DRAMATIC NOTES

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2487, 27 March 1882, Page 3

DRAMATIC NOTES

[By “ Pbokptbb.”!

[Prom the “ Weekly Press.”]] Once more the scene shifts in connection with the Theatre Boyal, Mr Denton having vacated it in favor of Mrs Sampson, who during the week has been holding largely attended Evangelistic meetings. Mr Denton’s first course of lectures closed on Monday evening, after a fairly good business. He has since been lecturing at the Oddfellows’ Hall to good houses. “ Zulu” Thompson’s season draws to a close at the Gaiety, and the chances of obtaining a suite of furniture, a piano, or a horse, have departed. On Thursday night the charger was given away, an Arab steed of high lineage, Since the event which has shed lustre on the house of Thompson, It is noticeable that the genial lecturer has been far more placid under the squalling of the Light Infantry squadron which nightly swarm in the pit. In a fatal hour of confidence, with the blushing honors of paternity yet fresh upon him, the Zulu chieftain selected a lady with a baby as the recipient of a suite of furniture. Since that period every lady that could do so has brought a baby, and the result has been chaos from the melodious warblings of the youngsters. On Tuesday night, no doubt induced by the fact that a piano was in the list of gifts, their name was legion. To slightly alter the words of the Poet Laureate of England, “ Babies to the right of him. babies to the left of him, babies in front of him, shrieked and yelled.” The remit was exceedingly comical. Mr Thompson was describing with that flow of eloquence for which he is renowned, the incident so graphically depicted iu the last scene of the first part, where several Zulus are hoist into mid air. It went somehow after this fashion. “This is a little—(duo of babies in the minor key)—incident that occurred—(chorus of babies with yell obligato)—during the Zulu war —(chorus strongly reinforced and in all kinds of keys}—when Colonel Pearson”— (Eemainder of lecture totally inaudible owing to all the babies in the pit shouting at the top of their voices.) In the midst of the din the explosion takes place; fright of babies and dead silence, every baby looking with distended eyes at Thompson ; the mothers also regarding him with far from friendly looks. Mr Thompson intends going into the country with his show next week, so the bucolic homesteads will, equally with the city palaces, be gladdened and ornamented by the genial showman’s gifts.

The Williamson Dramatic Company, after a very satisfactory season in the Empire City, hare disbanded. Some have gone to Melbourne, amongst others Mdlle, Bolange Navaro (Mrs F. H. Digbj), whom we are all so sorry to lose from amongst us, and others have departed Sydneywords, there to join “ The World ” and other companies. Prior, however, to the disbandment the company had a day’s outing in Wellington, where they appear to have most thoroughly enjoyed themselves. A Northern contemporary of the 17th inst. writing of the picnic says :—“ The entire tour of the present company has been jocularly designated among the members as Mrs Williamson’s Picnic Party, and the acme of enjoyment was reached yesterday in their experience of one of the most delightful rural retreats that all New Zealand can afford. The fame of M'Nab’s Gardens will be spread far and wide by yesterday’s visitors on their return to Australia. During the day a pleasing little ceremony took place, Mr Williamson presenting bis stage manager, Mr H. H. Vincent, with a handsome gold chain and locket, as a testimony of friendliness and high approval of his professional ability." “ Patience ’’ will be produced here on the 29th, and the genial J. P. Macdonald is now to the fore looking after matters generally. The Opera Company still appear to be in the full tide of success in Dunedin with *• Pinafore.” Miss Alice Bees has been playing Josephine, Miss Maggie Moore Buttercup, Mr Vernon the Admiral, Signor Verdi the Captain, and Mr Armes Beaumont Ealph. Though lacking the best delineator of the character of Sir Joseph in the colonies, the oast appears to have been successful, Miss Maggie Moore especially getting great kudos for her Buttercup, and Mr Vernon for his rendering of the Admiral. Amongst the other performances has been “ Patience,” redivivus, with Miss Moore as Lady Jano, a character in which she appears, I am told, to very great advantage. Signor Bicoardi, his many friends here will be glad to learn, is progressing slowly towards convalescence.—The Armless Lady and Burton’s circus are in Dunedin, the latter doing well.

I don’t think my old friend J. P. Hydeg has treated Christchurch well ia saying up what I am told wag an exceedingly funny lecture till ho got to Invercargill. He has been with us much ; we love him, and there are many in whose memory his sojourn in Christchurch will long remain as a green spot. Why then should he take his funaiments elsewhere, Johnny and his gay young butterflies—alas, that I have not been allowed to see Johnny as a butterfly—gave a benefit performance in Invercargill recently, which, to put it mildly, was not a success. Indeed, as Mr Denton says, the glacial period set in early and continued right through. Johnny, following the example of most “stars," appears to have related a few of his adventures, which must have been exceedingly funny. I can fancy J, P. H. in etore clothes, with a knowing twinkle in his eye, telling the Inveroargillites his history. Mr Hydes fere, it seems, was a combination of a farmer and a brewer, hence the penchant of the gay young butterfly for sampling the various brews of colonial beer. A combination of the paternal beer and the prodigal veal and bacon seems to have decided J.P.H. on taking to the stage. That fatted calf has much to answer for. lam sorry Johnny should have been so rough on the drama of the present day. He says that all that will draw now is “ legs ” and pretty women, acting being the last consideration. Now this is too bad from the butterfly, whose fondness for the legitimate, particularly what the intelligent foreigner calls “The Divine Williams," being well known. Johnny’s narrative is like a “London Journal ” story, to be continued in our next, and I trust I shall be favoured with an account of it. Perhaps some enterprising speculators might think it worth while, as the lecture fever appears to have set in with great force, to tour Mr Hydes around here with a lecture entertainment. There might be money in it. And talking of Invercargill reminds me that another literary effort has seen the light there. Strange that the colder regions of the south should have the effect of stimulating that cacoethet tcribendi which seems to bo so rampant in members of the theatrical profession. Mr Harry Power, as I intimated last week, has written a book. It comprises a few theatrical reminiscences of “ za old warrior," strung together and prefaced by a biography of Harry, written by a gentleman who modestly shrouds his identity under the intials of “J. B.” Mr “J. JB.” does not tell us much more of Mr H. Power than we know, and I think might with advantage have told us some more, particularly as no doubt thousands are panting to know yet more of ’Arry than we already do. I was in hopes that the book contained some description of Mr Power’s present venture, but there is no word of this. It comprises some not badly told theatrical anecdotes, and no doubt servos the purpose it is intended for, viz., to reintroduce Mr Power to New Zealand playgoers, though this was hardly needed, as he is pretty well known. Harry and company were at Winton when last heard of.

The concerts given in Invercargill by the Montague-Turner concert party, including Mr and Mrs Turner, Mies Deakin, Mr (Jordon and M. Oaron, appear to have been fairly well patronised. The local papers fall foul of Mr Q-ordon for dropping the latter “ h,” but this must be quite a recently acquired accomplishment, as I never remember him doing this here. If it bo so, let Mr Gordon take courage. Many highly placed dignitaries, even city councillors, are prone to ignore the existence of that useful letter. The concert portion rejoin the rest of the company in Melbourne, in time to open the Bijou there with a season of opera, and all their friende hero will wish Mr and Mrs Turner more appreciation of their truly artistic efforts than was the case in so-called music-loving Christchurch. Signor Da Yivo is the impresario, and no doubt, under his skilful management, the venture will prove a success. In Wellington, the Austrian Band are doing fairly well. The Mastodon Minstrels are also sojourning there. Mr Drayton ha* passed through to Dunedin to arrange for their appearance here and in Dunedin. Speaking of the Comedy and Burlesque Company at Wanganui, the “ Herald ” of the 13th inst., says:—“We learn that M r J. Wilkinson and Miss Amy Johns, who wee to have been the bright particular stars of the company have deserted their allegiance

and in consequence “Eip Van Winkle 11 cannot be played, notwithstanding the brilliant transparency which graces the theatre portico. It appears that Mr and Mrs Wilkinson left Greymouth a week ago, bound for Taranaki, in a schooner, and were put ashore at Waitara on Thursday last. Instead of at once pushing overland to Wanganui to join the_ company, they commenced business on their own account, and our latest advices report them as drawing good houses at New Plymouth.”

In Auckland Mr Harkins has been givingthe playgoers a goodly dose of Shakeptare, with which they appear to have been fairly well satisfied, Mr Harkins, in the characters: of Hamlet and Othello, is well spoken of, and. that clever little lady Miss Maggie Knight also receives well-deserved praise for her Ophelia and Desdemona. ‘‘London Assurance,” “Eiohelieu,” and “Virginias” have been the bills during the last week, and on Monday last a benefit to Mr D« Lion was announced. Mr Bobson was playing in the suburban townships. From Australian files to-hand I clip the following items :—ln Sydney Miss Pomeroy was at last dates playing “ Led Astray."—Mr Dampier, at the Gaiety, was doing good business in a new play written for him by “ The Yagabond.”—At the Opera House, Bent and Baobelder’s Minstrels were still doing well.—On March 14th a very peculiar performance was given at the Queen’s for Mr Haygarth’s benefit. The bill comprised “ Pygmalion and Galatea,” with Miss Ada Ward as Galatea and Mr J. J. Wallace as Pygmalion. What a treat wo have missed.—The Hudson Surprise Party were announced to open at the Queen’s on the 18th.—A dramatic season was announced at the Victoria Hall, the company comprising, amongst others, Mr O. H. Burford, Mr George Collier, Mr H. Walton, and others well known. The opening piece was “ Oliver Twist,” —In Melbourne Mr Grattan Bigga has appeared in a new piece entitled “ The Mysteries of New York,” which received a rather warm reception at the hands of the critics.—ln Hobart Mr Walter Beyuolds and company bare been taking part in an old English fair, whioh has been held iu the theatre there.

I clip the following items from various sources :—Lawrence Barrett closes his “ Memoirs of Edwin Forrest ” with the following characteristic anecdote :—“ Towards the end of his professional career he wae taking supper late owe night with an old friend, who remarked to him, ‘Mr Forrest, I never in my life saw you play Lear so well as you did tonight.’ Whereupon the veteran, rising slowly and laboriously from his ohair, and stretching to hie full height, replied, ‘Play Lear! What do you mean, sir? I don’t play Lear! I play Hamlet, Biohard, Shylock, Virginius, if you please ; but, by God, sir, I am Lear I' " —Mr Boncicanlt has been confiding his troubles to a New York reporter. He says he has two new pieces ready to bring out, one called “Amsrdon,” a domestic Irish drama of the style of “ The Oolleen Bawn,” the other an Irish political drama, like “ The Shaughraun,” but ho has no hope that they will be allowed a hearing on the Metropolitan stage. This is not because, as he says “ the general theatrical outlook" is “at the lowest intellectual ebb,” but because nothing Irish is tolerated in London in any shape or form. In fact, in London, Irish matter is regarded as a constitutional disease more infectious and more virulent than smallpox.” From American, English, and Australian files I glean the following items: —The “ Spirit of the Times ” (New York) thus describes Mademoiselle Shea, the great French actress who is taking New York by storm:—“ She makes Camille a Titian’s blonde—a daisy rather than a camellia, the Marguerite of Goethe rather than of Dnmu —gentle, German, affectionate— and amiable, thus departing even further than Modjeska from the Parisian original, and giving a new version of the well worn role. In manner and make-up Mle. Bbea resembled the Empress Eugenie. She has a lovely, statuesque face, a slight graceful figure, a soft, sweet, clear voice, and speaks very quickly, intelligibly, and intelligently. Her five costumes are miracles of millinery in mate, ial, design and fit. She knows the stage perfectly, and with every act her hold upon the audience deepened and strengthened, without any recourse to sensationalism or surprises. In the scene where she writes the letter to Armand, she could find no pen on the table ; so, in the most natural manner she called for Nanine, and sat quietly sobbing until a pen was brought.” Emily Soldene has organised a strong opera bouffe company for an Australian tour, which will probably lest from nine to ten months. She hopes to reach Melbourne about the end of 1882. She will include in her repertoire some half-dozen of the latest opera boufie compositions, and will bring out all new faces, except Mr Marshall, who will be her stage manager. Haidee Heller, who will be remembered here as doing the second sight “ biz ” with that clever musician and magician, Heller, is, says the “ Bulletin ” (Sydney), now cashier in a fashionable London restaurant. A good thing for the proprietors, as she will be able to see in advance whether the customer has the requisite amount to make the “ parting " pleasant. Mr W. IG. Oarey, whom we all know as a thoroughly capable actor and a good fellow, has created a groat sensation in the part of The Czar in “ Michael Strogoff,” whioh has recently been produced in Sydney. The Victoria Loftus Troupe, or a portion of them, are in Africa, playing “ Pinafore,” with Victoria Loftus as Ralph and Minnie Esmond the beautiful as Buttercup. I should like to see this cast I

What may happen to a dramatic company on tour in America is amusingly described in the London “ Bra.” The company referred to is Edwin Booth’s. The correspondent, writing from New Haven, Connecticut, on November 30th, says: —“ I send you a hurried line to tell you of the funniest performance imaginable. This week wo are playing in one night towns, and we left N.T. yesterday morning for Waterbury, with the intention of playing ‘ Bichelieu ’ in the evening. As we rode from the little railway station up to our hotel we observed how excellently we were billed, and, as we had heard that the advance booking was great, we anticipated a very fine house. Everything looked promising until the last moment, when it was discovered that our baggage, which comprised our wardrobe and properties, and which had been despatched early on Sunday morning from Baltimore, had somehow gone astray on the road, and was miles away from the company. What was to be done f A dismissal appeared certain, substitutes for the play announced were suggested, hut we were destitute of dresses and props. At 7.30 the Theatre was crowded. Punctually to time the curtain was raised, disclosing to the astonished audience Mr Booth and the entire company in their ordinary travelling dress. Mr Booth appealed to the audience apologetically, stated briefly the_ situation, and offered, instead of ‘Bichelieu,’ to go through the first three acts of ‘ Hamlet ’ if they would overlook the ‘trifling’ inaccuracies of costume. The applause with which this little speech was received testified to the good temper of the audience, and in a few minutes the play began. Horatio appeared in the first scene in a monkey jacket ana round felt hat, while Hamlet, in a cutaway coat, apostrophising his father’s ghost, who was clad in light tweed trousers and stand up collar, with a bold face, was something to remember. Miss Bella Pateman, as Ophelia, appeared in a dark brown travelling dress, embellished at the last moment with s cloud of white lace purchased at a neighboring store. Laertes wore a blue pilot suit, and looked like the captain of a river steamer, while Polonius looked eminently well in a black frock coat, and, for lack of the necessary requisites, appeared without his traditional beard. There was no possibility of ‘ making up ' for the parts, and the King of Danmark, with a dark moustache and clad in a forty dollar sporting suit, looked like Bob Sackett, more on the spree than over. The evening’s entertainment concluded with “The Quiet Family,’ in which the Royal Court of Denmark again appeared under other nemos, but in the same costumes. From the applause with which the entertainment was received, it was evident that the audience did not share the distress of the actors placed so unexpectedly in a position both embarrassing and novel. Very few comparatively asked for the return of their money, ar;d we leave the town richer by a thousand dollars, netted by a performance which, for originality, has, perhaps, not been equalled in this generation."