THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 787, 6 April 1905, Page 18

THE STAGE

WIRTHS’ C RCUS. The enormous tent in Mechanic’s Bav has proved not at all too large to hold the crowds that nightly besiege it, nor does it seem too big to hold the host of animals and human artists which the enterprising firm carry round the world at enormous expense. The show may, in brief, be said to retain all the old features which have made it famous, while there has been a huge accretion of the latest novelties. These include the cream of the performers from the Wild West Show that took London by storm — Captain McCloud, the master of the lasso, Wild Friday, who beat the world’s record as a rifle-shot and dagger thrower, and several others Also the champion jumper Thomas Colquet, who has jumped into a fame more profitable if not more enduring than that of George Washington. Then there is the Demon Chefalo, whose specialty it is to risk his life twice every night “to please the audience. ’ He does this per media of “leaping the chasm ” and “looping the loop.” These items are entirely novel to Auckland, and the chances are that they are not likely to be witnessed here again for many a long day. The main elements of the circus, the performing tigers, lions, elephants and the magnificent stud of trained horses provide an entertainment worthy of all the good old traditions of the ring, while the clowns and the tumblers are also sound and sterling performers. The Wirths know their business thoroughly, and the public know how to show their appreciation. The season, which is much shorter than usual, closes on Saturday, and the huge company takes its departure for Sydney on Monday. OPERA HOUSE. FULLERS* EMPIRE SHOW. A capital performance has been presented during the week, chiefly variations by artists already noticed, and the public patronage has been highly satisfactory despite the strong rival shows Pete Miller and Harley and Williams are the main attractions, but there are a host of popular items. To-morrow evening there will be a wrestling match between Skinner, the Auckland champion, and Mr Cameron, a famous professional from the Old Country, who leaves on the following Monday to fulfil an engagement at the Crystal Palace, London. OLYMPIA RINK. In spite of the counter-attractions now visiting Auckland, the Rink still holds its own, and is taxed to its utmost. The special attraction last week was an Obstacle Race, which caused no end of laughter. The final -will be run on Saturday night. To-night a polo match on skates will be played between the Auckland Polo Club and a team formed from the employees of the Rink (it being the second round for the gold medals). This match will be one of the most exciting events of the season, and should command a crowded house. The Auckland Team will consist of Capt. Lincoln, Messrs Cosslett, Pelham, Naydon and Raynes. Olympia Team : Capt. Bosisto, Messrs Reid, Mclntosh, Stone and McEwan. The extension of the rink 30 feet, now under the consideration of the management, will be needed as the cold weather is setting in and the attendance is on the increase daily. The management must be congratulated on the thoughtful and painstaking way in which they cater for their patrons, leaving no stone unturned to enhance the comfort of all who visit this popular place of amusement. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. THE RICKARDS’ TOURING CO. The Company organised by Mr Harry Rickards, which opened a New Zealand tour at His Majesty’s Theatre on Mon-

day, is certainly one Of the strongest vaudeville shows ever seen in this Colony. A selection has evidently been made of the very best of the huge corps of speciality artists enlisted under the popular Rickards’ banner in Europe and America. Every performer is a star of very high magnitude. The programme is a long series of excellences, and, broadly speaking, includes every variety of attracticn that belongs to the order called up-to-date. There is, moreover, a distinct keynote in the whole, which is humour. The show in all its branches is pre-eminently one calculated to provoke hilarity, and there is hardly a moment during the two or three hours when the faces of the audience are not wreathed in smiles, or their laryngal chords agitated beyond the power of control. This applies equally to such diverse items as the lightning calculations and “clairvoyance” of Mdlle. Olivette, and the ventriloquial performance of Mr Fred W. Millis. Mdlle. Olivette is a marvel in her own way. She gives the answers to the most difficult mathematical problems in a flash, performs what look like miracles on a magnified chessboard, and describes the most uncommon articles worn by members of the audience while blindfolded. She never makes a mistake, though she perpetrates puns perpetually, and is the merriest “medium” in the world. Mr Millis, who returns to the Colonies after an

absence of a quarter of a century, is a prince amongst ventriloquists, and his exhibition is the brightest and cleverest I remember to have seen. He is also an accomplished vocalist, and recalls the best days ol Arthur Lloyd and Harry Clifton. A remarkable exhibition* of tight-wire walking and dancing is given by the Sisters O’Meers, who seem able to do more on this slender platform than most people could with the whole stage given in. They walk, run, pirouette, dance and cake-walk with the most astonishing ease and grace. They are assisted by their two brothers, only less clever than themselves. Lazern, the conjurer, is one of the cleanest exponents of the science of sleight-of-hand we have had here. Historians, an eight-year-old child exhibits extraordinary memory-training, being able to answer any question in a repertoire of some 19,00 C. The Frasettis contribute a beautiful and unique musical turn on the violin, harp and xylophone, and the Salambos give a startling manifestation of the operation of electricity in the human body. This act is one of weird and peculiar interest. The, comedian of the Company, Mr Tom Dawson, sings a number of original comic, songs with eccentric dances, and is redemanded times out of number. The great society entertainer, Mr George Golden, did riot put in an appearance the first and second nights owing to the late arrival of the ’Frisco Mail boat, but was to take part in the performance last night, and will be one of the major attractions during the rest of the sea-

son. The orchestral arrangements are under the capable direction? of Miss May McCrystal. MR J. C. WILLIAMSON’S GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OPERA CO. Mr George Matheson, Mr J. C. Williamson’s touring representative, arrived from the South on Tuesday morning to make arrangements for the Opera season, which is to commence at His Majesty’s Theatre, on Saturday, April 15th. The Company, which comprises no less than 90' neople, has been specially organised by Mr Williamson to play a series of Gilbert and Sullivan operas. The object of this welcome revival was the outcome of an outery by the musical section of playgoers throughout the colonies against the lighter and lesssatisfying. entertainments. The Company, which has been playing in Wellington to phenomenal business for the past three weeks, will produce on an elaborate scale Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan’s most brilliant and popular gems, which for the past twenty-five years have delighted the world. The initial production will be the delightfully original aesthetic opera “Patience,” which will be presented for four nights only. “Patience” will be followed in quick succession by “The Mikado,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Pinafore,” and “The Yeoman of the Guard.” A feature of the season will

be the reappearance in his old parts of Mr Howard Vernon, after a long absence from the colony. The Company includes, Miss Dolly Castles (sister of Miss Amy Castles), Miss Celia Ghiloni, Miss Venia- d’Loitte, Miss Aggie Thorne, Miss Ruby Arnfield, Mr Frank Wilson, baritone, from the Savoy Theatre, London, Mr Charles KenTningham, tenor, from the Savoy Theatre, London, Mr J. Ralston, Mr H. H. Wallace, Mr W. Whyte, Mr Ernest . Fitts, and others. The operas will be produced under the direction of Mr Henry Bracy, and the grand operatic chorus and orchestra is under the baton of M. Leon Caron. CHRISTCHURCH NOTES. My Christchurch correspondent writes: I have to acknowledge (with appreciation) the receipt of an artistic post card from Miss Nellie Stewart, with a life-like portrait of Nellie on one side, and the message (in facsimile of her handwriting), “Hoping to' see you soon.” I reciprocate the wish. There is no more charming actress than Nellie Stewart on the Colonial boards at the present time. Her season at the Royal starts Friday, April 7th, and will be for 12 nights. She opens in the wellremembered “Sweet Nell, of Old Drury,” which is to be followed by “Blindman’s Buff,” “Camille,” “Old Heidelberg,” and “Pretty Peggy.” Crowded houses are bound to be the order of the night. The touring manager , is Mr Harry Musgrove.

On Monday next the Bullers win introduce a star artist to Christchurch, in the person of Grossi, the Magician, who has set all the world wondering “How it’s done,” and also comes to Christchurch with a very big reputation, and is to receive, I understand, a salary from Fuller and Sons commensurate with his fame.

“The Broken Melody,” the exquisitely beautiful setting to Mr Van Biene’s still more lovely ’cello playing, was heard for the last time by a large audience at His Majesty’s on Saturday evening. The impression left by the performance will not easily fade, and we shall look forward to the possible return of the great musician, whose declared ambition it now is to appear in musical comedy, with a ’cello in it.

The Steele-Payne Bellringers are at present touring the Goldfields districts, and will be in Auckland for a Sacred Concert at the Opera House on Good Friday.

The Tauranga paper thus refers to the Bellringers : —“This welcome and talented combination opened for a two-night season in the Theatre Royal last evening, and the public showed ’ that it had a good memory for a good entertainment, by filling the theatre to its utmost capacity long before the time to begin. The programme commenced well with the bright and tun’eful ‘Musical Quadrilles’ introducing popular coon songs, and thereafter the audience was kept in a state of continuous enjoyment till closing time. The selections on the bells were beautifully performed, and were in each case encored, the audience most evidently . appreciating not only the skilful manipulation of the instruments, but also the delicate expression they were made to yield to the music. The songs by the various members of the Company were all good of their kind and were accorded hearty applause, though Miss Maud Payne’s rendering of ‘We all grow old in time,’ concluding with a hidden quartette, seemed to excel all others. To-night the Company again appear, and will give a change of programme. It is quite safe to say that this talented company are firm favourites in Tauranga, as we believe they are everywhere, and they can always reckon on a warm welcome by the public here.”

Large as the salary is which Mr Rickards pays “Little Tich,” he must be well satisfied with his enterprise in importing that very clever comedian (says the “Sydney Mail”). The Tivoli has been crowded at every performance since he came, and many people who have not previously been to the Castlereaghstreet vaudeville house have been drawn there during the past weeks. Ladies, too, have taken children in large numbers to revel in the “foot work,” and genuinely comic singing of Tich. It bears out a contention we have always made that humour without vulgarity draws better here than humour with it —and the element of vulgarity has been somewhat too apparent in more than one of “Little Tich’s” predecessors “from the London halls.” Mr Tich is finishing his season on Saturday, and meantime he has revived his very funny burlesque of a ballet girl, which Mr Leist has sketched for this issue, and gives also “The Life Guardsman,” “Blue Beard,” and “It Went.” Thos. Kadwell, a petty officer, R.N., is doing some clever club swinging and knife and axe juggling in the present bill, in which Fred Millis and Harry Taft are bright features. Miss Eva Lee received a welcome as a serio-comic on Saturdav.

Mr Joseph Jefferson will make his reappearance on the stage at the Boston Theatre, Boston, Easter Monday. His son’s, Thomas and Joseph, jun., will ing week he will go to New York and Mr Jefferson will deliver an address each evening between the acts. The following week he will go to New York anh make his farewell appearance on the stage at Joseph Holland’s benefit at the Metropolitan Opera House.

Mr Luscombe Searelle has achieved a striking success with his new poetic play “Mizpah, or the Story of Esther,’’ which he has written in collaboration with Ella Wheeler Wilcox, the famous American authoress, and which scored a triumph on its production at the Majestic Theatre, San Francisco. Three companies have been formed to travel the' play in the United States, and another special company will open in New York in May, following on to London in due course. Mr Searelle has had many tempting offers to lease the play, actually declining one proposal of <£20,000. A public reception was organised in Mrs Wilcox and Mr Searelle’s honour at the Town Hall, San Francisco, on January 29.

Mrs Langtry will visit South Africa in November under the management of Messrs Wheeler. Mr G. H. Smith, who„ is acting for Messrs Wheeler in Europe, has also made arrangements with Mdme. Sarah Bernhardt to visit the Cape shortly.

I learn from the “Referee” the Greenwood Company (the well-known oldtime Auckland family) are at present in Victoria playing through the Omeo goldfields. When in Omeo the State Governor (Sir Reginald Talbot), with his partv, attended the performance of “The Gutta-Percha Girl,” given by the company, and expressed himself as highly pleased and delighted with the entertainment, especiallv complimenting the Misses Greenwood on their singing. The company go next to Albury.

Mrs Amelia Weekes, one of the most celebrated of German actresses, died very recently at the home of her daugh-

ter in St. Louis, Mo., at the advanced age of 81. From the day when she entered the profession, at the age of 16, she had experienced more than 60 years of continuous successes on the German stage in Austria, Germany, and America. At the age of 22 she had achieved the goal of all Continental actors, an engagement at the Royal Theatre.

According to the New York “Dramatic Mirror,” David Belasco has bought the dramatic rights to Robert Hichiu’s novel, “The Garden of Allah,” and may write a play for Blanche Bates from it. The story tells of the adventures of an Englishwoman in Algiers.

There is great interest in Paris political and artistic circles in the candidature of the inimitable actor of the Theatre Francaise, M. Coquel in cadet, for Senator from his native district of Boulogne sur Mer. Coquelin, in an interview,

declares his intention of completely rehabilitating the social position of the professional actor. He said, nfot long ago, actors and actresses were not allowed after death to have funeral services and burials in Paris churches, and only recently could dramatic artists be decorated with the Legion of Honour. “I maintain that no calling exists that is more honourable or capable of accomplishing greater good for humanity than that of a comedian,” he says. “If I am elected Senator I shall, first of all, fight the social battle of actors and actresses. lam a good Republican, of broad views, and, after all, is not political life merely one of many manifestations of the great human comedy?’’

According to the “S.F. Argonaut,” : “In the sixty-five years that J. H. Stoddart has been on the stage, he has missed two performances only wherein which he was scheduled to appear.”

The Knight-Jeffries Company are apparently to be kept moving round for the rest of this year (says an exchange). After the termination of the Melbourne season the organisation goes to Sydney for a seven weeks’ season, lasting until June. Adelaide and West Australia follow after a rest of three weeks in Melbourne, where Mr Julius Knight and a few other members are to appear in the old English morality play, “Everyman,” at the Town Hall- The last months- of the year- will be spent in New Zealand, and by Christmas time the engagements of most of the company will come to a termination. “Pygmalion and Galatea” and “The Lady of Lyons” are both designed for the present Melbourne season, and a rorp.antic costume drama, “His Majesty’s Servant,” has been added to the company’s repertoire.

It is told that Sara Bernhardt once attended a church service incognito. It had been advertised that the minister was to give a dissertation upon the stage and its people. He denounced all in general, and several well-known stars, in particular naming the French woman among them. He spoke of her being a poseur off the stage, doing- all m'anhier of eccentric things to attract attention. The foMJowi'nlg day he received a communication, on sweet scented paper, from the actress. It read ■ “My Dear Confrere : Why are you so hard on one of your own craft—a poseur ?”

Mr Hall Caine’s play, “The Christian,” in an Icelandic translation, has been produced at the Reykjarik Theatre, in Iceland, for several consecutive performances, awakening an unusual amount of interest and enthusiasm in the arctic regions. Well, one can understand an Iceland audience tolerating Hall Caine.

One of the dramas to be produced during the forthcoming season of Mr William Anderson’s Dramatic Company at His Majesty’s Theatre will be the nautical play, “A Sailor’s Sweetheart,” a piece which contains quite a number of most exciting, situations. The story of the play opens at Rockport, where the bluejackets are preparing to depart for active service. Phillip Pemberton, the villain of the piece, learns that his uncle has died and left the whole of his fortune to Lieutenant Charley Clive. He and his solicitor arrange to open the mailbag ' and . secure the will, but the testator has had suspicions of the. solicitor, -Stephen Lucas, and he .sends the precious document to young Clive in another way; When Clive receives .the blue envelope he finds he is directed not to open it for twelve months, so he gives it to his sweetheart, Grace .May]and, to keep for him. The bluejackets leave for West Africa, but Grace Mayland goes too, as nurse. Phillip Pemberton is determined to obtain possession of the will, so sets out in a friend’s yacht and overtakes the big boat in mid-ocean. He has the excuse that he has a mailbag for the Kinfaun’s Castle, and also a female' passenger, who is seeking her daughter and her runaway lover as she supposes. Pemberton kbtains permission to stay on board the vessel. Charley Clive who feels a strange dizziness, is having a few whiffs

on deck prior to turning in. Pemberton seizes the opportunity and pushes his rival into the sea. Then there is great consternaticn. r J he. lifeboat is jammed on the davits, no man will venture into the raging sea, and so Grace May land takes a headlong plunge after her lover. The act closes with a tableau showing Grace holding Charley in her arms and a boat coming to the rescue. The action then shifts..to West Africa. Charley Clive is going ahead with despatches. He Jis lured off the track' by a. nigger at the instigation of Pemberton,, and the two men meet in a bamboo swamp. The hero is dying of thirst, and Pemberton, after torturing his victim by showing’ ham his water bottle, stabs him twice. Pemberton burns the will, steals the despatches, and then departs, smoking a. cigarette. Charley Clive comes round a little and, seizing a twig of bamboo, dips it into his heart’s blood, and writes a message with reference to the stolen despatches. Grace Mayland and Tim Kelly come along, and find the body. The heroine is distracted with grief, but she attends to the message in blood, and then covers the body over with her cloak. A good native Samaritan passes, and gives Charley a reviver out of the gourd he is carrying, and, of course, the hero recovers. Pemberton has trapped men and women into the hands of the King of Kassalis. The men are tied to stakes, and are about to be burnt alive, when the relief party ar-

rives, aA(I puts the black king and his subjects to rout. The scene shifts back to Rockport. Pemberton has put the bailiff into Captain Mayland s house, and refuses to relent unless Grace will consent to marry him. Then Charley appears on the scene, a rich man. He has made a fortune out of some mining leases m Airica. By the aid of Lucas, Pemberton is revealed in his true colours, and he is given 24 hours to quit the country.

An interesting account of a conceit given at Frankfort by the remarkable violinist Jan Kubelik is contained in a letter to the “Australasian” from Mr Tait, who says :—“I went over to Frankfort specially to hear Kubelik, and even if we don’t secure this really wonderful artist, 1 shall not regret the time and expense, as 1 was privileged to hear a performance that must force the most inexperienced musical enthusiast to the conclusion that this boy, with his glorious eyes, is indeed a heaven-sent genius. From the very first moment to the last Kubelik seems to hold complete sway over his audience, which is always a packed one, and at the end of the recital the enthusiasm is unbounded—if anything even more pronounced than what we saw at the 1 aderewski recitals in Melbourne. His style and manner are quite unaffected, and an embodiment of simplicity. He does not swing his instrument—one of the famed A Stradivarius violins—indeed, he h a s a stand on the platform distinctly his own, and one cannot but marvel at the ease with which he produces such wonderful music. He gave three additional numbers at the finish, and even then his audience clamoured for more. He is bound to create an immense stir in Australia and New Zealand, if I can prevail on the vouno- Paginini to undertake the trip. Since the above was written, Kubelik has arranged to come to this part of the world in September next. * * * *

The distinguished German violinist, Professor Hugo Heerman, who has earned a great reputation as an exponent of Beethoven and Brahms, arrives in Melbourne via America, about June 10, and will probably open his season there on June 17. Heerman has, in his native country, a reputation that vies with that of the great classic, Dr. Joachim, and he is probably without a rival as a Beethoven player. He is a personal friend of Brahms. His season there, which will be strictly limited to a few concerts m Melbourne and the other big cities, should create much interest in musical circles.

The veteran musician Manuel Garcia completed his hundredth year on March 17. M. Garcia, who has resided for the greater part of his life in London, re ceived countless letter and telegrams of congratulation. Amongst those to con-

gratulate were their Majesties King Edward of England, the Emperor William of Germany, and King Alfonso of Spain. M. Garcia was born in Madrid on March 17, 1805, and it is nearly 80 years since he made his debut in Paris in the part of Figaro in “The Barber of Seville."’ For over 40 years he was a professor of singing in the Royal Academy of Music, and when he retired in 1896 he continued teaching privately. •B'ofore going to London he was one of the teachers at the Conservatoire in Paris. Amongst his famous pupils were Jenny Lind, Catherine Hayes, and Henriette Nissen. The laryngoscope, an instrument for examining the throat, which is a .great service to the medical profession, is the invention of M. Garcia.

Melbourne audiences have lately been provided with a novel and pleasing turn at the Opera House. It is that of Miss Alice Pierce, advertised as an “American Impressionist.” Her first impression was that of Miss Edie Green singing “The Queen of i the Philippine Islands” in “Florodora.” Then followed Miss Ellen Terry in Portia’s famous speech in “The Merchant of Venice” ; Miss Edna May in “The School Girl” ; Mrs Leslie Carter, the well-known American actress, in a scene from “Zara,” given most dramatically ; Miss Ada Reeve, in an American coon song, charmingly done ; and a very amusing imitation of an American “tough boy,” chewing gum and makingcaustic remarks at a baseball match. In every item (says “Table Talk ’■)•' /Miss Pierce was excellent, scoring an immediate and emphatic success. Dressed plainly, with her coiffure severely so, Miss Pierce yet makes a striking figure, her intellectual and mobile face fascinating everyone. Her acting is convincing, her enunciation distinct, her singing very pleasing, and her every movement characterised by gracefulness and appropriateness of action.

“IF 1 WERE KING.” THE KNIGHT-JEFFRIES VERSION. The following is the “Argus ’ criticism of the Melbourne revival of that favourite romantic drama, “If 1 Were King,” by the Kniight-Jeffries Co. ’the play was produced here by Mr Cuyler Hastings : — “The revival of Justin Huntly McCarthy’s decorative romantic drama, ‘lf I Were Kinjg,’ resulted in every seat at Her Majesty’s '1 heatre being filled on Saturday evening-. It may not be a great play, but it is an excellent entertainment. Romance, outside the covers of a novel, is a ticklish, subject to deal with. On the stage it seems to be always trembling on the verge of the absurd. Like the famous vintage of the poor Little Marchioness, you require to ‘make believe very hard indeed’ to thoroughly appreciate it. Once in this credulous frame of mind, its heroics, altruism, sword praters, heart throbs, and excursions can be thoroughly enjoyed, especially when presinted by a company that pitches its work in the right key. Mr Julius Knight will have very little to do with the seamy side of Master Francois Villon’s life. It is always the poet he portrays, whether clothed in rags, or plated in gold. He says in effect : ‘Circumstances make Villon a cutpurse, burglar, and King of the Cockleshells, but at heart he was a chivalrous being, a. man of honour, with a tender conscience and the singer’s soul.’ Mr Knight carried his ideal picturesquely, consistently, and bravely to the end. In lighter’ vein, especially in the scene with the ragged regiment, his former bibulous cronies at the Fir Cone 1 avern, his acting was thoroughly enjoyed, as was his masterly delivery of V illon’s most famous ‘Ballade of Fair Dames of the Olden Time,” with the mournful, regretful refrain, ‘Where are the snows that fell last vear ?’

“Miss Maud Jeffries stood in the picture a dignified, noble figure as Katherine de Vaucelles, profoundly in earnest, sincere, Titian red-haired, and Grecian robed. It is a curiously compo’inded character, at one moment directing a murder with gusto, and the next tenderness itself, followed later by an unselfish offer to die on the scaffold in place of Villon. This mixture of well-bred woman and friend, Miss Jeffries succeeded in making very acceptable to the audience, who forgot her ‘Kill Thibaut !’ in the first act, in her subsequent tendresses and sorrowings. Like the leaves of memory, she imparted to her impersonation of Katherine a ‘mournful rustling,’ which for some reason or other we associate with blue-blooded dames of the olden time.

“Miss Mabel Lane again thoroughly succeeded as the witching Circe Huguette, subduinlg the wantonness skilfully, ana dying as a woman of her hot blood and fearless nature would. Mr Arthur Wontner was well placed as Louis XI., his spare figure and clean-cut expressive face making altogether a capital player King, if not of France. Mr Frank Stirling, as the waterfly Noel de Jolys, was also in his element ; and a word of commendation must be given Miss Marie d’Alton for not overdrawing the anguish of Mother Villon. The remainder of the cast was thoroughly in earnest —at times rather too much so—in their loyal support of the principals. The piece was very well received throughout by an audience evidently partial to romance.”