DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 65, 28 September 1901, Page 16

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footlight

THI. latest change of progiamme at Dixs Gaiety calls for special comment, and may bo deemed to be given by as talented a combination as any that the efforts of the management have hitherto succeeded in obtaining. The presence ot several "stars" keeps tho attendance well up to the usual iarge aveiage, and habitues show as ample appreciation during the third jear ot the Gaiety's life as they did in its infancy.

Miss liene Fianklin receives ovations nightly foi her sympathetic rendering ot her quaint and pathetic numbers. Miss Franklin's magnetic personality, and her dainty movements, are responsible, more than the quality of her singing, for the eagerness of the audience for her items, and for the enthusiasm with which they are welcomed

Mr. Harry Shine inspires one with tho conviction that he w as born gesticulating. His remarkable volubility, his torrential utterance of patter nonsense, and his freedom from stiffness, give him a high place as a comedian. The hilantv occasioned by Mr. Shine is the highest compliment to his powei as an artist.

Miss Violet Elliott is a gifted contralto, who infuses infinite pathos into her singing. The quality of her voice is exceptional, the lower legister being especially rich. Her songs aro chosen with much taste, and her attractive personality gives finish to songs that arc a musical treat, and that aie as such highly appreciated. Lily and Herbert Roberts might instil more animation into their duets. The lady, who has a soprano voice of merit, has never a smile, which somewhat detracts from music tastefully rendered.

Miss Alma Gray on Monday night was indisposed. I trust the chaiming little singer will effect a speedy recovery. The Wonal Sisters dance nicely, and have some very graceful items. Mr. James Williams, the basso, has sung 'Asleep on the Deep" with success, the profundity of his lower notes being regarded as novel. Mr. George Dean is most successful in his acted songs, Les Wharton and James Marion find new comicalities fiequently, Miss Ethel Gwynne, and many others, complete the combination which is at present as strong as ever.

Up in Auckland, after the performance of "Mantana," one night last week, Miss Clio Vernon, of the Josephine Stanton Opera Company, was presented by the members of tho company with a greenstone heart mounted in gold, suitably inscribed, as a bnthday gift.

Miss Josephine Stanton, herself, had a birthday on Saturday last, and she took an exceptionally kind way of celebrating it which speaks volumes for her goodness of heart. She gave a special matinee performance, to which all the youngsters of Auckland, under the ago of 16, were publicly invited. It was a "free" show for them, and the advertisement expressly mentioned that "no adults will be admitted." Heie's to jou, Josephine, may tho best of luck dog your footsteps

Mr. Finest Fitts and his wife weie to leave Sydney this week, under engagement to Mr. P. R. Dix, and aie to commence a tour of New Zealand at Auckland on September 30.

The Williamson Italian Opeia Company will not visit New Zealand for some time, if at all. The dates booked by Mr Williamson, commencing at Dunedin on Dncembei 21, will be taken up by the W T ilson Barrett Company.

The booking for the fiist. ten nights ot tho Grand Opera at C'hristchuich was as follows — "Trovatore" (opening night), £123, "Faust," £138 "Carmen" £133 "Lohengrin" (first perfonuance), £159, "Trovatoie" (second performance) £91 . "Faust (second performance), £107, "Lohengrin" (second performance), £124 ' Mantana." £108 "Tannhauser," £173 "Carmen" (second peifoimance), £72 In round numbers the booking office received something like £1500 foi the ten nights while for the lemainmg two nights the average vv as well maintained

It is just possible the Musgrove Grand Opel a Company may pay a return visit to New Zealand early next year. When

the company were in Wellington cables were passing between the general maruiger (Mr. T. P. Hudson) and Mr. Geo. Musgrove on th© matter, and I believe Mr. Hudson, in view of the excellent business that was being done, recommended a repeat visit, covering a couple of months. If it comes off the Opera Company will bring with them three fresh operas at least, viz., Verdi's "Aida" (which would be memorable from a spectacular point of view), Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera" ("The Masked Ball"), and Puccini's "La Boheme," which would bo entirely new in this colony. Let us hope that Mr. Hudson's counsels prevail.

Playgoers will gladly welcome the reappearance of Mr. John Sheridan in Wellington. His New Zealand season has been up to now an unprecedented success. He commences his Wellington season in the Opera House on October sth, with "When the Lamps are Lighted," written by George R. Sims and Leonard Merrick. Lovers of good, wholesome comedy, who have not seen the genial "Johnnie" as the Widow O'Brien, Con the Shaugraun, etc , should not miss the opportunity of witnessing him in characters created by him, and kept green during upwards of a decade of success.

George Musgrove is selling out his interest in the Shaftsbury Theatre, London, and also disposing of his home at Kingston-on-Thames. It is said he will devote himself entirely to Australia for tho future, and that his residence will be in Sydney.

The Major of Sydney has just announced that his City Council will probably invite applications throughout Australia for the post of city organist, and will also invite great organists from abroad to give series of recitals from time to time. When will Wellington have a city organ, eh ?

Mdlle. Trebehl (Dolores) is due in Now Zealand next month.

Mi-s Lent Franklin is stated to be Jewish, Irish, English, and German.

Mr. John Fuller vvutes mc that his show is going exceptionally strong in Sydney at present. * * *

Mr. Philip Newbury is said to have made his populai conceits in the Fedelal Hall, Auckland, a gieat success

Miss Fanny Poweis, the clcv ci juvenile comedienne, is leaving Australia, where she is a favourite, under engagement to Mi P. R Dix.

Mr. Harry Atkinson, who has been most successful at the London Halls, is a brother of Mr. Finest Fitts, formerly leading baritone for the Pollaids.

Mr. Charles Arnold has paid upwards of £2500 in royalties on 'Why Smith Left Home," and ' What Happened to Jones," to Mr Bioadhurst since his last visit to the colonies.

Roy Murphy who claims exceptional ability as a trick cyclist, appeared in Auckland on Monday la.st for Mr P. R. Dix. He, with Mr Austin Rudd, will come to Wellington shortly.

Mr. Sydney Bell, the Christchurch singer, has accepted an engagement with the Stanton Opera Company. For some years Mr. Bell was leading bantone in the Christchurch Amateur Opei a Club.

This is a rather nice piece of cuticism culled from a 'stcemed American contemporary —' As a singer has a lot to learn, and he is way down low in acting. His voice may saw wood, although this feature is not claimed foi it, but the songs he sings tears up no seats."

Cinquovalh, tho cleveicst white conluror and doccptionist existing: is on a tour of the world. Ho goes to Now York, and to San Francisco, thence lie comes to New Zealand and Australia. From the Commonwealth he puiposes lourneying to India, to pick up a few wrinkles from the Hindoos He will also visit South Africa hefore completing a tour that is to occupy two years

Mr. John Prouso, who has been m Australia with Madame Belle Cole, returns to New Zealand hj the Sonoma, together with the great contralto, on Saturday next 28th inst. As Madame proceeds to America at once, it is unlikely that she will give any more concerts in New Zealand. Mr Piouse has been asked to accompany Madame Belle Cole on tour, and it is consideied likely that he will accept the offei.