THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3409, 24 January 1874, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

The Queen’s Theatre is not likely to re* main o'osed long. In all probability the Star Variety Troupe will perform there within a fortnight. They are now inChristchurcb, and have met with considerable success iu the Northern Provinces. The troupe includes Miss Lizzie Watson, who camt to the Colonies in conjunction with Rickards, and is described as being the best female serio-comique who has appeared in the Colonies; Air Brabant, a comic and sentimental singer j our old friend, Alex. O’Brien, “ Salamander Sam ”; idat Riley,, who does the Irish comic ; C. T. Baker, the nigger; and last, but not least, Mdle. Blanche and M. Hayhew, whose fovtt is gymnastics. The lady is said to be a perfect wonder. This troupe’s entertainments are to be conducted ih the London concert style: The boars at which each item in the programme will be commenced is regularly ■‘billed”; so that if O’Brien is advertised to give his eccentricities at nine, or Mdle. Blanche to catch M. Mayhew while she hangs from a trapeze by one leg at ten, one dropping in at either hour can reckon on seeing that particular , item. I The announcement that the Claus-Rekel troupe intend to pay this Province a visit will be hailed with delight by all lo vers’of music. The elaborate criticisms of their performance? that have appeared in the Australian papers will have acquainted most people with the fact that Aidie. Claus is the greatest violinist Who has been in those parts; that Miss Rekel is a pleasant ballad and operatic singer, and At. Kekel an eminent pianist and composer. ; v

From Christchurch 1 learn that Mr Hoskins has retired from management—[he is about to enter upon an engagement which will necessitate his retirement to a pleasant watering-place in the neighborhood to enjoy the rest ho s,ays he. is in such need of]—the Royal now being in the hands of‘Messrs Steele and Keogh, Who commenced their season with Hamlet, Mr Douglas appearing as the Prince. Aliss Aitken has also joined the company. When Mr Hoskins took his benelit he played hia ever-welcotoe Pangloss, to a closely packed audience, whom he first delighted, and then took farewell of —after the manner of Buckstone, when closing ? a Haymarket season—in the words follow* ing:— , .

“ Ladies and Gentlemen of Christchurch, —This evening concludes the 77th and last night of our season, and, according to custom, I come before you oh behalf of toy partner, Miss Colville, and myself, for the purpose of delivering a farewell address, or in other words, to say something congratulatory to . ourselves on the success of our efforts to amuse you, or to grumble at the amount of money those efforts have cast us. And though it may be pleasant’ to ‘grumble sometimes -aud being an Englishman I confess a little partiality to the privilege— yet to-night I am happy to say I have only one thing to grumble about, aud that is, that on many occasions daring the past thirteen weeks the theatre has not been large .enough, for from want of space we were obliged (very reluctantly you may believe) to refuse a large amount 6f money. And here I may say, that with the wealth and grovWhg importance of the Province, it is to be regretted .that its chief City should not have a home more worthy of the drama. As a commercial speculation it should pay, and then there would be a chance of your having plays and operas put properly before you; for now, let a manager’s inclination be as liberal as you could wish, the size and construction of the stage, both in breadth, depth, and height prevents any real effect, either in .scenery or grouping. . And now, having finished my grumbling, I am happy to say that, notwithstanding our expenses up to this night have been nearly L 1.700, our balance is on the right siae/ind wo. have to thank you for a very successful season; and the more so because it has been, achieved legitimately, and. mainly on account of the high taste yon • have displayed in your appreciation of genuine hnghsh comedy; and on this point I may say we keep our friends in Melbourne posted up in our doings, and only a few days ago Mws, Colville received a letter from a well-known Melbourne critic, congratulating us on oar success here. He thus writes • ‘I was never in Mew Zealand, and therefore never in Christchurch, but I have heard very much about it. I remember, some years ago, a lady writing me quite a poetical description of the place. lam glad to know that it is not only beautiful but intelligent, and your account of the crowded house! assembled tc see legitimate pUy B makes me ashamed of Melbourne.’ This, I think, you will receive as complimentary to your indg. ment and cultivation in preferring the works of Sheridan, Goldsmith, Bulwer, Knowles, Reade, Taylor, Robertson, and Gilbert, to leg element, meretricious plays and senpatiea dramas. During our season we have produced 57 plays and farces, including J? e . w ones Fygmalion, and Galatea? The Palace of Truth/and « School,’ which enjoyed an united run of twenty-three nights Soyou will alow we have not been-idle? if you take into consideration the amount of study necessary "in their production, the rehearsals and the labor of performance must admit our time has been pretty’ well occupied. Miss Colville and myself wnS* taking a rest after our loUg labom~So2 nearly three years in Mew Ze«Sand_tL we faave.eUowed SS we hope to meet you on one oocarfonmore before we finally -quit this = chariS regarded one efforts to amuse same time wishing you all * as

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. The Melbourne , papers contain absolutely bo “gossip.” lam sorry to hear Young will end his days in a lunatic asylum. Poor fellow—a very capable actor, with a very bright career before him in days gone By. Smith, Lyster’s late partner, retires into private life when he returns from Adelaide, where be is with the . troupe of singers aud acrobats he brought • tp i the Colonies . a few months ago Smythe, Madame Goddard’s agent, is in Melbourne, on au alternative mission. If is telegraphed to that Madame’s health is such that she must leave tropical climes, he will come to New Zealand,, and arrange for a tour of this Colony by the great pianist; if otherwise, he returns to India with some Colonial singers, to assist Mrs Smythe and Signor Susini iu giving concerts there. Prompter.