FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Observer, Volume 5, Issue 117, 9 December 1882, Page 204

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

— "Princess Pearl," GHlberfc and Sullivan's newopera, is now in rehearsal both, in England aud America. — Mrs Scott Siddons sued the Brothers Galli for £3500 for breach, of contract. She was unsuccessful. — The famous Italian dramatist, Paola G-iaco-lnelli, is dead. He wrote many dramas for Kistori, Salvini, and Rossi. — A new Victoria drama entitled, " Polling Day," by fllr Benjamin, of Geelong, will shortly be produced in Ballarat. — Vance, the comic singer, is about to return to the theatrical stage (on which, he made his first debut) as clown. — An idea has been mooted in London of building theatres with patent papierrnache walls, which can be broken through by the audience in ease of fire. — Lecoq's new opera, " Le Coet et Main," -will shortly be produced in London. The popular composer is said to have surpassed himself with this his latest work. — The Juvenile Opera Company has played " Les Cloches de Corneville " at the Opera. Hoese during the week with, unqualified success, and will appear for the last time this evening. They deserve p. bumper house, as a farewell mark of appreciation. — Herr Schmitt's concert at the Choral Hall last evening was certainly the musical event of the season, and a fitting tribute to the gentleman who has done so much to raise the standard of musical culture in Auckland. Our criticism is unavoidably held over until next week. — An orchestra in shirfc sleeves was one of the novelties that characterised the first representation of " Parsifal" at Beyreuth. The band at the theatre is out of sight of the audience, and as the day was extremely hot, and the musicians knew what an arduous task was before them, they pulled off their coats and attacked Wagner's score like Trojans. —Dean's Minstrels announce their intention of giving another of their justly popular entertainments on Boxing Night. The excellence ol the Company is too generally known to require euloginm from us. A most attractive programme has been put forward, and the result will, in all probability, b& a large attendance. The Diorama of the Egyptian War in Battray'e Buildings has attracted crowds of sight Beers during the week, and is likely to have a successful run. The pictures represent the Various battles, from the bombardment of Alexandria to the capture of Arabi Pasha. -The conjuring tricks are very clever, and a liberal distribution of valuable presents sends everyone away in good humour. — To-morrow evening, Messsrs. Kellar and Cunard will appear at the Opera House "in their unique and startling wonders." The reports which ' have preceded them are of the most favourable naturQ. All the Southern papers unanimously agree in admitting their claim to rank among the cleverest legerdemain performers the colonies have ever seen. Mr Kollar will be remeinbored as having been a prominent member of The Royal Illusionists who created such a sensation in Australia some years ago. He was- also the first conjurer to introduce the celebrated bird-cage trick. The ' season will only extend to twelve nights, and it is to be hoped the patronage accorded them will bo consistent with their merits.