THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1515, 10 August 1912, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

(Br Sylvius.) The World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—liey wood. Pantomime Again; The perennial pantomime, which generally happens in Wellington at a period remote from the festive, season with which that form of entertainment is associated in the larger cities, is due at the Opera House on Thursday next, iho preposterous whale, with, its burlesque crew, on the hoardings of the city screams the news that "Sinbad the Sailor" intends to make port quite soon, bringing with him all the curiosities which have inado the public smile in othor lands. "Sinbad the Sailor" has been a Moneymaker in Australia since last Christmas, aud it is likely to amass a few more bags of gold for the J. C. Williamson firm in New Zealand, where.this bright inconsequential and irresponsible- style of show always lias its admirers. Among the principals are:—Flo Imeson, Noll Imius (l»th here with "The Gay Gordons ), Mr. Pip Powell, comedian, Mr. Lennon, Mr. Hassan, Miss Celia Ghiloni, Miss Mario Eaton, and a host of girls, of striking look and clever specialty people. The floatballet, which soars over the heads ot those ill the stalls is said to be a very novel and attractive new feature among the many provided.

Miss Margaret Cooper. Miss Margaret Cooper, who gave such whole-souled delight during her recent season in Wellington, is to commence a North Island tour at Dannevirke on Monday. Damievirko, in fact any town, is fortunate to secure a visit from such a distinguished artist in the sphere- of lighter song. Since lier visit to Wellington such classics in pure frivol-as Agatha Green," ".Hello, Tu-tu," "J-™" , / "Peter," and "Let Us Waltz Round logether" may be heard.at any time in tho streets the clubs, and the homes, but without Miss Cooper as interpreter they lose half their charm. It is her finished art to her winsome personality which creates the effect, and engenders Uie desire 'to hear her again and again. Hiss Cooper's northern tour will be as lollows: —Dannevirke; August 12; Napier, August 13; Hastings, August H; Palinerston North, August 15 and 16; Marton, August 17; FeiWing, August 19; Waniianui, Ait-list 20 and 21;, Hawera, -August 2>; New Plymouth, August 23; Auckland one week, commencing August 24; Hamilton, .September 5. There tho New Zealand tour virtually ends. Miss Cooper will then take a" brief holiday in fiotorua, where-she. has been induced to give a concert on September 11.

"Teddy"-.Boyce, Still in harness, Mr. Edward Rpyce, sen is now playing «u plil ago pensioner in "The Girl From tho Jam Factory at the Theatre- Koynl, Stratford The new piece is not a musical ccniidy. It is a domestic drama in four act?, by irank Dix In a notice of tho first performance "The Stage," June G, says:—"A splendid reception was accorded 'Th'- Girl Irom the Jam Factory' on the opening i'Jght, and the' play, with its many good finalities, should prove welcome at the Urania hou«e« In tho role of Theodora Cornell, Mr. E.Story-Gofton Rives a performance marked with power and skill, very excellent, tdo, is the Abel of Mr. E. \V. Royce, sen. The vagaries of tho happy old dipsomaniac are realistically depicted, and his remarks • about the Old-Apo Pension are iv source of amusement. In Australia, while associated with Miss Fanny Roliina. Mr. Royoc had one of his successes in "Little Jack Sheppard. '

Back to the Footlights. Miss Mabel Russell, who retired from the stage on her marriage with Mr. Stanley Rhodes, a connection of Mr: Cecil Rhodes, made her reappearance in Mr. George Edwardcs's new nflisicM comedy at Daly's Theatre,, London. Miss Russell and her husband met with a terrible motor accidcut last year, wliich resulted in the death of Mr. Rhodes. Miss Russell was also seriously injured, her left eye being almost torn out. unci the. sight being despaired of, her scalp on one side was completely removed from (ho skull, but, owing to skilful treatment, and excellent health, only a slight scar-remains. Although she was loft very well off by her late husband, the cx-member of the London Gaiety Company could not keep away from tho stage. In "Gipsy Love" she is playing tho part of Jolan, with Miss Gertie Millar in the lead sis Lady Babby. One of the London papers states that "Miss Mabel Russell, who dances grace-fully, has p. colourless part."

Mr. Edmund G'.venn. The London correspondpnt of a New York paper ,wrote last month:—"lf some American manager could persuade Eclinnnd Gwenn to take a trip to the States, lie would probably make a small fortune.. Mr. Gwenn is the greatest character actor in England to-day, and finite a young man. No kind of part camps smiss to him. He is a veritable -sensitised plate for the reception of characters from life. At the present moment he is playing in 'The Bear Leaders' at the Comedy Theatre, rescuing a by no means riotablo play, and making it a success." Mr. Gnenn's great talent was retognised in Australia while he was a member of the "Sherlock Holmes" and other companies. The English actor did some of his best work hero whilo he was supporting Miss Tittell Brnne in "Sunday." His Lively in "Sunday" was a very fine performance. Another sterling performance of outstanding merit ivjis this actor's Earl of Loam in "The Admirable Crichton," with Mr. Culyer Hastings. Comedy a la Francaii. "Inconstant George" was produced in Melbourne , by the Pliimuer-Denniston Company for the first time on Saturday week, and the merry farce, with its beautiful setting went with a shriek from be'giuning to end. Tue original of "Inconstant George" was the coinedv "L'ane de Buridan," written by MM. ]?lers and De Cailla.net. It ran -100 nights in Paris, and when translated into English by Miss Gladys Unger, ran for 218 nights in London, which speaks well for the quality of tho comedy. "Inconstant George" will be produced in Wellington next month.

The Oldest Opera. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's operetta, "La Serva Padrona," which will be shortly revived in England, was produced at Naples in 1731. It may be considered the oldest work still in the repertory of Italian opera companies. Wljen a French version was produced in Paris in 1751, it had a run of one hundred and fifty consecutive nights. Tho best-known revival was at tho Royalty Theatre, London, in March, 1873. There are - only three characters, one of whom is a mute, and the orchestra is limited to the siring quartet. . . . ■. ■ - Pergoleii, who was born at. Tesi on January 3, 1.710, composed "Lα. Serva Padrona" at the age of twenty-one. Tho work which made him famous occupies about an hour in performance. His second opera, "II Maestro Musica," was a failure.' The principal sacred work by Porgolesi, who died on March IG, 1736, is a "Stabat Mater." ' "Daphne," tho first opera, was composed by Jacopo Pieri, of Florence, and was performed there in 1597. Pieri, who was bo!'n\in 1550, died in 1620. lie composed "Euridice" for tho marriage, of Henry IV of France with Maria de Medici in IGOO. Giulio Caccini also wrote a musical setting of "Euridice" in 1000. Rinuccini's libretto was used -by both composers. Handel's first opera, "Alniira," was produced at Hamburg in 17IIJ. This work wi\s followed by "Nero" (1705), "Daphne" . (1706), "Florinda" (170«>, "Eodrigo" (1707), and ' "Aggi'ippina" (170S). "Einaldo" was composed in England in 1710.

Giulio Ricordi Dead. Commen-.latoro Giulio Rieordi, head of (he world-renowned firm of music publishers, which has its headquarters in Milan, his untive city, was found dead in bod recently. Ricordi, who was 71 years of age, was a man of extraordinary activity and ability. As a voiith of 13 ho composed liis first mnzurka. Jlis ]Hission for fighting was so ardent that on , the. outbreak of war in tho lato 'oO's, when he was still too yomijf for enlistment, he used tho birth certificate of his (lend brother, mid thus satisfied his desire to join tho Piedmontese army, in whose battles he fou"ht as ordnance offU cer to General Cialdini until ISIII Ho afterwards wrote a book concerning his military experiences. On his lather's death,-in 1838, Tiicorili undertook the direction of the Ificordi firm, whose fiime ho inciTj.M>il enormously in Notth and tsouth, America ami Europe,