CHRISTCHURCH NOTES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 769, 1 December 1904, Page 18

CHRISTCHURCH NOTES

My Christchurch correspondent writes:— The Stenhenson Musical Comedy Co. has departed from the T.R., and the t anterbury Hall .no longer knows the Harry Rickards Co. The first-named combination made a good impression and lots of money as the result of a fairly long season. Their last production, “The Dandy Doctor,” was, like an alluvial goldfield, good in patches. But Lauri has small chance to shine in this piece, and the same remark applies to other stars. Nevertheless the “Doctor” is, bright enough—thanks, largely to May

Beatty, who plays a “slavey” quite in the old well-remembered Pollardian manner. We shall be very glad to see this clever company again whenever the management sees fit to give us another treat.

As for the Rickards Company they scored a big- success, too, and this despite the heavy handicap of having to appear in the Canterbury Hall, where where about 75 per cent, of the upstairs audience cannot hear a word of what is said upon the stage. Really New Zealand playgoers ought to be under a great obligation to Mr Rickards for sending such a company of all-round excellence to play through the colony. Van Allen,

“ the Musical Tramp,” Mde. Marzella, and her marvellous troupe of feathered “ artistes,” Miss Duorez, “ the Jollv Dutch Girl,” Mi ss Maud Beatty, Winton, the ventriloquist, and others, are each and all first-rate performers, and good enough for any music-hall in the world. By the way. Miss Beatty goes to America on the conclusion of her engagement with Mr Rickards, I understand. She sings popular ballads delightfully. As for Van

Allen and Winton, we have never had their equals in their respective lines in New Zealand. I trust the financial results of the tour through Maoriland may be sufficiently good to induce Mr Rickards to send other companies over. But is he never coming over again himself ? He would get the very warmest of welcomes if he did.

Shows may come and shows may go. but I'idlers Entertainers are always here and always doing good business. The Stagpooles, Bertotos, Edith Burk, Harry Brown. Sam Wilson, Dick Davis, and i'Torrie Leigh are all about to leave us, but on Monday the Nawns make a welcome re-appearance in an entirely new sketch, “ The Shipmates,” and the McAuley Sisters and May Rose make a first appearance here. The ’McAuley Sisters have just completed a triumphal season in Dunedin, I hear. Report says they are wonderfully clever. Well, we shall see what we shall see. * * * # Dix’s Gaiety Comuany open here on Boxing Night at the Theatre Royal. Mr Fred Graham, the comedian, and his accomplished wife (Miss Nellie

Dent), were passengers to Sydney by the iv.o o.a on Monday, en route for Melbourne, where Mr Graham goes to fulfil ant engagement with Mr J. C. Williamson. Mr and Mrs Graham may be sure of a warm welcome whenever they return to New Zealand. * * * An interesting experiment is about to he tried in Paris by Albert Carre, director of the Opera Comique. by arrangement with the proprietors and airectors of various theatres, among them those of Mont Parmesse, the Grenelle, and the Gobeline. It is M. Carre’s purpose to take the company of the Comique to these theatres for series of performances at certain periods of the Winter season for the entertainment of the denizens of the poorer quarters of Paris. The prices of tickets are to be placed so low that with good patronage it is expected simply to pay running expenses. Ar.d by this means regular productions of the better class may b’e enjoyed by persons who otherwise could not possibly afford to witness them. This is one of many tokens of the public spirit as to amusements that is evinced by . managers in Paris, as well as by officials, artists and all who have to do with the theatres of that capital. * * * < Mr Geo. Stephenson denies the statement published in several papers to the effect that he has purchased two new pieces for production in Australia. Mr Stephenson says he has done nothing in? this direction pending his negotiations for the advent of art E’nglish star about Easter time, when, if matters are satisfactorily arranged, the star in question will Oring her own companv and pieces. * • * w * According to the “ Mail.” Mr Biand Holt's new piece at the Sydney Royal, Going the Pace," proved to be in many respects nearer farce-comedy than the customary tragic melodrama. It is by Arthur Shirley and Ben Landeek. two well-known purveyors of melodrama, and perhaps “ melofarce would be an appropriate title, for it is impossible to take even the most melodramatic incidents seriously in it. 'i et, what it lacks in coherence is made up in variety, and in the charming setting in the rustic scenes of an English hunting county. In om- of these we are shown “ the meet.” The huntsmen come galloping in over a long rustic bridge, which appears to end in a road extending far back to the distance. In this scene the hero brings the villain m across his horse, and hands him to the police, but he has nevertheless himself to suffer two years imprisonment for the deed which his captive had committed. The ruffian is one Parici (otherwise Mr Albert Norman), a circus rider, who has betrayed Lucy Swanson (Miss Pollock). , Old man Swanson accuses the hero. Dick Mervyn (Mr Baker), of the seduction, and when Swanson is set upon by Parici and his companions it is Mervyn whom he charges with the assault. Meantime Mervyn had married another of his daughters (prettily impersonated by Miss Ross). There is not much connection in the story, and it ends in a great "variety" scene in the circus ring where Parici is brought to book. This is most elaborately carried out. Mr Llolt himself has an unusually full part as a groom, who is sanctimonious or reckless by turns, just as the spirit of his father (a preacher) or his mother (a circus rider) cones uppermost. It is all most elaborately staged. Mrs Holt, as a shy Quakeress, and Mr ('has. Brown, as a cir-

cus proprietor, have a good deal to do with the comedy scenes, and Miss Ireland is a dashing equestrienne. Mr Brunton's scenery is excellent. # Says ~ the New York “ Dramatic Mirror : “ Marshall P. Wilder, who will ■■• ail for Australia on October 13, beginning a tour of the world, has arranged to write a weekly letter to the “ Sunday Magazine ” while he is away. James Barton Adams, of Denver, has written a poem to Mr Wilder, called “ Good-bye, Marshall,” in which he voices deep and sincere regret at the departure of the little humorist for foreign shores.

La Loie Fuller will shortly appear in a new role—that of authoress. She has written a short book dealing with radium, and a large volume on America and the Americans. Negotiations are now pending for the publication of the latter in England in the near future.