THE MALLINSONS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 18

THE MALLINSONS.

“ Rich in variety and graced by excellent taste,” is the description applied to the Mallinson song recitals, which have proved eminently successful in Melbourne, and New Zealanders may look forward to an artistic treat. Mr Mallinson takes a high place among contemporary song-writ-ers. In Mrs Mallinson the composer has found a sympathetic interpreter of his songs. “ The distinguished singer showed her heart and soul in her work,” says a Melbourne paper, referring to the last recital, and succeeded completely in exhibiting the musical and emotional merits of her husband’s compositions. Her voice, particularly sweet when softly used, is clear and ringing in the upper register, while her intonation and phrasing are faultless. The New Zealand season commences at Auckland on July 16. The following towns will also be visited: —Gisborne, Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke, Wanganui, Marton, Hawera, New Plymouth,

Stratford, Feilding Palmerston North, Masterton, Wellington, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargil. The Tasmania tour commences at Hobart on October 10, Launceston following on the 17th.

The hold that “ Miss Hook of Holland ” has upon Melbourne audiences is indicated by the fact that, after a ten weeks’ run, the piece was revived at a matinee on Friday, 2 6th, given by Rupert Clarke, John Wren, Meynell and Gunn, in aid of St. Vincent’s Hospital, and drew a large audience. The theatre and everybody’s services were given free, so that the whole of the takings, amounting to £l3O, will be handed to the institution named. To this sum Mr John Wren added £2O, to bring it up to the century and a half. Sydney audiences are looking forward with keen interest to seeing “ Miss Hook of Holland.” The Dutch comic opera opens at the Criterion on July 25, and a fifteen weeks’ season will be done in the Harbour City.

The Melbourne girls are cultivating the Gibson walk. It either makes them look very graceful, or as awkward as an ostrich. They ought to take lessons from Helene Rose, who is said to look an ideal Gibson Girl in ,‘ The Belle of Mayfair.”

Maud Chetwynd, who not long ago was a popular member of the Royal Comic Opera Co., is returning to the stage, and has been engaged by Rupert Clarke, John Wren, Meynell and Gunn to appear in the production of “ Two Little Sailor Boys,” which will be done during the season of the firm’s dramatic company which opens at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on July 18. Miss Chetwynd ought to be a good draw. Ernest Leicester, Lillian Meyers, and James Lindsay will also be in the cast.

When “ The Fatal Wedding ” is revided at the Melbourne Royal by Meynell and Gunn on July 18, that popular young actress, Beatrice Holloway, will be in the cast. Also, Maisie Pesner will take her old part of

the “ Little Mother,” in which she made such a hit on previous occasions.

The New Zealand tenor, Mr Charles Carter, has been making quite a hit in the Moody-Manners’ season of opera at the Crystal Palace. Mr Carter scored his principal successes in Wagnerian roles.

Miss May Beatty and Mr Edward Lauri have made a fresh success in “ The Lady Bandits,” which got its initial hearing at the Holborn Empire (London) last month. The lady bandits are picturesque Suffragettes, and Miss Beatty figures as their leader.

C. F. Morgan, at one time with J. F. Sheridan, is now heading a syndicate to build provincial music halls in England.

Miss Marie Lohr, the young Australian actress will be the Marguerite of Mr Tree’s production of “ Faust ” in the Autumn.

In view of the cable message stating that Mdme. Melba’s matinee performance in London had yielded £2OOO to the London hospitals, it is interesting to recall (says the “Referee ”•) that the great Australian diva holds the record for takings at any one concert in Australia. In the season 1902 Madame Melba attracted an audience representing £2630 to the Sydney Town Hall. The next highest house secured in Australia by any other artist is that of M. Paderewski, the famous pianist, who secured £l3OO odd at a concert in Sydney, and about the same figure in Melbourne. Madame Melba, in the same season, was the means of inducing £1750 to the taken at a concert given in the Exhibition Buliding, Melbourne.

Mr Herbert Flemming has received a cable from his London agent stating that he had secured for the Australasian actor-manager, the Commonwealth rights of “ Mrs Dot,” “ Lady Frederick,” “ Jack Straw,” and “ The Breed of the Treshams.”