THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 3863, 12 July 1875, Page 3

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Without laying myself open to a charge ©f egotism, I can safely Bay that in my many contributions to the columns of the ' Star,' I have never willingly stated what was incorrect, or lent myself to a mis-statement of fact. I am free to admit that my errors of omission have been many, and for them I must plead the severe tax upon mj time in other directions. I have been led into making these apologetical remarks through my attention having been directed to a recent issue of the 'Guardian,' in which appears an article in which the theatrical writer for that journal thought fit to discredit some statements made by me. Towards the end of last month 1 mentioned that Mr and Mrs Douglaa had joined Mr Hoskins, and a couple of days afterwards "Footlights," who seems to have been in great distress about the company now performing at Wellington, rather confidently assarted that they had not. A glance at the Wellington papers of June 29 will determine who was correct. But "Footlights" appears to be affected by hostility to Mr Hoakins, in justification of whom as a manager and his company, I have been requested to publish the following, which it is necessary to explain reached me by the Phoebe:— fiegarding'new pieces we have produced eight that have never been played in Wellington before during the five weeks we have been open ; and with the Darrells, we have given patrons of the theatre such a treat that they will not Bee again for some time to come. The casts of "As You Like It," "Hamlet," "Othollo," "Romeo and Juliet," have never been equalled in New Zealand before, and I very much doubt if they could be cast bo efficiently in Melbourne or Sydney at the present time. In the latter play Miss Colville will appear (on Friday, benefit of the Darrella) as Juliet to Mrs Darrell's Romeo; Hoskins the Apothecary, Barrell Mercutio, supported by Messrs Douglas, Ilydes, Burford, Booth, Hesford. Thorpe, Stark, Lawrence, &c, Ac, all very so-so actors perhaps in the estimation of "Footlights," bnt they have made their mark. The ladies are, in addition to above, FrsHill, Miss Anstead, Mrs Douglas, Misses Lilly May, Lizzie Lawrence, and Melville. "Footlights" obscrvrs that Mr Hoskins " never produces new plays unless assured of their success." Now Hoskins has introduced to a New Zealand audience "Formosa," "Contested Election," " Pygmalion and Galatea," '«Palace of Truth." "Temptation," " New Men and;-Id Acres," ♦•Tower of London," "The Critic," "High Life Below Stairs," "Btlle's fetratagem," "Road to Ruin," Ac, &c, &c Bo much for "Footlights'" veracity on that point. AfUr the termination of the Darrells' en; agement, Mr Hoskins wag going to produce " The Palace of Truth," wish new Bcenery and entirely new dresseß. Being new to Wellington the piece should draw. The Fakir of Oolu is in Wellington, but not doing an over large business, because Mr Bainer has stuck on the prices—Wellington being unused to 4s, 3d, and 2s. A variety troupe, under the title of the De Glorian Combination, are now performing with sue- i cts* in Christchurch. They were unable to obtain a halliu Wellington, and from Christchurch come to Dunedin. The company comprises Lolo, a lady trapeze performer; Miss Elsie DeCourcey, vocalist and comic actress ; the brothers DeGlorian, trapezists ; Master Benoie, juvenile delineator of charac ter, and Mr Ben Wheeler, Irish comedian and vocalist. Miss May Howard was a passenger for San Francisco by the M kado, on Friday. My English and A merican notes this month are so voluminous that I am compelled to sacrifice much that; is highly interesting Deaetvedly, the great Italian actor Salvini was the centre of attraction to London theatre-goerß when the May mail left. As the Gladiator in a tragedy of that name, which be essayed for the firat time on May 10, be was creating even greater excitement than he did as Othello. And the mention of his unique assumption of the Moor brings me to a circumstance that is sure to find a memorable place in "The Annals of the British Stage," when such a work shall bo written. Seldom haa old T) ury welcomed so distinguished a compruy as assembled within its walls on April 19. The dramatic profession of England, desirous of judging for itself how far the praises of the Italian, which the Press and people who Baw him act never seemed to tire of sounding, were merited, requisitioned Palvini to l oblige them with a morning performance, so that they might see and judge for themselves of his powers. And with surpassing gracefulness Salvini asked to be allowed to entertain British ait on this occasion. The ' Era' goeß into raphsodic-s, which are justifiable, when compared with the language of some of the London journals of the following day. " lb was a glorious day and a happy occasion All who in any way loved the stage hastened to Drury Lane, anxious to see the effect of such art upon such artists. And what a sight did the interior of the house prosent. Every shade of opinion and school appeared to be represented. The legitimate or old school and the natural and

new sohool sat side by side and shook hands. It was the very "Freemaßonry of Ait." From far and wide they came. From the East End and the West fend, from the provinces as far as Leeds in the north and Brighton in the south, managers, actors, critics, actresses, tragedy, drama, comedy, farce, and burlesque—all were represented. And listen to what the critics say of this performance, in which Salvini is said to have excelled all his previous efforts :

They came to criticise him as calmly and deliberatcly as if his fame had never reached their ears; they came to bestow upon hini the respect which his reputation warranted, and they received him accordingly, standing up in a genuine and hearty English fashion. Gradually, but surely, Signor Salvini, nerved for Buch an attack, spread about his audience of artists a web that enmeshed them all. They say that Signor Salvini never played so well —who can wonder at it in the presence of such an audience P Gradually and surely he commenced as usual. His dignity was the first impression—his love the second. The actors looked at one another as Othello, with rare simplicity and perfect action, told the story of his wooing to the Senate. "When he held Desdemona in his arms the actresses declared they had never seen such a tender lover. It was growing on point by point, each scene created a new interest. If there were waverers in the hou3C, the third act ended all doHbt. But the startling conquest came with Othello's farewell to all his greatness: the triumph was produced by the crushing of lago. There was a murmur of admiration at the farewell, and at the passionate outburst with lago the pent-up enthusiasm overflowed. Then followed a scene long to be remembered. It was not acting on the part of the audience or actors—it was impulse. "When the actdrop fell the audience rose to their feet. The men cheered loudly; the women waved their handkerchiefs. From every box, from every stall, came the same shout of congratulation; and when it was over followed that feeling of intense exhaustion the result of an extreme strain on the nervous system. Pew actors have possessed such a pewer over an audienc3, and few such audiences can be assembled so sensitive to the very impressions Salvini can convey. The house was unanimous. Much had been said about Salvani, but the result exceeded all expectations. After this strain upon the attention caused by the third act, with that heart-broken farewell ringing in the ears, and the splendid impetuosity with the writhing lago, a certain reaction was inevitable. But it was momentary. Othello continued in the same strain, but still with wonderful variety, he insulted his wife before the messenger from Venice, he .turned round upon Emilia with his soft and incisive sarcasm, only nllowing himself one outlet of passion when he flings the purse of money at her feet. Another net is ended, and once more the audience rises t» greet Salvani. Again and again they call him. They bring the actor a laurel wreath large enough for a leaping trick at the circus, bound round with ribbons of Italian tricolor, and it seems hard to those assembled that every form of enthusiasm is exhausted. Still there is an act to come—the last and painful act, to which so much criticism has boon devoted—the act with the lightning and the murder of Desdemona—the act with that awful shriek cf despair ns Othello totters forward and falls prostrate at the foot of the couch—the act where the meaning of the tragedy is shown—the act laying bare the proud man's broken heart, and the act which ends with the appalling suicide. Salvini had conquered, and there was no robbing him of his laurels on this occasion. The effect of the performance was visible on every face. It could not be expressed in words just then, but it was carried home to he thought upon when calmer moments came. Among the many graceful incidents of the afternoon may be mentioned that of Mrs Bancroft, who with her own hands carried to Signor Salvini a lovely bouquet of flowers, and bore ' him in person an echo of the general congratulation; of one of the most celebrated comedians of the day saying, " 1 hank God! I have lived to see such a great actor;" and of the pretty burlesque actress who thus expressed the pleasure she had experienced : " I only know one word of Italian, but I shall send it to him to-night on the best sheet of notepaper I can find in all London—' Gratia!'" Prompter. {To be continued.)