AN OLD-TIME FAVOURITE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 693, 18 June 1903, Page 11

AN OLD-TIME FAVOURITE.

New Zealand playgoers of the ’Seventies will remember Miss Clara Stephenson, who was leading lady in the homely drama of those days with George Collier, Lancelot Booth, Burford (her husband) and others. I have a vivid recollection of seeing her play “ Lady Audley ” in the old Prince of Wales’ Theatre (since known as the Brunswick Mart) Queen Street, Auckland, about 1873. Miss Stephenson now runs a small fruit shop at Rockhampton.

From “ Pasquin’s ” notes I gather that Mr Cooper, late of the Fitzmaurice-Gill Company, has become engaged to Miss Kate Gair, now with the Majeronis. . . Mr J. N. Brown, formerly conductor for the Fullers, is now in West Australia. He is becoming popular as a song writer. . . 0. P. Heggie, who played the Messenger in“ Mars,” is on the point of leaving for Philadelphia.

I learn by private note from Sydney that Mr Harry Musgrove, brother to George of that ilk, and for more than fifteen years associated with the Williamson and Musgrove firm, has entered into business 1 in the New South Wales capital in conjunction with Mr W. F. Elkington, as musical, dramatic, and literary agents; They ought to know something about the lines they have undertaken. Mr Elkington has) himself a rather pretty turn for verse.

Mr Charles Blake, of the Fitzmaurice Gill Company, writes from Wellington :— “ Just a lino to let you know we open for certain on -July 4, in a newly-purchased piece, entitled * The Prodigal Parson,’ one of the prettiest dramas yet seen in the colony. It is beautifully mounted' with scenery all new from the brush of Will Diamond. I am sure the Auckland public will not be disappointed. The second production is a grand military and spectacular drama, ‘ The French Spy,' also purchased from Charlie Holloway, and the sole property of Miss Fitzmaurice Gill. Others to follow in quick succession are ‘ Nancy and Her Sailor ’ and ‘ Shadows of a Great City.' ”

The “ Sydney Morning Herald,” in itsnotice of Mr Frank Thornton's revival of “ Facing the Music ” says “ Amongst the newcomers very good work was done by Mr Frank Hawthorne as the Rev. John Smith, curate of St. Andrew's, in which he was artistically careful not to exaggerate familiar clerical peculiarities."

Mr J. F. Sheridan, the immortal “ Widow O’Brien,” was to open in Melbourne on Saturday in “ The Lady Slavey.” * e

Messrs Bennett anh Weston, the wellknown theatrical and advertising agents, have removed from His Majesty’s Arcade to No. 6, Mercantile Chambers. Queenstreet, Auckland. Il