THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2246, 29 May 1880, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

Since my last letter the “Froliqnos ” have come and gone. Personally speaking, I was somewhat disappointed with them. Their entertain in out includes several tilings good of their kind. It would be dillicult to find a more accomplished violinist than Mr Simonson, or a more graceful performer in her peculiar line than Miss Lottie Elliott; but the entertainment is largely composed of the ministrel element, which, was certainly not up to the mark. Signor Morlcy’s Operatic Company have had a fairly successful season in Dunedin, whore they have produced “Maritana,” “Detained on Both Sides,” and “ The Two Birds.” The company will visit Timaru next week. The Florences opened at the Queen’s Theatre, Dunedin, on Saturday evening last in their new drawing-room entertainment which consists principally of vocal selections by Mr and Mrs Florence and Mr Barrington. The

latter is the possessor of rich a bass voice and was formerly connected with Simonson’s Opera Company. Air Florence, who seems determined to cater for all tastes, has just engaged Messrs Walker and Edgeworth, a couple of song and dance artistes. Tho entertainment has been running every night during tho week.

Madame Urso concluded her Christchurch season on Tuesdaj r evening,when there was a largo attendance. The performance of this company, especially the exquisite violin solos of Madame herself, has created quite nfurdro in the City of the Plains. On Wedncsda}tho3 r performed at Lyttelton, and on Frida}’ evening opened at the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, to a very large and critical audience- Madame Urso talks of returning to Christchurch shortly, and I trust that she will be induced to take Timaru en route.

The Harts have been playing at Lyttelton and Christchurch during the week. A number of Dunedin amateurs are studying “ Hamlet,” with a view to appearing on jthc boards about November,

The}' have been plaj’ing “ The Lady of Lyons,” “Our Boys,” and “Pink Dominoes ” (the piece that was so successful at tiie Criterion Theatre, London, where it was originally produced), at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, during tiie week, in all of which Mr Hoskins and his wife have been appearing. Last night “The Octoroon” was produced for the benefit of Mr Patsy Gill and Miss Sally Lloyd. Stacey’s Panorama wound up a rather unsatisfactory season at Christchurch on Tuesday evening. The first of a series of Winter Entertainments was given last night at Addington, when a local wizard was the chief entertainment. It is a pit}’ that these pleasant entertainments are not more popular. Thompson’s Diorama is still drawing well at hlonn’s Theatre, Invercargill. The Carandini’s have been performing at Invercargill during the week. The mammoth panorama of New Zealand scenery, known as “Zealandin,” has been purchased by Mr George Linganl, (he theatrical agent, who is about to take it Homo for exhibition in the Old Country. AUSTRALIAN AND HOME ITEMS, Wybert Reeve’s new piece “For Life, or the Foster Brothers,” lias not been a success in Melbourne, enjoying only a run of six nights. It professed to be a drama of colonial life, but somehow friled to hit the taste of the Melbourne public. It was succeeded b}' an American piece called “ Josh.” A coloured troupe have produced Pomp” at the People’s Theatre (Melbourne.) This company, lam informed, now call themselves the Jubilee Singers, and the}* were formerly known as Georgia Minstrels, at least so runs the “yarn.” There is a good deal in a name after all, more especially when theatricals are concerned. Carlotta Patti has concluded her concert season in Melbourne.

The Juvenile Pinafore Company are still to the fore at the Melbourne Academy of Music, and arc causing quite a sensation.

Clarence Holt, bettor known in New Zealand as “ Joe” Holt is making money at the Duke’s Theatre, London, which is more than many people can say, for a more unlock} - home than this same il Duke’s,” which has had its name changed half a dozen times within my recollection by its successive proprietors, in the hope that a change of name would bring a change of luck, perhaps, it would be difficult to find. However, it is now, I understand a paying concern. By the way, Miss Ma} r Holt, a daughter of "Joe’s,” is, I understand, about to be married to “ the son and heir of a wealthy Yorkshire baronet ” —lucky Miss May, say I! —but the funniest part of the affair is that “Joe” is actually going to dramatise the story of his daughter’s love and place it upon the hoards of the Duke’s I

The latest thing in giants is Mr Jack Shields now exhibiting in Brooklyn. Mr Shields is of American birth. 18 years old, and rather more than 7 feet high already. What he will be when he has done growing it seems impossible to say, perhaps 17 feet ; anyway he is expected, in sporting phraseology, to knock fits out of ” most professional giants. An amateur Blondin fell a distance of 210 feet from a wire rope while performing near Sydney the other day. Marvellous to relate he was but little injured by the fall,[but was badly burnt by the kerosene lamp on his balancingpole upsetting over him.

Mr James Mortimer, the well-known London dramatic critic, and editor of the “London Figaro,” is publishing “ Sketches of Prison Life ” in that journal, being his personal experiences in Holloway gaol, to which place ho was committed as a “ first-class misdemeanant,” in consequence of some alleged libellous matter that appeared in (he “Figaro.” Mr Mortimer seems to bo determined to turn bis troubles to the best account. MASK. H.B.—Correspondents are requested to address all communications on theatrical matters to “ Mask,” South Cantehbuuy Times office, Timaru.