DIX’S GAIETY COMPANY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 682, 2 April 1903, Page 11

DIX’S GAIETY COMPANY.

The change of programme provided . at the City Hall on Saturday night attracted a large and appreciative audience. Arnoldi, whose exhibitions in juggling have earned for him a justifiable reputation, was again highly successful, and was recalled repeatedly. Mr Frank 1 Graham, the tenor singer, continues in popular favour. For his car able rendering of “ My Pretty Jane ” he was accorded a very hearty encore. “ The Mad Musician,” a phrase . familiarly associated with Mr Alf. Sherwin, suggests at once the character of this clever performer’s contributions. He was recalled again and again. Mr Frank Yorke, the Gilardr Sisters, and the Sisters Smith, Miss Annetta Bodin, and the other members of the company all contribute to an entertainment which is both attractive and mirth-provoking. During the week, it should attract crowded houses nightly.

According to the latest London files, Mascagni’si next new opera already exists in libretto’ form. The subject is taken from the French Revolution, and the work, when completed, will be called “ Marie Antoinette,” the unfortunate queen being the central figure.

A very pleasant function took place at Madame Tree’s studio on Thursday evening last. Madame Tree having recently entered the bonds of wedlodk, was presented with a very handsome gold chain 1 and greenstone heart by Miss Maude I Tobias, on behalf of her fellow students. 1 Mr Hume, in a happy little speech, responded on behalf of Madame Tree, after which | a very pleasant couple of hours were spent : in music. • • « « : Our Christchurch theatrical correspond- | ent writes: “ On Friday, April 3, Williamson’s Dramatic Company open a most welcome return season at the Royal. During the six nigjhts Gillette’s military drama, ’’ Secret Service.” will be produced for tlhe first time here, and will be followed by “ The Christian,” with ‘ If 1 Were King ” and “ Sherlock Holmes ” to wind up with. 'The popular Mr Geo. Matheson is still in town completing preliminaries. , . . Frank M. Clark's Theatre Royal season ends to-night (Saturday). . . . Dean and Petherick appear to be making money at the Oddfellows 1 ’ Hall. The nimble sixpence, again I . . . The Oswald Dramatic Co, are still battling at the-Opera House. ’‘East Lvnne” is their latest, and (as per usual) it is proving a trump card. . . . The news that Percy, of the Pollards, proposes to sever his connection with the company at Christmas and go to London ‘on his own,’ has been received here with the greatest regret. With Quealey and Percy both away, what will Thomas do ?”

The company which will support Miss Nellie Stewart during her New Zealand tour comprises a, number of notable English artistes, all of whom come to uls with big reputations. They include the names of Messrs Harcourt Beatty, Albert Gran, Alfred Tapping. {Sydney Stirling, Vernon Steele, Webster Lawson, Harry Hill, Claude Fleming, W. J. Beresford, etc.. Misses Minnie Sadler, Alice Farleigh, Emily Levettez, Edith Stewart, etc. tf < ■» * “ Mice and Men,” one of the comedies which will form One of the New Zealand repertoire of the Musgrove Comedy Company, is from the pen of Madelene Lucette Ryley. The piece ran for two hundred and fifty nights at the Lyric Theatre, Landon. Miss Nellie Stewart’s performance of Peggy, the foundling, is said to be equal to that of her orange girl in “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury.” “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury,” with Nellie Stewart in her famous part of Nell Gwynne, the orange girl, will be staged at the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, on Easter Saturday, April 11, with the original caste of characters. The production will be staged with the same completeness as characterised the previous representations, in Australia.

Our New Plymouth correspondent writes : —The New Plymouth Amateur . Opera Club must be heartily congratulated upon two splendid performances of “ Les Cloches de Corneville,” which were given in the Theatre Royal, 11th and 12th March. To Mr. J. D. Stoyle, as stage mgnager, and Mr. Fred Stevens, as scenic artist, a large measure of the success achieved is due. The Club on this occasion were assisted by three well-known Auckland amateurs, viz., Mr. Geo. Warren, Mr Abel Rowe, and Miss Miriam Wrigley (Mrs. Abel Rowe), who filled the same characters as in the

Auckland production. Mr. Geo. Warren, as Gaspard, the pivot character of the opera, must be warmly congratulated upon tne pronounced success which he achieved. Mr. Rowe’s singing as Grenicheaux, was one of the most delightful features of the production. His first song, “On Billows Rocking,” established him in the audience’s favour, and he retained his hold throughout the evening. His last solo, “ That Night I’ll ne’er Forget,” late in the third act, was heartily encored, and it is indubitable recognition of a singer’s ability when it is redemanded at such an hour. As Christophe, Miss Miriam Wrigley both looked and acted the part t>o perfection. Miss A. Teed, in the exacting role of Scrpolette, made a decided hit, the part suiting her to a nicety. Miss K. Murphy, who made her debut in tne part of Germaine, was also another wellchosen character. Mr. J. Ryan (an old Aucklander), was very successful as the “ Baillie,” and both in physique and voice suited the part in every way. Mr. J. D. Stoyle, as Gobo, in Conjunction with the Baillie, was the life and soul of the piece. All the minor parts were capably filled, and the chorus work was first-class. Mr. W. Perry, in the part of the Marquis, did not appear to such advantage as in former operas, but sang the music allotted him with his usual ability. At the close of the season, the performers met upon the stage, when Mr. J. Paul .president of the Club, congratulated the members on the success of the performance. Referring to the Aucklander’s, he thanked them for their assistance, and assured them of a hearty welcome whenever they returned to New Plymouth. Mr. G. Warren and Mr. A. Rowe, in reply, briefly thanked the Club and New Plymouth • people generally for their hearty welcome and many 1 kindnesses received during their stay. I Mr. Stoyle, stage manager, thanked the I performers for their attention to rehearsals, which was the key-note of their present success. The little function ended with cheers for the Aucklanders, Mrs. Hempton (pianist), Mr. Perry, and others. A picnic and social was tendered the Auckland Contingent on the following Thursday.

Miss Ada Reeve is said to have made a great hit in the Old Country with a new song entitled “ The Lover of the Ladybird.”