THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 867, 18 October 1906, Page 16

THE STAGE

(By

"Footlight."

THE OPERA HOUSE

“LEAH KLESCHNA.” After drawing padked houses all through the week, “Dorothy 'Vernon” was withdrawn >on ‘Monday in ‘favour of 'C. M. S. McLellan’s drama “Leah Kleschna.” It is a ;jilay of intense dramatic interest worked out on somewhat original lines, and - contains some fine writing, although a few passages in the first act put in _ o the mouth of Raoul Berton might well be omitted, without in the least spoiling the effect. ’Briefly, the story tells of one 'Kleschna, a brave man, but a thief who has brought up his daughter Leah >to follow the nefarious calling, A year before the story opens, she, among some forty others, has been rescued from a sinking steamer by Paul Sylvanie, and him she has unconsciously learned to love. This gradually brings about a great dislike for her method of living. The crisis comes when Leah is ordered by her father to rob a house of some valuable jewels, but is caught in the very act by the owner, who turns out to be no other than Paul, her rescuer. Instead of handing Leah over to the police he reasons with her, persuading her to give up being a thief. Paul is betrothed to Claire Berton, whose brother Raoul turns up in a semi-drunken state, and first accuses Paul of making an assignation with Leah, and ultimately when their backs are turned, steals the jewels himself. Leah returns to her father, and in an intensely dramatic scene, bids him farewell for ever, after which she returns to her dead mother’s people, and labours in the fields. Kleschna and his accomplice Schram volunteer with the Boers, and are killed by a shedd, while Leah is ultimately found by Paul, who has been jilted by his fiancee, and persuades the repentant girl to become his wife. Miss Tittell Brune is given a fine chance as Leah, and she makes the most of her opportunities. She was perhaps, at her very bes*: in the housebreaking scene, when the terror at being discovered by Paul Sylvaine, and the horror when she discovers that he is no other than her preserver, were very cleverly brought out. The final farewell to her father was another example of fine dramatic work. It is not often that we have Mr Gaston Mervale as the hero. In the role of Paul Sylvaine he is excellent throughout, and the portrayal of the large hearted senator is one of the very best things this talented actor has yet given us. Mr Mervale was particularly strong in the burglary scene, coming in for no small meed of applause. Mr Thomas Kingston was seen to more advantage than in the preceding piece, giving a consistent representation of the part of Kleschna, a man with two sides to his character, one the thief, the other the brave man and loving father. Mr J. B. Atholwood did all that was possible with the comparatively small part of Schram, which by the way might almost have been founded on that of Jacky in “Sunday.” Mr John Beauchamp adequately filled the requirements of General Berton, while Mr Harry Sweeney well contrived to make of Raoul Berton the detestable character the author so clearly intended. All the other characters were well cast, while the scenery was entirely adequate. The setting for the final act—a vegetable garden in Austria—was a capital piece of stage work, and was warmly applauded. “Leah Kleschna” will be repeated for the last time this evening.

“MERELY MARY ANN.”

To-morrow, Friday, there will be a change, when Israel Zangwill’s famous comedy “Merely Mary Ann,”- will be staged. This piece, which was adapted by the author from the story of the same name, was originally produced at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London, in 1904, when it ran to enormous business for an entire season. In the production to-morrow, Miss Tittell Brune will take the role of Mary Ann, in which she is said to be simply immense. Mr Kingston will be Lancelot, and Mr. J. Atholwood the Rev. Samuel Smedge,, while, he rest of the. cast is . a very long one. A contemporary in Wellington, where » play was enthusiastically received,oteZangwill cleverly worked out a ,‘tv notion in his book “Merely Mary

Ann.” His hero is Lancelot, son of a baronet, reduced to a bed-sittingroom in a lodging-house, under a landlady of unlovely mien. Bride and devo ion to art have >laid 'him low, from -he -view-point of material wealth, but he is high in ideals. He is a musician, a -composer whose brain throbs with melodies —-classical. He commits them to -paper, sends them to publishers, and ‘has them returned regularlv. An old chum, Peter, who surrep'itiouslv made a hit with a .popular “sentimental” ditty, urges Lancelot to similarly stoop to conquer, but the proud patrician snorts with disgus:. He takes another hitch in his belt, and resolves to have some more meals of vain dreams. In the meantime his hours of dreariness are partially cheered by a pretty general servant, Mary Ann, a guileless girl from the country, who secretly worships him. In a plebian moment of weakness he kissed her, but afterwards had a fit of repugnance, and washed his lips in horror. Gradually Mary Ann grows upon the moodv musician till one day when his star of fortune is peeping from its cloud, and he is revolving to seek a fresh place

of residence, he consents to take Mary Ann with him. Then the providence that has seen the servant suffer from poverty, showers half a million pounds, a legacy from a long-lost brother, on her auburn head. That accident makes the aristocrat decide to go alone. Mary Ann weeps, and her idol tells her that only as man and wife could they travel forth together, and he cannot marry her. So they drift apart. In the play Mr Zangwill has added sufficient to bring in the altar and the joy-bells without which no play is complete if it desires to please the multitude.

The following programme has been outlined for the remainder of the epor-. mously successful, season now being.played by Miss Brune. “Leah Kleschna” will be performed for the last time on Thursday evening, and on Friday the 19th, Zangwill’s much heard of comedy

entitled “Merely Mary Ann” will be presented, and will run for four nights. On Wednesday, the 24th, a special production will be given of Sardon’s great work “La Tosca,” with Miss Brune m the tremendously exacting part of Floria Tosca. This night will be set apart as a “grand souvenir night,” when each lady visiting the theatre will be presented with a handsome coloured photograph of the distinguished young actress. On Thursday, the 25th, and for the remaining two nights of the season, the play of “Sunday,” which is probably the most successful in her repertoire, will be presented. Altoge her playgoers have no reason to complain of the diversity and general excellence of this programme, and the season will be remembered as one of the most attractive Auckland had for a long time.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

THE RICKARDS COMPANY. Mr Harry Rickards, after doing very good business, finished up a comparative-

ly short season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday night. The programme of novelties proved a draw right up to the end. Brinn’s marvellous feats of strength and daring jugglery continued nightly to inspire his audience with wonder, and his hair-raising proclivities as a cannon manipulator hold the big crowds in a tense state of awe and expectancy. Little Cliff —who, by the way, has just about outgrown the name—never failed to please in his versatility as a comedian, expert dancer, and in his clever character sketches. Baby Watson has won a place in the hearts of Auckland theatregoers, and the tiny comedienne is assured of a warm reception when next she makes' an appearance, here. Seymour and Dupre’s turn always proved acceptable, the wonderful vaulting feats of the former, and clever dancing of the latter receiving a full meed of applause. Miss

Nita Leete, Miss Nellie Kilburn, and the Biograph helped to make up a programme which it must 'be admitted was in some need of strengthening. The Company have ;gone .‘•South.

WEST’S TICITUaRES AN® THE BRTSCTANS.

We are to have a return visit of this very popular and successful company to His Majesty’s Theatre, Auik>and, cn Saturday next, the 20th inst. The portraits of some of the well-known members of The Brescians. namely, Miss Antonia Ma-tinengo, the comedy soprano, ar.d Miss Adelina MarCuiigo the tiilliant violinist, which we nub’ish in this issue, will be readily recog i.sea, and remind us of the happy hours they have affcrded vs in the past. Mr T. J. West intimates that every picture shown will be entirely new to Auckland, and avers that the whole world has been put under contribution to supply a series .of interesting pictorial novelties. The concert part of th® programme 00, will be entirely new,

and there can be little doubt but that the company will receive an enthusiastic welcome, for beyond question their popularity is very great.

THE OLYMPIA RINK.

Of the numerous places of amusement in Auckland by no means the least popular is the Olympia Rink. With the advent of the warm weather ?ne might reasonably have anticipated that ail thoughts of skating would disappear, but this is by no means the case, and the sound of the smooth running wheels can s ill be heard as of yore. Mr Woodlev and his staff see to it that the management permits no loophole for compl i nt, and to this fact is to a large extent the continued popularity of the rink

Writing from Suva, Mr Ty mt, < f thBroady’s Vaudeville Company, say.-.: We have been in Fiji one month and have played most of the townships to record business for Fiji. Meeting with rr.i th hospitality from the local residents, English and Fijian, they doing their best to make our visit most enjoyable as well as profitable. The general verdict as regards our entertainment is th. t it is by far the best show of its kind that has visited Fiji. We give our performance in Suva on Saturday next, at which the Governor and suite will be present.

Mr Williamson made a very handsome offer to Miss Nellie Dent and Mr Fred. Graham to return to his management for two special parts in “The Spring Chicken’’ at Melbourne, and the pantomime at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, to follow. A very long engagement was promised, but the couple were unable to accept, owing to previously fixed engagements with Messrs Fuller for New Zealand.

Miss Josephine Stanton, the American comic opera artist, who headed one of Mr Musgrove’s companies for some years in Australia, and Mr Henry Hallam, of the same company, are now playing a musical comedy, “A Broken Journey,’’ in the English provinces.

Mme. Mathilde Marchesi, the famous teacher of singing, has received the gold medal for music, art. and science from the King’s own hands.

Mrs Howie, the famous New Zealand contralto, sang the offertory' solo at St. Paul’s Church on Sunday, when there was a crowded congregation.

My Christchurch correspondent writes: —Judging by the packed houses the MacMahon Company is drawing at the ancient Theatre Royal, the popular Macs ought to be coining money. The huge coloured posters on all the walls and hoardings depicting scenes from the opening production, “Our Guardian Angel’* had led us to expect something “extra special,” and we were not disappointed. The piece is the usual compound of love, and hate, virtue and villainy, tears and laughter, but with any number of thrilling situations and startling effects. However, you Aucklanders have seen it, of course, and know all about it. Suffice it to say, therefore, that Miss Helen Fergus (as the “Angel”), Miss May Granville, as a lady of the non-angelic kind, Miss May Renno as the vivacious servant maid, Alf. Boothman, as the villain, Chas. Blake as the longsuffering hero, and Edward Noble as a comic sailor, all acquitted themselves most creditably, and as most of them are old friends of local playgoers, they met of course, with a very cordial reception at the hands of the audience on the first night of their re-appearance here. “The Executioner’s Daughter” is underlined for production to-night (Saturday), K and is to be followed by quick changes, of programme during the balance of the brief season. Few visiting managers are

more popular than the MacMahon’s —indeed I might go further and say, as popular. ■’. . To-night the wonderful Carmos (the jugglers), charming Celia Mavis, and the much-talked about “Four Rosebuds,” all make'their farewell appearance at Fuller’s. But Ward Lear remains and seems to be more thought of than ever. The Fullers appear to be past masters in the by no means easy art of catering for the multitude. * * * *

Theatrical managers who include Palmerston North in their tours will be pleased to note that electric current will now be available for picture entertainment and all classes of theatrical work. Mr N. Oswald Smith, whose advertisement appears in another column, has opened premises on the Square, Palmerston North, as a general electrical engineer, and will make a speciality of theatrical work. Mr Smith has had extensive experience in this line in England, Africa, and the colonies, being engaged at different times with Mr Geo. Edwardes’ Operatic Company, and the Dramatic Companies of Messrs Bland Holt, Chas. Holloway, and the late Mr Wilson Barrett. Mr Smith invites correspondence from theatrical managers.

Last Saturday the Royal Comic Opera Company enter upon the last week of its revival of “The Belle of New York” (writes Mr George Tallis), for though the piece would, undoubtedly last longer in the matter of run, Mr J. C. Williamson is anxious to stage “The Shop Girl,” which therefore goes up on Saturday next for a fortnight, before producing “The Spring Chicken” for the first time in Australia on Derby night (3rd November). The company began daily rehearsals on this piece some little time ago, and the mechanical staffs have had everything in the nature of scenery and properties ready. for some weeks, while the wardrobe is on the point of completion. The dresses will constitute a very important feature of the production, for they are all modern costumes and in the height of the latest fashion.

Miss Olive Morell was due to arrive in Fremantle by the Orontes on Thursday, and will be in Melbourne next Wednesday (October 17th), in ample .time for her to ‘ake up her part as Dulcie in “The Spring Chicken.”

It is rather curious that “The Spring Chicken” as the latest example of musical comedy development . should follow immediately after “The Shop Girl,” which was the initial instance (and still in some respects the best) of the same type of theatrical performance first introduced to the public by Mr George Edwardes. It . may be too, that “The Spring Chicken” as well as being the latest, will also be the last as far as Mr Edwardes is concerned, for some time ago he declared that musical comedy was doomed, and only a few days ago he staged at the Gaiety Theatre, London, a piece called “Aladdin,” which apparently is a • modern improvement on the burlesque and extravaganza. It was, so Mr Williamson’s London agent informs him by cable a big success. As Mr Williamson has first option'on all Mr Edwardes’ productions it is extremely probable that

“Aladdin” will be an early addition to the repertoire of -he Royal Comic Opera Company.

When the Gilbert and Sullivan Company finish (for the time being) at the end of the year, Miss Dolly Castles, who has been so popular a member of that organisation goes home for a course of further study.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Company are meeting with their accustomed success in West Australia, Where they have always been sure ' of the most cordial of welcomes. They are due for a short season in Adelaide next, opening on 10th November, and thereaftr they will in all probability be sent round the Victorian country towns before finally transferring their talents to the productions of the pantomime and Parsifal in Melbourne and — Sydney respectively. The latter will require a strong chorus and ballet for some of the great spectacular scenes it contains, and Mr Williamson intends to utilize the trained material afforded him for it bv the Gilbert and Sullivan Company.

The name of Mr Gerard Coventry seems destined to be inseparably associa ed with “The Belle of New York.” He was responsible for its original production in New York a dozen or more years ago, and was requisitioned also to superintend the London debut, for which he took over Miss Edna May, previously a chorus girl in his New York and so set feet on the first rung of the ladder of fame she has since climbed. . Soon afterwards he came out to Australia for the express purpose of producing it there, and now he has again staged it for Mr Williamson.

Of the first production in Australia by the Brough-Fleming Co. of “Mrs Gorringe’s Necklace,” the “Adelaide Advertiser” says that each member of the company engaged in the interpretation of the interesting and clever drama acted as though he or she felt that the particular part involved was being “created,” so far as the Australian stage was concerned, and the result was an even standard of excellence which is seldom attained on this side of the world. There was an evident desire to make a good impression, not only with the play as a whole, but by each character of it, and in this way the rapt attention of all present was commanded and maintained. The characterisation was powerful, and the bright dialogue was spoken with due regard to its meaning and intention. Each of the chief personages lived on the stage, and whether it was the continually remorseful reprobate, David Cairn (Mr Carter Pickford), the sweet-tempered and affectionate Isabel Jardine (Miss Kate Gair), the altogether attractive. and goodhearted colonel (Mr Payne), the selfish, flighty, and voluble Mrs Gorringe (Miss Beatrice Day), or the handsome, impulsive, irritable inquisitive, excitable, fas-

tidious, and contemptuous Mrs Jardine (Mrs Brough), all put their whole heart and intelligence into the task of helping forward and intensifying the action of the drama. The difficult and unthankful role of the detective (Mr Gregan McMahon) was in good hands, and praise is also due to Miss Gordon Lee, Miss Mary Milward, and Mr. Horace Higson, for the capable manner in which they filled in the minor figures of the drama.

The Hon. Henry Lyndurst Bruce, eldest son and heir of Lord Aberdare, who is to marry Miss Camille Clifford, the “Gibson Girl,” has purchased a garage near Waterloo Station with the object of embarking in business. “Though I could no mainta.n myself in my Westminster flat, I could scarcely ask Miss Clifford to give up an assured income on the stage and live with me in comparative poverty, and I could not have her earning more than myself. Now I have settled tha; problem.” His father is stronglu opposed to the engagement. Born in Norway of an English father and Danish mother, Miss Clifford did not speak a word or English until she was 13 years of age. She then went to America, and after two or three years’residence began her stage career in that country. She is now fluent in the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish languages, and speaks English with admirable charm.

The details of the late Mr. Toole’s will are interesting. The participants in the bulk of his substantial fortune were the children of his only brother and his two sisters. One of the sisters, an old lady of 82 years, survives to receive a legacy or To Sir Henry Irving Mr. Toole bequeathed the leasehold of 44 Maida-vaie, together with the furniture and curios in the house. This legacy, which now accrues to the estate, is valued. roughly at Mr. Laurence Irving, Mr. Toole’s godson, and Mr. H. B. Irving will each receive To each of his nephews and neices the late comedian, in addition to naming them as residuary! legatees, left sums varying from to To Mr George Shelton, an old member of his company, /7iooo is bequeathed, and many members of the theatrical profession, including Mr Arthur Roberts, Mr George Alexander, Miss Ellen Terry, and, amongst those now dead, Mr Wilson Barrett and Dan Leno, were named to receive each to buy mourning rings.

The Birmingham Musical Festival, which takes place this month, will be remarkable for the production of Sir Edward Elgar’s new oratorio, “The Kingdom,” which is a continuation of “The Apostles.” It consists of an orchestral introduction and five scenes; the first entitled “Jerusalem, in the Upper Room”; rhe second, “The Morn of Pentecost”; the third “Pentecost”; the fourth, “The and A-rest”; and the fifth, “In Fellowship, Breaking of Bread, and Prayers. ”

Mr Charles Frohman, the “Napoleon of drama,” as his fellow-Americans proudly term him, invariably demands that applicants for positions in his chorus should smile. It is not sufficient for him that a girl is pretty and well-proportion-ed and possessed of a good voice. “Smile!” orders Mr Frohman of the trembling aspirant for fame, and. if her smile be not natural and fascinating she is passed out among the rejects. A girl who can smile naturally and fascinating to order is reckoned capable of smiling attractively under the most trying conditions of theatrical life.

A good story is told about Mr Charles Hawtrey, the actor. Once when making a trip through Europe he found himself in a small village minus his luggage and his razors. There was no barber’s shop, but, having heard of a man in the village who occasionally had shaved people, the famous actor sent for him, and. was astonished at being requested to lie flat on his back before operations were commenced. Thinking it a custom of the country, he lav down, and was shaved with ease and dexterity, but afterwards asked the man the reason why he requested his customers to adopt so peculiar a. position. “Because, sir,” was the native reply, “I never before shaved a live man!

According to the “Australasian,” Mr Anderson’s pantomime at the. Melbourne Theatre Royal during the coming Christmas season will be “Robinson Crusoe, and a number of magnificent views of the lately submerged island, Juan Fernandez, are now being prepared by Mr Reg. Robins. To paint pictures of an island that has just been destroyed is a rare opportunity for an imaginative artist. There’s nobody to contradict him now. The principal bov of the show will be imported from England, and the ballets will be directed and led by that excellent dancer, Miss Maud Cosham.

There was an exciting incident during the performance of “Thunderbolt” by Mr William Anderson’s company, .at the Royal Princess Theatre, Bendigo, the other evening. In a scene where Thunderbolt passes across the stage pursued by mounted police, the horse of a stage trooper fell heavily. Endeavouring to regain its feet, the horse came near the stage lights, and for a few seconds there was a danger that it would fall on the orchestra. The rider left the stage, and the horse, after some struggles, regained its feet, and awaited the reappearance of the rider. The orchestra played without interruption throughout the incident. At a later stage, when “Thunderbolt” was about to leap a chasm from an improvised bridge his horse jumped over the parapet into the middle of the stage.

Interviewed in Melbourne after his return from England, Mr Harry Hill gave a few particulars of colonials now in England. “I stayed with Mrs Maesmore Morris, who has quite given up the stage,” he said. “I was at her place at Maidenhead, and on her house-boat at Henley. The gentleman she has just married is a fine fellow. Jas. Hackett, the American actor, recently offered Mrs Morris a fine engagement to play leads in the States, but she refused. I saw Carrie Moore, who is doing great work, and is a popular idol. The two best voices I head on the light opera stage were hers and Miss Isabel Jay’s. Melba! Well, she’s colossal in all respects. It’s no exaggeration to say the three most discussed and applauded women in London when I left were Melba, Miss Moore and La Milo, who with Cruikshank, I believe, draws ;£Bo per week. In fact, it is hard work not to find in the English capital a theatre or concert or musichall where Australian artists are not to the front. At the Queen’s Hall Ballad Concerts, Amy Castles who has acquired a fine manner, and sings magnificently, was to the front. Ada Crossley was holding up her end; Melba supreme at Covent Garden, Alice Hollander very popular in the better vaudeville houses; Harry Roberts starring in ‘The Prince Chap;’ Carrie Moore in ‘The Dairymaids;’ La Milo and Albert Whelan (delightful and clever to a degree), in star positions at the Pavilion ; Miss Alice Crawford now leading lady to Cyril Maude; Oscar Asche, prosperous and with a following in a theatre of his own. How’s that for Australia?”

After all, it is not unlikely that we shall have another visit from Madame Sarah Bernhardt before very long (writes Peter Quince in “Melbourne Punch”). A friend in London writes me that the Divine Sarah feels inclined to renew her acquaintance with Australia. In that

case, says my correspondent, she will bring out “The Far-Off Princess,” a powerful drama, by Rostand, author of “Cyrano de Bergerac.” It is a story of the time of the Crusades, is very poetic, and it written in blank-verse. A beautiful Eastern princess, who rules somewhere in the locality of Algiers, has been converted to Christianity. All the Christian pilgrims returning from the Holy Land and passing through her country are kindly treated by her, and bring back to France most glowing accounts of her kindness, magnificence and beauty. These accounts are so glowing that they cause one Rudel to fall in love with her without having seen her, and he proposes to visit her, much to the consternation of his family.,He is a troubadour as well as a lover, and he writes lovely poems in praise of “La Princesse Lointaine.” These come to her ears, and she in turn falls in love with the unknown Rudel. At length, his fate calls out, and he determines to see his charmer. The voyage is an ill-fated one, and there appears no hope of Rudel surviving to reach Algiers., He is sick unto death when land is sighter, and unable to leave the boat. His friend, Bertrand, determines to bring the Princess to him, and lands for that purpose. Bertrand obtains audience of the Princess, and reciting to her some of Rudel’s poems, she mistakes the speaker for the writer, and falls in 1 ove with him. This affliction is mutual, but Bertrand’s loyalty to his dying friend impels him to urge the Princess to accompany him to the ship. In a strong scene the Princess tempts Bertrand to forego his loyalty and remain with her. He is tempted, and falls. After a passionate embrace, he sees in the distance a black flag run on on the ship, and knows that his friend is dead. Remorse seizes upon him, he spurns the temptress, and is about to kill himself, when the woman points out that Bertrand’s eyesight has deceived him, that it is a cloud and not a black flag which hangs over the vessel, and the pair hurry off repentant. They strive just before the death of Rudel,

which takes place in the arms of his loved far-away Princess. Of course, the ending is sad, for_ Bertrand goes on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to expiate his sin of disloyalty, and the heartbroken Princess goes to spend the rest of her life in a Carmelite convent. The play is highly spectacular, and has much more of stage sensationalism and mechanical effects than is customary with Madame Bernhardt’s productions.

Fred Graham and his wife (Miss Nellie Dent) return to New Zealand on the 25th of this month under engagement to rhe Fullers.