ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 114, 12 October 1874, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

“ All the World’s a Stage.” —As You Lihc It. The Loyal Troupe having finished their engagement at the theatre, we have returned again to the drama. The pieces presented have been—besides one or two of the little comedies already spoken of—a pantomine, the evergreen “ Relief of Lucknow,” and “ Dick Turpin, ” as a Saturday night piece to wind up the week’s business. On Friday Mr Musgrave took his benefit, and it was to be regretted that the concert took place the same evening, as it thereby to a great extent thinned his house. lam sorry for this, because Mr Musgrave is one of the best—if not the best—actors, in his particular line, in the colonies. Every part he plays he makes thoroughly his own, He seems to get at the idea of the author as it were by inspiration, and the result is that the acting is natural and effective. Take, for instance, his rendering of his character in “ The Capital Match.” Every movement, every facial expression, tells, and the result of the whole is a conception which is mirth-provoking in the highest degree. However, better luck next time, and I hope Mr Musgrave’s next appeal will be a bumper. From Dunedin I hear that the cosmopolitan, John Smith, has concluded a most successful season at the Princess’, perhajis one of the most lucrative seasons ever played in Dunedin. I notice that the Loyal Company have been playing with Smith’s Combination Troupe in Dunedin, and to crowded houses. Respecting the future movements of Mr Smith, the Guardian says : —“ We learn that Mr P. H. Kirby, the present agent for Mr Smith, of the Combination Troupe, is about to commence managership, having entered into partnership with Mr Smith. These two gentlemen have engaged the clever De Castro Family, the Loyals, and Zuila, all artistes of acknowledged reputation. Mr Kirby is about to proceed to Manila with the newly-formed troupe, and will afterwards visit the principal cities of the East, returning to Australia at the close of their engagements with other novelties from the land of heat and spices. Mr Kirby has so long been connected with what is termed the “ show ” business, and has always displayed such tact and discrimination, that we have not the slightest doubt that his new venture will prove a success, and that he and Mr Smith will, upon their return to this colony, bring with them a ‘ * combination ” troupe equally deserving with that which is now about to break up. We wish them every success. The company sails in the ship Bunker Hill to-morrow.” Mr Kirby’s numerous friends in Canterbury will wish him every success in his new venture, and we trust to welcome him amongst us once more with some novelties. Mr Smith proceeds to Melbourne, and I believe we shall soon see him in New Zealand again, with what our American cousins call “a big thing. ” The English Opera Company are still doing good business in Wellington. Amongst the new operas produced I notice “ Faust.” and “Martha,” both of which are very highly spoken of. Mr Willis, the clever scenic artist, also receives commendation for his share of the success of the operas —no inconsiderable one, by the way. The business in Wellington has been so good that the company have determined to extend their stay from a fortnight, as originally proposed, to a month, and looking to the fact that they are due here early next month, I don’t think it probable that they will visit Wanganui.

In Auckland the Californian Minstrels have been doing well, though playing against heavy opposition. They made their final appearance on Saturday night last, and intend, I believe, to strike for California.

Miss Adelaide Stoneham, assisted by Mr Stoneham, Mr Yerner, and others, had finished her drawingroom entertainment at date of last advices, and is now giving dramatic performances. Mr Bates, who is a sort of avant courier for his wife—a lady whose talents are highly spoken of—and a good dramatic company, who intend if the reports are favorable to come down to New Zealand. I hope Mr Bates may be induced to extend his travels south, for there is plenty of * field, both here and Dunedin, for a good dramatic company. He was to make his first appearance on the' Bth hist, as Eccles, in Robertson’s comedy of “ Caste.” Respecting the great pianistes’ movements, the Otago Daily Times says :—“We are informed by Mr Alfred Anderson, who has just received a letter from Madame Arabella Goddard’s agent, that that lady may soon be expected in Dunedin, as she was to have left Melbourne in the Otago on the 6th inst. ” I notice that as a sort of compensation for her troubles Madame t Goddard has received quite an ovation in Melbourne and the upcountry towns. Mr Fairclough and Mddle Eugenie Legrand, after a good season for the former in Adelaide, have started up-country, in Victoria, on a tour, giving dramatic recitals similar in character to those given here. The late Miss Hattie Shepparde was so connected with theatrical matters here in days gone by, and has so many friends in Christchurch, that I make no apology for quoting from the Argvs the following description of her funeral. That journal says : —“The funeral of the late Mrs Henry Hallam, who has so long been known to the public by the name of Miss Hattie Shepparde, took place yesterday afternoon. The e\ ent excited the greatest interest in the neighborhood of the deceased lady’s late residence, and long before the funeral procession started the street was crowded, a very large proportion of the spectators being women. Before the remains were taken from the house, the little child left by the deceased was christened. The coffin bore the following inscription :— * Hattie Shepparde, died ,21st September, aged 26 years,’ and underneath, * Not lost, but gone before.’ Wreaths of flowers and crosses composed of flowers were laid on the coffin. The funeral procession was a very long one. Nearly all the members of the dramatic and musical professions at present in Melbourne attended, and the large number of private vehicles showed that the deceased lady had earned the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends. At the cemetery there was a considerable innovation on the usual practice. Instead of the hearse being driven close to the grave, it stopped outside the entrance gates. The following ladies acted as pall-bearers : Mesdames Williamson, Harwood, Appleton, Bryer, Wheeler, Gamer, and Dampier; Mademoiselles Carey, Docy Stewart, Maggie Stewart, Wooldridge, and Hennings. The crowd at this point was very great, and the excited, determined manner in which the women elbowed their way to the front completely dispelled the idea that their presence

was caused by any feeling of sympathy for the young and gifted actress who has so suddenly been taken away from us. The crowd surged round the pall-bearers, and thrusting the mourners completely away, broke up the procession. The scene at the grave was even more discreditable. The pall-bearers, who had followed their friend and companion to her last resting-place, were rudely thrust on one side that a number of idle women might secure a position to gratify their curiosity. The graves in the neighborhood were invaded, and the flowers trampled upon; the gravestones and railings round the enclosures were made use of in order to get a view of the proceedings. After the sad ceremony was over, the pall-bearers were fairly mobbed by the crowd, who crowded round them and stared at them as if they were so many wild beasts. The funeral service was read by the Rev 0. S. Perry, St Jude’s. The grave is situated in that portion of the cemetery allotted to the Independents. The deceased was a member of the Church of England, but for some private reasons she was buried in the ground set apart for the Independents.” A movement is on foot to erect a memorial in the Melbourne Cemetery, and the subscription lists are filling rapidly. Mr and Miss Towers at last advices were in Melbourne, but the prospect of an engagement seemed remote. The Williamsons still continue to draw crowded, houses, and our old friends, the Kennedys, were as attractive as ever, the attendance being large each night. Mr and Mrs Case (Grace Egerton) were concluding a short engagement, and leave for a tour through the colonies and New Zealand shortly. Those who remember the very pleasing impersonations of Miss Egerton, and the skilful concertina playing of Mr Case, will be glad to renew their acquaintance with them.

The latest novelty in Opera Bonffo brought out in Melbourne—“La fille de Madame Angot,” has been a great success, and this description of music may now be said to have taken firm hold on the public. On dit, I hear that it is not improbable this company may pay New Zealand a visit under skilful pilotage. I omitted to note in its proper order that I see Mr Eastwood is in Wellington, making arrangements for the exhibition of “ Paradise Lost,” which was here some time back.

PROPS,