THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 895, 2 May 1907, Page 16

THE STAGE

(By

“Footlight.”)

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

“ THE MIDNIGHT WEDDING.” A good deal of curiosity had been aroused concerning this four-act military drama by Walter Howard, and it was not, therefore, surprising that there was a very large house on Monday night on the occasion of the first performance here. The plot was given in our last issue, and it is thus unnecessary to recapitulate. The story is much on the lines of those quasi-historical romances which Anthony Hope has made so popular in “The Prisoner of Zenda.” It is a most interesting one, and gives r±se to several very strong situations. It used to be said that a good rule in whist was “when in doubt, lead trumps.” With the author of “The Midnight Wedding” the axiom appears to mve been “when in doubt, fight a duel,” and these more or less sanguinary encounters crop up in every act. This is something of a blemish, as is the overdoing by the author of the low comedy, which at times seriously threatens to engulf the interest of the story. Mr. Harcourt Beatty essayed the role of Paul Valmar, the lieutenant sword-master of the Red Hussars, who subsequently proves to be the son of the Crown Prince. It may be said that great as was the talented actor’s popularity before, it lost nothing by his latest performance. The role is a somewhat arduous one, but Mr. Beatty carried it through with great ease. In one of the scenes in which he saves the honour of Princess Astrea, or again when he with his left hand, the right being wounded, fights a duel with two opponents the audience fairly “made the welkii ring.” with applause. Miss May Congdon was cast for the Princess Astrea von Strelsbuurg, but was hardly so successful as we have seen her in other roles. The character was somewhat lacking in dignity, the best work being when the Princess, disguised as a lieutenant, defends her wounded and sleeping husband from an attack by his arch enemy. Mr. James Lindsay gave a particularly fine rendering of the part

of Captain Rudolph voxi Scarsbruck, the villain of the story, whose efforts to kill Valmar and marry the Princess are constantly checkmated. Mr. Lindsay in full regimentals has a fine stage appearance, and although the role was, of course, a very thankless one, he carried it through with the utmost credit, making every point tell. Mr. Herbert Leigh met all requirements as the Crown Prince Leopold. He should, of course, have been given some sort of retinue, a great opportunity being lost for a glittering display of uniforms. Mr. Conway Wingfield as Lieutenant Eugene von Strelsburg, Astrea’s despicable brother, looked rather too manly for the feeble character intended by the author. Mr. C. R. Stanford made a capital Father Gerrard, while Dina Cooper made the most of the somewhat overvague Satanella. The comedy element was in the hands of Miss P. Laurence (Marie), and Messrs. Rutland Beckett (Sergeant Max), Leopold Stach (Corporal Otto), and Tom Cannam (Private Bobs), and while these four were in evidence merriment was at high pressure. Mr. Cannam was an especial favourite, his sallies and facial expression causing roars of laughter. Possibly some might object to one or two of the passages being rather broad, and it may be said the author has here and there gone perilously near the line which separates fun from vulgarity. The play on the opening n'ght was not over until past eleven, and might be curtailed with advantage, while another improvement would be the filling out of the exceedingly attenuated regiment of the Red Hussars which indeed consisted of several officers and one private. Apart from these easily-reme-died defects, it is a strong and wellacted play, and one which should certainly be seen by those who have not done so, to-night being the last opportunity.

To-morrow (Friday) and on Saturday afternoon and evening will be staged that wonderful money-maker, “ The Fatal Wedding.” On its former production in Auckland it put up a record for the theatre, and it is quite safe to assume that this musical drama and its famous tin-can band will again fill the theatre to its utmost capacity. The season definitely closes on Saturday evening.

ANDREW MACK.

Mr Andrew Mack will commence his Auckland season at His Majes.y’s Theatre on Monday night next in the Irish drama entitled “Tom Moore.” Mr Mack will be supported by a specially selected company of American artists. Th" tour — which is under the management of Mr f. C. Williamson —has so far proved a great artis.ic and financial success, as did Mr Mack’s first visit to Australia in 1905. And from the reported merits of the performances and plays, it is safe to predict the same hearty support throughout his tour. A wise choice has been made in selecting the drama “ Tom Moore” for the opening piece. I. affords Mr Mack unlimited opportunities to display his wonderful ability as an actor and vocalist. Mr Mack made his first appearance in Wellington on Easter Saturday, and of the play and artist the “Times” has ’.he following to say :—“ The audience that packed the Opera House in all parts to witness the initial bow to New Zealand of Mr Andrew Mack, whilst they were fully prepared to be delighted, reserved the right, as it weie, to express their feelings when they found their expectations realised, and not a moment earlier. The Irish actor —or, rather the American delineator of Irish characters —had not reached anything like the final stages of his performance before he had satisfied all curiosity, fulfilled all anticipations, won a thousand friends. He will henceforth rank as highly in New Zealanders’ esteem as ever he did in that of. the people of the Commonwealth, or of his own land. His success, and that of the play, “Tom Moore,” in which he introduced himse'f, were of a cumulative kind—growing as the night progressed, denoted at the end of each act by insistent curtain-calls, and culminating in a renufhe demonstration at the close. “Wherein lies the charm of Andrew Mack? Saturday night’s audience discovered the answer to that question. Those who have yet to find it out will do so readily enough. It is in his absolute naturalness first of all, his winning personality, his sincerity, and his depth. It is in his voice, soft in speech, and pure and musical in song—coloured by temperamental warmth and sympathy, used with the skill that in-born fee'ing, rather chan artistic effects of high training, imparts. He sings from the heart, and that, too, is how he acts.”

OPERA HOUSE.

FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. THE ROBING OF THE GODS. Crowded houses have again to be chronicled at the Opera House this week. The programme submitted is excellent, despite the fact that several old favourites have disappeared. The chorus is rather weak, but the opening medley of sea songs went prettily enough. Miss Ivy Carlisle continues to improve, and is winning some popularity. As a musician, Mr George Mackie possesses considerable ability, but as a corner-man comedian he is absolutely out of his element. Mr Vai Newton is an established favourite. “The Queen’s Navy” and “If Those Lips Could Only Speak,” were two delightful songs from the pleasing bari one. Mr Harry Ahlberg is also well received; his dancing is better than his singing. The chic little comedienne, Miss Pearl Livingstone, is decidedly popular, and is generally called on for two or three encores. Old friends are glad to see Mr Bob Lloyd back again. He is a clever comedian, and may be counted on for ten minutes’ really good fun. His songs and parodies are comical to a degree and his mirth-making antics send the audience into roars of laughter. The Rose Sisters are as charmmg. as ever in their dainty singing and dancing. Their fantastical and whimsical creations of the terpsichorean art are equal to anything ye. seen at the Opera House. On Monday night there was a special performance by Mr J. E. Ward and Miss Ruby White in a daring and novel representation of living pictures, entitled “The Robing of the Gods.” Mr Ward is an Auckland artist, and the unique idea was conceived by him of producing a series of tableaux, representative of the different Goddesses, with the aid of Miss White, who posed a s the model. The proscenium went up to display an ordinary stage setting. Then followed a limelight picture of the model, thrown on to a screen. The first figure depicted was that of “Minerva.” When the screen was drawn as’de, Miss White appeared as the famous goddess of wisdom and w;i\ draped in a single piece of cloth, with an antique pillared portico as a background. Minerva was delienated in severa' pos'ures, and the first series was atozether artistic. “Juno,” Queen of Heaven, was likewise very pretty, and was followed in turn by a representation of the tearful Niobe. The most intrepid picture of all however, was that of Psv-

che at the Bath. There is an old French phrase “honi soit qui mal y pense,” and perhaps the originators of this daring representation of Leighton’s great picture based their resolve on a recent magisterial decision that there is nothing vulgar in the beautiful. Anyway, it would have been interesting to know what thoughts would have possessed the sensitive minds of Sergt. Hendry, or the lady secretary of the Y.M.C.A., had they seen the delienation in real life of the pic ure to which they took such exception as a post card. The Psyche of Monday night was no doubt as beautifully moulded as the maid who loved Cupid but the. question arises, would the Psyche of old have disrobed so innocently had she known a pair of masculine eyes stared at her from some hiding place? Enough to say that had the “Robing of the Gods” been reproduced on Tuesday night, there would not have been standing room in the theatre. Mr Ward also did some lightning sketches in black and white, drawing with a few strokes of the pencil characteristic cartoons of leading Auckland people. An excellent item on this w’eek’s programme is that provided by Victor the Great, whose humorous interlude as a ventriloquist is exceptionally clever. The audience left no doubt as to their appreciation of Victor’s efforts. The Quealv’s are having a very good run at

the Opera House. Their dancing is really good, while their singing and laughable skits send the house into esctacies. Likewise there is no room for doubt as to the popularity of the Ahlbergs. As acrobats and hand balancers they move the audience to genuine outbursts of applause. “The Wig Chase” is the tremendously funny biograph film which terminates an enjoyable programme.

THE ST. PATRICK’S OPERATIC SOCIETY.

Before long Aucklanders will have an opportunity of hearing the favourite opera “Maritana.” This will be staged at the Opera House by the St. Patrick’s Operatic Society on July 9, io, 11 and 12. Mr John Fuller having very kindly granted the Society the use of the theatre for those dates. The difficult role of Maritana will be undertaken by that accomplished artist Madame Slapoffski, while the full grand opera chorus will be led by Mr Colin Muston. Every member of the Society is working hard to make the production a huge success..

Madame Blanche Arral, who has been successfully touring the South, is this week visiting the Hawke’s Bay district.

The Charles Holloway Dramatic Co. left Auckland for Sydney by the Waikare on Monday, afternoon. They-, open in Newcastle next Monday for a two weeks’ season. A few weeks ago Madame Clara Butt and her husband, who will be in Australia in September under engagement to Messrs J. and N. Tait, sang at Liverpool, and so great was the rush to hear them chat every seat in the hall was bought up two days before the concert. The two great concert stars give their farewell to England concert on June 29th, leaving with their three children a few days later for the Antipodes. * * * * This year promises to see Mr Percy Grainger, the brilliant young Australian pianist, at a far higher position in the musical world than he has hitherto attained. Last month he won six recalls for his performance with the London Philharmonic, and the papers spoke enthusiastically about the refined brilliance, the virility, the insight and the charm of his playing. He is now due for a tour of Denmark, where he is universally popular, and among other important engagements are appearances at the Albert and the Queen’s Halls. ~ * * * * The Fuller Proprietary have secured a

long lease of the Wellington Theatre Royal, together with the Commercial Hotel and adjoining properties, and Mr C. T. Natusch, architect, has been commissioned to prepare plans for a new theatre and other buildings, to cost Mr Alfred Sutro’s new comedy, “John Gladyes Honour” was produced at the St. James’s Theatre, London, on the Bth March by Mr George Alexander. * * * * Miss Beryl Faber, at one time associated with the Brough and Boucicault Company in Australia, has temporarily entered the musical comedy ranks in order to play a part specially suited to her style in the new Seymour-Hicks production, “My Darling.” • • * * For some months it has been known that Mr Tom Pollard, supported by two well-known gentlemen who are interested in theatrical matters, would, at the conclusion of his term at the New Zealand International Exhibition as Director of Entertainments, launch out once more at the head of a juvenile opera company. It is understood that Mr Pollard will pay a visit to Australia shortly in search of talent.

Mr Archibald Gunter, whose death is announced in New York, was better known in England as a popular and sensational novel writer than as a dramatistAdaptations of his book, “Mr Potter of Texas,” and one or two of his other plays, were seen on the English stage, but had not the attraction ovei the public exercised by his novel. His plays produced ini America include:—“After the Opera,” “Courage,” “Crazy Patch,” “D.A.M.,” “The Deacon’s Daughter,” “The Dive Novel,” “Florida Enchantment,” “Fresh he American,” “Little Puck,” “Mr Barnes of New York,” Mr Potter of Texas,” “My Official Wife,” “One Against Many,” “Polly Middles,” “Prince Karl,” “The Soul of an Actress,” “Two Nights in Rome,” and “A Wall Street Bandit.”

The tour of the Besses o’ th’ Barn Band throughout New Zealand is now drawing to a close, and are due in Australia next month, beginning on May 11 th at Sydney. A trip to Brisbane and other Queensland towns will then be undertaken, and in July they will appear in Melbourne.

Madame Albani and the other artists of her concert company were to leave London for Australia by the Marmora on April 26. The tenor is Mr William Green, who

occupies a very high place in the English musical world. Miss Mildred Jones, a contralto, is coming in the place of the American contralto, Miss Spencer. The pianist is Miss Myrtle Meggy, a Sydney young lady, who has won high honours in Europe. Mr Haydon Wood, a talented violinist, and Mr Theodore Flint, conductor, complete the party. * .<• ¥ . * Hugh Buckler, a young Australian actor, has joined Mr Beerbohm Tree’s company. He is playing the part of Eros in “Antony and Cleopatra” at Her Majesty’s. This is the third Australian playing a prominent part with this company, the others being Miss Alice Crawford and Miss Wanda Radford. • » * The Black Family, who have established themselves as popular favourites in Tasmania, have just concluded their tour of that State, and have gone to Victoria. Their tour, which has been most successful in every way, consisted of 12 weeks, arid during that time 70 concerts were given, 51 towns visited, 1672 miles travelled by rail, 348 by coach, and 317 by steamer; grand total, 2337 miles. The family where everywhere greeted with splendid houses, much enthusiasm, and

kindness, and say they will always remember their pleasant stay in Tasmania, and will look forward to another visit in the near future. * * * * One can scarcely realise that no fewer than 3500 women are required at theatres within the four-mile metropolitan radius, to figure as chorus girls, show girls, and “extra ladies” generally in the Christmas pantomimes in London. * * * * The largest sum which has probably ever been offered to an artist for a long engagement was one which was made to Miss Mary Anderson only a very few years ago. A certain American manager sought to induce her to go back to the Uni ed States for a tour for a season of th'rty weeks. He resolved to do the thing handsomely, and his offer was a week, or £60,000 for the season. In South Africa recently Miss Ada Reeve received £5OOO for a nine weeks’ engagement. * * * * Miss Dina Cooper, who is at present in Auckland with the Meynell and Gunn Dramatic Company, has a financial interest in the venture. She purposes, about the end of the year, bringing out a company of her own to tour Australia

and New Zealand, and negotiations are now in progress for several high-class plays from America. Miss Cooper is a niece of Sir Pope Cooper, Chief Justice of Queensland. « * * ♦ It is difficult to find a company in London to which some Australian has not won admission. Mr Cecil Ward and Mr Edward Hocking—formerly of Bland Holt’s company—are appearing in “The Four Just Men,” a revolutionary melodrama of some distinctive merit. * * * » Mr G. W. Titheradge is still playing in America. * * * * The news that Miss Marie Lohr, daughter of Mr John Lohr, has returned to the Kendalls to play the heroine in “The Melcomb'e Marriage,” indicates that this young lady is making a rapid advance in the profession. * * * * Frank Thornton has secured the Australian rights of “When Knight’s Were Bold ” a piece in which James Welch, one of the best of English comedians, has scored a distinct success. The title suggests chivalry, but the play is pure comedy.

The Besses o’ th’ Barn band leave New Zea.and on May 6th in continuance of their tour under the management of Messrs J. and N. Tait, and open in Sydney on May nth. * * * * The well-known English actress, “Miss Maud Hiidyard,” and a first-class Dramatic Company, with a repertoire of four or five pieces, will arrive from England in Australia about the end of July, and after playing a season in Sydney, will come on to New Zealand, under the direction of Mr Allan Hamilton, in conjunction with Messrs Meynell and Gunn. The tour will take about three months, and will open in H.M. Theatre, Auckland, on Monday, i6th September, for three weeks, all the principal towns being afterwards visited. Mr George Buller will represent Mr Hamilton. Mr Allan Hamilton is sending another company to New Zealand in October, the personnel of which is not quite determined upon at present, but most likely it will be first-class vaudeville, and remain two or three months. Mr George Buller informs us it will be one of the best shows that have been sent from Australia. A very gratifying run of “Parsifal” comes to an end this week at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne (writes Mr George Tallis). Throughout the attend ances maintained a high level, and the interest and enthusiasm displayed kept up so well that a materially increased term could have been negotiated. But, as this is Miss Brune’s last season in Melbourne, and Mr J. C. Williamson is desirous of her admirers seeing her in every one of the best and most popular impersonations in her repertoire, it was withdrawn in order that this object might be achieved before she takes her farewell on May 31st. Consequently the first of a series of revivals were commenced with “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall” last Saturday evening. That bright and entertaining comedy drama will be played a week with “Sunday” as its successor, and this will be followed by “Leah Kleschna,” “L’Aiglon,” “La Tosca,” “Camille,” “Romeo and Juliet” and others. • • * ■ The irrepressible Miss Ada Ward has found a new theme for her denunciations and has turned the battery of her eloquence upon “Parsifal,” which she has never seen, but which she denounces on evidence wholly hearsay, as immoral. In his prompt defence of the drama Mr Williamson pointed out that a play that has received the imprimatur of hundreds of clergymen as well as the support of thousands of clean minded Australians could hardly suffer from the condemnation of such an agitator as Miss Ward, while he neatly counters on the lady by suggesting that she should call herself the escaped actress, in analogy to the lady who toured Australia some time ago as the escaped nun.

Mr J. C. Williamson has secured the Australasian rights in “Brewster’s Millions,” a comedy drama just now at the height of a remarkably successful career in New York.

The Adelaide season of the Royal Comic Opera Company finished there on 27th April with “The Little Michus, Ballarat and Geelong followed, and then the company leave for Brisbane for a short season commencing there on the 6th May.

The pantomime “Mother Goose” still goes on its way rejoicing in crowded houses, and unlimited enthusiasm at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, the audiences there equalling at all points the Melbourne experience.

In connection with the success scored by Mr Julius Knight and his company with “Raffles” at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, it is worth mentioning that the same piece has just concluded a 400 nights run in England, while its American course must at least have been equal to that.

“Eileen Asthore, ” one of Mr Andrew Mack’s latest and best plays, brought over specially by him for this tour will be done for the first time in Australasia during his Auckland season, which com mences on Monday.

For the principal soprano to his new musical comedy company, Mr J. C. Williamson has secured Miss Amy Murphy. She has been a prominent platform artist for some years, and in addition has had plenty of stage experience in amateur operatic productions. Mr Williamson first tried to induce her to join one of his companies three years ago, and on many occasions since has made her very flattering offers, but it was not until his recent visit to the colony that he was able to break her resolve not to enter the theatrical profession, and by a personal interview clinch the matter. Another of his engagements for the same company is Mr

Reginald Kenneth, a baritone who has already won a popularity in the George Edwardes’ Companies. * * * *

Australian playgoers have certainly a treat in store for them in “John Gladye’s Honor,” the new play by Mr Alfred Sutro, the rights for which on this side of the world Mr J. C. Williamson has just secured. The latest English mails bring the press notices of its first production in London by Mr George Alexander last month, and the budget exhibits a remarkable unanimity of opinion regarding its forcefulness and strength. Without exception it is acknowledged that Mr Sutro has made a distinct advance in his art as a dramatist, and that even “The Walls of Jericho” is below the standard of his new play. The London “Daily Telegraph” hails it as a direct forceful concentrated piece of work, carried out logically and consistently from beginning to end, handled with masterly vigour and directness, real stuff dealing with actual life, involving the jutual action of real personages. Other of the leading journals speak in the same strain. Mr Sidney Dark in the London “Daily Express” speaking of it as a great drama, bold in its conception, admirably adept in its construction, and the “Daily Chronicle” as a challenging play, extremely witty in the leisure moments, and ingenious in its little devices for entrances and exits. It was received with tremendous enthusiasm.

Young though she is—she is still in her early twenties—Miss Marie Hall has already attained a position which enables her to rank with the world’s best violinists. Indeed it may be said that she took that stand from the day that Sevoik, the famous teacher, placed his own violin in her hands, and told her to go out into the world as a finished artist. Not very many days after that she played to an audience from the Prague Conservatoire, who, critical as they were behaved with unexampled enthusiasm, recalling her to the platform twenty times to mark their

unqualified appreciation of her performance. At Vienna those scenes were repeated, and when she reached London it was quickly made clear that a new genius had burst upon the musical world for press and public were universally laudatory. Since then her experiences have always been the same, not only in the old world but also in the new. She has as a matter of fact, just completed a second tour of America even more successful than was her first, and left on Friday, April 26, by the Moana from Vancouver in order to fulfil her Australasian tour under the direction of Messrs J. and N. Tait, which opens with a Marshall Hall orchestral concert in the Melbourne Town Hall on June Ist.