STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1907, Page 10

STAGE JOTTINGS.

FORTHCOMING ENGAGEMENTS. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Jnne 24 to July IS — Mr Julius Knlgh*. and Company' (Mr 'Williamson) July 15 to 20 — Mr Fred. Sliipman July 22 to August 10 — Mr Musgrove'B Grand Opera Co. August 12 to 24 — Mr J. C. 'Williamson August 26 to September 14 — Mr J. C. Williamson September 16 to October 5 — Mr Allan Hamilton October 7 to 26 — Messrs MacMahon's Dramatic Co. OPERA HOUSE. Till further notice — Puller's Entertainers July 0, 10, 11, 12 — St. Patrick's Amateurs, in "Maritana" Mr Julius Knight is a peculiarly welcome visitor after the immensely long absence of any important company from Auckland. And in " Robin Hood "— a really surprisingly pretty and winsome romantic play—he is particularly happy. Miss Eloert-Orton, Mr R. Julian, Mr Herbert Willis and Mr Kegc Kede shone in this production, while Mr A. Andrews (Allan A'Dale) sang the old English songs with admirable spirit and* conviction. The staging was another triumph for Mr Williamson, and the faults in a charming performance were faults of detail, and mostly inconsiderable.

Everything seems to indicate that Raffles is a part in which Mr Julius Knight achieves one of his finest successes. An amiable modern amateur of crime, this remarkable individual commits daring burglaries for the sake of the thrill, but never (in the dramatist's version of him) retains the spoils or profits by the fruits of his contumacy. He has, in action, a very pretty wit. He walkfi out of the British Museum with a famous golden cup (concealed in his hat), which he promptly sends to Windsor, as "the Coronation gift of the criminal classes."

Apart from his unsuspected specialty, he is a viveur of wide popularity and assured standing. He is a famous cricketer, and has an income adequate to the maintenance of bis position in society. He is a raconteur of distinction, and is thus as popular (almost) with the men as with the ladies. But in great houses, where he is entertained, things, disappear mysteriously, although tbe, fame of the Amateur Cracksman is about the country like a creeping terror and the great houses are guarded with infinite precaution. The drama revolves around the last of "Raffles' " exploits in burglary. At the end, "Baffles" vanishes into romantic haze, detected but triumphant, penitent but no whit abashed.

Andrew Black and Leopold Premyslav, two eminent artists, each a master in his own domain, will be heard in Auckland on Thursday next. They are both striking personalities of the concert platform. Mr Black is one of the finest oratorio and ballad singers of his time, while Premyslav, the young Pole, has already won recognition in nearly every country of the world. He has played at concerts with Hans Richter's orchestra in Manchester, and he has recently given three concerts before the Indian Viceroy and a room full of Rajahs. In the United States he has had mam r successes, and is there fast persuading tbe people that a rival to the greatest of fiddlers has appeared. This big combination will have the added attraction of a charming pianiste from Charters Towers. Queensland — IMiss Bessie Beattie—and the favourite New Zealand soprano. Miss Rosina Buckmann. The performance by St. Patrick's Operatic Society on July 9 and 10 of "Maritana" will have the advantage of the services of Miss Rosina Bukmann, and of Mr James Crabtree, the latter of whom is tenor to Sydney Philharmonic and Liedertafel. The chorus numbers sixty, and Mr ColinMuston is the conductor. It is not generally realised how absolutely devoted to Miss Tittell Brune were "Those dear girls" to whom she so feelingly referred in her farewell speech at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, writes a correspondent. There were, for example", two sisters who for the last two seasons of Miss Tittell Brune in Melbourne never missed' a single performance—over 200 in all—and were always to be found outside the door with a bouquet, before or after the performance. But the most "fervent worshippers were perhaps a group of working girls who called themselves "The Twenty." These girls were wont to attend early Mass at St. Francis every Sunday on purpose to be in the same church as Miss Brune, and, when she left they subscribed for a prayer book, which they presented without any fuss or advertisement the day their favourite left Melbourne. Mr. Herbert Flemming hopes to induce Mr. H. B. Irving.and his wife (Miss Dorothea Baird) to make an Australasian tour. Miss Ola Humphrey (of Mr. Charles Waldron-'s Company), will take back to America with her the complete manuscript of a novel of 18th century life, to the writing of which she is at present devoting all her spare time. The germ of the plot was in a play which she wrote some time ago, of which several I American managers spoke most favourably.

Mr. J. C. Williamson's new Musical i Comedy Company produced "The Blue Moon" at the Princess' Theatre, Melbourne, last Saturday (June 22). i The just-completed voyage ironi London to Australia of the R.M.S. Marnjora will be memorable with the passengers by reason of a most delightful concert given on the 16th ult., by Madame Albani and the members of her company, writes a passenger. Madame herself was heard in "Ombrai mai fu" (Handel), Arditi's "Rosebuds," and the Willeby setting of Tennyson's last poem, "Crossing the Bar," to the infinite pathos of which the great prima donna did full justice. The other contributions to the programme were violin solos, Hubay's "Plebna Nota," and Schumann's "Traumerir," by Mr. Hadyn Wood; air, "Still wie die Nacht" (Bohm), and the songs "Away on the Hill" (Landon), and "A Little Winding Road" (Ronald), by Miss Mildred Jones; songs, "A Sailor's Grave" (Sullivan) and "Lady Awake" (Hajdn Wood), by Mr. William Green; i,ad pianoforte solos, "Prelude" (Rachmaninoff) and "Valse" (Chaminade), by Miss Myrtle Meggy. Mr. Theodore Flint was the accompanist and concert master. The company is spoken of by the Marmora passengers as unquestionably one of the finest that has ever been heard in Australia, the work of Mr. William Green, the tenor, being in particular admired. A budding * authoress, by name Elitabeth Pinn, of Perth, claims that '-'ihe Fatal Wedding" is an unauthorised dramatisation of an as yet unpublished novel written by herself* Consequenilj;

the lady is asking the High Court; io restrain Messrs. Meynell and Guhn from producing it. She also, if may be added. claims damages. Mr. Justice O'Connor, •however, wants further evidence as to the merits of her case before he will proceed. Miss Florence Quinn, the New Zealand singer who has joined the Williamson i "Mother Goose" Pantomime Conipairy, ' takes Miss Celia Ghiloni's place as the fairy. Miss Ghiloni will join the "Blue Moon" Company in Melbourne. Mr. Arthur Mason, the Sydney city organist, has resigned, his position, in order to leave for London. Mr. Mason was in the public service till December, 1001. He retired from the service to take up the position of city organist. A really admirable institution is the Auckland Society of Musicians, the president of which is Herr Johan Wielaert. This society seemingly aims at giving the true music-lover something more satisfying than he is likely to obtain at the ordinary concert where the concessions to popular demand go so far to waste the time of the .serious listener. The first event of tbe season is to be "An Evening with Wagner," at St. Andrew's Hall on June 29. After a description of "Tannhauser," given by the President, the principal musical numbers of that classic will be given by Madame Wielaert, Miss Frieda Rosewarne, Mr. John Carter and Mr. Barry Coney. One cannot refrain from wishing success to a society aiming at the encouragement of classic music in Auckland.

An amusing story is told of an exceedingly ambitious drama, which, though launched at a west-end theatre in London, with a tremendous flourish of trumpets, turned out a record failure. The play was chiefly remarkable Tor the number of titled people responsible for its production. Thus it was written by Sir A.8.C., the scenery was painted by Sir D.E.F., and the music was composed by Sir G.H.I. On the day of the dress rehearsal a couple of stage hands were overheard discussing its prospects. 'Yes," said one with profound contempt, "this is by three blooming knights, is it? Well, that's about all it will last!"

Of all the irritating voices (says a writer in the Wellington "Post"), the most hideous is the cackling of men and women in theatres while plays are in progress. It is a fact, strange but true, that people with pleasant voices do not raise them during a performance. The explanation may be that these people whose voices are sweet to the ear are generally educated, and would therefore shrink from annoying other play-goers. Therefore the uproar is contributed by folk who, by misfortune or mistake, have had their training in the humanities sadly neglected. They whisper, they chatter, and their running commentary on the play is a series of inanities, crude things such as a strident African parrot would screech apropos of nothing. The Wellington dress circle is a particularly desirable place to be avoided by anybody 'with nerves to be jangled. Some of the loud-voiced individuals in the dress circle tend to earn for it the stigma of dross circle.

"I would welcome a less close observance in an ideal theatre of that unwritten law which compels stall-holders to come to the theatre in evening dress," said Mr. Cyril Maude to an interviewer. "This unwritten law is not observed anywhere in Europe or America as carefully as it is in London. It is often immensely inconvenient for people who live in the suburbs, and- whose business keeps them in town all day, to have to go home and.put on evening dress before going to a theatre in Che west end. I wish more people had the courage to cjome to. the stalls in their everyday attire."

"A Japanese" writes to the London "Daily Express" on the action of tho Lord Chamberlain in suppressing the performances of "The Mikado" during the official visit of Prime Fushimi of Japan to London: —'T am a native of Tokio, who has resided in London for more than five years, and 1 have noted with deep gratification the growing regard and appreciation for my country which is manifested in England. But I must confess that I have been greatly amused at the attitude of the great British Empire with regard to that muchmaligned opera, 'The Mikado.' I feel sure that my countrymen at home will likewise be greatly amused when they learn that this innocent and pleasing production has been suppressed by the too-cautious Lord Chamberlain. 'The Mikado' has been produced in Japan on more than one occasion, and has never failed to give great pleasure to those Japanese who are able to appreciate European music. If 'The Mikado' is likely to give offence in Japan it should have been suppressed years ago. This belated regard for our feelings is an empty compliment which will never be understood properly. I should be heartily in favour of giving a gala performance of 'The Mikado' during the visit of HJ.H. Prince Fushimi. There is a certain popular play in Japan in which one of the characters is a wicked Englishman. Doubtless our Government will order its suppression. One good turn deserves another." THE DEADHEAD.