THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3298, 15 September 1873, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Next month will see Mr Hoskins and nearly the whole of the company now playing at the Queen’s take their flight to Christchurch, where Mr H. has taken the Royal on a three months’ lease. He will first fulfil his promise to bring out several new productions, of which <<r Lhe Wicked World,” “ Daisy Farm,” and “ Cyril’s Success,” will be played in the order I have given them ; and in the interval there will be worked out a round of “ benefitsin the order of which Mr Steele’s comes first on Friday next, for which “ Narcisse” will be produced ; and after him Miss Anstead will appeal to the public. I should judge from Mr Hoskins’s intention that he is going to work the three Provinces in a systematic manner. For years I have Ijeld the opinion, and I have frequently stated it in these columns, that that is the only way in which a reaUy goqd company can bo kept together. Neither Dunedin, nor Christchurch, nor Wellington can keep a theatre open all the ypar round; but each place will liberally support a good company for three or four mpuths.—Frqm Christchurch I have intimation that Miss Stephenson and her company intend to return to Dunedin at the termination of their engagements there ; and that Mr Frank Towers will be stage manager and leading comedian. The company cpntinue to produce burlesques, but their efforts are not favorably received, as the following extract from a criticism in me of the Ipcal dailies will shqw:—‘‘Aq aftexqpt at the production of Macbeth’’ was madp last evening, with Results httj.6 calculated to increase the popipany’s reputation. The performance does not even merit criticism.’’—The oqly item from Wellington is that Mr Fairclough is there waiting for something to turn up, and that his wife has returned to Melbourne to join her family.—At Auckland, the Collier-Macgowan company, which now includes Messrs Hooper and Hesford, appear to be doing fair business. Callboy’s” American budget in the Australasian, contsids a few items which interest us in these parts. Item one—Miss Lydia Thompson, with Colville, her manager, intends coming to Australia ; and talking of Colville, you remember him when he was in Australia with Miss Mary Provost. Well, their daugater, whose education when young was carefully attended to by her mother (Miss Provost), has created a great sensation as a rising prima donna both in Italy and Germany. The Italian journals are loud in her praise, and prognosticate for her a most brilliant career. Arrangements will be made- for the appearance of Miss Violetta Colville at the opera in London in about two years. Item two.—Miss Harriet Grainger, who some time ago arrived in America with the sisters Zavistowski, made her appearance at the Union square Theatre, New York, in a new play, “ Without a Heart,” in the latter part of May. She met with a very good reception. Item three.—Mr Shiel Barry still continues to divide “ honors ” with Mr Boucicault in every representation of “Arrah na Pogue ’ at Booth’s Theatre. Boucicault intends, it seems, to stay in this country —at any rate, for some time—and again go into management. Item four. — Mr George Fawcett Rowe will visit the Colonies in a few months, and intends producing several of his plays. Item five.— Boucicault contemplates visiting Australia. Item six.—Southern (Lord Dundreary) will come to Melbourne if Messrs Harwood and Co. will agree to his terms, which are a guarantee of LIOO a night. Prompter.