he makes the most <f it. His song “ Toreador ”is splendidly rendered, and never fails to elicit warm applause. As Mrs Hoppings Miss Alice Edgar is seen to good and this" clever artiste has become a great favourite with the Opera House patrons. Mr Percival Alymer has made many friends by his clever acting and capital rendering of his two character songs, especially in “Archie, he’s in town again,” which has to be re.peated nightly. Mr W. S, Percy (the

tiger) is funnier than ever, and keepa the tun and laughter going at top, from start to finish. Miss Gertie Campion. Miss Alice Jrollard, Miss Melmot Karkeek are all well cast, and do a full share towards the success of the piece. Mr Harry Quealy scores heavily with his funnyisms, and, clever and intricate dances earn him loud and long applause. Mr J. Ralston, Geo Young, Mr JacK O’Sullivan, Mr Alt. Stephens, and Mr C , Albert, lend valuable assistance. The, scenery is very bright and effective, and. the orchestra, under thejbaton wielded by Mr Arthur King, comes in for special notice, the choruses being all brigh', attractive, and well sung; in fact the whole of the arrangements aud appointments of the opera are perfect, aud are worked without a hitch, showing no weak part in the cast or musicians.

In the revival of “ The Mikado,” which will follow “The Toreador,” at Her Majesty’s theatre, Melbourne, Miss Florence Young will be Yum Yum ; Miss Gilhoni the Katisha; and the Misses Chetwyild and Lulu Evans will do the “little maids ” Harold- Thorley is cast as Pooh Bah, Reginald Roberts as Nanki Poo, and Geo. Lauri as the Mikado.

The Melbourne “Punch” sa^jrsi— 7 “ The,new Drury Lane Drama, of which Bland Holt has secured the rights for Australia, is entitled ‘Tire Best of Friends.’ The story of the new play deals with life in a travelling circus, the characters, with the funny little way stage folks have, subsequently proceeding en masse to South Africa.”

Mr J. CL Williamson has purchased the Australian rights of the Cosmo Gordon Lennox’s “ ihe Marriage of Kitty.” The cjmedy is a great success, at the Duke of York's Theatre, London.

'There will be a blank in the theatrical • world for two nights next week as far as shows go. The Opera House will be used by Mr Napier on Monday night, when he will address the electors of Auckland,' and on the same night Mr Baume will also address his constituants at the City Hall. On Tuesday, election : day, both houses will be closed; T-tL-T/LC' L-'LCT’ h-T'T-

Our Christchurch dramatic correspondent writes We’re up to our necks in Carnival jollifications at time of writing, and town is full of shows and showmen. At the Colosseum Wirth’s Circus—bigger, brighter and better than ever—is attracting immense holiday crowds nightly. The Colosseum is a decided improvement on canvas. As to the Circus, a better one never came to Maoriland. It takes two and a-half hours to exhaust the programme, .and the time fairly flies. There is not a dull ' or stupid turn. . And there is no waiting, r ' no wearisome interval, no silly ‘clowning’ of the old-fashioned type, nothing old-fashioned of any sort Everything is new, brisk, bright and exhilarating. One of the best items is the football .■ dog.’ The most sensational turn is that of the Howard Bros. Mdns. Ragout’s • ’ performance with trained tigers is another wonderful item. Mr Wirth’s act with the horse Major, and his act with the horse and pony are extraordinary. That’s the only word for it. Mr Wirth’s equal at this sort of business is not to be found in these colonies. . . . Congratulations to Mr Chas. MacMahon ' and the Majeroni Bros, on the success of i': the Majeroni Dramatic Company here. Tremendous houses have witnessed the opening production of ‘ The Shamrock and the Rose.’ The mounting is firstclass. and we don’t often see such scenery here. 1 The company throughout is a powerful One. Not a single ‘ stick ’ in it Everything is produced under the sole direction of Mr C. MacMahon, in . whom there is no more experienced or popular manager on the track. , I enjoyed a few minutes’ chat the other night with my old friend Mr Edwin Geach, of, the Willoughby’Geach Company. He reports great business in Dunedin, and anticipates ditto ditto here, . where the company opens Monday, 17th fast. Mr Geach 1 is immensely popular, both in the profession and out of it, and I feel sure he will have no cause to com- I plain of the patronage accorded the show | -in this city The Opera House show is holding its own well, in spite of the many . /counter attractions Dix knows how to /. cater for: a holiday crowd, and so does > Will Jameson. It says a good deal for this entertainment when it can attract big houses while every other place of amusement is open and doing its level ? best to rope 1 in the shekels. Mt Horace Stebbing is arranging a sacred concert, to be given on Sunday 1 next, in aid of the relief fund for the Elingamite survivors. Many of the professional and amateur artistes have consented to give their services. Mr Geo. Abbott, manager of the Opera House, andMr Pollard have generously placed . the Opera House at the disposal of the promoters of the concert. Further th-n i

this, Mr Pollard undertakes to have the stage set for the occasion, and speaking on behalf of the members of his company, states that any one of them whose services may be desired at the concert may be looked to for their assistance. This generous offer by Mr Pollard and his popular company, taken in conjunction with the spontaneous consent of local performers to assist, should ensure both the artistic and financial success of the concert; ♦ * * * Mrs Sidney Drew, at present with Mr Richards company at the City Hall, is a daughter of Mr M cKee Rankin, the actor so well known in connection with the Nance O’Neill season. Mr Sidney Drew is a brother of Maurice Barrymore, the American novelist. MR. HARRY RICKARD’S VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. THE SA.NDOW SEASON. Mr Harry Rickards’ No. 3 Company of Vaudeville Stars opened their Auckland season on Tuesday night at the City Hall. A large audience witnessed the opening performance. The programme submitted was a first-class one, and was fully appreciated. The star of the evening was, of course, the Mighty Sandow, and his turn is simply marvellous in the extreme, nothing like it has ever been seen here before, Standing oh a pedestal he poses in different positions, showing his enormously developed muscles in all their body and limb movements. As a second turn he gives some wonderful exhibition of weight lifting and strength feats, which astonish and please the audience, who fully appreciated his sucful efforts. Another star turn was that of Mr and Mrs Sidney Drew, who present a refined one-act comedietta entitled “ When Two Hearts are Won,” the supreme natural and excruciating funny and comical positions which were .portrayed, the clever and strong acting by both the artists, stamped the turn as one of sterling value, and the loud and long applause testified as to the appreciation by the large audience.

Professor MacCann gave a decidedly musical treat by his manipulation of various concertinas. His imitations of sundry instruments and selections were clever and realistic.

Little Fanny Powers won the hearts of the City Hall patrons by her sweet singing and clever imitation of well-known singers. This little lady was evidently a favourite from the start, she receiving quite an ovation on her appearance, and had to return, sing and bow her acknowledgments several times before being allowed to retire.

_ Miss Nita Leete, a* contralto of considerable ability, contributed, two very acceptable songs, as did Miss Riy Jones, whose has a sweet .mezzo soprano voice. 5 The two were associated in a duet which , showed their voices to advantage. Mr Mark Anthony, a London Society ' entertainer, kept the audience amused , with his humerous stories and ventriloquial scenes. The programme includes a series of animated pictures, which are the most clear and steady that we have seen. The subjects are new and interesting, including up-to date views of the King’s coro- i nation. < . ’ ' Mr Harry Rickards No. 3 Company of Vaudeville Star Artists will open at New Plymouth next Monday, show there again on Tuesday, then journey to Stratford, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Masterton, Hastings, Napier, in order, opening at Wellington on December 8 DIX’S GAIETY COMPANY. Dix’s Gaiety Company brought their season to a temporary close last Saturday night, vacating the City Hall for a week to allow Mr Biekards’ No. 3 Company to appear. . The programme was as fresh and bright as ever, and drew large audiences, the various artists getting a great ovation on Saturday night. Messrs Morris and Wilson with the clever acrobatic specialt es entitled “Chinese Frolics,” made many friends during their short stay, and their reappearance will be eagerly looked fort Miss Alice Layton, Miss Ida Boslyn, Miss’Vera Kearns, The Smith Sisters, Messrs F. Ki venhall, J. Kearns, A. Holland, and T. Howard, all contributed items of interest and received warm applause. The Gaiety Company will re-open with a full company next Wednesday night, new faces and old favourites will appear. The management are making all preparations I for a special strong programme to inaugerate their new season.' ]

Miss Alice Corrick, the soprano of the New Zeal md Corrick Family, has been engaged to sing at the Federal Exhibition ' j Mias Bil ie Barlow .has been engaged J" .P'Utomime '• Cindrella,” .which Mr H. Bramwell produces at the Crystal Palace, London, at Christmas.

STAGE-DOOR NOTES. The talented Corrick Family have just concluded a very successful tour of Gippsland district. * *• « * . Miss Oiive Lenton has been chosen for the principal boy in the pantomime t<> be played at Wellington at Christmas,, under Mr P. E. Dix’s management. * ■ .♦ **’• '. 9 Ferry, the “ Human Frog,” is a mem ber of Fitzgerald’s Circus, now in Melbourne. . ' ■'>. ■ . ' 1 : Mr Ernest Fitts, the popular.baritone. is appearing at the Theatre Royal, Wellington. * 1* • •" 1 * ’ Southern papers are booming Mr Brown Parker, athlete and ball puncher, announcing his initial bow to New Zea land audiences. I think Aucklanders have seen this gentleman before. ' Wil 1 he visit this city again ? Miss Connie Buttel is scoring a great success in “ The Toreador ” by her sol<> “My Toreador,” receiving four or .five encores each evening. ? Strongman Sandow is entertaining large audiences at the City Hall this week. ' '

Messrs. Callagan and Mack are again touring New Zealand, under Mr T. R. Dix’s management. Little Fanny Powers received a great ovation on her re-appearance in Auckland last Tuesday night. Mr apd Mrs Sidney Drew present one oft he best comedy turns that have been seen in this city. The “Toreador.” is brim-full of tuneful airs, and has evidently caught on with Auckland theatre-goers. ••.♦. # # • • Mr William Gourlay ia producing in London a skit entitled “Smith’s Version of Hamlet,” written by Mr Bernard Espinasse, an Australian author. ' * . '•’ •' ' * . Mr Wilson. Barrett returned to England during September, fully recovered from the severe illness which overtook him in South Africa. It 'was announced that he would begin a tour of the English provinc es at Birmingham on October 6th,•>