OUR MELBOURNE DRAMATIC LETTER

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6502, 29 December 1881, Page 3

OUR MELBOURNE DRAMATIC LETTER

[tBOK OUB OWH OOBBISFOHSWT.} Ksmo sne tmjnm* toMssit.

Mbuboubbb, Dio. 14,1881.

The "Coppin farewell series of psrfor* manoes " came to an end on Friday evening last, and have been most successful from every point of view. The audiences have bsen unexoeptionally large, enthusiastic and sppreoiatiye, while the veteran actor and manager has enjoyed excellent health during the tom of hit presentations. On Friday last he took his farewell as an actor for ever of the Melbourne stage, and delivered one ef his characteristic speeches, giving a condensed history of hi* career, which has from time to time appeared in the public pres*. On this, his farewell night, he appeared as Tom Peokover, in the comedy, The Contested Stectios, and a* Crack, the Gobbler, in the Turnpike Oats. The latter wae a part in which he appeared on hie first appearance in Melbourne, in 1845. The weather was of the worst, yet the Royal wss crammed from door to ceiling, the stalls, even, were turned into drees circle seats and dress circle price* of admission charged. On the folio wing (Saturday) afternoon, a matinee benefit was tendered to Mr Coppin by the members of the profession. The performance comprised the second act of Tambour Major by Mr Musgrove’s Company j song, by Mr Maecabei recitation, by Mr Red. Uervin j the second act of Betsy, by Mr Fred. Marshall’s ComBuy t grand concert, by Madame Simonsen, is* Botina Carandini, Signora Agnes Palma, Signor Paladini, Signor Zelman and Mr Harcourt Lee t The Fool of the Family, in which Mr and Mr* J. 0. Williamson appeared and a recital ion by Mr Walter Reynold* After a short interval toe curtain again drew up, discovering Mr Coppin in the centre of the stage, with Mr H. B. Harwood on bis loft, and supported by the following wellknown ladies and gentlemenMr* Walter Hill, and Misses Myra Kemble, May Hill, Flora Anstead, Dooy Stewart, M. Maynard, A. and 0. Doorwyn, Dooy Mainwaring, Cardlnelli, Clough, Thompson, Windsor, Griffith j Messrs D. H. Harkins, Wybert Reeve. J. L. Hall, J. Searle, Stuart O'Brien, Sterling Whyte, F. Forbes, H. Seville, Arthur Garner, G. B. Ireland, J. F. Oathcart, Gladstone, Desring, 0. Brown, Haslett, Appleton, Douglas, Hudson, Leuton, Rogers, Ca>»ar, Atfca, Bates, Wilson, Dixon, andß. N. Jones. It was indeed a glorious sight to see so large an assemblage of beauty and talent paying their respsote to the retired actor. The address, which was written by Ur F. 0. Appleton and presented by Mr H. B. Harwood, spoke at length of (he many obligations the profession were under to Hr Coppin for his great effort* to elevate their position in the community, and of the still greater obligation* the people of Australia owed to Mr Coppin for his efforts in catering for their pleasures and amusement. Mr Coppin'* reply, which was delivered with considerable emotion, was so torse and exceedingly happy that I claim a little more space than usual for some portions of it. He said: "Mr Harwood, Ladles and Gentleman,—l

feel greatly honoured by the entertainment you Dare siren thie afternoon, the attendatce of the professional talent by which 1 am surrounded, and the very flattering addreee you bare been kind enough to present upon my retirement naan actor from the Melbourne (Ugo. It is scarcely possible that any of you will mo to great a change ia the profession os 1 bare witnessed during the last half century. In inr early days acton ware not only proclaimed by act of Parliament, bat they were actually looked upon os rogues and rtgabonds in the small towns in England. My first remembrances take me to Smedlev’s Btroliiog Company. He hod a circuit of small towns that he used to risir. for one month every two years, and woa a very worthy gentleman, trying to overcome the ynrejndices which eats ted against our profession, and maintain the respectability of himso’f ond company. Upon 1-avitg a town, he always announced at the bottom of his bills that 'all claims against the company would be paid by the moniger,’ although he only paid ISs a week to each o-.u-r, he could always ktep up a respectable c ompany of eight men and four woa»r, Hi. entire eipenses were about £l6 a **•< k, and he inserted a clause in his engagement compelling all bis actors and actresses to attend a church or chapel every Sunday. There were no organs in those days in country churches, and being a musical family, my father, my Sister, and myself used to assist the usual clarion*tie, bassoon and serpent that ued to blow out the Psalms with great rigour and discord. This mode the Coppmfamily popular, and we nsed to make good benefits, dotting os much as£4cr £6 sometime#. My father then commenced management upon the —•■»»«* extensive scale. Mr Crnwiek, who visited the colony two years ago, was his leading man, at ISs a week salary. From thee# strolling companies the next step was to small theatres like Fisher’s, Bobcrtson’s, or Manley’s circuits. From these you worksd your way to the York, Norwich, or northern circuits, or to Bath, where London managers used to look for talent. Vow, all the circuits—which were really schools for acting—bare been abandoned. Combination companies for special pieces ate the rale, and instead of actors being educated to a round of legitimate character*, ion erienced persons ore engaged to play a :*rt for which they hare some special qaal.fi.Mi i n. and the pieces run for years. The go »t increase in the population and the facilitin for travelling are, I presume, to answer for the revolution. The requirements for on ncor are modi more exacting in the Colonies chan they an In England, a* a member of a stock company here is expected to play in tragedy, comedy, farce, and burlesque. Aa a manager and actor, it has always been my endeavour to elevate our profession, both socially and as an art, and I do not hesitate to assert that, for respectability, morality, and talent, the theatrical and musical professions are quite equal to any other class of the community, whilst they more liberally assist whenever appealed to ia the cause of benevolence. • * * The days of intolerance are happily fast passing away, and the donation of our liberal-minded bishop (Dr Moorhouse) to the endowment fond of the Founders’ Cottage of the Dramatic and Musical A f social ion must have a religions influence over those wretched bigots, who, in condemning a respectable r of people—of whom they know nothing—are blind to their own responsibilities, and guilty of neglecting their duty as Christians. The association of clergymen and acton in London is promoting sympathy between the pulpit and the stage, and when the time arrives for clergymen to walk publicly into a theatre, their presence will no doubt have a beneficial control over this class of entertainment, the style of acting and the conduct of the audience.” Daring the delivery of the address Mr Coppin was applauded to the echo, and at ite close cheer upon cheer went ap as the curtain descended upon a most agreeable sequel to the farewell performances of the retired actor.

Under the disadvantage of fallowing a crowded matinee. Miss Georgia Smithson made her initial appearance at the Theatre Bojal on Saturday evening in the character of “Jo,” in a dramatic version of RWfr House, and achieved a most unqualified success. The concluding portion of the evening’s programme consisted of a sketch entitled Personation, in which Mum Smithson sustained six character*. The pantomime at this house, as I have before advised you, will be called Whillinyios and Mu Cat. tf;.. Smithson will appear as the hero, and her husband (Mr George Holloway) will enact tbs “Cat” in the burlesque, and down in the harlequinade. Mr John Hennings prepared some of the grandest scenery for this production that has ever emanated from his brush.

Mr Fred Marshall is doing very well, considering the time of year, at the Princess Theatre. On Friday evening last the comedy of The Goo’nor waa withdrawn, and in its place on Saturday, Mr H. J. Byron's comedy, drama Blow for Blow wae revived, with Mr Fred Marshall and Miss Annie Taylor in their "crack” parte of Chsulio Spraggs and Kitty Wobbler The other puts were excel* lently well filled by the very strong and talented company engaged at this now fashionable theatre. In the pantomime. Miss Annie Taylor will sustain the role of Dick Whittington. A beggarly account of empty benches nightly presents itself to the management when the curtain rises at the Academy of Music—or rather Bijou 2 heatre. The drama of Hazel Kirke, though far superior to Tie Galley Stave, fails to draw even decent houses, although Mr* Lewis sustain* the tills rd/r. Mr M'Fadyen, the sew star, has failed to make his mark in this city, and mutt perforce shortly take a back seat. On Saturday * evening a "grand complimentary benefit” « to be tendered to Mrs O. B. W. Lewis, after which the theatre will be doted till Christmas eve, when will be presented a new Christmas pantomime. The revival of Let Cloches de Corasvitle r though splendidly produced, has sot by any means been a succe#* The tenor, Mr Ben Clark, is overweighted in the HU of Oreniohaux—hi* voice is too light and his acting very indifferent. Mitt tavern# ia the Serpoletto of the opera, hut she must take a back seat before the Germaine of pretty clever Kellie Stewart. She is the gem of the production. I hear that Olivette will be pro* seated at Christmas, in which Madame Pauline Rita will make her Australian debut.

Ur Fred. Uaccabe is now in the eighth week of hi* present programme, which be will change to-morrow evening. Hudson’s Theatre is at present tenanted by a combination of bootclosew, clickers, Ac., styling themselves "The Kentucky Min-strel*’’-—their performances are a painful infliction. At Christinas 1 hear that the " Pollard Juvenile Opera Troupe ” will hold possession of the boards for a short season. Mr and Mrs J. C. Williamson (Ui*« Maggie Moore) leave to-day by steamer on their first visit to New Zealand. They carry with them the heartfelt withes of everyone honoured by their acquaintance for their health and success in your Colony. In their performances I promise you a rich treat in every way. Mr Stuart O’Brien (Me Deacon Skinner of the Australian stage), Mr H. H. Vincent (late manager of the Theatre Boyal, Adelaide), and a picked company leave with them.

Mr J. W. Dodge (husband of Miss Flora Anstead), the well known theatrical manager, has taken a lease of the Princess Theatre, View Point, Sandhurst, and will commence his managerial campaign there on the “6th inst. He will open with Mr Wybert Reeve as bis first star, and his company will include Miss May Hill (daughter of Mrs Walter Hill); who will make her first appearance on the Victorian stage. Miss Flora Anstead (Mr# J. W. Dodge), Mist Bronton (Mrs J. O. Joyce), and Mist Kellie Greenlee* (Mrs E. B. Bussell), Messrs O. B. Ireland, J. O. Joyce, A. J. Byrne, Clifford, Charles Bussell, and E. Ryan. A now Coined v by Mr A. W. Pinero, entitled The Mosey Spinner, will be the initial attraction, and arrangement* have been made with Messrs Grattan Biggs and Alfred Dampler to appear daring the season. Mr Dodge is alto in treaty with Mr Bland Holt to produce and appear in the two sensational plays Hev Babylon and the World , as soon as circumstances will permit. M IV WF Wm9UW*