FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 229, 31 January 1885, Page 12

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES.

Miss Anstead has left the Genevieve Ward Company. (To be continued in our next.)

Madame Gummerhayes has given a scries of successful concerts in Christchurch.

Miss Gbuevieve Ward's Company has been drawing crowded houses in Xapiei\

their

Webb's Marionettes commenced Christchurch season on the i^Jth inst.

Woodward's Japanese have succeeded the Opera Company at Christchurch.

The total receipts for four week's engagement of Mr Henry Irving in >Jew York" were £ 1 -i,:JOO. He goes bade "in March.

Mr and Mrs Todd have received judgment for £:)() and costs against Hart, of the Happy Hours Company, iv the H.M. Court Wellington.

" Pocohontas : or. the Great "White Pearl " is the title of a new comic opera by Edward Solomon and Sydney Grundy, played at the London Empire at Christmas.

Mrs Langtry lias been in Paris preparing new costumes for her coming season. Worth and Felix vied with each other to please the beauty, "who opens with "La Princesse Georges*' at the Prince's.

The first of Mr Ralph Hood's concerts in the Choral Hall was a brilliant success. The hall was tastefully decorated by Mr R. 8. Keesing, the programme was very choice, the great feature, of course, being Mr Ralph i iood's pianoforte selections. lle was greeted with a shower of bouquets, and most of the singers were encored.

J)r York in his lecture at the Opera J louse on "Individuality, Love, and Marriage," was introduced by Mr Dennes, who said that the Tklkimioxk and Observer were the only papers which had accorded the lecturer fair play. I)r York then delivered an able, eloquent, and practical address, which occupied two hours, during which lie was heard with respectful attention.

To night (Friday) tha people of J)cvonport and its surroundings are promised a rare treut in the shape, of a lecture by Mr Tichborne (not the claimant) on Fiji, past and present. Mr Tichborne enjoys a literary reputation, and is the author of several popular works. a war correspondent in Zulnland. and has travelled all over the world. From the fact that he has residee in all parts of Fiji the lecturer should be able to give a most enjoyable discourse on this interesting subject.

Auckland playgoers avlio remember Miss Anstead in her best stage impersonations arc not likely to be humbugged by the ridiculous excuse put forward by Mr Yernon, in reply to criticisms in the WclUnijtini I'oxi. It is gentlemanly, to say the least of it — and we shall say movo next week when wo have space — to throw the blame of cutting down salaries and inefficient supers, on a lady with IVLiss Anstoad's reputation, as an actress.

Mr George A. Sain, writing under date ro Messrs ltignold and Allison, says that he was going on November 1!' for a month's rest in Brussels. lie was working hard at the lectures, and would ' spout ' them on the field of Waterloo. Fancy a comic illustration of the immortal Gr. A. 8. ' spouting ' a lecture on ' Celebrities I have met ' on the field of Waterloo, with the ghosts of Wellington, Blucher. and Napoleon as the audience.

Mr H. Douglas met with a nasty accident on Wednesday evening. In going down the staircase from the stage- of the Opera House he missed his footing, there being no handmi, anil fell heavily, sustaining a severe blow on the head. He was promptly attended by Dr. Tennant, and removed to the Hospital. We are glad to hoar, as we go to press, that he is progressing favourably. His part was taken at short notice by Mr J. Walsh. The Inspector of Public Uuildings should pay a visit to the Opera House, and judge if the stairs from which Mr Douglas fell are safe, there being no railing for protection from falling, or tight to see the way up and down.

Mrs Lewis and her talented company closed a most successful season on Thursday night with the " Jealous Wife," and ' ; Aladdin, or the Wonderful r?camp." Mrs Lewis leaves Auckland with the hearty good wishes of all who have had the pleasure of witnessing her clever, versatile acting, and we trust the dav is not far distant when we shall once again see her in the Auckland Opera House. Of the company we can only speak in terms of unqualified praise, and Mrs ,1. P. Ilydes, with Messrs Forbes, Haygarth, Douglas, and St. Lawrence carry away with th^mthc respect of all with whom they have been brought into contact, either publicly or privately. Mr Lewis, too, has made many friends here by his hearty, genial manner, and should he return will receive " cead inillc faltha." YVe cannot conclude our final notice without a word of praise to Mr J. W. Dodge, the business manager, who, by his business tact and courtesy, "has made a host of friends. The company disband here, and proceed by steamer to Sydney j.to-day. and we wish them all " bon

voyage.'

The Australian Sportsman anil Licensed T7rtuaJlev!i Gazelle contains the following "little j )ar " : — A week or two ago a dramatised version of " Called Back '' was produced at the Opera Hou.^e, Auckland, the dramatist

was for the benefit of Miss Louisa Crawford,, and there was a large, if not a distinguished gathering. The piece, as dramatised by Mr Montrose, opens with the appearance of Gilbert Vaughan, and the first words uttered, are "I am blind— blind ! " A boy in the pit, who appeared to known something of the peculiarities of certain of the actors, criedout, " drunk ! " Avhich sent the audience intents, while figuratively speaking, it " killed '* the actor. This reminds us of an anecdote we heard of Charley O'Brien, the Irish comedian; who, some years ago, essayed the dual characters of Fabien and Louis de Franchi in the Corsicau Brothers, lie had a very strong Hibernian accent, and when heremarked "I am a Corsican," a gruff voice from the pit sung out ' ; lfs a ' lie— you'rea Fenian." That scene was killed dead) [If we recollect aright this little incident occurred on the Thames Goldfield. — Ed. Oju.s.]