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THEATRICALS AND MUSIC.
XII EAT HE BOYAI, '
This has not been a busy theatrical week at tho
Royal, and, as we aro inclined to think, the cause of tbe
dufness is easily traceablo to tho meagrencss of tho enter
tainment which the management have provided. We
confess our inability to understand what could hnvo so
far misled Mr. Brooke as to Induce him to withdraw
' Coriolanu9' in the very moment of its success, cspo
dally when tho dramatic resources of tho theatre were so
slender that nothing better than Mark Lemon's mawk
ishly sentimental comedy of ' Mind Tour Own Busi
ness' was at hand as a substituto. The policy of such a
change appears to us suicidal ; and, as we dare not sus
pect tho new regime to have n hankering after dodges, is
to our mind incomprehensible.
The comedy which has Ihu3 been selected to follow up
the successful, but brier, career of ' Cor'olanus' is the
Tory essence of respectable dulness. There is a plot, of
course, the incidents of which, however, occur as natu
rally and systematically as those in any of tho mock
fashionable novels to bo found under tho
gaudily illustrated covers of Messrs. Routlcdge
and Co. There, is a domestic heroine of tho
Kate Xickloby school, who generously devotes j
the salary she receives as musical instruc
tress in a private family to tho assistance of a
highly beloved and impecunious sister. The hero is a
young man, wealthy and weak, and the impoverished
sister referred to was his sweetheart. She, however,
having preferred ns husband another individual, the
disappointed young man suddenly discovers his heart lo
bo in a very dilapidated condition, and accordingly takes
to drinking brandy. Tho hcroino has fallen among tho
Philistines, inasmuch as the person into whose employ
ment she has entered is not very particular respecting
the character of her acquaintances. By one of these, a
snob of the tint water, sho is offered a series of thoso
inducements which occasionally, wo regret to say, Iwve
influenced tho conduct of heroines, real as well ns ima
ginary. Her virtue, however, is proof against all the
attempts to corrupt it, and she has the great gratification
of being the instrument of noodle's reformation, oven .
tunlly reaping tho full meed of her amiability liy becom
ing her convert's wife. Indeed, tho poor young spooney's
intellect, additionally debilitated by the supervention of
the course of hard drinking, is incapable of discriminat
ing between the merits of the two sisters, and he is led to
believe that it was tho unmarried one upon whom his
affections had been originally fixed. This conclusion
suggests some novel psychological influences, but it was
absolutely necessary that tho denouement should bo a
happy one, and Mark Lemon is not a fastidious author.
The representation of tho comedy was moderately well
managed. Mr. Heir, as Vcrdon, has a few effective situa
tions, and occasionally played vcrv well. . Tho scene in
which Verdort, half maddened by the effects of the brandy
ho has swallowed, imagines aloud the incidents of a fox
hunt, was really cleverly performed. Tho dead level of
tho general dialogue, however, is most depressing, and
probably affectsequally the actorand the audience. Mrs.
lleir, as Fanny Morison, was never off tho stilts for a mo
ment. In her troublo sho preached, in her joy she preached,
and even when she had to utter nothing more important
than the ordinary colloquialisms of tho day, sho
preached with all tho fervour of a Binney. Every
syllablo sho articulated was rapped out as if its deli
very were most portentous to the welfare of tho audi
ence. The contrasts affordeci by this lady and her
husband's styles of oratory is pcrfeot, the one being so
highly wrought as to lend to the imagination the idea
that Miss Morison talked like Cleopatra, whilo tho
.other appears to convert poetry into prose adapted to
the humblest capacity. Tho comic scenes are the best
in this comedy, and although one fails to detect any
continuous current of wit, there are some occasional
humorous bits of moro than average quality. Jlfr.
Smyth, although of course a gross caricature, is a really
funny personage, and Mr. Wigan very satisfactorily
impersonated the character. We also entertain a good
opinion of Mr. Lambert's Mr. Odiman. Tho other cha
racters have verv littlo to do, and we do not regret tho
fact. lira. Winfcrbottom, who made her debut at this
theatre on Monday evening in the part of Afrs, Smyth,
s likelv. wo think, to prove a reil acquisition, ller
appearance is pleasing, and she played tho character
entrusted to her with great intelligence, infusing into
her performance a degree of animation that impels us to
augur favourably for her future career in comedy. Mr.
Brooke appeared as Teddy the Tiler on Monday evening,
and tho two following, lie was not, however, so effec
tive as we imagined ho would be, whilo the ?imperfec-
tions of more than one of tho other perforniors completely
tired out tho patience of the audience. Low comedy is
not Mr. Brooke's forte, and wo cannot recommend him
to essay tho impersonation of characters of tbe Teddy
Mullovmey typo. In the intervals between tho acts,
Mr. Wintcrbpttom's hand performed a well arranged
selection from II Trovalore. Tho orchestral perform
ances at this theatre continue to form a leading feature
in tho entertainments. We had almost forgotten to
notico one very effective scene in tho comedy. We al
lude to the interior of the London night tavern, tho
characteristics of which Mr. llonnlngs has very happily
hit off;'
OIYMPIC TI1E.VTHB.
ivfb' pieces ' lie- ci fetotsrantk ivspcihiveiyontltred ''' Our
National Defences or the Cockshot Volunteers,' and
' The Battle of Magenta.' The first is a local adapta
tion of a . trifle originally performod nt tho Adclphi
Theatre, and is tho vehicle of some broad fun at the
expense of our amateur soldiery. Wo are disposed to
question tho good taste displayed by the management
In burlesquing a movement which, in our opinion, merits
the encouragement of tho pulilic. It is true that tbe
hits aro not heavy, tho ludicrous situations nnd ptints
generally being more suggestive nf satire than diroctly
satirical. But as the tendency of such a production is to
afford a quasi support to that discontented and eolfish
portion of the community who refuse to co-operate in an
undertaking intended and calculated to benefit tho
whole, because they ennnot or will not perceivo that
such is tho fact, we cannot concedo our applause to a
proceeding which ignoroa and oven ridicules a patriotic
sentiment on mero catchpenny grounds. 'Tho Battle
of Magenta' is a trashy affair, based upon the newspaper
reports of that engagement. Tho production of this'
piece recalls to our inemorv certain lines in the address
snokbn by Mr. Frederick Voungo on the first night of
the season and as they curiously illustrate the value of
managerial professions, we now quote them for tho
benefit of everybody concerned : —
' Now fur our armament ; in deadly steel
Or subtle |-o!»on wu - hull never deal ;
In this, our merchant vcKSel. now no more
or f hum artillery you'll hear the roar.
wmT wo're rorced t0 nsllt? Blmrp -lulp,' 'Sht Jcst
Will be our weapons— combat s » ordj have rest '
Tho ' Seven Castles of the l'ussions' has beon repoatcd
several times during the week. Wo perceivo that tho
patrons of this theatre are promised tho presentation of
R. Urough'8 burlesque of ' Medeu' with Mr. F. Youngo
as tho heroine.
vnainroEss's iiieavuk.
Tho effective melodrama, ' The Black Doctor,' was
performed for the first timo ut tliU theatro on Frida\
se'enight, and nromtsen to have a long run. The pieco
is of a highly demonstrative character, and well adapted
to the taste of the orientals,
xii£ U/iKOKii oojiiemoiuxivi!
FliVlITU,
The occurronco at this time of tho centenary of tho
death of the illustrious musician, Georgo Frederick
Handel, has not been overlooked by tho musical world of
Australia any moro than' by antipodean philharmonics.
Adelaide, Sydnoy, Hnd now Melbourne, has each contri
buted to .well the- number of active devotees at the
shrine of the greatest inuilcsl genius that over existed,
and ns Australians wo ae proud to have evidence prov
ing that in each instance tho invitation to tho public to
shuro in the commemorative fi'siivitics has been eagerly
responded to. Truly the world has made n mighty
stride in advance since Handel's timo, and lofty must
indeed have been the character of his genius, tho off
spring of which could co-exist on tho saino terms with
tne inventions and productions of the present day. How
vast thon, when not only doea it defy tho touch of time's
' effacing fingers,' and still flouriahes
' ? A hale creon tree
' When a hundred year* are gone,' ?
but towers far above anything cognato to it, tho loftiest
oak in the forest. . '
The Melbourne Philharmonic Society, to whose foresight
the design of a Musical Festival commemorative of
the centenary of the death of the great Saxon composer
has this week been carried into successful execution,
merit the thanks and unqualified approbation of the
musical public. They have more tlmn redeemed tho
pledge which tho ucccptance'by them of tho responsi
bility of conducting (he undertaking involved. The
able manner in which tho selrctions from Handel's
works were performed at tho Kxhibltion Building on
Tuesday and Thursduy evenings limply testifies to the
capacity of the society for comprehending tho require
ments of the occii.-ion. The Arym, ns usual, could. not
allow an opportunity fur fault finding to escape it, and a
few blemishej in tho rendering of the extracts performed
on Tuesday evening were muguilled by our conceited
and captious contemporary Into defects of magnitude.
Fortunately, however, fur thu interests of Apollo and
I'olyhymnia, tho thunder Irom the factory in Collins
street ceases tu alarm. Tho lute which notoriously over
takes the pronunciation of opinion by tho Argus
pursues it in this inetani'o. The public huvo
completely reversed tho verdict of its wouidbo
guide, philosopher, and friend, as the increased'
attendance at tho Exhibition .will , amply, prove. Wo
have uotspaco to enter into u detailed criticism of tho
performances, and must, thartfuro, satisfy, ourselves by
referring in general terms to thain. - That, in so mo re
spects, there was room for improvement on Tuesday
ovoulnir, no ouo will deny j but no conscientious person
would refuse tho nccordanco of praise to very much, of
what was dono. The selections on that occasion were
from the oratorios of "Samson," "Judas Maccabeus,"
and "Israel in Egypt," and on Thursday evening the
glorious masterpiece of the composer, ''The Messiah,"
was performed in its entirety, and with unqualified
success. The principal vocalists were Misses O. Hamilton
ton, Macarthy, G. Mucnrlhy, and Mdmes. llancockand
(iooulillti, and Messrs. I'.n-art, \V. II. Williams, Angus,
Blanchanl, and FarqulmrBou. The latter was in fine
voice, and his delivery of the magnificent "Why do the
Nations" evoked a tumult of applause. He was also
deservedly praised for his vocalisation of "And the
trumpet shall sound," the trumpet obligato to which was
very skilfully rendered by Mr. Stewart. Miss 0. Ha
mil ton, who was evidently ill on the first evening,
had apparently recovered by Thursday evening,
for wo never heard this pleasing vocalist t»
such advantago as in ' I knon- that my
Redeemer liveth.' Tho other ladies also exerted
thomsolvcs to please, nnd generally succeeded. Mr.
Ewart is a very useful and trustworthy, memier of
our musical corps, and must bo nn invaluable member
of tho society. As a vocalist, if ho does not aspire to
greatness, ho ovidontly docs to satisfy tho ordinary re
quirements of his alloted duty. We could much better
spare many a bettor sniper, than he. The band and
chorus were, we suppose, the best that could be procured
in tho colony, nnd;ton considerable extent their per
formances deserved encomium. Mr. Russell was nn
industrious timo kcopor, and on this occasion was moro
than usually successful in keeping timo. As a wholo the
Handel festival was a great success, and all honour
and praise to them who made it so.
PBOVKTOlAl.
Arahat— Professor Rislcy had a benefit nt the Bull
nnd Mouth Concert Hall, on Monday last. At tho
Shamrock, tho San Francisco Minstrels inado their lost
appearance on Saturday.
Back Cbkkk.— On Friday last, 'Jonathan Brad
ford,' and ' Camaralzaman and Bndourn,' were pro
duced at the Princess's on tho occasion of Mr. C. Wardo's
benefit. On Monday, Mr. II. N. Warner re-appeared at
this theatre ns Master Waller, and on Tuesday ho played
tho Stranger. Tho Royal was purchased on Saturday,
by Mr. Scott, for X800. Messrs. Holmes nnd Holt en
tered a protest against tho sale, on tho ground that tho
theatro was their property.
Ballaarat.— Miss Mary Provost made her appear
ance at tho Royal, on Monday, as Parllitnia, in 'Ingo-
mar,' but owing to tho wretched weather the attend
anco was not so good as otherwise might hnvo been
expected. On Tuesday sho played Camille to a good
house. On Wednesday 'Andy Blako' was produced,
nnd on Thursday, Sheridan Ku-ywlcs's play of ' Loye
Bendigo. — Mr. nnd Mrs. Chapman, Mr. T. ».
Fawoett, Mr. J. H. Vinson, and ilia Kate
Ward in dotnestio dramas j and tho brothors Loopold,
Frauloln Fannio, and Madamo Strobmgor have
beon drawing averoge houses to tho Hayinsrltet during
the wook. At tho Shamrock, tho voonl and terpsiohorpan
ontertainment still oontinucs thoordorof tho ovening.
Leith's Circus visited Sandhurst on Monday and Tuos
day last. An nmatenr dramatio Eooioty, ontitlod the
Bondigo Garriok Club, has been lately formod, and will
give its firefc porlornianco in aid of tho Hospital ana
Benevolent Asylum, on tho 12ih September.
Bbeohworth — Tho Empiro Minstrolsaro announced
to give nn entertainment at tho Star this ovening.
CASTLEMA.INE.-On Saturday, Leith's Citcus paid a
visit to thie township, and on Monday the Melbourne
Theatro lloyol ballot company is advoriisod to appear at
Gbelono.— Mr. and Mrs. Claranco Holt, and Mr.
John Mungall, aro still engaged at tho Royal.
Kyketon.— Tho perform anco of the Kynoton Garnck
Club will take placo on Wednesday evening next.
XUE IMEAXKICAKi WORM) IX
IiO X M3vX ?
During the month of May, under tho auspices of that,
not. very agreeable companion a north-east wind, out
dooramusoments liavo not been in muoh request. Ac
cordingly tho several theatres and other indoor places
of public resort may well endure tho old saying of ' It s
an ill wind that blows nobody good.'
Tho musical world has no lack of supply, whatever
tho demand may be. Foremost thoro is tho Opera, with
its old favourites nnd new candidates for public honours.
Mr, Gyo is not tho manager »o rest' quietly in this ago
of progress, merely because ho has fulfilled tho promises
held out in his programme. An instance of this has
recently been afforded. Poor Madame Bosio's lamented
death illustrates tho proposition. With such a loss, so irro
parablo to tho Royal Italian Opera, its spirited director,
immediately on tbo distressing news being confirmed, set
about seeking somo ono to supply, if possible, tho void.
Ho was not long before ho . succeeded iu engaging Ma
dame Penc#, who, if notlikcly to equal tbo impression
mado by her gifted predecessor, still shows many claims
to tho important position to which she hus been elevated.
Her voice is a pleasing soprano (her powers are essen
tially dramatic j her acting being that of a thorough
artist, who has ovidcntly. studied hard. Tho success
which baa attended her performance of tho ' Traviata,'
atCovont Garden, has been fully confirmed by tho fa
vourable opinion accorded her at tho Crystal Palace,
whoro her Biuging at the Italian Opera Concert has beon
tho tkomo of universal praise. Not only is the advent
of this froBh member of Mr.Gyo's troupe t* bo enramo
morated, but equally so tho reappcarnHco of thoso old
favouritoB Madamo Grlsi and Signor Mario.
At the houso over tho way there havo been additions
every day to tho company-fslngors nnd not audienco),
until at last U has becomo a serious question whether
the stage of Drury Lano is of sufficient dimensions to
hold tho vast influx of foreign singers. Of course -where
there aro so many, it is natural onough to form tho con
jecture that thero must bo an amalgamation of good,
bad, and indifferent In this instanco tho surmiso is not
without foundation. But of tho first it must infairnoss
bo remarked thero Is a sorry Bhow, it being something
hVimt^.»U't'mya,^f«.bj-SadMi9_M»t9li'_2S£k^.s«£!1i
diucci, and Signor GiugHni. The reputation Madame
Titiens and Signor Giuligni gained last season in the
Haymarket has been oven strengthened by their per
formances this year While of Madamo Gardiucci wo
havo to record a really genuine auccees. Sho has a rich
mezzo-soprano voice, which is most skilfully used. Of
the second and third batch a very different story is to bo
told. Tbe new tenor, Signor Mongini, has a powerful
organ thero is no doubt. Bovond this nothing can bo
said— Bavo that his knowledge of the art of Kinging ap
poars to bo exceedingly limited. With Aldllcs. Sarolto,
Brambilla, and Wcisur there is not cvch so much in
extenuation to bo urged ; the first with great study may
eventually be beard without tho listener being so con
tinually reminded that n Bweet voico is altogether lost
unless its owner bo a musician. But all there pale bo
fore thenlarming symptoms nightly shown by tho band
and chorus. If they -will persist in inflicting such an
immense amount of suffering upon the patient public,
there is no predicting what the consequences may bo on
the approach of tho dog days.
In the dramatic woild, the event that has created tho
most Bensation has been the ball at St. James's Hall for
tho benefit of tho Dramatic College. So great was thu
desiro to see tho members of the mimic world away from
the foot lights, that an unusually strong muster was' tho
consequence, and polkas, waltzes, and quadrilles were
gono through with tho greatest severity. So satisfac
tory was tho result that it lias been mado known that
-tuo ball is to bo kept up annually. Next to this lively
nffair lias beon another in which Mr. Tom Taylor has
been the chief mover.
At the Adclphi the first genuino success of tho now
theatre has beon reaped by the production of ' The
House, or the Home?' n two act drama, from tho
French. Tho success of tho piece is to bo attributed to
the pointed and brilliant dialogue, rather than to tho
construction of plot. Indeed, it la nut until the second
act I hat there is any action nt all. Now, this of itself
would bo fatal to many a production ; but, in thir in
stance, such is tbo exceeding p'oli'h of the writing that a
triumphant issue is arrived nt. This satisfactory award
is not gained by author alone, as tho actors aro un
doubtedly entitled to their just meed. The well-merited
success which has attended ' The House, or the Home?'
cannot bo accorded to tho farces of ' Tho Talking Fish'
and ' Id on parlo Franoais,' tbo latter bolng aleo from
the French. The Fish on tho llrst night was to com
pletely out of water that ho has since returned to his
nntivo element— and this, too, despite his former floun
dering as ' Catching a Mormald.' Thoro really does
not appear throughout this lugubrious affair tho alightest
sumbiance of reason for robbing our lively neighbours
of thlri exceedingly dull plcco of businccs.
A firco from tho samo source has been produced at
tho Olympic. ' Retained for the Dofenct-,' is completely
a character picco fur Mr. Rolnon. At tho other nouses
there has been hardly any alteration in tho bills. The
Haymarket will in a day or two in turn exchango Miss
Sodgwick for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mnthewa. Tho
Alhambra Palace is now under the direction of Mr.
M'Cullum, who shows considerable tact, by varying the
entertainments of tho arena.
Tlio ' la»t wocka' of the Polytechnic Institution are
announced. Tho directors, intending to givo up their
responsibility, havo entrusted tho auctioneers with the
noccssary credentials for disposing of this longostab
lished property ; tho present, therefore, is tho hour to
tuke tho ' lusfc-long look.'
With a pleasant change from gloom to sunshine, tho
prospects of amusements al fresco begin to brighten.
Tho Crystal Palaco holds out a Ion* list of attractions,
independently of tho Handel Commemoration, which is
likely to succeed in securing the attendance of town and
country.
As the Surrey Gardens remain closed, Crcmorno has
tho field to itself, with all the attractions of balloons,
polkas, marionettes, claret cups, and cobbien.
Of tho other' exhibitions thero is hurdlv ono mcro
talked about than ' Tin) Talking Fish,' which is really
no fish at all, but a most extraordinary seal,
QUOTKB.-It is intundod by Mr. W. Proseott to
given variety of valuable prizes to ho contended for on
Monday, 22nd August, by about sixteen amateurs and
atliBis at thu nbove game. Thoflrst prize will boa very
superior English patent lover watch. The entrance I'eo
will be half-a crown j and should the number reach tho
maximum of sixteen, it is proposed that the names
bo drawn by lot, so that there will be eight single
games, the winners of ivliich will have to contend (In
single matches also), reducing tho number to four; those
will bo again subdivided, till only two winners remain,
who will piny tho rub for the first and second prizes ;
the third and fourth prizes will have -to bo played for by
the winners of the second tics. Further particulars vill
bo announced by advertisement. Entries can bo made,
and tho rulos seen, ut tho Sir Henry Barkly hotel, Punt
road. Richmond.
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