THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3510, 23 May 1874, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

When I last heard from Melbourne interest was centred in the approaching ‘debut before a Colonial audience of Miss. May Howard, Mr Coppin’s most recent importation, from America. That event took place at the Royal on April 21,* in.G. F. Rowe’s “ Geneva Cross,’--and was a decided success. The piece itself did not come np to general expectation j but of the debutante the ‘ Argus ’ writes :-w“ A handsome person, an expressive face, a graceful carriage, anda musical, flexible voice, combine l to give bliss Howard unusual advantages as-an actress. In respect ®f intelligence she is also manifestly well endowed. Thus of her merits. Her faults consist in a style somewhat too measured and artificial, and an occasional intonation such as all actors and actresses who come from the 'States are more dr less distinguished by. It is not difficult to believe that, naturally, she is more disposed t® trust to impulse than to rule, but that training and habit have predominated over inspiration. She possesses, however, iso muoh sweetness and elegance of manner, that the quality of artificiality dees not declare itself unpleasantly. In the quieter passages, whore a certain Measure of playfulness was required to give effect to the situation,' she was very pleasing. In the stronglyemotional portions, she appeared to reqaire somewhat mere ef sustaining power than was quite evident. Her earnestness, however, is unquestionable.” She'has appeared with equal success in several other pieces—notably in “ The Lady of Lyons,” and of her Pauline the same critic says:—“ It will not only compare favorably with those who, have preceded it in this city, but it is confessedly beyond spine which hayo been held not to take the lowest place. She looked-the part at all points, and dressed it with a superb taste that, on artistic grounds, if on no other, could not help but render her performance acceptable. But there was much more than this in her acting.” She has also .appeared in Chas. Reade’s “Wandering Heir,”.in which she has essentially a dress character, and in a piece specially designed 1 for her by Mr Barnes of California, entitled] “ Silver Lining.” I see by the papers it is announced as the “last,week but one” of Mita Howard, but her popularity has beeq bo gpea|; there is little doubt Mpssrg Harwood sm4 Co. will re-engage her, , Tfie Royal is the only theatre open at present in Melbourne; but several concert halls are kept going. The Emerson Minstrels have vacated St. George’s Hall, where, for many weeks, they did splendid business, and on the ,18th went to the Opera House, there to give four “monster” performances prior to leaving for Sydney. Rickards, who a short time since cleared out for California, turns np suddenly in Melbourne, and is now showing at St. George's Hall with his wife, Misses Lydia Howard and Woolridge, burlesque actresses, who can sing tokrably, tho Loyals and Lulu, gymiiasts, and Arthur Romer, a pleasant tener, who was a great favorite when connected with Foillade’s troupe. Then at the Apollo Hall are Lizzie • Watson and Braham, Amery, and that distinguished dancer Jerry Wood. Out ef metropolis there ia only ope theatrical com* pany in employment and that is the one under Mr Lionel management at Stawell. The new theatre at Sandhurst is approaching completion, but no One Can be found to occupy, the Gastlemaino and Ballarat houses. By thelastP. andO. boatMrand Mrs G. B. Lewis, with some other members of the Edouiri family returned to the Colony; and on May 2 Mr Ireland set sail for England. At Sydney, Mrs Bates, after a very successful season at the Queen’s, has accepted an engagement at the Victoria. There also appeared for a few nights, prior to leaving for. Brisbane (where, by 1 the way, Mr Tavares finds it profitable to remain with his company), the Christian Concert Company, which includes Mias Christian, the Misses Novello, and Mr Farley, has received a tower / of strength in Signor Susini, whom Mr R. 8. Smythe, the agent, has been fortunate enough to secure. At Adelaide, Mr Lamar’s company, which comprises Mrs Steele, Misses Polly Leake, Is doing well. Mr Fairclough is doing a seasop there, and opened in K’ichelieu. By this time Mr and Mrs George Cage ape also in Adelaide. r The opera season in Melbourne terminated on May 12. By all accounts the results have not been equal to the managers’ expectations. The only novelty in the last part of the season was the production of Rossini’s “Semiromade,” which, though it ran six nights, was not a musical success. La Palmieri was not' in good voice, Magi completely out of place as Arsace, and Rossini’s florid music is voted too much for Dondi and Beaumont. For the final night “ Somnambula ’ was put up, with Coy in her favorite role. As is always the case, that clever little woman had the whole weight o£ j , °P e W thrown on her shoulders, and nobly did she pull it through. Magi as Lisette, was, we are told by the critics, harsh, and scarcely to Be listened to f and Fioroni, as the Count, “utterly failed to give an agreeable rendering of the part.” Speaking of Madame Coy, the ‘ Argus ’ says* *T talented singer was warmly applauded in each scene, and was recalled many times with earnest approbation, and on the conclusion of the opera there ensued 01 J® °f those scenes which is only witnessed when a great house is assembled, and a favourite artist io the cause of it. Signora Coy *was brought "once mole tqthe front on 5 final recall, and there treated to such cheeping and bouquet-throwing as has not been witnessed before since the house was devoted to opera. It must have been a source of great gratification to the artist, and the audience were satisfied that she deserved it.” The new season was to commence. on the 18th, be at reduced prices, and extend over twenty-four nightsj during. iyhich the management promise to produce ‘‘Don Gloi vannij” “ I Lombardi,” “ The Prophet,” and - Ricci’s opera bouffe, “Berrago di Preston” On June 16, the Italians flit to Sydney. Some musical people in Melbourne are attempting to arrange People’s Concerts on Saturday, with a view to making use ef their great City organ but the civic custodians of that instrument do not ; . appear to be favorthe City Council should engage, at say LSOO a-year. an organist, of, EurSpein reputaS for a period of a ybar, Wh^hbuld'pSfSm Retook iS 11 G ery da y > m four tttl five o clock in the afternoon; admission to be fixed at sixpence. It is argued that such a yearly engagement would keep up interest by change

of performers, and be the means of inducing such musicians *a Turle, Cowan, Best, Hopkins, Goss, Elvy, &c, for the sake of the tnp and change, to accept the appointment. It is shown that .a daily attendance of eightysix persons would cover. all expenses ; so there is much m the scheme that is reasonable. , Prompter.