Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 53, 6 July 1901, Page 17

Dramatic and Musical

By Footlight.

THE Stanton Dramatic Companj' have given Wellington play-goers a taste of their best work during the past week, and the successor to their initial, opera fits tiie artistes better than did the grotesque "Said Pasha." "Fra Diavolo" may be regarded as slightly risque, but the adnurablo handling ot the part of the innkeeper's daughter, Zenina, by Miss Stanton, absolved it from any breach ot propriety. Miss Stanton, as always, plays and sings with charming grace ana vivacity, her voice being nneiy modulated and flexible. She is a really accomplished cantatnee, and adorns every part she takes. Mr. Henry Hallam tills his dithcult role ot the bandit chiet with great satisfaction to the audience. His voice is melodious, his method most artistic, his acting perfectly natural and graceful, and his stage appearance impressive. The comedy is carefully looked after, Mr. George Kunkel contributing his share with bright touches and occasional genius. It is difficult to give individual praise in a company whose people are all excellent. The choruses are bright, and the dressing effects tasteful - . . * _ "Dorcas," the company's third bid for popular favour, has "caught on." As a musical comedy, it gives scope for the company's best vocal efforts. Apart from the tuneful singing ot sparkling songs, "Dorcas" is slight, although the most is made of the material at disposal. Miss Stanton's remarkable versatility is more apparent in this than in her previous efforts, as she is required to enact three distinct parts during the progress of the piece. Mr. "Glaridge' Harvey is responsible for the principal humour of the piece, and all the members of the popular company sustain a w ell-earned reputation. "Girofle-Girotla" is the company's next item on the schedule. * * * Dixs Gaiety, at the Theatre Royal, is attracting its usual crowds to see and hear its latest novelties. While Miss Franklin has a place in the bill the theatre is sure of a large audience. Her bewitching items are the feature of an entertainment every item of which is well worth seeing, and her frequent recalls a tribute to the exquisite finish ot her work. The Hay tors have been most popular during their stay, by reason of their wonderful versatility and their inimitable business. Pope and Sayles, the black, but comely, cornermen and general all-round comic wonders, have burst upon an appreciative audience. They are inimitable. * « * Not only are these coloured comedians adepts in the art of fun creation, but are also versed in the mysteries ot athletics. One holds a trophy as a champion Australian sprinter, and the other is spoken of as a past-master m the art of self-defence. Mr. Charles Howard, a baritone with a, remarkably powerful voice of unusual sweetness, has sang himself into favour in a single night. The lesser lights of the Gaiety are certainly none of them farthing "dips," and are only lesser by contrast. A sparkling entertainment, a comfortable theatre, and a courteous management makes the Gaiety a popular resort. That it is prospering on that account is hardly wonderful. * • * John Fuller's nieny men, at the Choral Hall, are keeping their entertainment up to concert pitch by the acquisition of new and sparkling business. Faust and Walhalla have arrived to swell the fun. and, as far as I can judge, seem to be successful, if screams of laughter aie any criterion. Without being risque, this comic couple manage to get humour enough out of their violins, and themselves to keep the audience constantly simmering with laughtei Besides being quaintly musical, the comic couple contort grotesquely . Other artistes keep the fun merrily bubbling. Miss Ivy Fulton, who seems to u-tain an ever-green popularity, is not vet on the wane, and Miss Maud Faning, the debonnairo danseuse and vigorous songstress, delights as evei Altogether, tho business at the Choral Hall is highly satisfactory to management and habitues, and Mr. Fuller's pionuse to import talent from Australia at fre-

quenfc intervals is likely to further popularise it. • « # The Leslie Brothers, so well-known in Wellington as the most grotesque humourists and finished musicians, are starring at Brisbane at present. Brisbane lias simply idolised the comic brothers, and are lolling up in strong numbers to see and hear them. The brothers are gradually tearing themselves away from the colonies, it being their intention, when the final wrench has eventuated, to tour England and the Continent, ultimately returning to New Zealand with the latest business. * # * Messrs. P. R. Dix and F. Duval are on their way to Sydney. They intend capturing as many variety artistes as possible during their trip, and the Theatre Royal constellation will be brightened by the acquisition of the most recent stars. • ♦ • The fortunes of the Greenwood Company has undergone a change. A Brisbane correspondent tells me the company is playing to the largest houses ever seen in the North of Queensland. • • • A young Australian lady, who, with assiduous practice, has become a graceful and expert dancer, determined to go to London to astonish the " 'Alls." She saved enough money for the purpose, but lost the whole of it on the way to the booking-office. Hard luck! » • * Miss Nance O'Neill is a connoisseur of diamonds, and, as she has put almost the whole of the profits of her colonial tour — £15,000 — into the precious stones, she will be an object of interest to members of other professions. (Continued on Page 18.)

The British Bull-dog rules the wave, Undaunted tar is he, And angry billows oft hib grave, Can't turn him from the sea. The hardships of a sailor's life He can bo well endure, When coughs and colds are alwajs life, With Woods' Gkeat Peppermint Cure,

Sarah Bernhardt is in constant diffiouities with her pet dogs and other members of her select menagerie. Apparently, the proprietors of Madame's hotels refuse her canine guests. Apparently, a careless generation of hotelkeepers have not included reptiles in their lists of undesirables, so the Divine Sarah has invested in an alligator about six feet in length. She arrives, escorted by the scaly monster, challenges the proprietor to show cause why the pet should not be admitted, as there are no rules against the admission of the alligator to hotels. • • ♦ Mr. Wilson Barrett's colonial tour seems to be in danger of being postponed. His company, with a repertoire of fifteen plays, was due to arrive in Melbourne on August 3rd, and in New Zealand later. Now, it appears, the celebrated actor is "wanted" by the police, not as an evil-doer, but as a witness in a forgery case. Someone has been using pen and ink, and Mr. Barrett's uaine, and he, being the principal witness, will be detained in London until the matter is cleared up. • • • Next Monday the Stanton Company enters upon their third and farewell week, when "The Fencing Master," "Wang," and several other operas new to Wellington will be given. t • * • The Josephine Stanton Opera Company have introduced a novelty in Wellington, that of giving a shilling matinee, which means that one shilling is the one and only price charged which admits the auditor to any seat in the theatre. To say that these matinees are popular is to see the large gathering of people in attendance, and long before the doors open u omen and children are massed at the entrance waiting for admission.