Greenroom Gossip.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1063, 21 July 1910, Page 17

Greenroom Gossip.

THE GEAND OPERA COMPANY, I am glad to hear that the Dunedin season of the Grand Opera Company was an eminently successful one. So heavy were the bookings and so anxious were the public to hear the prima donnas and principals, that overflowing houses were ensured from the opening until the closing night of the season. The receipts for the six nights, running into over £2OOO, established a Dominion record for the J. C. Williamson, and I should imagine all other companies visiting New Zealand. In Christchurch the company met with a bad run, although there was no lack of enthusiasm on the part of the public. Mdlle. Bel Sorel was indisposed on the opening night, but had to appear in “ Madam Butterfly,” although Miss Amy Castles was to have taken her place- The latter lady contracted bronchitis, however, and was under medical orders to keep her room, so that Mdlle. Bel Sorel had to do double work. The “ Press” says that “ excellently artistic as was Mdlle. Bel Sorel on Thursday night she quite surpassed herself in her interpretation of it” on the second occasion. The company concluded its Christchurch season last evening, and proceeds to Wellington to-day en route for Melbourne, via Sydney.

SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME.” A private letter received from Miss Amy Castles by a member of the “ Review” staff tells the unfortunate story pf her indisposition, which was causing Miss Castles no little anxiety- In Dunedin some of the younger members of the company—the chorus girls more particularly, who are mostly Australians —saw and handled snow for the first time- They were delighted with the experience, and, incidentally, with one or two little snowballing episodes to which they were treated. The company, as a whole, is delighted with its New Zealand tour and the reception accorded it. * * * “ ALADDIN!” “Aladdin!” prince of pantomimes, opens its New Zealand season under the J. C. Williamson management on Monday, August Ist- Some interesting notes concerning it appear overpage. Mr- J- Farrell, who is travelling in advance of the company, arrives from Sydney on Sunday to make the preliminary arrangements, and to arrange for the reception of the company, which, by all accounts, is the best of its kind yet sent to New Zealand. * * « • READING THE WAY, The J. C. Williamson pantomime, successes of the past four years are recalled anew; in looking through the files of recent English papers, for “ Aladdin,” besides being the subject for the only two pantomimes in the West End of London, is evidently a favourite in the provinces. So are “ Humpty Dumpty” and “ Jack and Jill,” and the first two Christmas productions put on three weeks previous to the festive season at Dundee and Glasgow, were both Hickory Wood’s version of “ Mother Goose,” the one that started the pantomime ball rolling in Australia this century. “ MY EH.LTSTENS!” The adaptability of the Australian youngster is well evidenced in the case of Miss Lydia Carne in “Aladdin,” who has (a correspondent informs me) stepped out of the ballet to make quite a hit in “ My Billikens.” She sings it with every necessary expression, acts it with simple charm, and dances like thistledown, thanks to Miss Jennie Brenan’s careful coaching and her own inherent cleverness- * « « « “ THE SQUATTER’S DAUGHTER” CINEMATOGBAPHED. Arrangements have now been completed for the production of a cinematograph version of “ The Squatter’s Daughter,” Mr. William Anderson’s most notable dramatic success- Rehearsals have already commenced, and, although there; is a tremendous amount of detail work connected with the taking of such a big and important picture, it is expected that the complete film will be ready in about six weeks’ time. The story will be elaborated where possible. For instance, Nulla’s flight from the cave which ends in Act 2 in the play will be depicted in full. He will be seen careering madly through the bush with bushrangers ip. hot pursuit. Much of the picture will have to be taken out of doors. All of the original cast of the play will be engaged.