AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2145, 21 March 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

LOCAL FIXTURES. IIIS AIAJESTY’S. Afarcli 14—Fleming Company. March 26.—C00k County Curious Coons. Afay 11, 12, 13—J. C. Williamson. Juno 8,9, 10—J. C. Williamson. August 12, 13, 14—Frank Thornton.

Tlio Honborb Fleming Comedy Company met with a most cordial reception in Gisborne, the .management being entirely satisfied with the audiences nt each .performance. Tho company has been reorganised, and in many ways strengthened, since its last visit to the East Coast, while the repertoire is entirely now. Tho plays produced hero were .all of the higher class of drama, containing very litti’.e of tho comedy demont and dealing chiefly with psychological and nodal problems. “Rotor’s Sloth or,” and the “Moral's or Alareus" wore entirely new in their construction, and should always appeal to an Intellectual audionce. “Tho Slummy and the Humming Bird” followed closely on the lines of Ibsen’s famous pf.ay “Hodda Gnbler,” .and was but a presentation of an old ddcir in a new sotting. The company after their present Now Zealand tour will return to Australia, but contemplates visiting tho Dominion in tbo near future.

Aliss Beatrice Holloway has accepted all engagement with -Moynel! and Gunn, to open at Perth in a now drama entitled ‘The Breadwinner.’

After a lengthy absence from the stage Mrs Langtry is to appear shortly with a new play written by Mr Manners.

R. G. Knowles is .shortly setting out on another world’s tour, in tlio coiirso of which he will re-visit Australia with his travel lectures.

By the new steamer Asturias which recently arrived in Aldbourne, there arrived Air and Airs Philip Newbury and their concert party (including Mr Sidney iSeott as pianist and accompanist). Alr ; George Castles also came out under engagement to Mr Williamson.

Many poor families have had reason to be grate'fui’. to Phyllis .Dare during the year just passed (remarks a London paper). Aliss Dare, like many other popular favorites, makes a rule of charging a fee for signing her name to tho postcard portraits of herself. Every fee, which varies la'ccording t 0 the circumstances of the applicant, is carefully entered in an account, book. Some admirers enclose a half-sovereign, others receive a polite note requesting postal orders for 2s 6’d, or perhaps a nominal- fee of threepence. Aliss Dare inthis way was able to distribute £3BB 16s during 1907. In Australia such actresses as Aland Jeffries, Nellie Stewart, Carrie Moore, and others have brought in substantial sums for theatrical aiid other charities by means of a fee charged for autographs or photos.

Pars from “Poverty Point”: —Tho other night, at Alelbourne Princess’s, Frank Thornton, assuming feminine privilege, “went off” when playing “Charley’s Aunt.” It was a true faint, and Auntie had to bo earned into tlio wings, and treated with whisky and ammonia before consenting to como round. Aleanwliile, tho full strength of tho company was gagging desperately to fill in time. Auntie made another .stagger at it nftcr about five minutes, and was cheered for her grit It is hissed in the vicinity of many 4reeluncli counters that the arrival! ot tlio Asturius with J.C.W. aboard iwill cause big ‘alterations in tho Theatre Royal management. If not, it is prophesied that Slieol must eventuate as swiftly and surely as a “Claudian” earthquake. Julius, tlio Imperial,''has been “starring” on his absolute own. Ola Humphrey claims that she left- her happy U.S.A. home on the understanding that she. would bo as prominent a constellation ill tlio Commonwealth firmament .as Julius. She has not been, not by a hatful. It is Julius who has laved himself night after night an the limelight; Julius who has glared haughtily in beautiful clothes from, every likowiso whose name has stared in clamant letterings out of tho Theatre Royal programmes and ads. The fallen or bar mummor (also other sorts of mummer) holds that this stato of things is horrible. Ho denounces Julius, pointing out to his fellow mimes that he (the fallen or bar mummer aforesaid) would, in Julius’ place, have demeaned himself differently. Later he goes outside, whereat his companions gather round tlio cloves and damn hian as a liar of a curiouly poisonous breed. But the maligned Bacchanalian would seem, in part at any rate, to speak sooth. Alore than a change of but threatens at Sydney Royal. . . . • Iho actor-manager (peripatetic) was explaining that the worst .audience ho had ever encountered was at Wallace, a Dungaree (Vic.) township devoted to cow culture and the growth of tubers. “Wo were giving 'a- really excellent .performance of that very fino classic, "‘East Lynne,’ ” said the no-tor-manager, “a most excellent performanco, but it was pearls before swine, my boy, pearls before swine. Wo were abused, we were laughed at. Our heroine received insolent gibes. Our scenery—hand-painted, and quite superb in its way —was received with derision. I was never more insulted in iny life, beilievo me.” “Why didn’t you turn the confounded audience away?” asked a brother artist. “I would have done so, my boy,” replied the .actor-ma-nager, “I would really, only I needed the shilling.”

As “A Modern Adventuress’ is to he brought through New‘‘Zealand tho following from the Sydney “Referee” concerning its initial production in the New .South AYales capital, is of interest:—

The author of “A Modern Adventuress,” Mr Edwin Geaeh’s latest production at the 'Criterion, has selected familiar material! upon which to work. There is little, if anything in the play that might bo branded as original, and the ghost’s of characters and incidents of dead and gone, melodramas rise and flitthrough the .four acts in a procession of old friends. “A Alodern Adventuress” leaves little to tlioTmaginat ion. The colors are laid on thickly, and when the characters are not uttering sentiments reeking^pf/virtue, or breathing threats ol : vengeance or murder, they are enacting thrilling deeds. For these reasons, “A Alodern Adventuress” ought to commend itself to those who .have a partiality for this strenuous type of piece—a section of playgoers itmust be admitted, exceedingly numerous. The story is one of unjust accusation j filial disobedience and p**" rental wrath, and the vindication of innocence after trials and tribulntions that .good people in melodrama in variably encounter. The interest- is well sustained throughout tho four acts, and if it be old material the author has used, lie knows how to handle it. The acting was. on the whole, satisfactory. Aliss Harrie Ireland acted with plenty of dash and vim the strenuous mart- of the 'bold, <bad lad> , Alir Godfrey Cass capably seconded her efforts as Wallace Denton (Delbv’s manager); Miss Helen I'ergus ■mve a satisfactory rendering ol the sympathetic role of Vmotto Dolby; Mr Jefferson Tait was fairlv coimncing as Harry Dolby; Mi ’-J ,IX ■ 'y v well’s was a fine lnternretataon of the part of Pietro Donelli; Miss Ethel Bueklev provided a good oharactei sketch ’of (Sally Hodges (‘a andy <rirl”); and other parts were fill ed "O J. Hereford as A\ llliam Dolby, J • iO’Neill as Steve Meredith, -Stewait Garner ns Walter .Beal, and 1 utt.e Gourlay as Amelia Bums. Iho preduct ion, which - was produced under the supervision of Air George AlarImv, was excellently staged .am mounted, and appeared to be enjoyed by the crowded house.