A SENSITIVE ARTIST.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 956, 2 July 1908, Page 17

A SENSITIVE ARTIST.

Paderewski, on closing his American tour, during which he had played in 64 cities and harvested a quarter of a million dollars, made easily a record achievement in a season mainly distinguished by financial panic. Afterwards he played for two hours in the Plaza ballroom in the presence of New York’s “Four Hundred” for the benefit of an East-side charity. The great pianist did not seem to be enjoying himself, and the company became restless as Schubert succeeded Beethoven, and Chopin swiftly followedThe ladies insisted upon audibly discussing “The Merry Widow” hats, or the latest shade of Copenhagen blue. Paderewski frequently stopped playing, turned on the stool, and surveyed

the audience with a cold and reproachful stare. The ballroom had been brilliantly lighted, but he ordered all the electric globes to be turned off save those on one chandelier. He also insisted that the glass doors should be kept shut, and all curtains drawn. At the close a child student advanced to the platform surcharged with a magnificient laurel wreath and a presentation speech. To everybody’s astonishment the pianist abruptly fled through the side door, leaving the embarrassed child to drop the wreath on the stage and beat a precipitate retreat. A few minutes later the pianist’s manager issued the following statement: Paderewski never accepts flowers on the stage. There might be wires in these offerings which would prick his fingers. Besides, such tributes are unnecessary, and anyone should know it.

It is interesting to note that “ The Mikado” is again being revived in London by D’Oyley Carte. On its first production in 1885 it ran for 672 nights, and had prosperous revivals in 1888, 1895, and 1896.

Leo, Jan. and Mischel Chernivski, the three Russian musicians, who have created such wonderment amongst the musical public of England by their clever performances on the piano, violin, and ’cello, will visit Australia in August. They have started on a tour of the world, and are

at present in South Africa, and the large houses they are drawing there have only been equalled by Paderewski. The combined ages of the three boys only total 38 years, yet their playing compares favourably with the greatest artists.

Miss Irene Ainsley, the New Zealand contralto, will begin a tour of Australia and New Zealand in July. Her first concert will be given in the Sydney Town Hall on July 13.

West’s Pictures have now no less than five distinct shows going in Australia —at Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne. Perth, and Kalgoorlie—while Adelaide will follow. They employ in all upwards of 300 people.

On July 3rd the Julius Knight Company will open in Dunedin for a brief stay.

On June 20th “ Brewster’s Millions ” opened to an enthusiastic house in Perth, and judging by indications it seems highly probable that the Western season is going to prove quite as successful as those which attended the comedy in the Eastern States.

Mr- Roland Bottomley, the bandmaster in “Miss Hook of Holland,” now being played in Australia, was a prominent boy actor. He first appeared in “Olivia” as one of the children, with Irving and Ellen Terry, and was a member of their company

for some years. He next joined Miss Vanbrugh (Mrs Bourchier), and later became a member of the companies of Mrs Kendal, Mr George Alexander, Forbes Robertson and Mrs Patrick Campbell.

Tasmania is to be visited by “The Merrymakers” this week, and ’ early next month Messrs J- and N. Tait are sending the clever organisation to New Zealand.

The remarkable total of £2500 was earned in one year as fees for engagements by the Royal Welsh Male Choir after they had given up winning first prizes at National Risteddfods and devoted themselves to concert work.

It is not an uncommon thing for a London company to give a matinee at Brighton, 51 miles from London, and then play the same evening in the metropolis. Mrs. Langtry did it quite recently with her latest success, “ A Fearful Joy.”

The Melba matinee benefit for. the poor of the East End of London resulted in a box office return of no less than £2OOO. As much as a hundred guineas was given for a box.

Here is a list of what’s doing theatrically in the Commonwealth. In Sydney at His Majesty’s “ Mother Goose” is in the bill; at the Criterion “The Morals of Marcus;” at the Tivoli’ Rickards’ Company; at the Palace, West’s Pictures; at the National Amphitheatre, Bain’s Entertainers; at the Haymarket, “Hands Up.” In Melbourne: At His Majesty’s, “The Merry Widow;” at the Opera House, Rickards’ Company; at the Royal, “The Belle of Mayfair”; at the Gaiety, the National Entertainers; at the Olympian, West’s Pictures; the New Bijou, “ A Modern Adventuress.” In Adelaide: Theatre Royal, “ Peter Pan”; Tivoli, Brandon-Cremer’s All Star Co..

The theatre (says Mr Shorter in “The Sphere”) has gone through many agonies. For generations it was wicked; to-day, the great mass of English people regard it as a sheer amusement and managers conduct it like a business. Only a very small percentage of the English people regard it as an art.

Miss Anglin is said to be one of the most brilliant young actresses on the American stage. According to the “Green Room Book,” she was a pupil in the Empire Dramatic School in New York, which is run in connection with the Empire Theatre, when she attracted the attention of Charles Frohman, who immediately offered her an engagement to play the part of Madeleine West in “Shenandoah,” which he was just about to send on tour. The offer was accepted, and the young actress made her first appearance in this part at the Academy of Music, New York, in 1894. Afterwards she became a member of E. H. Sothern’a, Richard Mansfield’s and other companies, and in 1899 returned to Charles Frohman’s management to play leading parts.

Sarah Bernhardt is giving a series of flying matinees of “La Dame aux Camelias” through the English provinces, and also at a few London and suburban theatres. The tour was to commence on Monday, June 1, at the Kennington Theatre. After visiting the Coronet Theatre on the Thursday of that week, Mme. Sarah Bernhardt travels northwards to the principal cities of England, Scotland, and Ireland. She will play in eighteen towns in as many days, which is an eloquent tribute to her indomitable energy.

On one occasion, when a play he produced at the Alexandra was hooted by the gallery, the late Alfred Dampier came to the footlights and said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I can understand your indignation; but I have caught the author of the play, and if you will keep still till the performance is over I will liberate him from the side door, and you can do what you like with him.” The audience enjoyed the idea, and heard the play through. The few who waited for the author were disappointed, however.

At the conclusion of their engagement with Mr Rickards, the clever Klos sisters journey to France, where an extensive season has been arranged for them. Two of the sisters have been associated in- their work for 10 years, while the third has been performing with the combination . for nearly .five years. The Klos sisters are natives of different countries, one being born in Germany, another in Austria, and the third in Scotland.