THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 68

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Br Pasquiv.

XTTESDAY, March 10, 1908. A few weeke ago attention was drawn in these columns to the faot that the sum of £5 17s 6d lay to the credit of our old friend Bland Holt, actor, at the National Bank of New Zealand. The profession- is not overoareful concerning money matters. In the latest ieeue of the Government Gazette, in the list of unclaimed moneys at the Bank of New South Wales, Auckland, appears the following interesting item:—"Franklin, Irene (deceased), actress, care of Dix'e Gaiety Company, Auckland, £30 155." It la certainly news to bear that the dain,ty Irene i» dead,* also to know that there lies to her credit in Maoriland the sum of £30 15s. This gives pause to remark that Irene Franklin is very much alive m America, and that the favourite vaudeville artist is very casual in money matters. The eminent Australian operatic artist Howard Vernon and his talented, wife, Miss

f Vinia De Loitte, did not proceed to Aur*I tralia after all, and hot haste Mr Vernon post-cards me to that effect. I am delighted to have this word from the wellknown operatic star, who writes that he purposes touring the whole of New Zealand. "Personally," says Mr Vernon, "I have always longed to see the small towns of this beautiful country. This I could not do when attached to a large company. I am now travelling under different circumstances, and mean to take full advantage of the fact." By the way, it has now been officially announced that Mr Howard Vernon has been engaged to coach the members of the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society for the forthcoming production of "Erminie" at His Majesty's Theatre. Mr Vernon will in addition stage-manage the production and play a comedy part. Duly acknowledged from Philip Wirrh, of circus fame (who is on a world's tour j seeking attractions for the big show), from. Rome, a picture post-card setting forth, the architectural beauties of the Capitol, and r-ta'-innf that he is having a good tinie. This item is interesting in view of the contradictory rumours at present in circulation. Private advice has been received that John F. Sheridan, the same who made the Widow O'Brien famous, commences his New Zealand tour at Wellington on April 18. Since the foregoing was written I have received confirmation of this from Mr Bert Royle, the New Zealand representative for Mr* J. C. Williamson, who wires me that Mr Sheridan has booked the Wellington Opera House from April 18 to May 8. The other centres will be visited in due course. Mrs Bland Holt and Miss Coppin are making progress towards convalescence, but it is understood that all danger is past, and that a complete recovery will only be a matter of time. The unfortunate illness of Mrs Holt has quite upset Mr Holt's plans for a recommencement of work. It had been originally intended to have opened a new season at Easter, but thie, of course, has had to be abandoned. It is to be hoped that the dislocation of their plans will not prevent Mr and Mrs Holt visiting New Zealand, where they are sure of a hearty and enthusiastic reception. Mr J. C. Williamson's next attraction ie the new Anglo-Australian Musical Comedy Company, which will inaugurate a season of 12 nights at His Majesty's Theatre on Friday evening with the Lyric Theatre, London, success, "The Blue Moon." Among the old favourites with the company are Misses Celia Ghiloni, Alma Barber, Messrs Eddie Nable and H. Sweeney, while Misses Amy and Duloie Murphy are making their first professional appearance here. The new members include Messrs Victor Gouriet, Mylea Clifton, Reginald Kenneth, Harold Parkes, J. R. Hogue, Chas. Beetham, P. B. Bathuret, and Misses Daisie Wallace and Jessica Deane. "Taken altogether, "The Bhie Moon" is a dainty and charming musical comedy, elaborately sta/ged, capably acted, with plenty of good amusement from start to finish. "The Blue Moon" will be staged tor three nights only, and will be followed by "Lady Madcap," from the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. The story of the tomboy "Lady Madcap" furnishes theatre-goers with the funniest musical play seen for a long time The company's third production will be Andre Messagefr's comic opera romance "The Little Michue," adapted from the French. It still contains those little titbits of love and comedy so pronounced in plays of French extraction and so popular with all classes of playgoers. "The Little Miohus" will be followed by the Gaietvsucofss "The Girl from Kay's," which will be staged for two nighte, and the last two appearances of the company will be in the golfing musical play, "Three Little Maids." The box plans for the season are open at the Dresden. More trouble between theatrical managers and the London County Council is threatened. The council seeks to impose a provision that every licensed building must be registered to a fixed holding capacity, and when that has been arrived' at no money must be taken at the doors. Away goes the "Standing 1 room only !" legend at once. On the other hand, it is claimed that there can be no objection to people standing, provided the gangways are kept clear, and that -visitors are duly warned of the j filling of the seats. The regulation, if en- I forced, will mean ruin to some places of entertainment, it is stated. j The Simonides of Mr J. C. Williamson's production of "Ben Hur" in Sydney in 1902, Mr Austin Melford, died last month ■ at Twickenham. Mr Melford was justifiably held in esteem as a character actor j whose methods were forcible, incisive, and convincing. The stage attracted him at an ! early period in -hJ3 career, which was to ! have been that of a commercial traveller. Having proved his ability as an amateur, | he speedily fotmd his way in the professional ranks. H.is first appearance took place at TunetaH, Staffordshire, in "Dick I Whittington," in 1880, this leading 1 to a > more important engagement in 1881, at j the Alexandra Theatre, Liverpool, in the j Drury lane drama, "The World." But before very long he elected- to enlist under the banner of the late Wilson Barrett, with | whom he remained' for 12 years. A visit to ] Australia followed the termination of his engagement with that actor. On his return to London Mr Melford found a congenial sphere for his talents at Drury lane. I am deeply indebted to Mr Menzies. of the corporation of Invercargill, for forwarding each week a corrected copy of the list of bookings of the Municipal Theatre. Invercargill. The bookings at the head of this column are not only interesting from a reader's point of view, but from a managerial standpoint they are almost invaluable. It has been my effort to keep the bookings at each of the principal theatres up to date, and having this object I would request the assistance of those in authority and would" ask them to please forward a corrected list of the bookings at the theatres in which they are interested as occasion demands. It has been a somewhat difficult matter to secure the complete bookings at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, but with thi6 notice in view they will probably come into line with the other theatres in New Zealand. Mr Edward Branacombe (who will be remembered as the organiser of the Westminster Abbey Qlee and Concert Party) lias several important London attractions which are booked to yisit $he colonies during the present year. The first of these la a musical company known a.s the "Scarlet Troubadours," a party of society entertainers (ladies and gentlemen) giving 1 refined and novel musical performances in character and costume, the musio for the most part being of a light and humorous order. The company numbers 12, and includes an excellent male quartet, and all the artiits

} enjoy English reputations as singers. ' Amonojsr the party is an "art-humorist" whose quaint recitals, lecturettes, etc., are , illustrated by him in coloured chalks in record time and in a most inimitable ! manner. Mr Chas. Chambers (Mr Brans, combe'e manager), who has been enjoying a holiday in Auckland, after his lengthy tour with the Westminster Glee Singers, leaves next week for Perth, Weet Australia, to meet the "Scarlet; Troubadours," who are travelling to the colonies by way of India, where they have already established themselves as prim? favourites. The next 1 attraction to follow the "Troubadours" will i be the 'Cherniavskiis," three Russian boys, I whose performances in trios and 6olos on ; the piano, violin, and 'cello have Tecently i called forth the highest encomiums from ! London musical critics. I Mr J. C. Williamson, who hae returned ! \o Australia by the Asturias, brings with him contracts ami engagements for future j theatrical attractions which hold out the 1 sure and certain hope that playgoers on this side of the world will be lavishly catered for for some considerable time ahead. Running down the list of plays of j all descriptions he- has secured, one is , struck by their variety, their interest, and i their proved capacity for entertaining the | public. It would seem indeed that Mr i Williamson has skimmed the cream of ! everything in the theatrical line both in I Europe and America. The first result of his tour, in point of time, will be the production of "Peter Pan" at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, on Easter Saturday, with the title role filled by Mise Tittell Brune, who had speoially studied the part under the eye of Mr J. M. Barrie and Mr Charles Frohmann. Following " Peter Pan " comes " The Merry Widow," with Mise Carrie Moore specially engaged for the part of Sonia, and a new baritone, Mr Albert Whijrginstone, who is also a comedian, for Danllo. After " The Merry Widow " Mise Margaret Anglin, the best of the emotional American actresses and a lady of great personality and power, is to appear in a repertoire selected for her by Mr Williamson, and will be supported by Mr George S. Titheradge and a brilliant company. For " Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch " Mr Williamson has engaged a complete company headed by Mies Emily Melville, still remembered among us as a charming ornament to the lyric stage, She ha* since developed into a first-rate -comedy actress. A feast of musical material has been secured by Mr Williamson, including " The Prince of Pilsen," with a German comedian for the principal part; " The Red Mill," with delightful music and picturesque Dutch setting; "The Waltz Dream," a Viennese comic opera ; " Woodlands," and " A Knight for a Day." Finally, to round off a most comprehensive and enticing list, there is the tour of Madame Sarah Bernhardt next year with a new company and her 12 best plays. By means of a diagram, Mr S. Huret Seager, of Chris^church. New Zealand, explained to the Royal Institute of British Architects in London on January 7 hi« 'safety exit" for theatres, which he has already introduced in two New Zealand j theatres. The priuciple applied by Mr Seager is that exits must be free from the danger of resistance, and therefore they must be so arranged that persons in ■ any portion of the building should be im- j pelled to move towards the one designed for their use, through which they must be able to pass to the street without any danger of structural resistance. j The two new announcements made by Mr J. O. Williamson on reaching Fremantle^ — that Miss Carrie Moore will come out to play lead in "The Merry Widow," and that Miss Emilie Melville is to pay v* another visit for the Australian production of "Mrs Wiggs, c-f the Cabbage Patch" — will be received with great interest. Though J^iss Melville won the hearts of Australian audiences by her voice in comio opera, she manifested all the qualities of an effeci tive comedy actress in her fitful apearances here in drama, as, for instance, in her performance as the heroine in . "Fanchon the Crioket." when she toured Australia in 1876. But her chief successes were in opera, not only then, but when she re- | turned from California in 1883, bringing i "Fatinitza"' and other new pieces. It was j noted at. that time that the intervening seven years had in no degree impaired her voice or tho dramatic finish and/ subtle charm of her acting. One of her great parts in opera was Girofle. Miss Melville's last visit was in 1896, as a member of Mr Nat Goodwin's company. Old playgoers will read with delighted interest of her return to the scenes of her triumphs in this part of the world. Miss Carrie Moore, who has lately made a hit in London as' Peggy in "The Dairymaids," has been absent from Australia for five years, since her last appearance here as Molly fiaamore in "The Geisha." and a warm welcome for her is aesured. I A young Australian artist, Miss Olive i Moore, displayed great courage in the re- ! cent Manila earthquake, and her "coolness i saved tho audience in the Grand Opera House from a serious panic When the j first shock was felt the audience rose in \ terror, and were about to rush from the house, but Miss Olive Moore, who was taking the part of Katisha in Sullivan's "Mikado," calmly went on with her song, and the danger was averted. -She was \ frantically applauded ; and the next day received a diamond ring, a silver manicure set, and two testimonials bearing witness to her invaluable service in checking the threatened disaster. Miss Moore and her sister. Miss Eva Moore, are touring with the "Lilliputians," and have both won encouraging success. Tho death is reported at Hastings, England, of Mr William Franois. of the wellknown firm of music publishers. Francis, Day, and Hunter.' The late Mr Francis was born in 1845, and as a young man served as assistant in the well-known house ' of Campbell and Company, the musio publishers. There he met Mr Day, who was employed by Hopwood and Crew. They started a minstrel show at Islington, which subsequently resulted in the formation of the Mohawk Minstrels. William Henry Jennings then ioined the firm, and became known aa Harry Hunter. The Mokawka lasted for 26 years, and only failed on its amalgamation with the Moore and Burgess Minstrels. The music publishing firm was established in 1877. "Hamlet" was the play. Mr William Creswick the Dame, Mr Henry Marston the Ghost. In the third scene, first aofcj Horatio exclaims, "See whore it comes,' and the ghost enters, and Hamlet addressee it, "Angels and ministers of grace, defend us," etc. On the occasion of whioh we speak Mr Maxston as the Ghost had been all right in. the first scene, and then, quite forgetting his next entrance, had preceded

I to Creewick's dressing room and removed most of his ghostly raiment. When Horatio said, "See where it. pomes'' ! Creswick, struck the orthodox attitude of 6Oiemn astonishment at. the apparition, but the ghost did not come. Off stage all was confusion, everybody trying to find the lost spectre. Eventually the late King's spiritual embodiment was located,' and Marston (in his fright at oausinjr a wait and his hurry to get on the stage) rapidly picked up a sheet of music, rolled it up for a spectre, and with his helmet hind side before on the back of his head, minus his beard, and no ethereal drapery on, he plunged before the public. Creswicfk had been perfectly keeping to tho action* of ghostly anticipation up to then, but the moment he saw the grotesque figure cut by poor Maxston lie burst out into a fit of laughter, in which the audience joined, and the curtain had to be lowered and an apology made. Last week marked the completion of the twelth year of Mark Hambourg's career as a public performer. He made his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic Society on March 3, 1695, when he played Chdpin'e Minor Conoerto, under the conductorship of Dr Hans Ricbter, just after he had graduated from the Leschetizky School. The recognition of his genius waa immediate, and on reaching England he found himself sought after by concert managers. Mr Daniel Mayer secured his services, and it was under his management that the youthful pianist first visited Australia. As a matter of fact, Australian music-lovers were before Londoners in their appreciation of hie outstanding gifts — not because the latter were slow to value him at his full wor,th but because they had fewer opportunities at first of hearing him. But as soon, as he returned to London after that first tour his success was immediate and pronounced. Indeed, the sensation he created at his first series of recitals was so great that he was simply rushed with engagements from all the great musical centres of Europe, where he was forthwith established to such purpose that he has ever since claimed a noteworthy place in the critical estimation of all the Continental cities. America followed the lead of Europe in its enthusiasm for the youthful virtuoso, and latter on South Africa did likewise. Now, though still a young 1 man, he already holds a record that few of the world's great pianists have attained. He has appeared at some 1500 recitals- since his beginning, and has played all the best that is in pianoforte literature, has travelled round the world twice, has visited practically every civilised country, has heard the enthusiastic applause of, hundreds of thousands of people, and has met with nil sorts and conditions of men from crowned heads to cowboys. Footlights were first introduced on the English stage by David Garrick, who borrowed the practice from Italy.