THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 814, 12 October 1905, Page 18

THE STAGE

(By “ Footlight.”)

OPEHA HOUSE.

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. The Opera House was packed again on Saturday night to view the weekly change of programme. A good opening chorus was given by the company, and then the Valmore Sisters led off with a double song and dance item, “ Little Mascotte,” which went well. Mr. Fred. Stanbridge then sang the “ Song of the Lighthouse Bell,” in which his voice was heard to considerable advantage. He was recalled for this, and sang the last verse again; his deep notes were very good. Mr. Chas. Moody caught on at once with his comio song, “ Round There To-night,” which caused much amusement and applause. Recalled, he sang “ Shift a Little Bit Further Up,” to such good purpose that the audience would not let him go until “ Knick, Knock” had knocked them completely over. Miss Beatrice English, whose last week was announced, gained hearty applause for her rendering of “ Deal* Heart.” Her voice will be greatly missed. Miss Elsie Brown, whose coon songs are always well received, was heard to advantage in “ By the Watermelon Vine,” her enunciation being much clearer than heretofore. Mr. Sam. Wilson, who is always warmly welcomed, started the fun going the moment tie took the floor, and created much amusement. Sam’s .gags and stories.are always dished up fresh and sparkling. Miss Viola Price then > performed the sword dance, and so deftly and daintily did she go through its intricacies that she was loudly applauded and recalled. A rousing Highland fling was then given, and the curtain fell on the first part of :he programme. The first item in the second half consisted of “The Congo Love Song,” which was well rendered by Miss Elsie Brown. £ The Modern Mi 10,”., whose beautiful deineation of ancient statuary proved such i splendid turn throughout the week, mce more appeared in her various poses.' Fhe effects were most striking and beautiful, and. formed the subject of much iomment and praise amongst the large mdience. Cruikshank, the caricaturist, vhpse clever work filled in the intervals >etween the acts, was warmly applauded or his sketches of Auckland identities. Jis,work is in.every way remarkable, for le has many difficulties to surmount. He ketches at a moment’s notice people of I’hom often he has had but the merest ;limpse, and portrays them skilfully upon $ , medium ’surface affords but little /' .ssistancs' to‘the worker. Miss' MalVeria Joore, who next appeared, danced and ang her way before the footlights. She ras followed, by Mr. Bob .Scott and Miss . Citty Beresford, whose original sketch, ' Poor Peck,” was the cause of much

hilarity. Goliath also, who appeared with them, helped to keep the fun going. The performance concluded with an item by Mr. Sam. Wilson, entitled “ The Razor Bloke,” that sent the house off in high good humour. On Monday evening “ The Modern Milo” appeared in an entirely new programme that proved a great success. The separate items headed “ (Jems from the Galleries,” were representations of Andromeda, by Forsyth; Dorothea, by Marshall Wood; 2Enone, by Calder Marshall; Venus de Milo, by Heine; Canova’s Venus, and Bacchante, by the Sydney sculptor, Nelson Illingworth. With .this series as with last week’s, it would be indeed difficult to pick out the finest pose. The beautiful figure of the “ Milo” seemed to be perfection in each delineation. The last pose, that of Bacchante, was a most graceful one, the uplifted arm holding the wine cup aiding the effect . greatly, whilst the grapes clustering on the forehead helped to complete the picture. The “ Milo’s” turn is certainly most unique and pleasing, and should on no account be missed. Cruikshank did excellent work with his pencil during the intervals, many wellknown faces being sketched with a rapidity that served as ah eye-opener to the audience. His clever method of starting with the hat of his victim and then running deftly over his face and figure is certainly unique. ■ - - Several new artists are billed to appear “at the’Opera’House" next- week. On Saturday “ The Melvas,” world-renowned trick cyclists, who have recently scored a great success in America, will make theii* first appearance in Auckland. Miss Cecile Stephano, an Australian contralto balladist, will also appear. Whilst on Monday a fresh sensation is announced in the person of Prince Olrac, who is described as the Human Volcano. This entertainer is said to eat, fire like an ordinary person eats supper. He should prove a great attraction;

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

MISS JESSIE MACLACHLAN. There was a skirl of bagpipes as Miss Jessie Maclachlan alighted at the entrance to His Majesty’s Theatre on Monday evening, and “ the queen; of Scottish s6ng” was escorted to the stage door by axjuintette of kilted pipers. 1 ' 5 '' Despite the inclemency of the weather there was a feood audience, many of whom beyond Question originally hailed from north of the Tweed, and that they wbre enthusiastic but mildly expresses the true 4 facts of the case. The programme opened* with a fantasia on Scots airs by Mr, Robert Buchanan, who afterwards gave “ Moss Giel.” Miss Jessie Maclachlan, who re-

ceived an ovation on making her appearance, commenced with the folk song, “ The Auld Scots Sangs,” and in a moment had won the hearts of the Scottish members of her audience. Bethune’s quaint old song was punctuated with applause at the end of each verse, for there was no mistaking Miss Maclachlan’s ability to sing it. She possesses a mezzo-soprano voice of much purity and sweetness, with great power anr range, yet withal exceedingly flexible and under perfect control. In response to an enthusiastic recall, “Cornin’ Thro’ the Rye” was given in a very arch and dainty manner, the quaint little song giving the artist an opportunity of proving that she is an actress as well as a singer, a ripple of laughter running round the house after

each verse. The next item was the pretty lullaby given with much sweetness and restraint, but a very different song followed, this being the stirring Border ballad, “ Blue Bonnets,” the martial ardour of which aroused great enthusiasm. Possibly the gem of the evening was, however, the old-time favourite, “ Killarney,” and never has Balfe’s beautiful song been given with greater feeling and delicacy. It was followed by an inimitable rendering of “ Barney O’Hea,” the latter'being given in a manner which was simply irresistible with the audience, who showed the most extravagant demonstration of delight. Later on Miss Maclachlan gave the ancient Gaelic Waulking song, “ Fal-al-al-o,” which immensely pleased the older Scotch folk, and in response to the inevitable encore sang another with the formidable-looking title, “Ho ro mo nigbean donn Bhoidheach” (which, however, being interpreted merely reads, “ My Nut-brown Maiden.”) The Scottish singer’s last item was “ Rule, Britannia,” the first time the writer ever remembers to have heard this as a solo. The patriotic song was given with splendid effect, and hearing it one can easily understand the scene of enthusiasm in Melbourne when the whole audience rose to cheer.

Mr. John McLinden played a number of selections on the ’cello. Among these the “ Hungarian Rhapsody” (Fischer), “ Nocturne in E Flat” (Chopin), “ Gavotte Humoresque” (Popper). “ Cantilena” (Gothermann) “ Wiegenlied” (Klengel), “ Tarantelle” (Herbert), and

“ Highland Memories” (McLinden). All of these were well played, and Mr. McLinden soon convinced his audience of his ability as a ’cellist. Many of the items were really beautiful, but perhaps the most pleasing was the dainty “ Wiegenlied.” Very hearty applause followed every selection, and there can be no two opinions that the concert was a thoroughly enjoyable one from end to end. On Tuesday a change of programme was submitted, Miss Maclachlan singing “Angus Macdonald,” “ O, Can Ye Sew Cushions?” “Wi a Hundred Pipers,” “ Rory O’More,” “ Me Dhachaidk,” and “ Will Ye no Come Back Again?” while last night there was yet another change. To-night and to-morrow will be the last

opportunity of hearing Miss Maclachlan, and lovers of the old Scottish and Irish ballads should on no account miss paying His Majesty’s a visit.

WEST’S PICTURES AND THE BRESCIANS. Next Saturday this very popular company will return to His Majesty’s Theatre for a farewell season of one week. Among numerous pictures to be shown will be several local ones, including the march of the Auckland cadets, Sir John Campbell, and a panorama of Queenstreet. In view of the centenary of Trafalgar, a fine series of sea studies will be presented, including r a glimpse of Nelsons flagship, the. Victory. The Brescians will make a welcome reappearance but will now be seen in quaint old English costumes. Among other items Mr. Buda ! Hayward will sing “ The Death of Nelson.. As some forty-five thousand people paid for admission during the recent season, it is unnecessary to say much about the company’s merits, for everv person who went before would want to go again, and this time bring a friend. A week of record business should be the result.

THE “MAGIC KETTLE” COMPANY. Owing to His Majesty’s Theatre being only available for Saturday, the Magic Kettle Company were able to give but

two performances. This fact is greatly to be regretted, because there can be no doubt that the intrinsic merit of the show warrants a much longei' run. We had all heard much as to what the kettle could do, but had been left in ignorancq as to the capabilities of those taking theif share in the other portion of the pro* gramme, and this is where the surprise came in, for all were really excellent. Mr. N. J. Gehde commenced with a pianoforte selection. He was followed by four “ Trinity Choir Boys,” whose fine part-singing fairly brought down the house. The pieces given were “ A Gipsy Laughing Song,” “ The Larboard Watch,” “ Excelsior,” “ Narcissus,” and “ Where are You going, My Pretty Maid?” all splendidly rendered, the boys’ voices showing much careful training. Alma,, the magician, was seen to advantage in some difficult sleight-of-hand tricks, also introducing the puzzling “ Goddess of the Air” feat, recently performed here by Clive. Miss Elsa Dwyer, a young lady of very prepossessing appearance, contributed two songs in a most pleasing manner. The English Pierrot Entertainers proved exceedingly amusing, although the turn was over long and might well have been cut down by the omission of the ‘ pill” song. The best items were the imitation of a county clergyman and the Lancashire dialect stories. Miss Elsie Peerless gave a really beautiful rendering of the extremely difficult song, “ Sing, Sweet Bird,” for which she was stormily encored, and joined with two of the choir boys in the pleasing trio, O, Memories.’ ' The star turn was, however, Professoi’ Andrews and his Magic Kettle. This has already been described at length in these columns, so that it can only be added the liquid air did all that was claimed for it. Ice cream was made in a moment, flowers were instantly frozen, whisky was converted into a solid block, kerosene oil was frozen into a candle, a cigar- was lighted by steam, ice was burnt, and various other of nature’s laws seemingly turned upside down. Altogether the entertainment was a distinctly good, one, and it seems a thousand pities that the performance cannot be given again. THE WATKIN MILLS’ COMPANY. Last Friday the Watkin Mills Company brought their season of five nights to a close, when they had the assistance of the Auckland Liedertafel. From an artistic point of view. a considerable measure of success-was achieved, but it has to be admitted that the box office receipts throughout the week were very small. The reason of this was to a certain extent the fact that the programmes Rubmitted only appealed to the musicians among the audience, and not really- to the ordinary individual. The latter would have preferred a few more ballads and a little less song cycle and sacred cantata. Possibly the company as a whole was hardly so good as was anticipated, and some disappointment was ex-

pressed in this connection. Certainly Mr. Mills’ voice has gained nothing since his last visit. At the same time the indifference shown by the Auckland public was much greater than might have been reasonably expected. “ THE SCHOOLMISTRESS.” On' Monday week the Auckland Dramatic Society will commence a short season at His Majesty’s Theatre with the screamingly funny comedy, “The Schoolmistress.” The members of the society are hard at work with the rehearsals, and if report can be relied upon, are likely to make a big success. With this issue I am able to give portraits of several of the players. Miss Nance O’Neil will commence a season in Auckland on October 28. Mr. Harold Ashton is expected to arrive very shortly to arrange preliminaries. -J5- * * My Christchurch correspondent writes : —Had a chat with Mr. Harold Ashton this afternoon. He is here in advance of the Nance O’Neil Company, and expects the show to do big business in this flat metropolis. The season opens on the 18th with “Magda,” and there is to be a change of bill every night of the seven. Nance and her company are in Christchurch. The company is composed of Americans mostly, all of them well-known people, and Gaston Mervale (here with the original “ Sign of the Cross” people) is a member of the combination. Mr. Ashton, who is-looking as. well and as jolly as ever, tells me he expects to be in your city in the course of a few days. The Auckland season opens on October 28 and closes on November 13. The next time Harold comes-along here will be in advance of the Knight-Jeffries Company. Come when he may we are always glad to see him, and the oftener he comes the better we are pleased. . . The Fitzmaurice Gill crowd have struck ile here. Crowded houses all the time. The “star” is a great favourite, and so is Chasi Blake. The season is now fast drawung to a close. . ' . . The Fuller show is booming, the engagement of Cleopatra, the lady snakecharmer, having proved a little gold mine for, the management.' It’s wonderful how the Fullers contrive to keep up such a’ perpetual round of attractions’. There is always something worth seeing or hearing at the Opera House. . The Pollard benefit eventuates, on Monday,'the 9 th in st., at the Theatre Royal, and the advance booking, I understand, is already heavy enough to assure the success of the affair. By the way, I hear Tom Pollard has been engaged at a good salary to boss the entertainments in connection with the great Exhibition in Hagley Park, to open in November, 1906. . . The ’ municipal theatre scheme has fallen to the ground with a dull, sickening thud, the proprietors of the old Theatre Royal having arranged to erect an up-to-date theatre opposite the pre-

sent one, in Gloucester-street, to be opened in time for the Exhibition season, and to cost from £20,000 to £30,000. It is to be modelled on His Maejsty’s, Sydney, and is expected to run rings round any theatre in New Zealand. You Aucklanders had better prepare to hide your diminished heads.

A musical society has been formed at Avondale with Mr. J. R. Simpson as conductor.

Abomah, - the Giantess, and the Melbourne Waxworks contemplate opening at Napier next Wednesday. * * * *

The great Thurston will open here next February. Most of his best illusions would appear to have preceded him.

Mrs. Malcomson Boult’s pupils will give an exhibition of dancing at' His Majesty’s on October 26 and 27.

Mr. Johan Wielaert conducted for the first time at the Orchestral Society’s third concert last Thursday. The programme was a good one, among the pieces rendered being the overture to Ruy Blas, Beethoven’s “ Symphony in F,” the Dvorak “ Slavonic Dances” and Granado’s “ Souvenir de Vienne.” Miss Whitelaw gave as a volin selection Sarasati’s “ Romanza “ Andaluze,” and as an encore Lederer’s “ Poeme Hon Groises.” Miss Madeline Knight was heard to good advantage in “ Beyond,” “ The Land of Yesterday,” and the beautiful “Crossing the Bar.” Mr. Charles McGowan was heartily applauded for Ardit’s “ Let Me Love Thee.” A most artistic success was scored.

Bad weather was experienced on Monday night, and this was largely the reason for the poor attendance rt the concert given by Mr. Hamilton Hodges in aid of the Parnell Orphan Home. Those present enjoyed a musical treat, however, but it is to be regretted that such a deserving fund will not benefit more from the efforts of our leading amateurs to lend a helping hand.

Melbourne playgoers will only have themselves to blame if they allow the Knight-Jeffries Company to say good-bye without refreshing pleasant memories of most of the past successes of the company (writes Mr. George Tallis). For the next three weeks will see the revival of the pieces with which the names of Mr. Julius Knight and Miss Maud Jeffries have been most intimately associated. Already they have done “ Monsieur Beaucaire,” and this evening (Saturday, October 7) “The Darling of the Gods” will be staged for a week. Mr. Knight playing the cruel, unscrupulous

Minister of War, Zakkuri. Next Saturday, the 16th inst., “ Comedy and Tragedy” and a new version of “ David Garrick” are announced to succeed the Japanese drama for a week, and the last nights of the season, which terminate on the 27th inst., will be filled in with “ The Sign of the Cross,” “ A Royal Divorce,” “ The Lady of Lyons,” and “ The Silver King.” Thus in the five weeks of their, visit three new pieces—“ His Majesty’s Servant, “ Comedy and Tragedy,” and “David Garrick”—and six of the older favourites will be done—no bad record foi’ the company. * * ♦ * “ The Cingalee”is now in its last weeks at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne, though, judging from the satisfactory nature of the attendances, its season could be indefinitely prolonged. But Mr. J. C. Williamson is desirous of presenting “ Veronique” before the Royal Comic Opera Company is transferred to Sydney, and in pursuance of that intention “ The Cingalee” will be withdrawn before the end of this month. Prior to the introduction of “ Veronique,” however, there will be a revival of two of the older favourites, such as “ The Orchid” or “The Country Girl.” As soon as “Veronique” is started, the company will pass on to the preparation of “ The Spring Chicken,” which Mr. Williamson intends to make the Christmas attraction in Sydney. He received the material for it—scene plots, photographs, dress designs, and so—by the last English mail, and the working up of the mechanical details of its presentation only awaits the finishing of similar work for “Veronique,” while the question of rehearsals will be discussed when the same condition of completeness is reached bv the company. « « » « The Royal Comic Opera Company never lose an opportunity under the energetic leadership of Mr, George Lauri of doing their best for the distressed actors’ fund, and the customary benefit performance which is a feature of both the Sydney and Melbourne seasons, is now in process of organisation. It will take place on Thursday afternoon, the 19th inst., Her Majesty’s Theatre having, as usual, been lent for the occasion by Mr. J. C. Williamson. A full programme is now being arranged, chief contributions to which will include a burlesque of “Il Pagliocci” by Mr. George Lauri and his henchmen (and henchwomen) of the company, and a scene from either “ Othello” or “Hamlet” by Mr. Julius Knight and Miss Maud Jeffries. Members of other theatrical companies now in Melbourne, and representatives of vocal and instrumental performers of the same city will also join forces for the entertainment, which promises to be a very attractive one.

The comic papers have made us acquainted with the hard lot of the unfortunate actor for whom “ the ghost does not walk,” compelling him to walk home along the railway line. It is seldom, however, that any member of the profession” takes to walking as a diversion perhaps because there are so many unpleasant memories connected with it. With Mr. Albert Gran, however, it is different. At the end of the Tittell Brune season in Brisbane he announced his astonishing intention of walking all the way to Sydney, for no apparent reason except that perhaps he needed exercise. No amount of persuasion from well-meaning friends could shake him from his dreadful purpose, and he adventured forth on his long tour. So far all has gone well with the bold traveller. He has not, it is true, met with many public welcomes or triumphal arches in the towns through which he has already passed, but all along his route has been strewn with bulletins of his progress and his uprisings and down sittings have all been duly chronicled. Latest reports indicate that he is still going strong, with every prospect of doing the journey within the time limit—for he has to be in Sydney by October’ 14. • * ♦ * Mr. Gaston Mervale rejoins the Tittell Brune Company as soon as the Nance O’Neil season finishes in Auckland at the end of November. He has already been cast for the part of Raoul in “ Leah Kleschna.” The Driscoll Bros, will shortly be seen with Fuller's Entertainers at the Opera House. Writing me on the subject, the following account of their travels is given:—Since we last visited Auckland with Messrs. Fuller and Sons’ Vaudeville Company, we have played seasons in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington, under the same management, and at the conclusion of our engagement of over 22 months with the “ Firm,” Mr. Ben. Fuller presented each of us with a hand-somely-inscribed gold sovereign purse as a mark of esteem. We then left for Australia, and on reaching Hobart broke out journey, where we put in sixteen weeks with Mr. Jas. Bain at the Temperance Hall and Academy of Music, Launceston. Next we had an offer to open with Mr. Harry Rickards, and opened in Melbourne at the Opera House,

where we played a season of twelve weeks, after which we were sent with Rickards’ Touring Company to Western Australia, where we played four weeks, then back to Adelaide, where we played another four weeks, back again to Melbourne, where we played a return season of six weeks, and were then sent to the Tivoli Theatre, Sydney, where we played eleven weeks. Then we received an offer from the proprietors of the Orpheum Theatre, Manila (P. 1. and being anxious to travel and see the country, we accepted at a big salary for a sixteen weeks’ season there. At the expiration of that contract we were re-engaged indefinitely, and played altogether twentyfour weeks at the Orpheum without a break. At the conclusion of the ‘ first contract the manager decided to tender us a testimonial benefit( to show their appeciation, as they said, of our untiring energy, and aftei- paying for the theatre, performers, lighting, and advertising; we cleared 650 Philippine Island dollars (£65 in our own money), notwithstanding the fact that the opposition show gave a free night on the evening of our benefit. On our last appearance at the Orpheum, Mr. Levy, of Levy and Jones, the proprietors, presented each of us with a medal weighing 2oz each; as a mark of appreciation, and offered us a return contract for twelve months’ hence. Eventually we left the Philippines for Australia again, and were offered an engagement by Mr. Ted Holland in Brisbane, but as Mr. Fuller had held our contract open until we arrived back from Manila, we decided to come right through to New Zealand. We have played now six weeks in .Wellington, this being our first town in New Zealand since our return. Of course the theatres in Manila are run on a very different style to anything in New Zealand, as right through the night the audience smoke and drink all the time. Besides, you have to work Sunday nights the same as any other, only more so. The climate is very hot, and it has taken us a long

time to get ourselves used to the cold weather again, but New Zealand weather is far ahead of any other climate we have been in, and although we have been well treated wherever we have been, we are very pleased to get back to New Zealand again, where we have made so many friends.

Mr. Weedon Grossmith has produced a play at the London Comedy Theatre written by himself. It is entitled “ The Duffer,” and in reviewing it the “ Licensed Victuallers’ G’azette” says that Mr. Grossmith has fallen into the unusual fault in an actor-author of distributing the interest of the story too evenly among his characters, and his dramatic invention is not quite equal to his good intention. Consequently when Mr. Grossmith is not enjoying the limelight, to put it colloquially, we are asked to feel interested in the love affairs of other people, who, to be quite frank, do not greatly appeal to us. When we discover that Chester and Martin, two art students, are in love with “ Niobe” Hillier, another student, and that “ Niobe” is in love with Chester, we are not hard put to it to anticipate that Chester’s love affairs will not run smoothly. For reasons which cannot rightly be called adequate, he gets it into his love-sick head that “ Niobe” is in love with Martin, and he hops it to South Africa without popping the question. As a matter of fact, the heroine (who was impersonated with much charm and dignity by our old friend, Miss Beryl Faber, formerly out here with the Broughs) had already refused Martin, who had a very romantic and sincere exponent in Mr. Henry Ainley. But with Chester away, Martin gets “Niobe” to pose for him for his competition-picture which is to secure the Royal Academy’s gold medal. Incidentally he renews his honourable proposals, but with no better result than before. So Martin, in a fit of what George Bernard would call the “poetic horrors,”

sees red, and incontinently dabs it all over the face on the canvas. Then he flies to an adjoining room, what time the carriers are calling for the picture. For it is sending-in day, and Martin appears to have “mucked up” his chances of fame and fortune irrevocably. But another student dashes into the breach, repaints the damaged face, and has the virtuous consolation of knowing that he has won the medal plus the pecuniary award for his friend, while Chester returns from Somaliland in time to be paired off with “ Niobe.” Here, roughly and inadequately from the author’s point of view, we have the story. But where is Weedon Grossmith? That’s precisely what we have to grumble at! For Mr. Grossmith is no more than the chap who dashes so nobly into the breach and repaints the prize picture. Of course, that is not all he does; and, needless to say, all the rest, which make no matter in telling the story, is admirable. As 4 we have said before, Mr. Grossmith is an exceptionally good actor, and although he has fitted the part to himself (as an author is entitled to do), he would doubtless have loomed much larger in the picture if another competent dramatist had written the play for him. As “ The Duffer he is immensely successful in the revelation of that peculiarly dry and entertaining Grossmithian huniour, which should secure a successful run for the play. The other parts were well handled, and Miss Gertrude Kingston as an aristocratic art student gave us an excellent bit of comedy; but the congratulations, the cheers (and the regrets of those who considered the author had not done hifiiself full justice in writing up the titlepart) were for Mr. Weedon Grossmith.

Not long ago Mr. George Edwardes, who is as much responsible as any manager for the present “star” system with its “ star” advertisement and “ star” salaries, announced that the bigger luminaries in the theatrical firmament were

opening their mouths larger than was compatible with profitable theatrical speculation. Mr. Edwardes intimated that it was his intention to withstand these exorbitant demands in future, and musichall managements are moving in the same direction. Big salaries to stars are not necessarily followed by big dividends for the shareholders (says the “ Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette”), and at such houses as the Palace, Tivoli, Oxford, and Pavilion, substantial reductions will be made in future in salaries of entertainers. The very large salaries now paid are the result of competition between managers for talented artists. A man like Dan Leno could command £250 a week at the Pavilion and at Drury Lane, and this, by the way, is the salary paid to Mr. George Alexander for foregoing his provincial tour in order to appear in “ The Prodigal Son.’’ Some actors of repute have appealed at variety shows at remarkable salaries. Mrs. Brown-Potter, for instance, received £lOO a week at the Coliseum, and an actor has recently severed his connection with Mr. George Edwardes because he could not get his salary increased to £2OO a week. The music-hall star, provided he is a George Robey (who, by the way, is booked up to 1914) has practically been able to make his own terms. In future the managers will agree as to what they can really afford to pay, and act accordingly, but Mr. Frank Glenister, of the London Pavilion, admitted that if Dan Leno were still available he would be ready to re-engage him at double the salary he used to draw, enormous as that salary was. * * *■ * Zurich ‘was recently the scene of a mammoth musical festival, to the programme of which no less than 6000 singers contributed, and which 9720 people attended on a single occasion. Soloists and chorus were alike heard to advantage. There were four orchestras, each situated in a different corner of the hall. .* * * * Of the performance of “A Moorish Maid’’ in Wellington, the “ New Zealand Mail,” a very friendly critic, says: — “ Miss Rosina Buckmann and Mr. Fred. Graham were undoubtedly the bright and particular stars. Miss Buckmann has a well-trained soprano voice, even in quality and rich in sympathy. Moreover, her lips have been touched with “ the live coal from off the altar.” She has temperament—which no mere training can give, and without which all singing is as “ sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.” Miss Buckmann’s (La Zara) singing of “O’er the Mountain”—a noble setting of a delightful lyric—was passionate and tempestuous, yet withal tender and yearning; a really fine bit of vocalisation! Her singing of “ Loverland” was full of sentiment and charm, and in “The Parting Mona” with the chorus, Miss Buckmann was most brilliant, and altogether made a most remarkable first appearance in opera. As Gastro, Mr. Fred. H. Graham extracted every ounce of comedy that there is in the opera, and imported into it an immense amount of irresistably funny “ gag” and “business,” which kept the audience in a simmer of laughter while he was on the stage. His singing of “ I’ve Only My-

self to Blame” was inimitable,, and the musical sketch with May (Miss Nellie Dent) was a delicious piece of fooling, Miss Dent acting up to him right royally. Mr. Graham’s facial expression, his vocal inflexions, his conuc exits and his “gags” are indescribably amusing. Miss Lloyd Hassell is rather a stiff and unconvincing Princess Hashma; her hands are a constant source of anxiety to her, and she sometimes clutched her fan as though it were a bludgeon and at others as though it were a ping-pong bat. Nevertheless, Miss Hassell has a good voice, which was heard to advantage in the duet with the Prince, “ I Dare Not Yet Relate.” Miss Nellie Dent (May) sang “Mr. Right” with considerable naivete, and was a useful “ aide” to. Mr. Graham in “ The Wooing Duet.” Miss Leila Spiller is a sprightly Mena, and was more at home on the stage than most of the ladies. Mr. E. H. Parkes (Elferino) has a really fine “ basso cantante” voice, and sang the Brigand’s song splendidly. He shared the honours with Miss Buckmann in the duet, “Do Not Repel Me,” and his voice told also in the delightful quartette, “We’ve All Been Served the Same” with the Princess, Mena, and the Prince. He is unfortunately very stiff on the stage; speaks his lines in a careless and slovenly fashion, and his enunciation is very faulty. Mr. Leslie Hill (the Prince) does good work in the ballad, “It is Morn in My Heart,” and in the duet with the Princess. He has a useful tenor voice, save for a rather throaty production, but he, also, is somewhat stiff in his gestures. Mr. Charles Gray, as the Divorcer-General, has considerable talent, and is fairly at his ease on the stage, but his English diction is faulty. His singing of “ Unmoved by Trifles’ ’showed a keen appreciation of the humour of the song. The Hockey Girls afforded an interesting contrast to the Moorish environment in “ We’re on a Holiday,” but their subsequent introduction was rather out of place.” * • ■ * * . * Johnny Dallas, comedian of Meynell’s new comedy company, who was one time big in the English athletic world, is now, like, most retired athletes, big in circumference. Dallas’ athletic record includes running, boxing, swimming, and three Humane Society medals for saving people from drowning. The last person he saved was a youngster who fell from the Thames Embankment. When Dallas got him out he found that the enthusiastic crowd had got away with his coat and vest and all that in them was. Dallas gave up life-saving after that, and now sticks to ordinary comedy. * * * * Some exciting episodes are narrated by Frank Bostock in his new book on animal training. Among other incidents he says that Captain Bonavita appears in the caged ring, in America, with twentyseven performing lions at once. Lions, tigers, jaguars, panthers and leopards can never be trusted to wait their particular turns lying on the ground in a big ring. They will spring on the trainer. No such wild animals are really ever trained. While waiting their turns in a ring they must sit on pedestals, from which they never spring.

Bonavita has had fifty bad accidents, yet conies up smiling. Bostock says he himself is tatooed all over with marks, especially from claws. Weedon, an eminent trainer, has been savaged time after time by his favourite tigress, Goldie. Performing with tigers and members of the leopard tribe is far more difficult than with lions. Madame Morelli, a little Frenchwoman, is an amazement to the profession, inasmuch as she appears with two leopards, two panthers and a jagaur all at once. ’ She must keep them all in front. Her special crawly bit is to have a jaguar on a horizontal pole, looking into her eyes. The lace of her dress touched a panther’s nose, and the beast flew straight at her. Madame Pianka took a bouquet of red roses into the ring for her performance with four lions. One flew at it, thinking it was meat, and his claw tore her badly, but she went on. Mdlle. Aurora’s performance with five white bears is quite unique. A lion escaped from Bostock’s circus at Birmingham and got into the sewers, where he made more sensation than the Tantanoola tiger.

Cuttings of English papers to . hand give particulars of an interesting display of enthusiasm which took place at Portsmouth last month, during a performance of “ The Prince of Pilsen” by Mr. George Musgrove’s English Company. The French fleet was on a visit to the city at the time, and a number of the officers and men accepted the invitation of the management to attend and witness the performance. A very gorgeous and patriotic scene is presented just before the fall of the final curtain, the bunting that is exhibited being representative of England and America. On the, occasion under notice, the French flag was also

unfurled, and this demonstration of goodwill had an electric effect upon the audience, who rose en masse, according to the reports, and gave way to prolonged and vociferous cheering. The general manager of the company, Mr. Chas. Thorburn, was called forward, and briefly expressed his appreciation of the enthusiasm that had been displayed, as well as his gratification at the evidence of goodwill felt towards the French nation. The London “ Daily Telegraph” says the effect upon the audience was remarkable, the people having risen to their feet and cheered enthusiastically for President Loubet and King Edward. The scene appears to have been a most remarkable one, and is said to have given great satisfaction and pleasure to the French visitors. w • * • After the plethora of strong men and other physical curiosities under which the variety stage has been groaning of late, “ The Modern Milo” comes as an exquisite relief. There is no expanding of the chest to the terrifying of people in her act. Neither does she twist and contort her limbs and muscles. Posed on a pedestal “Milo” simply looks beautiful. If the physical culturists could undertake to produce similar results che writer wouldn’t mind compelling the whole population to be physically cultivated.