BEATRICE VARTHA CONCERT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 706, 17 September 1903, Page 18

BEATRICE VARTHA CONCERT.

Miss Beatrice Vartha, the voting and brilliant, pianist, who has achieved so much success in New Zealand, and has received an engagement to tour in America, will give a Grand Concert in Abbott’s Opera House, on October i9th, when an—excellent programme will be presented, consisting of gems of musical art. Miss Vartha is one of the finest

lady pianists yet heard ir? New Zealand. If any instrument requires,.a comsummate artist to reveal its capabilities it is the piano, and Miss Vartha, it is said, makes it speak and sing. The player throws herself heart and soul into the music as though she were inspired. Her execution is described as wonderfully fine, her touch light and polished, while, at the same time, with all the necessary power. Miss Vartha will be assisted by Herr C. Lehmann, the eminent violinist, Miss Florence Marelie (contralto), and many of the leading vocal and instrumental artists.

“ The Lady Slavey " has been described by one critis as comic opera on the drunk.”

At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Sunday last, Madame Lilian Tree gave a magnificent rendering of “From Thy Love as a Father” (solo and chorus) from the "Redemption.” There was a very large congregation, and the item created a deep impression.

Mr Charles MacMahon, who during the past two months has had a lease of the Opera House here, has secured the theatre for the Xmas season. He will commence on Boxing Night with a very strong attraction, particulars of which will be announced shortly. My Napier correspondent writes :— The Gratton Company have returned to Napier after a successful two weeks’ campaign of the Wairoa district. The company are making this town their head-quarters for a time, playing a couple of nights a week here, and filling in the other nights by showing in the suburban townships. * * * * Mv Wellington correspondent writes :— Fuller’s Entertainers are still doing well at the Choral Hall. Albert McKisson, Clarie McKisson, and Ada Duval are to make a re-appearance this week, and Mr Will Watkins is also shortly due Dix’s Gaiety Coy. are to open un a host of revivals on Friday. Vai Vousden, Harry Hall. De Wynne Bros., and the Delavales being amongst the number. . . . . Maggie Moore Coy. closed up an unsatisfactory season on Monday last, and went on tour of the West Coast Stine and Evans Comedy Coy. opened to a splendid house last night, and were received with marked favour. The quaimt originality of the various- performers is something out of the common, and a splendid season should ensue.

“If I Were King-,” Cuyler Hastings is still playing at Melbourne Her Majesty’s to good houses., and is generally a success.

“ The Medal and the Maid,” a musical play, is. one of the latest successes at the London Lx ric. Ada Reeve has a fat part. Another success of a similar production is “ La Toledad,’” in which Emily Soldene and Roland Cunningham are appearing.

Terry, like most mummers who have been in South Africa, blackguards the insanitary condition of the Transvaal and Orange Colony “pubs” and “theatres.” The list of typhoid fever-stricken Thespians is appalling.

Williamson’s Comedy Company opened with “ Are You a Mason at the. Princess Theatre, Melbourne. The house was packed. r J he farce went well, even that “ old ” gag, “ How old is your mother ?” took exceedingly well. “ Are You a Mason ?” will probably be acted at the Princess for some weeks to come.

Apropos of Pincini's operas (says the “ Newsletter one of his works, vfe., Manon I escaut, is a work that will bear production on the Australian stage when the nex t 11 alian opera season is due, shich will probably be about the millenium. The same subject has been used by Massenet, whose opera “ Manon ’ was described by Melba to a Sydney scribe as a “ daintv bit of Dresden china.”

Nellie Stewart “farcwelled” at Princess, Melbourne, on Friday, 28th ultimo. Next morning the following advertisement, which speaks for itself, appeared in the dailies :—“ Miss Nellie Stewart desires to offer her heartfelt thanks to the ladies and gentlemen for their kindly appreciation last evening, and regrets she was unable to respond to their expressions of goodwill. Miss Stewart wishes her admirers an revoir.”

Bland Holt is still “ Going the Pace” at Melbourne Theatre Royal, and the drama is both attractive and thrilling. The circus ring in the final act is splendidly done, and the ring, with its real horses and real circus, is well managed. In previous plays we had to take the gallopping horses as an accepted fact, but in “ Going the Pace ” one has the real thing. The horses gallop round the ring, and the horsemen and horsewomen go through the whole routine of a circus turn.

With characteristic American energy the National Art Theatre Society is doing something more than talk, and has now a membership of 500 names. Its President is Mr J. R. C. Clarke, the well-known editor-playwright of New York, and those who know him will realise that he is not the man to waste his time or that of other people over any visionary scheme. * * * *

During the past few years Miss Ada Crossley has had the reputation of being one of the hardest worked artistesi in the musical world in London. Fortunately she enjoys a splendid constitution, and really revels in what Americans call a strenuous fife. In a recent interview in an English journal, Miss Crossley gave the following extract of one week’s work during a season : —“ I had two vacant dates

Wednesday, October 31, and Thursday. November I—and1 —and being in the North of England I returned to London with the intention of having a little rest. Now, on these two days Miss Clara Butt had arranged to appear at Derby and Nottingham, and having fallen ill, she asked me to take her place, ancr I consented at absolutely a moment’s notice. No sooner was I out of one train than I had to dash into another. Well, on Friday I left Nottingham and sang the same afternoon at St. James’ Hall. The next afternoon 1 fulfilled an engagement at the Queen's Hall at three, and an hour later I was speeding on my way to Manchester, where I sang the same evening. To do this I had to change my afternoon concert dress for my evening one while actually in the train. But this was not all. On the conclusion of the concert I drove to an hotel, got into my travelling dress and took the midnight train for London, arriving ay six o’clock. At ten o’clock I was in the thick of a rehearsal. I thus covered 900 miles in four days.

Mr Norman J. Norman, on behalf of Schubert Bros., of New York, has arranged to produce, in conjunction with Mr Prank Curzon, at one of the many theatres controlled by this gentleman, an American comic opera, named “ Dolly Varden,” composed by Julian Edwards, and written by Stanislaus Stange. The leading role, a feminine one, was created in the States by Miss Lulu Glaser, and the piece had there a very long and prosperous run. Miss Mabelle Gilman will be in thia part in London, and the production, which will be in the hands of Mr Norman will be seen before the end of September.

Paris, which is already well provided with museums, will shortly open another to the public, the Government having decided to accept the legacy left by the dramatist, Adolphe D’Ennery. This museum is in the house in the Avenue du Bois de Boulogne where the playwright lived, and the entire collection, which numbers about 6000 curiosities and works of art, will be on view in the five rooms forming the first floor, the rooms on the ground floor being reserved for meetings or conferences. No date has been fixed for the inauguration, a small difficulty having arisen with certain members of the family, and D’Ennery’s wonderful collection of Chinese and Japanese curios will then be open for anyone’s inspection.

The dramatic company headed by Mr Julius Knight and Miss Maud Jeffries have arrived in Melbourne under engagement to Mr Williamson, by arrangement with Mr Beerbohm Tree. Besides Mr Knight and Miss Jeffries, the company also includes another familiar friend, Miss Pendennis, who visited Australia with Mr Wilson Barrett. The other players are all making their first tour of the colonies. The company is actively rehearsing the The dramatisation of Tolstoi’s latest novel, “ Resurrection.” was produced at Her Majesty’s Theatre on September 12.

Sir Henry Irving begins another American tour in November.

Mr Percy Perman is managing the Rickards Company at Brisbane Theatre Royal.

Hill and Silvainy. the clever bike artists, appeared at the Tivoli, Sydney, again on Saturday last.

Miss Lilian Digges’ extended contract with Williamson expires in December, when she will proceed to England.

Mr Claude White, now touring the East with a vaudeville company, threatens an early descent on the colonies.

It is said that Mr Musgrove has re-en-gaged Harcourt Beatty for another twelve months.

The lady choristers of the Royal Comics have a flourishing cricket club. In West Australia recently they took the field against a local feminine team,. The shining Graces are Misses Gross and Caffyn. * * * *

Mr Galwey Herbert, who terminated his contract with Mr Frank Thornton on August 28, joins Mr Frawley, and opened ar the Palace Theatre, Sydney, on September 14. Mr Herbert is one of Mr Thornton's original -English company, and was specially engaged to play Dick in Facing the Music " and other light cornedv roles.

Messrs Sass and Nelson were playing “If I Mere King,” “Mice and Men,” all at the Empress Theatre, Pretoria, when the mail left. In M/Carthy’s piece, our old friend Ted Sass played Villon, his wife, Emma Gwynne, Huguette, Miss Hope Mayne the Princess, and Mr E. W. Thomas (out here once with Thornton) the King.

The Daniel Frawley Company includes two married couples. Miss Blanche Douglas is Mrs Harrington Reynolds and Miss Christine Hill Mrs Wallace Shaw.

Mr Eardley Turner, who will play Mr Lionel Brough’s part in “ Resurrection ” during the Australian tour, has in his time played many parts. Early in his career he played engagements with Mr Charles Warner, appearing in Joe Buzzard in “In the Ranks,” with the Yokes family, Herr Bandmann, Miss Genevieve Ward, and Miss Grace Hawthorn.

Mr Turner has written many short stories and sketches in prose and verse for the London and provincial journals, and scores of lyrical and comic songs. All the lyrics for the musical comedy, “ The Terrible Turk,” were written by him. His little piece, “ My Good Name,” ran for a year on tour, and he has brought out to Australia several one-act plays, and a three-act farcical comedy, which he has lately completed.

News of a novel theatrical enterprise comes from America. The Church and Stage Alliance, of which Bishop Potter is president, proposes to run Mr Forbes Phillips’ play, “For Church or Stage,” through the United States. Mrs Brown Potter, who is a niece of the New York Bishop, will play the part of the herione. The dramatist, Mr Forbes Phillips, is the vicar of Gorleston who invited Mrs Potter to recite in his church.

Mr Berkeley Smith, in “ How Paris Amuses Itself,” describes a bouis-bouis. The Robiniere is only one of a number of miniature theatres (or bouis-bouis) in Paris, beginning at eight or nine o’clock, and producing each night four short realistic comedies, often with some clever chansonnier singing his own creation during the entr’acte. No two of these theatres are alike, and in all of them is good acting. You will find the actorsi to be men and women who have worked patiently through the National Conservatoire, and have studied their art under the be«t masters.”

The late Signora Giulia Majeroni belonged to one of the most famous' families of actors that Italy has ever produced—that of Tessero. Old Pasquale Tessero married Carolina Ristori (sister of Mme. Ristori). He was the most celebrated “ heavy villain ” of his day in Italy. Duke Alva, in Sardou’s “ La Patrie,” was one of his, great parts. He lived to the age of 92, and died at Bologna in 1888, some years' after being knighted by KingVictor Emmanuel. He had two daughters on the stage. Adelaide Tessero, who was born in 1843, apart from her classic roles, is claimed by Italian critics as having founded the modern school of Italian acting in such parts as Marguerite Gautier and Fedora. Sardou reviewed her for the Paris papers in the latter role, and proclaimed her a great actress. Her younger sister Giulia, who resembled her in her stately elegance of figure and in the beauty of her dark eyes, threw in her lot with her husband (the late Signor Majeroni) and settled in Australia.

Holland’s vaudeville company, now touring Queensland, includes Lilian Knight, Violet Wray, Cissie Linwood, Eva Wilson, Will Cottier, J. Rollett and Tom Edwards.

It is very probable that “In Dahomey/ the successful “ black ” production at the Shaitesbury Theatre, London, will be seen in Australia next year’ with the original company. * * • * Williamson's Musical Comedy Company opened at Brisbane with “ The Circus Girl.’’ This company will add “ Floradora ” to their repertoire. Miss Munro's departure for England left a vacancy for Miss Susie Vaughan to play the part of Mrs Bloodgood in the Melbourne production of “ Are You a Mason ?” Miss Ida Gresham and Messrs C. IL Stanford and Lumsden Hare have been engaged for the JefiTiesnKnight Company. Mr Stanford is to assist Mr Meynell in the stage management. • • • • Jahannesburg’s new theatre, His Majesty’s, was opened with ‘ ‘ Djin Djin by the Royal Australian Comic Opera Company (the Pollards) on Saturday, July 11. All the papers appreciate the gorgeous mounting, which seems to come as a revelation to South African playgoers. * * * * Edward ’Jerry has returned to London, and speaks glowingly of South Africa as a theatrical field. He helped to form the South Africa Actors' Benefit Association, and gave sundry shows in aid of it. Between the intervals of mumming he visited Colenso, Spion Kop and other battle fields. * ♦ * * The French are at last beginning to appreciate English drama. Versions of «• Gus>,” “ The Second Mrs Tanqueray," and “ ’l’he Admirable Crichton '’ are running to good biz. at the leading Paris theatres, while the American colony is charmed by “ The Belle of New York, which seems popular with Parisians. “ Reeling off pages parrot-like does not constitute an actress. As a matter of fact I never knew a first-class actor or act r iss who had a good thus Miss Milton to a Melbourne interviewer. Also “ the silly fashion of lionising actors and actresses is only done by notoriety hunting society entertainers, and no benefit can be gained on cither side.'’ • • ♦ • Miss Linda Raymond is an Australian actress who does her country credit (says the “Newsletter”). She is a native of Carlton, Melbourne, and has played Galatea, Arrah-na-Pogue, Lady Teazle (“ School for Scandal "), and nearly every stock part. She is a most versatile artist. * My Christchurch dramatic correspondent writes : “ The Caste Comedy Company (amateurs) propose to reproduce ‘ Jane and ‘ The Magistrate ' at the Royal here next month. I hear the sale of tickets is already in full swing, and that the ad-

vance demand for seats is most satisfactory. It will only be a two-night season. . . . Fuller's Entertainers are as entertaining as ever. The last night of Fred Bluett is announced, Mascotte s Marionettes are still a draw, and Dr. Rowe, the magician, is still mystifying Opera House patrons every night. On Monday we are promised the first appearance of the Stagpoole Trio, and the reappearance of Amy Blackie. . . • lhe Tavlor-Carringtbn Company play Lyttelton Monday and Tuesday, September 14 and 15. and then visit Rangiora, Amberlev. Kaiapoi, Ashburton, Temuka and Timaru. . . . The old Oddfellows’ Hall, in Lichfield-street, has been sold, and will vanish ere very long, to give place to a large warehouse. Chas. Clarke (the Rev.) lectured at this hall when he first came to New Zealand, and a whole host of show men have appeared in it from time to time. ... On September 28 the American Comedy Company opens at the Royal, and will be followed by a number of companies in rapid succession. Rix’s Gaiety Company makes a welcome

re-appearance here this evening. Ihe bill to be presented is as strong as gunpowder, ami includes lod Callaway, also Emmie Smith, of coon songs fame. The season will only be a short one. Mr Dix is now in Christchurch.”

The Sheridan Musical Comedy Company. who commence a season at His Majesty’s Theatre, on Saturday night, with “The. Lady Slavey,” have just concluded a highlv-successful season in Wellington.

‘‘ Dagonet ” tells a dog story : The most extraordinary stage dog I ever knew was one named Spot, who toured with Mr Alfred Hemming’s * Crutch and Toothpick ’ Company, the first play of mine that went round the provinces*. Spot played the blind man’s dog in the burlesque of * Carmen ’ which followed ‘ Crutch.’ He was very proud of his performance, and used to swagger about the provincial towns in quite a professional manner. In Leeds, at the house in which his master, Mr Hemming, lodged, he made friends with another dog. One night when Spot came on for his scene at the Grand Theatre a loud bark was heard from the back of the pit. Instantly Spot walked to the footlights,, peered across the audience, and wagged his tail. The dog at the back of the pit was the dog from the theatrical apartments. He had come in on Spot's invitation to witness his friend’s performance, and had given him a reception which Spot duly acknowledged at the footlights.”

’Pho Countess Russell, who has adopted the stage as a profession, authorises the announcement that her husbagd and herself have become reconciled. In a communication which the husband has written for publication, and which has been approved by the Countess, he says that he and the 'Countess decided to “ forgive and forget the horrors of the P//*! months.” He goes on to say, “ ’The innumerable accusations and reports regarding myself made to the Countess by supposed friends caused her the greatest distress, but, unlike most people, she has behaved as a true and noble-hearted woman on hearing the other side of these accusations. I trust I may be able to repair the past by devoting my life, heart, and soul to her.” He denies that he has ever contracted any other marriage, or that he has been in league with anyone in a conspiracy to injure her. The Countess has been rejoined by her husband at Bray.

Air Walter Monk, of the Fitzmaurice Gill Company, writes from Cobar iN.S.W.) : “ Our tour on the Western line, despite the opinions of people in the know in Sydney, who advised us against this line, has turned out fairly successful. We played two good nights at Bathurst and Orange, three at Dubbo. which was really immense, and are now doing a five nights’ season at Cobar, so far real g’ood. On

our way back to Sydney we do Nyngan. Wellington, Lithgow, and return to Dubbo and Bathurst, arriving in Sydney on September 8, and opening Newcastle on Saturday, September 12. ‘ The French Spy,’ ‘ Prodigal Parson,’ and * Man to Man ' are suited to the taste of the public ; they are decidedly enthusiastic oyer them. The local papers are very eulogistic over the scenery and dress. They say it is the best ever seen out here.” The Hawtrey Company have been playing to satisfactory business on the West Coast of this Island, where “Fauntleroy,” with little Addie Lorking in the title role, has been warmly welcomed.

Charles Reade was vice-chancellor of Magdalen, but no one was less cut out to be an Oxford don. One of his theatrical friends at this time was Mrs Stirling, who went to Oxford and visited Reade in his rooms: The advent of a highly popular actress at her zenith, stylish, attractive, and dressed in the height of fashion, fluttered the dovecotes of Philistia. Snobbery was rampant, and Mrs Grundy up in arms. Some good-natured friend wrote to Reade’s mother that the Vice-Chancellor of Magdalen had been seen trotting about with a play actress. “ ’The next day,’ writes Charles Reade, “ just as my fair friend and I were sitting down to lunch in my rooms the mater descended upon us. She did not wait for any introduction. It was the first and only time I ever knew her to forget herself. I must do the other lady the justice to say that she did not —indeed, she never acted so well on the stage as she did on that occasion. • You are his mother, madame, and he is my friend,’ she said. ‘ Don’t trouble, sir ; you are needed here, and lam not. I can find my way.’ I drove home with mother that night, and next day (Sunday) we went to church together. When she said ‘ Forgive us our trespasses ’ she clasped my hand. I returned the clasp, and from that time forth the incident was closed.”

Little Gulliver, the midget comedian who accompanies J ohn F. Sheridan’s proanisation, was afraid to go out in Wellington lest he should be blown away.

The Fitzmaurice-Gill Company have been doing excellent business in the Western towns of New South Wales. During the representation of the “French Spy,” at Wellington (N.S.W.),' Mr Blake met with a serious mishap, one of the curtain rollers falling on his head and inflicting injuries that necessitated the services of a medical man. After some delay, Mr Blake pluckily went on' with the piece.

John F. Sheridan, who opens at His Majesty's on Saturday night, has played the part of Widow O’Brien nearly 6000 times.