DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 260, 24 June 1905, Page 14

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footlight.

MISS Tit tell Biune, the } oung Amenca.il tragedienne, uh«,c season at the Wellington Opera House will be marked by e\eiy true admirer of histrionic genius with a w Into atone, played' tor the first five night-. "L'Aigloin," a play calculated' to wliow heir great powers. L Aiglon, the ohikl of the eanqueimg Napoleon and his Austrian wife, Mame Louise, is endowed with the soaring, ambiUon^ of lue> gieat father. Thwarted by the sedulous espionage of the Austrian Chancellor, Metternich from attempts to fallow what he believes to be his destiny, hating everything Austrian, the pathetic life of the physical weakling ends ajter he has made a. brave attempt, with the aid of Bomapartist conspirators, to fly to Trance, where he hoped to revive the gory glories of the closed Napoleonic era - * Conceive than a lady v, ho jjs so deeply imbued With the spirit of tne part tiki at L' Aiglon again dives in her. Miss Brune us neveir anyone else than the son of Napoleon, and m her representation o£ the complex character ot the great General's son she clothes the burning fervour of Rostaind's work with a reality that compels breathless interest. On the whole, "L' Aiglon," ib> inexpressibly sad, and, whale it is partly historical, it is also somewhat hysterical. One ls permitted 1 to see the caged eaglet gradually waiting with disease, a prey to the influence that seeks to keep him in ignorance of everything French, and cognisant of anything that may glorify Austria. * • * It is during one of the eaglet's lessons tihiat he entorely surprises his 1 Austrian instructors by dramatically supplying the mussing part of their version of Ausitro-Frenoh history. It is here that Miss Brune rises to the pinnacle of her power. Here that the eaglet pours forth in a fiery torrent of eloquence the glories of the fields of Austerhtz and Jena. Here that the soul of the great Napoleon shines through the frenziedi eyee of his little son. Here tlhat for a brief space the physical frailty is held' in dominion by the power of the conqueror's spirit. * # * The pathetic finish of this exhibition of histrionic power shows the eaglet, pale;, exhausted, -and, coughing with such reality that the audience huniohe« at-v elhoiilders in sympathy, and, as the startled attendants half cairy the almost lifeless youth away, the peop'e remember that thus is the twentieth century, and that it is the power of a woman that has revived the realities of the past. In the gay scene, where the large-hearted! Emperor of Austria i& affectionately approached' by the "Eaglet," the audience is, for the time bemig, permitted dry eyes. Here Miss Bruno shows the delightful naivette that is so characteristic of the Gallic temperament, and which so often alternates with despair and passion. The Austrian Emrjeror of Mr. Albert Gran is done with splendid breezmess. # • When, assisted by Bonapartasts, the "Eaglet" overcomes physical ailment sufficaentlv to set out to France, and, with a faithful Grenadier of the did Guard, gets to the field of Wagraim, the agony is prolonged, and. the strain on actress and public 1$ very great. There is three-quarters too much Wagram in "JJ Aiglon," and the agony, although capably done, doesn't touch anybody because of its inordinate length. L'Aiglom. J s accompanying Grenadier, finding that he and his master are pursued, stabs himself, and taikes hie mnlitary frock off to show the wound. He takes ten minutes to die. Afterwards, the Eaglet raves in madness, and it is the unconvincing thing in the drama. * * # A powerful incident, acted with consummate art by Miss Brune and Mr. J. JB. Atholwood as Count Metternach, shows the irritable' old Austrian Chancellor forcing the young Bonaparte to see himself in, the mirror, and to mark the traits that Metternich wishes to convince him show no traces of his great father. The bitter poetry of the words are given, with point by both Miss Brune and Mr. Atholwood, both acting with magnificent realism. It is unusual to find a soldierly soldier on the 6tage, but the French veteran, Flambeau, of Mr. Roy Redgrave (who is young and clever) is one of the finest

diameter studies seen in Wellington in many years* Apa,it from bemig blessed) with, an excellent pait, Mi Redgiave most capably crystal sP'> the point and that makes the vett'ivim the miost-hked personality in the long cast < I have already suggested, that Mr Albert Gran wa,s mes&tiblo a& the Austnain Emperor. As the flmp.a/nt Mane Louise, Ml* Loi rs Bin ah aim ci eater* an lmpieh^ion that the lady m question was a good de«,l lacking in moral "sand." The Family Easier of Miss Florence Gleesoai is vivacious, and m the whole cast there is no visible weakness. There is little that is bright in "L'Aiglon," except the superb petting, Flambeau, and thei Austrian Emperor, but it gives Mi as. Tit tell Brune a chance of showing raie dramatic ability, although one is not content to judge th&lady by this part alone In the depressing scene of the field of Wagram the stage effects are well manr aged. The costumes are 'hjNtoncailly correct It is stated th,at "L' Alston" at one trme was extremely long At present the performance ocoup e> three and three-quarter hours. # * * To a large and critical audience, eager to judgje the real capabilities of Miss Tittell Brune, Mr. J. C. Williamsons fine company played "Romeo and Juliet" on Wednesday night at the Opera House, as the most oapt'OUh. would' have it played. Shakespeare's magnificent work, invested' with the unique charm that has made' him the world's greatest dramatist, was yet given much added charm by Macs Tittell Brune's exquisite pourtrayal of the character of Juliet, and the student, no less than the mere playgoer, found some previously undiscovered beauty in the "Love story of the whole world." # n * Seeing Miss B-run© m the masculine character of L'Aiglon, wherein there is no touch of femininity, the change to the intense and passionate warmth of the greater character is not only welcome as illustrating her great dramatic power, but it is a lesson as to what one would suppose Shakespeare intended his heroine to appear. There is no fa/ult in the artless care the tragedienne gives, to every syllable, no part of the great love sto T-T -* T to which she might add one gesture, one glance that might still further gave sharpness to the picture. Charming and coquettish as Miss Brume appears when casting languishing eyes at her masked lover during the dancing of the solemn, minuet, her power is shown to great advantage where, in the interview with her father, who is unaware of her marriage with Romeo, she pleads with, burning eloquence, and with, a desolation that stifls the emotions of the audience, for a postponement of the marriagei he threatens her with. # • • The protestations and the grace with which sine pleads the cause she dare not specify, are* done with an emotional abandonment intensely expressed. So great is the effect produced on the audi-

ence that, m sonow for the heroine, the genius of the actress us greeted only with subdued applause, that even them sounds like sacrilege. Miss Tittell Brune ri&e& to the pinnacle of hei power when, in the chamber scene, having procured the drug that shall make her feign the sleep of death, .shei recites the diamatic passage® that co Iclude when she drinks "Romeo, I come' Thus do I drink to tliee." There i*> s>uch realism in the scene that one, forgetting Shakespeare's ending, hopes that tlue friar's potion has not killed. The last scene in the tomb of the Capulets wherein the love-stricken Romeo finds hiis Juliet dead, and, having killed Pans, poisons himself, the waking Juliet is perhaps more loving and lovable than in tine whole course of the tragedy, for, as she snatches Romeo's dagger, whispering "Thus is thy sheath, there just and let me die," the audience feels that in the suicide of Juliet they have lost a friend. To' gain the sympathy of the audienCe, a Romeo must show a power that will excuse the exaggerated love-sick-ness of the character. Mr. Greama.way's rendering of the part was done with extreme care, and the warmth of hn« wooing and the alternation of hope and 1 despair were at times masterly. The expression Mr. Greenaway gave to some of the more thrilliiiar passages of the great work slhowed him to be a clever declamatory actor, and thene its no doubt he holds his audience. • * * Mr. Roy Redgrave's Meroutio is exquisitely done, and Mercutio is shown as lie should be, a spirited, cheerfully cynical blade, quick with his> sword, and quicker with his tongue. In both "L'Aigkxn" and "Homeo and Juliet" Mr. Redgrave's work is very fine, and' must be remembered by all who appreciate naturalness and skill. Mr. Atholwood\s "Friar Lawrence" is given with a good deal of impressivene=n, airnd the Tybalt of Mr. T. W. Lloyd us a capable performance. The Pan® of Mr. Hairry Sweeney left little to be desired. Mr. Albert Gran's Capulet was a most dignified impersonation, and still further showed the capabilities of thus fine actor. Mr. Maurice Dudley's Peter was a most cheerful circumstance, his by-play being a very welcome antidote to the general sadness. Miss Olara Stevenison as Juliet's nurse is dteserring of high, praise for the skilful work put into tihe character, and the whole cast was entirely satisfactory. • • • On Thursday evening the WelliniQrton Musical Union crystahsed the hard work they have been engaged in for some time, and produced' Gounodl's "Faust" in the Town Hall. As the musical event occurred after the Lance went to press, we are forced to hold over the report until next week. Tonight (Friday) the Union will pave an orchestral concert. The care that has been bestowed on its preparation, and the fact that Miss Buckmann and, Mr.

Frank Graham will be the leading vocalists, should ensure for it a large audience. • • • Fuller's New Entertainers, at His Majesty's Theatre, puisue the even tenor of their way undeteried by the strong show competition at present surging through Wellington. Beck, the lightning painter, adds a sensational touch to his popular "turn." The drum beats, and the artist hat, a clear blue canvas. Some dashes with tlhe brush, and the Baltic Fleet is confronted with the Japanese ditto. Presto! The guns pop _up, and batter each other —real smoke and flash in miniature*. The scene is changed The Baltic Fleet is "on its ear." Applause. Frank King, in his scena, "The Burglar's Sunshine," is as good as the material he uses. His wife has disappeared, so he turns burglar. First crib he oraoks he comes face to face with his little daughter (Mis« Annie Tye is the daughter), and it's really quite affecting. Makes you feel hot about the throat, and sorry for poor little burgla.rs. Hairy Lced^ and Tnxie Le Mar have a new sketch, in which they Sing and dance —and box. Tnxie is> very tricky, and she "gets all over" the male boxer, lifting him clean off his feet with an upper-out, and bouncing him through a table. The police do not interfere, because no one is injuied —unless any cf the auduence strain a rib with chuckling. The Diamond Duo —Eva and Evelyn —are quite up to their brightest star form, and have been womderfuJly popular. "Mammy's Pumpkin-coloured Coon" goes hilariously, as also does the coon classic about the cotton blossoms. * # v * Vocalist Miss May Conelly getsi good music out of "Daddy" and "Home," and the illustrations are appropriate, while small Eileen Murray sustains a recent-ly-gathered reputation for carefullysung items. Mr. Ted Anderson sings of the eternal lodger, who is rape enough to be long ago buried, and Miss Celestine Delwyn is the prevailing danseuse. To-morrow (Saturday) come the Stewart. Trio (musicians), and Mass Ethel Preston. Also several etc., etc, etc. • • • Dixs Gaiety Comraey has vacated the Theatre Royal for a short time, and the excellent company will give Chrxstohurch a taste of its quality for a <short season. Having completed its massmwi, the probabilities are that a new set of artistes will 1 ©-open at the Theatre Royal whe>n the present plethora of entertainments in Wellington becomes more attenuated 1. • * # The appearance of Mr. Natt^Osbornie —husband of Miss Maudl Jeffries —as Beauoaire is considered the prevailing staere sensation in Australian society circles. ♦ * * Cissy Loftus has dropped from her exalted 1 flight as leading lady in drama with Sir Henry Irvmg, and has returned to the music-halls and imatataons in New York. I. * * "An Angel Unawares" is the title of a play which has beeni written by Mr. R. Veirnon Haroourt, son of the late Sir William Vernon Haroourt,, and acceptedl by Miss Fanny Brough for production in Londion. * # * By a law now added to the Arkansus Statue Book, the circus proprietor whose show fails to resemble the previous posters, or the procession through the township, becomes Imabole to severe pains and) penalties. And there k a travelling inspector, whose diuty it will be to visit caroujs performances, and compare them with the posters and processional promises. * * After concluding a tour of the South, Coast of New South Wales, and a seveiv weeks; run through the "smalls" of the North Island of New Zealand, Charlie Berkeley and his comedy company essay a northern New South Wales tour. The Three Eltons (Fred, Grace, and .uoniniie) have joined his forces. Charles still has Miss Ailsa Sherbrooke, of the soprano voice, in his company. * * * When it was announced last montlh that Sir Henry Irving would' return to the stage, and assume his famous role of Bectket in Tennyson's play, at Drury Lane, people actually took their places at the theatre doors twelve hours before opening time, to make sure of seeing the performance. When the curtain rose the five thousand people in tlhie theatre cheered as 1 one man for fully three minutes. (Continued on page 18.)

First comes the chills, with other ills, To set us all a-sneezing. We pay our bills and make our wills, With coughing and with wheezing. Around our beds, with shaking heads, The doctors keep us poor, Till all our dread at last is sped By Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.

Mr. A. A. Corrigan, captain of the Zealandia Rifles, invited the corps and a good many volunteer officers to go along to the Art Gallery last Monday, to smoke the. pipe of peace. Reason, that the corps was eight years' odd that evening. It's a lusty youngster, and the captain nurses it well. LieuteniintColone! Collins was a guest, as also were Major Brandon and Captains Courtney and Melntosih, of local volunteer corps. It was gathered that the people there assembled had a decided opinion that Captain Corngan was as keen as a razor in working up the efficiency of the> corps he commands. Some first-claas talent was dug out, and the evening was a very jolly one. His Excellency the Governor, Lord Plunket will open the Wellington Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Show, at the Dnllshed, at 230 p.m. on Thursd'av, 29th inst. The show will continue until Saturday. July Ist. There are 1150 splendid entries from all over Australia. * * * The gifted temperance lecturer, the Very Rev. Father Hays, who made such, a deep impression on all classes at his great "Town Hall lecture, will tell "The /Life Story of Father Mathew" on Thursday. 29th inst. The dfoors of the Town HaM will be opened at 7, aiwi t!he lecture commences at eight. Popular prices. A hirthdav dem-cmsfcraibion to the Premier will he held at the Town Hall on Saturday, the 24th June. Dr. Collins will preside. Many well-known local musical people will heilp amd the presentation of an illuminated address in honour of Kins; Dick's sixtieth baVth anniversary will be a featuire of the entertainment. At 7.45 the Town Hall will be open to all. Mr. W. J. Culver (J.P.) is secretary. • • • Messrs. Macdonald, Wilson, and Co. will sell, under instructions from the Public Trustee, in the Exchange Land Mart, on Thur9dlay, 29th Ju*ne, at 2 o'clock p.m., three lots, comprising in all six residences. Descriptions of the PToperties,which are in the estate of the late Mr. C Bixby. are set out by advertisement elsewhere As the residences are in St. Mary. Martin., amd Kine streets, there should be spirited bidding.

Urgent to school two urchins sent The truant played and fishing went ; One caught it hot, his pants were thin, One caught a cold, for he fell in ; The cold grew worse and caused alarm, Till some kind neighbours brought a charm, A charm it proved that did endure, They called it Woods' Great Peppermint Cube.

The late William Riguold "laid not up for himself radios on eaith." All he left vao £419b. . » • The widow or the late M. Leon Caron was a Kobaiit lady, who, m maidenhood, was caJled Tasnia Shorwin » * * "Willie" Percy is spoken of m Australia, ai "the best actor wo have had ooi the oomic opera btage Miice Ji,lto,iit> Muss Ttittell B rune's one binalil femininity during her pel forma nre as L'Aiglon is> when, 111 reply to \ocireiout, recalls, she bloats, kisses from each ihand' to the audnence. * • * Miss Jessie McLachlan, the Scotch sdmgei, who has. made a seiu.atdo.ii ovei on the other bade, is named as the only living feiLiigcr who can lilt ' Kule Hutanmia" out of the commonplace. •'What am I so mad about?" repeated! the popular actress, with fla&jhaJig eves "I only got three bouquets, that s What!" "But," said the manage* "you sanely didn't expect maie? 'Ul course I did. I paid for five. * * * Fielding's "Tom Jone*," winch to not, found in all Sunday-School libraries, is the latent classic to be seized oil a-» a basife foi comic opera. Juhvaid boiman write, the music, and 'Bob Louitrneidge and A. M Thompson the adaptation. , . * A melodiama 111 a nutshell. It's Yankee. Throe men weie playing dummy whist, and one of them adteiwards desenbed the game at. follows ' Number one held five ace* m his hand , number two held a revolve 1 and 1 held the inquest." * * * The very numeiouw band of professional people in Australia who have been, troubled with sicknesses, ranging from dengue to typhoid, all seem to be on the high road to heaJth once again. Never before have so many undeistudies been needed. ♦ « ■» A lady writeir in the Nineteenth Oentuiy foi April on the subject "The public as seen from the stage," writes "A well known French actress said to me last year, 'I do not understand your English public. I go to the theatie and see only plays fit for child Iren, not for grown-up people. But what are your men and women made of? Have they no emotions, no passions? Do they feed nothing of jealousy or rage.' • * • " 'Madam,' I t>aid, 'we are a prudish nation. We do not care to look on at naked passions in the presence of strangers, we do not countenance a moral unid'i essing in public' 'But,' she sand, 'you oome and see our French plays.' "That,' I answered, 'is a very different matter. We always hope the mian in the next seat does not umdeistand the language.' " • • * Miss Julia Davis, a New Zealand girl, and the sister of Miss Daisy Davis, of Pollard's Opera Company, as making excellent progress on the concert platform at Home. Her stage name is Mdlle. Julia Caroli. A London paper speaks highly of her successful appearlamce at a ballad concert in St. George's Hall, where she 6ang several of Mine. Guy d'Hardelot's songs. Her voice was praised for its purity and fulness of tone, and her enunciation was also the subject of favourable comment. • • • There's going to be a slump m jumpings of the death traps, and looping of the loops, and whirlings of the whirlwinds. They are never clever — only plucky. Mdlle. Marcella Handel "whirled the whirlwind" }in Paris recently. She was supposed' to leap a gap mountedi m a motor ca,r, turning a somersault at the gap. Everybody saw the oar, but not Mademoiselle, who didn't somersault. She was found dead in the ear — shock and weakness from nerve strain. Although in serious ill-health, the management had insisted oru her doing her "turn," to prevent public disappointment. There was nothing crueller in Roman amphitheatre days. * * * Melbourne "Punch" about our Harry, wno is persistently claimed as an Australian. Harry haft been filling Julius Knight's roles- — "Mr. Plimmer who looked every inch the hero (as Marcus Superbus, in "Sign of the Cross"), placed an earnest, forceful, and wellsustained effort to his credit. The opportunity was a big one, and the Australian actor, who did not slavishly copy his predecessors in the pairt, oame through with flying colours. Those wtio had predicted a series of shocks amd spasms were doomed to disappointment. Mr. Plimmer husbanded Ms strength, and, as the sportsmen say, he was 'full of going" even when the last curtain fell."