Dramatic Notes

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 26, 31 July 1893, Page 2

Dramatic Notes

By " Silver Wand." "Jonnny Gourlay," who will be remembered by many as having toured New Zealand with "Salisburys' Troubadours,' is due in Auckland very soon with his Musical Comedy Company. " Skipped by the light of the moon," an American absurdity responsible for its laughter-creating powers wherever presented, will be one of the attractions hung out to entice a mirth loving public. Bland Holt, •« the only Bland." will shortly arrive on these shores in all his mighty splendour. " The Trumpet Call," and several other big sensational novelties will be introduced to New Zealanders for the first time. The genial Bland may reckon on the usual big biz being done, when he arrives on this side of the waters. Saso, an actor of English repute, will play leads. The Marian Willis Dramatic Company are at present touring in the Wtiirarapa district. Miss Willis (Mrs Keigh) is a lady who may possibly be remembered by old play goers as one of the leading members of the Keigh Dramatic Company. She used to give a remarkably good all round interpretation of " Leah " and such like parts. They may be expected along this way shortly. The inaugural "Sixpenny Pop," to be given on the 4th of August ought to prove a big success, financially and otherwise. The price is within easy reach of everyone, and an enticingly attractive programme will be presented to an admiring and, it is earnestly hoped, very large assemblage. The object being a most praiseworthy one, viz., to augment the funds of the local Fire Brigade, it is only reasonable to assume that the Feilding public will liberally respond to this call made on them by the most deserving of our institutions. Ansen, one of the best comedians seen on our stage, is now doing Music Hall ' tunes ' in London. No doubt many of my readers will pleasingly remember his humorous impersonation of " The Magistrate " in the laughable comedy of that name. His portrayal of the bibulous Eccles in " Caste " was a marvelously clever character study, and simply « knocked ' kite high, all previous impersonators of the same part seen in Australia. Miss Georgie Smithson the versatile and only " Female Maccabe "is now giving popular concerts in tbe towns adjacent to Dunedin. Miss Smithson is the happy possessor of one of those bright and genial natures which always go so far towards compelling popularity on and off the stage. A cosmopolitan in every sense of the word, few women in the world of stardom have played so many parts in their time. A lady who has successfully performed the leading roles in Madame Angot and other comic operas of a by-gone day, addressed a mass meeting on the burning political questions of the hour, driven a team of bullocks through a Gorge, and played the funny end man in a nigger minstrel show, is not to be despised, and yet these are only a few of the many wonderful things done by the Female Maccabe. May she live long and always prosper.