THEATRICALS IN SYDNEY Sydney, September 17.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 304, 3 October 1888, Page 4

THEATRICALS IN SYDNEY Sydney, September 17.

Time brings'its changes,; but,* L ,as yet, nothing remarkable in the theatrical world has taken place within the'lasb fortnight, except the overwhelmingly large houses that night after night greet Nelly Farren, Fred Leslie/ and others of the London Gaiety Company < now performing at the Royal. '*Misa Esrneralda" has hit the public taste and seo,res a big one. It is not generally known, but Fred Leslie pleads guilty to a part authorship in this wonderful conglomeration of puns, pictures and postunngs under the now, de plumt of A. 0. Torr (actor.) This company's time is now almost up here, and , atOui- a short and briet flying visit to Brisoane obey return to London, playing America en route. Leslie, or more properly speaking, Fred Leslie, is a wonder! ul comedian, and when he taues up the running it's " Good-bye, buttons." It is on the cards that prior to their departure a complimentary dinner will be tendered them by their brother Thespians. Carrie Swain, with her bunch of American novelties, then follows on, and will oc cupy the Royal till Christinas. Brough and Boucicault are making things hum at the Criterion, where tbe farcical comedy, of "An Arabian Night" ia running very strong. Harry St. Maur, as the hubby who goes out for a lark on the lines of ll Old Alroun Alrachid," gets inextricably mixed up with ballet dancers, circus equestrians, and india rubber girls, much to his wife's disgust and the amusement of the audience. Teddy Royce and Miss Maggie Knight have big parts, which they do not fail to take advantage of ; in fact, Magpie in low comedy is simply immense, and in impersonating the " India-rubber Girl," with a penchant lor B. and S. and cigarettes, she fairly astonish s her most intimate triends. Thursday next at this particular theatre will witness a huge tarewoll benefit, which has been tendered to Teddy Royce, the comedian, prior to his depaiture for tbe English metropolis. Amongst those who have gnen their cervices may be mentioned Fred Leslie, Harry St. Maur, George Rignold, Danby, JSelhe Farren, Marion Hood, and the local Gaiety Burlesque Company. A thorough dramatic treat is anticipated, and Teddy will have a good send-off. George Leitch follows on at the Criterion with an old friend in a new suit, or in other words * The Madman " dished up as " A Touch of the Sun." The piece has not yet been staged in Sydney. The Hick's Sawyer Combination of Black Minstrelsy and Athleticism at the Opera House " with Signor O'Grady (as Agrato is now termed) in command, are playing to powerful houses. Their corner "biz" is entirely new, and the part singing is a show in itself. During their short stay they have sung themselves fairly into popular favour, Gay lord and rfuvalli,Barnuni's representatives, who were on a visit to Aussttalia in search 01 novelties lor the premier buowman of the world, returned to America by the Zealandia — the former to return at an early date with three professional companies, Patty Rosa, Humpty Duinpty Company, and Charles Hansen, the phenomenal horse tamer and " Equine Manipulist." Suvalli, it appears, endeavoured to secure a location to enable Barn urn to place his Wild West Aggregation on the -market, but failed to come to any arrangement. Negotiations for the lease of a portion of Moore Park are still in progress. " Suspected," or the " Mystery of a Hansom Cab " is the atti action at the Royal Standard where the adaptation of Fergus Hume's successful novel scores a win. The principal characters are well represented at the hands of Messrs H. C. Sydney, Harry Power, Frank Geiald, Chas. Burford and Ethel Gray, Miss Alice Norton sustaining the title role. The piece was well received, and promises a long run. Rignold and Allison are content wi h the revival of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," and at the moment of writing no change of bill is meditated. The management of the Alhambra at the Hayniarkut have determined upon launching out in burlesque, " Fra Diavolo " being underlined to succeed the Japs. The new Haymarket Music Hall, under the management and directorship of Fred Dark, will open on the 26th with some new London novelties and the Faust family. Harry Rickards and Company to follow. Academy of Mu&ic aud Gaiety Theatre are closed for repairs. Mr J. J. Lohr is still representing the inleiesfc ol Messrs Brough and Boucicault with *'Han& the Boatman " in Brisbane. Peter Hughes passed through town lust m eek on his way to Melbourne ahead of the Swiss Jungfrau Company, who visit New Zealand at an early date. They are well worth seeing fiom a musical standpoint — all the members of the company having European reputations. Another company about paying New Zealand a visit is Frank Clarks Variety Company, with H. Ashton in command, and Phil Kirby in front of the phow. The acrobatic anticf of the Donaldson Bros, are a special feature. The aquaria at Bondi, Coogee Bay and Botany, arc till getting their share of support, and the rinking mania is quite as rife a i ever. ' Datnpier and Co. and Charley McMahon are at Charters Towers. The latter interviewed by a local print, gives an amufing description of his managerial experience and a&siitiati jn with Henry Irving ! ! I hear from private sources that Minnie Palmer, "My Sweetheart," pay? Australia a return visit shortly. Signor Cagli, the Italian i impressatio, is repotted dead at Singap >re. Charley Harding and his opera company areat, Thursday Island charming the hearts of the sympathetic Chinamen. Bland Holt is giving the Brisbane public a touch of his quality in "Mankind" and "Taken From Life. ' The Melbourne press is rough on George DarrelPo conception of " Barnes of New York " in the play of that uame. He gets back at them as follows :—": — " To the Editor : Dear sir, — George Darrell's performance of ' Barnes ' is voted a signal failure. This, I beg to etate, is a sweeping assertion, entirely unfounded on fact. No objection whatever is taken to my acting in the part of * Barnes,' but simply as to my ' conception of the character. " Limelight George suffeis very badly. Grattan .Rigge is still at Broken Hill, where he had the pleasure of giving a performance bttfore a gubernationai audience on the occasion of Lord Carrington's recent visit.