Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 282, 25 November 1905, Page 14

Dramatic and Musical

By Footlight

FULLERS' Entertainers Lave flitted from the historic hail <n Courtenay PJaoe, and the banner of the firm floats gaily im the breeze of Johnston-street, over the Theatre EoyaJ. Once again,, as in the days of yore, the seats creak with the weight of the audience and the dome reverberates with the crash of applause and the music of the orchestra. "Don't believe it holds as many people as His Majesty's!" said an interested person, casting <a calculating eye an the crowd. But, if it gets as many people as ir will hold all the time what matter? Anyhow, the inaugural night, taken as an omen for future success, was a pretty satisfactory one. • • • Fullers put on a good bill, too. Milo, one of the finest "draws" the firm have ever captured, got back again after a splendidly suocessfu 1 tour, and her many lovely poses as masterpieces of classic statuary compelled the old admiration. Besides the poses seen on her previous visit Milo adds to the series a nude study of the Venus di Medici. Onuickshank, the caricaturist, fills in the intervals with his clever pencil, and! produces excellent exaggerations of the features of our most revered public mem, inrduding philanthropist Arthur Law and many other equally notable statesmen. • • • It is a long time since the Ranger girls were here. Stella and Florrie were welcomed tumniltuously. Miss Stella sings "Espanita" and "The Harvest Moon" with verve and animation, and is bound to respond to demands for more, while her clever comedienne sister. Miss Flo me, is very versatile in the fun and frolic business. Miss Lily Cole dresses beautifully, and is the lady baritone. Mr. Leonard Nelson clings like ivy to the affections of the audience, and spends his spare time in raking up new humorous songs that go very well. • • • Miss Lily Barnngton is a mew artiste of the balladist order, and sings those T>aitihetac little stories that make you want to go away and do good all the rest of your life. "In a Badaoe of Silver and Gold" has made me longfoi a better life — with more gold and silver in it. Talking about gold naturally suggests Goldie. Goldie Collins sings about "honey." All coons call each other "honey," and anyhow it is a good excuse for dancing, and Goldie can dance. • » • Miss Alma Lyndon, Mr. Chas. Moody, and Mr. Sam Wilson are all doing noble work. There is a heap of gold about Fullers' at present. Even stately Chas. Howard sings "The Bridge of Gold," which is rather expensive material for public works. The Hollos, who are original sketohists, /have been doing "The Troubles of a Bachelor," which consists of fun and songs. On Tuesday, the programme changes, and Ajax will be the prevailing wonder. He is the flexible person, and has to be seen to be believed. • • • "West's Pictures and the Bresoians, after a tumultuously successful season in, Wellington, are drifting away to compel people to oome in "that my house may be full." As before, the Wellington' public crowded in its -thousands to witness tihe most perfect picture 6how ever presented to them. I am persuaded that the pictured detail of a great industry, a scientific marvel, a train journey through a strange land, a warship in action, etc., are subjects that have a higher educational worth than, we will say, a modern melodrama or a problem play. * * * The West's picture show is a good show, and a much appreciated show, because of its diversity and' its educartionjal value. Also, the Bresoians have dareraafied the pictures with fine concert work, and 'are" to be commended equally with the portion of the entertainment tihat is purely spectacular. • • • Ton must not forget that Elocutionist J. M. dark, together witih other capable entertainers, will give a recital at the Missions to Seamen haJl to-night (Friday).

A correspondent, writing about a nioted tragedian, wants to know what tragedh&n really means. I cannot mention the tragedian's name, because the word is derived from thei Greek : "Tragos" — a goat 1 In case you should look upon this as a reflection on tragedians generally, a tragedy originally meant a feast in honour of that gay old spark Bacchus, at whach a goat was sacrificed to the singing of an ode. Thus, "Tragode." • • • Old play-goers will find something ■worth looking at just now in the shop window of Mr. W. F. Newson, tailor, Cuba-street extension. He has on view a fine collection of photos of stage favourites in the seventies and earlier. What a host of memories t*hey bring back to the old-timers!