SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1139, 8 February 1912, Page 18

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

WELLINGTON.

(By

"Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 5. The Wellington season of the H. B. Irving Company, at the Opera House is proving a huge financial success. Every evening since the opening night the theatre has been packed to the doors. “Hamlet,” which was the opening production, will be played for the last time this evening. To-mor-row night “Louis XI” will be staged for two nights. The last four nights of the season will be devoted to “The Lyons Mail” (two nights) and “The Bells (two nights). Mr. Fred Duval is expected in town on Tuesday morning to complete arrangements for the opening of the Allen Doone Company at the Opera House on the 17th in the musical drama “Sweet County Kerry.” The company that has been engaged to support Mr. Doone is said to be a very capable one. The second production of rhe season will be a drama entitled “A Romance in Ireland.” Mr. Charles R. Stanford is stage manager’ whilst Mr. Stanley Grant is business manager.

Miss Ethel Irving and her Company are due to arrive on Wednesday by the Ulimaroa. They join the Main Trunk express the same day for Auckland, where they are due to open on the Bth. From Auckland the company jump to Christchurch for a season, after which Dunedin will be visited. The Wellington season opens on March 19th, and will extend until the 2 Bth.

Since the above was written 1 notice by the cables that the Ulimaroa left Sydney at 7 p.m. on Saturday. It will take fast steaming for the steamer to arrive in time to ca„ch the Auckland express on Wednesday.

A company has been formed to erect a picture theatre and skating rink on a sice in Thorndon.

Dannevirke’s new theatre, which has been designed by Mr. William Pitt, of Melbourne, will be ready for occupancy at the end of the month. It will seat 1200 people, whilst the stage has been designed in such a manner that it will allow of the scenery used in the large centres to be shown.

The Newbury-Spada “pops” at the Town Hall are proving highly successful, both artistically and financially. ,

< Mr. John Farrell, touring re’ re-en-tative of the H.B. Irving Company, was a passenger for Dunedin by the

Manuka last Thursday, 'to complete arrangements lor the company’s opening in Scotchopohs on Saturday, February 17 th. The attendance at the picture shows during the latter part of last week dropped off considerably, the cause being the stoppage of the tram service owing to the motormen and conductors being all out on strike. Mr. Tom Pollard, who is well-known to all New Zealand playgoers, and who is now permanently established in Greymouth running a picture show, was in Wellington last week on a business visit. The genial Tom is looking and feeling in the best of health. MUSIC- NOTES.

('By “G” String.)

By thio week’s English mail 1 received from Messrs. Enoch and Sons, the well-known music publishers of 14 and 14a Great Marlborough-street, London, W„ a packet of their latest publications. “An Invocation,” words by Edgar Percy, music by James Halkett, is published in two keys. The second movement is a fine declamatory passage with an apassionato finale. “When You Are Near,” by Jack Thompson, contains a beautiful arpeggio accompaniment, and a refrain

that is sure to become as popular as “Sing Me to Sleep.” Another of Jack Thompson's compositions, entitled “The Nightingale and the Rose,” a brilliant concert number with a very catchy waltz refrain, and is sure to become very popular. “An Enchanted Boat,” by E. S. De Stein, is written in a very musicianly style. “Valgovind’s Boat Song,” music by Easthope Martin, is a weird composition, though written in a classical style. “The Sea Breeze and the Scarf,” words by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, music by Rex. A. Cooper, is a very clever song and a composition which lady vocalists will find very acceptable. “Nightingales,” by Herbert Banning, is a very dainty little song written in the popular composer’s quaint style. “Huit Pieces Breves” , is a very excellent transcription for pianoforte, with a fine maestoro finale. “Portrait, Valse Chantee,” by C. Chaminade, is a very dainty composition for pianoforte, and is sure to become popular with players who favour a tempo rubato waltz. “All Change Here” is a waltz for the pianoforte by H. G. Pelissier. It is a pot pourri of tuneful waltz melodies effectively arranged.

Miss Ada Reeve, who is at present fulfilling a vaudeville engagement in America,-is said to be the first English comedienne to sing a coon song in London.