THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2265, 21 June 1880, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

The Zealatulia Variety Troupe, determined to provide some fun for the visitors to the races, on their return from their day’s outing, gave a capital entertainment at the Theatre Royal, on Friday night, when, as might have been expected, there was a good house. The members of the Zealandia were all more or less known to the audience, which only added to the fun. Mr T. J. Kennedy is an old “ pro ” and ho showed once more on Friday that he has not yet forgotten how to raise a laugh. A verv pleasant entertainment was given by lady andgentlcmon amateurs at the (Queen’s Hall, on Thursday night. There was a large attendance, and the various performers are to be congratulated on the success of their efforts.

The Raphael Variety Troupe will open nt the Queen's Hall to-night. The late Christchurch Koval Company have been appearing at the Academy of Music lately,where the old hands have been playing “ The Irish Heiress ” and “All that Glitters is not Gold.” Johnny Hydes is a member of the troupe which has now christened itself the “ New Zealand Comedy Compan3 r .” Bachelder’s Panorama is still the attraction at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch.

The St. Clare Comedy and Farce Company appeared at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lyttelton, on Thursday, and the Oddfellows’ Hall, Christchurch, on Friday last.

The Lynch Bellringers (a telegram informs me) opened on Wednesday evening last, at Anekland, to a splendid house. They have been playing in the Hawke’s Bay district lately.

The Froliijties, I bear, are likely to visit Auckland shortly.

“ The Hyperion Tarty,” an amusingvariety company, have been playing - in Ihmedin since my last. Tarry O’Neil, the buffo, Inis joined them. They will probably travel North. Thompson’s Diorama of the American War opens to-morrow at the Oneen’s, Dunedin. The show will probably come North on the termination of the Dunedin season.

Abo Hicken, a telegram just to hand informs me, leaves for Australia immediately.

I am glad to hear that that popular young actor find pupil of the immortal Hoskins —J. F. (Hainan—is doing - well on the English boards. He quitted Christchurch more Hum a year ago for the old country, and lifts been appearing in the provinces with considerable success in his old role of Talbot Champneys in “Dm - Toys.” I shall look forward with interest to -Hr (Iraham’s entree on the metropolitan stage, to which his provincial travels, I take it, fire but the forerunner.

Joe Jefferson announces his positive intention of retiring from the stage fit an earlv date.

Taker and Farron have I hear made a great hit in London. They have been appearing - at the Duke’s Theatre in

•• Conrad and Tixette,” and their other spccifdities familiar to most colonials. They will come back to us crowned with fresh laurels.

Signor Majeroni, who was performing with his wile in Christchurch sonic time ago is very ill. Jlosa and Prank Towers and other members of the well known family were playing “ Pinafore’’ anil melodrama at Cape Town at latest advices. Charley Vivian, the author of many a popular song ('‘Ton thousand miles away” anmnst others) is no more. He died in America on .March 21.

Benjamin Webster, the famous Loudon comedian, is now an Octogenarian, but still hale and hearty, and as.fond of a joke, and as keenly interested in (he .'profession of which he has been for so long an ornament, as of yore. Having outlived a host of friends, and perhaps all his famous theatrical contemporaries, including Matthews, Phelps, and lastly, poor old iiuckston, and witnessed a great change—almost a revolution, in fact, in the public taste, so far as the stage is concerned —he is now spending “ the evening of life ” at his house at Kcnnington. He seldom visits the theatre, fearing to risk late hours, and night air, hut on sunny afternoons he may be seen wending his way to his favorite club, “ The Green Boom,” in Covcnt Garden, to hear the latest news of the theatre of to-day, and chat about old times.

Jenny Lind, the Swedish songstress, who twenty or thirty years ago, enjoyed a popularity that lias rarely been equalled, and whose name was on everybody's lips, is now residing with her husband (Mr Goldsniidt) in an obscure English village, and on line Sundays is a prominent member ol! the Church choir. The famous vocalist is said to have grown exceedingly touchy her ia old age, and she loves to “rule

flic roast ”in the choir. How strange a change must it seem for a celebrity who has travelled the world over in her day and delighted thousands by her singing to have settled down at last, her life of liuiry and excitement over, to the quite hum-drum existence of an English village ! MASK. NLIh —Correspondents are requested to address all communications on theatrical matters lo "Mask,” South Canterdurv Times oilico, Tinuiru.