FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 102, 26 August 1882, Page 372

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

— " Our Boys " is being rehearsed by an amateur company, with a view to speedy production. — Ooppin talks of coming over to New Zealand to do a aeries of farewell wheezes. — The Hall Comedy Company, after a short season at Wanganui, pi-oceeded to "Dunedin to open in "The Guvnor." — As soon as Signor Majeroni has settled down in Australia he will he. joined by the Signora and their two children, now in the States. — " Where's the Cat" at the Princess' Theatre, Melbourne, was a complete failure. The principal feature in it is said to be coarseness. — At latest dates, the Juvenile Pinafore Troupe were playing to crowded houses Teinora Diggings, jsr.s.w. —Bland Holt's Moss Jewel, in " The World," is pronounced to be the best impersonation of a certain type of Hebrew character ever witnessed in the colonies. — An adaptation by the Vagabond of La Morte Cuile, entitled "No Mercy," is being played in Adelaide. Diunpier sustains the lead in it. — Poor Sweeney catches it hot from a Sydney paper. He doubled Biddy Maddigan ard Corry Kinchela, and the critic says in the former he was a passable old man, in the latter a first-class old woman. — Monsieur Dutruc, the well-known dramatic 'author, died at his residence, Randwick, near Sydney, on the 27th ultimo. At the time of his descease he was 78 years of aye. — Sheridan, the tragedian, who passed through here, has created a tremendous impression in Sydney. His performance of King Lear is stated to be far superior to any pourtroyal of that character ever ■witnessed in that city. — Emily Melville's season at the Opera House, Melbourne) up to the present has been far from successful, owing to the indifferent company by whom she has been supported. The new tenor whom she brought out with her is described as "a foot-in-the-grave young man." — Messrs Cousins and Tomlinson having become proprietors of the Parnell Hall intend renovating and doing it up, making it equal to new, in order that it may be used for balls, concerts, etc., and no doubt the inhabitants of Parnell will fully appreciate the enterprise of the new proprietors by using the Hall as much as possible. ' ; — A graud complimentary concert and ball in the Lome-street Hall, Wednesday, August 30th, is to be given by the leading, amateurs of Auckland to Mr 3?red. Brabazon, ventriloquist. We notice this gentleman's name has figured freqitently in charitableentertaiuments, and trust the residents of Auckland will isatronize his entertainment. The programme is of a varied character, and an enjoyable evening is anticipated. — The Taranaki amateurs, in an entertainment in aid of the Eifle Band Fund, played "To Oblige Benson." Gillon, agent for the Authors Copyright Association obliged them to pay a foe of £1. And now one of the local papers says " We think if Mr Gillon had formed one of the audience he would never have made this charge." We think so too ; poor. Gillon would not liavo survived it. — Power, Howe, and West have been giving a performance at the Theatre Royal, Ghristchurch, termed " The Bombardment of Aloxandria," which is described as " one of the most fearful scenes of- stage carnage and destruction ever witnessed in Christchu3^§S||tevhile the plot is " slightly confusing." Mr Power i^ji^nted a British soldier, Mr West an Israelitish Mer<®j|int, Mr Jewett impersonated Arabi Pasha, while Mr Power was a valorous War. Correspondent, . . ■ ;. ■ > . ; — : The ■ Queen's, by .far the oldest theatre in Sydney, has been condemned to demolition. On the evening, of the. 3lst a large audience had assembled in.expectation .of witnessing Sheridan's impersonation 'of King Lear, the fanie.of which had gone forLh. When eight o'clock came, instead of t the cartain rising, the ■manager. (out old friend Keogh, by' the way), appeared before the footlights, a«d informed' the audience that ho,, had that day received a.notice frointheavitliorities prohibiting any further perforinancea iiijthe building. ..,.,'• ,;,'■ — Eohler's "Waxworks still, continue :to. hold -their place in popular favour. ; The exhibitions have beenV further enhanced by the, addition of, some very faithful '

r . w... ■;■:„■; ■■!>;■ .■>■. '■■..- ;..-.■■•' ™ ?"— " represehtationsoitlie Royal JTamiiy, that of 'H;B.H. \the' /Princess of , Wales being especially worthy of commendation.. To-night 'Mr .Kohler tvill take a "benefit at the; Opera House. A most enticing programme is set forth, which, coupled with, the popularity of the beneficiare (whois justly esteemed as a high-class musician, a-cract shot and a goodfellow) should draw a bumper house. ■ —On Friday next, September Ist., the Auckland Dramatic Society intend tendering a complimentary benefit to Mr Chas. 3. D. Robertson. " Our Boys," Byron's clief A',muvr,e is in active rehearsal, and although possibly a less difficult comedy might have been chosen,' judging by the rehearsals, the ' several performers will acquit themselves very ci'editably indeed. The salo of tickets has been most astonishingly rapid. The box plan is open at Upton's, and we would advise intending patronisors to book early. The lady performers are, we believe, at . the present moment shrouded in mystery, and a surprise is anticipated. —A, particularly interesting amateur performance will talcc place next Tuesday eveniag at the Theatre . Royal, when the musical drama, " Guy Mannering" will be presented. • The performance will be in aid of the Masonic building fund and 'will be graced by the .members of the three Masonic constitutions in full regalia. Messrs Gooch and Pooley will superintend the musical department, and a very strong choir is now being drilled in the various glees, quartettes, choruses,' etc., incidental to the piese. The dramatic cast will, we ■understand, be also exceptionally strong, the various parts being distributed among our best amateur talent, many of whom are but rarely prevailed upon to appear, and have only come forward on the present occasion because of their strong sympathy with the object of the performance. A very large number of tickets have already been disposed of, and a crowded house seems to be rsgarded as a certainty. . — Bland Holt's " World" Company is one of the strongest that has ever visited New Zealand, including Mr H. N. Douglas (it being his first appearance in New Zealand for six years), Mr Charles Holloway (who will be remembered here with J. K. Euindett's Company),' Mr Neil O'Brien (late of Miss Pomeroy's Company), Mr G. A. Colemr.n (late of "Williamson's " Struck Oil " Company), Mr. W. H. Seagrave . (late of tho same company), Mr J.J . Kennedy (so well known in Now Zealand), Mr L. St. Laurence, A. Patterson, C. I\ Mortyne, E. Ryan, and Misses Jenny Watt -Tanner (lately hero with D. H. Harkins), Lena Edwin, Emily ITenwick (a popular English actress), Tilly Lake, Miss Mortyne, and Miss Christina Austin, etc., etc., besides a great number of auxiliaries' and ballet, and last, but not least, Mr Bland Holt (the most popular comedian in Australia, and who is soil of Clarence Holt so well ' known in New Zealand), Mr Holt's performance of Mos3 Jewell, in the "World," and Flotsam, in' "New Babylon," have been bhe theme of admiration all over the Australian' Colonies. — The new programme at the Circus attracted a very large audience on Saturday evening. The principal items \ver? some very good " Battante leaping" by the eo,mpmiy. A comic .equestrian act in which Mr Husko as a clown and ilr Gilliam as a drunken man caused considerable amusement. A very clever stilt act by Mas Einkle, who seems to be at home in every branch of tho aronic art;. A barebacked and equestrian act by Master Cozens, La Perche Equipoise by Messrs Bartole and Woodward is decidedly, entitled co the place of honour in the programme. The monkey -like agility displayed by Barfcolo and the extraordinary feats executed by him at the summit of a long pole balanced by Woodward must be seeu to be believed. Jo Kifcchi was successful in- a Japanese trick act, Messrs Tindell, Alberto and Harris executed some daring and dangerous leaps from trapeze to trapeze, and Mr George Gillham rode four barebacked horses in a manner that proved him to be a thorough master of equestrian art. Max Rinkle, of course, was principal jester, his snips and oddities being as mirth "provoking as ever. Tho performance terminated with the popular, though somewhat ancient ring melodrama, " Turptn's I^ide to York," in which the mare Bess was the central attraction. Max Kiukle, as Dick Turpin, seemed to bit the popular taste, and the poetical speeches addressed by him to his marc were most vociferously applauded. Mr Harris as Tom King, Mr Gilham as Gudgeon, Mr Woodward as Sammy, Mr Kusko as the beadle, and Miss Leonard as Dolly, were likewise fortunate in securing favourable recognition from the audience. There will be a lhatinee to-morrow, and in the evening the company will present their third programme,