THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 18

THE STAGE

(By

"Footlight.")

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATHE.

WEST’S PICTURES AND THE BRESCIANS.

A farewell season of one week was commenced on Saturday last, and, as all along lias been the case with this company, there was an immense house. With the exception of the humorous “ Trip to the Sun” series, all the pictures shown were new. They included “ Practical Conjuring,” a very clever illusion, portraits of several AI.H.R.’s, Alajor Wood breaking in an untrained colt, a really capital series, “ Billiards Extraordinary,” 11 A Love Story,” “The Standard Bearer,” a splendid set showing a procession of elephants in India, “ The Press Illustrated,” an original idea, “ Auckland Harbour,” “Up Queen-street in a Tram,” “ The March Past of the Auckland Cadets,” and a fine picture of Sir John Logan Campbell. Most of these were really excellent, but the cadets were made to march too fast, while the discordant braying of the boys’ bugles in no way helped to improve matters. The tram picture found most favour of the local views. Comic studies were shown in profusion. Among these possibly the best were “ The Schoolboys’ Joke,” “ The Gun License,” and “Jones’ Halfrholiday,” all of which caused roars of laughter. Although we would have preferred a few more pictures of distant lands, yet the funny ones doubtless pleased the bulk of the audience best.

The Brescians, who made their appearance in an entirely new set of old English costumes, were warmly welcomed. Their portion of the programme opened with “The Bells,” and then “Now the Day is Over” was given. Miss Sara Hendy was encored for a pleasing rendering of “ Love is Made to Make Us Glad.” So daintily did Miss Domenica Martinengo sing Hope Temple’s pretty ballad, “ An Old Garden,” that she was emphatically recalled ,when the evergreen “ Home, Sweet Home,” was most chann-

ingly sung. Plenty of laughter followed Miss A. Martinengo and Fred. Mills in their duet, “ The World Went Very Well Then.” Miss Adelina Martinengo showed her skill on the violin in Mendellsohn’s “ Andante,” and the applause which followed was very spontaneous and hearty. Miss Antonina Martinengo was hardly equal to Donizetti’s aria, “ O Luce di quest animi.” As usual, Air. Fred. Mills caused roars of laughter for his comic songs, the most popular of which were “To be Continued in Our Next,” and “Sandy McCluskey.” Perhaps the best item was Air. Rudall Hayward’s singing of the hunting song, “ Aly Mare and I.” Mr. Hayward, who appeared in hunting costume, was heard to great advantage, a perfect storm of applause following. Altogether the programme was a remarkably good one. On Trafalgar Day it is the intention of the management to show a number of pictures of some of the first British battleships, including a glimpse of the famous old three-decker, the Victory. “ THE SCHOOLAHSTRESS.” On Alonday, Tuesday, and Wednesday there -will be produced at His Alajesty’s, A. W. Pinero’s screamingly farcical comedy, “ The Schoolmistress.” The members of the Auckland Dramatic Society have been working very hard for a long time to make the coming production as perfect as possible, and those who visit the theatre next week will admit that their efforts have been crowned with success. -' Those who have seen “ The Schoolmistress” before will look forward to seeing her again, and those who have not done so should lose no time in obtaining an introduction. AIISS JESSIE MACLACHLAN. Aliss Jessie Maclachlan’s season at His Alajesty’s Theatre closed on Friday. It was on the whole a successful one, although one might have reasonably expected stronger support from the Scottish folk in Auckland. Still, fairly large audiences obtained throughout the sea-

son, and these were rewarded with some very pleasant evenings. Perhaps the most popular items given by Aliss Alaciachlan were “Blue Bonnets,” “Cornin’ Thro’ the Rye,” and “ The Laird of Cockpen,” and it has to be admitted that as a singer of Scottish ballads, our recent visitor was easily the best we have seen here. Mr. AlcLinden, for a young ’cello player, showed much promise, and when he overcomes certain faults of technique and gains experience, should most certainly make a name for himself. He was a good deal handicapped through using a very poor instrument.

OPE 11A HOUSE

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS

The usual full house greeted the change of programme at “Fullers” on Monday evening. The company greeted the audience with a new opening chorus entitled “ The Midshipmite,” and then the Valmore Sisters led off with one of their double song and dance items, which went well. Mr. Chas. Aloody, who is a firm favourite, sang “ All the Girls are Lovely,” for which he was vociferously recalled, and being called out once more for his second song, again knocked the audience out with “Knick, Knock.” Miss Al al vena Aloore, who appeared next in a song and dance, was followed by our old friend Sam Wilson, who kept the house in roars of laughter. Sam’s rendering of the wreck of the good ship “ Bread Poultice” was very good, whilst his gags were fresh and breezy. Aliss Elsie Brown sang “ Hannah, Won’t You Open That Door?” most convincingly, her expression and acting helping out the song immensely. Miss Cecile Stephano, who made a first appearance, sang “ Out Where the Breakers Roar.” She is the possessor of a fine voice, having a very wide range, which was heard to good advantage in the deep notes of hex* first song. Responding to a hearty recall, she sang “ Marguerite,” in which the range of her voice was made further manifest. Aliss Viola Price, whose dainty dancing of reels and flings has proved such an attractive feature, was warmly applauded for her “ Fling,” and recalled, danced the “ Sword Dance” most deftly. A further demand from the audience brought forth a second fling,

which closed the first part of the programme. The second half commenced with a clever exhibition of trick cycle riding by the Alelvas, Lionel and Roy. The turn was an excellent one, all manner of balancing and fancy riding feats being indulged in. The two appeared to be quite at home in any posture, and showed most conclusively what can be done with the modern bicycle. The Alisses Cecile and Lulu Stephano, who next appeared, sang “ AVhisper and I Shall Hear” in unison, and gained a hearty burst of applause. Recalled, they rendered “ Life’s Dream is O’er,” very .lappiiy, the voices blending well together. Bob Scott and Kitty Beresford caused much amusement with their original sketch, “ Tilly’s Young Alan,” which went with a good swing. Prince Olrac, the fire king, fully justified his name by making a hearty meal of sheets of flame, which he swallowed with avidity. Such little trifles as boiling sealing wax and kerosene flames also assisted to give relish to his repast. His crowning triumph consisted of singing a song with a lighted cigar inside his mouth, accompanying himself on a guitar the while. His turn is a unique one. Leonard Nelson, who has been most popular with Opera House audiences, and whose last evenings were announced, went through a lengthy budget of songs, which were much appreciated. He leaves for Australia and America shortly, and should have a career before him. The performance concluded with a farce by Sam Wilson, entitled “ Four O’clock Train,” which was the cause of much hilarity. Last Saturday was the last night of the Alodern Milo, whose fine turn proved such a sensation in Auckland. On that occasion the Milo presented the Venus di Aledici among her other poses, which proved to be one of the best she had done. Cruikshank, the caricaturist, also appeared for the last time, his sketches being excellent. Next Saturday two fresh attractions are announced in the person of Cleopatra, the snake charmer, who has caused such excitement in the South, and Bonita, the champion lady rifle shot, who is assisted by Carlos, the human target. These turns should prove great attractions.

A few profits of London productions: “ Beauty and the Barge” cleared over £lO.OOO, while up to date, “ The Walls of Jericho” has made ovei- £25,000. “ The Catch of the Season” is another moneymaker, and during its run, which is still on, a profit of £12,000 is quoted. On the other hand, “ The Talk of the Town” £lO.OOO losses, “ Lady Ben” £3OOO, and “ What Pamela Wanted” £6OOO were some of the financial failures.

Or Miss Maggie Stirling, who is now on a concert tour of the colonies, an exchange says:—lt is six years since the tall Victorian vocalist left for Europe, after having acquired great popularity as a Scotch and ballad singer- in Melbourne and elsewhere. In the southern city she had studied under Cecchi, who gave Melba her Australian vocal training and, like Melba, she went to Mdnie. Marchesi, in Paris. Piles of letters to the contralto from that most widely-ad-vertised of teachers show the interest taken by her in Miss Stirling. Later, in London, Miss Stirling made her debut, and sang at many concerts and “at homes.” A tour of the English provinces with Mdme. Lilian Blauvelt is one of her most enjoyable recollections. Family reasons are mainly responsible for her present visit to Australia. In Melbourne she had a hearty reception from the many friends she left behind. She has brought out Miss Ethel Sinclair, the Victorian violiniste, who won the Clarke Scholarship, and who has spent several years in London, and Herr Adolphe Borshke, a young Viennese pianist (pupil of Leschetizky and Emil Sauer). The lattei- cannot understand English, but converses in German or French. Miss Stirling has with her a stack of letters from all sorts of distinguished social and musical people in London, and an autograph book signed by Clara Butt. Richter. Kennerley Rumford, Villiers-Stan-ford, etc.

The boy chorister is one of the most unique productions of English musical life, and few persons have a better knowledge of this than Mr. Edward Branscombe, of the Westminster Glee Singers, who for a number of years was associated with the famous choii- at Westminster Abbey (writes “Pasquin”). Mr. Branscombe does not think that England enjoys a monopoly of good chorister boys. For instance, in Australia and New Zealand one might pick up several good voices, but without the training and practice they would be raw amateurs. Speaking of training, Mr. Branscombe states that the best boys are to be found in the cathedrals, where, in every instance, the boys are educated in a choir school, which ensures attention being paid to the use of the speaking voice. Over 12 services a week, with attendant rehearsals, afford opportunity for a sound musical training. In London there are two famous choir schools, and it is from these that many of the city churches in the Old Country acquire the best solo boys. The dialect, in Mr. Branscombe’s opinion, is a very difficult trouble, the two worst being the Yankee twang and the Cockney. Mr. Branscombe speaks

interestingly about the boys at Westminster Abbey. A boy, he explains, enters the choir for a year's probation, during which time he does not take part in the actual services. At the end of the probation, if he has shown promise in training, he is kept on permanently, and is promoted to the choir. The position of solo boy is gradually attained by the ordinary method of promotion. the boys sing at two services a week and three times on Sundays, with, perhaps, six rehearsals weekly. The boys of the. present Westminster party are very much above the average of the English Cathedral soloist, because of their training being more exacting in view of appearing in public. Then, again, the music is considerably more varied. No party of boys in England has been called upon to sing such a big repertoire of part music from memory.

The welcome accorded Miss Nance O’Neil at the Opera House last Thursday evening, when she renewed acquaintanceship with Wellington theatregoers, after an absence of some four years, must have been exceedingly gratifying to the talented actress (says the New Zealand “ Mail.”) The ovation which Miss O’Neil received on making her first appearance was spontaneous and lasted some time. It was repeated several times during the performance. As on her first appearance in Wellington Miss O’Neil selected Sudermann’s “ Magda” for the opening production of an all too short season of ten nights. Her impersonation of Magda s a wonderfully improved performance from the one she gave during her first visit to New Zealand. She has improved considerably in her art, whilst her personal charm is greater. It is safe to say that before the close of the season she will make even stronger appeals than she has previously done to merit the approval of New Zealand’s discriminating audiences. Mr. McKee Rankin’s Colonel Schwartz is an artistic impersonation. Mr. John Glendinning gave an earnest and sincere portrayal of the character of the Pastor Hefflerdingt. Miss Ricca Allen, as Franziska and Miss Jane Marbury as Marie gave fine studies of their respective parts. Mr. Gaston Mervale’s Max was a well-played part. Mr. Andrew Robson, as Dr. Von Keller, was fairly good. Mrs. Henry Bracy gave a fine impersonation of the character of Augusta. Mr. Mario Majeroni and Mr. G. Friend did all that was required in the parts of Buckman and Von Keller respectively.

Miss Nance O’Neil’s Wellington season has been a great success in every way. Large and appreciative audiences have witnessed each performance of the clever young tragedienne. Last Saturday evening “ Marie Antoinette” was presented, and the manner in which the historical romance was interpreted by Miss O’Neil and the company who supported her was a genuine treat to all who witnessed the play. On Tuesday evening “ Ingomar” was produced. Miss O’Neil’s Parthenia was a very fine piece of work, and emphasises what has already been said about the versatility of this clever young actress.

“ Oliver Twist” has been scoring a big success at His Majesty’s Theatre, London. Of Mr. Tree’s latest production an English exchange says that everyone is more or less familiar with Charles Dickens’ story of “ Oliver Twist,” and for those who are least conversant with the story the surest guarantee of an enjoyable evening at His Majesty’s lies in their slight knowledge of the book. There are many lovers of Dickens who will regret that the necessities of drama have rendered considerable modifications of the book unavoidable, perhaps their enthusiasm for the great author may even dim their realisation of the existence of such necessities; however, if these will forget Dickens for* awhile and think of “ Oliver Twist”, as a new drama, they will find ample reason to feel satisfied with the entertainment; provided. The story preserves all that early Victorian atmosphere in the portrayal of which Charles Dickens so greatly excelled, and as scene follows scene, imagination carries the watcher back into those bad old times when a dimly-lighted, poorlyguarded, London sheltered such inhuman creatures as Fagin and Bill Sykes, and made it possible for such as they to crush all rectitude from innumerable little Oilver Twists.

“ The White Chrysanthemum,” produced by Mr. Frank Curzon at the London Criterion Theatre, is described on the programme as a “ lyrical comedy,” but for the fact that in the course of its three short acts a real story is unfolded it might have been called a “ musical play” (says the “ Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette.”) At the present time a play with a Japanese setting, a bevy of pretty girls arrayed in kimonos, a sprinkling of naval officers in very white uniforms, and

a number of tuneful songs, has a fair chance of success, and in “ The White Chrysanthemum” to these attractions are added a motor car, a jinrickisha, and an entertaining little love story. The story is simple: A naval lieutenant, Reginald Armitage, is commanded by his father, a pompous admiral, to marry an American heiress. Obedience to this order, however, would undo his own matrimonial plans, he being already betrothed. In defiance of the ways of real life, but in compliance with the necessities of lyrical comedy, the lieutenant has persuaded the girl he loves to come to him in Japan, and to allow herself to be installed as O San, “ The White Chrysanthemum,” in a bungalow on the sea shore, with a young widow as chaperone, until an expected promotion enables him to marry her. Unfortunately for the smooth accomplishment of the lieutenant’s project, Fate sends his harsh father to the Far East in command of the China squadron, and with the Admiral comes the heiress. The inevitable complications ensue, and Lieutenant Chippendale Belmont, a friend of the disobedient son, in endeavouring to invent explanations which will satisfy the Admiral, makes confusion worse confounded; however, all comes straight with the help of Sin Chong, a Chinese servant, and the final unravelling of the tangle finds the principal lovers happy, the heiress paired off with Lieutenant Belmont, and the Admiral—after a very short but decisive bombardment—in possession of the widow. The piece has been running to great business, and a big season is predicted.