IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1245, 26 February 1914, Page 35

IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

Mr. Frederic Shipman arrived in Auckland on Monday to make ready the way for Mr. Paul Dufault. “The tenor’s success on the New Zealand tour has beenso great,” said Mr. Shipman, “that the season has been extended and return dates made.” * * * * Mr. Arthur Keighly, the producer of the Orange Dandies Company, came out to this country with the “Red Mill” Company. He was later with Mr. Julius Knight. * * ❖ * Miss Linda Bradford, of Mr. Edward Branscombe’s Orange Dandies Company, was a member of the Melba Grand Opera Company. She has a beautiful contralto voice and a charming manner. * * * * “During my concerts I am as many different beings as I give songs. Whatever I sing, that I try to be. If I sing of love, 1 am a lover. That IS the way I feel when I sing, at least, and I hope my audiences receive the same impression. There is but one way to sing a song successfully—live it.” —Paul Dufault.

One of the most interesting tours enjoyed by Hodgson Taylor, who plays Jacob in “Joseph and His Brethren” at Melbourne Theatre Royal, was when he visited America to support Miss Olga Nethersole in prominent roles. For three seasons he was with Miss Nethersole, and later joined Miss Maxine Elliott. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Miss Pauline Bindley, the soprano of the Paul Dufault company, is a young singer who seems to have a great future before her, judging from all accounts. Miss Bindley comes from Bendigo, where the greatest interest has been taken in her career, all the prominent citizens of that city and Melbourne having united in forming a fund to send her abroad to study for grand opera. • * * « The playing of Mischa Elman, the great Russian violinist, is said to possess a certain quality that can only be compared with a similar quality in the voice of Caruso. There are certain golden tones with an indescribable charm that no practice or study can acquire—it is the gift of God —the true touch of genius. As an eminent New York critic expresses it, “Only Elman has it—it is the Elman tone.” It is probable, thanks to Frederic Shipman, . who introduced Madame Nordica to us, that we will hear Mischa Elman shortly.

Harold Whittle, the pianist, with Paul Dufault, needs no introduction to New Zealand. He has filled the position of accompanist with almost every great star that has toured Australasia, notably Melba, Calve, De Cisneros, Crossley, and numerous others. * * * * The clever children of “The Forty Thieves” pantomime in Melbourne have organised themselves into a dramatic club, and intend to one of these days give a production of their own. It is more than likely that they will give a miniature production of “The Forty Thieves” pantomime. $ * c An interesting member of the cast of “Joseph and His Brethren” at Melbourne Theatre Royal is Dorothy Whitaker, who gives a dainty and convincing performance in the role of Asenath, who is lovd bv Joseph. Prior to coming to Australia, Miss Whitaker toured the English provinces as Marsinah in “ Kismet,” which part was in Australia by Idly Brayton. One of her longest engagements was as leading iadv in the Jong prov’ncial tour of ‘ Brewster’ Millions.”

WIRTH’S CIRCUS. Wirth Bros.’ Circus, Ltd., described as the “greatest show on earth,” opens in Auckland on Monday, March 23, for a short season only. There is always something about the circus that carries with it a universal appeal, especially so with Wirth’s Circus. This year the spectacle is of more than ordinary merit. Nearly 100 performers comprise the company, and they include Daredevil Desperado, who will be seen in one of the most perplexing, bewildering and sensational achievements among all the world’s daring deeds. Diving from a dizzy height, landing on a crescent-shaped chute, travelling at a terrific speed until his body is in an upright position, landing on his feet, turning a somersault and bowing to his amazed audience! Desperado, in fact, is considered not only the most reliable and accurate high diver in the world, but the greatest sensational attraction that has ever been seen. La Belle Victoria, the beauty of the circus world, and queen of wire artists, gives a performance on tight and slack wires that is nothing short of wonderful. Then there are Alfredo, described as the flying man, the twentieth century mid-air marvel; the Flying Cadonas, the original Nelson Family of nine members; the crack American acrobat combination, the Bastien family,

also of nine members, a wonderful French troupe of acrobats; the Hobson Sisters, America's wire-walking prodigies; the Stair Sisters, contortionists and gymnasts, and a score of others. It would not be Wirth’s Circus without an animal act, additional interest being given this season by Doblados’ performing sheep and pigs, the only act of its kind in the world, and a group of a dozen pure white Polar bears, who, assisted by two grizzlies and a pair of boarhounds, exhibit an intelligence that is simply astounding. These beautiful animals form one of the main attractions of the menagerie, which also contains the only hippopotamus and a large mandrill in Australsia. There are also performing lions, tigers, leopards, camels and other strange animals, the wonderful elephant herd, and with one of the lionesses, two young cubs.