ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 120, 19 October 1874, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS, &c.

" All the World's a Stage." — As You Lilie It. The one noticeable item in the week's theatrical business has been Mrs Hill's benefit on Friday evening, for which was produced a dramatic adaptation of Wilkie Collins' novel of " The New Magdalen." The adaptation, I believe, was made by Mr Walter Hill, and his long experience in theatrical matters, and thorough practical knowledge stood him in good stead, the result being a very good adaptation, far better than the usual run of dramatised versions. Of the story itself. I may say that it is written in the usual vigorous style of Wilkie Collins, and affords some excellent situations for dramatic effect. The interest of the story—and, of course, of the play—centres in Mercy Merrick, who, as a nurse attached to the ambulance during the Franco-Prussian war, finds a young lady, Grace Roseberry, in what she believes to be a dying state. She conceives the idea of assuming the character of this young lady, and the plot turns upon the various expedients adopted by her to avoid detection, Grace Roseberry having recovered: Mrs Hill's rendering of Mercy Merrick was one of her triumphs ; it being the best character I have yet seen her essay. The deep remorse for her crime, struggling with the desire for concealment, was most faithfully portrayed, and from first to last Mrs Hill gave a very vivid realisation of the author's creation. The other characters were well sustained, Miss Willis, as Grace Roseberry particularly, playing her part excellently. I was glad to see so large an attendance on the occasion, as it was a practical testimony on the part of playgoers to the high estimation in which Mrs Hill is held here, and one, too, which is thoroughly well deserved. As an actress Mrs Hill—though on som e occasions I have differed from her conception of a character —I have always regarded as one of the best we have had in New Zealand of late years. Unassuming in her manner, thoroughly talented, and with a quiet lady-like way on the stage which goes far towards success in her parts, she has thoroughly established herself as a favorite in Canterbury, and the good wishes of a large number of persons will accompany her when she leaves us. " Paul the Pilot," a nautical drama, is announced for this evening. The season is now drawing to a close, and the opera season commences early next month.

Mr Kirby, with the Loyals and the De Castro Family, left, I notice, on Wednesday last, by the American ship Bunker Hill, for Manilla, where they anticipate doing a good business. Of the other members of this clever combination, I understand that after a short tour in Southland, Mr Smith returns to Victoria. Mr Vose, I see, notifies his intention of travelling around Otago with a new entertainment, and probably we may have him here. Dunedin is now I notice almost bare of amusement, the amateurs and a troupe called the Oxford having the stage to themselves.

In Wellington the English Opera Company have been doing a splendid business. Miss Alice May's benefit drew a crowded house, " Trovatore " in an English dress was represented. I hear the prima donna had a compliment paid her on Saturday evening last, which takes one back to the politeness of the ancien regime. It appears that a number of enthusiastic admirers of Miss May assembled at the Theatre after the opera and escorted her to the Empire Hotel by a torchlight procession. They have arranged for a short subscription season at Wanganui to fill up the interval before arriving here, and I expect the season will commence about the first week of November. As they come here just in our carnival week the business ought to be immense, even at the lower prices, which I understand they intend to adopt. Mr Raphael, the übiquitous agent and avant courier will arrive to-mor-row to make preliminary arrangements, and Mr Willis, the clever artist, will doubtless follow at an early date.

In Auckland the Californian Minstrels have concluded their season, and appear to have done well. At present the Stoneham troupe, with Mr F. M. Bates, are doing very good business, and I hear that it is not unlikely that a really good dramatic company will come over to join Mr Bates. I hope so; and also that Mr Bates may be induced to extend his circuit as far as Canterbury. I hear it rumored that a large Minstrel troupe is in course of formation in Melbourne to visit New Zealand, but I am unable to trace it to any reliable source. Going further afield, I note that the Carandinis are in Sydney. Mr Gordon has. I understand, gone to Italy to study, and I notice the name of Mr Bushell in the programmes as his successor. Mr Gordon's voice was one out of many, and I hope that his sojourn in Italy will be the means of cultivating the very great natural talent he possesses. Mr Cotterell and Mr Landergan were still with the Carandinis at date of last advices.

Respecting the late Mrs Hallam, the Otar/o Daily Times contains the following : —" We have received from Dr James Neild, of Melbourne, the well-known dramatic critic of the Australasian, a letter on the subject of the proposed erection of a monument over the remains of the late Hattie Shepparde. The proposal was first made in a letter to the Argus, and the conductors of that journal promised to take charge of any subscriptions that might be forwarded to them for the purpose. Dr Neild rt quests that we wiirreceive and forward any subscriptions

left with us for the purpose, and we have only to say that we shall be moßt happy to do so. The late Mrs Hallam had many friends in New Zealand, who will, no doubt, be glad to subscribe." I know that there are a number of playgoers here who would be glad to contribute, and 1 hope to see a fund started in Christchurch which, I am sure, would amount to a respectable sum. In Melbourne, the Kennedy Family still draw good houses. On Hospital Saturday they gave tie whole proceeds of their performance, some £6O, to the fund. Grace Egerton and Mr George Case were doing well in Melbourne, and I see that the up-country tour of Mdlle Legrand and Mr Fairclough has been fairly successful. The following, referring as it does to Mr and Mrs J. L. Hall, who deservedly won for themselves the respect of many here, and who were, to a great extent, the pioneers of the drama amongst us will, I know, be read with interest. Mr Hall has made for himself a high reputation in Liverpool in his own peculiar line, and Mrs Hall has also succeeded in making hosts of friends by her clever and unaffected style of acting. The Liverpool Daily Post of a recent date Ba yg : —" One of the largest audiences ever packed within the Prince of Wales' Theatre was attracted by the first benefit of Mr J. L. Hall. Everything combined to show that this genuine comedian has in a very brief time built up a great local reputation. A most enthusiastic greeting as Rip Van Winkle was followed by frequent recalls, and, in a short speech, Mr Hall communicated to his admirers two facta, which led them to redouble their acclaims. The first was that, though he had been absent for three and twenty years, he is a native of Liverpool, and the other was that Mr Addison had engaored him for another year. Mr Hall appeared also at the Widow Twankey in a burlesque which some ten years ago was one of the first and most remarkable successes of the theatre. His performance of Aladdin's mother is unlike any hitherto Been in Liverpool, and is full of the most characteristic humor, daring to the last degree, but never offensive." PROPS.