THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2319, 23 August 1880, Page 2

THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

The Arcthusa Star Company is still in Christchurch and pitting to excellent business. They have produced a variety of pieces during' their present season, the most recent of which were ‘‘A Capital Match,” “ The Dream at Sea,” “ The Stranger,” a gloomy old melodrama of the so-called “ emotional ” class, and “ The Green Bushes,” a charming little piece which will for ever be connected with Madame Celeste, and the Adclphi Theatre. On Saturday night “ The Shaugraun ” was produced, with Mr Burfurd in the role of “ Conn.” The Company, I have learnt from the best authority, will, at the conclusion of their Christchurch season, proceed direct to the Cape of Good Hope, and from thence to the Mauritius, and it is on the cards that they afterwards pay a visit to the Old Country.

The Gem Variety Troupe, recently performing - at the Christchurch Academy of Music, opened to a small but appreciative audience at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Kaiapui, on Saturday night. 'The Byronic Comedy and Burlesque Company are still the attraction at the Princess’s, Dunedin.

Hal Gray’s company have not yet quitted Sloan’s Theatre, Invercargill. On Friday night Mr T. W. Fisher took a bcneJit.

To-night (Monday) Messrs Bevan and Davis open with their Panorama of New Zealand, at the Town Hull, Ashburton. The little township appears to have been unusually gay lately. On Saturday evening the Star Combination Troupe, which includes, amongst others, Miss Hettie Viner (serio comic), Mr O’Neal (aerial snspensionist),and a gentleman rejoicing in the title of “ The Wizard of the East,” opened at the Town Hall to a fair house.

The Pantascopc is still showing to good business at Dunedin. A distribution of prizes on a large scale forms one of the attractions.

Thompson’s Diorama having altered its arrangements did not open at Oamaru last week as stated. It will commence a week’s season there to-night (Monday) at the Volunteer Hall The Lingards have arrived in Auckland with a picked company.

The “ New York Dramatic News” states that J. K. Emmett (Fritz) has just been committed to an inebriate asylum for three months.

Wybert Reeve aud company (including Alias Ada Lester) arc appearing with considerable success at the Bijou Theatre, Melbourne.

At the People’s Theatre a female bycyelist, Madame Franzini, is creating some sensation.

At the Melbourne Theatre Royal, “Sentenced to Death,” a piece of the sensational type, which enjoyed some popularity in London, has just been produced.

“ Betsy ” is the attraction just now,at the Theatre Royal, Sydney. The news of the death of Madame Christine Ncilson, “ the Swedish jNightiugale,” intelligence of which was received by cable, will be learnt with very general regret. It is somewhat curious that but a short time prior to her death, the great songstress should have disposed, by auction, of the whole of the valuable gifts which she had received, from time to time, from admiring friends. Madame Neilson was as much esteemed for her private virtues as in her artistic capacity, and at the comparatively early age of 37, the operatic stage loses in her one of its brightest ornaments. MASK.