THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1881. A DANIEL COME TO JUDGMENT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2203, 18 March 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1881. A DANIEL COME TO JUDGMENT.

The reputation of Mr. B>. S. Smythe as the 'cutest advertising agent extant is well known, not only to newspaper men and the profession, but also to the general public. Fired no doubt with a laudable ambition to excel even Mr. Smythe in advertising dodges, the " world-famed," " great," " renowned" tragedian now honoring this insignificant city with his presence has made an essay similar to that which was so successful in Dunedin, but has not been so here. The " Star," with that amount of liberality and kindly forethought for the interests of Herr Bandmann and his show, which has characterised it during the great tragedian's stay, devotes an article to the abuse of the Board of Education because tbat body refuses to be made the lever for the working of a clumsy advertising dodge. Herr Bandmann, with a kindness which does him credit, desired to give elocutionary lessons to the children attending the schools under control of the Board. Such a great treat the " Star" seems to think should not have been passed over by that body. The value, from an educational point of view, •of the offer of Herr Bandmann can hardly, according to his friend the " Star," be over estimated. There may be a difference of opinion on this point. Some persons might think that to give the children Shakespeare, as we have heard it from Herr Bandmann, wonld not by any means be a good thing. So far we agree with the Board, that it would not only be a mistake for them to lend themselves to a puff of the great tragedian, bat that as having charge of the education of the children, it behoves them to see that any " instruction" offered to them was of a fitting character. Herr Bandmann may be, and doubtles is, " world famed," but when he comes forward as a public instructor in the art of elocution, there are many who will believe that his fame does not extend in this direction. If Herr Bandmann has failed to do a little cheap advertising throngh the Board of Education, he has been more successful with the " Star." That journal has been " authorised"' to make an offer to the masters of the various schools to collect their children to listen to Herr Bandmann's elocutionary efforts. We sincerely hope that the masters of the schools will do nothing of the kind. The Board, after full and careful consideration, have arrived at the conclusion that they do not see their way clear to make arrangements for such a gathering, and the head masters may rest assured that there is good reason for the decision. Besides, should the Board or head masters wish to afford their children the benefit of elocutionary effort, there are numbers of gentlemen in Christchurch who, though not " great." or " world-famed," are far better able than Herr Bandmann to instruct the rising generation in the works of our national bard. {

THEATRICAL ECCENTRICITIES.

That genius is proverbially eccentric most of na are aware, and perhaps fool inclined to pardon when it does not interfere with the pablic. Bat there are limits even to the erratic performances of

genius. Daring yesterday the city was amused by the vagaries in the matter of bill posting played by a tragedian of "world-wide " reputation, because he did not blaze forth like a comet in type of Brobdignagian size. The war between the tragedian and the management waxed fast and furious. No less than three sets of bills were issued during the day, one lot being destined to show forth to the expectant world that Codlin (Bandmann) not Short (Reynolds) was the man. The next lot reversed the programme, Short (Reynolds)boingtheman,notOodlin(Bandmann). We should have deemed the childish dispute as to size of typo — though made a great point of by the " world-wide " tragedians and circuses—quite beneath notice if the sequel had not caused public disappointment. The end of the battlo of the bills was tbat numbers of playgoers came from Lyttelton and elsewhere expressly to see " The Duke's Motto," which was announced for representation that evening. They paid their money under the distinct impression that theywould see " The Duke's Motto," when, to their chagrin and disappointment, " The Lady of Lyons " was substituted. Though, perhaps, not entailing any legal consequences, it was as clear a case of obtaining public money under false pretences as ever occurred. The patrons of the Theatre have Hothing whatever to do with the quarrels between Herr Bandmann and Mr Reynolds as to the type in which their respective names shall appear. They paid their money to see " The Duke's Motto," and it should have been played, even if Europe had been convulsed by the name of Herr Bandmann being out of the bills altogether. Up to the last moment the advertisements in the evening papers were not changed, and the only intimation given beyond the bills, which were torn down as soon as posted, was an "inspired" paragraph buried in the columns of the " Star." The well worn and almost played out theatrical device of a medical certificate was the ostensible ground of the change. In this it was stated that Herr Bandmann was suffering from an illness which required his abstaining from muscular exertion. Any one who saw the vigour with which he announced his intention of joining the French army, and the stentorian tones in which he took leave of his mother, would at once realise that he really was suffering from (theatrical) nervous debility. It does seem to us a very peculiar way of treating an audience to change a piece suddenly, and without giving such notice as might reach those intending to be present. Three evening papers exist here, and it would have been easy for a notification of the intended change to have been given. We feel sure of this, that two-thirds of those present last evening, had they known " The Lady of Lyons" was to be repeated, wonld carefully have stopped away. As things are at present, playgoers can never be certain that the programme issued will be adhered to. Herr Bandmann has achieved a world-wide reputation—for quarrelling with all those who do not see in him a heaven born actor —but he will, if this line of conduct be persisted in, find that such childish disputes, if allowed to affect his relations with his audiences, will by no means conduce to his success.