AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 21 December 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

LOCAL FIXTURES. HIS MAJESTY’S. Dec 23—Holy Trinity Sunday School Concert. Dec., 26, 27—Howard Vernon’s “A Trip to Chinatown Company.” 1908. January 1 and 2 Cooper’s Biograph Company. March II to 14—Brough Flemming Company. May 11, 12, 13—J. C. Williamson Juno 8, 9. 10—J. C. Williamson. August 12, 13, 14—Frank Thornton.

Priscilla Verne and Tom Armstrong leave New Zealand for America on January 20.

A correspondent writes from New York stating it is reported there-that Bernhardt will make a tour of the world next spring, and will include Australia in her itinerary.

Nance O’Neil has decided to return to tho field of vaudeville, in which she made her first New York success. She had intended making t tour this season, using “His House in Order,” but has changed her mind, and, supported by -McKee Rankin, will do a condensed version of “Leah the Forsaken.” She will commence at Pittsburgh.

Thus a Sydney writer on Madame Melba’s appearance at her recent concert in the Town Hall: —Mine. Melba, whose once all-conquering and somewhat- defiant air has seemingly been replaced by .an -assumption of dignified repose, raised her liand to hush the friendly storm- that threatened to become embarrassing. The diva looked august in a- pale pink silk - princess gown, -covered by. a clinging over-dress of white net, thickly showered with silver sequins. Magt-ilicent jewels and orders adorned fier breast, -and a diadem of diamonds surmounted her dark hair.

Mine. Melba’s re-appearance at the Town Hall ..(says the Sydney “Morning Herald”) satisfied every -hearer that there never lived a-greater singer who more thoroughly deserved her workl-wide reputation than this soprano with the girlish charm- of voice. This quality of freshness, of youth, which so strangely asserts itself in every note is allied with the most polished art. Hence an ease and an absence of effort acquired only now and again by one or two of the celebrities of every generation. Hence in effect- of nature that touches every heart, learned and simple alike, and accounts for the spontaneity of enthusiasm that- such a performance as was heard last- night excites, and still more for the abiding sense of happiness it leaves behind it.

Mr Frank Thornton, who with his company sailed for Australia in October, was 'in the chair at the usual house dinner of the London Savage Club before his deiiirture. The occasion naturally took the form of a send-off dinner to Mr Thornton, and good wishes for his health and success were generally the order of the evening. The toast of Frank Thornton was proposed by Mr Mostyn T. Pigott, in his characteristically humorous manner, and drunk with enthusiasm. “When Knights were Bold” will be the piece on which Mr Thornton will mainly rely during his tour, though his repertory includes “3file Private (Secretary,” “Charley’s Aunt,” and “Facingtho Music.” On the menu card of the dinner, Mr Thornton was comically pictured in the full armour of the part made so popular by Mr Janies Welch, looking with a deeper feeling than suspicion on crackers and other fireworks being let off at- his heels by unprincipled hands. Mr Thofnton -and his company -arrived in Sydney on December 3.

Mr Harry Richards lias returned to Australia after a -trip through England hi search of talent, and in consequence almost every steamer that arrives in Melbourne and (Sydney for a year will add something attractive to Mr Rickard’s organisation. The Eugenes, a fine company of gymnasts, arrived with- .Mr Pickards on the India, and “Little Alma Grey” returns to Australia with her husband, who is one of the Artois brothers. All the new artists are adults, and Australia will continue to supply the juvenile talent. Among the artists is Martin Henderson, a blind musician, whose specialty is that almost obsolete instrument, the concertina. A good concertina-play-er should revive memories of the old bush days. Edwin Bovde is a singing comedian of note; the Cuniru.s aro expert song and dance performers, while in. the Sisters Kloss Mr Pickards promises a novel exhibition of calisthenics. It is refreshing to see that Mr Rickards lias carefully steered clear of the suggestive filth that passes for humor in some of the English halls, and his new artists should keep the standard' of vaudeville as high as ever in Australasia. Altogether Mr Rickards has engaged forty-five new turns, and announces that lie will visit England every year, .so that he can make personal arrangements for his Australian companies.