AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2185, 14 September 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

LOCAL FIXTURES. HIS MAJESTY’S. Oct. 30 to Nov. I—Willoughby-Ward Company. Nov. 16 to 19—Pollard’s Lilliputiaais. October 2, 3 and 4—Jessie MacLaclilan. 1908. February 17, 18 and 19—J. C. Williamson’s Company. March 11 to 14—Brough Flemming Company. Jessie McLachlan tho popular Scottish songtress is at present in Blenheim suffering from rheumatic fever and her tour has had to bo temporarily abandoned. All who have heard this delightful singer will wish for her speedy recovery. Her engagement at the local theatre for October 2,3, and 4 remain uncancelled, and it is to be hoped she will be able to keep it. Another argument for the harbor. Meynell and Gunn's Dramatic Company under tho management of Mr. Allan Hamilton is just commencing a tour through the colony with a first-class combination, the star of which is Miss Maud Hilyard. Almost' every town in N.Z. is being visited including Napier, Hastings and Dannovirke, yet Gisborne is left out. Our comparative isolation is the cause.

The Besses of tho Barn Band are at present in Melbourne. Musgrove’s German Opera Company is at present in Christchurch. Bernard Espinasse, the Australian dramatist, is an inmate of the Cardiac Hospital, London. The new Theatre Royal in Christchurch is to be ready for use in November. It will be probably the finest in the colony. •Tho late Richard Mansfield, who was to the American stage what Irving was to the English, has left an estate valued at £IBO,OOO.

Miss Maud Hilyard is described as a “sensational actress” with a most powerful personality. Her costumes are said to be the finest ever seen on the Australian stage. Alice Crawford, the young Australian, has made a success at the London Lyceum, as Glory Quayle in the new version of Hall Caine's drama, “The Christian.”

Mr. C. Blake, who played lead for the old Macmahon dramatic combination is retiring from tho stage. He is likely to enter the commercial profession in Wellington. I am bringing you a clean, wholesome, health}', domestic drama in “Home, Sweet Home,” writes Mr. Hamilton, to a Southern writer. There is not a murder or a suicide ill the whole four acts. Think of it! It is a ladies’ drama —one that appeals most strikingly to the fair sex, and my experience is that when you “fetch” women one can safely rely oil the men following suit. The contract made by Miiss Dolly Castles with Mr. George Edwardes, manager of the Gaiety Theatre, is for three years, and will give her all the opportunities she can desire in her endeavor to establish herself as one of the leaders of the comic opera stago in London. On her first appearance at the Gaiety she will replace Miss May de Sousa, a popular America,n actress, who has been filling one of the principal parts ill “The GirJs of Gdttenburg.” Madame Clara Butt is bringing a wardrobe with her to Australia of thirty-five new dresses, which were specially noticed, with illustrations, in “The Queen,” a few weeks ago, iand which carry an insurance of £2OOO. And the indications at present go to show that she will need them all in the fulfilment of the social calls made upon her. 11l addition to the official and, semi-official welcomes by the Mayoress of Melbourne, tlie Women’s Choir of 1300 voices and the musical societies of Victoria, several Melbourne hostesses have already issued invitations “to meet Clara Butt” at receptions, at homes, and garden parties. - Miss Amy Castles has been singing in Holland, and lias completely charmed tho phlegmatic inhabitants. “Le Courrier de Schevoningue,” of July 5, says of her:—“Miss Castles held us under the charm of her exquisite voice,a voice of infinite purity, and of marvellous suppleness and flexibility. Miss Castles has been named by the* English people r Tho Australian Nightingale.’ There is no greater flattery for any .singer than to bo compared to the king of singing birds, and yet the nightingale finds ill his throat no lighter trills, no sweeter sounds, than those which Miss Castles gave forth in profusion, and which in brilliancy resembled the glittering fireworks.” “Hot Vaderland” says Miss Castles’s voice is a magnificent one, fresh, clear and beautiful, with many other qualities rarely found, even in' stars.