THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3191, 15 September 1917, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylras.) "La Mascottc." The fact that the Wellington. AniateuY Operatic Society 13 to revivo AudranTs melodious and very amusing comic opera "La Maecolto" hero next Saturday has set tho tongues of theatrical fans wagging, and there havo been many lively arguments about the originals in tiio' Bovornl casts of tho opora in Australia and A'cw Zealand, The opera' was originally produced in London in 1881, with Violet Cameron as tho Bettiua, Hiss St. Quentin as the Princess, Lionel Brough as Laurent, T. P. Haynes as liocco, M. Gaillard as Pippo, and'Henry'Brecy as Frittolini, when the opera iro.modip.tmy became a great success, and had a lino run. In Australia the original performanco followed hard upon the English one, for it was produced as early as 1882 m Melbourne with tho following cast.-— Bettiiia, Miss Maggie Moore; Princess Fiametta, Miss Ivellio Stewart; Rocco, Edwin Kelly; L-aurent, K. Hanyood; Vrittelini, Mr. Woodficld; Pippu, Signor Verdi. Only two years later Mr. Tom Pollard secured the touring Tights for liis juvenile company, and iii 1892 drought the opera to New Zealand, with tho following cast:—Bettina, Lily Everitfc (sister of Minnie Everitt, J. C. Williamson, Lld.'s ballet mistress); Princess Kanietta, Miss Lilly Stephens; Laurent, tho late All'. Stephens; Kocco, Harry Quea'ry; l<Yittelini, Miss Edie Zeigler (now Mrs. DaveO'Connor); Pippo, ' Miss. Beryl Maekay. Later on iTay Beattic played the Bettiua, and Maud Beatty was the Pinpo. Onn of the best Bcttinas was certainly \ellio Stewart, who ployed it in the later '80's, with Billy Elton as Laurent, and Biibsequetly in association with tho lato George Lauri and "Wallace Brownlow (who was an ideal Pippo). It will be interesting to Bee how tho clever amateurs concerned in (lie coming performance compare with our memories of these talented players of tile last generation. Mr. Tom Pollard is directing tho rehearsals with all his old enthusiasm and ability. ' "The New Henrietta." "The New Henrietta," the successful comedy-drama which is to succeed , "Turn, to the Right" (witn the Tait Company here early next month) , is a famous comedy, bright, up to date, by tho agile Winchell Smith. The play is based upon a comedy written some years ago by Bronson .'Howard, and shows in a most ivmusing fashion how "there is no fool liko an old fool" ivhen love comes lagging along. The story concerns the affairs of a. quiet, comfortable, decent old ohap> named Van Alstyne, who has reached the easy chair and slipper stage, and Is quite prepared to lie back and smile on the hurrying world—until something happens. That something is a glance from a woman's eyes. Worst of all the woman is a widow. .Thereafter Van Alstyne becomes a different man. Ho persuades himself th.it he is ■.■•till .'oung; throws comfort to the winds, gets into light boots and "the latest hats and collars; wears clothes of commanding: patterns, and generally makes an a«s of Mniself —all for the love of u, lady. He bus to take to the office again .to sustain the widows purse, ho loses on 'Change, and a. glimpse of tragedy is shown, but it finally, ends up. satisfactorily after tho old saying has been completely vindicated. Tlie neive3t Tait Company is said to be one of tho best all-round comedy combinations seen in Australia for a long time. Coming Singers. Madamo Evelyn Scotney, the Australian soprano, and Mr. Howard- White, the American basso, who are now singing under the J. and N. Tait direction in Adelaide, both took to the musical profeesion after having had other intentions :regarding their permanent means. <f livelihood. Madamo. Scotney wanted to be a painter, and went on buying colour and spoiling canvas until the' usual candid friend told her not to bo foolish when she had already another gift big enough to bring her famo ami fortune, "he law claimed the early manhood of Mr. White, but a financial crisis occurred, Mr. White's bank failed, and his practice disappeared in-a-twinkling. Thereupon, he started to sing,," literally to earn Ins livin" and Rot no- more than his uving , for a-Tong timo until chance took him to Boston and a big engagement. He is now one of America's leading, baritones. His Long Lost Brother. The llabit of discovering long-lost brothers is not very marked among the theatrical " profession. But Stapleton Kent, of J. and N. Tait's "Turn to the Right" Company, has found one who has been absent from home for ovor ten years. The lost one called on-Mr. Kent ih Sydney radiating prosperity and good health, and explained that he was onpnged in farming in the Northern Rivers ' district of New South Wales. He added further that ho; had had a great struggle to achieve success, and was so gratified with the country that Australia' was to bo. his permanent home. His eulogies so impressed his theatrical brother that the latter agreed to visit the .famous farm whon his engagements will permit.

Notes. Iα tho ''Peg o' My Heart" Company, Mr. Cyril Jlackay -now. plays tho part of the bold, bad Christopher Brent, who makes lovo to the- frigid Miss Chichester, when ho. has already a wife and child to pay the bills for. Rostand's fine plfl-v "L'Aiglon". (trio Eagle) is to bo revived by ,|. 0.-William-son, Ltd., with Hiss Katlilene AlaoDonoll (of "Daddy Long Legs" famr) as tho King of Home. Tho revival will bo tnado in Wellington. Already preparations-are being made, at Her Majesty's, JJelbounio for the Ing annual J. V. Williamson pantomime, which this Christmas is to bo r.ased upon tho attractive subject of "Dick AVluttington." In England. Mr. Clyde Maynell, and-in America Mr. Hugh. J. AY awl, are selecting the best attractions it is possible to secure for the big extravaganza, it Her Majesty'*, the producer, Charles A. Wcnmon, is making The preliminary preparations for tho production, aho cast will contain some surprises. The Kennedy Trio (Keith, Lance, and Laurie), in association with Siguov A. Balboni ami Mies Florence Bindley (late of tho Paul Dufanlt Company), nave been giving a series of concerts at the Auditorium, Melbourne, under the management of J. and N. Tait. Signor Balboni was a member of the Italian Opera"Company. The now musical comedy, "Mr; Manhattan" is duo for production in Sydney this evening. Mr. Louis lumball will sustain tho title- role. Mr. Tallcur Andrews, the tenor, who recently canio out to Australia under engagement to tlia Tivoli Company, lies rejoined J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and is appearing in the new musical comedy "You're in Love," staged in Sydney. Miss Maud Fane lias been appearing at. Suzanne in "The Girl in tliu lax since Miss Dorothy Brnntons depaituie [or America. Miss Dorothy Brunton is to .appear in'un Oliver Morosco production in Aeu YorK nexj; month. • ~,-.> Puccini's new opera, "La Kondino was performed for the first tune at the oiieniiiß of the lyrical e.nason nt Se Carlo. The tteatre was packed, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. A new song is said to be required for tho Russian nation. Tho Bnssian !*nttonul Anthem (a magiilfaccnt n«tiorirU hymn) has given place to rovolutionaiy songs einco the gi-eat Russian revolution. It is a curious fact that Princo Lvofl, one of the leaders of tht revolution .belong* to tho same family as Lroff, die composer of the national anthem tei tin gloriilcatioii. of Tsartlom.