Dramatic And Musical

Free Lance, Volume I, Issue 42, 20 April 1901, Page 14

Dramatic And Musical

By Footlight.

FURRY, THK FROG, is btill the reigning atti action at Dixs Gaiotv and, judging bv the dowels which nightly tluong the Theatre Rojal, a considerable proportion of the citizens are depending upon Dix for their gaiety. As for the Frog, he continues to mystify and entertain Ins audiences just as effectually now as uhen the novelty of Ins yird performances "as in its fust blush. The Williams quartette of agile and musical sisters aie also m the flood-tide of their popularity, and their coon songs, their concerted dances, and their marvollous feats of dexterity on the/ wheol are nightly among the most welcome items on the -rogramme Arnold Jarvis gives a very pretty and picturesque exhibition of balancing while Frank Yorke and Tom Leonard axe constantly striking rich shoots of humour, and encouraging a reeling of levity m the community. In tact the bravest people in Wellington nnd it impossible to look at things in a serious light while those particular artists are on the stage. Mr. Arthur Hahn s choice and sweetly sung songs are enthusiastically encored every time, and Miss Ida Clarkson's ballads, and Miss Annetta Bodin's serio-comics are highly appreciated. • * * Tuesday next promises to be quite a gala night. On that occasion some bright 'stars," fresh from Australia, will appear in the Gaiety firmament. These are the versatile comedian Harry Gray familiarly known as "Little Tich " Wallace King, the silver-toned tenor, and the De Vella Sisters, senos and dancers. Miss Ethel Clifford, descriptive vocalist, also reappears on that occasion. • « * Fuller's Empire Vaudeville Company seem to find not the slightest difficulty in keeping the Choral Hall well filled. The new programme on Saturday night was received by a crammed house, and every item upon it was emphatically encored. Dennis Carneys comic songs and jocosities tickle the audience into fits of laughtei . The Beverleys have a new sketch, called ''After the Honeymoon," which is exceedingly droll and clever withal. • * ♦ Miss Maud Failing's coon impersonations are highly satisfying, and Misses Young, Verne, and Devere, and Messrs. Douglas, Elliott, and George Williamson each and all contribute materially to a very bright programme. By the way, Geo. Williamson, whose "Giant Boot Dance" has been filling an aching void in the popular heart this week, says good-bye on Saturday night. On that occasion, Maud Faning will make her debut as tambounnist in the first pait The management have just re-engaged those brilliant trapeze performers, the Lester Brothers. • • * Mr Charles Arnold is a great believer in the future prosperity of Maoriland. He has invested all the profits of his late toiu in property in various New Zealand cities, his latest purchase being foui houses at Wailu. He ha.s also been buying largely in shares m various companies » • « Madame Adchna Path's life earnings aio estimated at considerably over a million nounds sterling, and the icwels now in her possession arc said to be worth over ClOO,OOO. V « » Tom Pollaid has with him now* eighteen perfoimers who belonged to Ins troupe ten yeais ago » * * Still another divorce, with still another burlesque actress hguimg in it, is brew ing in Australia. •* * * There is just a prospect that Nellie Stew ait will pay New Zealand a visit betoie \ei\ long The Hobart "Clipper" unkindly hays — "Nellie Stewart is forty now, and she is pietty well a& fat as> she used to be fair. She is lather florid than fair now, for she has lost much of the physical charm of her None the less, Nellie is still a delightful creature on the stage." Sullivan left a Te Deum to be sung on the conclusion of the South African war. When?

They are saying that dainty Irene Fianklin's coon song, "Won't you take me back to Dix-ie," gained fresh point dnectly she accepted an engagement under Peicy Dix the other day. * * * William Anderson, who will shortly send a dramatic company to New Zealand, has bought the Australian rights of several recent London successes • — 'The Night Owls," by G. R. Sims, 'The Mariners of Kngland," by Robert Buchanan," and "The London Arab." « ♦ • ' Slip Will Sing" is the title- of the .side-splitting absurdity out of which Peicy Dixs latest importations — the Three Hay tors, Edie, Arthur, and Frank — have been making no end of fun on the other side. • • • SndKclle, on his own admission, was d failure as a commercial traveller for boots. He fought twelve customers, and got one order. Walter Fuller leaves for England shortly on a business trip, and returns to the colony in December next. • * • The song recitals of Mdlle. Antoma Dolores, as Trebelli now calls herself, were announced to begin in the Sydney Town Hall last week, and primise to be most interesting. The beautiful singing of the French cantatnee has ever been popular, and, after hearing her privately, one of the Sydney critics states that her voice is better than ever, and has gained in mellowness since 'she last appeared in these colonies.