THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 68

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Bi Pasqvin.

TUESDAY, August 10, 1909. An interesting case to theatrical mana-

gers will occupy the Supreme Court on Friday, August 20, when the case of Hugo Gorlitz v. Herr Kubelik, for alleged breach of contract, will come up for decision. Mr M'Gregor " will appear for Mr Gorlitz and Mr Solomon for Herr Kubelik. The news of the death of Will Stevens, popularly known as the "Sad-eyed Shriek," has been received here with genuine expressions of regret by the many who knew the old-time vaudeville artist in the early days of the Fuller era. Will Stevens was associated with the Fullers' from the very young days of vaudeville in the old Alhambra, and experienced all the vicissitudes of that early period. Stevens was a genuinely funny comedian, and was immensely popular with patrons of the Alhambra. The death of Will Stevens removes one of the best-known and bestliked members of vaudeville in New ZeaI land ! The statement going the rounds that Miss Betty Ohls, the Jill of the recent pantomime season, is to leave New Zealand in the course of a few days for Sydney, find that her place in the pantomime will be taken by Miss Fanny Dango, here with the Royal Comics, is not quite correct. Miss Betty Ohls will not leave the company until after the Royal Comics' appear- ; ance at Wellington, departing for Sydney and thence to London, where she purposes going on the variety stage. The part of Jill wi'l then be played by Miss Nancy Maher, while Miss Marie Eaton will play the Fairy Queen. Owing to slight indisposition, at the " Jack and Jill " matinee on Wednesday afternoon last, Miss Nance Maher was | unable to appear t as the Fairy Queen. Miss Marie Eaton took "up the role with considerable success. Miss I Eaton's rendering of the numbers allotted to the part were sung with exquisite taste and artistry. This artiste has done all J things well since she first appeared in Maoriland; is a better actress than most at their best, and a refreshingly better vocalist. Where voices count for much ifc is regrettable that pantomime affords so little opportunity for their exercise. The members of the "Jack and Jill" Pantomime Company, to the number of something over 150, departed from Dunedin by the fiist express for Lyttelton, en route to Wellington and Auckland, on Friday morning. There were many tearful goodbyes on the station before the train steamed out. The Jack and Jills had made themselves immense popular in Dunedin. The company arrived at Wellington by the Pateena on Saturday morning, leaving again over the Main Trunk for Auckland, which they reached after travelling all night at 8 o'clock on Sunday morning. The Auckland season commenced last evening, the pantomime being produced before a large and appreciative audience. The booking is excellent for the remaining nights and " Jack and Jill " is certain to draw well until the close on Monday, August 23. • The farewell departure from New Zealand of the " Jack and Jill*" Company w : il be taken frrom Wellington on Friday, September 17. Meanwhile' the company plays New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Masterton prior to show- ! ing in Wellington, .where the tour concludes on September 16. Returning by way of Sydney, the " Jack and Jill " Company proceed to Adelaide, where a two weeks' season will be played. After a stay of 14 years in New Zealand, the popular actor Mr Barrie Marschel, who holds the unique distinction of having pla;. cd in e\ery town, big and little, in tl-o Dominion, passed through Dunedin on Satuiday, en route for Melbourne. He is accompanied by his clever wife, whose marked ability has lately been attracting the notice of big theatrical managers in Australia. The advent of Tommy Burns, the exworld's nhainpjon, is something of moment to sporting and theatrical people generally. Tommy Burns, who comes to us on this occasion chiefly as a showman, is due in Dunedin on the 16th inst., and on the evpninp of that date, ;is also on the 17th, will give an exhibition of training, boxing, etc.. in the Garrison Hall. The show io furthci' enhanced by a number of up-to-date pictures which will be screened during the soason. The excellence of the " living pictures " af the Princess Theatre is sufficient to attrart crowded houses to the popular Temple of Thesis. The films are always of a hi#h standard, and always vastly interesting and instructive. The scenic and indushial films are special features of this very fine show. On Saturday last there was a gift malinee, at which over 500 toys were distributed to delighted children. " Just a few lines to let you know that Madame Calve, the great French soprano, will be coming out to Australia and New Zealand next year under our management. We have just leceived advice from London that the contract has been duly signed. We are not quite sure, but anticipate, that Madame Calve will arrive about March next, so you may expect to have the great

Carmen Within the next 12 months at any rate. My brother is most enthusiastic con' cerning Calve, whose recent concert in London was a triumph, and predicts that she will make a tremendous sensation in Australia and New Zealand. By the way, Amy Castles is opening here on August 21. She has a brilliant company with her. You will be interested to learn that Amy Castles is singing better than ever, and is certain to create a favourable impres« sion. The company supporting Amy Castles includes Mr Peter Dawson, basso, acknowledged to be - one oi the finest bassos in London ; Mr Andrew Nicol. tenor; Mr Victor Bussfc, solo pianist; and Master Awadia, a young Victorian flautist. The Besses of the Barn Band is also to start out on another tour, under our management. The tour opens in South Africa about November next. In all probability the Besses of the Barn Band will be in New Zealand about February and March next.-r-J- and N. Tait, Melbourne." On our illustrated pages *n this week's issue we reproduce a photograph of Miss Nellie Borthwick, well and popularly known throughout New Zealand with Pollard's Opera Company in the old days, and now of J. C. Williamson's " Jack and Jill " Pantqmime Company. Miss Borthwick (who . is Mrs Fred r Leslie in private life) is depicted as a typical Australian girl, in which, in a beauty competition in Sydney, she received highest honours. The striking resemblance in the illustration of Miss Borthwick to that well-known English beauty actress, Miss Marie Studholrrie has caused much comment in England, where she is referred to as "The Au«-> tralian Marie Studholme." During a rehearsal of the Hugh Ward Comedy Company in Calcutta an extra-* ordinary thing happened. The roof above the auditorium suddenly crashed in, and a man was seen to fall through. At a height of 60ft above the orchestra he was caught on a scaffolding erected that day while some repairs were being made to the theatre. It proved to be the electrician, a native who had gone to the roof ~to make some connections, and who "had overestimated the strength of the scenoloid on which he was standing. For about a quarter of an hour he hung suspended in the air, while Mr Charles Phillips, the company's mechanist, with a relief party,, were taking steps for his rescue. Miss Grace Palotta describes it as the most thrilling experience of her life. " Imagine a man," she tells us, "suspended 40ft above your head, liable to fall to almost certain death at any moment, and to have to stand still, able to do nothing but count the awful moments while ropes were being lowered to his rescue. The saving of the man's life was nothing short of a miracle, and equally as wonderful was his calmness when he found himself on the stage alive and well. We, on the other hand, were quite hysterical, and danced around him like lunatics as we unloosed our pent-up feelings. But he, brushing his trousers, quietly remarked, 'It was fate,' and then knelt down and said his prayers. The opening dates of Hugh J. Ward's Company of Comedians throughout the respective towns of New Zealand are approximately as follows: — Invercargill, Monday, September 6; Dunedin, Saturday, September 11 ; Oamaru, Wednesday, September 22; Timaru, Thursday, September 23; Christchurch, Friday, September 24; Wellington, Saturday, October 2; Napier, Tuesday, October 19; Hastings, Monday, October 25; Dannevirke, Wednesday, October 27; Masterton, Friday, October 29; Palmerston North, Monday, November 1 ; Wanganui, Suturday, November 6; Hai wera, Wednesday, November' lo; New Plymouth, Thursday, November 11; Auckland, Saturday, November 13. When the la3t mail left, preparations were bein^ made by the Hugh Ward Comedy Company for the production of a. play of great intensity. It is entitled " The Fencing Master," and Mr Hugh J*. Ward, who will be seen in the name part, is said to bave an exceptional opportunity, for displaying his gifts as a serious actor. Mr Ward has been mostly before the Australian public in " gay old men " characters. In America, however, he is a recognised actor of serious roles, and has played over 400 different parts. Miss Grace Palotta is also to have a better chance than usual for showing us what she can do in the legitimate. One of the great situations of *' The Fencing Master " ia the -unveiling of a portrait of the Palotta, for which the actress herself poses. The Hugh Ward management promise a really big surprise for Melbourne when " The Fencing Master" goes up. Mrs Robert Brough has been specially engaged in the cast, which also includes Miss Rose MusKrove, Miss Celia Ghiloni, and several new London artists. Drury Lane, at the height of the panto-* mime season, takes about £800 a night. The pay-list of the Queen's Theatre, London, in 1869, shows that 16 men and 12 women were engaged. The total weekly, outlay, including actors, actresses, band, and servants, was only £91 7s 6d. Several

of the performers afterwards became " famous. Thus Toole got £10 I6s 8d a week, Ellen Terry £5, Charles Wyndham £3, Henry Irving £2 13s 4d, and Lionel Brough £2 10s. The band cost only £15. Mile. Granier was lately paid £360 for six nigbt^ at the London Royalty Theatre, or about' four times as much as the whole distinguished and. numerous company of the Queen's in 1869. Mile. Granier's expensive company brought up the weekly outlay to nearly £1400. The Lyceum property was sold in 1906 for £119,500. The legitimate drama has never brought such profits as music halls 'do now. The Palace Theatre last year had a gain of £43,000 on £90,000 capital. The Empire paid 70 per cent, for some years, and has long averaged 45 per cent. During the strike of ISO 7 Manager Payne published his weekly salary list:— Elvin and Co., £175; Arthur Roberts, £160; Little Tich, £150; Marie Lloyd, £115; Martinetti and Co., £115; Alec Hurley, £85. Sir James Mills generously entertained the children of the " Jacfc and Jill " Fantomime Company -to -tea on board the s.s. Moerakj.-at the Dunedin Wharf, last Tuesday afternoon. A very liberal spread of tempting eatables, specially suited to the juvenile palate, was provided, and between 30 and 40 of the children, In charge of thefr matron, .availed themselves of the invitation to be ■ present. Excellent music waa supplied by the ' MartirieUi-Reggiardo's oighestra; Needless-to say', the youngsters enjoyed" themselves thoroughly- Sir James, •who very much admires the system under • which tne children are care*! for in the matter of education, and otherwise- by "Mr Williamson, was unable to be present on the occasion' owing to temporary indisposition, but with - much thoughtfulness, having learned that it was the birthday of , one of the girls (Irene Jones), he had a ' big birthday cake baked on board, much l to the delight of the child in whose honour it was provided. It was the intention of the children's host to give the children a trip down the harbour in the launch, or a drive into "the country, but the weather conditions at this season of the year being uncertain, the entertainment on the Moeraki was substituted. It may be mentioned that the children of the company are under the charge of a matron, who attends to their education while on tour, a part of each day being set apart for school Jessons. The juveniles are exceedingly wellbehaved when taken out, and at St. Paul's Church they were attentive during the whole of the service. It was reported in Australia some time ago that Mr Bernard Shaw's plays were at last going to be produced at the Antipodes. 1 asked Mr Shaw (writes a London correspondent) if anything definite had been <leoidted regarding the enterprise, and if Jiew iZealand would be included in the acheme. He told me he had had an understanding with Mr J. C. Williamson with regard to his plays for some time, but nothing had beeD settled pending the maturing of a scheme for a Melbourne -Repertory Theatre, in which Mr Williamson was interested, apd_whioh nrav poss«bjy be managed by Miss Madge M'lntosh, a lady who -has played with remarkable iuocess in several of Mr Shaw's plays in London under his own artistic direction It this Repertory Theatre is safely launched, then no doubt the Shaw playe, or some of them, at any rate, will be produced there, and their inclusion in the repertoire" of Mr, Williamson's travelling companies would probably follow in <me course. Antipodean theatre-goers who are interested in drama, of a higher level than musical comedy and melodrama, can look forward to a treat when the Shaw ylays do arrive at their theatres. The pity w that they have had to wait so long. Mrs Henry Bracy, wife of the manager of Mr J. O. Williamson's Royal Comio Opera Company, and an actress and singer Jong connected -with- our stage, has returned to Sydney after an absence of five years. Mrs Braoy has been principally in America, Avhere she has been appearing with Miss Nance o*Neil. Mrs Bracy states that the American 6tage is in * prosperous condition, and the favourite star, Miss OAeill, is doing remarkably well. Referring to Miss O' Neil's incursion into vaudeville, when she played sketches, with Mrs Braoy still with her, the Australian said the American actress was paid £8000 for 280 performances in 20 weeks. Miss O'Neil grave the curse scene from "Leah, the Forsaken," while the sleep-walking scene from Macbeth " was another success. This marks a new departure, for Miss O'Neil was the first person to play Shakespeare an vaudeville. Asked how she thought the experiment woufd go on the Australian vaudeville stage, Mrs Bracy was inclined to be doubtful, except it -was given by a well-known and popular star. There "are .some very clever people on the American vaudeville stage, aud sketches predominate —and some fine sketches can be seen. After seeing productions in the Old World and the New she is fall of praise for the .Williamton productions in Australia. Oore is building a theatre. The new *" lldl IW. which will hold an audience of 1000, is expected to be ready for opening in November next