CITY HALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 692, 11 June 1903, Page 11

CITY HALL.

On Saturday night Mr Walter Rivers, the popular actor, will re-open the City Hall with a “ polite vaudeville entertainment," and for this purpose he has engaged a very capable company. In addition to an attractive and novel programme of vocal and musical items 1 , there are to be grand prize distributions every Saturday evening. Mr Rivers, it may be taken for granted, will do everything to merit success.

Mr George Stephenson, the enterprising Dunedinite who is embarking, in theatrical management, has received newsi from the United States that Mr Fred. Duval, who tvent there specially commissioned for the purpose, has 1 engaged a first-classi company, whose speciality is musical comedy, now appearing at the New Californian Theatre, San Tranvisco. 'They will open Under Mr Stephenson's management, at Honolulu, on July 11, for a season of ten nights, and will appear at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, on August 6. Everybody who knows Mr Duval will feel convinced that he has secured the right sort of thing, and a successful tour of the colony may be anticipated.

Mr John Denton, who with his wife, Miss Leonie Norbury, created such a favourable impression as a member of Mr Frank Thornton’s last Company in New Zealand, had four years’ “ Colonial experience ” on a station in Victoria. On his return to England in 1896, his brother, a well-known theatrical agent, got him his first theatrical engagement in a provincial tour, as Jim in “ Robbery Under Arms.” Afterwards he had two years in South Africa in Mr Her-bert-Flemming’s Company, where he met his wife, who was leading lady in! “ The Liars,” etc. A year in the United States followed, then London, and next the Thorntort tour.

While in Melbourne, en route to Adelaide, Miss May Beatty and two friends took part in a nasty tram accident. From the look of things at the onset Miss Beatty came near singing her last note., but- she t came out unscarred arid pluckily. ; "

“ Prospero,” in the “ Weekly Press,” referring jo the representation of “ Jealousy ” by the Majeroni Company, says the piece was first produced in Christchurch by Signor and Signora Majeroni, father and mother of the Messrs Majeroni, in 1887, and he gives the cast as follows : — Carlo, Signor Majeroni ; Count, Harry Hoyte ; Diana, Signora Majeroni; General De Luca, H. R. Jewett ; Duke, A. R . Lawrence ; Senator, Grimaldi, J. Musgrave ; Dr. Sorredo, F. M. Kemp; Baroness, Louise Jewett; Adelaide, Mrs George Gordon ; Rose, Maud Appleton. But this was surely not the first performance. I remember seeing the play at Oamaru in 1878 or 1879, at which time the late Mr Walter Hill, and Mrs Walter Hill (still happily with us), were members of the Majeroni Company. The repertoire included “ The Old Corporal ” and “ Marie Stuart.” “ Jealousy ” must have been played at Christchurch during that tour. 1 ♦ * - ♦

Miss Enriqueta Crichton, who was a member of Musgrov?’s Grand Opera Company, which toured New Zealand in 1901* is touring England with the Moody-Manners Opera Company. Miss Lilian Comber, another of the grand opera band, is with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. .

Mr David Belasco has announced his intention of giving an elaborate Shakespearean revival next season in America. He has not vet divulged the name of the play on which his choice has fallen.

The “ Cape Argus," of May 5, just to hand, records the brilliant success of the Royal Australian Opera Company (nee Pollards) in the opening piece, “ Dpn Djin.” All the principals immediately established themselves as prime favourites.

After his three months' seasen at the Lane Sir Henry Irving will go ior an extended tour to America to play " Dante throughout the States. Me are <?iad to be able to say that Sir Henry has quite recovered from his! recent indisposition. He caught a slight chill, and wisely remained at home until he became, convalescent.