THE LATE PRINCESS’S THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3909, 3 September 1875, Page 2

THE LATE PRINCESS’S THEATRE.

Part IV.

Tho year 1872 was signalised by the appearance at the Princess Theatre on January 19 of Cagli and Pompei’s Royal Italian Opera Troupe, which comprised amongst others Signore Tambourini Coy, Zenoni, Cortesi, Polli, and Toumerie; Signori Leandro Coy, Rosnati, Dondi, Grandi, Benso. and Favas; with Signor Zelman as conductor, and a strong chorus. They played until February 8, and on that night, the last of their season, a telegram was rend to the audience announcing the news, brought by the San Francisco mail, of the recovery of the Prince of Wales from his severe illness. Immense enthusiasinr was thereby caused, and "God Save the Queen” was sung with effusion. There was then a blank until on March 18 Messrs Geddes and Willis took a lease of the theatre, with Johnny Hydes as stage manager, and a company including Miss Flora Anste&d (her first appearance), Miss Willis, Messrs J. Small, Musgrave, C O’Brien, L. Booth, and J. Thorpe, [Frank Weston, the " Wizard Oil Prince,” commenced to “ dig down ’“ at the Masonio Hall for a night or two on March 13. The Star Comiquc Troupe followed on the 18th, with Messrs Barry O’Neil, Kelly, O’Brien, Clarke, and Saunders (harpist) in their ranks.] Miss Jessie Raymond made a pleasing impression on her dibut with Robert Glover in "The Bonnie Fishwife ” on the 28th. Signor Donato, the one-legged dancer, was introduced on April 6, and on the 13Ji a fairly successful tragedian in the’person of Mr Morton Tavares madehis bow in "Richelieu,” Miss Surtees; playing Julie. [At the Masonic Hall on April 27 crowds were unable to catch a first view of Professor Haselmayer, the conjurer. Murray’s Circus, with Mr Frank Towers as agent, opened m a marquee in Filleul street on May 25. On August 1 Messrs Booth and Glover, with Jessie Raymond, tried to do business at the “ Olympic Theatre,” but drew for only a few nights.] On August 10 another Japanese troupe, Charles’s Osaka Company, visited us. Amongst its’members were Matz Noski, pedal balancor ; Chicago, “all-right;” Yoski Matz, slack rope perfornaer; and Sakutaroo, conjuror, Mr T. Margetts, the comic singer; and Signor Ferrari, with his trained monkeys, also belonged to the troupe. Miss Florence Beresford appeared in dluets with Mr Margetts on the 21st, and in burlesque on the occasion of Miss Jennie Nye’s return to tho Princess 8 on tho 24th. The amateur Colored Opera Troupe gave Mr G. V. Westropp* a well-known member of their bodly, a benefit, when the house was crammed. On September 28 Mr Hoskins ( and Miss CWville, of whom we had seen too little during their previous flying visit, re-appeared, accompanied by Mr H. N. Douglas. That gentleman and Mr James South first played to a Dunedin audience on this occasion, the "Lady of Lyons” and “A Fast Train ” constituting the programme. [At the Masonic Hall on November 18 Mr Enderby Jackson introduced bis London Star Comique Company, including Messrs Harry Rickards (comedian), and Meiory Hallam (tenor), and Miss Carrie Rickardls.J Mr and Mrs Walter Hill were added to tine company on November 28. Mr Hill had pret/iously played in Dunedin, but our favorite Hill that evening madn her first appearance. " The Hunchback ” was produced, and it will be seen that the company was very strong, including, besides the Hills, Mr Hoskins, Miss Col ville, and Mr Douglas, Mr G. W. Collier returned also on Dec. 16, and four days previous Mr D. Clinton an actor who is at least always le'cter-perfect, made his dibut as Sir Oliver Surface in the " School for Scandal.” At Christmas time, the pantomime, " Jack the Giant Killer,” wras put on the stage. [The Loyals troupe opened at the Masonic Hall on Boxing Night, vrith Miss Bowring and Mr 0 Brieu.] The year ,1873 saw a rival to! the Princess’s for the first time since the burning of the theatre Royal, the Queen’s Theatre being erected m the Cutting by the Friendly Societies Hall Co. The lessees of the old place, however, kept pluckily producing good old plays and the most striking novelties, including amongst the latter "Formosa,” (The Lystor and Cagli Italian Opera Troupe paid another visit to Dunedin, and opened at the Queen’s on January 13 in " Lucrezia Borgia.” A new soprano and a new contralto—Signore Bosisio and Riboldi had been added to their number, 1 hey finished a successful season on hj obruary 8, on the afternoon of which day a cricket match' Opera v. Drama-—was played at the Oval. Mdme. Cora de Lamond, iiiagicienne, with Mdlle. Christina, opened at the r '\°«r 11C tt on the 25th.] The engagement of _Mr Hoskins and Miss Colville at the Princess s terminated on February 1, [Ohiarini s Royal Italian Circus pitched its tent near the Cricket Ground on February 22, and this first-class company did a splendid business. Among its members were Signor Holland, the Carlo Brothers, Mr j Fellon, and Miss Kate Holloway. The Queen’s was next occupied—for one night March 15-Miss Urie, the " Celebrated Scot! tish Vocalist, but the lady did not draw. The Royal Magnet Variety Troupe, opening on the 20th, was however more successful; and with good reason, for it included the female gymnast Lottie, tho brothers Frank and Victor, Joe Small, and Mr J. Herman (violinist and vocalist). Later ou Messrs Buckley and Holly also joined them.] The dramatic season at the Princess’s was wound up on March 19 [Messrs C. O’Brien and Co. opened at the Queen’s on April 6 with a company including Miss Clara Stephenson, Messrs Cha*. Burford Aveling, South, and J. P. Hydes—all those but the two last-named making their first appearances in Dunedin. Miss Flora Anstead returned on April 30, and on the same night Mr James Hooper—a useful member—made his dibut as Mr Huffin in "Miriam’s Crime,” Miss Grace Follande doing the same as Mercury in Ixion." At the Masonic Hall, on May 2 Miss Carrie Emmanuel and Mr Melchor Winter, vocalists; Mr Alfred Anderson, tho magnificent pianist; and M. Fleury commenced T ?°. al and instrumental concerts. Miss Aitken joined the Queen’s company on May 5.] After being closed for more than two months, during which time great improvements had been effected by Mr Sibbald, the Princess’s was re-opened on May 26—the amateur Colored Upera Iroupe giving a performance for the benefit of the family of the then recently deceased actor Mr R. Roberts, an artist of great merit and a man of many friends. Messrs Geddes and Willis returned on June 2 with a company numbering Mr and Mrs Lachlan Macgowan, Misses Anstead and Willis, Messrs J. Raynor, Collie-, Musgrave, Clinton, and others. [Charles’s Diorama was shown at the Masonic Hall on June 3, with Mr J. M. Perrier—a gentleman well known from his connection with the Press—as lecturer. Mr Fairclough and Miss Legrand were well received at the Queen’s on the 9th in " Richelieu,”] Miss Decoy Main-

waring re-appeaied on the lltb, and Miss Fanny Sara and Mr F. Clifton (vocalists) joined the ranks on the 23rd. [On July 1° Mr Hoakins, Miss Colville, and Mr Newton (his first appearance) the Queen’s company; Mr J. ii. oteele making his rtntrit after a lone absence on the 14th.] Miss Marion Moore, * al l burlesque actress, played here for the first time in Cupid and Psyche on July 21. The result of the competition with the powerful company at the Queen’s now juadd itself apparent, for on August 13 ap* peared a notice in the ‘ Times ’ of a declaration of insolvency by Messrs Geddes and Willis, and the Princess’s was closed. [At the Queen’s, on August 29, Gilbert’s charming comedy, " The Palace of Truth,” was produced, which drew good houses, and was quickly followed by the same authors equally favorite " Pygmalion and Galatea.” The season ended on October 10, but two extra performances were given, on the 11th and 13th. Lynch’s Australian Bellringers, with Mr Frank Yertou, opened at the Masonic Hall on the 11th. 1 The Star Mammoth Troupe, consisting of Miss Nielson, Messrs Margetts and Bromley, and Signor Ferrari, with his monkeys, occupied the Princess's for a time from October 11; they then went over to the Queen’s, while Mr C. O’Brien on the 22nd tried his baud again at managership at the old house. Amongst his company were Misses Clara Stephenson, Follaude, and Moore ; Messrs Burford, Simmons, Thorpe, South, and Inglis; and the following strangers to Dunedin : - Miss Tilly Andrews, Mr and Mrs Frank Towers ; and M*Bsrs Hoyle ami Searle. Tom Kemp was scenic artist at this time. [The Julian Variety Troupe came out at the Queen’s on November 1, but they were rather weak—the principle attraction being little Rosa Towers and Mr E. C. Shipp (step-dancer). Mr Clifton and Miss Sara udiied a little strength to them, but their success; was not great. The evergreen Carandinis, with Mr Cottrell and Mr Gordon (vocalist) returned here on the 27th and performed successfully for over a month, Mr A. Anderson joining them.] The Barnard Brothers (gymnasts) were next engaged, but the business done was not of much account until the Christmas holidays commenced and the imntomime " Ali Baba ” was put on, with Murray’s circus performing in the sale yard. [Bachelder’s panorama of t’ne Pacific Route opened at the Masonic Hall tin December 15, wit hj Horace Bent as lecturer, and Messrs Saunders and 0. uckinghara afterwards joining the orchestra. The popular Kennedy family created a perfect furore among their countrymen on their first appearance in the Octagon Drill-shed on Boxing Night.] Altogether there was no lack of amusement at the close of the year, and the pantomime had a hard task to hold its own some little way into the new one. Tho combined companies collapsed on •Tarmory 9, 1874, and Mr Sibbald took matters into his own hands, giving tho theatrical company the name of the "Commonwealth.” On the 19th a benefit was given to M. Fleury, the Carandinis and others giving their services. The next change was tho appearance on February 2 of the Queen’s Variety Troupe, comprising Miss Lizzie Watson and Harry Braham (vocalists); Mr Hamow and Mias Blanche (gymnasts); and others. Tho Claufi-llckel series of concert's was commenced on the 18th. Mdlle. Jennv Claus is a perfect mis tress of tho violin, but though assisted by a fair company—Mdlle. Rekt], Mr Rekel, and hignor Oecchi—she was poorly patronised. Something more suited to the taste of a Dunedin audience was the next on the boards—Mr G. B. Allen’s Royal {English Opera Company, On the 19th March we first saw charming' who carried all before her in her iS ew Zealand tour. Among the company were Misses C. A. Lambert and F. Howe, Messrs T. H. Rainford, H, Hallam, C, H. Templeton, and H. Vernon. A brilliant season was concluded on April 10. Then on the 17th tho Press Amateur Dramatic Club gave their first performance —in aid of the Scott scholarship fund assisted by Misses Willis, Moore, and Follando. Messrs Mitchell, T. Bracken- and Perrier were perhaps the most successful of the amateurs. On the 20th the Siamese troupe of jugglers and tumblers appeared, amongst their boat performers being Bungero, Catchinoski, Yora Kitohi, Mankitchi, be Je. and Dickenoshki. (Mr C. O’Brien had at this time a lease of the Queen s, and was trying hard to make a draw with the Towers family, Charles Burford, and some others.] On May 4 the Monster Circus joined the Siamese, the addition including Mdme. Ritche, Mdlle. Salvaro, Signor Saleno, Moffitt (the clown), amd Young America. After these had departed there was a lull, unless the performances of "The Herd Laddie, and his twa Collie Dogs,” commencing on the 25 th, are to be recognised. [Mr W. A. Chapman and Miss Ida Bonifon opened in their conjuring and second sight business on May 16 at the Queen’s.] On June 8 Messrs J. B. Steele and I. F. Keogh Da ado a start again with a l ather weak company, but gradually accessions were made to its ranks, including Mrs Walter Hill, Miss Lily May and Miss Willis ; Messrs Musgrave. Lawrence, and others. [On July 11 Joe Small opened at the Queen’s with a miscellaneous vocal and instrumental entertainment, which was rendered attractive by the distribution of Chinese ornaments and trinkets. He was succeeded on tho 27th by the Great Californian Minstrels—Harry Kelly, G. W. Rock feller, C. Sutton, E. Amavy, P. A. Herman, and others.] A drama from the pen of Mr J. J, Utting (of the * Guardian * newspaper) was produced on August 11, and was tolerably successful. The same evening M, I Eugene Bcda, tho one-legged gymnast, made his first appearance. [ IheKennedyfamily comment* edtheirfarewell concerts at the Temperance Hall on August 20J. One of the strongest troupes tlu it ever performed in New Zealand appeared on the 31st. This was Mr Smith’s English and Oofitinent.il Combination, which introduced to ns the- clever De Castro family ; Val Vose, the first voptriloquist we had received, with the genial ‘ ’Johnny 1 rotter ; Airecs, the “ king of the air ”; Mr .St. Vincent and Mdlle. Monteb.-110 (vocalists!: others, [lhe Oxford Troupe, numbering Miss Anderson, the maglrienne ; Frank Verten vocalist and dancer; E. C. Shipp, step-dancer; and Harry Seymour, pianist and comedian came out at the Masonic Hall on October 3 t After being closed for a time, Messrs Steele ■*f eo gh re-opened the Princess’s on Oct. 31st with the old company and a few other wellknown faces—Mr and Mrs E. M. Bates tho American artistes, playing " Elizabeth ”’to a crowded house. [Madame Arabella Goddard the great pianiste, assisted by Mrs Smytho vocalist; Mr Rainford, the well-known basso; ami Herr Doehler, violinist, played for a short season at the Queen’s, commencing on November 20.] Hie Bates’sengagemcntterrainatedon December 11, on which occasion “ Caste” was played— Mr Bates being inimitable as Old Eccles. Allen s English Opera Company returned ou Boxing Night, “Cinderella” being put on for the holiday season. The Opera Company played, with a few days intermission, until February 20, 1875 when the last performance «f a brilliant season was given. [The Great American Circus (Mr King s) opened at tho Southern Market Reserve on February 19, Signor Gonzales, Mr uiluam, and Young America being amongst its best members. Tho wonderful Girard Brothers appeared in their unique entertainment at the Queen’s on the 22nd withMrValcntme Jacobs, ventriloquist.] On the 24th our old friends Mr and Mrs George Case turned up again after about nine years’ absence, and wera enthusiastically received. They performed at the Princess’s for a few nights and then shifted totheQueen’s. Messrs Steele and Keogh brought us Mrs Stoneham and Miss Adelaide Stoneham on March 1. [Baker’s Hibernioon or Panorama of Ireland opened at tbo Temperance Hall on March 1, with that celebrated delineator of Irish character Johnny Moran ; also Mrs Moran Mr Charles Verner,] The Dnvalli sisters, ballet dancers, whose appearance was looked for with some curiosity, made their dibut on the 6th. [The Rev. Charles Clark delivered his first lecture at the Queen’s on the 16th, and afterwards went to the Temperance Hall, where he was joined on the 25th by Miss Christian, vocalist.] Miss May Howard, an American actress of some repute, and who was great ?fmu e^a -, rc * 8 dreia » appeared as Gabrielle in Ihe Geneva Cross’ on the 27th. Mr Hoskins and Miss Florence Colville, always sure of a good reception, came back on April 26. [Dr Sylvester, the Fakir of Oolu, astonished a private audience at the Queen’s or May 13, and opened to the public next night.] Mr and Mm Bates returned to Dunedin on June 3, and played in the "Lady of Lyons" that night. Bachelder b Miltonian tableaux of “ Paradise Lost ’ were exhibited at the Temperance Hall

on June 14, and subsequently at’, the Queen’s.] On July 19, Mr and Mis George Darrell met with a grand reception in “ Romeo and Juliet,” and they subsequently played “Ah You Like It,” as well as sterling gramas and comedies by old and modem writers. A good season was just in full swing when the fatal night—August 2—came which was to witness the last performance on the boards of the old theatre. Miss Polly Leake returned to the Dunedin stage after a long absence that evening, and appeared as “ Betsy Baker.” The next morning all that remained of the Princess’s Theatre was a mass of charred timber and twisted iron. May its successor have a longer life, and be the mean* of introducing—as was its predecessor—to the people of Dunedin the best talent settled in or visiting the Australian Colonies.