THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3058, 6 December 1872, Page 3

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

The new Queen’s Theatre has been taken for a month by the Opera company, who, in tend that the opening sffali be made with eclat. The lessees of the Princess’ were willing to take it for six months, and transfer their company there, but the price offered by Cagli and Lyster was so, advantageous that the managing pommittpe of the Friendly Societies’ Hall Company could not well refuse it. I h a ve been aver tire building lately, and had explained to me the manner in which the new Theatre will be fitted up. and can only say that if the directors carry out their present intentions, it should make a rpomy and comfortable little place. But I fear there will be found a very glaring defect which will prove to be irremediable, The circle is much too low, the consequence of which will bo that one-third of the people who will occupy the pit on a full night will be unable to sec the performance, This is not an individual opinion, but is shared ia by men who had to do with theatres, and by some who have even built them. And, apropos of the Princess’, the company there is to be still further strengthened. Mr and Mrs R. P. Collier, who were here with the Lawrences, leave Melbourne by the Alhambra this week; and by the Wellington, due next week, will arrive Mr Clinton, who has played with Mr Hoskins in the North, and is regarded as a very rising young actor. Then the company will be the strongest in the Colonics ; and if it fails to secure better support than has hitherto been accorded to Messrs Goddcs & Willis, then I say the sooner they look out for “fresh fields and pastures new” the better.

From the English files I cull the following :—Mr Harwood, of the Royal, Melbourne, who is in London, has not boon successful iu making engagements, the fact being that the 44 talent” are frightened of the journey to such an extent that no reasonable terms will tempt them to undertake it. Mr Phelps’ objection to visiting the Colonics is the fear of the passage, and the scare is general throughout the profession Mr Charles Mathews speaks of his Australian trip in enthusiastic terms, and it is not improbable ho will revisit you, Mr and Mrs Bandmaim are also likely to sec you again. Engagements are pending between Mr liarwood and Mr Fairolpugh, an American tragedian of considerable reputation, who, with Mdlje. P. fjegrand, formerly of the Odeon, will jn all probability go put to Australia ; ami al.?q will Mr R. Manseil’-s Opera BoiiOW Troupe, with Miss Kate Sautley as prima donna. Mr J. L, Hall has joined Mr D. Carson in partnership, and with Mrs Hall, formerly Miss Emily Wiseman, has sailed for Calcutta, Their eventual destination is Melbourne.

44 Call Boy,” in the Australasian, furnishes a budget of news respecting some (Jolouial

favorites who are now in America: —At San Francisco, Simonsen and his wife and Ben Clark are now performing in conjunction with Maguire’s Californian Minstrels, at the New Alhambra. Madame met with a glorious reception last night (her opening performance), and the same favor was accorded to Mons. Simonson for his violin solo. Barry O’Neill and Clark made their first appearance in America with the minstrels on the 2Gth of August, and at once established themselves as fauoritea, the former having to respond to no less than four encores. The local press are unanimous in their favor. At the same time another Australian artist held the position of premier tenor, Mr W. F. Baker, who was for a long time connected with the Lysler Opera Company. r lhe Carlo Brothers and Miss Fanny Brown, who has become a moat accomplished trapezienne, are connected with Chiariui’a Circus, now here. Miss Minnie Watson, with her husband, Mr Fred Lyoter, has been fulfilling a short “star” season at Marysville. They will fill up the vacation (till the Californian is ready for re-opening) by short seasons in some of the other provincial towns. The Zavistowski Sisters have reached New York, and with Miss Grainger (who has been an immense favourite everywhere she appeared) are rusticating at New Jersey. A private letter states that Miss Grainger, by her success, has raised the anger of the elder, Christine, who would gladly break the engagement made in Australia. On the closing of the Californian Theatre, the company. of which Miss Rose Evans was a member, betook themselves to the provinces. They opened in Virginia City, with “ Eileen Ogee,” on the 16t of July, to a good house. On the following day, owing to some disagreement between herself and some of the compan}', the impetuous little lady refused to p ay, and left for San Francisco the same afternoon, and started from thence to Auckland en. route to Australia on the 25th of same month. Prompter.