DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 274, 22 May 1886, Page 4

DRAMATIC GOSSIP.

There has just been an ill-judged attempt at Her Majesty's Theatre in the direction of Italian opera, which culminated in one of the most disgraceful fiascos ever witnessed in London. The garden scene in Faust was performed with only half the unpaid orchestra; some of audience amused themselves by playfully throwing oranges at the conductor's devoted head; the gallery sang comic songs; the last ring up of the curtain was at midnight; after which the starving choristers and stage hands pathetically appealed for charity, and there was a grim scramble on the stage for a handful of pence thrown from the auditorium. The scene was altogether without parallel in the history of Italian Opera in England, and will certainly drive another nail into the coffin of this school of opera once so immensely popular in London. At the conclusion of the " entertainment" the manager, a M. Carillon, was found to have executed a strategic movement to parts unknown, and his subordinates were too thoroughly frightened to do anything. Shortly before one o'clock on Sunday morning the angry audience penetrated the lobbies and hustled those who remained. A few strips of carpet was torn to shreds, and a few gas lamps smashed, but the mob were really pacifically inclined, as no police were visible, and the theatre was absolutely at their mercy had they chosen to revenge themselves summarily.

Miss Minnie Palmer, the famous American burlesque actress, who for the last two or three years has been making such havoc amongst the London mashers, is about to embark on a cruise to the Cape, Australia, New Zealand and India, with her wellknown "My Sweetheart" Company. Miss Minnie Palmer will open the Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, on Boxing night, and after making a tour of Australia will set out for New Zealand. It is currently reported that this sprightly actress has netted £40,000 during her sojourn in England. She is at present playing at the Strand Theatre.

Hengler's Circus was ordered to perform before Her Majesty at Windsor Castle a few weeks ago. On this occasion the critic of the " Sportsman " determined to witness the performance in the interests of his paper, went disguised as a clown, but declining to part with his spectacles, and being fit for nothing, was ordered to stand aside. But he saw the entertainment, nevertheless. The Queen has also commanded a performance of " Enemies," with Mrs Langtry in the chief role.

A memorial stone has at last been placed over Byron's grave in Brompton cemetery. It bears the inscription :—" Sacred to the memory of H. J. Byron; born January Bth, 1834; died April 11th, 1884." The memorial was erected by John L. Toole, who was an attached friend of the dead dramatist.

Miss Lydia Thompson, the wellknown burlesque actress, has just lost her husband, Mr Alexander Henderson, manager of the Avenue Theatre, London. Nearly all the successful opera bouffes transplanted from the Parisian to the English stage during the last fifteen years have been produced under Mr Henderson's management.

Silver King Jones is getting more jobs just now than any other English dramatist. He is at present writing a new five act romantic drama for the Princess Theatre, a three act comedy for the Vaudeville, and a one act comedy from his pen is in rehearsal at the St. James's. Mr Jones advocates the printing and publication of plays simultaneously with or even before their production, and intends not improbably to try the experiment himself.

Mr Wilson Barrett did a very plucky thing at the Princess Theatre, London, recently. During the flood scene in the drama of " The Lord Harry," and when Lord Harry is on the tiles, he perceived that a large portion of the scenery was well alight, and that an ugly scene was imminent. Without an instant's thought he leaped from the house-roof on to the stage, just missing a yawning trap, and with his bare hands and his hat he literally beat out the flames, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the audience. The actor's hands were badly scorched, but he stopped the scnre and prevented a panic. When all danger was over, the ladies, who had behaved remarkably well, rose in their stalls and waved their handkerchiefs, and the whole house called and recalled the manager, whose presence of mind was as instant as was his courage indubitable.