DRAMATIC NOTES.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2474, 11 March 1882, Page 3

DRAMATIC NOTES.

[By Pbokpthb.] [From the “ Weekly Press.’" Theatre-goers will be glad to learn that a new act drop for the Theatre Boyal is on the way from Melbourne, It has been painted by Mr Gordon, perhaps the most talented knight of the brush in the Southern Hemisphere, and it is said to be a very beautiful one indeed. Mr Beatty has paid a long price for it, and no doubt his enterprise will be appreciated by lovers of the drama. The opera season having closed, there will be an interregnum of a fortnight prior to Mr Williamson introducing “ Patience ” to Christchurch audiences. One week of this will be occupied by Mr Denton, whose lectures in Dunedin have somewhat disturbed the feelings of the “unco guid.” Whether the same business can ha worked up here remains to be seen. However, Mr Denton is in very good bunds, and as he opens at the Theatre Boyal on Tuesday evening, we shall have an opportunity of judging as to his merits.

“Zulu” Thompson still attracts crowds to the Gaiety, who, as Mdlle. Pauline remarks in the play to M. Claude Melnotte, hang like the bee upon the flower on the eloquence of his lips—particularly when the prize distribution comes on and the suite of furniture looms in the distance. There ia joy in the house of Thompson, as Mr A. Ward once remarked, and ever since W. H. T. has been even more expansive than ever. He has captured a new Zulu story somewhere, which he will no doubt ring in to the lecture when he has time, and he tells it to the boys thnely:— “ Shortly after the accession of King Oetewayo and the reconstruction of the Zulu army, the roar of a lion was heard several mornings in succession amongst the hills behind the royal kraal. (N.B. —A lion roars in the evening from ‘pure oussedaess,’ in the morning only when fasting or at least unsatisfied and hungry). King C, either from a desire to play with his new toy or from deep political motives, ordered tho impi to go without arms and fetch that lion alive. It was done by sheer force of numbers and at an immense expenditure of life. Oetewayo had an interview with his captive and ordered his release. The story spread abroad through Africa, and by compelling the admiration of the neighboring tribes secured the supremacy of the Zulus.” Quarter acre sections of land and grand pianos follow drawing room suites, and it was on the cards that in order to give every one a chance in these Mr Thompson would give a fortnight ia the Theatre Boyal, bnt the negotiations fell through. It is not generally known that this enterprising gentleman was about during tbe hottest battles of tbe Zulu war. He generally closes his gift campaign in a city by giving away the horse which carried him so gallantly. It is usually a different horse in each place, but the halo of romance, however distant, still clings to the noble charger, and Thompson is still there. Mr Thompson gives his Christchurch Zulu-land Massppa away on his last night here. Beserved seats in the front row may now be booked. A very funny incident occurred on Friday night. Signor de Vivo, the courteous and accomplished impresario, visited the Diorama in order to get from Thompson’s lecture some idea of tbe language of Zululand, as he purposes introducing English opera there. Thompson’s eagle eye at once descried the manly form of Do Vivo, and with that courtly manner for which he is renowned, he instantly made him a present of a cigar case. The idea of being patronised by a rival show was too much for De Vivo. He fled, and soon afterwards was to be seen endeavoring to calm his roflbd feelings by listening to the dulcet strains of “ The Boyal Middy,” and gazing admiringly on the beautiful coryphees. The Austrian Band, or at least the remaining portion of them, opened their season of two nights at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday evening. They proceed northwards after here in order to fill out the time until tho Exhibition opens.

As noted before, Mr Denton, tbe celebrated lecturer, will make hie debut in Christchurch, at the Theatre Koyal, on Tuesday next. Already> sensational picture of antediluvia n reptiles is being exhibited outside Milner and Thompson's. In Dunedin “ Patience ” still holds the boards at the Princess, and is drawing gocd houses. “The Pirates of Penzance" is announced for Monday next. Johnny Hydes, the gay young butterfly, is still in Invercargill. Miss Madge Herrick, I notice, took a benefit on Thursday, assisted by the members of the local Amateur Dramatic Society. How is that ? The Exhibition is bearing fruit in the matter of shows, as I see that a novelty exhibition is announced in tbe Southland papers. The name of the proprietress appears to me to be a novelty, viz., Madame F. Ann Leeke Thomson. The exhibition comprises the armless lady, our old friend Bismark, the learned pig, Ac., and says tbe advertisement, “ Everything is moral and instructive." I hope so. Harry Power and his Esthetic Party are announoed to open to-night at Sloan’s Theatre. Amongst the company I note the names of Harry Power, Mdlle Lolo DeGlorian, Miss Amy Leslie and Mr Julian J. Lsngtrey. The two first are known to fame in New Zealand, but the remainder are new to ns—at least under those names.

In Wellington Mr Williamson and Miss Maggie Moore continue to draw large houses with “ Struck Oil.” The company disband about the 10th instant, when Mr and Mrs Williamson come South.

Respecting the Mastodon* at Auckland the “ Observer ” says :—“ The 1 Slave’* Revenge/ produced by the Mastodon Minstrels at the Theatre Royal during the week, has been well attended, despite the bad weather on the opening night. The drama is of the highspeed sensational type, and abounds in thrilling ana pathetic sensations. It ought to be a feast for the ' gode.’ The piece is excellently mounted, judiciously Cast, and well sustained, Mr W, H. Leake does ample justice to the villain of the piece, Tom Gordon, and Mr B. B. Lewis makes the avenger Dred sufficiently prominent.” They have since left for Napier, en route for the South.

Mr Harkins and company followed in “ The Colonel,” which appears to have been fairly successful.

At Hobart, Wilhelm] has concluded his concert season. Mr Walter Reynolds and his company have been recently supporting Mr Dewhnrst. Prior to that gentleman arriving, Walter essayed the Butterman in “ Our Boys.” The local journal thus speoks of the effort: —“ Mr Reynolds’ impersonation of the Bati.erman was not a success, the character being one far from suited to his abilities. The fine impersonation of this character by Mr Horace Lingard and Mr Hall have made the character, with its mingled elements of the ludicrous and pathetic, so popular that the public have taken their interpretation a of it as the accepted idea, and consequently tha perhaps original rendering of tha character by Mr Reynolds had to combat against what might be termed a dramatic prejudice. However, we must confess to feeling the popular sympathy, and cannot accept Mr Reynolds’ impersonation as at a l l a satisfactory one. Mr H. N. Douglas and Miss Carry George, as the one pair of lovers, played very well, and Mr Paterson and Miss Grantleigh as the other pair closely approached their standard of excellence. Miss Dooy Mainwaring made a thoroughly characteristic Clarissa Ohatnpneys and Miss Grace Hathaway created hearty laughter by her impersonation of Belinda.” I should think Walter’s performance of Middlewiok would he worthy to stand beside J. J. Wallace’s memorable impersonation of Claude Melnotte on the West Coast. The Melbourne “ Argus ” of February 24th thus speaks of Mr J. F. Oathoart (brother of the late Mrs George Darrell) as Othello : " Othello ” was repeated at the Bijou Theatre last evening, Mr J. F. Oathcart appearing as the jealous Moor, and Mr Burdett Howe as lago. Mr Oathcart delivered some of the colloquial passages with pleasing effect, but he failed to adequately represent the storm of passion which sweeps over the abused soldier “like the Pontio sea. whose icy current and compulsive course ne’er feels retiring ebb.” At tha Theatre Royal Mr Grattan Riggs, with “ The Irish Detective and “ Oushla Machree" is drawing good houses. Hudson’s Surprise Party, who will be remembered by many in Christchurch as a remarkably clever and entertaining company, are at Hudson's Theatre doing exceedingly well. From that lively and wittily written little paper, “The Sydney Bulletin,” I clip _ the following para:—ln Sydney, at the Gaiety. “ Michael Strogoff” is to be withdrawn, and ft drama entitled “Jean Yaljean" is to be played. Christchurch playgoer* will remember Mr Dampier in this piece on his visit hero some year* ago. The Pollards are at Adelaide playing “ Pinafore," and Maocabe is still drawing large houses at the Academy of Music in the same city. The Bent Minstrels open at the Opera House. Mr and Mrs Carden have been engaged by Messrs Garner,

Muegrave and Williamson to play lead. Eugene Beds, the one-legged gymnast, ia at Mudgee. Mr Charles Bright u lecturing on Froethought at San Franoisoo. The same paper thus discourse* regarding the opening* performance of Miss Pomeroy'# season:—“ The piece began at eight, and the pit, which was packed to suffocation, toon commenced to treat the performers to sundry ebullitions of humor, which is, invariably, itsgentle wont, when sweltering in an atmosphere registering some 120 degrees Pah* renheit. For instance, Mr J. Hasker, who played the King in the tragedy, had only two nigtits previously enacted pantaloon in the pantomime, and the gods, bearing in mind this circumstance, hailed his advent in regal attire with derision ; one ill-conditioned ruffian (intoxicated, cf course), even going so far as to shout out—“ How’s Bland?" a remark, we regret to say, which was the occasion of much merriment amongst tha uncombed. Also, when laohimo approached the lovely Imogen whilst sleeping, another scoundrel—probably bribed by some disappointed tragedian—audibly ejaculated—- “ Hurry up, or the old man will bo 'ome from the public.’ouse.” Again, in the scene when Imogen dies beautifully to slow music, in a glow of lime light, or when Polydore, in strewing the flowers over her, hanpentd, being nervous, to lightly touch Louise’s lovely form, a man who had been previously munching a very large apple in the gallery, cried out in a gruff voice, ‘ Ab, would yer ?’ an interruption which called forth laud and continuous laughter. Miss Pomeroy’s Imogen is a reading which, while it exhibits great intelligence ami consummate stage tact, is, to our minds, lacking to some extent in vigor. But, at the same time, it ia an impersonation abounding in delicate touches of fancy and pathos. In * Oymbeline ’ Mis* Pomeroy is not only the • star,’ she is the play. Mr Herbert Fleming scored a distinct success as Posthumous. He played the part with manliness and pathos, and his delivery of blank verse is worthy the attention of many star tragedians. We consider Mr Fleming a young gentleman of great promise, and should be by no means surprised to see him a star himself one of these days. There is plenty of time, however, for that. Mr Fleming needn’t hurry. He is young and art is long. Mr Theodore Hamilton’s lachimo was a performance of which we can speak only in terms of moderate praise. It was an impersonation in which there was more noise than novelty, more savageness than subtlety. His dress was a “study in red and yellow," a costume strangely—in its colors—suggestive of that worn by Mr Hasker in Lewis’s musical tragedy of “ Sinbad.” Perhaps, however, this is the correct dress worn by Italians in Oymbeline’s time. And this reminds us that, for an Italian, lachimo spoke remarkably good English. It is but fair to Mr Hamilton to state that the dexterous manner in which he got the ring off Imogen’s arm is her bedroom without having to trespass on the soapdish was tfae subject of much admiration. The “ Bulletin ” also has the following with, regard to J. J. Wallace’s reported marriage z —“ By the way, we published in * Poor Player,’ a statement to the effect that Miss Jessie drey was about to be married to Mr J. J. Wallace. Mr A. Boothman, who is married to Jessie's sister Bath (and a very nice sister, too) wishes us, on behalf of Miss J essie, to give the statement a flat contradiction. Alfred says that though Jessie may possibly have at this time a ‘ white-haired boy,' that fortunate youth ia a long way from being the * Man from America.’ * Oruehed again,* J. J. Heigho!’’ The Sydney dramatic writer, in “Town and Country,” says:—“At the Queen’s Miss Ada Ward, after an absence of four years, has reappeared in a new and emotional drama entitled “ Mad,” It is not a well written drama, but Miss Ada Ward’s genius, for it must be that, makes you forget the baldness of the dialogue in witnessing such superb acting. Miss Ward has improved in high histrionic skill since she was last in Sydney. To those who know how skilful she was then, it will be understood how much snob assertion means. I have seen Miss Ward do much better things than that she has selected to do as Eleanor Hylton, but I know that it would be very difficult to find anybody capable of sustaining the part with the same intensity of power that she does. The theatre has been crowded nightly, and although change is noted, I think that Miss Ward might pull the house through another week. Mr Charles Burford, as Hugh Hylton, was very successful in giving a wonderfully realistic representation of the plotting, coldblooded, heartless husband. It was a difficult part to play, and Mr Burford is to be complimented upon the manner in which he came through the ordeal.” The following very peculiar advertisement appears in the London “ Era ”;—“ Alexandra Palace. —Note.—Ladies and gentlemen desiring to be carried over the high rope by Blondin, should apply for terms to Jones and Barber. Fenians free." What dark and dreadful mystery is hidden in the last two words, it is impossible to say, bat evidently it means something, and, I should think, would be hardly likely to inspire much confidence in tbe minds of the ladies and gentlemen who are requested to “ apply for terms.” So far as I am personally concerned, there would, be no desire.

From English and American file* I gather the following item* :—Mr* P. M. Bate* was married in Chicago to Charles Lord, of San Francisco, on December 29th. Mrs Langtry i* engaged to play in “ Youth,” in America. The Satan Fire King is the name of a performer in America.

Mr Oscar Wilde appears to have been—-no to put too fine a point on it—a sorry failure in New York, and that in spite of a pair of knee breeches and silk stockings. Why Mr Oscar Wilde did not dress as gentlemen usually dress in the evening, it is hard to say, but no doubt the agent who is running the show had his reasons. However, the Amerli can audience tittered at Mr Wilde's legs, and then they tittered at Mr Wilde’s lecture, very much as an English audience would probably have done. “ His delivery,” say* a correspondent, “ was a droning monotone, not once varied for two hours. The audience listened quietly for a short time, and then began to show sign* of weariness, and during the last hour talked among themselves, paying little attention to him. Many went out. He did not seem to have anything to say that anybody wanted to hear ; and this is unfortunate in a lecturer, particularly when ho say* it badly. Mr Howard Paul not only succeeded in procuring funds for 500 sandwich men’s Christmas dinners, but enough money was left to buy 150 strong, warm overcoats. Number* of benevolent people eont cast-off trousers, wraps, mufflers, &c., and one young lady residing at Olapham sent a pair of soiled lavender kid gloves, with a little piece of poetry pinned thereto. It was a case of Cinderella’s slipper applied to the hand. None of the men could got the gloves on, and finally they were given to one poor fellow who said his wife had been a governess in early life and had very small hands. The poetry they all refused, as they “didn’t understand that kind o’ thing.” Mir Paul received upwards of £IOO in sums varying from £3 to 6d. Says the “ Sporting and Dramatic New* ” : —“ The idea of giving the ‘ Patience ’_ company at the Savoy Christmas presents in the shape of lockets for the ladies and walking sticks for the gentlemen was a happy one, and much ingenuity has been expended in the selection of the mottoes, all from the dialogue, which are inscribed on the ornaments end implements. Thus Miss Bond’s locket is decorated with the line, “ Try, try to love! -it really isn’t difficult!’ Miss GWynne’s locket reminds her that, as regards her companions, 1 They are indeed jolly utter ’; but, perhaps, best of all is the motto on the treasurer’s cane, ‘He cherishes the receipts.’ On Mr Walter Browne’s stick are the words, “ I’m afraid I’m not quite right ?” a rather critical comment, having apparent reference to Mr Browne’s conscientious but not always well-directed struggles to act his part. [N.B. —A hint for J. O. Williamson when he sails for sunny Australia with “untold gold" made in New Zealand by “Patience." No charge for the suggestion.] Tilly Andrews has seceded from the Tourist Party, because the style of entertainment and the rapidity with which tha party travelled had an injurious effect on her health. She has now accepted an engagement from Haverley to appear in his San Francisco production of “ Strogoff." She wishes a denial to be given of her reported marriage. George Darrell gets on no bettor with Yankee critics, who go for him “straight." Madame Sinioo, an English soprano of high excellence, for many years associated with the great Diva Titiens, and Signor Oampobello, a leading English basso, are about to visit Australia with a company. Fanny Davenport has fully determined at the conclusion of her English tour, to visit Australia. Rice’s Surprise Party go ever to New Zealand very •hortlv