THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 833, 22 February 1906, Page 18

THE STAGE

(By

“ Footlight.”)

CPERA HOUSE. THE CHARLES HOLLOWAY DRAMATIC COMPANY. After a succesful run, “ Two Little Vagabonds” was withdrawn on Saturday to make way for Max Goldberg’s sporting drama, “ Rogues of , the Turf.” This is one of those stories which Mr. Nat Gould has made so popular, in which love, crime, and horse-racing are so mixed up that it is difficult to say which is the dominant feature. It tells of one Sam Flaxman, a trainer of the old school, and his daughter Nellie. The latter is loved by the hero and coveted by the villain, the former, of course, emerging triumphant after various vicissitudes. The arch-fiend of the plot is, however, a woman, an adventuress with a remarkable penchant for the wedding service, who is constantly being confronted with previous husbands. A strong flavour of the turf is introduced which appealed irresistibly to the audience. Captain Clinton, the villain, does everything in his power to get at Forest King, the favourite for the Manchester Cup, but is cleverly checkmated and the horse wins easily. In the part of the old trainer Mr. Charles Holloway did some excellent work, and he had the house with him from start to finish. Miss Beatrice Holloway made a charming Nellie Flaxman, the audience finding it a refreshing change to have a really youthful heroine, and an exceedingly clever one at that. Miss Holloway played the part with much naturalness and vivacity, completely winning the affections of the audience. Mr. Godfrey Cass was, of course, the much-hated villain, Captain Clinton, and he came in for plenty of execration at the hands of the “ gods.” This, however, was well shared by Miss Ethel Appleton in the role of the much-married adventuress Marion. Mr. Robert Inman played the hero, Arthur Somerton, while Mr. Wilton Welch extracted a lot of fun out of the part of Sam Flaxman, jun., and all the other characters were in drawing. Although a piece of this kind does not profess to “ hold the mirror up to nature,” it is the sort of play which appeals to an audience, especially an Auckland one. Beyond question, of its kind it is exceedingly good, and in addition it was nicely mounted and remarkably well played. This being so it is perhaps not to be wondered at that immense houses resulted during the run, which had to be extended a night longer than was originally intended. But for the shortness of the season, “ Rogues of the Turf” would easily have filled the house for a week. To-night and to-morrow Frank Harvey’s great Adelphi drama, “ Shall We Forgive Her?” will be staged. It is a play of great human interest, many exciting episodes being introduced, and it is certain to attract large houses. On Saturday night a special farewell evening will be given at His Majesty’s Theatre, and this being a special occasion, a great programme has been arranged. FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. After an absence since December 16 of last year, Fuller’s Entertainers will resume possession of the Opera House on Saturday night, when a number of artists will be introduced to Auckland audiences for the first time. Among these will be Lal Logie, a clever comedian; Dorothy L’Estrange, balladist; -Ivy Goodwill, serio; Stella and Florrie Ranger, Gertrude Emery, aerial trapeze artist, Master Hayes, contortionist. Then there is our old friend Will Stevens, “the sad-eyed shriek,” Uhd last, but * not least, Fred. 'Rlvenhall, who will only appear for a short season, as he leaves for Ame-

rica on March 23. The entertainment at the Opera House as given by Mr. Fuller’s company has always proved exceedingly popular in the past, and there is safe to be a bumper house on Saturday to welcome back the popular amusement providers. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. THE KNIGHT-JEFFRIES COMPANY. A successful season was brought to a close by the Knight-J effries Company last week. “ The Silver King” held the boards on Wednesday and Thursday, the play of the century going with all its old form. On Friday Air. Gilbert’s mythological comedy, “ Pygmalion and Galatea,” went up. For the final night Lytton’s romantic play, “ The Lady of Lyons,” was staged, an immense audience witnessing the production. Miss Jeffries in the title role, and Mr. Julius Knight as Claude Melnotte, came in for a tremendous reception on the fall of the curtain, and a speech was demanded from Mr. Knight. The popular actor, in a few well-chosen words, thanked the people of Auckland for the manner in which the company had been received, stating that although the present organisation would shortly be disbanded, he hoped that at some future time he might come again to Auckland. The company sailed for Sydney by the Manuka on Monday evening.

MR. GEORGE STEPHENSON’S ENGLISH MUSICAL COMEDY COMPANY.

Lovers of bright music, graceful dancing, charming costumes, pretty girls, and laugh-loosening comedy, will have, their tastes satiated on Monday next, when the above popular combination will renew acquaintance with local playgoers. Since last seen here Air. Stephenson has toured the colonies with phenomenal success. Twelve weeks in Sydney and fourteen in Melbourne speaks volumes as to the merits of his Company. The initial attraction here will be the whimsical musical extravaganza entitled “ Bill Adams.” It is built round the story so inimitably told by G. H. Snazelle and is described by a Melbourne critic as “ just one big laugh.” The music is said to be much above the ordinary, while the dressing and mounting will be on a scale of unusual magnificence and completeness.

Mr. Fred. W. Duval, business manager for Mr. George Stephenson’s company, has arrived in Auckland to make arrangements for the company’s coming season at His Majesty’s.

Mr. Bert Royle left for the South on Monday by the Takapuna. He will be back in May with Mr. Knowles, of “ Trifles that Trouble the Traveller” fame.

Mr. Alfred Hill, the well-known composer, will act as musical director for the Stephenson Musical Comedy Company.

The Electric Biograph Company occupy His Majesty’s Theatre to-night and to-morrow, when, in addition to other attractions, a number of good football films will be shown.

The Brough Company are now at the Sydney Criterion Theatre.

Mr. William Anderson’s opera company are now playing “La Fille du Tambour Major” at the Sydney Theatre Royal.

Bostock and Wombwell’s great variety show and menagerie will shortly tour New Zealand. Mr. Alex. Verne has arrived in the South in advance. The menagerie was, to .have left Melbourne on February’2-lv -

Norman Partriege, who was here with the last Shakesperian Company, was appearing at the Scala, Theatre, London, at last advices.

Miss Jennie Opie has joined the Grand Opera Company at the Tivoli Theatre, San Francisco.

The principal attractions at the Sydney Tivoli just now are Lotto, Lilo, and Otto, trick cyclists, Ada Cerito, comedienne, the Jackson Family, Florence Challis, the Sisters Warner, and the Scottish Meisters. Mr. Harry Rickards himself was also in the bill.

The Uessems w ere appearing at the London Hippodrome when the mail left.

Miss Tittell Brune is now appearing at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, in “La Tosca.”

The MacMahon Dramatic Company will commence a season in Auckland on March 19.

Mr. George Elton, son of Mr. W. Elton, is now touring England with Mr. Charles Hawtrey.

Auguste Van Bienne, of “Broken Alelody” fame, is now touring in America.

Miss Norah Kerin, who was married some months ago, is to make her re-ap pearance on the stage as Miranda in “The tempest,” which will be staged at His Majesty’s Theatre, London.

With January many new plays were piomised London. One of the efforts most looked forward to is based on William Locke’s story of “The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne, ” and was to be produced by Forbes Robertson at the Scala Theatre. The plot deals with the great love held by Ordeyne for a very pretty girl he has found in trouble in the streets. She becomes his mistress. Ordeyne cannot marry her, as she is already married to a coarse and brutal man. As age creeps on, the woman sees her charms fade away, her beauty die, and—there has always been the canker of illegality in their life—the man’s love die. His poor misti ess, broken-hearted, cannot bear to remain and see the wreck of their happiness, arranges to return to her husband, wishes her lover well, and quietly and pathetically, with a broken heart, for she finds at the last that her erstwhile lover is about to wed a young girl, steals away to take up her miserable life again with her gross, but lawful, possessor.

No less than 120 pantomimes were running in England when the mail left. The selection in subjects was not very wide, “Cinderella,” “Aladdin,” “Babes in the Wood,” “Whittington,” “Red Riding Hood,” and “The Forty Thieves” being the favourites. “Cinderella” and “Aladdin” were each the stories of 15 pantos, in the provinces, with “Whittington” next as the hero of 14. London itself was treated to 26 productions of pantomime.

The directors of the London Alhamnra Theatre have been presenting a series of films showing a march past of the Auckland and Wellington cadets, which were taken recently in Maoriland. On the 18th January Lord Roberts and his staff attended the theatre specialy to see these films.

Miss Nina Osborne, who used to play small parts in Gilbert and Sullivan operas out here, is now in England. She was always good in the little work entrusted to her, but she did not seem to get a show to prove herself of the first rank. Tht opening that she could not get here she has found in England, for she ; s ’.eadit g lady in One of Mr. George Edwardes’ touting companies. She has been playing in the English provinces, Scotland and V .axs, scorihg a great success in the rit!?. role in “San Toy.”; ,Ttie Press ? afe most laudatory-. -- •

In his review of the London theatrical world for the past year, Mr. Keble Howard writes in the “Dailv Mail”:—

"If 1905 discovered no Shakespeare, then it gave us a light original writer of undoubted brilliance. With ‘Man and Superman’ Mr Bernard Shaw proved that he had at least learnt how to write for the stage. Following up the very great success of ‘Veronique, ’ Air. George Edwardes has given us ‘The Little Alichus. ’ Personally, although the music is not so melodious, I consider ‘The Little Mi- < hus a finer achievement artistically than Veronique. ’ Let us now glance at some of the more important original plays produced in London during the year. Mr. Barrie gave us ‘Alice, Sit by the Fire.’ Mr. Carter produced two farces—‘Mr. Hopkinson’ and ‘Public Opinion.’ Mr. .Jfred Sutro followed up the sensational success of the ‘Walls of Jericho’ with Mollentrave on Women,’ a farcical comedy that was just a little too scintillating I>2 prove popular; ‘The Perfect Lover’ and The Maker of Men.’ The success of four dramas —‘Leah Kleschna,’ ‘The Prodigal Son,’ ‘Oliver Twist, and ‘Lights Out’—considered in conjunction with the popularity of the Adelphi ‘Hamlet’ and the Garrick ‘Merchant of Venice,’ certainly indicates that the play-going public does not consist of those who want to laugh, a loud laugh, and nothing but a laugh, .'nd now for the acting. The year opened disastrously with Mr. Tree’s ‘Benedick,’ but that mistake was more than redeemed by his masterly performances in ‘Business is Business’ and the wonderful piesentation of ‘Fagin.’ To Air. Cyril Maude’s credit stands that delightful old grandfather in ‘Everybody’s Secret.’ Mr. H. B. Irving has scored two triumphs—his scholarly ‘Hamlet’ and the difficult tnd unsympathetic hero in ‘Lights Out.’ Mr. Lewis Waller’s ‘Romeo’ was unfortunate, but in ‘The Perfect Lover’ he has proved that he can play quiet comedy as well as hustling romance. Air. Charles Warner is everywhere admitted to have achieved a fine piece of work in ‘Leah Kleschna.’ Mr. Arthur Bouchier, always ambitious, has given us a very well studied and finished portrait of Shylock. Mr. George Alexander, deserting light comedy, has turned his attention to more strenuous work. Two performances stand to his record, of which he has every right to be proud, ‘The Alan of the Aloment’ and ‘The Prodigal Son.’ Air Forbes Robertsons production of ‘The Conqueror’ was a curious error of judgment. Turning to our leading actresses, I am bound tv say Miss Winifred Emery’s Beatrice delighted me. Miss Marion Terry, in one or two unimportant parts, has maintained her position as one of the sweetest and most accomplished actresses of the English stage. Miss Lily Brayton’s Ophelia was very pretty. Afiss Ellen Terry in ‘Alice, Sit by the Fire’ seemed hardly suited to the task, but Miss Irene Vanburgh in the same play was quite brilliant. Miss Rosina Filippi in ‘The Thieves Comedy’ gave a performance that could not have been improved upon in the least particular. We have seen two Juliets — Aliss Evelyn Millard and Miss Margaret Halstan. Miss Lina Ashwell played very powerfully in ‘Leah Kleschna.’ Miss Lillah McCarthy was admirable in ‘Man and Superman,’ and Constance Collier did better work as Nancy in ‘Oliver Twist’ than she has ever done before.”

My Christchurch . correspondent writes: —Our old friends the MacMahon Bros, open a season at the Theatre Royal to-night (Saturday), with “ Saturday Night in London,” said to be as full of sensation as a to-be-continued-in-our-next. And as the company is a strong one, and Tom Pollard is stage manager, the performance is bound to draw a big house, especially as we have had no melodrama here. (worth speaking about) for an age, and we Christchurch people are partial to melodrama. We like it full flavoured, and we enjoy calling the persecuted heroine before the curtain and cheering her. It also affords us the utmost satisfaction to summon the bold bad man to the front and groan at him, until he is glad to go and hide his wicked head in the wings. Then we make excuses to our womenkind and bolt out, fortified with er —say sarsaparilla—and ready to be thrilled some more. But to return to the MacMahon season: I understand that the company’s repertoire is a large one, and includes several pieces quite new to Christchurch, and as the brothers MacMahon are very popular showmen and always provide an excellent bill of fare, I have no doubt the season will pan out about half an ounce to the dish. . . John Fuller is still with us, and delighting Opera House patrons with his singing. To hear him warble “ Mary of Argyle” and “ The Minstrel Boy” is to realise that that famous tenor of his is still in splendid order and condition. Tonight a whole lot of new talent is due at the Opera House, including the Volteens (triple-bar performers), Rowell Sisters (serios and dancers), Pearl Lovel (serio), and several others. No wonder “ Fuller’s” is so popular.

Madame Lydia Yeomans-Titus, who shortly tours Australia under the management of Allan Hamilton, is a native of New South Wales. The talented lady will be pleasantly remembered for her wonderful rendition of “ baby” songs. Her entire entertainment is characterised by a charm and refinement which is bound to attract all lovers of this class of work.

After their tour of New Zealand the Knight-Jeffries Company will appear for a short farewell season at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, next Saturday, February 24, the opening bill being the double one of “ Comedy and Tragedy,” and “ David Garrick,” in which Miss Maud Jeffries and Mr. Julius Knight respectively appear to such particular advantage. X * * * A week’s revival of “ Sunday” at_ Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, was really all that Mr. J. C. Williamson anticipated, his idea being, in -part at any rate, to give- Miss Tittell . Brune a rest from highly emotional impersonations . after, her exacting work in “ L’Aiglon,” and before she undertook the severely tragic part of La Tosca (writes Mr. George Tallis). But in spite of the fact that this is the fourth time “ Thomas Race ward’s” drama has been seen in Melbourne, the audiences that greeted the rise of the curtain every evening were just as large and just as enthusiastic as ever, and as a matter of fact it may be confidently assumed that as long as Miss Brune is here to give the public the pleasure of her charming interpretation of the heroine, so long will the play remain in unbated favour. The attendances remaining at a consistently high level Mr. Williamson decided to extend the run for another week, and on February 17 “La Tosca” was done by Miss Brune for the first time in Australia, though she has already made a most favourable impression as an American star, in the part of Sardou’s bestknown heroine. “ Leah Kleschna” will in all probability be the next piece to be produced. » « * *

The season of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company at the Melbourne Princess, which, with its extension, lasted for eight weeks, has been an artistic as well as a popular success throughout, and the company added fresh laurels to their already considerable store by their excellent performance of “Utopia, Limited,” the run of which lasted three weeks and attracted very cordial recognition from music-loving Melbourne. The last six nights of the season were devoted to “ Patience,” which the company had hot hitherto done in that city, and in which they have maintained the high standard they have reached in all their productions and to “ The Mikado,” revived for the

hundredth time (more or less) with just as much success as always at-" tends the production of that overgreen comic opera. The visit terminated on Friday, February 16, and on Monday last the company left for Launceston and Hobart, after which they play a short season in Bendigo, Ballarat, and Newcastle. Then they leave for a prolonged tour of New Zealand, for which the chief attractions will be “ Utopia, Limited,” and “ Veronique,”. rehearsals for which have been steadily progressing for some time past under Mr. Gerald Coventry’s experienced eye. >

There are other circles than the stage wherein the name of George Lauri seems likely to be as well known. The younger of the two gentlemen who have the best right to that name has just been awarded the scholarship given by the Cassilis Mining Company to the most successful student in metallurgy at the Melbourne School of Mines. The Messrs. Lauri —father and son—have been naturally the recipients of many congratulations on the success of the popular comedian’s son.

As was the case in Melbourne, the delightfully dainty music of “ Veron-

ique” is growing on Sydney playgoers, and the Royal Comic Opera Company’s presentment of it at Her Mejesty’s Theatre there is being played to excellent business.

Allan Hamilton’s tour of the New Society Entertainers, Madame Lydia Yeomans-Titus and Mr. Leslie Harris, commences at the Athenaeum Hall, Melbourne, on Saturday, April 14. Then follow visits to Bendigo, Ballarat, Adelaide, etc., the season at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, commencing on Saturday, May 26.

Mr. R. G. Knowles as a monologue entertainer at the Palace Theatre on Saturday evening, February 10, was welcomed by a crowded audience, which, as the entertainment progressed, evinced the greatest enthusiasm for his novel and highly amusing discourse which he gave them under the general title of “ Song and Stories of the Stage.” He is a finished narrator of humorous anecdotes and of course as a singer of comic songs his name is famous all over the English-speaking world. Furthermore, the use he makes of the biograph in his entertainment was a revelation on the capacities of that well-known apparatus. Pictorial re-

presentations of his best stories were being; continually thrown on the screen, and the point was again and again driven home with some view or another exactly fitting the case. Mr. Knowles only plays in Sydney until Friday .next, and then leaves for New Zealand, his visit to which colony will extend from the beginning of March until the end of May. His tour has every prospect of proving one of the most popular of its kind ever seen in Australasia.

Madame Lydia Yeomans-Titus left London by the steamship Bremen (writes Mr. Allan Hamilton), and is due to reach Australia about the end of March. Mr. Leslie Harris is coming by the Cape route, and will arrive during the same »veek as the Bremen.

One of the most popular songs in Mr. Leslie Harris’ repertoire, “ The Penny Paper” (composed and sung by the entertainer himself) has been specially “ commanded” on three occasions by His Majesty King Edward.

Dorothy Marsden, who will be remembered here as Puck in “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” was appearing at the Opera House, Blackpool, at latest.

Allan Hamilton is arranging with the vacuum cleaner of Victoria to send a machine and staff of men over to Hobart to thoroughly fix up the Theatre Royal with their patent process. lhe old house will shortly be refurnished and decorated.

Miss Madge Titheradge, daughter of our old friend “ Tith.,” continues to make a steady advance in her profession. Recently she was appearing with success in “ The Superior Miss Pellender” at the London Waldorf.

Beryl Faber, well remembered here as one of the most charming members of the great Brough-Boucicault organisation, was playing in “ His House in Order” with George Alexander when the mail left.

Mr. Leslie Harris, who shortly tours Australia under the management of Mr. Allan Hamilton, was a very intimate friend of the late Mel. B. Spurr. It was Mr. Harris who composed for the late entertainer his celebrated number, “ Her Golden Hair was Hanging Down Her Back,” a la Chopin, Mozart, Liszt, etc. This was perhaps the most attractive number in Mr. Spurr’s repertoire.

Seeley and West were at latest at the Stratford Empire, London.

Mr. Bland Holt and his popular company are now playing “ The Prodigal Son” at the Melbourne Theatre Royal.

Czerny has finished a very successful tour of the Waikato, and is now working South. He opens in Christchurch on March 5.

For the forthcoming production in Australia of the famous drama, “ The Fatal Wedding,” Messrs. Meynell and Gunn have been fortunate in securing the well-known English actor, Mr. Charles Vane, who for many years and at the time of his engagement was leading man for Mr. John Hare in London. Mr. Vane has been referred to by the English critics as “ an actor of singular personality,. admirable stage presence, and remarkable ability and versatility.” Amongst other notable engagements for the same company is that of Miss Mabel Congdon, a rising young actress, who has recently made quite a stir in the theatrical world of London. Besides ability, Miss Congdon is said to be favoured with a more than ordinary share of beauty. These artists will leave London with the company which Messrs. Meynell and Gunn are specially importing to Australia, and will make their first appearance in Melbourne.

R. G. Knowles, the humorist, is now appearing at the Sydney Palace Theatre. Of the performance the “ Referee” says that when the curtain did rise the first surprise was in store. A moving picture was thrown on the screen. It disclosed the dressing room of the theatre, and Mr. Knowles, dressing. Apparently the great comedian is worried over the loss of a collar stud, and eventually his manager enters, distracted at the delay, when Mr. Knowles makes his exit through the door. Hey! Presto! he is standing himself in the flesh bowing before the footlights. The effect produced was strikingly novel, and at once placed him on a friendly footing with his audience. The otner pictures shown are all there for a purpose, and assuredly the scheme had been well worked out. Mr. Knowles comes on the stage in evening dress, the familiar make-up being for the time discarded, and tells in his own inimitable racy style the story of his early life, passing on from this to that fund of anecdote of various phases of life of which he has so inexhaustible a store. His stories are admirably told, brilliant in conception, and as a raconteur he is inimitable. Distinctly Mr. Knowles, should achieve greater fame by his new departure than ever was his lot before. His entertainment is intended for all people and all classes, and its interest is decidedly of educational importance. For two hours he kept his audience in roars of roars of laughter, and yet sometimes on the verge of tears, until finally in his old costume —frock coat, top hat, and white duck, he became a whirlwind of song and dance, to the huge delight of the audience. Mr. Knowles introduced some new songs which are decidedly of the popular grade, and likely to be heard often away from the atmosphere of the theatre. Mrs. R. G. Knowles contributed banjo selections. Instead of the usual strum strum associated with this instrument, it became a true musical instrument in her hands, and she was recalled several times. Distinctly the entertainment bids fair to be attended with conspicuous success throughout Australia.

The sale of the effects of the late Sir Henry Irving, which occupied a week in December, was quite a unique event in its way. Never before have so many remarkable and interesting objects connected with the theatrical profession been brought together. The theatrical relics, bronzes, furniture effects, drawings, library, play bills, and theatrical prints provide some link with the past From these links alone can be made a record of the plays in which the great actor took part; and one has only to read through the catalogue to realise many lifelong fritnships made by Sir Henry, It makes one almost long to walk through Christie’s galleries when all was quiet and dark and conjure up in imagination some of the mighty spirits of the past and clothe with robes and costumes the bodies of their long-dead owners. The sale realised £19,000.

The 1 Joi. D. poke in the most a ing te/.- the wonderful versa ly pos is al by Mr. Leslie Harris the so ie v entertainer, who will iortly to ar Australia under Allan Hamilton’s management.

Mr. All 'd Danrjsr has sailed f.r England r the Oj.p an liner Sey .llitz, with Mrs. Dampier (Miss Katherine Russell), Miss Rose Dampier, and Mr. Fred. Dampier.

Miss R ’and Wa’ * s-Phillips, daughter of the laywright, and long a leading member in Mr. George Rignold s Australian Company, i at work upon a volume <’f reminisrences, which is likely to be published by a London firm next eason. A great part of it is devoted to he- recollections of Sir Henry rving, wth whom she frequently a-1 ; eared in lhe days of her girlhood.

Pets, especially dogs, seem to have a particular attraction for Australian star actresses, much to the disapproval of Australian hotelkeepers, who look with a malignant eye upon the poor animals for whom, in their mistresses’ eyes, nothing in the way of feeding and care is good enough. Miss Maud Jeffries’ poodle was bad enough, but Miss Brune’s three dogs are naturally regarded with treble the amount of displeasure, for the talented young actress, in the fulness of her affecth u for them insists upon their havir.g the best of everything Conseauemiy it is not safe now for any admirer to present another puppy to Miss Brune unless he maintains a strict incognito and so conceals his identity from mine host indignant.

Five of Mr. J. C. Williamson’s forthcoming attractions were more than “keeping their end up” against the rush of pantomime in London at the end of last year. “ The Catch of the Season” reached its 560th performance on December 30, while “ The Little Michus” had nearly 300 to its credit, and “ The Spring Chicken” was well past the 200 mark. “ The White Chrysanthemum” on the same date registered its 135th appearance, and “ The Blue Moon” had successfully left the century some distance behind.

A dramatised version of lan Maclaren’s “ Beside the Bonnie Briar Bush” is one of the latest London successes, this being played at the St. James’ Theatre. Of it an ex- ■ change says that there is a wealth of pathetic appeal in the old materials dealt with, and at least one of the characters is drawn with a wondrous

skill which makes it stand boldly out —a creature of splendid virility. Society in Drumtochty is not entirely of the type which demands to be spelt with a capital “ S.” It consists of an ordinary earl, with his son Lord Hay, and an old sheep farmer and elder of the Kirk, Lachlan Campbell, with a retinue of daughter, shepherd, and dairymaid. Beyond these there are a bluff Scotch doctor, v-th an accent savouring somewhat of the Sister Isle; a Free Kirk minister; a widow, with a self-inflicted mission to comfort those in need of consolation; an additional lady in love who is never quite in the picture; an amusing let-ter-carrier, and a couple of entertaining children who serve as pegs for pathos. Lord Hay and Flora Campbell are in love with one another, and are forbidden by the old sheep farmer to meet. Of course, they do meet clandestinely, to become man and wife by mutual declaration in the simple Scottish fashion; and there is an unseen witness to their compact in the letter-carrier, whose presence legalises the marriage. Lord Hay afterwards goes to London and leaves his wife with hex* father. No news comes of the husband, and Flora, in an agony of suspense, writes to Lord Hay. Lachlan Campbell intercepts and reads the letter, and, believing that his daughter has been deceived and ruined by his lordship, he drives her from the home, despite her protestations that she is a wife. Months elapse, and the old man, with spirit broken, his reputation apparently sullied, drifts hopelessly in the direction of death, his love for his daughter battling the while with the cold, narrow religion which hangs about him from his bitter despondency, and at last the real man breaks through and

Flora is forgiven and returns. From this point all is well; the transformation in the old man is quite complete; Lord Hay returns to honour his bride; the letter-carrier comes forward at the critical moment and proves tha f the lovers are legally united; and the remainder of the characters sort themselves into satisfactory pairs.

The Emperor William has been trying his ’prentice hand as a dramatic censor. The great composer, Strauss, recently composed the music for Oscar Wilde’s “ Salome,” which was produced at Dresden, and the Emperor promptly wrote to him, stating that his writing music to such a theme was unworthy of him, and not conducive to the advancement of art. Strauss replied that he was not going to take lessons in the quality of art from anybody, whose knowledge of the subject was inferior to his own. As one of the conductors of the Berlin Opera, Strauss is a Royal servant, and will probably meet with further proofs of Royal displeasure.

In “ The Eye Witness,” presented at the Grand Opera House in Boston recently, a great jack-knife bridge, a ponderous piece of machinery, weighing many tons and operated by electricity, is shown. While this bridge is in the act of opening an automobile leaps across the chasm, flying through space for fully 20ft. This is one of the most daring and venturesome sensations ever presented, and at the same time the most ingenious piece of stage mechanism.

It will be remembered what sort of a shock “The Fires of St. John” gave some of the straight-laced mem-

hers o’ the audience. n San Francisco Miss Nance O’Neil is giving them ‘ Mono? Vinm.” This is a translation from Maeterlinck, and seem ■" be a mixture of “ Nidjezka” and “ Theodora.” Monna Vanna is the wife of an Italian noble of the 15th century. Their garrison at Pisa is besieged by the army of Prinzivalle, and. as the price of raising the siege Prinz’valie demands that Mama Vanna shall be sent to his te~' To . 've the ’own and the people her lum -nd and her father urge Monna Vanna to make the sacrifice, and she goes forth to the investing army. Once face tn pice with her, Prinzivalle i - c/e.i n.e with remorse, tells her to return to the city, and they fall mutually in iove. The upshot is that Prinzivalle and Monna Vanna enter Pisa together. Thinking that the woman has lured him into their power, the Pisans sieze him, and are about to kill him. Monna Vanna steps forward, and claims that he is her property, to punish him as she wishes, and he is placed in a dungeon. “It was a bad dream,” says her father. Monna Vanna holds the key before the prisoner, and replies, “ It was a bad dream, but the beautiful one is coming.” The curtain falls on this, and the audience are left to imagine the sequel. An elopement between the principal pair seems the only possible solution.

Miss Ellen Terry .has won the aulogium of Mr. Bernard Shaw, who makes a comparison between the celebrated actress and the late Sir Henry Irving in the columns of the “ Neue Freie Press” “ There were never two leading members of the same profession,” says Mr. Shaw, “ more dissimilar than Henry Irving and Ellen

Terry. Nature dowered both with wonderfully handsome and interesting faces; but the world has seen in the pictures of priests, princes, statesmen, and saints for hundreds of years faces like that of Irving, but the face of Ellen Terry has never been seen on earth before. She actually made her own beauty, and the portraits of her as a child show scarcely a feature of the wondrous woman who took London by storm in 1875. Miss Ellen Terry is unsentimental and non-sensi-tive, but she interests herself keenly in everybody and everything. She understands, and sympathises because she understands, and is kind by nature, but she is more often excited than deeply moved, and has more frequently pitied and helped than loved/’

“Ma Curly-headed Babby,” one of the most successful songs ever written, has brought the usual reward of merit, but little money, to its composer, Mr. George Clutsam. It originally appeared in the “ Strand Musical Magazine” in 1896. The fee paid was ten guineas for serial rights. In consequence of the great demand for this number the song was then published by Stanley Lucas, Pitt and Hatzfeld, who bought it for a nominal fee. These publishers dissolving partnership a year late, the “ Babby" was put up to auction, and was rebought with rights and royalties by Mr. Hatzfeld for £9lO. It is stiil owned by this firm, which has already sold 150,000 copies, and is still selling over 20,000 a year, which is a record. America was the last country to take it. Though the land of coon songs, the “ Babby” had a hard fight to get its little curly head recognised, but is now as popular in the land of the Stars and Stripes as it has been everywhere else. In New York particularly, it is quite the rage.

“ A Royal Divorce,” W. G. Wills’ drama, which we saw in Auckland last week, was originally produced at the Avenue, Sunderland, on May 1, 1891, and on September 10 of the same year it was submitted to a London audience at thr Olympic, with Mr. Murray Carson a« Napoleon and Miss Grace Hawthorne as Josephine.

A new play, especial!? written for children, has be Q n produce? at the big Waldorf Theatre in London. It ■s called “ Noah’s Ark,” ana the idea of the play is certainly good. Two children of different sexes reach Christmas-time with the inevitable Christmas wants. The girl desires to be a fairy queen, and the boy thinks happiness is only to be found in a career of piracy. Then they go to sleep, and dream through two scenes. In dreamland they meet a fairy queen, with directions for use attached, a pirate captain, and a Noah’s Ark. Under the leadership of the pirate the combined forces of the dreamers and the pirate crew capture the Ark and sail away with Mr. Noah and his menagerie in search of milk-chocolate and extra cream-toffee, buried in the depths of the sea near the Island of Bangalos. In Bangalos there are cannibals and Dutch dolls and a Channel swimmer out of his course, and they all contribute “ turns” of the customary type with some success. Songs, dances, and patter fill a scene which could, and

perhaps may, be worked up into something thoroughly amusing. When the merriment is exhausted and the dreamers are perhaps surfeited with sweetmeats, they awake in their schoolroom and resume the even tenour of their way. A lot of fun is compressed into the evening.