Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 188, 6 February 1904, Page 14

Dramatic and Musical

By Footlight.

THE Willoughby - Geaoh Comedy Company, who wound up thenseason on Tuesday night, could have played "What Happened to Jones" for several more nights if dollars hadn't been calling from elsewhere. "The Wrong Mr. Wright" was chosen, as the penultimate attraction, the adventures of Millionaire Singleton's sister being the basis on which the quick-moving fun is built That breezy comedian, Mr. George Willoughby, whose work is getting to be so well known ux Wellington, is a man of many parts. -tie carries the breeze into every-dav lite, and I'm not sure that it doesn't help his business. * * * Then, there is the Arabella Clingstone of Miss Roland Watts-Phi Hips, than which there is no better study in modem farcical comedy. The talented lady who takes the part is a very tower of strength to the company. Inat oharming actress, Miss Roxy Barton, whose beauty and grace assist her so materially, has enhanced if possibletne effect her previous appearances in Wellington have made. Mr. George Leopold has shown sterling merit while 111 Wellington, and altogether the company leave this city with the good opinion of all who saw them. * * * That notable fantasy, "The Admirable Criohton," to be played for the first time on Thursday night to a Wellington audience arrived too late for my attention, so I am obliged to accept the enthusiastic praise of Southern papers, the eminence of the players, and the fame of the author as guides to a recommendation. Both Miss Chevalier and Mr. Cuyler Hastings, whom I saw in several notable dramas, created a lasting impression on a previous visit. With a more notable play even than any of the ones in which they charmed Wellington before, it is certain that the season will eclipse if possible their former successful ones. * * * Jerome K. Jerome, of "Three Men in a Boat" fame speaking recently at the O.P. Club, in London, on the British drama, gave some interesting figures. Four millions, he said, was annually spent upon the drama in London. The average cost of producing a new play in the West End was £1400. The cost or running it was £800 a week, and unless it ran for a hundred nights it was deemed a failure. J. K. J. is keenly interested in the stage. He wrote "Stage Land." Remember? * * * ' Wirth's Circus, which is due in Wellington this month, is playing to splendid business up North. There are no less than twenty-seven acts on its programme, and the performance 1 . nght through is highly entertaining The Howard Bros., in their display ot telepathy, or thought transference, are unquestionably the cleverest performers who have shown m that line. Pagel, the strong man, out-classes Sandow an his feats. One feat is to climb a ladder with a 10501b circus horse dangling from his belt. "The Cherokee Kid" is a marvel with the lassoo. And there are others. For instance, among a orowd, the dog footballer, the pony pugilists, and the trained wild animals. I suppose you know that Ruby Clarke and Will Harvey, both of the Fuller frohokers, were married the other day in Chnstchurch? * *■ * Messrs. Willoughby and Geach have leased Melbourne Princess Theatre for a long season. The firm opens in March, with that side-cracking farce we have been laughing at, "A Sti anger in a Strange Land." * ■* * Mr. Hawtrey gets his company to Sydney by the 20th. He is going to give Criterion patrons Fred Burnard's "Lady of Ostend." Also any Sydneyites looking for theatrical cricket can get it. Furthermore, any aotor who can play cricket is likely to get a job with Mr. Hawtrey, * * * Queer thing that the first chapters of the successful book "Robbery Under Arms," drama,! sed, and now always played to big houses, should have been persistently refused by editors. Perhaps, it's the most popular of widelyread Australian stories' ever written. Rolf Boldrewood tells people in Fitchet's new periodical, "Life, how he wrote it.