THE CITY HALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 704, 3 September 1903, Page 16

THE CITY HALL.

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. Mr John Fuller continues to attract a large share of patronage to the City Hall, where his company provide a genuine reflection of mirth and melody. There was a complete change of bill on Saturday last, and the new items fairlyhit the public taste from the jump. The Driscoll Boys’ singing and dancing puts them a long way ahead of most entertainers of this class. The other members of the company are seen in new specialties, and Mr Fuller himself introduces a song that has been specially written and composed for him, and which is certain to become immensely popular. Miss Amy Blackie’s ballads, as usual, bring down the house. This lady and Mr Fuller sing that old favourite duet, “In the Dusk of the Twilight,” with conspicuous success, and all the other vocal items are worth going a long way to hear. The McKisson’s, Miss Delroy, and Mr Will Watkins keep the merriment at high-tide, and there is not a dull moment during the two hours when the curtain is up.

A representative of this journal who saw the Black Family of musicians in Hawke’s Bay, speaks in the highest terms of their entertainment. It is of a very refined character throughout, and is meeting with splendid patronage in that part of the colony. The Black Family are slowly making their their way Aucklandwards, and judging by all that one hears they ought to be very popular here. * * * * “ Quality Street,” which will be seen in the colonies shortly, has passed its 300th performance in London. • •- at * Mr Henry Ludlow, who returned to London last autumn from a long engagement throughout Australasia, has been specially engaged to support Mr Van Biene on his South African tour. On his return to London Mr Ludlow has been reengaged by Miss Jennie Maynard to appear in the leading role in “ Corinne’s Revenge,” a three-act society drama, which Miss Maynard has ;ust completed.

Johnny Wallace is to be tendered a benefit shortly in Melbourne. I. , * * * * -The latest Napoleonic play, “ The Exile,” has been a frost in London. * ♦ * * The Broughs have been engaged for a South African tour )by the Messrs Wheeler. Frank Thornton, who has been touring. Western Australia, sailed for England on the 31st. ♦ ** * * Mr Meynell, who will stage manage the Tree productions in Australia, was in Sydney last week. * * * J. C. Williamson, farewelling in Rip on Friday, 14th ult., promised to face the footlights again, if possible. ♦ * - . * Nance O’Neill will shortly appear underMr Perley’s management at a leading New' York theatre in “ Macbeth.”

Mr W. H. Lovell, late of the Broughs, has been engaged to • support Miss Julia Marlnwe next season in “ Fools of Nature.”

Claude Whaite, the scenic artist, is in London, on the look-out for opportunities.

When the last mail left, Shakespeare was being played in forty-seven American theatres; “Romeo and Juliet ” in eighteen places.

Mr J. Moore, brother of the popular Maggie, left recently . for South Africa with a view to starring Lizzie St of el there.

* ♦ • • ♦ “ Tapu,” the Maori opera by Arthur Hill, will be played by the Royal Comics during the present opera season at Her Majesty’s, Sydney.

Joan Burnett (Jennie Lee’s daughter) and Herbert Ross are with Annie Hughes in “ Just Like Callighan,” at the London Criterion.

J ohannesburg theatre prices are Boxes, five, four, three and two guineas ; balcony and orchestra stalls, lbs 6d ; dress circle and stalls, 6s ; and gallery, 2s 6d.

The hearts of the more susceptible Sydney girls will soon be in a flutter . again (says the “Newsletter”). The arrival of Julius Knight, the beauty actor, is expected. In classical costume his calves alone are sure to attract attention.

The Georgia Magnet is not dead after all. and the lady whose demise was recently referred to in these columns must have been some other Miss Abbott. Mr Tregaski, the well-known advance agent for the Steele-Payne Family, and who acted in a similar capacity for the Magnet in Australia, informs me that he has received a letter from Miss Abbott, dated Chickasha, U.S.A., June 26, in which it was stated that the Magnet intended, after “ doing ” the West to visit Honolulu, Japan, the Orient and South America.

Dundas Walker, a new recruit to the “ Are You a Mason ?” Company, is a New Zealand native. His father is Speaker of the Legislative Council.

Ruth Mackay (late of the “ Ben Hur Company) is engaged for a part in Beerbohm Tree’s autumn production at His Majesty’s Theatre, London.

Charlie Blake, now leading man with the Gill Company (says the “ Newsletter ”) rapidly mounting the professional ladder. But a short while back he was playing quite inferior parts with Maggie Moore and Anderson.

Madame Adelina Patti enjoys minstrel songs, and attended a performance “In Dahomey,” in London lately. She often herself entertains her intimate friends with “ Way Down Upon the Swanee River ” and “ Climbin’ up the Golden Stairs.”

Jim Bell, Ada Delroy, Sam Rowley, Belle Ray, Daisy Harcourt, the Maisie Sisters, Mabel Lynne and other vaudeville artists, have gone for a season in Manila.

Miss Cooper, who returned with the Fitzmaurice Gill Company to Sydney, is to join Williamson for the Knight-Jeffries season.

Miss Maud Milton, aa Helena, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” for fifteen years has been with Sir Henry Irving’s companies, during which time she has been under-study to Miss Ellen Terry, and curiously enough Miss Mil ton bears a striking resemblance to her famous prototype.

During their recent Kalgoorlie (W.A.) season the Royal Comics gave a sacred concert on a Sunday night, and Thorley, Roberts and Co. had a horrible time trying to attune with the wheezy old piano thumped by Leon Caron and Jean Nelson in turn.

The popular Greenwood Family, en route for Queensland, are meeting with splendid business on the northern rivers. They are at present playing “ Little Lord Fauntleroy,” in which little Charlie Williams, aged only eight, as Cedric Errol is said to be simply phenomenal.

In Bland Hoit’s equestrian drama, at Melbourne Royal, a hunt meet and “throw off ” is depicted, a water jump is taken by the hunters, and the occupants of a donkey cart precipitated into the water. There is also a cab proprietor’s stable shown, with hansoms driving in and putting up for the night. Talk about reality !

Miss Grace Woodfield, a daughter of the late W. H. Woodfield (one of the finest tenors that ever came to Australia from the Old Country!, recently married Harry Thiel, part-proprietor of the “ Daily News,” Perth, W.A. Mrs Thiel inherits much of her father's musical talent, for she is a vocalist of a great excellence.

The influence of the theatre on individual spectators has often been questioned. One proof to the contrary, howevet, is forthcoming in a letter just reteived by Miss Lily Brayton, now appearing with great success on tour as Katusha in “ Resurrection.'’ The communication runs as follows’: —“ I am only a poor girl, but I witnessed your performance of Katusha from the gallery. I feel 1 should like to thank you for the lesson I have learned, that there are heights we ’can rise to, though we do fall low. I have a poorfriend who has fallen in the way you acted, and it inspired me to write a letter to her I could not. have done otherwise, and which I know will be a great comfort to her.”

Miss Fitzmaurice Gill has commenced a tour of the western towns of New South Wales, playing as far as Dubbo. Afterwards they put in a week at Newcastle, to be followed, in iJPI pro bability by a Queensland tour.

The follo_wing is a copy of a “dodger” issued by the Georgia Magnet at Chickasha, U.S.A. “Wagner Opera House, To-night ! Astounding ! Do you know these men ? She stays to-night ! Endorsed. Read what last night’s committee says : To Miss Annie Abbott : We, the undersigned, having acted as a committee of investigation of your marvellous powers—putting you through all the wonderful tests claimed for you, must admit that we are indeed most agreeably surprised, and that you possess some power or force other than that making up the ordinary phenomenon of nature. Just what your power is, we, like thousands of others, are unable to determine. Enough that it is marvellously wonderful, eniertaining and refined. We strongly advise the people of Chickasha to attend your entertainment tonight, assuring them one of the most remarkable exhibitions ever been in our town. J. H. Jeffries, Real Estate Dealer ; H. B. Johnson, Banker ; Clay Donovan, Merchant : D. L. Hopkins, ExChief of Police ; Charles Person, Farmer ; J. S. Askew ; R. Bond, Lawyer ; J. C. Smith, Chief of Police ; John A. Stevens, Minister ; S. P. Miller, Contractor ; H. B. Hendrix, Physician ; W. L. Refers, Physician ; Henry Price ; David Goode.

It is comforting to Sydney’s intellectual discernment (says the “Newsletter”) that “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is going strong, and results so far have upset Chatterton’s alleged historical saying that “Shakespeare spells ruin.” As a matter of fact, Dion Boucicault the elder was the author of what was for manyyears a theatrical proverb. No true lover of a good dramatic treat should miss the Dream.

The Wellesley-stivet School Old Boys’ Association had a very enjoyable reunion last week, in the Federal Club Rooms. There was a very large attendance of members and friends, Mr W. Kay occupying the chair.. Mr W. Coleman, one of the vice-presidents, in a happy speech complimented the members of the Association on their work, and their successful efforts in establishing such a friendly

spirit among the old boys of the schoolHe expressed a hope that the same spirit would continue among the present pupils at the school. An exceedingly good programme was arranged for the enjoyment of those present by the committee and the energetic secretary, Mr C. Hart, which was luily enjoyed by the visitors. Musical items were given by Mr W. Dia-> mond, who received hearty applause for his descriptive songs. Messrs Hodson and Moody’s banjo duet was highly appreciated, and Mr F. Cleal made a happy hit with a conjuring exhibition, which was decidedly clever, the neat and original tricks i-allin o forth enthusiastic applause. As an exponent of the mystic art, this young gen+ijman wil 1 be hard to beat.. An exhibition of cfog dancing by Mr C. O. Loughlin was also a good item. Professor Potter's club swinging showed his proficiency, and Mr R. Hughes received a decided encore for hist phonograph selections. Several other members contributed itemsl, the function being brought to a close about midnight, aftera successful and enjoyable evening. *»V * - *

Mr George Musgrove (says the Sydney “ Newsletter ”) found himself in a tight corner recently in Melbourne. Almost at the last moment it was discovered that the conductor and leading lady were conspicuous by their absence. The general public care littlq! about the of a theatrical squabble which leads to a sudden fiasco of this kind. But they care very much if the result of it should be a. poor production of the piece they have paid to see. Owing to the spirited and plucky conduct of two members .of Mr Musgrove’s company the piece went with surprising smoothness, and the audience was satisfied. In China they deaf with this kind of thing in unique fashion. A popular actor, getting offended, refused to appear in a second play, though the Emperor was present. His Majesty took prompt measures. He ordered a prescription of forty lashes to be applied to each performer—naturally this included the offender, who ceased to stand on his dignity. When this medicinal course was over the play went on. The acting is said to have been “ very spirited.” The aboveparagraph evidently refers to the Slappofskis. # * * * Mr Williamson’s Dramatic Companycommenced a season on Saturday week at Her Majesty’s Melbourne, with “If 1 Were King,” which was staged for thefirst time in the southern capital. * * * * Ti e subscriptions raised by the Londoa “ Era ” for the benefit of the widow andl child of the late Charles Lauri totalled over £306. * * ■ *. « An American who saw Bernhardt recently in London, alleges, in the New York “ Dramatic Miner,” a falling off in her performances. “ Bernhardt has; become grotesque. She poses, rants, squeals,, smirks at the audience, sobs and cries theatrically, and uses her voice to produce alse tones in an effort to evoke sweet sounds. She dresses like something out of a museum. There is not a note of sincerity left in her art.”

Playgoers throughout New Zealand will regret to learn of the sudden death at Peckham (London) of the justly celebrated conjurer, Carl Hertz. Originally arriving in Australia in the early nineties under the spirited management of Mr George Musgrove, ia company with Caicedo (the king of the wire), Rose Dearing, the late Freddy Mason. he proved the van of the London music hall artists to come here, and the outset of • a policy that has so successfully been 'carried on by Mr Harry Rickards. Hertz returned to the colonies, this time under Mr Rickards’ management, in 1896, and upon the conclusion of the engagement started a world’s tour under the management of Mr Edwin Geach, which proved a series of triumphs. In addition to all parts of the Commonwealth, Hertz penetrated the wilds of Ceylon, visited India, explored Burma as far as Mandalay, Straits Settlement, Cochin China, Japan, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java, where it is stated he contracted a fatal disease. At the time of his demise he was negotiating with Messrs Willoughby and Geach for a tour in Africa, Australasia, and the East. Starting life humbly in Frisco (of which town he was a native), by his talent he amassed a considerable fortune.

Mr Alec. Middleton writes to the ‘‘ Referee ” from, Hongkong : “ Pollards’ Comedy Company opened Manila to the capacity of the theatre. The initial piece, ‘ Mv Friend From India.’ went splendidly, and the company made an unmistakable hit. Future arrangements are to open here on August 10, Shanghai September 1. then India.’’

Mrs Patrick Campbell has brought back to England with her ■ from ’ America a bit of stage business which may be described as “head-rubbing.” It is employed by her in “ The Joy of Living ” as a mode of expressing tenderness and • affection. The gentleman either- bows and keeps his head down, his lips pressed on Mrs Campbell’s hand, while she gently strokes his hair with the other ; or kneels at her feet and presents his cranium to her, which she caresses in the same way. The first of these methods was employed by ' Mr Charles Bryant, as Norbert, and, according to the “ Era," created much amusement in the audience the second was made use of by Mr Martin Harvey.

Mr Tod Callaway has made a big hit with Mr Dix’s companies here, and his engagement has been extended as a consequence.

Miss Pattie Browne, according to an exchange, is to play the part she created in the London production of “ The Admirable Crichton ” in Mr Charles Frohman s American presentation of the play, with Mr William Gillette in Mr H. B. Irving’s role.

Mr Joseph Jefferson, it is reported, has sold the English rights of “ Rip Van Winkle ” to Mr Van Biene.

The “ Era ” reports that Sir Charles Wyndham has authorised Mr T. Edgar Pemberton to undertake the compilation of his—Sir Charles’ —biography. The book will be liberally illustrated, and should prove interesting reading.

The Westminster Abbey Glee and Concert Party commenced a Brisbane season, limited to five nights. The press notices are excellent.

“ The Lady Slavey,” to be produced by John F. Sheridan’s Company at His Majesty’s Theatre, on September 19, is a bright, musical comedy written by Geo. Dance. The music is by J ohn Crook, Fr«d. W. Wtierter and others. Exchanges say “ a plurality of cooks has not spoiled the broth.”

“ Little Gulliver,” who accompanies the Sheridan Company, is described as “a midget in stature, but a giant in comicalities.”

The song, “In Friendship’s Name,’ sung in “ The Lady Slavey,” is in the original score of the piece, despite the fact that it has been sung by other people in New Zealand.

Theoretically (says the “ Era ”) the stage is simply a picture, the scenery forming the background ; the effect being gained by exactly the same means as that employed by the artist with paint and canvas alone. It is possible, in a tableau vivant, to present almost an exact equivalent of a painted picture : but this can only be done (a) if the spectator is placed in the centre of the theatee; (b) if all the figures on rhe stage remain

perfectly still ; and (c) if the contriver of the tableau ia given carte blanche as regards lighting. When we come to deal with the drama in action we are met at the outset by many difficulties. It is obvious that the interest of the picturemust be concentrated on the principal figure, not distributed amongst the accessories. Whatever we gain or lose, the actor’s features and figure must be clearly visible ; and to this necessity everything can safely be sacrificed. In the last generation, this requirement was met by a method similar to that of Rembrandts The light, which came, for the most part, from a large chandelier, was concentrated on a spot on the stage, which was technically termed the “ focus.’ We read in memoirs of one actor manoeuvring ,to work another “ out of the focus ; and the habit of “ taking ” the stage —that is, the centre of it—led to practices which seem to us curious and conventional. The scenery was conceived in harmony with the system of lighting ; it was broad,, artistic, but rather suggested than realised. The aye, resting intently on the actor in the “ focus,” could only dimly discern the background, which was, therefore, painted more than “ set.”

“ Checkers,” a dramatisation of Henry M. Blossom’s book of the same name, has had a successful career in the West, and the play v ill be produced at the American Theatre, New York, in the autumn. Th® interest of the story depends largely upon the original dialect of the hero, whose name is Checkers. He is a race track tout of an accentuated type, and is master of the most remarkable slang vocabulary ever heard. In the play the scene is laid at the race track, where all the exciting dements of that institution are depicted. It is promised that the scene will rival the chariot race in “ Ben Hur.’ Mr Thomas W. Ross will take the title role.

Mr Kyrle Bellew, who played Romeo in New York recently, has made the following remarks on his reading So much has been lost to the play by leaving out all suggestion of Eosaline —Romeo’s first, love —before he saw J uliet, that I hftve restored the allusions to her in the first act by Benvolio, and subsequently by the Friar. Shakespere introduced the character of Rosaline on purpose to emphasise the sudden (.hanging . Italian nature of Romeo, which without a thought passes from the unreceptive Rosaline —turning - tothe pure and passionate Juliet. Romeo, as I read him, and as Shakespere wrote him, believes him to be ‘ star crossed,’ and in frequent scenes ‘ fears some consequence yet hanging in the stars.’ For this reason, and following such an idea I play the part as a man fighting against fate until it overwhelms him, when he turns at last with one desperate effort a t revolt, and, taking his fate in his own hands, cries out from his soul, ‘ Then I defy you, stars !’ ”