DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 152, 30 May 1903, Page 7

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footlight.

THE Haw trey Comedy Company, a,t the Opera House has been playing that extremely pretty drama, ' Little Lord Fauntleroy," to magnicent houses during the week. The beauty of Mrs. Hodson Burnetts famous story has been amplified in its dramatisation and, capably handled as it undoubtedly is by the Haw trey Company, it charms by the sweet simplicity. You know the story, for the book had, and still has, a great vogue. The unexpected inheritance by a small American boy of "one of the oldest titles and most magnificent estates in England. ' The command from a crusty and proud old earl that the little chap, whose democratic friendships would shook even a Liberal peer, to have the child of his "cutoff" youngest, son beside him, merely because he was the son. of his father, and the inheritor of the title. • * * The old aristocrat's stipulation that Fauntleroy's mother should not live w ith the son, and his determination to be still the same crabbed, gouty, old wretch he had always been. The charm of the boy's manner, his inherent nobility, his faith in the grim, old tyrant, wins his heart, and the curtain goes down on a. young viscount and a glad mother, who have won a haughty aristocrat by sheer loving kindness. Incidentally, a bold, black-eyed lady, who had married one of the earl's sons, and who tells a tale of a living "real" Fauntleroy rather dashes the joy one feels in seeing the nice little boy in the velvet clothes a, real lord, but a keen old lawyer rather discounts her story bv remarking that she couldn't, as she hilariously admitted driving a four-m-hand on the first birthday of her alleged son, and the heir to the title. • * * Mr Haw trey, as the Earl of Dornncourt sits in an ai me hair for two acts, and interests you by his exhibition of gall. His horror at the little Yankee lapses, of his heir are among the. best things in the drama, and his management of a gouty foot is the acme of art. Infant phenomena are nearly alw ays a bore. It is the exception that proves the rule, and Miss Addie Lorkins, as Cednc ErroJ Lord Fauntlerov. is entirely charming. You love thei stage youngster as you did Mrs. Burnetts boy There isn't much, you will say, in the spectacle of a lovin? mother, who is very sorry Cednc is a lord sitting down, with tears 1 in her voice hugging that little velvet atom and saying ' God keep you. all the nieht God bless you all the day " but I noticed quite r snowstorm of handkerchiefs and a volley of nasal explosions at this point Miss Errol the little lord's mother, "Dearest," is charmingly played by Miss Elsie Austin, and the scenes between mother a,nd child create the strongest impression Mr. Havisham., the lawyer, is done bv that capable actor, Mr. Gregan McMahon, whose conception i.f the part is most satisfying. Mr. Oily Deering, as a New York grocer, is responsible for the fun, his naturalness being remarkable There are few minor parts in Little Lord Fauntlerov, but all are played with excellent ]iidgment. • • • Fullei's Entertainers at the Choral Hall want a wing or two added to* that building The only chance a. latecomer has on Satuidav night is to P"et up on the gas eets. Hugo Lear is doing a remarkably agile plate-spinnmg act, and the versatile comedian is much in evidence otherwise. Hiss laughing song set up an epidemic of chuckles that took some 1 time to cure. • • • That refreshing funny man, Denis Carney, has got into harness again at the Hall and while he has been aw ay he has learnt up quite a big budget of choice things. His voice has still the mellow beauty it always had. Mr. Harry Hart has a fine voice. His "Clonne" is one of the best things heard in the Choral Hall for some time. • • • The Elmore girls are piquant pearls, inclined to sing and dance, and are i sufficient contrast physically to please a,Il tastes. Then, the Win tons, who can do anything in reason with banjos and who also sing and dance, became popular in two minutes. Funny finales and comic comediettas help the show

alone wondei fully It is always bright and cheerful, not bad qualities this gloomy weather. » • • The Majeroni Dramatic Company, which finished its season on Wednesday, won high opinions for the versatility of its people, the quality of its> material, and the excellence of its acting. Curiously, the company kept its best thmg until last, for "Jealousy" »s exceptionally clever, strong n situations, reasonable in plot, and dramatic to a degree. Perhaps, ' s the Ma,rquis Carlo St. Eha, Mr Mario Majeroni is seen at his best, for it gives him the opportunity of exhibiting his great dramatic gift in all its intensity. • • • Miss Nelly Ogden shines as Diana. The part is full of opportunities and every one is taken and invested with an interest that only ai true artistic perception of its necessities can evoke. Mr. Harry Douglas makes at real thing of that well-drawn character, General de Luca. and the whole caste is an exceptionally happy one. favouring the exhibition of all the talent the company possesses. The Majeroni Company deserves further success, for undoubtedly the combination is a powerful one> fully capable of upholding the best traditions of the dramatic art in this country. • • • Dix's. Gaiety Company has its foot once more upon its native boards, and the Theatre Royal again resounds with chuckles. Thursday was re-opening night and the friends of vaudeville foregathered and enjoyed themselves as if no interval had ever been. Most of the people on thei bill are old friends, with new stuff. That clean and clever Arnoldi. the "Master of Momentum," has looked into his bag of tnoks for something; neiw , and seems to have been successful. Alberto, the agile artist, w ho can obtain a pound's worth of silver out of the atmosphere when he is hard up or make poker hands grow out 'f flower vases, is a strong card, and some of his new tricks are> quite unique. • • * •Mad Musician" Alf. Sherwin is madder and more musical than ever, his remarkable* ability getting him a large healthy series or claps to himself. Those piquant sisters, with the nice hair, the Galardi girls, who have been quite * while away from those who like them, are again tossing their trilbies triumphantly to music, and using the gifts providence provided with animating results. Dear little Vera Kearns, alw ays a favourite, flutters fancifully before the footlights, and aitistically lenders the brightest and best in a repertoire that is tw o sizes larger than herself. • * • Miss Ida Roslyn, a fast favourite, and the dainty Emmie Smith, of the cheerful voice and brisht smile, are gaiety girls again, and the deep-voiced Ernest Hill is exploring the black notes at the left-hand end of the piano with gratifying results. John Kearns, the humorist, is bounding around on the spot hallow ed by many recollections of other stars as bright as he and, altogether, the team now pulling so harmoniously together are as likely a lot as anyone in search of a good shillingsworth could desire. • • • Dion Boucicault's popular Irish drama The Colleen Bawn" will be staged in the Opera House' on the loth and 16th June by the Marist Brothers Old Boys' Dramatic Society, in aid of the furnishing of the Brothers' School, which is in urgent need of repair. The onerous duty of coaching the players is in the hands of Mr. Sydney De Vine, who has had considerable experience in Austrilia ay an actor and a teacher of elocution. A new and complete set of scenery is being oamted bv Mr. Gil. R. Hoskins, and the costumes, one- of the most charming featuies arei being specially designed. "~ • ♦ • The caste w Inch has been carefully considered, is drawn from the best amateur talent, m Wellington, and includes the following — Hardress Cregan, Mr. Sydney G. De Vine, Kyrle Daly, Mr. F. Hendry , Miles Na Copaleen, Mr E. Twohill, Squire Corrigan, Mr. D. Kelly , Father Tom, Mr. R. Sievers , Beitie O'Moore, Mr. A. Mcßae , Hyland Creagh, Mr R Philips, Corponl Grady, Mr. C. Gamble , servant, Mr. J Pike Danny Mann (the hunchback) Tom Marshall Anne Chute, Miss R. Taylor, Mrs. Cregan, Miss Jean Pascoe Ducie Blennerhasset Miss Mabel Mainland Sheelah, Nellie Twohill Colleen Bawn Ada. Gurnev. (Continued on page 20 )

Old England's Navy rules the sea No matter wheie her ships may be, Her flags will fly in every clime, Foremost till the end of time, Her hardy sailor loves to 10am Upon the waves he calls his home, While fiom the cold he is secme, Taking Woods' Grbat Peppfr-wint Core