THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3185, 8 September 1917, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.);

A New Composer. The latest venture of the Fuller firm is into tlio lield of comic opera. "A LHUo Bit of Vluff" is at present being played in Melbourne, while "Fair and Warmer" is in season ;it the Sydney Grand Opera House. Mr. Ben. J. Fuller claims also to liavo discovered an Australian composer and librettist of the first rank in Mr. Fred Whaite, a son of the well-known ecenio artißt, and in earnest of .hie faith intends to make this man's work the instrument ott his next adventure into that 6V of entertainment. Tho scene of th, opera is laid in Spain, and Mr. Fuller says that it is one of the most inusicianly scores iie bas ever heard, full of crisp arid beautiful melodies,' splendidly orchestrated, and altogether n work that takes one back to the old operas for an equal. Tho production date has nut been settled.

Our Next Singing Visitors. 111 , . Howard White-, the American baritone, and Madame 13vclyii Scotney, the Australian soprano, who are now in Australia under tho 3. and N. Tait management, were in giqnt demand for tecriiiting meetings during their recent season in tho. United States. At Boston they were oncaged to sins tho "Star Spangled Banner," and their, efforts resulted in several young men signing on lor service. The meeting was estimated to number nearly .10,000 people, and fVveral prominent politician took part. Madame Scotney was in good voice, and when she sang a thrilling high "b" flat just before tho close cf the famous -song, tho tumult of appreciation was tremendous. William Winter Doad, . On Juno 30 the famous American dramatic critic, William Winter, died as the result of a serie9 of attacks of angina pectoris. He was in, his 81et year. Winter was one of tho few American writers who built up a great reputation &> a critical essayist on the theatre. As a character in American theatrical life- ho was noted for his friendships with iiuiur distinguished actors «nd actresses' of tho generations of long ago. Among hie intimates were Lawrence Barrett, Edwin Booth, .Tolm H'Culloiigh, Lester Wallack, John (Gilbert, Adelaide Neilson, and many other noted players. Ho was the lifelong friend of Longfellow and other distinguished authors. His elegy on Adelaide Neilson l.as been copied all over the world. Ho is survived by a widow (who was Miss Elizabeth Campbell, of Ederline, .Scotland), two .. sons, and . a daughter.

Charles Saunders. . -,-... Charles Saunders, the famous oratorio tenor who sang here with the Eoyal Choral Society and old Musical Union years ago, has fallen upon evil days, and a fund has teen started by the eminent musicians of .England to case his circumstances. Musicians the world over are clannish and ojien-lmnded in such cases, and any cheques or postal orders sent to the hon. secretary of the fund—Mr. Fred Williams, 44 Regent Street, Piccadilly,' London, West—will be added to tho fund. Mr. Saunders, quite early, in the war, during the crisis which visited all professional singers, exhausted Ms entire savings, and as he is laid ( aside -with serious heart trouble and a partial paralysis, the practical sympathy of his fellows is very urgently needed. , I quote with full endorsement a paragraph fiom the Launeeston ."Weekly News" of May 2G._"We hope there will.be a quick response to the Charles Saunders fund. This is one of the tragedies-for it is nothing tas-which the war has brought in its train, and out of very fnlL hearts ■we ought to do all we can to enlighten and ■ if possible, remove the; anxieties ol one'wlio in happier days hae given us eo much- pleasure and delight It seems that we may never hear Charles Saunders sing again-oh, the- pity of it!-bnt we shall never forget that woud-rful. voice which has .-thrilled eo r-any thousands, not only in the MotheiUnd, but in the daughter States beyond the I seas'. And etill loss shall we forget Charles Saunders himself-his Cornish heart overflowing with kindness and thought for others his genial presence and hie rare gift of humour. Now, as ■ lie .pathetically puts-it, he is lying a sheer hulk, like poor Tom Bowling,

The Joker Gibed. •..",', Beorbolim Tree was once, aftorded opportunity to.exercise his w.it at the expense of Ma distinguished colleague, bir Charles Wyndham, when he made, Ins fitet production of "David Gamck" m London; •• • ■ ■ , m -i-u .> : "Charles/' exclaimed Tree, with a suavity alarming in him when Carrick" had run for n week or two. I must say that you grow more like Gargood of you, old chap" returned Wyndham, with a gratified Sl "ind," proceeded Tree, after' an ominousDimse "less like Mm-every night. ° A K'lato Tree Mmself was the vietini of a witticism, and that from the IZ of that true wit, W.S. Gilbert. Tree, ■ho was then- struggling with 'Hamlet, hi rmost unsuccessful ; role,,was for some reason or other anxious to learn Gilwvi views touching hie performance. To author of "The Mikado" endeavoure< to evade the request but. m view of Tree's persistance, was finally obliged to "-free" said he/blithely, "I don't mind tcllin- yon that in one respect your 'Hamlet' is really : tho most satisfying Tree, pleased, "And in «it"is r funny i? without : being vulgar," said the note'd auth'or.

latest Miss, Violet Vanbrugh IS, entitled "Mrs. Jomeroy s Eeputation." ■ . , ••Theodore and Co." Ims proved such a success hi liondon that Messrs. George Grossmitn ami Raurillard have post, poned the Induction of. The Telephone - English actress recently obtained damages to the extent IT ml fro Messrs. Frank Carzou and Gem dduMaurier for eajary as underludy for nino and a half weeks, Ada Kwvo is bringinff with her , comolcto vaudeville anU Entfish ColliiSiliii Hirrv I Cohen, business manager of Lim-pool> the lakingß oj the piece n nine pcrforuiiiuces wore * 30 ™< JJ?";|" '?■ Graham Moffat's previous best Kcouo provincial takings by XBOO. 11l- Lolien b , t^ii"r t l> T B Paean, who Usk month had "i'r companies on the roads with the Bfioiiv liliiv. In a sua-ocduiff otter ho moutious tl,at the (l«t he was liviiMJ in ivas blown to pieces *nl>ig a recent «ur "Wriljiu: of the jwlrioli.; work of women on llio slngn in Anstraliii. the Sunday Times" nays: "Ada Koeve, with her nboumlin::'vitality, nolomb, tact, and winaoinciioHs, has done more lor tlio liatriot'io cansß in Australia limn all llio other Avomon nl' our alago ijnt, together. .