THE DRAMA IN AUSTRALIA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1419, 2 September 1878, Page 3

THE DRAMA IN AUSTRALIA.

Vfo have boen allowed to make tho following extracts from a letter to a gentleman now in Melbourne to Mr of this city. Keferring as they do to an old Christchurch favorite —they will no doubt be road, with interest. Your friend G,eo*g& has made a name for himself h.oih here and in Sydney and Adelaide— at the latter place ho played to the biggest season on record. Creswi-;k's receipts fell"' far below his —■ fact. None o? ihi> envious gentry of the profession in New Zealand can gainsay Iris position now, lie achieved i? in the face of overy difficulty, and alone, as Mrs D. did not play at his opening either in Melbourne or in Sydney. The dramas of George have certainly placed him at the top of tho tree, while as an actor ho has more than held his own. Ho will in all probability be in New Zealand after Christmas, and in Christchurch about the latter end of March if poeeible. "Back from the Grave" is bound to be a big thing in >iow Zealand, where "Transported" will again go

in every town. Mr D. is going to remodel "The Trump Card," and make it a local drama for Melbourne on his return. He has also purchased the right for Australia for one of Petley and Conquest's London successes. So, you see, he will have heaps of material. Mrs D. is now gradually recovering, and, if all goes well, they return to Adelaide, and I accompany them as agent, and afterwards one or two provincial fixtures, leading up to the Queen's Theatre, Sydney, which George has leased for Christmas time. Matters here are dull. Tavares succeeds Hall at the Academy —a bad change for the lessee. Hall goes to Sydney. At the Opera House, "Ours," and the stock to bad bus. Creswick is underlined at this houso for the 7th September. I am afraid ho will not repeat his former success—at this theatre. At the Princess' the G-eorgias, and a poor stock company, in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," still draw wellHeaven only knows the reason. At the Eoyal, John Jack in Falstaff—so so. It is rumoured that "Henry sth," with George Eignold, will be shortly produced at the Royal. I trust so, for the sake of the lessees. And now one remark anont the Australias and New Zealand. I am thoroughly well assured that any legitimate actor or actress, having become an established favourite in New Zealand, can confidently anticipate a success in either Sydney or Melbourne. I believe New Zealand to bo the sternest trial ground in the colonies. Darrell is very proud of his successes in Maori Land, more especially since some of the highly eulogised artistes hailing from this side have failed to impress the New Zealanders. It is an abiolute fact that the biggest dramatic suceess of the year in Sydney was "Transported for Life" at the "Vic," and ditto in Melbourne this year was "Our Girls" at the Academy. Both actors and pieces came from New Zealand. Again, Hall's exceeded Creswick's receipts at the Academy here, and the Diirrells' receipts at Adelaide exceeded the Soldeneß' —and Creswick's by a long way. Adelaide possesses one of the prettiest and best-managed theatres in the Australias—it is a lively and thoroughly hospitable town. I wish there were many Adelaides. New Zealand will be plentifully supplied with amusements ere long. Kelly and Leon leave shortly for Dunedin, whilst Hagarty, with Baker and Farron, sail almost immediately for Auckland. In less than a month Burton takes a big circus over via Auckland, and other shows are threatening to depart for the Sunny South. Mdlle Solange Novaro has made a most favourable impression hero in the drama. Darrell induced Coppin to engage her for his piece at the Eoyal. Although disinclined at first to engage what ho considered to be an almost untried actress, he would now bo very reluctant to part with her. She has become a great favourite —as indeed Bhe deserves to be. She is a clever conscientious artiste, and will, I am sure, always do well. Lydia Howarde and Shepperson are gone to Adelaide. They are not doing much of late. And now old man 1 must pull up. Give my love to the boys, &c.