ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 62, 11 August 1874, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

“All the World’s a Stage.” —As you Like It. The success I mentioned last week, as attendant upon Mr Smith's Combination Troupe has continued, and they have concluded their third week to capital business. The novelties produced, have been some clever feats by those little wonders the De Castro children —of which more anon—and “The Talking Hand,” one of the eleverist ventriloquistic illusions! have seen, excellently carried out by Mr Vose. To be appreciated it must be seen, the almost exact likeness to the weird eerie face of an old man, is startling in its fidelity, whilst the way in which Mr Vose manages to throw his voice into it completes the deception. Our old friends, Johnny Trotter and Mrs Brown, have revisited us during the week, and the sage remarks of the former gentleman added to the garrulity of the lady keep the audience in a roar of laughter. Owing to an unfortunate accident, we have been deprived of the pleasure of witnessing M. Airec’s clever performances on the bar for two or three evenings. While making what is technically known as a half pirouette, his foot slipped off the bar, and he fell into the stalls beneath, striking the corner of the back of one of the seats with his thigh. At the time he did not- think much of it, but it was afterwards found that a rather nasty wound bad been inflicted, necessitating his laying up. He has, however, since re-ap-peared and his feats have been received with loud plaudits. Young England, as the eldest of the De Castro children is called, has crowned his many difficult—and for one so young —incredible feats, by the flying leaps across pit and stalls. The ease and grace with which it is done, the smiling way in which the little fellow sets forth on his aerial flight, all tend to make him an immense favorite with the audience, and with good reason, for he is without any exception the cleverest gymnast that has ever visited us. I noticed the other evening,while this feat was in progress, that Mr De Castro is no mean performer on the trapeze ; some of the feats done by him, even under the disadvantage of a small bar, evincing great talent for this line of business. Of the other little fellows, Young Alberto in particular, I can also speak in high terms

of praise. As to Young Alberto, fun seems inherent in him ; he can no more keep quiet than a kitten. His mock assumption of dignity, when he comes forward to perform his part of the programme, is intensely amusing.

Mdlle Montebello and Mr Vincent have, I am glad to say, selected some very excellent duets, and the result has been that the audience, as a whole —not merely one section of them—have enjoyed them. Mr Vincent himself, in his solo songs, is very good, but it appears to me either that the orchestra and himself do not, as they should do, previously rehearse the music together, or that there must be a very considerable difference of opinion existing between Mr Vincent and the pianist, as to the key. One or two songs particularly, I noticed, were spoiled from this reason. I regret this, as Mr Vincent has a very good mellow voice, with plenty of range in it, and I should like to hear it brought out to the best advantage.

Though Mr Saunders has given us some very pretty harp solos during the stay of the company, I cannot get over my conviction that harp solos are not the perfection of music. Ido not mean this as applied simply to Mr Saunders’ performances, but as a general thing. As a component part of an orchestra no doubt the harp is excellent, but, well as it is played by Mr Saunders, one is apt to weary of it as a solo instrument. On Wednesday, Mr Smith with a thoughtfulness which does him great credit, took out several of the artistes to Sunnyside, and gave a performance to the patients and their friends. This is the second time Mr Smith has done this, and his example would bear imitation by others who visit us, and do well, but never think of giving these afflicted people an afternoon’s amusement. To say that the patients were delighted with all they saw, especially Mr Vose and the De Castro children,is only faintly recording what took place. Their faces lighted up with a smile, and one and all thoroughly enjoyed the treat. I feel sure Mr Smith will prize the souvenirs of his visit to Sunnyside as amongst the most treasured of his collection during his wanderings. While on the subject of the Combination Troupe. I may mention that a number of persons, who have conscientious scruples against going to a theatre, have expressed a wish to see this clever troupe as it were on neutral ground. I think if Mr Smith could arrange for a performance, or two or three, in some building where these scruples could not apply, he might regard full houses as a foregone conclusion. Mr Smith has, I believe, tendered a benefit for the widow and orphans of Captain Hart of the Beautiful Star, and he intends requesting the co-operation of a eommittee of gentlemen so as to ensure the success of the project. The Christchurch people are proverbially generous in a case of calamity such as this, and therefore I hope Mr Smith’s generosity will be met by the public as fully, and that I may have to record a crammed house, and a goodly sum handed over.

On Friday evening, Mr Yose took his benefit, and as he deserved, it was a bumper house. He appeared twice in the programme, and gave the highest satisfaction as did the other artistes engaged. Miss Nellie Forrester made her debut as a vocalist on the occasion, but the selection of music was not successful as regarded her voice, and I cannot record a triumph for her. Talking of benefits, the De Castro Family take their’s this evening, and I feel certain I need only mention the fact to remind playgoers of it. A crammed house on the occasion is, as a sporting friend phrases it, —“ A moral.” The Steele-Keogh Company are still playing in Dunedin, but I fancy they find the burnt cork element rather too strong for them. They open here after the Californian Minstrels, with I Jhope, at least an addition to the repertoire, if we are to have no new faces. Of the success of the minstrels in Dunedin I have further intelligence, and my correspondent speaks very highly of them, as about the best company that has yet visited New Zealand. As they are, I believe, contemplating a move this way very shortly, I trust to have the pleasure of hearing them for myself. They open in the Theatre on the 20th insts

From Wellington I hear that the “ Grif” Company are doing well, but I must say, that my faith in this is rather shaken by seeing it announced in the Wellington papers, that gifts in cash to the amount of £lO would be given away. This, to use a phrase of Mr Richard Swivellcr, is “ decidedly piscatorial” in appearance. I know well what it means; that the “show” is not strong enough to draw, unaided by the fascinations of the lottery. If Mr Towers would take ray advice, he would take the earliest possible opportunity of dispensing with the assistance of the greater part of his corps dramatiqiie, for, excepting Mr and Miss Towers, and Mr Hydes, they are what Artemus would call “ the ornariest” set I have seen for some time. As I anticipated, the business done in Auckland by the Allen Opera Company has not been of the briskest kind ; in fact I believe they have done worse there than any part of New Zealand. The season closed on Saturday last with “ Der Freyschutz,” which is highly spoken of both for the rendering vocally, and the mounting. On Monday last I notice Miss Alice May was to take her benefit, the opera announced being Flotow’s <; Martha.” I don’t know whether a presentation was arranged for, as there is nothing said in the last files to hand, but I have no doubt, it will, as elsewhere, duly come off. One peculiarity about the Auckland season I note, and that ii that during the run of twenty-four nights, three new operas which|we did not get during our season, have been produced, and also, that on more than one occasion the bill has contained two operas. Perhaps, however, this is the result of bad houses. They opened at the Thames fora short season on Saturday night, whence they proceed to Napier, where they are due on August 17th, and the second season in Wellington will be inaugurated on September 7th. I don’t know how they are going to employ their time between the completion of their Wellington campaign and re-opening here, but perhaps a trip to Nelson, and the up-country townships in the Wellington province, may fill up the time. One thing is certain, that coming here as they will, right in our carnival week, they are bound to do a “ big thing.” Since writing the above, I have received intelligence from Auckland of the benefit of Miss May, which appears to have been a very great success. Miss May receives very great praise for her renderingof the character of Lady Harriet, and more especially for “ The Last Rose of Summer.” Miss Lambert’s Nancy is also honorably mentioned .as his

Mr Vernon for his Sir Tristram Mickleford. I also note that, as here, Mr Willis’ talents as an artist have been fully recognised. He was called before the curtain for the fair scene, which is spoken of as being one of the best specimens of scenic display ever seen in Auckland. The management have acted wisely in reducing the prices for their last four nights to 4s, 2s 6d and Is, and if they reduce their late prices here somewhat,it will conduce to their success. Playgoers will recollect a clever gymnast, appearing here some time back, named Loyal. I observe that a troupe, bearing the title of Loyal’s combination variety, is now en route for here. They comprise, I believe, besides Mr Loyal, a lady gymnast, and some singers and nigger dancists—to use an Americanism.—They appear to have done fairly in Auckland, but I fear after Mr. Smith’s artistes they will be but “ small potatoes.” “ Comparisons ” says Mrs Malaprop “ are odorous,” so I will say say no more, except to remark, that they will have to be very clever to come near the De Castro’s and Airec. The Siamese Circus was in Auckland at the date of last advices, but business does not appear to have been extra lively. The corps dramatique , connected a short while back with the equestrian talent, has migrated to the Thames, but will now probably return to Auckland during the opera season. Turning from show business pure and simple, I may notice that our winter entertainments are in full swing, some of them being ambitious enough to give dramatic representations as part of their programme, while in all there is a decided improvement, as to the quality of the entertainment provided, but perhaps this may be accounted for by the fact that the prices have been increased 50 per cent. The West Christchurch school committee had a good time the other evening, on the occasion of their opening the new building, over 1000 persons being present. The musical part of the programme, though short, was remarkable for its excellence, being one of the best of its kind I have heard here, and this too under great disadvantages, for the piano was most vilely out of tune. I note that several professors of the black art, intend giving a concert on Saturday night. The programme, which I have seen, includes the names of a number of our prominent amateur vocalists, and as it is for a very deserving object, in connection with a body of men for whom perhaps more than any other, the public should have sympathy,or at least gratitude, I hope to see the Odd-' fellows’Hall filled. I really look upon the above as the height of magnanimity, as if there is one person, more than another, upon whose head these same men have launched anathema maranatha , on account of illegible spider-track like hieroglyphics, facetiously called “ copy,” it is Yours truly, Props.