THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 68

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquin.

TUESDAY, Augu«t 31, ISO 9. Mr Fred Shipman, tli* 1 entertainingAmerican entrepreneur, paid a flying visit to Dunedin last week in the interests of Bengough, the Canadian cartoonist and) humourist, who commences a Dunedin season in tba Burns Hall on Thursday. Rengough arrived from Sjdnsy by the Moana on Wednesday last, and opened in TNellingiton on Friday. The Dunedin season. bhoulJ be an interesting one. Not generally known that Mr ( George Musgrove, who has not visited New Zealand sine© the German Opera Company's tour, is managing with Mr Harry Musgrove the Xiew Zealand tour of the Miss Nellie Stewart Dramatic Company. I met Harry Musgrove in Wellington last week, and renewed pleasurable acquaintance with him. He informed m© that the company had done phenomenal business since the opening of tho tour in Australia, aiid the New Zealand season threatened to eclipse all record. The Auckland season was a remarkable one. aixl when I roached Wellington the Empire City was but repeating the triumphs of Auckland. On Wednesday last I dropped into the Opera House, to find the house packed to overflowing, not a seat to be had anywhere, and oven standing room denied. By the courtesy Df Mr Musgrove 1 was permitted a seat on the staircase in the dress circle overlooking the stage. From that point I had an excellent view of the whole housr — and what a houss ! Nellie Stewart, more popular than ever, was greeted with th-e wildest enthusiasm. It \\a= good to see the favourite Australian aeti>e*s again after a lapee- of 'long years — too long, indeed, for an artiste like Nellie Slew ait to leiuain aiwi i "-'ralia can

claim Nellie Stewart her idol, why not New Zealand too? Anyway, it" would appear 80. By the way. the play I had the pleasure of seeing Nellie Stewart in again was the old favourite, "Sweet Nell of 01<? Drury." Miss Stewart has lost more of her charm, and Sweet Nell is Sweet Nell still — only more 60. The members of Meynell and Gunn's Dramatic Company departed from the Bluff for Melbourne, via Hobart, on Monday. Mr Georg*' Porter, the business manager, returned, with the shoiv. Mr Walter Monk, late touring manager for J. C. Williamson's Dramatic Company, and now connected with the Hugh Ward Comedj Company, ariived :n: n Dunedin last ■weeii to meet the company, which commences a New Zealand tour ir Invereargill. Mr Monk had occasion to enter the Dunedin Hospital to undergo a Slight operation. I am pleased to say the operation was successful, and he> is now outand about again. The Nellie Stewart Dramatic Company commences a season at the Princess on September 11, opening with "Sweet Kitty Bellairs," a picturesque romantic drama which has bean a great success wherever played. The opening piece- will be followed by a revival of "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," which in turn gives way to ''As You Like It," with Mies Nellie Stewart as Rosalind. Mr Albert Goldie, business manager of th© Hugh Wand Comedy Company, arrived at the Bluff by this week's Melbourne steamer, to pave the way few the comedy company'e tour of New Zealand. The Dunediin season commences on Saturday, September 11. The company is a particularly strong one, including Mies Grace Palotta, Miss Rose Musgrove, Miss Gelia Ghiloni, and "Mrs Brough. On© lady member of /he " Jack and Jill " company had an exciting time in Auckland during the fire in the Strand Arcade. She w?s stopping at the Albert Hotel, adjacent to the Strand-, and was at the theatre when the &re broke out. Rushing out of the theatre in feverish haste ehe made her way to the hotel, only to find the way blocked, by thr enormous crowds congregated near the scene of the fire. All ber " creations " and the treasures and mementoes of years, which could never be replaced, were in danger of destruction. Dismayed at ihe utter helplessness of her position and beside herself with anxiety, she was about to give up, when t friend succeeded in getting through :o find the rooms ransacked and the contents dropped into the- street. This misguided enthusiasm cost the lady muoh, for though she recovered the majority of her belongings, many valuable* and ouvenir3 had disappeared. Nevertheless, there wae> one grateful .heart in Auckland that night. The friends of . Mr and Mrs George Young (Miss Lena. Ericksonj. late of Pollard's Opera Company and now of the "Jack and Jill" Pantomime Company, will regret to hear of the illness of their little son in Auckland. Owing to this untoward circumstance Mrs Young remained behind in Auckland to nurse the patient, who is now, I am pleased to say, on the roac* to recovery. The programme as advertised by the Pollards will be strictly adhered to. The season can only be for nine nights and one matinee. "Manola" will be staged for ihree nighte, and at the matinee. " The Gay Hussar " will be presented for three nights, and the ever-popular " Rir Van Winkle " also for three nights. The ompany opens a five nighte season at Invercargill on Saturday, September 11. Gore will follow, and as there are two nights vacant before returning to the North Island, it is almost certain that Balclutha a.nd probably Milton will be vi3ited. Mr Jock Willis, the well-known Scotch comedian, who was &o popular when appear- [ ing on the Fuller circuit, has renounced vaudeville, and has joined the Pollards. He will be 6een as Pablo in "Manola." Most playgoers will remember with pleasure the famous maroh.es that Mr Pollard introduced in several of his productions, notablj "Boccaccio and "The Forty Thie\es." In the second act of "Manola-" he will present another of these- eleverlvevolved spectacles in "The March of the Page*." Miss Madeline KnLg-ht, who has lately joined the ranks of Pollard's Opera Company, is up Auckland sopiano who ie extreme!} popular on the concert platform of the northern capital. She is the posse*>or of a highly-cultured voice and a magmfieont stage presence She will make hor fii^i appearance here a-> Beatiix in "Manola." in which character s-he has .'ov-cral (.harming- numbei- to feing, including the "Coo-coo" duet w ith Mi-s Mmine Topping Another newcomer will be introduced in Mr Will Rayner. a joung- Engli-h aitist who i- th<; pos*e.--o> of a tenor voicO, wellt.uinet' and iobu»t.

What a wonderful school "The Polla<rds" has been. It is almost impossible to pick up a theatrical paper published 1 in any part of the worlc without finding 1 the name of an old "Poltaardian" holding' a responsible position or the stage. May Beatty was a few weeks ago ebbing four halls per night in London. Alice Pollard is in the cast of #*s*he Dollar Princess," the new piece t^Mii has supplanted "The Mercy Widow" «t the Gaiety Theatre., London. Maude Beatty was appearing! lately in "Manila" at a charity performance. Nellie Wilson is on the "Empire" circuit at Home, and is re-engaged for principal boy in this year's pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Wilmoc Karkeek is in India playing leads with Bandmarvn's Opera Company. Charles Carter was a few weeks ago at Covent Garden, London, with the Moody-Manners Opera Company. He was singing principal tenor roles alternate nights with the great Irish tenor Joseph O'Meara. Will Percy, Eddie Nable, and Dave O'Connor ore- witJi the- Firm, and are more than holding their, own with the imported article. So good has been the "Pollard" training that those who have graduated from its ranks ai» always ready for an emergency. A f ew months ago a leading member, of the Royal Comics took ill at the last' moment, to the horror of the management: There ,was no irnder^tud-y, but one of^'the "Pol-lard"-trained members stepped' out ana said, "I know the part." He p!»yed ft, " and received special jvotioe from the. press. One of the English artistes was heard to exclaim, "D <n these ' PoIUm/I ' fellows; they are ready for everything." It may come as a surprise to playgoersto learn thai the- production/of - "Mfcnola" cost over £1200, and every farthing of this was spent in the Dominion. ' It was in March, 1881, that the original Pollards first appeared in Dunedin. They produced "Pinafore" at the Queen's Thec&re, end it drew crowded houses for 17 nights... Since that date companies bearing this well-known name have been with us sometimes three and four times yearly, always with something new, and always growing stronger and better. Playgoers are deeply indebted to Mr Tom Pollard for his energy in staging many old-world successes that probably would otherwise never have been heard in this Dominion. Without him it is doubtful if we would have ever seen j»uch clever and melodious works as "Olivette," "Tambour Major " "Madame Fayart," "Nell Gwynne," "Falka," "Erminie," "Fatinitza," and scores of other popular light operas. He has produced altogether in this city 55 pieces, ranging from "TTiusle Tom's Cabin" to "Maritana." Hi« latest success ie Lecocq's delightful 3omic opera "Manola," a work that, when first produced here as far back as 1883, ran to crowded houses for nine nights. The story is laid! in Portugal during the seventeenth centuiry, and both time and plaice giv« ample scope for that wealth of spectacle for which Mr Pollard is justly famed. It is pleasing to learn that playgoers are wakingi up from the musical comedy nightmare, and are snowing a growing tendency for the "better claes of comic op>ra. The success achieved by Mr Pollard in his productions of "Ma-nola" and "Rip van Winkle" is proof- of this, and- lias encouraged him to proceed with the aam» class of work. His next opera, which is ready for production, will be Buoalossi's tuneful and mirth-provoking opera bouffe "Les Manteaux Noirs" (The Black Cloaks) 1 - Mr Crosbie Ward, who some years ago was running a stock company in Napier, New Zealand, with considerable success, is now leading man with William Ander- • eon's touring company in Australia, and is receiving very eulogistic press notices for his performances. Mr Crosbie Wia-rd - is ar old Wellington boy, and his man* New Zealand friends will be gratified to learn of his success in his profession Miss Rosslyn ~Vay/ne v one of the most prominent members of the Nellie Stewartf Dramatic Company, is one of the latest arrivals from England for the J. C. Wil- ; liameon management. She has been described in Melbourne and Sydney as tan Austrian ; she is of Austrian ' descent, was born in England. She recently told an interviewer that she was brought up by an aunt, mother of Mr Frederick Rosse; composer of t.he- incidental music to "Monsieur Beaueaire." Her aunt was opposed" to her goin^r on the stage,- but she 'has - succeeded right along • the Tine. Miss Vayne is a musician, draws and paints ; she is also a fancier of dogs. One of her i-ogrets is that she coukl not bring her pete with her. Mies Vayne has appeared alf ovei England, and has not beer out of an engagement since 1901. Mr Claude King will make his first appearance in Dunedin with the new Nellie Stewart Company. He was the last aprtisfr engaged by Miss Stewart prior to her departure from London, for Australia. lieis said to be a well-built athletic-looking man. above the average height, well-cut features, and a pleasant-speaking voic#-

It was intended by hie . parents that he should be an artist, but wher he was 21 he vrj® left to his own resources, and he bad to turn to a more profitable way of earning money for a living. He had taken part in amateur theatricals, and decided to embrace the profession for better or .worse. He started work at 25e per week, "pulling- baskets about, and^ in fact, doing, anything," as he put it. He soo« made progress however, and • started in a series of plays. He then toured England with 'Mrs Patrick Campbell, while the profession has enabled him to travel to every portion of tb* world where the English language is spoken, his visit to New Zealand completing the circuit. His favourite part is Oarl Heinrioh in "QW Heidelberg," which he played for two years, while "The Admirable Orichton" is another play liked by the newcomer. Mr King takes the role <>f Sir Jasper Standish in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs" and King Oharlet k "Sweet Nell of Old Drury." Mr Frederick Moves, of the "Nellie Stewart" combination, is eaid to be a typical Englishman. His first appearance on the stage was in London with Mr Julius Knight at the Olympic -Theatre Mr Moyes 'walked on wen, but .gradually ascended until He himself essayed Napoleon, the character Mr Knight pla-yed. He was the French hero for five years, and created *he- ftoatjat. 'SJapoleon ib "The Duch^sfe of D&ntzic." Not "wishing to be thought a one-pstrt actor, be "got out" and played - anything j6st>to prove, he could- do gonse-" thing else. Mr Moyes 'ie of opinior" that, provided an actor has the experience and artistic temperament, be. can\act any .role. He is a / great believer in- make-ap. Speaking of the stage in England, he said it was becoming a mania for Ladies to drive Tip to George Alexander's theatre in their carriages "just to walk on." Men did the Rame thing. - They nevet meant to really learn to act-*-they rega<rded it merely as a pastime. The consequence was a lower «tandard in acting, while to those who bad to earn their living on the stage it was serious, as salaries were reduced. Mr Moyes takes the part of Colonel Villiere in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs," Lord Jeffries in "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," and the Banished Duke in "As You Like It." Amongst the passengers bj the new mail steamer Otway, which recently arrived in Melbourne, were two English actresses, Miss Olive "Wilton and- Miss Daisy Scudamore, who have been engaged by Mr Wm. Anderson. They both made their first ..appearance in Australia on Saturday evening, August 28, at the King's Theatre in Mr Jo. Smith's new Australian drama "The Bush woman." Mr William Anderson's iramatic com■pany, including Mr Walter Baker and Miss Frances Ross, reeentlv concluded a very successful season in Bajlarat, where "My Partner," "For the Term of His Natural I«ife," and "The French Spy" were played. George Oallender, of che Hellers' Company, writes-: — Dear Pasquin, — Just a line to let you know we have completed our tour of the North Island, which has been a highly successful one. We are now doing i/be South/ Island. * We play Geraldine, September ,1; Oamaru, September 6.; Timaru, September 8; and- by degrees we will get to Dunejdin-. ' . . Dogs as Variety artists have passed in long succession Across the stage of the Tivoli Theatre, . l>wt .a band of strangers, under Mile. Rosin* Casselli, demonstrated that all previous performers in this line .were aa roviees. The lady (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph) is the possessor of a number of beautiful .little animals, somo of which look 4ike, haUbred toy terriers but 'or a decidedly foreign. air. Described as -the chihuahua dogs of Mexico, they seemed to have come to show .that there is a race of the four-footed friends- of man' that is lastly superior in understanding to anything of its kind in this par* of the world. It is either that, or they have been trained with a. persistence which has produced a result that is a veritable monument to the patience of their owner. Such marvellous doings have n»v<er been heard of in the dog world — in Sydney, at least. They come on the stage in a small tourist motoi car Jriven by a pigmy with a face as set under its responsibilities as* that of a biped chauffeur. Each dismounts and goes up the steps of a platform to his place to await his turn on trapeze, horizontal bar, poles, or ropes — for these are* no meTe chair-sitting, hind leg -walking- artists. • They hang from the trapeze by four legs, him* legs, one paw, or both, or by the chin ; while the clown of the party, looping a paw ound the upright, encircles t with a vigorous swing in j jreal circus? "style. They turn somersaults on the. horizontal bar just as human gymnasts have often done in the same theatre. One, suspended by tiae hind legs from, the ! trapeze, holds another trapetzs from which ! one of his mates is performing the headdownwards triok. From their treatment it Is evident that .nothing but- kindness could have achieved such wonders. The lady, who, " by the way, is attired in a striking dress reminiscent of the Parisian music halls, with a large picture hat, has the confidence of the 'ittle cratures to such an extent that i< can be seen in every action. -To behold a in\ dog balancing itself on one fore paw orf he tip of the j lady's index finger, or on both paws on a short staff held between her hands, its tail waving" gently so as not to disturb the delicate situation, >s proof enough that there is .a thorough -understanding between them. As a rule doge look unhappy md "11 at ease Wihile posing as- actors, but the Casselli \ family carries a general bearing of pleaded j eagerness. When all have to get out and j push th\ broken-down motor car the humour of It seems to appeal to them. Mr Harry Rickards will send another *'all star" combination to New Zeala-nrl shortly, opening at Auckland on October*. The principals will include Rose Casselli j and her troupe of dogs, which have caused j a great sensation in Sydney: Florence and Lilian, in their original musical act, which is. generally voted one of the best and most refined '.'turns" ever imported by Mr Ricfcsrde. Graham and Dent will return to j New Zealand with .a number of new j sketches, and another sensational English act will be included- in the company wh'ch i promises to compare with the strongest that Australia's^. vaudeville king has yet organised j for New Zealand. Wellington will be visited on October 18 to 30. One or two nights will then follow »n the "smalls" of ■ the North Island. His Majesty's Theatre, Christchuroh, will follow from November 5 I to 12, And the tour will conclude with a i Ttanedin season, commencing November 13. Mr Allan Hamilton will travel with and personally conduct tihe tour. .Walter Bentley, euported by * strong

supporting company, will in all probability open a New Zealand tour in January next under the management of Allan Hamilton. The repertoire will include "Hamlet," "The Bells," "David .G*rrick," and "Rob Roy." Situated on one of the highest points t.f the Sydney Harbour, in Rose Bay, is a picturesque little home, which has lately beer purchased by Mr G. S. Tither&dge. It commands a most expansive view, and is altogether an ideal spot — in fine weather,— but some of Mr Titheradge's more pessimistic friends are rathei dubious as to his wisdom in investing in this property, *or, knowing his propensity for cultivating flowers, they are rather inclined to think lhat its exposure to the winds that blow from every quarter of the globe will materially interfere with the 'growth of the tender plants, and ihus bring disappointment to the cultivator. But Mr Titheradge has made vi his mind to overcome all obstacles in this connection, and .merely smiles and informs them that he will show them. Playgoers who remember Mr Titheradge^s inimitable impersonation of the Abbe Dubois in "The Village Priest" will be interested to learn that the J. C. Williamson management is contemplating a revival of che fine old drama w.ith Mr Tithe-radge in his original part during the currency of the present Melbourne dramatic season. With the exception, perhaps, of Wilfred Denver in "The Sjlvei King" Mr Titheradge has never appeared in a part so eminently suited to his personality* ?nd particular methods as tfhat of the kindly^earted, simple-minded -priest, who is the sympathiser and friend of all his parishioners >n their time of trouble. Judging by . the strength of ths company from which the members of the cast will be drawn a really fine all-round performance should be assured. Miss Ethel Warwick and Miss Dorothy Grimston, the two new leading ladies in "The Flag Lieutenant" Company, w.ho have already made themselves very popular with the Melbourne play-going public, decided to throw in their respective lota with the exponents of the histrionic art under entirely different circumstances. Miss Warw.ek comes of a family who had no connection whatever with the stage, *,nd were, indeed, avers© to tbeir daughter adopting it as a profession, though, according to Miss Warwick herself, they became quit? reconciled to Tier choice when they found that she had not ever-estimated her ability to become an ornament to tho profession. Since hor first public appearance in "The Corsican ! Brothers" Mis* Warwick has taken part ! in a great number of plays, and has impersonated at different times the best-known of Shakespeare's heroines. Miss Grimston also has a splendid record of performances to her credit, but, unlike Miss Warwick, she was born and bred in a theatrical atmosphere. Her father and mother, Mr and Mirs Kcndal. need no introduction to theatregoers in England, while her uncle, Mr T. W. Robertson, is equally well known as a dra-matisti, and many other of her near relatives are associated with the stage. A recent engagement effected by Mr J. C. Williamson is with Mr Andrew Mac-Cun-n, who, it will be remembered, «onductod the Royal Comic Opera Company some two years or .so ago, his- last appear-, ance in Melbourne being with "The Dairymaids." The Step'aanusof "The Sign of-tha Cross" as presented by th& Wilson Barrett Company some years ago, Miss Gertrude Boswell, arrived in Australia lately from England. Miss Boswell has been appaaring in England in various parts eiree her last visit to Australia, perhaps her most outstanding success being "Sunday" in the plaj of the same name. The Julius Knight Company open m Auckland on Monday next. The Royal Comic Opera Company opened at Her Majesty's Theatre. Melbourne, in "Tho Duchess of Dantzic," staged for the first "time in that city, on August 28. The romantic opera is based on Sardou's drama, "Madame Sans Gene," md, like the romantic work, has foi its -enrral theme tho history of an anpaid washing bill, which eventually proves the means of saving the erstwhile washerwoman and prospective Duchess from being separated from he/ husband *nd banished 'rom the French court by the command of Napoleon. The musi/*, which is of a high order, includes some really fine numbers, which are lavishly scattered throughout the pie<:e. The dressing "c on an elaborate scale, in keeping with the exalted position held by the characters in the second and third acts, which depict the Gardens of Fontainebieau and th« royal reception at the Tuileries Mis Florence Young as the good-hearted laundress, who is first- seen at the washtub in the Ruo Royale, has certain y achieved a triumph which 6o far has scarcely baen. equalled by her in spite of the cxo»llent work, she has don* in the past. Tho lion's thare of the comedy is in tbe hands oi Mr Victor Gouriet as Papillon. the court milliner, and the Napoleon of Mr Stamford is a most realistic impersonation, while the rest of >he members of the company have fine opportunities for showing what they can <}o. Th ? production is under the supervision of Mr .Stamford. Vmy Castles (says tho lady writer ot M-elbourne Punch) has unpioyed 'out of si«ht" since she was hist -n Australia. She has become a lii> sourer per.iaps, but she i-s shapely .and plump rather than "stout. After all, <=h< :., \«fj young --comparatively. Without stopping to think, I should say *he was about 27 years of age, and few singers have been w.h~re she is at thai age. Mie hersplf i-; dreadfully afraid of becoming fat a.nd wobbly. T suppose that is because she has decided to go in for opera and give up concert singling, which eeems dull and uninteresting to her. But the chief change is ir her manr.-ai. She has acquired a finish, a polish, and an aplomb which were lacking before. * A woman admirer of Miss Nellie Stewart wrote to an Australian paper recently:— j "We had a very animated discuss'on over i an afternoon cup of tea the other day as to how Miss Nellie Stewart retains such a hold over peop'e's affections. In discussing the matter we all admitted her j cleverness, great charm of voire and manner, a-ud her p-ettinets; but other actresses have all these ?nd yet do not win our hearts as Nellie Stewart does. It isn't only that she is our own, for there are others who are that. too. The conclusion we- arrived at was this : The public is I simply a mirror, and tl** sympathetic, j kindly, ajid very humourous actress simply gets back what she gives. I don't believe she could keep the sympathy out of her voice if she tried." Mr Bland Holt's passion for effectiveoeee

is illustrated in th© storj of the dog. In one of his productions a dog had to chase a policeman around the stage, and the ** policeman " for the -time being used to tie a *at in one of bis pockets as a scent for- the dSg. One evening the policeman lost his a*at, aaid the dog did not get the scent The animal walked on, sniffed, and then quietly walked off, somewhat spoiling the scene This could not be repeated, so Mt Holt stayed beKind from half-past 11 o'clock until half-past 2 o'clock in the morning rehearsing that dog to chase a policeman, and with such good results that no furthpi rats were required It is not a'aied whether that dog ever got 100-e in iho streets, though, and if co what effect a policeman's uniform had upon it. The rights- of " The Prince and the Beggar Maid " and " From Shopgirl to Ducheis " have been acquired by Mr William Anderson for production in Australia. 11l- Walter Howaord, of "Midnight Wedding " fame, is author of the former, the latest Lyceum success. Mr Howard has constructed a romantic love story concerning Hildred, Prince of Sylvania, and Monica, the young Queen of Illyria, who are betrothed. War has broker owt between the two countries, and, hearing that Hildred is fierce and savage, Monica, disguised as a begg-ax maid, visits his camp. " From Shopgirl to Duchess " is from ihe pen of Mr OhavleSv^Dairell, author of " When London Sleeps." It is cast in fervent melo-. dramatic mould, backed by some novel -j&echanical illusions, dresses of to-day, -..and 'scenes of well-known London resorts. The drama, follows in construction along ths oath taken by " Diana of Dobson's," only with, more favourable results as -regards the heroine " Wihat will -the operas. 20 years hence be like?" was asked of Puccini the other day. The eyes of ths composer of "Madame Butterfly" gleamed with the fire of conviction, -as he declared, " Melody will reig.a supreme, as it has always done ; and melody is essentially Italian. One can almost say that it was born in Italy. I know and appreciate fully the efforts of j the composers of the so-called ' new ' school ; I am interested in Richard Slrauvs's work, and I admire Debussy's ' Pelleas and MeJisande' for its intense originality. But atmosphere, and weird combination of sound and endless recitatives are not eierything in music." Mme. Ada Crossley and her concert party have (sajs an English journal) returned from o. successful tour in Australia and New Zea-lamd. The original plan Vicluded 60 concerts but what with return visit* and extended trips, the number was easily doubled. In Sydney alone 12 concerts were given, the audience on each occasion numbering somo 4GOO people. But despite Mme. Oros«lpy's success, which involved unusual Conditions, it is well to point out (says a writer) that Australia is by no means the happj hunting ground for "the itinerant, a-rtist it is generally supposed to be. And many well-known artists who have made the vemture are not likely to do so again. Mrs Patrick Campbell, the accomplished actress, ha/3 often said that notniag but bare necessity -nade her turn to the stage as a profession. She- had to decide between that and becoming a governess. One afternoon she waJk€id into a dramatic agent's office, and paid h«,r guinea just like any other. young woman oonvinced of htr own powers. The .agent had just written her name m iua eargaoemeirt book when a man naai>ad Greon entered the offioe. He was ?1-f? 1 -f£ m . SS < 11 n P f ?? 11 ° mm P a - n-Vn -V *o tour the provinces « ' Bachelors," and Mrs Campbell was offered a part at £2 per week. P She ac «S ! „ V °2? mado w f reat a s ™<x*s that she wa* further engaged to appear in pasAn interesting am\iver£arv was 'c^'ebrated on board the CWina on hor vcwj peneel tD be « pasesnge-. and when rhe auspicioi-a date. " Tte Gloriois Fourth" came rourd a dinner was given in honour of the occasion. Sir .To^ph Ward, who to tbo toast of Ind* pern dsnee Day," and referred to «r Kolker as «» gentleman TvT if S^ W^ hm th>3 kst v "r or two throughout Arstra ia ajii Ne*v Z-aland most creditably upheld the ttaditfo^ of the great profession to which ha be>on K ed In response Mr Kolker dweit upon the debt America owed to Ens-land in the matter of literature, inspiration, and patriotism Mr Ko'ker, it *j]l h« « mem . to-m- " • l 3 cn A»Sement with J. O. Williamson in o:d:r to take the kad.ine role in a new drama by Eugene Walters in X oric. Jenny Lind was one of the greatest feel canto. aTtests the world has ever ssen, and when a teadin*: London critic calls Miss Amy Castks " the Australian Jenny Lind." and a German critic of equal repute classes her « 8 "one of the only tb-«-. or four great bel canto eingers of the day 3," the yorajr soprano receives two fcarhers of rare value fcr h-er cap. The teim bel canto is being discrssed by soire musk-lovers who are not neceesarilv conversant with t!vj technical t.?rm 5 used by musician^. As tiie qjestion has attained some prom ; renc-» since th.3 retvrn of Miss Castles it may b^ w-?ll to explain that rt means, simply. ""fine voice a-5 applied to natural singing, or the antithesis of tha vcoal affected by a certain school of sinjyers. A showman from Queensland vouches for the following- storv :— Madame Meiba was tra-'ninsr to Chaiteis Towfrs Ihs n : 2-ht bof or« her concert there. The train stopped at Sellhe. m, am) feveral lx>-\s were wait•ng 1 on that station to s?e madam*. Mr Lemmone told her, and she kindly came out and spoke to them, and asked th-em if bhey would like tr> hear her sin/?. They sa _<l, " Oh, yes." " Well," said madams, 'if you bo\a come to f Jie Towers to-mor-row nig-ht and say you are the boys from Sellheim I'll invite you in. and \ou shall hear ms." (Xo rcspon<ve for a time.) "Well, will you (ome. Ik>vs?" The smallest boy eventually spoko. "No Rood to m 3 ; we got a show here to-mOiTow night. Rickards is com ing." Madame laughed and said, "I think you are very rude, boys, to prefer him to m-." Threi of tie larger fcoys did g-o, however, and TKidame was a-=< gcoJ as her woid. Rcom was found for them, although the thcatie '.ai a lcccrrj crowd. Here -c an offer to produce opera in. i British dominions ma.de by Mir Charles I Manners, of the Mcodv-Mannars Opera , Company. He writ?>: "We have often j be«n approached to send an English Grand j Opera Company out to the Brirub < 7epe4ii dencies, but with the exception of one visit to SouMi Africa I ha\« always found that the great expens3 nec.esary to ensure in every r^epect a really good representation (which I insist on) has stopped all further busiwees, as Jbe possible (though not pro-

bable) patronage of t-hs pu'hlio might not pay for the outlay. Hero is our offeT A committee to be formed in each town in the dominior to invite subscriptions. .On my learning the sum in tickets promised by a State I shall th'Stn pl*et> before them wheS can be done at the price — list of artists, number of chorus, orchestra, scenery, costumes, ope<ras, salaries, travelling, etc. ! My wife (Madame Moody) and I to give „ our services both as managers and' singers, unless any committee dictates otherwise. ' We to forfeit a bank guarantee of £10,000 shoukk we not fulfil our promises. We to be wholly and solely responsible for every- j thing, and the different ommittees to have no liability whatever. The committee to examine anything and at any tinK they like to their entire satisfaction. We tc pay i in. advance env expenses proposed by the j committeee, such, as advertising, postage, etc."