Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Tuesday 31 August 1909, page 7


MUSIC AND DRAMA.

Arthur Shirley, a young Australian actor, who was born in Hobart, is organis-ing a company! of leading Sydney amateurs

to support him in a new Australian drama written for him by a Sydney, authoress. The play will be produced at an early date.

Music-lovers will be pleased to learn that Messrs. J. and N. Tait ore including Tasmania in the Australian tour of Amy Castles and her company. The "Australian Jenny Lind has been delighting Melbourne audiences, the critics classing

her voice as superlatively brilliant, augmented by strength and pliancy. Mr. Peter Dawson, a newcomer to the Antipodes, is the possessor of a fine bass voice, and Mr. A. Nicol is a tenor pleasingly reminiscent of New bury at his best. Other valuable aids to Miss Castles' musical organisation are Victor Busst, the dashing' pianist, and Master A. Amadio, a young flautist with excellent credentials. Mr. A- Batiste is managing the Australasian tour of the popular vocalist, who is expected in this State towards the end

of the year.

The many friends and admirers of Mrs.

Percy Marchant, the wife of Hobart's, vocal specialist, will be pleased to hear that she is steadily studying in Melbourne as a private pupil of Madame Elise Wiedermann, who reports most enthusiastically as to the vocal endow-ment and promise of this plucky young songstress. She has also been Judged by several old and experienced critics, who all agree that prolonged application only is necessary to attain such qualifications as will add one more to Australia's brilliant roll of successful singers. Asked as to the desirability of a lady being trained as a lady, and men by men, Mr. Marchant replies with a certain amount of fairness and candour-. He states frankly that he believes a man should have a male teacher, but if there were more Marches he would certainly give place aux dames to such as Indies' in-structors, after which he shakes his head ominously. . He, however, considers

Madame Wiedermann to be one of the

few whose work proves her eminence, and his action in placing his wife with her proves his' homage.

That charming romantic comic opera, "Ma Mio Rosette," will soon be put on at the Theatre Royal. It is one of the few modern musical effusions which boasts of a capable and entrancing plot. From a point of stage craft it is somewhat ambitions, but the management is composed of conscientious members, who are determined to place excellence of production before other considerations. Mr. Percy Marchant, who has had considerable experience as musical adviser to many important London companies, has been engaged to superintend the production.

The revival for a fortnight of "The Face at the Window," while preparations were being made for the production of Jo. Smith's drama, "The Bushwoman," met with considerable success, and was very profitable to the management of the King's Theatre, Melbourne. Miss Maudie Cosham, ballot mistress at the King's, ss hard at work teaching various ballots for the forthcoming Christmas pantomime. In answer to an advertisement for children,

over two thousand applicants arrived at the stage door.

Rege Robins, artist at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, put some fine work into his scenic studies of various parts of the Commonwealth for the production of "The Bushwoman," which was staged at the King's on Saturday last. The piece deals with domestic life on the sheep runs of

Australia.

Miss Olive Wilton and Miss Daisy Scudamore, the two English artistes recently imported by Mr. William Anderson, made their first appearance in "The

Bushwoman."

Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, who have just concluded a tour of Great Britain, will depart for Australia about the middle of September.

The Royal Comic Opera Company inaugmented its return season at Her Majesty's

Theatre, Melbourne, on Saturday

last, when "The Duchess of Dantzic" was produced for the first time in that city. The romantic opera, founded on Sardou's well-known drama "Madame Sans Gene'' is well calculated to show the various members of the popular organisation at their very best. The story, which is interesting

and well sustained throughout, concerns the ups and downs of Catherine Upsoher, the humble but kindly-hearted washerwoman who rises to be the Duchess of Dantzic, and an habitue of the Court of the Emperor Napoleon. In the name part, Miss Florence Young has already given unmistakable proof of her exceptional histrionic power, and the character of the Duchess otherwise known as Madame Sans Gene is one in which she has scored a veritable triumph. Mr. Wybert Stamford, as Napoleon, is physically exactly suited to the part of the Man of Destiny, and the other wellknown members of the organisation, including Messrs. Reg. Roberts, Gouriet, and O'Connor, and Misses Fanny Dango, Nellie Wilson, and Connie Milne, are well fitted for the parts they are called upon to sustain. The whole production, which boasts some really fine musical numbers, is under the supervision of Mr. Sam

ford.

in the transfer of "The Flag Lieuten-ant" to the Princess Theatre, where it enters upon a new lease of life, history has once more repeated itself. It will be remembered that when "Brewster's Millions" were first played in Melbourne it was quartered at the Princess Theatre, and thereafter was removed to Her Ma. jesty's. At that time, it was the steam yacht flutter that was conveyed through the Melbourne streets, and on this occasion it is a British man-o'-war (the Royal Edward that has had to be transferred from the one theatre to the other.

The new J. C. Williamson Opera Company have re-opened at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, with "The King of Ca-donia." A packed and enthusiastic audience assembled to give the warmest of welcomes to the company, several members of which on that occasion made their first bow to a Sydney audience, and it was not long before the newcomers were assured of their acceptance in the estima-tion of playgoers in the Harbour City, where musical attractions always receive such warm support. The dainty music, the gorgeous costuming, the brilliant stage setting, and the many features which go to make the success of this opera-not forgetting the laughter which is evoked by the comedians-all met with the most genuine approval which was, after all, not more than the production

deserved.

The Julius Knight season in Brisbane has terminated, after a most successful run of four weeks. They are due to open in Auckland on September 6.

On Saturday evening. Miss Nellie Stewart brought her Wellington season to a close. So far, her New Zealand visit. has proved a most gratifying success, and playgoers" in the Dominion have most emphatically welcomed the popular Australian actress, and shown their pleasure at having her once more in their midst. The next objective of the company will be Christchurch, where they are due to open to-night (Tuesday).

Mr. G. S. Titheradge has invested in a house situated on Rose Bay, Sydney. It commands a most beautiful and extensive view, and its height above sea level if a certain guarantee of its being ideally situated from a healthful point of view, but it has one drawback which Mr. Tlthradio's friends are not slow to point out to him it' is exposed to all the winds that blow, and doubt exists in the minds of the popular actor's well-wishers as to his being able to indulge in his favourite hobby of flower cultivation under such adverse circumstances. But, nothing daunted, Mr. Titheradge smiles his slow, conciliating smile, and quietly remarks, "I'll show them." .

An announcement which should be of

interest to Melbourne playgoers is that a revival of "The Village Priest is in con temptation by the J C Williamson management are the present dramatic season comes to a conclusion As everyone knows, the part of the Abbe Dubois in this most popular of dramas is one which shows Mr G S Titheradge at his very best, indeed, it is one which seems in complete harmony with his own kindly personality, and is only equalled by his vv well-remembered and striking impersona-tion of Wilfred Denver in "The Silver King" With the company as it is now constituted, the strength and adequacy of the cast should be assured, and the ievival of (the old time honoured play would meet with general approval from the play going public

The two newcomers in "The Flag Lieu-tenant" Company (Miss Ethel Warwick and Miss Dorothy Grimston) have stepped right into popular favour, and their respective por travels of the Lady Hermione Wynne and Mrs Cameron (a young and rich widow) have received the meed of appreciation so deservedly earned Miss Warwick has had a versatile stage career in England, and has appeared in numerous

dramatic attractions, her first appearance on the professional stage being as the heroine in "The Corsican Brothers" with Henry Neville's School of Dramatic Art at Fulham. Since then she has played many parts, amongst them several of Shakespeare's heroines, and altogether has put up a record for very fine work since she first took to the boards. It is interesting to note in regard to these two leading Indies that while Miss Warwick's people were in no way connected with the stage, Miss Grimston was practically born and brought up in a theatrical environ-ment, her relatives on all sides being directly interested in the histrionic art. The youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal, the niece of the famous dramatist (T. W. Robertson), and the near relative of many other noted artists, it is not to be wondered at that Miss Grimston loves her profession, and is earning for herself such a fine reputation.

A cable recently received from London conveyed the news that J. C. Williamson has re-engaged Mr. Andrew MacCunn, who put in such fine work as conductor of the Royal Comic Opera prior to his departure for England some -two years ago. Mr. McCann's last appearance in Melbourne was with "The Dairymaids"

production in 1907.

A recent arrival from England is Miss Gertrude Boswell, who was included in the Wilson Barrett season of 1901, and appeared as Stophanus in "The Sign of the Cross" and other parts. Since her first appearance in Australia Miss Bos-well has done good work in England, including a very excellent impersonation of Sunday in the piece of that name.

The T. C. Williamson Pantomime Company, having completed a successful sea-son in Auckland, are now visiting the intermediate towns en route to Wellington, where they are due to open on Wednesday.

The Bosses of' the Barn Band will commence their return tour of Australasia under the Tait' management next February or March.

Mr. Charles Waldron, the hero of "The Squaw Man" in Australasia, is to play the leading role in "The Whirlpool" in

New York.

A strong vaudeville company has left Melbourne for a tour of the East, including Zeno the juggler, Mdlle. Barron, the Ibsen family, of musicians. Williams and Bonnctta, Rosebud Sisters, Linden and Berridge. etc.

Miss Geraldine Farrar, the American prima donna, of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and Signor Antonio Scotti. the Italian baritone, of the same company, are to be married in Paris in September.

American theatrical managers now take the child actors in their companies into partnership, and thus evade the restrictions of the child labour law.

The London Hippodrome has been converted into a gorgeous theatre. It was to have been re-opened this month with Mr. Charles Hawtrey in a high-class

sketch.

One of the principal autumn attractions in New York will be "The Fires of Fate," by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mr. Frohman having secured the American rights of it.

One of the most delightful novelties seen in London lately has been the City of Rome Children's Opera Company. Their repertoire of operas in both "Ancient and Modern." For the first week "Lucia di Lammermoor" held the boards, and then the ever - popular Geisha" performed in Italian. As a company, they are wonderfully clever, considering the chorus and principals are only boys and girls, many of them they youngsters. All take their work most seriously, while the soloists have already acquired the usual eccentricities associated with grand opera stars.

A good story is told of Mr. Hugh J. Ward, the clever young actor-manager. While exploring the ruins of a temple in ancient Shanghai, he remarked to a member of his party that he would like to know what a certain inscription meant. "If you will allow the privilege I will enlighten you," said a voice from the throng which had gathered round the tourists. The speaker, a Chinese gentlea man, not only gave an eloquent and interesting

discourse upon the history of the temple, but also escorted the party around the ancient city. Upon making his adieux, Mr. Ward asked for the Chinese gentleman's card, and, to show his appreciation of the services he had rendered, subsequently addressed to him an invitation to the theatre. The reply was addressed to Mr. "Hugo Joke Ward," in splendid humour, and gave many curious reasons why the Chinese preferred to go to the theatre and pay. Mr, Ward wrote, "Your name shall go down to history as the first man who ever refused a pass to the theatre. I have played all over America, England, and engagements in Paris. Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Far East, but I have come to China to experience this unique sensation. -I can now understand how the Chinese were civilised centuries before the Christian era."

In her young days no member of her family over suspected Clara Butt of possessing unusual talent. One day, when a girl of fourteen (relates a writer in "Woman at Home" she was singing her fastest in a little back room, whilst a neighbour was drinking tea with her mother in the drawing-room. "What a magnificent voice your son has, Mrs. Butt!" remarked the neighbour. "My daughter, you mean," was her mother's reply, and somehow it entered her head for the first time that the child's voice was magnificent;,- Soon Clara was sent to study at the Royal College of Music, and she sang In 1802 as "Orfeo" before the King, then Prince of Wales, and made her name at a stroke. ;

An audience of 16,000 persons recently witnessed at Boston the costliest theatrical performance ever given in the United States. A combination of Mr. Charles Frohman "forces" in London and New York presented an English version of Schubert's "Maid of Orleans" in the Stadium at Harvard University. The performance, arranged by the University for the benefit of its German museum, was the crowning feature of Graduation Week. Months of preparation and an immense outlay had been lavished on

this single representation. Thirteen hundred persons took part. During the intervals between the minor scenes a concealed orchestra of a hundred musicians played Beethoven's "Eroica Symphony." The hugo Stadium, a reproduction of the Coliseum, was divided in halves by a curtain, one-half being the stage and the other the auditorium. The result was a great area, in which, in the battle scene, horseman charged and troops manoeuvred in as near an imitation of real war as possible. It was an open secret that the supernumeraries of the play were largely recruited from the Harvard undergraduates. They entered into the spirit of the contending forces so thoroughly that it seemed possible at times that the wrong army might win. The immensity of the stage somewhat strained the voices of the actors, though these improved as the performance progressed. But the play resolved itself chiefly into a series of beautiful pictures, beginning with the little lonely figure of the Maid coming over the hill of Domremy to listen to the mystic voices of the twilight, and ending with the historically inaccurate spectacle of the armour-clad Joan of Arc dying beside a spring on the battlefield upon the shield of her captain.