THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3666, 21 November 1874, Page 3

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

A rather amusing affair (says the Goulburn ‘Chronicle,’ New South Wales) occurred during the performance of the Arabian box mystery on Wednesday night last. It is usual, in preparing this trick, to hand the key of this wonderful box (after it is used in locking Mdle, Mira up) to one of the spectators for safe keeping until wanted again. This was done on the evening mentioned ; but on the manager repeatedly asking for the person who had received the key, he was informed by one of the audience that he had suddenly “gone home,” carrying the key with him. Mr Bromley here still more loudly called for the key-holder, and, receiving no satisfaction, applied his face to the ventilating-holea in the mysterious box and informed the imprisoned lady of how matters stood. The eveningbeing warm, Mdlle. -Vlira exhibited some uneasiness at the prospect of being kept longer than was necessary in this wooden cell; and thinking the joke had been carried far enough—the manager’s aud lady’s excited feelings had by this time reached blood-heat point—the gentleman with the key stepped forward and unlocked the box, much to the pleasure of the performers and to the amusement of the audience.

“Props” in the‘Globe’ writes ;—“ln Wellington the Stepiieuson-Burford troupe are doing what might be called a “ mixed” business—one good night, the next empty. Of course there is powerful attraction against them in the shape of Madame Goddard, whose concerts have been crowded to excess. The ronnd of pieces familiar to us here some time have been given with varying success, aud the changes have been rung on ‘Medea,’ ‘lxion,’ &c, Recently a rather funny amalgamation has been made, the Theatre Company aud Bachelder’s panorama of ‘Paradise Lost,’ having coalesced, with Mr Charles Massey as lecturer, I fancy I should like to see this entertainment. The Gourlays opened at Maguire’s new theatre at San Francisco, but their performances were badly attended. There are scarcely Scotchmen enough in San Francisco to fill the house night after night. —Lottie, the gymnast, with her sister Kate and brother Frank, were carrying all before them at the Opera House.—Miss Clara Kellogg has just declined an offer of 20,000 dollars (L 4 200) and expenses for ten nights of English opera in California,

Little Rosa Towers appears to have made a decided hit in Sydney. The * Evening News ’ of the 26th of October has the following notice respecting her :—“ At the Victoria Theatre there is little to report. The ‘ Waif of the Street ’ is occupying the boards, and drawing such crowded houses that there seems no probability of the management withdrawing it at present. The success of the piece is due in the main to the wonderful rendition of the character of the heroine by little Rosa Towers.”

A London letter to the * Australasian’ has the following: closed with a demonstration of the public appreciation of Mademoiselle Tietjens which surpasses everything previously recorded in operatic annals in London. I mentioned in one of my late letters that a remarkable revival of ethusiasm for her performances had taken place. At her benefit this exhibited itself in the shape of an audience who utterly discarded the cold and calm attitude of fashion, and overwhelmed her with applause, trying even to her accustomed nerves. For more than half-an-hour she answered to recall after recall, while the wafls of the theatre rang with shouts, and the boards were buried under avalanches of bouquets, which had to be carried away in clothes’ baskets. A beautiful golden basket conveyed Mr Mitchell’s tribute of flowers This was a real work of art. The names of all the operas in the pvima donna’s repertoire were worked into the golden filligree, with embossed groups from each. Wreaths of gold and jewels, some splendid rings, and a diamond star of great price and lustre were among the anonymous gifts which were sent from all parts of the house to the great cantalri'ce. Madame Patti was present, and applauded vehemently, and with a delightful abandon. Her sparkling face shone with a generous delight in the well - merited triumph by one who is not a rival, but a sister artist.