MUSIC AND DRAMA.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2344, 29 December 1914, Page 9

MUSIC AND DRAMA.

A REVIEW OF THE YEAR.

THE WAR AND ITS EFFECTS,

'As far as music and the drama are concerned the year has been a curiously disturbed ono. It wouid be strange indeed if tho great European war, in ivhich England is so vitally concerned, did not find some reflections in every phase of pur social as well as commercial life. At Homo the disruption has been very complete, owing to the call to arms, ami scheduled mueical events for the last five months have With few exceptions been abandoned. There will in all probability be no Covent Garden opera season,""though I notice one advocating a joint Covent Gar-den-r-Thos._ Beecham season at OovonF Garden, if it is only to give employment to those who look for it at the Royal Opera Houao for at least threo months of tbo year. This might easily bo arranged if tho leading artists were reasonable in-their demands, but the salaries paid them at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York are rather damaging to the war-time ideas of reason. The theatrical profession has suffered severely in England, as well as other belligerent, countries. A great many touring companies have been disbanded, and the activitios of otnere have been curtailed, music-halls have been oloted, and salaries have been reduced all round. It will he remembered that the war broke out in midsumthe night of August 3, to be precise—when , the seaside places wero enjoying a lively season at its height, and theatrical attractions were 1 in eagei demand. "With the first Wast of war the season collapsed like a pricked Madder, and all arrangements for tho season were thrown into confusion. As far as we are concerned, in' our own little way, New Zealand has only been affected by the loss of a few bookings, and by a slump in theatre business Which lasted for ahdut six or eight weeks subsequent to the declaration of war. After that momentous time a' trend back to the old rut began, and for the past two months at least ordinary conditions have prevailed. In Australia the drought has accentuated the untoward conditions, and at tho- present time business is the reverse of bright. The all-pervading firm of J. G. Williamson, Ltd., has reduced salaries from 10 to 25 per cent., and the BrenhaniFuller, Company has cut and Dunedin as permanent show locations. A bold feature of the times has been the wonderful aid that the profession has given to, the raising ; of.. money for patriotic and distress funds! . With a spirit altogether admirable,'the player has come forward to do his little best for tho causo, and the response hae always been completely satisfying, The Year's Attractions. The year, notwithstanding the war, ha-s yielded the usual mixed crop or shows, and, reviewing them broadfy, I take heart of grace. Tho good has predominated over the and poor, and at least four'artists of very notable capacity, widely differing in their offerings, have honoured us. 1 refer to the brilliantly talented actress, Miss Ellen Terry, now in tho.autumn of her days; to Mr. Joseph Blascheck, prince of monologuists, and an artistic, soul; to' Mr. Alexander. Watson, an elocutionist of rare capacity p and Mr. Harry Laudor, the popular Scotch comio singer. There is one other artist who should perhaps be included in this scroll of honour. Mr. Paul Dufault, tho most artistic tenor the writer has heard in New Zealand, charmed us with his many graces in February last, but he had>'been ■in Wellington a- few'months previously with Madame Lillian Nordica, wliobo death occurred some six months ago. . ' . . ■ - Good Comody. In the sphere of comedy we have been fortunate. V The American Comedy Company, headed.by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Niblo, happened along in August with three. of the brightest successes of tho American stage—"The Fortune Hunter," "Officer 666,". and:"Never Say Die." Mr. Niblo. is a vita] personality more than an actor of protean predilection. That'is to say he is always Niblo —never pretends to be anyone else — and as the parts fit we are delighted to have him again and again in such mirthful vehicles. No company, is better rehearsed than the Niblo Company—tho performance is always a performance, not a "get-through." Since his warblighted tour of New Zealand Mr. Niblo bas introduced another sucoass in "The Sevon Keys to Baldpate," a farce writ> ten by Mrs. Niblo's brother, the gifted Geo. Cohan. Equally pleasurable was the season in Wellington of the Little Theatre Repertory Company, which oame along quite modestly, and gave performances of G. B. Shaw's clever conceit, "Fanny's First Play," Arnold Bennett's uncommonly interesting comedy, "The Great Adventure," and Pinero's sterling play, "His House in Order." Mr. Hugh Buckler and Miss Paget are to be congratulated on the fine battle they are putting up for the long-neglected better-class play. A few weeks ago we were introduced to Graham Moffat's "Bunty Pulls tho Strings," a clever comedy of Scottish domestic in flavour, inimitably acted. • Poor Dramatic Year. Tho year opened with that strong flesh-and-blood American realistic drama, "Within the Law." A Willoughby company cume next with poor melodrama. "The Argyle Case" (comedy drama) was mildly interesting as played by a Williamson company, and the comedy "Ready Money" was oven bettor, but the players concerned wore not of the "gnppy" order. Tho record of drama of tho year- is complete when it is mentioned that a further inconsequential Willoughby Company . visited Wellington iii May with "The' Bad Girl of the Family," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and other such works, and/that Mr. Julius Knight, and a capable company is .with us for' the Christmas and New Year with a string of old successes. * .

The solitary Williamson opera company that lias visited Wellington during the year was that which played "Autumn Manoeuvres," "The .Count of Luxoniburg," and "The Arcadians" in , January and February last. Tho only other operatic production was a vory creditable one of "Paul Jones" by the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society in July last. Lovers of this class of entertainment are now pleasurably anticipating! the coming season of Gilj hert-Snllivan operas by the new Williamson company. Our amateurs, "too, «ro considering producing another opera to be played in aid of one. of the war funds. '■.;■■■ Stars of Varying Magnitude. Mention has already been made of Miss Ellen Terry, Mr. Blascheck, Mr. Alex Watson, and Mr. H. Lauder. In quite another sphere of artistic endenvnur came Miss Maud Allon, an apostle of the natural dance—tho emotioual pose—w\io certainly opened our eyes to tho artistic value of the dance as a living flosh-and-blood guide to tho inner moods of tho music of the masters. Another artist, of distinction to bo notod is Mr. Peter Daivson, the South Australian baritone with an English reputation, who is spending his Christmas in Wellington. Ho is accompanied by his wife, Miss Anhotta George. ' ' . ' ' ■, . ■ . .' Miscellaneous. The firm's ' pantomime "Forty Thieves" was illuminated by the coraio art of Ban y Luohio, who i* -iniincr *\

i'g'it again in "Cinderella" this week 111 Melbourne. vThe George Willoughby "Albany sent its ragtime pantomime . Aladdm" through New Zealand early m the year, and only a few weeks ago Messrs. George Stephenson and Alfred Linley opened a pantomime tour in Wellwgtpn With "Humpty Dumpty." Ine Wellington Amateur Dramatic Club produced "Charlie's Aunt" successfully in June last. J . An event of importance was the openS g at ?r? ster "I the Grand Opera tteuso. Tho opening was marred by the medium employed. "The Graftere,*' an American organisation, gave a depressing performance of "A Day at the -Uaces and a heavy frost ensued., The new theatre has never been thoroughly warm since. The old Opera House has been taken ove; by the Hayward-Fuller picture combine, and has proved no end of a success. The Brennan-Fuller Company has kept its end up very well during the year, and on the whole the artiste employed have been a little better'class wan heretofore. , Speaking .of the trend in picture business, one manager informed me quite recently that the business done in the daytime in Wellington by continuous houses was inconsiderable. It was the night continuous show that paid the best, oven if the pictures were not ot the quality that are shown at the. one-programme night houses. The picture' people have on tho whole had a good year, and the war is doing them no harm. Wellington has now six day and night continuous shows, and 'two one-programme houses—eight theatres m all. Thorndon is still uncatered for. A company was in the process of formation to erect a theatre at that end of the City, but the war hae snowed it up. MUSIC. In the fair domain of musio the year has not been uninteresting, although in view of (the circumstances, we have I had to depend largely on our internal Resources. Among the stars from tho outer world was Mischa Elman, a Russian violinist of rare sympathy and magnetism, who was immediately successful. Mr. John M'Cormack was here early in the year, and Paul Dufault, an even more impressive artist, came a littlo later. Harold' Bauer and Leonard Berwick, pianists of eminence, were to have come but for the war. The Oherniavsky Trio hero with Miss Maud Allan, and promise another visit early in the new year. The Royal Chora] Society has done good work during the year. "Maritana" in concert torm was not quite satisfying, though Miss Gardner's singing of the title role is remembered with pleasure. Then Mr. , Herbert Bloy succeeded Mr. Christian neJlemann as conductor, and the result was a very, fair performance of Saintbaenss fine opera, "Samson and Delilah, in which Miss Mina- Caldow sling with-conspicuous success. The Samaon was Mr.. Walter Kirby. The society's other performances were, "A Tale of O'?> Japan" (Coleridge Taylor), and Jne Messiah" of recent memory. For the greater part of the year tho WeU Imgton Professional Orchestra has given monthly. Sunday, concerts in His Majesty's Theatre, and such is the degree of finish they, have achieved that one cannot contemplate the dispersal of this body without a feeling of deep regret. The' Orchestra is an institution, devoted to good music, which deserves everyone's goodwill, and to .my way of thinking, it is a standing injustice that the City Council should subsidise indifferent brass bands and not even consider offering the Professional Orchestra some support, even if by only providing the Town Hall free 0 £ cost'. When it is recalled what many English, American, and Continental municipalities do J» foster good orchestral music, the little-the Professional 'Orchestra woud ask, if given the encouragement, would be pitifully short of doing the right ■ thing. The; free hall for collection concerts by the orchestra might- be considered by ■ the Council,' which I am sorry to acknowledge, embraces no musicians or ardent musiclovers. ; Splendid work has also : been done by Mr. Bernard F. Page (City Organiet), who consistently refuses' to tickle the ears of the groundlings with that which is meretricious in musk, and adheres to the music of his ideal. During the year.he has familiarised many with the magnificent nyusic ' of Wagner, Cesar Franck, Karg-Elert,' and others, One would like to see Mr. Page obtain freer scope for his talents. This may happen during the new year. ■ ... :