THE BROUGH-FLEMMING CO

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 786, 30 March 1905, Page 19

THE BROUGH-FLEMMING CO

It is a long time since more gcnu.nc* interest was aroused in the advent cf a new theatrical organisation for Australia than that which is heralding the coming of the Brough-Flemming combination (says the Sydney “Refrece”). Although upwards of two years have elapsed since “the Broughs” left, the void has never been filled; but there are strong indicacations now that, with 3lr Brough and 31r Herbert Flemming at the head of affairs, Australian audiences will cnee n ore be treated to a repertoire of the latest London comedies, played and mounted in a planner that would reflect credit* on the best West-End London theatre. By the Orcntes last week Mr I erbert Flemming arrived in M'elboume, bringing with him full details of the arrange . en s made for the; first series of plays to L e presented by the new firm. Mr Bioug’i will reach Freemantle on the Ist prox., bringing, with him the I ny’ish members of the company —fourteen in all. Mr Brough and Mr Herbert Flemming will appear from time to time, and in one play, “The Walls of Jericho, both actors will appear in parts reported to be particularly {well suited to them. Mrs Brough accompanies her husband on tin 1 trip, but has no idea of appearing in a professional capacity. r i he “English

learn” will be supplemented by a number of Australian artists, the majority of whom left Sydney last week per Marmora for Perth, where active rehearsals will commence immediately after Mr Brough’s arrival. Each play will be staged in the same perfect manner with which the name of “Brough" is associated, and practically everything has been brought from London. r l he Syndey season commences at the Criterion Theatre on Saturday August 26. Mr Allan Hamilton, who will manage the tour, leaves for Perth next week.

Harry Richards, at the end of this month,sc nds another company to New Zealand. The tour opens at Auckland on April 3. • * • • Mrs Brown-Potter, who is busily rehearsing “Madame Du Barry" at the London Savoy ’ll heatre, has (according to an exchange) secured as an item in the Louis IXV.}ntoiJnt'ifng. of the play a genuine 17th-century harpsichord. Mrs Potter has lived at Versailles, and resided for a number of years in France, so she is well acquainted with the mise-en-scene of the Du Barry's career. • • • • An American whistling comedian, Henry Taft, opened at the Sydney Tivoli last Saturday week.

A letter from Henry Dallam states that he and his wife (Miss Joesphine Stanton) opened at the Hammersmith Theatre the second week in February in a sketch. * * * * I take the following from the “AustraJuly 8, for a season of eight weeks in Herbert Flemming will intioduce their comedy company at- the Princess’ on July- 8, for a seacon of eight weeks in Melbourne. Mr Flemming, who is now in Melbourne, has told an “Argus” interviewer that the company is as strong a one as could be obtained in England at present. Tour successful plays have been secured, ’Quality Street’ ‘ and ‘Little Mary,’ by Mr J. M. Barrie; ‘The AV alls of Jericho,’by Mr Alfred Sutro ; and ’Beauty and the Barge,’ the openingpiece, by Messrs W. W. Jacoibs and Louis Parker, for which scenery has been prepared on the model of the London production at the Haymarket. The barge itself is an immense affair, to be shipped out in sections. (I he costumes were purchased on the riverside at Lambeth, Mr Brough has been persuaded to take a character part in the opening piece. Mrs. Brough will accompany him, but has no intention of acting. Miss Emma Temple is now cast for character 'parts ; ‘her old women are a revelation.’ Mr Mclntyre is now in the same theatre as Mr Titheradge, and neither is leaving London at present. Mr Titheradge is very keen on coming- to Australia, and may do so later on. Miss Beatrice Day- will be leading lady, Miss Winifred Fraser the ingenue, and Miss Kate Lee soubrette. Mr Carter Pickford and Mr Philip Leslie will take juvenile leads. Mr Edgar Payne “old man,” Mr John Forde coined/, and Mr J. Pault< n. son of Mr Harry Faulton, broad comedy. • • • « The next production at the Melbourne Royal by Mi- Wl! iam Anderson s Companywill be ‘Camille,"with Miss Eugenie Duggan in the title role. Cn Saturday, April 8, “La FiHe du Tambour Major,” the well-known comic opera, will be staged by a most competent company- for eleven nights. ♦ ♦ * ♦ After a most successful st ascii at the Adelaide Royal, the pantomime of “Sinbad, the Sailor" was given a good sendoff prior to being tal-m to Broken Hill. * ♦ ♦ * Miss Tittell Brunt* appeared in “Romeo and Juliet" at the Th "atm Koval, Perth, for four nights, beginning cn Friday 7, 31 arch 10. * * • * Sir Henry Irving will visit Stratford for the first time professionally in April, with Mr F. A. Benson, as Shylock in “’I he Merchant of Venice.” The Russian company of players appearing ; n 1 onclon recently did not meet with adequate support. A benefit was arranyd for them at the Haymarket by Messrs Harrison and 31auide. » # • * The theatrical companies that visited Adelaide since the year began have been subjected to what is sarcasticallytermed “the nimble nin'penny ” taxation. Last year an act was passed giving the Commissioner of ’faxes power, win n he

The famous. Ventriloquist with Mr HarryRickards’ New Vaudeville Co. thought anybody was not likely- to stay there earning money for a whole year, to collect a tax on daily 7 earnings. This was stated at the time to be aimed at theatrical stars earning high salaries, such as Melba and Paderewski, but now- it hascome to be so interpreted that the commissioner has sent out notices to all members of companies. Even the chrrusgirls and the smallest child in Anderson’s Pantomime ( onpany last week received a sheet of taxation forms, intin ating that amounts varying from 9d upwards w ere due. It is not very likely that recipients will bother to pay thetax, which they state is not levied, in. any other state in the ( ommonwealth. At 31 r Beebohm’s 'free’s revival of “3luch Ado About Nothing” at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, recently, a copy of the following intimation was handed to every- person in the pit and gallery :— TO THE PUBLIC. 31 r Tree desires to ascertain directly from the 1 patrons of this theatre whetherthey desire l that the pit and gallery seats shall be booked beforehand, and with this view voting papers are given to each occupant of these seats. In this theatre the2s, and 3s, and 4s seats can be booked beforehand. The advantages of booking the pit and gallery- seats are obvious, and need not here be emphasised, but in voting it should be borne in mindi that there “may be many busy people who canonly- make up their minds at the last moment to go to the theatre on any particulJar night, and it is for their convenience that Mr Tree has held back from booking these seats. The voting in the pit -was : Yes, 41 ; No, 105 ; 65 did not vote. In the gallery the “ayes” were 58, and the “noes 158. “About the German Drama of I o-day” was the title of an address delivered by Mr J. T. Grein last month in London at the Emerson Club. ■ Mr Grein said English plays of the present time were written to fit certain actors, while in German plays the actors have in their minds the ensemble of the work rather than a wish to gain a great personal success. * * * * 31. Coquelin. interviewed by a representative of the London “Daily Express, gives an opinion adverse to the establishing of a 1 repertory’ theatre. He contends that it is not wanted, that there are not enough. jjilrAys to.keep it and thjat the actor-manager, which is s'uch a factor in determining the dramatic suflply of London, would be- an unsurmount able barrier to the necessary complete homogeneity among the actors, such as. exists, he savs, at the Com edie Francais. 31. Coquelin adds that the popular taste now, not only’ in England, but in France, is not so much in-favour of a high-class theatre as of a kind of music-hall. Ihe theatres which best succeed, he says, are those which come a K near to the musichall as possible. ' * ♦ » . * 31r Tree’s interesting theatrical reminiscences which he retailed to a London audience the other day, included his appearance at the Garrick Theatre, Leman Street, in “A Cruise to China.” Tn those primitive days it was the custom of the audience to express their approval of the performance by 7 presenting the players with offerings of fried fish. At the Britannia, Hoxt on, a wider latitude prevailed at the annual “Festival,” for while the actors received packets of tobacco, cigars, socks, and ties, the lad : es were rewarded with corsets, stocking:-’, scent, and various undergarments more useful than ornamental.

The Wellington season of Mr J. C. Williamson’s Repertoire Opera Company is proving • (says “Lorgnette”) a great success both from an artistic and financial standpoint. Last Saturday evening “'Hie Pirates of Penzance” was produced, and house being packed to the doors by a most enthusiastic audience. The performance from start to finish went with a crispness that was simply remarl-aole, the more so when it is rememberes that the company was only recently formed and made its first appearance in Sydney on the 17th December last. It might also be ■mentioned that during this short period it has produced five operas and worked up “The Yoeman of the Guard ’ ready for production, making six operas in all. It says a lot for the quick study .of every one in the company. An especial word of praise is due to Mr Henry Bracy, under whose supervision the operas ha'e been produced, and Alons, Leon Caron, the conductor. Aliss Dolly Castles sang sweetly the music allotted to the part .of Mabel” and also acted very nicely. Miss Celia Ghiloni’s Ruth was another of this' clever artiste’s successes. Her ance throughout was of a very high' order. Air Frank Wilson gave an artistic performance of the Pirate King, both as regards singing and acting. Air John Ralston’s representation of Samuel was also first-class. The Major-General Stanley of Air Howard Vernon was excellent, whilst Air Ernest Fitts made a capital ■ Sergeant of Police. Air M alter Mbyte made his first appearance in Wellington as Frederic, and created a very favourable impression. Aliss Vina De I.oitte, Aliss Agjjie Thorn, and Aliss Ruby Armfield played well the characters of Edith, Katie, and Isabel. I he chorus and orchestra did splendid work right through the performance. As is usual with all Mr C. Williamson’s productions, “The Pirates of Penzance” is staged on a •sumptuous scale. The front of the house is looked after by Air Richard Stewart, and he is very satisfied when the card “5.R.0.” is nig-htly hung up at all the entrances. * * * ’ Miss Nellie Stewart was tendered an enthusiastic furewelj from her Sydney admirers on, the occasion of the last performance of Air George Musgroves Dramatic Company at the Lyceum lh.ca.ie, on the evening prior to sailing for New Zealand. AC the end of the performance the curtain rose upon the assembled company time after time, whilst Aliss Stewart was presented with flowers innumerable. The popular actress was then recalled alone again and again, until she explained that owing to a severe sore throat, which, as she was afraid they must have noticed, had affected her speaking voice throughout the evening, she was quite unable to make a formal speech. She could only say that she never knew before how much attached to

her they were. Aliss Stewart tin n retired, but the applause continued until Mr George Musgrove added a word or two of thanks, with the remark that they would all come back again in July. (Cheers.) -r- ’s- k Whitehouse's Bioscope Con pt.ny have just returned from an extended t.nd very profitable tour in Hawke's Bay and overland to Port Awanui via Gisborne, beingwelcomed everywhere. The living scenes are especially fine, and Kershaw's feats of legerdemain prove an added attraction, being mysterious and amusing. The company are starting a continuous tour through the North, where the proprietor’s name is too well-known to require any guarantee. ♦ * * * Discussing the proposed return visit of Air Charles Warn >r to Australia and New Zealand with a theatrical agent (says “Prompter,” in the “Canterbury Times,”) I expressed the opinion that the veteran actor, now getting on in years, must be considerably 7 below his former standard. The reply I got was both surprising and convincing. “Charles Mainer,” so my informant stated, “.'s one of the wonders of the English stage. He really 7 seems as young and vigorous as ever. Recently’, playing with Airs Bro.\n-Potter in ‘ Pagliaeci,’ he gave such a magnificent performance that many of the critics considered it superior to his famous ‘ Coupeau.’ ” * A A * Mr Bert Royle has received a cable message stating that Aliss ( ampion would leave for New Zealand probab,y during the present week. * ♦ ♦ * Air Fred Graham and his wife (Aliss Nellie Dent), now in Australia, are to rein Fullers’ at ; early 7 date. Tn noticing the recent revival of “H.AT.S. Pinafore,” at Her Ala esty s Theatre, Sydney, the “ Herald " says:,—•

'i hr cast presented an acceptable ensemble. Mr Frank. Wilson much strengthened his position with the Australian public as Captain Corcoran. I 1 or the first time he found some scope as a linger, and he employed his light baritone 1 voice, which is of musical quality throughout to great advantage in the serenade “Fair Moon" (encored). The new captain apparently does not fall in with the nautical practice of pacing the quarter-deck with his hands behind his back, but his appearance was eminently 7 sailor-like. Miss Celia Ghiloni once more proved herself a clever charact'cr-actress in her new part as Buttercup. There was a world of mischievous him.our in her eyes, and she sang the music with comic significance-. . . . Mr Charles Kenningham's Ralph Rackstraw owed its point to the actor's extreme seriom ness in delineating the bombastic vanity of “the best foretopman in the British Navy.;” and he showed taste in his rendering of “The Nightingale Sighed,” to which Signor I’agnotti played the appropriate flute obligato. Mr Howard Vernon, warmly recognised on his recovery from serious illness, was perfectly 7 well placed in his old Part as Sir Joseph Porter. Mr Ernest Fitts’ bass voice gave due value to the music of Dick Dead-Eye, and Mr John Ralston. as the Boatswain, did full justice to the spirit of solen n burlesque which pervades “He Mas an Englishman.” . . . Miss Aggie Thorne was the dainty Hebe. and Miss Irma Caron, whose stage debut provided a roguish little Midshipmite, was allotted a charming sweetheart in another tiny actress, Miss Challis Burnell. Mr Henry Bracy successfully directed this revival of “Pinafore.” th « * ♦' * Mr Percy- Hutchison, in a London paper has some suggestions to offer with a view to coaxing into the theatre those people of the unco guid order who never visit a playhouse. “I do.” said Mr Hutchison, “believe in healthy 7 plays, and

I think we should try to improve our audiences and not allow detioration to set in. With regard to the provinces, with which I, as a manager, am mainly concerned, I would invite a clergyman of every denomination to witness the representation of our plays free of charge. After he had seen the piece, I would request him to give me his views—in short, a candid criticism —and to say frankly what portion, if any, of the play he would not like his own congregation to witness. In this way, I believe we should gradually get the better-class people into the theatres, and 1 feel certain that if regular church and chapelgoers were to patronise the drama it would undoubtedly be to the good of the drama and the dramatic profession. Of course, I don't mean to preach sermons, because the theatre, after all, is only a place for amusement and recreation for the mind. And at the same time, I consider that every play should contain a moral, and a good one at that.” * * 3K * M . F. Hawtrey and Miss Winifred Austin, who opened at the Melbourne Opera House last Wednesday week, had just concluded a very successful M'estralian season. * * * ♦ William Anderson’s touring dramatic company continues to do yvell in New Zealand. A six nights’ season in Mellington will be opened on April 3. Walter Melville the “bad woman” dranfa writer, has gone on the music hall stage in London.