THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 4128, 20 May 1876, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

I am informed that the new Princess’s has been let for a term to Mr Hoskins, who who will open it with a dramatic cotnpany early next month, and that on the termination of their Christchurch engagement to him, which commences on June 12, the Lydia Howard troupe will inaugurate a season of burlesque in Dunedin. A member of the Simonsen troupe tells me that “Madame Angot” and “La Perichole” were trump cards in Christchurch. The former had a run of over a week and the latter kept possession of the boards from Monday till the close of the season on Thursday night, when Madame took her benefit. The ‘Globe’s’ criticism of “La Perichole,” which brought Madame to the foot lights with a speech strongly denunciatory of a Press man not unknown in Dunedin, helped the treasury, as the next night a good many went to the theatre to see if they could discover the haughty i.hingn the critic said the opera contained. Audi alteram partem. Mr Utting writes to the papers as follows ;

I am not going to be so nngalloat as to contradict a lady; but os I look upon the speech, not as that of Madame, but of her husband, 1 have no hesitation in giving alflat denial to the statement that I was ever refused admission to the theatre because I was noisy for a couple of nights in the stalls. As the statement is calculated to do me au injury will yon allow me through the medium of your columns to contradict it. It is quite possible my reputation is just as dear to me ns that of Mr Simonsen is to him. The truth is, that Mr Simonsen denied me admission to tho Queen’s Theatre, Dunedin, one evening, because 1 had not the ordinary newspaper pass with me, and that is the only color of truth in the whole statement. As I never wrote a line concerning the Opera Company in either of the journals referred to by Madame Simonsen since my arrival in Christ 'hatch, this storm in a te pot must be the result of an over-excited imagination. In con- • lasi> n, I can only express my regret that MHnme Simonsen, for whose talents I have the highest respect and admiration, should have been so far misinformed with regard to a gentleman with whom she was so totally unacquainted.

On Thursday, as I have said, Madame took a benefit, when there was a crowded house and a programme put forward that must have pleased the most fastidious. There were the last act of “Maritaha;” the qtiarrel and screen scenes from the “School for Scandal,” Madame Simonson essaying the character of Lady Teazle, and receiving support from Mr Hoskins as Sir Peter, Mr Burford as Joseph, and Mr Douglas as Charles; the third act of “ Lucia the comic scene from the “Hunchback,” by Miss Colville and Mr Douglas; and, as a wind up, the first act of “The Hermits’ Bell.” Madame was the recipient, through Mr Hoskins, of a testimonial of regard from her Christchurch admirers, The troupe reached Wellington this morning, aud are announced to open there on Monday night in ‘ 1 Lucia.” I am told that our old acquaintance, Mr M. L. Raphael, has arrived in Wellington; fand joins Mr Keith in looking after the business-in front. He tells the local papers that and-Mrs Allen and Mr and Mrs Hallam hare gone to England; and that Mr and Mrs V, rnon aud Mr and Mrs Baiuford are back in Melbourne. Mr Charles Bright’s friends will be glad to know that the complimentary bopefit tendered to that gentleman in Christchurch, fras a complete success, pecuniarily «nd

otherwise, the Oddfellows’ Hall being crowded to excess on the occasion. He was assisted by Mr and Mrs Hoskins. Mr Hoskins occupied the chair, and in his introductory remarks stated that of the many parts played by him in his time, it was the first time he had appeared in the character of a chairman. Later in the evening he was thoroughly in his element. I can well believe that his discourse on “ The Unseen Characters of Shakespeare” was what the papers describe it—a rich intellectual treat. Mr Bates has been successful in obtaining a lease of the Wellington Theatre for twelve mouths, and enters into possession on July 1. From the other side oi the water there is not much nows In Melbourne, Mr Emmet’s popularity as “Fritz, our German Cousin,” appears to be on the increase, and the Liugards in “Our Boys,” are a genuine success. Genial Smythe writes metbat he is packing np his traps for Philadelphia, and that at the time of writing the Rev. Charles Clark was making his farewell appearances. So great has been the demand to hear him that he has been obliged to make nightly appearances at the Town Hall. At Sydney Emilie Melville is even a greater success than she Was in Melbourne. “ Fortimatus ”is fairly coining money. Mr Lyster’s company is to receive an addition in the person of Charles J. Miers, formerly of the Kellogg and Parepa Rosa companies, who is described as a buffo-baritone of considerable ability, and a composer who has made his mark in America. Mr Lyster talks of sending his company over to New Zealand, commencing with Auckland, in the summer. Prompter.