STAGE PARS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 938, 27 February 1908, Page 23

STAGE PARS.

Omitted from proper Column.

That clever actress Miss Roland Watts Phillips bas formed a dramatic class, also a class for readings of Elizabethian, Georgeon and Victorian literature, in Sydney.

It is reported that Paderewski has accepted the post of director of the Conservatoire of Music at Warsaw. * * * *

The well-known Italian operatic singer, Florence Constantino, jealous of the fame of his distinguished countryman, Signor Caruso, has challenged the great tenor to a singing contest. Constantino proposes that each shall stake £2OOO, and the judges shall be selected by mutual consent. Caruso has not yet replied to the challenge.

The first appearance of the handsome and clever Kloss Sisters at the Sydney Tivoli on February 15 was warmly greeted by a large and delighted crowd of spectators at this popular place of amusement. The marvellous and graceful feats of these skilful aerial athletes took all the onlookers by surprise, and the exhibition of their wonderful strength and agility called forth unbounded applause. One of the girls hung by her foot, head downwards, from the roof, meantime extending her two arms like horizontal bars straight out from the shoulder, while in either arm the other two performers went through a series of trapeze feats. The whole turn was one of the best ever seen at the Tivoli.

On account of the interest which the children take in the annual Christmas pantomime, the J. C. Williamson management have this year done well by the little ones in this year’s production of “ Humpty Dumpty” told in simple “ fairy story” style by Miss Annie Rehtoul, and daintily illustrated by Miss Ida S. Rentoul. A copy of the book reaches me from Mr. Tallis.

“ You ask me how I became a singer,” says Mme. Tetrazzini in the London “ Daily Mail.” I am afraid that I cannot tell you. When Igo on the stage to play Violetta or Lucia I simply forget all about the audience, .and —how, do you say—‘lose’ myself in the part and the music. The other night there were real tears on my cheeks. But how to sing I That is a question I have never thought about. To be a singer you must first have a voice and then a ‘ heart.’ If you have these you will then know how to be one without asking anyone. If you Lave neither, I advise you to try something else.”

Allan Hamilton has secured the Australian rights of Arthur Shirley’s latest drama, “ The Spider and the Fly,” which will be sent through New Zealand about the end of April.

The creator of “ Mrs. Wiggs,” of the Cabbage Patch, is Alice Hegan Rice, another of whose books, “ Lovey Mary” (the sequel to “Mrs. Wiggs”) has had an immense sale. Mrs. Alice Hegan Rice has already drawn £50,000 in royalties from the two books and the play, which will be seen out here before long. Sts * . * * At a big luncheon Beerbohm Tree sat next to the Dean of Manchester. Said a guest: •‘ Well, Mr Tree, what have you been doing to-day?” “ Oh,” replied the actor-manager, “ I went for a long motor ride this morning, and lost a bet.” “ Indeed,” remarked the Dean, “May I ask what the bet was?” “Certainly,” said Mr Tree; “I made a bet that we should pass through 400 different odors, and we only encountered 399-” “Ah!” was the quick reply, “you missed the odor of sanctity.”

“ What are you crying about, dear?” inquired a sympathetic husband. “ Oh, George, the mice have got into the pantry and eaten up a beautiful custard pie I made myself!” “There, there, my dear ! Don’t cry over a few little mice ! was the doubtfully complimentary rejoinder.