THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2450, 11 February 1882, Page 3

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

The Florences ore giving the ’* Mighty Dollar ” at Booth's, New York, to large and delighted audiences. Preparations for the circus were being made. The news of the lion catastrophe helped somewhat the interest, and according to the human nature of sight-seers, there will be a strong desire to see the lion that bit off that arm, Erkel, the Hungarian composer, is writing an opera for Madame Gesler, who will create the title role at the opening of the new Imperial Theatre at Buda-Pesth.

Female Ushers.—At]'the opening of the Court Theatre, London, a novelty was introduced in the way of attendants. They belong to the feminine order, and each is attired in a tailed coat of navy blue with gilt buttons, an amber-coloured waistcoat, displaying shirtfront and upright collar, and black silk tie ; the nether “ continuation ” of this unique costume being a neat skirt, just, as we suppose, by way of preventing mistakes as to the sex of the individual who shows the visitor to a seat, and presents a programme without charging anything for it.

It has been recommended to Mr Pollard to revive “ The Beggar’s Opera,” and it would certainly be a novelty to see this piece, which has maintained its popularity for upwards of a century and a half, done by children. As it has not been played in Melbourne for a good many years, it would be a novelty, to a considerable number of people, to see in any shape. And, for the matter of that, it would be a novelty to operatic people too, and so Mr Musgrove might do worse than revive it, with all the splendour that hia excellent company could give it. The “ World’s ” 400th night in New York was attained at Niblo’s Garden on December 13th, Who will dare say that G. R. Sims is not the English playwright of the hour P In one week recently there were performed “ Lights o’ London,” at the Princess, London ; “ Half-way House,” at the Vaudeville, London ; “ The Gay Oity,” at Aberdeen ; “ Crutch and Toothpick,” “ Corsican Brothers,” “ Babes in the Wood,” and “ Mother-in-Law,” at Nottingham and Bristol; and the “ Member for Slocum ”at Leicester and Oldham.

Signor Rossi, whose Othello was a succes d’estime, has made a great hit in New York as Romeo. The “New York Times” rather gushes—to wit—“ It is the most exquisite embodiment of voluptuous love-sickness that one can fancy. His Romeo was the personification of effeminate beauty and grace, of languid and languishing sentimentalism ; the performance was womanly in its delicacy and sweetness, and it lacked no touch of that fitful emotion which is the poetry of youth. In this character of Romeo, Signor Rossi’s grace of manner and spontaneous ease were charmingly apparent, and his voice, which has great compass and flexibility, had the melody of love music.”

The Pollard Juvenile Company at Hudson’s have extended their season something longer than was contemplated. Their success in “ Le* Cloches de Oorneville” has been very considerable, but not more than they have merited. The next venture at this house has not been so far announced.

The exhibition of athletic?, gymnastics, and attitudes at St. George’s Hall came to an end on January 14th, and on Monday night “Professor” Simon commenced a season of phrenological and physiognomical demonstrations, recommendatory of the study of phrenology ; and physiognomy as valuable aide in many of the experiences of ordinary life.

Mr J. B. Howe, who is to follow the pantomine at the Bijou, Melbourne, arrived from England recently. He brings with him a great number of new pieces, in one of which he will renew his agreeable relations with the public of Melbourne, in which, ten years ago, he made himself so deservedly popular, Mr Howe can do anything in the way of stage representation. He is an excellent Shakespearian aotor, and he is equally effective in melodrama generally, Irish drama, and society play. He used to have an excellent voice, and his singing powers are understood to have mellowed by the lapse of years. He is accompanied by his wife, who brings with her a good reputation as a soubrette actress. It is certain, therefore, that a prosperous season awaits them at this theatre.

The notorious “ Referee ” lately fell foul of Mr Clement Scott, the well known dramatic critic, in a way that immediately produced a libel action. Mr Sampson, the recognised editor and part owner of the “Referee,"was the defendant. His paper alleged that Mr Scott had obtained £SOO from Admiral Carr Glyn, under threat of exposing his relations with the late Miss Adelaide Neilson, the actress. Miss Neilson left nearly £20,000 to Admiral Glyn, and smaller sums to several other men, many of these being friends of Mr Clement Scott. The last-named gentleman, according to the “ Sydney Morning Herald’a” London correspondent, undoubtedly received a gift of £SOO from Admiral Glyn, after Miss Neilson’s death, but not as blackmail: Though Admiral Glyn swore that he simplywisbed to befriend Mr Scott, there is a strong suspicion that if the money had not passed, the latter would have justified the “Referee” in all that it said. Notwithstanding Mr Scott has won £ISOO damages, his credit has been very much shattered ; and now that a new trial has been granted, with permission to counsel to cross-examine him, Mr Scott may even lose his £ISOO. An American correspondent writes :—“ I notice that George Darrell gets on no better with our critics, who go for him ‘straight.’ Miss Fanny Davenport tells me that she has fully determined, at the conclusion of her English tour, to go out to Australia. Rice’s Surprise Party go over to New Zealand very shortly. Charles Overton has seceded from the Lingard company, and has joined Anna Dickerson’s company as old man, at a salary of £2O a week. Lingard, by himself, has been a rank failure over here, and I am told that he has lost £6OO in twelve weeks. Brooks and Dixon have thrown Mrs Lingard over, so that she will not be able to ‘ star’ this season after all. I think I may safely say that Rate Putman is about to set sail for your shores, She is after the style of Lotta, and is a true artist. She has been advised by some pro’s, who have done the colonies to take her principal people with her, as the colonials are pretty well tired of seeing the same faces. I have just heard that Mrs Lingard has accepted an engagement for San Francisco in January. Sims’s “ Light o’ London” is a big success over here; its success is, however, wholly dependant on scenery. It would, however, seem that melodramatic pieces are what our public want just now. Charles Thom, the leading man at the Union Square Theatre, is a splendid actor ; but so he should be, seeing that he draws £75 a week. Kate Foley did a bad thing in coming hero. She has begun low, and has little better than a variety company. 1 am sorry to hear curious reports concerning Eleanor Carey, who exercises (so report says) a strong influence over the manager of the Union Square Theatre, New York. Craig, late of Lmgard’s company, was married the other day to a Miss Emma Clifden. On Broadway this week I met Fred Lyster, looking quite rosy ; he writes for the ‘ New York Mirror.’ I can still report that theatrical business is booming over here." Madame Caroline Lichmond Bernhardt, a professional actress of great eminence, died of smallpox at Kiohmond, Virginia, on the 14th. This disease is becoming rapidly epidemic, and emigrating Chinamen are blamed for spreading it. Mies Janie'Lee and J. P. Barrett leave for the colonies by the February steamer. Mies Leo is the original “Little Jo,” which she takes with her; also “The Colonel,” and possibly Sardou’a “De Voloons,” with other new plays. The success of Mrs Langtry in her theatrical debut has provoked a terrific outburst of professional jealousy. She ia said to receive £SOO a week at the Haymarket Theatre. Mrs Langtry makes her first appearance as a regular member of the Haymarket Company on January 18th. She will play Blanche Hay in “ Ours.” The Emperor of Austria will erect a charitable institution on the site of the burned Ring Theatre, Vienna. Bartley Campbell is accused of writing four plays in one year. Quite a literary feat; but Dr. Warren, it may be remembered, wrote “Ten Thousand a Year.” While in England thirty, in Germany fourteen, and in France thirteen, letters are' transmitted per annum per head, in Russia the number is under one per head. They do these things more thoroughly in France. At Nantes a tenor named Val was fined £4 for boxing the ears of a spectator who had hissed Mddlo. Flaclal. A few nights afterwards the tenor himself was hissed, when, advancing to the footlights, he called one of the audience a coward, and challenged him to fight a duel, The curtain was rung

down, and it is thought unlikely that the tenor will appear again at Nantes just yet. The Birmingham Festival of 1882 will bring forward five special novelties —two by Englishmen, two by Germane, and one by a Frenchman, Sir Michael Costs is again general conductor. Arthur Sullivan was communicated with, but owing to bis numerous engagements found himself unable to promise either a vocal or an instrumental work. Mr Barnaby accepted a commission to write a cantata, but on June 16th last he wrote that he was unable to complete it in time. Eventually a commission for a new cantata was entrusted to Mr A. R. Gaul, a local composer, who has written “ The Holy Oity.” Mr Villiers Stanford, of Cambridge, has written an orchestral work, which has taken the form of a serenade. Sir Julius Benedict will complete his cantata “ Graziella ” for this festival. Herr Niels Gade, whose cantata “ The Crusaders ” was produced with success at the Festival of 1876, has undertaken to write a new cantata, “ Psyche.” The well-known Scottish vocalist, Mr John Muir, committed suicide. He had been for some time in a desponding state, and bad retired from private life to bis native place. On November 9th his wife went out to make some purchases, and on her return she was shocked to find Mr Muir suspended by a cravat to the door of a cupboard in his bedroom, and quite dead. Mr Muir, who was sixty-five, leaves a widow and a grown-up family.