ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 72, 24 August 1874, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

" All the world's a stage." — As You Like It. Since my last the Smith Combination have concluded a very prosperous season, not only I hope with profit to themselves, but also with the knowledge of having thoroughly and completely satisfied their numerous patrons. I know lam only echoing the sentiments of Christchurch playgoers when I say that, without exception, this troupe, taken all through, is the cleverest we have had here. Of the merits of the De Castro Family, I have had occasion to speak more than once in terms of high commendation. M. De Castro in all the varied branches of his profession has won for himself amongst us a high and well-deserved reputation as a gymnast. Indeed, to some extent, the ease with which he executed some of the most difficult parts, rather deprived him of that measure of appreciation by the audience, to which he was so justly entitled, because one saw them apparently done without any exertion, and thus the full force was lost. Those, however, who have at all practised gymnastics, well know what a master of the art M. De Castro was. The children—Young England especially were perfect wonders. There was not the slightest hesitation : everything was done as quick as lightning, and with an ease which, for children so young, was astonishing. Mrs De Castro, though not having a great deal to do, yet did that well and gracefully. The one great point, to my mind, about them, was that they never attempted to take liberties with their audiences, as popular favorites sometimes do, and attempt to pass off anything upon them, once their position is assured. Their endeavor seemed always to be to do their utmost to amuse, and I feel sure they leave Christchurch with the hearty good wishes of the playgoing public for their future success, and a hope that at no distant date an acquaintance which has been so pleasant a one, may be renewed. I can safely say that no members of any company which has visited us, ever in so short a time established themselves so firmly as first favorites. As I before remarked, I regard Mr Vose's portion of the entertainment as one of its most entertaining and amusing features ; but I think he could do yet more towards this end if he varied his dialogue with his figures someDuring his stay here, from the happy knack he exhibited of turning the incidents taking place before him rapidly into subjects for fun, I feel sure, he could easily do this, and it would greatly improve his contributions to the programme.

Of the general manager, Mr Smith, what can I say more than to wish him a long lease-to enjoy his well-earned otinm cum dir/, under the shadow of his own fig-tree, Forty years show business is a long spell, and that he ret res at the end of that career as a public caterer, with the good wishes and respect of his constituents, is, I think, the strongest guarantee that he has discharged his duty faithfully and well. To his pluck, and enterprise in engaging artistes of the high class of talent who have just concluded their season here, the playgoers of Cbristchnrch arc indebted in no small degree, and U rejoice that ; he has to some extent at least reaped the fruits of his energy. Rumor has it that we shall see him again ere long; that like the old war horse, ho is unable to rest when a " good show" needs piloting. If so, I can safely promise that he will receive a hearty welcome in Christchurch.

Le roi est mart, vive le roi, holds good alike with regard to show-folk as well as other events. No sooner have we sped the parting gnest, in the shape of Smith's Combination, than we are called upon to greet the coming in the persons of the California Minstrels. Disregarding Mrs Grundy, lam free to confess—as our parliamentary orators put, it—that I rather incline to sable minstrelsy when it is good. Some of the prettiest melody, and real good music too, is to be found in the repertoire ©f the Christy's, and when sung by a good quartette or full chorus, with all parts blending, the effect is excellent. To the "funniments," which are supposed to be a portion of the stock-in-trade of the professors of "burnt cork," I do not seriously incline,"bar one", as our "metallic" friends say. That one is " Slim Jim." I think William Horace Bent in that, is about as fine a piece of fooling as I have seen for many a day. But I have wandered away from my text, which was the California Minstrels. lam rather puzzled what to say about them ; for I must confess to a certain amount of disappointment. But, while saying this, it is only fair to them to say that they are at present labouring under the greatest disadvantages ; every one of them owing to the chill climate of Otago having affected their throats—being more or less disabled from singing. Of course all allowances must be made for this, and in my remarks I shall keep this in mind. The three " stars " of the troupe, I take to be Mr Rockefeller, Charley Sutton and Harry Kelly. The former gentleman possess a very good alto voice, and when ,in form ought to sing well ; that he is a musician, is proved by the way he renders his part of the programTae, and I hope yet to hear his voice in some of the quarttettes which have gained them so much applause elsewhere. His banjo playing is excellent; in this line he is decidedly a " big thing," one of the best we have had here for many a day. Charley Sutton has a very pleasing voice, and is far better in the double song and dance than in the comic corner songs. He dances very well and is a fairly good mate "for Harry Kelly, In the farces however, Mr Sutton is great ; his fun is thorougly genuine. Of Harry Kelly I need not say much, he is so well known as a clever artiste in his line. He sings well and dances better, and in burlesque he is excellent. Tfte rest of the company are fair, and the orchestra is one of the best I have taefc in connection with a minstrel troupe, but I incline to the belief that i# Mr Rockefeller reduces his prices to tho original standard of 3s, 2s, and Is, he will find his houses greatly improved. I hope by next week to speak more fully of the merits of the troupe, when their voices are in fair working order. My notes this week from Dunedin are somewhat scant. The Steele-Keogh Company, with the additional attraction of Mr Eugene Beda, were still at the Princess', but business somehow don't seem lively. The Kennedy's opened their farewell season on Thursday at the new Temperance Hall, a building' which is highly spoken of for comfort and elegance of fitting. At 'Wellington, the Loyal Combination Troupe opened on Monday last at the Theatre Royal, and on Thursday a company comprising the following names commenced a dramatic season at the Oddfellows' Hall, viz.:—Miss Jessie Raymond, Miss Hettie Howard. Miss Eleanor Mowbray, Miss Cora M'lan, Miss Bella Laud, Messrs E. Egerton, J. Thorpe, J. Hoyle, Charles Burford, J. Cripps, O. Massey, R. Parish, F.Wilton, J. P. Hydes. Judging from the names the show is not a strong one. In Auckland, the Opera Company closed on the lfith inst with " Martha." The Nem Zealand Herald in reviewing the season says :—" In every sense the public have reason to be grateful for being afforded such a pleasant season with the productions of the greatest musical masters, and though we may be visited by more talented artists, as a whole, we shall not, we are sure, meet with any company who will work harder, or strive more earnestly to please and gain the approbation of the music-loving portion of our citizens." They have played a season of five nights at the Thames, and are now en route for Napier. Of Miss Clara Stephenson's company at Blenheim, the Marlborough Times of the 18th says:—"The comedy and burlesque company, under the management of Miss Clara Stephenson, have been performing here for the last few evenings with moderate sueccss, in a pecuniary sense. They opened on Friday evening with the "Loan of a Lover," the burlesque of " La Somnambula," and a scene from Sheridan Knowlcs' " Hunchback." They have since played the " Maid with the Milking Pail," " Lady Audloy's Secret," "Under the Gaslight," and a schene from the " School for Scandal."

From Sydney I hoar that Harry Richards, who has been joined by the Julian Brothers is doing a good business at the Queen's Theatre, and Barlow is doing well at the School of Arts.

Of other show folk well known to us here, I will speak more at length next week. Props.