A NEW THEATRE FOR MELBOURNE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 937, 20 February 1908, Page 16

A NEW THEATRE FOR MELBOURNE.

TO COST

A new theatre is to be erected in Melbourne by Mr Wi liam Pitt, architect. It will be situated on the west side of Rus-sell-street, between Bourke-street and Little Collins-street.

The theatre will have a frontage to Russell-street of about iooft., by a depth of about 200 ft. 6in. It will have right-of-ways on both sides and at the back, for the purpose of fire precautions and escape ; this is according to the Board of Health’s new regulations, which compel the isolation of the building. It will be so constructed as to be suitable for melodrama, comedy, or comic opera. The theatre is to have a large auditortorium, capable of seating about 2,000 people. On each side of the proscenium opening are two boxes; these boxes, together with the proscenium, dress circle, and balcony fronts, will be treated with ornamental plaster work after the Louis Quatorze style. Over the auditorium will be a s’iding roof, for the purpose of cooling the theatre in warm weather. The proscenium opening will have a fireproof drop-curtain, covered with double asbestos for emergency in case of fire. From both sides of the auditorium (gallery, dress circle, and stalls), fire escapes wi 1 ! be placed leading to the large right-of-ways. making the precaution for escape the most up-to-date in the southern hemisphere. The stage will be the largest one in Melborune, being very spacious and lofty. Leading off from the stage are the scene dock, property-rooms, and double paint frame.

Two entrances on the north side of the stage lead to the four-storied b.ock of dressing-rooms, wardrobes, and offices, replete with every convenience. At the rear of the stage is. the carpenter’s shop and limelight tank-room. The theatre is to be lighted by 3000 electric lights, . and fitted with the most modern electrical appliances. The whole of the lights are controlled from a marble switchboard, mounted on a gallery on the prompt side of the stage, and from this point the cables run to the various distributing points throughout the building. Every portion of the building will be supplied by at least two mains, taking different routes, so that an accident on any one circuit will not deprive any portion of the house entirely of light. One of the most important items in a theatre electric-light installation is the “dimmers,” as by their means beautiful lighting effects, well known and appreciated by all theatre-goers, are produced. By means of these “ dimmers ” the operators can control the various lights in the footlights, borders, bunches, and ground rows, separately or in groups, and reduce or increase the power of ight to each. The whole of the second floor of the front portion of the building facing Rus-sell-street will be occupied by offices for the administrative, branch. The theatre is to be completed by the Ist of July, 1908, and .will be occupied by Mr Wi liam Anderson,, the well-known theatrical proprietor, who has taken a long lease. The cost of the whole structure will be about ,£30,000. .

The recent season of Mr J. C. Williamson’s Musical C.omedy Company can hardly be described as a success. The chief reason for .the poor audiences was, of .course,, the heat, for the inside of ■ a theatre is not the most desirable with the thermometer soaring sky high, and the smoke from bush fires everywhere. Still this was not the sole reason. If one might venture to question the judgment, of .the. management, I should say that .a cardinal mistake was made .in commencing with “The Blue Moon.’? This was perhaps the dullest. and most inane musical comedy (?) I remember to have seen, and I have not come across a single ..individual in Auckland who liked it. In this respect “ The Girl from Kay’s ” ran it a good second. The best piece of the lot was “ Three Little Maids,” with “The Little Michus,” and “Lady Madcap” following in that order. It may be good policy keeping the best wine to the last, but I doubt if it pays with a repertoire. First night audiences are apt to inform their friends that a piece is without merit and these friends promptly stay away. I understand “ The Toreador ”is in active rehearsal. If this comic opera replaces “ The Blue Moon/’ which “ never would be missed,” and “Three Little Maids” and “ The Little Michus” are given greater prominence, one is tempted to think that the financial results would be much more satisfactory. The company gave Aucklanders some really excellent entertainments and it hardly seems fair play, that they should have been condemned on the strength of the failure of “The Blue Moon,” which has nothing in it to make it go. *

On Friday last, Miss Nellie Dent (Mrs Fred. Graham), received word from England of the sudden death of her mother. The shock was naturally a very severe

one, and it must have been a particularly trying ordeal for Miss Dent to try to amuse a large audience that evening under such trying circumstances. It is perhaps not disclosing a secret to say that Miss Dent has been the so?e support of her .mother, whom she has cared for wi.h unse fish devotion for nearly twenty years. Everyone will sympathise wi.h the popular comedienne in her loss. * * *, * Miss Queenie Burrowes, of the MacCa’lum Family of Entertainers, has established herself a great favourite with New Zealand audiences. As a versatile entertainer, the young lady is unrivalled, r being a pianiste of exceptional merit, a remarkable elocutionist, a good vocalist and dramatist, possessing a splendid stage presence and a charming manner, which at once makes her a strong favourite. Her first appearance at the Australian Grand National Esteidfodd was most gratifying, the judge, the latg George Coppin, when awarding her the maximum cumber of marks for the grand lady champion elocutionist of Australia, remarked that this young lady’s treatment of the recital was beyond criticism, and he only wished the writer of the ode had been present to hear her recite. Miss Burrowes, when an amateur, had to her credit, no less than 250 prizes, gained at competitions in various parts of Australia. She has been a decided success in two extremes —drama and comic opera—which serves her well in monologue entertaining. She has played leads in comic operas “La Mascotte,” Mikado,” “ San Toy.” “ Pinafore,”- “ Runaway Girl,” etc., etc. The MacCallums’ commence a season in Auckland' some, time during March. * * • •

My Christchurch correspondent writes: Carter, a professor of the black art, hailing from America, is just. now. mystifying the people of this dust-cursed, city. H? is a really capable performer. His “ patter ” is fresh and alluring; his tricks are executed with neatness and. despatch. ' ! .is product on of “ something from nothing ”; his vanishing lady illusion; his Chinese mystery ; his r- — but why repeat the catalogue. It is unnecessary. . Beides it would occupy a. page or two of the “ Review,” and .to copy it out would occupy more time than I .can spare at. this present. The magician is assisted by Miss Abigail Price, whose ability to read the thoughts of peop’e in the audience is such that if she had flourished, say, 100 years ago, -she .would have stood:. a good show of being burnt-at the ■ stake as a witch. Carter will be along in your city soon. Go and .see him. • By. the . way the “ advance ’’ for his c 1 ever show is dur old friend H, P.. .Lyons, who used to trai ahead of Cooper and Bailey’s circus in the long .ago,-and -who-is probably the oldest a'varit courier on the track. Here’s to him !. . . . Winter Hall, -he erstwhile. Christchurch amateur, is giving a good account of himself on the other side as a member of Herbert Flemming’s Dramatic Co. . . . The London Pierrots have been giving open-air concerts nightly on the sands at Sumner for many weeks past. “ Pierrots ” are the up-'.o-date substitute for the old-time This little company is a very clever one. . . .• Hugh Lloyd, rope-walker, is .the reigning “ star ” at Fuller’s Opera. House qt. the time of writing. He plays the violin while turning a somersau t, and if you expect more than

that, you must be decidedly exacting. The present Opera House , bill is; if anything, better than usual. .. .. Wirth’s Circus opens here on February 24.

“ The Red Lamp,’ ’ Herbert Flemming’s next production at His Majesty’s Theatre, is a Russian play of intense dramatic interest, and fine characterisation. Most of the parts giye great chances, .and the scenic environment is elaborate. The play was done in Australia many years ago with what would be described as. an all star cast.

Miss Beatrice Day, leading ady of the Herbert- Flemming Col, believes in realism on the stage. As the sorrowing, repentant Olivia.' in' the inn scene,i she sheds genuine tears, that, course down her cheeks so naturally that the audience unconsciously feels for its hanky to offer her. In fact, on her farewel 1 night in Sydney she was presented with a dainty ti tle mouchoir in an elegant green bag. She was. almost smothered with roses, carnations. daffodils, and other blooms, arranged in baskets and other floral devices.

Allan Hamilton will shortly '.organise another , dramatic company, to tour ! New Zealand, after a Sydney season; . A number of new plays have a 1 ready been secured.

Engagements contracted for bv the Ful- - firm’ include Mr Fred Graham and Miss Nellie Dent, who are 'due on its circuit for seventeen weeks commencing from next month.

Herbert . Flemming .is a personal, friend of Bernard Shaw, and has first offer of all Shaw’s plays. ' In South Africa, F’emming produced Shaw’s first play, “ Arms and the Man.” Few productions of Shaw’s, work. have .proved financial, success??, but a presentation of one of his plays should arouse.more than a.little in- , terest.

An interesting relic of. the late Sir Henry Irving is in possession of Mr Herbert Flemming, name’y, the original script used by the great actor , for his production of “ Olivia.” The book is of special interest from the fact that every one of the printed pages is covered with comprehensive written directions, ordered by Irving himself, and thus gives ample testimony of the completeness w'th which he undertook the production of his plays. Though “ Olivia ” is not a new piece, since it was seen in London in the seventies, it has only now come to Austra’asia. because it remained, the property of Sir Henrv Irving until his death. It is through the enterprise of Mr Flemming that the New Zealand public will have an opportunity of seeing one of the most interesting plays of the famous actor, in which he and Miss Efen Terry the leading parts as the Vicar and O’ivia, the parts which are now to be taken by Mr Herbert Flemming and Miss Beatrice Day.

> The large hat nuisance is still a bone of contention in Parisian theatres, and out of 24 houses 11 have wholly or in part proscribed the hat in stalls and balconies. In the official .theatres the Opera, Opera Comique, and Comedie Francais—the wearing of hats is absolutely prohibited.

The Dominion Fair at the Royal Albert Hall, has been proved a success. The special feature has been “The Birth of the Empire ” in which over 200 performers take part, these being arranged in groups representing different portions of the British Empire. * * * «

Miss Bella Donaldson, the bright and fair-haired ingenue of Frank Thornton’s Company, began her career about four years ago at the London Imperial Theatre, in Lewis Waller’s original production of “ Monsieur Beaucaire.”

In the hope of inducing ladies to reduce the size of their hats, the manager of the Paris Gymnase has announced that at the coming dress rehearsal of “La Belle Milliardaire, ” a present contained in an envelope will be presented to the 'ady wearing the smallest , hat or bonnet.