THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2290, 20 July 1880, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

There was an excellent attendance at the Queen's Kali on Thursday evening last, to hoar the Carandiuis. The programme submitted was composed exclusively of popular pieces, and was there bound to prove successful. Johnny Hydes took a benefit at-the Oddfellows’ Hall, Christchurch, on Friday evening last. There was a capital programme, including “ Who Speaks First,” a selection from “The Hunchback,” “His Last. Legs,” and “ Punch and Judy ” Owing doubtless to the Industrial Exhibition, the house was not very crowded. The Gem Variety Troupe is still at the Christchurch Academy of Music. The tragic termination to the exploits of the Kelly gang lias not been lost upon the aspiring dramatist in search of a sensational subject. Tims pieces bearing tiie title of “ The Kellys” have been recently announced for early production in several places. The performance of a drama entitled “ The Capture of (ho Kelly Gang” was prohibited by Government the other day at the Queen's Theatre, Sydnc3 r , A piece bearing a similar title is to be produced at Sloan’s Theatre, Invercargill, on July 27 and 28, in which our old friend Mdlle. Muricllc is to appear as Kate Kelly. The play has been strongly condemned by the local journal. Bacheldor’s Panlascope is still exhibiting at Invercargill. Chccvcrs and Kennedy have returned to London after a lengthy absence in (lie colonies, and arc non' members of the famous Moore and Burgess Minstrels.

The Froliques arc playing a farewell season of six nights in Auckland previous to their departure for San Francisco. The trolieksomc Simonson was, it seems, suddenly called away to Melbourne some time back on “ urgent private business,” and the company went North without him.

The great Southern Diorama has entered rrpou its sixth week at the Queen’s, Dunedin. The management knows how to “run” dioramas with the aid of gifts. 'liio Ashburton Dramatic Club have amalgamated with the local troupe of burnt eorkists. “The Lust Ship” is to be produced by special request on July 27.

Tire Lynch Family have been doing

well up North. They have been recently playing Auckland and the Thames, and are now visiting the small townships. “Zealandia,” the mammoth panorama of New Zealand scenery, is at Wellington. Mr Perrier has resumed the lectureship. The show has become the property of Mr George Lingard, who is going to exhibit it in London.

The Arcthusa Company must have postponed their visit to Christchurch. They are now playing in Wanganui. Mr and Mrs Hart arc giving the inhabitants of Napier an opportunity of spending “ Happy Honrs” at the Theatre Uoyal. Hoskins has started on his travels, and was playing at Wellington, in “Tha Ucir-at-Law,” at latest dates. A recent cablegram announced the death of Tom Taylor, the author of about a hundred pieces, comprising “Still Waters Pun Deep,” “ The Ticket of Leave Man,” and many other famous plays. His last dramatic production was “ Clancarty,” produced, I think, originally at the Olympic Theatre. But in addition to his dramatic works Mr Taylor occupied a distinguished position in the Pepnblic of Letters. He edited “ Punch ” up to the time of his death, having succeeded .Mr Shirley Brooks in that capacity some three or four years hack, on the decease of that gentleman. What an extraordinary man If. J. Byron must ho. In the words of the poet, “ When shall his glory fade V” Ho is, without exception, the most popular dramatist now living, and has added another triumph to his many previous ones by the production of “ The Upper Crust,” at the Folly Theatre, London, in which Toole sustains the part of the eccentric Barnaby Doublechick.” The piece is attracting crammed houses nightly and is the talk of London. And yet the same play was offered to Messrs James and Thorne, the popular lessees of the Gaiety in the Strand, and those gentlemen with a singular lack of foresight actually refused to accept it ! Oh, James and Thorne, what could you have been thinking about ? Mr-lames Maddison, the author of that once entertaining, but now utterly doue-to-death-by amatcurs-piccc “ Box and Cox.” is now 70 years of age. and like too many of his class, finds old age and straitened means have overtaken him, hand-in-hand. I am pleased to learn that steps were being taken, according to last advices from Home, to organise a benefit For him. Several leading men have interested themselves in the matter, and the result, it is to bo hoped, will be —or has been —successful. The author of “ Box and Cox” decidedly has a claim on the public. MASK,