Untitled

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1411, 10 May 1917, Page 33

Mr. Baxter Buckley, the talented Wellington pianist, and M. Eugene Ossipoff, the Russian baritone, have been giving concerts in Christchurch.

The Cherniavskys appear in New Zealand for the remainder of their tour as follows: —May 10, Napier; May 11, Masterton; May 12, 14 and 15, Wellington; May 16, Nelson; May 17, Blenheim; May 18 and 19, Wellington; May 21, Christchurch; May 22, Oamaru; May 23, Dunedin; May 24; Invercargill; May 25, Dunedin; May 26, Christchurch; May 28, Auckland.

Messrs. Will and Rob Thomas, the pioneers and organisers of the Pierrot al fresco entertainments in the southern hemisphere, established great reputations in Manchester and Harrogate, and got the idea of introducing their entertainment in Australia in the first place from a Melbourne lady, residing in Harrogate in the year 1903. Six weeks after the lady’s suggestion they were on their way to Sydney, where, with a company of four artists only, they had a great success in the St. James and Queen’s Halls.

A remarkable feat of memory was achieved by that popular artist Sidney Stirling in connection with the production of “The Marriage of Kitty” by Miss Marie Tempest at Melbourne Theatre Royal. Mr. Stirling, who had been appearing in New Zealand in “Damaged Goods,” was cabled for by the Will amson management, and arrived in Melbourne a week and a-half prior to the opening of “The Marriage of Kitty.” The part comprises the unusual length of 75 pages, and included a great deal of “business.” “It was the biggest thing I had ever had to tackle,” says Mr. Stirling, “at such short notice, and in sheer desperation I set to. Mr. Tallis had told Miss Tempest and Mr. Graham Browne that I would be qu te able to do it, and in sheer desperation I had to go through with it. It all seems like a nightmare to me now.” The fact that Mr. Stirling was absolutely word-perfect at the opening performance indicates how well he succeeded in his task — so well, as a matter of fact, that Miss Tempest and Mr. Browne both heartily congratulated him on his achievement and his fine performance.