OLYMPIA SKATING RINK.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 852, 5 July 1906, Page 13

OLYMPIA SKATING RINK.

The rink continues to maintain its popularity with patrons; indeed, it has done more than this, for lately the proprietary have opened branch rinks at Onehunga and Otahuhu, where lovers of the pastime are promised the same good management to which they have been accustomed at headquarters. This shows that the fascination of rinking is one which it is difficult to resist, and acordingly patrons are becoming more numerous than ever. Mr. J. M. Martin is in charge, and is ever on the look-out to introduce novelties. The sessions at the Olympia Rink are from 10 to 12, 2.30 to 5, and 7.30 to 10 p.m.

Mr. J. C. Williamson is evidently determined, as always, to secure the very best interpretation for “The Squaw Man,” which will be introduced to Australian audiences at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, next Saturday (July 7th), and the names of the new dramatic company he has formed for its presentation suggest a performance that will have a very considerable finish. At the head of the new organisation are Mr. Charles Waldron and Miss Ola Jane Humphries, who, with Miss Irene Outtrim and others (including half a dozen real cowboys), arrived in Sydney by the Sonoma, and are already hard at work rehearsing in Melbourne. At this end Mr. Williamson has engaged such experienced players as Mrs. G. B. W. Lewis, Miss Maud Thornton, Messrs. Fred Cambourne, Edwin Lester, C. M. Berkley and Arthur Lissant, all of whom have achieved distiction on the Australian stage. Last but by no means least, several well-known and well-liked members of the KnightJeffries Company have been re-engag-ed for the tour. Among them are Messrs. Harry Plimmer, C. P. Carey, George Chalmers, Frank Stirling and Leonard Willey, names which respectively recall sterling work in different capacities during recent years.

An interesting story surrounds the origin of “The Squaw Man,” which will be the first production of Mr. J. C. Williamson’s new dramatic company. The germ of the drama was contained in a short sketch written by Mr. Edwin Milton Royle for one of the monthly gambols of the New York Lambs’ Club perhaps the most famous theatrical club in the world. It is at these gambols that all the prominent first-nighters meet the most noteworthy actors and actresses of the day, and their presence there on the part of the latter stamps them as being players of some dstinction. It can well be imagined that an audience so contributed would be exceptionally well fitted to judge the merits of any piece of theatrical work, and Mr. Royle was so encouraged by the appreciation with which his contribution of the evening’s entertainment was received that he was persuaded to expand it into a comedy drama. The result was quite in accordance with the prophecy for the piece ever since its first production in New York (in which, by the way, Cecil Ward was engaged) has been one of the biggest dramatic successes of recent years. Mr. Charles Frohman, moreover, has already declared his conviction that it will repeat that success in London, when it is staged there almost concurrently with its Melbourne debuts —

By the Mongolia, which left Sydney on her Homeward trip on June 23rd, Miss Margaret Thomas departed on a visit to her parents in Wales (writes Mr. George Tallis), whence she will return as the wife of Mr. Gordon, K.C. For the fortnight previous to her good-bye, she wa‘S feted and functioned lavishly by her. hosts of friends and admirers., Her place in the Royal Comic Opera Company is being taken by Miss Alma Barber, a Melbourne girl, who has already shown herself well equipped, both vocally and histrionically, to meet the requirements o a leading part. (Continued on Page 16).

The remarkably heavy booking which heralded Miss Tittell Brune’s season in Perth augurs a noteworthy season, and the prediction has since been abundantly fulfilled, each night of her stay there being distinguished by crowded audiences. On Monday, July 9th, the company appear for nine nights at Kalgoorlie, and after her visit to the goldfields she leaves almost at once for New Zealand, opening at Dunedin on August 7th.

Mr. F. H. Graham, our ever-popu-lar and favourite comedian, will on Thursday evening see a rehearsal of the entire play, will note what the author has done, and will then, on his return from a short, well-earned holiday, produce the play, and we know what a success he will make of it.

Mr. Allan Hamilton forwards me a batch of newspaper excerpts from Brisbane papers concerning the appearance of Mr. Leslie Harris, the monologue entertainer. One and all are very complimentary, not only to Mr. Harris, but to Miss Rosina Buckmann, whose singing is very highly spoken of. The “ Courier” says that premising from the warmth of the reception accorded to both artists, and the number of recalls, verging now and again upon ovations, it is fair to conclude that theatre-goers will find this clever, exceedingly amusing, and very artistic entertainment a welcome change after the late feast of melodrama which has been spread before them. Mr. Harris possesses a quality of geniality and a breezy freshness of manner which place him at once en rapport with his audience, and carry the conviction that he is bubbling over with good humour, and has but to smile to make every one laugh. He has, however, the compelling as well as the inducing power, and those who are not prepossessed by his cheery style are captured by his piquant sayings, and the rare skill with which he turns all things to mirth, or, as he now and again chooses, to pathos. He is, as the monologist must ever be, a good pianist, a clever character actor, and an all-round entertainer of the first rank. The success of the entertainment was shared in a liberal measure by Miss Rosina Buckmann, whose fine voice, cultivated method, and admirable selection of songs, won for her a splendid reception.

After their long and successful season of six months’ duration at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, the Royal Comic Opera Company are to have a well-earned week’s holiday between the date of their last performance there (July 6th) and their opening night in Adelaide (July 14th). Mr. Williamson’s decision to this effect was much appreciated by the members, who all feel that they would enjoy a rest from the arduous work of musical comedy.

“Veronique,” the latest addition to the repertoire of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company, is also the best, for so very popular has Messager’s dainty opera become, owing to the artistic interpretation it receives that Mr. J. C. Williamson has approved of its being made the opening piece at all the New Zealand towns visited by the company. Their season in this colony terminates towards the end of the month, and on August 4th they open in Brisbane.

The Australasian rights in “The Dairymaids,” the latest London success in musical comedy have been acquired by Mr. J. C. Williamson. The great scene in the piece is the gymnasium of a girls’ school, wherein Miss Carrie Moore poses as a Sandow girl. The humour of the idea will be appreciated by those who remember the little lady’s figure when she was a member of the Royal Comic Opera Company.

The chorus is doing excellent work, and all of them, in one number in particular (we refer to the “Laughing Song”), become quite carried away by the music. Mr. and Mrs. S. Jackson, Mrs. C. R. Bailey, the artist, the costumier, the very “boy,” are working, “all with best intent” and strenuously to help the stage manager all they can, so that when he takes charge he may find a “way cleared through the bush,” and be able more easily to guide the company into the sunlit meadows of success. We cordially wish Mr. Graham and his entire company every success, and the best of luck. Ai votre sante,.m’sieur! *' * , t* . *

The exceptionally clever comedy and the extreme Mrollery' of “On the

Quiet” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, has been so much appreciated by the pubic that Mr. J. C. Williamson has decided on it as the opening production of Mr. William Collier’s Sydney season,, which- commences oh Saturday next (July 7th). Besides the inimitable methods of the star comedian and his thoroughly capable company, there are one or two points in the piece which certainly deserve mention. The stage management, for example, is perfect, the whole of the three acts going without the suggestion of a hitch, and giving the audience almost the impression that the action went by clockwork. The acrobatic and general agility of several members of the cast is as acceptable as it is unexpected. Mr. John Barrymore’s falls and back exits, in particular, are surprisingly well done, while the typical soubrette dancing of Miss Helna Collier and the comical waltzing of Mr. George Nash are really excellent.

My Christchurch correspondent writes: —The Williamson Comic Opera Company have gone on their way rejoicing with an exceeding great joy, having done so well here that they now conclude the Cathedral City has been cruelly maligned by those showmen who have in their anger and disappointment written it down a one-horse town, and no good for anything in the entertainment line stronger than a church concert. Well, we are a queer people, and that’s a fact. But, as a rue, if a show is any good we are prepared to patronise it. Comic opera (of the J.C.W. brand) we are very partial to. And we just dote on melodrama. “ Classical” music we pretend to prefer to anything else. But somehow there is almost always a beggarly array of empty benches when a great

musical star performs in Christchurch. Perhaps it is just our unselfishness —we are so anxious for our next-door neighbour to find room that we stop at home, and the same altruistic idea occurring to our nextdoor neighbour, he stops at home. Result: Nothing worth mentioning in the treasury. But, as Horace Bent used to say, “ This is a digression.” I set out to tell you about “ the World’s Pictures,” and have wandered far away from my muttons. We’re very fond of living pictures in Christchurch. Hence the grand house that greeted the first performance at the Royal by “the World’s Pictures” Co. These people certainly know how to do things as they ought to be done. They drape the stage and arrange it with exquisite taste (a lady’s taste, surely !), and there is absolutely no “ flicker” at all about the pictures. They are as steady as the photos, in your own family album. The Seddon funeral films might have been left out with advantage—not that they were bad pictures; on the contrary, they were very fine. Still, I think they would be better omitted. The ’Frisco scenes were most., realistic. Nothing is calculated to give people such a vivid impression of the awful catastrophe that has befallen “ the Paris of America” as these films. A lot of “ chase” pictures were greatly enjoyed, and the comic film, “ Everybody Works but Father,” fairly brought down the house. This show can be honestly commended as being O.K.

The Mayor of Auckland •, (Mr. Arthur M. Myers), writing to Mr. Thos. Humphreys the author-compo-ser and designer of “The Lady Typist,” saysr“.T7t . ;In conclusion, I can only express tile hope that’ the

production will meet with ths encouragement it deserves from the Auckland public —a hope which is justified by the encomiums of the critics who have been privileged to read your work, whose opinion is of the highest value.”

Mr. Lex McLean, the Scottish athlete, is a Glasgow boy, having been born in that city in 1875. He says that he first took a keen interest in the cult of the body at the age of 17, and with strict attention to his work soon became strong enough to win the heavy-weight championship of Scotland. He also went in extensively for all kinds of athletics, and has won over 300 prizes in the different branches pursued. Twelve years ago he entered the lists as a professional strong man, and since then has visited nearly every principal city in the world. His lecture on the muscles was specially interpreted during his tour of the Continental music halls, and constitutes the novelty of his turn. In Germany his tour proved a great success, the Germans being great admirers of all exhibitions of muscular strength. Mr. McLean has spent some five years in the colonies, during most of which time he has been engaged teaching physical culture. At the conclusion of his present engagement he goes to Australia, and from thence to America, which he describes as “ God’s country,” where he has three younger brothers in the profession. He states that he has never yet met with a defeat, and is open to meet any man in the world at a right hand, left hand, or two-handed lift for from £lOO upward. None of the Auckand weight-lifters have yet gone in for a trial with him, although several “talked big” about it. Asked as to his system of training, Mr. McLean

informs us that his system is somewhat on the lines of Eugene Sandow’s, viz., practice with a means towards an end and, most important of all, strict obedience to the simple laws of nature, which is the recognised basis of all physical health and strength.

The Bovis Brothers, whose portraits appear in this issue, are nightly contributing a very popular turn at the Opera House. There are few, if any, better known or more popular artists on the colonial stage to-day, and this popularity has been won by sheer merit, for they know their profession from A to Z. Natives of Sydney, the brothers Bovis first made a start with that sterling actor, Mr. Alfred Dampier. Next came four years with Mr. Frank Smith in the days of the old Sydney Alhambra. Following on this came an engagement of no less than six years with Mr. John F. Sheridan, while later on came five years with Mr. Harry Rickards. The brothers then Visited South Africa, and after a tour there journeyed on to London, where they remained for two years. In the “ Belle of New York” at the Shaftesbury Theatre they created the roles of the Portuguese twins, and they have very pleasant recollections of their engagement with Mr. George Edwardes. A tour of India, China, and Japan followed, and the brothers also visited Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Buda-Pesth, and in fact, nearly all the principal cities in a comprehensive Continental tour., They returned to Australia under contract’ to Mr. Williamson, ' afterwards going back to England for twelve months, when they were engaged by Mr. Geo. Stephenson, with., whom were fdr : a considerable time. <On the

company being disbanded the Bovis Brothers joined the Fuller’s circuit, and after concluding a turn here will probably go to the South Island under the same management, of which, by the-way, they, in conjunction with many others, speak very highly. Such immense favourites have the Bovis Brothers become with Opera House patrons, that all will hope that their season here may be extended. Their turns are clever and original, and nightly bring down the house. * * » » Tempus fugit! It does. Eleven months have soon sped by, and “The Lady Typist” will in five short weeks make her bow to an Auckland audience. We are anxious to see the young lady—very. * * * * Mr. Horace Nightingale forwards me a playbill of the sensational Irish drama, “ Evicted,” which the TaylorCarrington Company have just produced at Hamilton. The company are touring the Waikato. * * * *! The Willoughby-Ward Comedy Company are due in Dunedin on October 11. * * * * The Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Company are now in Dunedin, where they opened on Saturday in “ Veronique.” * * * * The part of Lord Leo Cheynes, to be played by Mr. Graham, was originally suggested to Mr. Humphreys by that gentleman, and was written under Mr. Graham’s supervision. It is essentially a “Johhnie” type, but a new “Johnnie” of the G. P. Huntley style. This creation should certainly be one of Mr. Graham’s “hits.’’ As for the rest, Madame Wielaert |s really sweet in the name part; and Miss Nellie Dent is delightful with the part allotted to her. Miss Tobias, Mrs. Rowe and Miss Von Meyern all give excellent pourtrayals of their various characters. i

Tait’s “ Living London” pictures were at Cambridge last night, and will be shown at Hamilton tb-night and to-morrow. !

Judging by the enthusiastic newspaper notices, the Edison pictures now being shown in Wellington are particularly good, and have attracted big audiences. We shall have an opportunity of judging for ourselves later on.

A dramatic sketch, entitled “The Power of Music,” was produced at the London Tivoli just before he mail left, by Jan Rudenyi, the violinist, in which the principal parts were played by Miss Dora De Winton and John B. Saunders, who some few years back appeared in a number of plays under the management of Mr. William Anderson, at the Sydney Lyceum.

The eminent Danish critic George Brandes calls Heine the wittiest man that ever lived. He is the only German poet who is “ much and steadily read” outside of Germany ,and he is the favourite poet of musicians: “ Both in and out of Germany he is as much sung as read. His poems have given occasion to more than, 3000 musical compositions. In 1887 the solo-songs alone leaving out of account the duets, quartets and choruses numbered 2500. Hueffer has counted 160 settings of ‘ Du hist wie eine Blume,’ 76 of ‘ Ein Fichtenbaum steht efnsam,’ and 37 of ‘ Ich weiss nicht was soil es bedeuten.’ Among these compositions are many of the most beautiful songs of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Robert Franz and Rubenstein, very few of which the poet himself can have heard. Of all the German lyric poets Heine is the one whose songs have been most frequently set tjo music. After him, with his 3000 compositions, comes Goethe, with j about 1700; the others follow far behind.”

Bostock and Wombwell’s circus left for Sydney on Monday evening. 4 Judging from the weather we have had in Auckland, the Victoria would drop in for a rough time directly the North Cape was rounded.

A fantastic Japanese play has been written by Fuji Ko, the Japanese actress, who has been performing in London for the past year. -It is called “ The Love of a Geisha,” and is founded on the doctrine of “ Nirvana,” which forms part of the Bhuddist religion. Fuji Ko, whose name signifies The Lady of the Mistarias,” lived for nine years in America, and is a graduate of one of . the women’s colleges there.

M. Jean de Reske has (says an exchange) studying with him the future successor to Patti. Nothing in fiction can surpass the strange story of how the famous impressario discovered this girl, who lived in the poor quarters of New York city. A month ago a plainly dressed man came into Mr. Rudolph Aronson’s office and said he would like him to hear his daughter sing. Accordingly a slender slip of a girl, but of exceedingly prepossesssing appearance, was ushered in. She was apparently about 16. She began to sing Guonod’s “Ave Maria” with perfect confidence. Mr. Aronson was overwhelmed with amazement and delight; the voice was pure, rich, sweet, but full of latent power. Vivienne Fidellee, who is of FrancoItalian descent, was born in New York. She had heard a gramophone selection of Madame Melba’s record of “Ave Maria,” and that was all the instruction she had in that difficult item. Shortly after this Mr. Aronson was in Paris, and called upon M. de Reske, who was much interested in the young singer, so much so that he asked Mr. Aronson to cable for her to come to Paris, generously offering to pay all the expenses of the trip. Accompanied by her mother, Vivienne Fidellee arrived in Paris recently. When she had finished the “Ave Maria” M. de Reske was so enthusiastic that he then and there undertook to train the young singer for two years free of cost. Her future career will be eagerly watched by music lovers.

Miecio Horszowski, a pianist twelve years of age, made his first appearance in London at Steinway Hall on Friday, May 11. He was born in Poland, and studied under Leschetitzky, and when he was seven years old played at concerts in Berlin, Warsaw, Lisbon, and Madrid. Two years ago he appeared in Paris with great success.

According to the Otago “Witness,” Mr. Reynolds Denniston, son of Mr. G. L. Denniston, of that city and who made his first appearance on the boards in Dunedin as an amateur with the local Garrick Club, is now appearing on the English stage. After putting in some good work with Mrs. Clement Scott’s “Diamond Express” Company, he was engaged by the Kendals for a thirteen weeks’ London and provincial tour. At the conclusion of his engagement with the Kendals, Mr. Denniston goes to the Savoy as understudy to Mr. Harry Ainley in Miss Lena Ashwell’s company, where he will once more be under the management of Mr. Edward Sass, with whose company he appeared through South Africa.

One of the additional sources of income to artistes nowadays is that of the phonograph. A fee of a couple of guineas is usually paid to ordinary singers and instrumentalists for what is called a sitting. Many trials sometimes have to be made before a com-

pletely correct record is made. To celebrated. artistes large fees are paid. Recently in Chicago Mias Emma Eames'received £250 for a sitting of five songs.

The success of the Shakespearean Festival at London His Majesty’s, at the end of April, was so great that, in a speech at the fall of the curtain oh “Julius Caesar,” Mr. Tree said he had determined to make the festival an annual feature. Future arrangements, he added, included Miss Ellen Terry’s appearance in “A Winter’s Tale,” the production of “Macbeth,” and “Antony and Cleopatra,” and probably a revival of “Henry IV.” (part I.)

It is not generally known that Miss Ellen Terry was married in 1867 to Mr. Charles Wardell, who adopted the name of Kelly when, retiring from the army, he took to the stage. In parts of the solid type, he was without a rival in his day on the London stage.

Two new plays are announced by Haddon Chambers, the Sydney playwright, who has been resting for the past three or four years. Now he has made up for lost time by turning out two most unexpected works. The first is called “Sir Anthony,” because, the author explains, as Bernard Shaw might, ‘ ‘there is no such person in the play.” It is a comedy dealing with the life of a suburbanite. The second is a fairy fantasy called “Mr. Flame.” As an after thought Chambers decided to turn it into an opera, and it has since been set to music.

We have almost stopped writing the really human play in England, but the American authors are following it up successfully. And if English authors will only do likewise, they will have not only this country to appeal to, but the whole of vast America.— Mr. Charles Frohman, in a London paper.

There is (says “The World”) a simple standard by which dramas may be judged. Do they enlarge our stock of ideas, our knowledge of human temperament and character, our outlook upon the welter of problems which face us at every turn? Do they provide actors and atresses with parts in which they can display their talents to the best advantage?

Melbourne swimmer, Miss Annette Kellermann, who has just received the laurels that Australia dropped at Athens by defeating Madame Iscesen, the champion lady swimmer of Europe, is now appearing in Vienna, and is understood to be in receipt of a large salary.

The death is announced in the latest London files of Mr. H. J. W. Dam, who will be well remembered as the author of “The Shop Girl,” the forerunner of many musical comedies produced by Mr. George Edwardes at

the Gaiety. Mr. Dam, who also wrote several other pieces for the American stage, was a Californian by birth, and died at Havana from cancer. He married, in 1892, Miss Dorothy Dorr, an American actress, who, with two sons, survives him. * * * * The veteran Joachim is still playing in London as leader of the quartet which bears his name. Though now in his seventy-fifth year, his playing is said to a vigorous and fresh as ever.

The death is reported by drowning in South Australia of Mr. Louis Pereira, manager of the Hazlewood Pereira theatrical company. The company was travelling from Koondrook to Swan Hill. When about nine miles down the river Mr. Pereira fell overboard and was drowned.

The many New Zealand friends of Miss Daisy Elmore, of the Elmore Sisters, well and favourably known on the Fuller circuit, will regret to hear of her death which took place at Perth (W.A.) on June 3.

Carusa, the world-famous tenor, who was in San Francisco at the time of the earthquake, tells of his experience:—“The first shock flung me out of bed. A moment later my piano ran across the room. For a time I sat on my valise in the middle of the street. Then I fled to Lafayettp Park, where the soldiers appeared to resent my attempt to make

myself comfortable and sleep. Under my arm I carried a photograph of President Roosevelt, on which was written : ‘With kindest regards, Theodore Roosevelt.’ When the military refused to listen to my pleadings I showed them this, whereupon one of them said, ‘Oh, if you are a friend of Teddy, come right on and make yourself at home.’ ”