Dramatcial & Musical

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 76, 14 December 1901, Page 17

Dramatcial & Musical

By Footlight.

AT Dux's Gaiety, the Kielderson boom is now on Kielderson says he is a 'ohapeaugraphist," which means that with a hat and a face he can produce a likeness of anyone ot whom he has seen, a photograph, from King Dick to a mere pnnoe, or from Fred Pirani to Mr. Gladstone. He makes laughter for big houses ever> nieht Miss Pearl Lovel is one of the best serios that has sparkled at Dixs, and she has been worked fairly hard since she arrived. She is rarely released before her third encore. She has a personal charm and pretty dresses that help her voice and general business famously. The Val dares can do anything on a "bike" that you like to ask, and it is hardly too much to say that they wear down any previous track cyclists even the Gaiety has seen. As for Tom Powers, the comic wheeler, what the Valdares forget to do he remembers He is the biking roughrider, and the wheel that throws him will have to he an "outlaw" indeed Pope and Sayles, the inky comedians, have the stage to themselves, and the house in roars every night for a good spell. The neople find it hard to part with the irrepressible Savles. and he is responsible for main recalls and much lengthening of the programme. # * * Mr John Bromley, the sympathetic singer, is still in favour, and there are a ooxiple of dozen other artistes who can be depended on to drive dull care away From Kielderson to Johnny Collins, Dixs present combination is a fine one, and fully justifies the large business being don© by Vaudeville "King Dix " # * * The Ada Delroy Company fills the Choral Hall very comfortably every night, and, as there is no diminution in the attendance, so the quality of the show has not become poorer. Miss Delrov herself is dancing nightly many weird oteps, singing many songs, playmg merry music, and altogether proving herself a oowerful magnet of attraction. ■* * * Mi James Bell, manager, comedian, musician, bones, and many-sided entertamer, gives us a new farce, which is rathoi better than the average funny business. It is called "My Wife's Baby." Mr. Bell can be turned on any minute, and, as he can do almost anything that an audience pays to see or hear, he is as popular as he deserves to be • * • A new feature is the fine recitation of Mr Ford, "Kissing Cup's Race," given exceptionally well, and hitting the audience at once. Mr Ford's other fea^tures are as elastic as ever, and he grimaces nightly in imitation of notable people Biograph pictures, songs, and the White Mahatma make up the sum of a bright and popular entertainment * * * Janet Waldorf's Dramatic Company scored an unqualified success in Shakespeare's brilliant comedy, Twelfth Night " As Viola Miss Waldorf was bright, vivacious, and charming Her fine sonorous voice fits the part in which she masquerades as a man. The passages in which the love-struck Olivia (Miss Marie DA lton) lays the gift of hei heart at the feet of Viola, is full of fine natural touches Miss Waldorf was handicapped bv a severe cold, but it could not mar the force of her action or dull the brilliancy of a splendid impersonation * * • Mr. Norval MacGregor gave a firstclass portraiture of the conceited major domo and absurd coxcomb, Malvolio. His make-up was admirable, he spoke his lines with much T>oint, and his action and by-play were exceedingly effective. It is the finest Malvolio we have seen for many years In fact, it is not too much to say so completely successful a presentation of "Twelfth Night" has never before been seen in Wellington. * # » The screamingly funny low comedy passages of Sir Toby Belch (Mr Fred Patev) and Sir Andrew Aguecheek fMr Laurence Hanrav) were thoroughly enjoyed bv the audience, the silly airs and absurd bravado of Aeriecheek and the bibulous fire-eating braggadocio of Sir

Toby being made the most ot. Mr Vivian Edwards' Orsino was a somewhat stilted pertormdiice, but the Sebastian ot Mr Fitchett gave evidence of that youne artist's hue capabilities. Mr. Harcus Plimmer made a success of his Antonio, and the general evenness ot the performance of 'Twelfth Night' furnished a most refreshing and enjoyable theatrical treat. ■* « • Muoh Ado About Nothing," on Monday and Tuesday nights, was another cexellent Shakespearian revival. Miss Waldorf took the part of the merryhearted, shai p-tongued Beatrice con am ore The gradual winning of tht> heart of Benedick, who, by the strength of his railing against matrimony, has given his name to all bachelors, is come by with the art of the great dramatist and was brought into nice relief b\ the artistic talents, of the lea<kng players. * * * Mr Norval MacGregor's fine impersonation of the man fighting against love, and desiring to win it, afforded him opportunity for display, and he did not miss it Like previous productions. Much Ado" is remarkable for the evenness of the acting Miss Bartletts "Hero," Mr F L. Patey's "Dogberry Mr Hanrav's Don Pedro," Mr. Vivian Fdwards' "Claudio," Mr Harry Dousrlas' "Leonato," Mr Lloyd's "Antonio." Mr. Harcus Phmmer's "Friar " and Mr Paul Scardon's ''Don John " Mr Joe Devon's "Verges." and Mr Fitehett'^ Borachio" were all admirably played xhe season closed on Wednesday nigiit witii a nrst-ciass performance or llie Merchant oi Venice.' Miss Waldort was Ingnly successful a& Portia, and Mr. iNorval MacUiegor made a vei\ palpable hit" as. Shylock. Like all the other productions ot this hne company, it was very even, and smooth. fho house was crowded, at th© end ot the fourth act there was a lavish offering ol handsome bouquets, and when the curtain finally dropped the audience stood up and gave the players three rounds of 10 using oheers. Miss Janet W aldorf and her company may be quite suie of a hearty welcome whenever they return to Wellington. The orchestra and pupils of Mis& Vartha and Herr Lehmann gave a most enjoyable musical evening last Friday night in Spiller's Hall, contributing several orchestral items, before a large aJid enthusiastic audience. The orchestra, which was conducted by Heri Lehmann, showed much skill, and played with ispint seldom found in an amateur orchestra Little Winnie Harcourt gave a scholarly exhibition in violin playing, showing wonderful command over her instrument for one so young. Miss Hargood's rendering of the ' Nightingale's Trill" and the City of Light" were highly appreciated. A violin dnet by Messrs. Joy and Gillies and a piano duet by Misses Vartha and Whelan terminated a well-selected piograrnme Refreshments and dancing brought a most enjoyable p veiling to a close Mr. Alfred Hill, conductor of the Sydney Philharmonic, is expected in Wellington next week, on a visit to his relatives. He will spend his hohdav? — about six weeks — in New Zealand The Pollards open in Wellington on Boxing Night, in "Floradora." One of their latest 'hits" is the comic opera 'La Penchole." The grand march in the last act was specially composed by Clarence Vaughan, one of the company. Mr. and Mis. Hamilton Hodges, formerly of the Jubilee Singers, have booked dates for five ballad concerts, to be held m the Auckland Opera House on December 13, lo 19 and on Christmas Day and night Miss Violet Mount has accepted two uicagements for the Christmas season at Haw era She will undertake the -soprano solos m a pioduction of the Messiah" dunng her visit to the Taranaki township The Auckland Garrison Band are not o\aotl\ coining money out of their openaar concerts in the Albert Park Last oiip produced the munificent sum of 9s bel There were about 6000 people present at the concert, of whom o2 dronped coins in the boxes provided Thirty of these coins were pennies. Looks as if the Aucklanders were saving up for Christmas all right * • • Mr Bland Holt's latest sensation "Hearts Are Trumps," is having a great run at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. The scene showing a London music hall, with its packed auditorium, orchestra, and variety performers, is one of the biggest set scenes that even Mr. Holt ha« ever staged, and it is also one of the most briJliantlv effective. The avalanche in the high Alps when the heroine escapes the fate intended for her. and the murdeTous usurer is hurled over the precipice forms a fitting conclusion to this drama which deals with situations of the biggest.

One ot the sensations introduced in the leoent revival oi Augustus Thomas' drama, Arizona," at the New York Academy of Mu^ic, was a charge of a detachment of carahv of hftv horses

Mr. William Andei son's Lyceum Dramatic Company opens its New Zealand tour at Wellington at Easter. Theiepertoire is a very extensive one, and includes 'The Ladder of Life," or 'Gordons to the Front," "On Active Service," Two Little Drummer Boys," "10 30 Down Express," 'World's Verdict," The Manner^ of En eland (or In the Days of Nelson)," Niorht Birds of London." 'A London Arab," "The Fav-ourite,"-'Greed of Gold," Honour Thy Father," "For a Child's Sake " "Delivered from Evil " [Continued on Pane 16.]

The Theatre Royal, Chnstohurch, is to be bold bj auction on January 17 * * » Mi Aitliui Halm is oiganifeing a conceit and v.uietj company to toui New Zealand. * » * Stated that managers who employ new I\ -made husband aaid wife cut the (salarieis if possible » • * A Melbourne Theatie Royal syndicate ot soene-shittors drew Revenue in a Tatt's" sweep making 11200 each * • * Williamsons Italian opeiatics ha\ c been doing Yeidi's opera of ' Otello" in Melbourne and also La Giaconda * * * J C Williamson has engaged Benno Scheiek to look after the music in his pantomime of Alice in Wonderland * » ♦ Captain Basil Hood has contracted to supply four opera*, for the Savoy Theatre and will call the next "Merne England " * • • Miss Ruby Ray, Haw-trey's leading lady, does not come to New Zealand. Her engagement having expired she leturns to England * • ♦ Madame Van der Veer Gieen, the Amencan contralto, is about to pay a visit to New Zealand. It is about ten \.ears since she last sang m Wellington * * * Pollard's Percy and Miss Jessie Ramsay are to be married in Dunedm when the company leaches that town. Miss Ramsay is the typewriter girl in Floradora " * * * New s comes from the old country that Lily Titheradge, who made such a hit in 'The Two Little Vagabonds" in Australia and New eZaiand, was married lecentlv to a medicaJ student in Scotland. t * * Herr and Madame Slapoffski have made arrangements to remain in Australia, for a further two years. This would almost look as though Mr Geo Musgrove contemplated their engagement foi another season of opera *■&»■■» A quaint coon song, "I can't tell you how I love her," which is being sung by 'The Casino Girl," is the joint production of two members of the Pollard Company Mr. W S Percy is responsible for the words, and Mi . Clarence Vaughan for the music * • » Percy Dix is a liappy man at present . He has just taken up his residence alongside St Paul's Pro-Cathedra] . He says it has always been the dream of his life to bring Church, and Stage close together Wonder if Mr. Sprott could find a place for Percy in the choir? * » * The Lingard Sisters, now undertaking an engagement with Mr. Dix, are said to be the most expensive "double" in Australasia. These clever sisters did nineteen consecutive weeks in two Westrahan halls, establishing a colonial record for the vaudeville stage Mr Allan Hamilton writes that a New Zealand tour of the Broughs will begin in Auckland on Boxing Night, and that after playing in Wellington the company will open a twelve night's season in Chnstchurch on February 11th. The repertoire, which is unusually strong, will include "Lady Huntwortb's Experiment," "Mrs. Dane's Defence," "The Second in Command," and "Sweet and Twenty," all of which are new to Wellington audiences, and there will also be revivals of "The Amazons," 'The Magistrate," "Sowing the Wind," and ' The Liars " * * * Mr. and Mrs. Brough will be supported by the company at present playing in Australia, which includes Misses Susie Vaughan, Mary Chatteris, Temple, Helen Gibson, Gillies Brown^ and Dorothy Swift, and Messrs. Cecil Ward, Orlando Daly Ernest Veie, Percy Walshe, Leslie' Victor, Charles Garry, Mclntyre, and others. The scenery, dresses, and properties in use in the Australian tour will ako be brought to New Zealand. * * * A rather amusing contietemps occurred between the editor of a small local paper and a well-known soubrette last week (says Sydney "Newsletter"). The lady, who is petite, but full of energy, was offended at something that had appeared, and decided to interview the scribe. In case of accidents she was accompanied by a gentleman (also a professional) of huge dimensions, who, although as a rule bubbling over with good humour can look very formidable 071 occasions. The lady delivered herself of her opinions of cnto.es in general, and the one visited in particular, in forcible terms, her companion in the meantime struggling manfully to look ferocious and resist an overpowering desire to laugh heartily at the same time It must have been amusing to all concerned — bar the scribe.

The Josephine Staiitxwi Opeia Company have booked Brisbane ior (Jhristinas> J. Clarence Harvey, the clevei Amencan buffo artist, ha& rejoined them. Paiib is mystified by the latest illusion, the Mysterious Half Lad> , who hiht comes out in tighte to show that she teaJly lias two pedal extremities, and then gets into a balloon-like affair and sails aiound the audience and has, to all appearance, only half a body Theie are no mirrors used, a& she is simply on a flat board, and it is impossible to use them. liene Franklin the ' dainti Yankee damsel who sings about chi-ick-en." has (says the "Bulletin") had a soiowtul time in Australia these last few months Hei parents came out w lth hei from America The father died, the mothe 1 is now in an asylum, and Irene is lefc with the care of a baby brothei bom a little while before Mrs. Franklin became a widow. Manager J C Williamson has procured an engagement for Tiene in London, and is shipping her to hei destination. Moreover. he ai ranged that baby should have a nurse on the voyage, to save Irene from a good deal of anxiety and embarrassment It comes hard on a grief-stricken girl to discover that she cannot kiss an unfortunate baby brothei without causing misunderstandings