THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3118, 23 June 1917, Page 13

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

"La Mascotte." 'L'ljo Anialour Operatic Society have mado ii wiso choico in nolcding "La 51 nscotto" for its next production. Audran's work has always been a great favourite in tlt is country, and though wo have not heard it since the days of the Pollard Company there are still melodies from this opera, that decline to letivo tho halls of pleasant memories.- One of tho very beet performances of (his work was when -Nellie Stewart played Betliun, Howard Veruon Hoeco, Air. Gco. I.auri King Laurent, and Joe Taplry Prince I'VetteHni. Rcllio Stewart was ji Xtcttina par excellence—it could scarcely have been played better—what a voice, and what roguish comedy 1 It will be indeed a pleasure to hoar once more the gay "Wise Folk Havo .Always Xoted," the "GlouGlou" duct. "Love is Blind." "The Tap of the Drum," and the "Legend of tho Mascotto." Miss Helen Gard'ner is being approached to play Bettina, and Air. Tom Pollard to produce the opera. New Composer Vocalist. Sir. Howard White, the American baritone, who will tour Now Zealand shortly with Miss Evelyn Scotney, tho charming Australian soprano, who for tho Inst five years has occupied a leading position as a concort artist in England, has turned his attention to composition with no small success, and during tho tour of tho Dominion we may expect to hear some of his own songs. He has lately; set music to a poem entitled "Suzanne,"' which was sent him by an admirer, bnt what is more interesting to Australia iynd New Zealand is the news that ho has set music to C. J. Dennis's "Singing Soldiers," the poem which made such a dr;ep impression when first published in the "Bulletin" last year. Tho concert four will be under the direction of Messic. 0. and N. Tait. '

Don'ts in Comcdy-wrK'ing. Wiucholl r Smith, part author of ''Turn to tho K'gut," the brilliant c/jmedydrama that is to be introduced to New Zealand shortly by Messrs. J. and N. Tait, recently committed himself to some interesting precopts in respect bj coinedywritiug, tend as the author of s/.-veral very successful plays, including thai, delightful i comedy '".I'lio -.fortune H.unt/jr," so adj uiirably pluycd by tho Nib/.o Company I here, his opinions are cutitletl to respect, i "In comedy," says Air. Siuifc'n, "never let j tho audience seo .that you iaro trying to Iho fuuuy. jf you have to have- u really I funny situation the best plan is not to [ havo any dialogue , at all, lor ns often as » not it will .kill the scene. Never have [ a character trying to get laughs by obvii oils methods; -bettor lot tho .audience dis- > cover the humour itself. Tho .'kind of I laughs that come with an effort aim never } the laughs that help lo fill a- th/aatro."

j 1 How truo Mr. Smith's doduc/dons a.i-o ■ .peed not "bo discussed. 'One .'need only wntb'h 'tho average comedian in ir,elodrnma trying 1o be funny to 'realise how pitiful the process is. Ho gets lAuglis ', from the "top shelf," providing his personality has the necessary 'outreac.li, but tl)i> whirr of the, luacliiner/y ho employs to get them is often too pronounced to raise- spontaneous laur/htor from peoplo who take an intelligent;'interest in the theatre and tho plays they witness there.

"Grumpy." Mr. Cyril Al.imln says that he- has played "llrninyp" so, long Iliat thero have been occasions vliimi liis success in lho role, ot the old criminal lawyer has been almost a. source c<f irritation to him, so whenever ho has sought variety by putting on another /pieco peoplo have urged, him to put back "Grumpy" again. "Tho play ' became absolutely a. crar.a in London," eaid "Af.r. Maude. "Its drawing , power'is simply .remarkable. .It'seems to fascinate, people. Its wonderful characterisation of the crusty, lovable, 'shrewd, iioddering old man eeems to cast a spell over playgoers, who come night after ■night just as they would tn a. popular musical show. I havo playerl the part ono thousand ami twenty-five- limes, ,-ind it is such » humari\ characterisation the authors have .made that T a.m still able, to find freshness and enjoyment in it." .■■•■■• ■...-..■' Notes. 'Miss Ada. Reevp, the 'Chiirniiiis actress and singer now in Australia, was instrumental in raising the sum of ,81000 16s. Bd. for the Anzae. Buffet in London at a specially arranged matinee Hie wook ■before last.. During the afternoon tihero was an auction sale, with 'Mr. Barry. Lupino as auctioneer, the sum of -£.»4. Woing raised from that soureo alone. M>. Lupino will bt> visiting tho Dominion next month with tho nov niueical comedy "Very Good Mdie."

"Daddy l/onglcgs" is giving Win fame extreme' satisfaction to Aiicklaml the(itregoprs as it did in Australia, and Miss Kathlene MncDonneiriiaecreated an entirely favou.rablo impression. "Baby Mine" is frlowingly noticei! li.r the Ch'ristchurch papers as one of the brightest farce-comedies seen for many years. Both Jlr. Robert Greig and "Miss Beairice Holloway havo made a lot of new admirers and sti'engtliencd thwiv grip on their old'ones by their "performances in this merry farcn. It will conic to Wellington next month. Miss Lillian Tucker, of the- "Very Good -Mdie" Company, shortly duoliero. is eaid to bo one of the handsomest women on the United States stage. At the London Coliseum recently an allstar -performance, of "Tho Passing .'of the Third Vloor Black" was given in aid of tho Scottish women's hospitals a.broarl. Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson appeared noaiii as the Stranger, Lady Tree was, Hie Fainted Woman, Miss Agnes Thomas was tho landlady, and Miss Gertrude Elliott the "slavey." Others in thocasf were Misses Madge Tithcrndge. Winifred ■Hmery, and 'Henrietta Walson, Afcssrs. Gerald riu Maurier, Edmond TMaiince, A. G. I'oulton, Ben Webslcr, and T!. ; Hcm!rie. The miiXine.o yielded tho sum of -C 2700. During l:he afternoon Air Charles Hawlrey sold by auction Mr. M'Evoy's portrait of Sir Johnston L'orbes-Bobei'tson for .CMS,

Kipling's new rang, "Havo You Ho? ~. of My Boy .lack?" was introduced y l .London audiences by Madamo Clara ; ™ ' The Theatre des Allies, whicl' *;»«■• opened in London to popularise {, *■'» plays, has been very successful Bo y.. pnch London critics spoak very ,{■/,, '"' . both Lilian Bmithwiito" , of Tilhoradso in "Ciencral P .J?* a<1 R° prising plav which has ■./$ «mt ourhero. Of Madgo T^' ,01 !* 8 n!° "SUelch" says that f^7-l'^!' 1 "' part as a mutinous torn}/ ' VA * '!, «>mcult develops into a yoirr,j7 I 0? ,"" ho into a loving young $ . ''"!>', and t,IDIV of defiance anil Ik „ omi, , n ;, Her scones brother were very $ squabbles with her in tlio passages ' rendered, whilst formanco was .?* ,1 .{".notion, h-s per- „ Vven brilliant, liiin s'opri'r rlio brilliant Anstracminent A O, . ™<l n l ownrd A T hUc ' the make a aerican basso, who aro to dor th- y'jturn tour of Australasia iinnow ' a S- an(l N - ' rait direction, are rone JU route to Australia. These, two an '? ned artists, wlio aro bringing out \' '/jntirely new repertoire, commence ■<y.-ir season in Melbourne on July It.

Dr. Charles Stetson Musgrovc, brother of Mr.Harry Jiusgrove, business manager :it Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, bihl o.f tho Into Mr. George Musgrove. died recently at Buenos Aires, where lie hud resided sinco 1876. Hβ wns .(it years of use. Several brothers Musgiovo have- passed awav lately, Georgo, Fred., and Arthur having gone, in Australia within the iiitst few years.