AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2394, 8 January 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S

LOCAL FIXTURES

January 18, 19, '2O. —J. C. Williamson’s Opera Company. January 23, 25, 26.—Edward Branscombe (Tlie Cherniavskis). January 27 , 28, 29.—J. C. Williamson. February I and 2.—Coopers Biograph. February 3 to 0, Florence Baines, Mi.ss Lancashire Ltd., Coy. FebAiary 10, 11, 12, 13. —Anderson’s Dramatic Coy. February 22 to 27.—West’s Pictures.

From tho Corriclc Family Entertainers comes a photographic postcard of themselves, conveying the compliments of the season to our subscribers. The Corricks are at present enjoying a holiiday in England and at the same time furthering their studies under the best masters.

His Majesty’s Theatre will be occupied on the 18th, 19th, and 20th inst.,

jy J. C. Williamson’s Opera Commny, playing the “Red Mill,” and

“The Prince of Piisen.” Referring to the present Auckland season an Auckland scribe ivrites thus: —“‘The Red Alili’ continues to whirl nightly at His Majesty's to the gratification of crowded holiday audiences. In view of the great success in the Dutch -musical comedy, keen interest lias been a-rroused in the forthcoming production of ‘The Prince of Piisen,’ ivhich occurs this (Saturday) evening. ‘The Prince’ is an American musical comedy, full of good music, clever dancing, and pretty scenery. It will bo staged ivitli all the scenic accessories that Air. Williamson has accustomed Auckland theatregoers to.”

The Gisborne dates for the Welsh Choir, under the management of J. and N. Tait, have in the meantime been cancelled, and have been taken for Cooper’s Biograph, which will show on February 1 and 2.

Arrangements hai*e been made for a tour in Australia by Aladame Adeline Patti (says the “British-Australiun” by last mail).

The sum of £9O was raised as a memorial to the late Adam Cowan. Of this £29 went to a memorial and £7O to tlie widow.

West’s Pictures, which show in Gisborne from February 22 to 27, are at present attracting plenty of coin from amusement-seekers in Wellington.

Billed as “Tlie Little New Zealand Girl,” Aliss lienriquette Alatide was to have produced a new scene. “The Maori Chief,” in London, last Month. She belongs to Napier, and left there five years ago on a tour of the world.

Aliss Catherine Aulsbrook, the New Zealand contralto, lias been eiviged to understudy two parts (iSiebel _ in “Faust” and another in “Dio Walkerie”) for the English opera season at Covent Garden.

Air. Alfred Woods and Aliss Alamlc Williamson ivere last month still in South Africa at the head of their own company, and -appearing in Capetown in “When a Alan s Single.”

Tho Alisses Amy and Dulcie Murphy,* of the “Blue Moon” Company, have completed their engagements ivith Air. J. C. Williamson, and intend to return to Dunedin shortly.

Aliss Nance O’Neill and Air. C-uyler Hastings (the latter ivill be remembered as “Sherlock Holmes”) are associated in a new play, “Agnes. ’ ivhich has made a hit at a Neiv York theatre.

Pollard’s Opera Company's -Yost I Australian tour concluded last neck, jj A. three week’s season at Adelaide has |i commenced, with Broken Hill- and :i Port Pirie to follow. They return to New Zealand to pick up their Al-isterton dates on February 17. “The Gay Hussar” is the latest addition to' tlieir repertoire. _ This is Mr. Tliomas Humphreys’ “Tlie Tea Girl” under a new name.

Aleynell and Gunn’s Comic Opera Company visit Neiv Zealand early in the ’ Neii' Year n*ith “Aliss Hook. “The Belle of Mayfair,” “The Girl Behind the -Counter,” and the panto., “Cinderella” —an appetising dish.

Mr. Charles Carter, the New Zealand tenor and old Pollard artist, ivlio has been successful- ivith the Aloody-M-anners Company, ivas last month in London taking part in tho opera “Aladame Butterfly,” as Lieutenant Pinkerton.

The Gisborne season of tlio Scarlet Troubadours, under the management of Air. Edward Brauscombe, ivas thoroughly successful. Mr. Branscombe’s next A'enture here ivill bo until the Cherniavskis’, the three youthful Russian musical prodigies who have been charming audiences in other parts of the Dominion ivitli then beautiful and melodious playing. Leptho eldest of the three, is a violinist; the second, Jan, is a pianist; whilst Aliscliel, the yougest and most popular of the three, is a ’cellist. Lfio Gisborne dates arc January -5, -o, and 26.;

,Says an Auckland writer:—Miss Florence Baines is “Aliss Lancashire, Ltd.,” ail'd “Aliss Lancashire, Ltd. is Aliss Florence Baines, llus statement is not intended as an invidious reflection on the members of the company Aliss Baines has gathered around her, but is a genuine tribute to her own individuality and ability. It lias been stated that Aliss Baines is reminiscent of Aliss Maggie Moore. Like that talented lady, Aliss Baines sings, dances, and acts with equal vivacity, and has no difficulty in carrying out the burden of a three-hours' farce on her shoulders. She repiosouls to “Lancashire,/' Ltd. V'h : yt A 1 iss Al.noro docs to “St-rock Gil. You.cannot imagine anybody else in the part. Gisborne playgoers wall bairn ail opportunity of seeing Miss Lancashire, Ltd.” on February 3,4, 5, anil 6. ,^

THE “LONELY”" KAISER.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF THE GERMAN EMPEROR.

lu view of the discussion caused by the publication of the Emperor’conversation with an ‘ English friend, writes a correspondent from Berlin, more than ordinary interest attaches to an article on the Emperor in'relation to his people, which attracted some attention even before the publication of the interview in the “Daily Telegraph.” The article, which appears in a serious Munich periodical, the “Suddeutsche Monatznefte,” is by Paul Busching, a Munich writer, and is noteworthy in that it sets forth, in scholarly fashion views held in certain quarters of Germany, notably among Liberals and old Bismarckians, with regard to the Emperor William. The writer declares that many Germans for twenty years have set their hopes on the Kaiser, but these hopes have not been and will scarcely now be fulfilled. The article develops the idea that the Emperor’s failure to win liis people’s confidence is due to the fact that thousands of jiatriots do not understand him. The author does not deny that the Kaiser is indefatigably at- pains to fill the gigantic responsibility of his position. “But,” be asks, “is it due to want of organisation that His Majesty’s work often appears to us to he fruitless and vague, and we feel, ‘Here action has been taken where things might have been done where a word or a stroke of the pen would have led the whole nation along with the Emperor?’ ” Passing over the Emperor’s relations to the Army, to literature, and to the fine arts, the author proceeds: —“We only want to say that in those questions which the Germans who take no interest in_iiterature or art hold to be of vital importance, namely economic, political, social, and. educational questions, we think entirely different from our Emperor: that his historical views are a riddle to us; that his views on social development seem obscure and contradictory: that his manner of expressing his opinion estranges even the most patient, who, after two decades, have not lost all hope.” In the opinion of the writer, the key to the riddle lies in the circumstance that William 11. is not in a position to give expression to his views, and paralyses with words the effect of his deeds.

Examining the Emperor’s foreign policy the writer gives as the reason why the Kaiser is regarded, not onh T by Germans but by all civilized lands, differently in the way in which he desires to be regarded, his lack or understanding for other people’s iuiosyncracies,. his tendency to judge everyone by himself. “The Kaiser undoubtedly cherishs the wish that the German nation shall stand at the head of the council of nations. In ]>:;dui'o and with word ho has announced the mission of Teutonism. It in to be a mission, or peace. One e«n' almost hear the mneh-quoted phrase of the poet of that world which is to be headed by the German element. Teutonism is to be administered to foreign countries like medicine. They shall and must love Ger-

many. Tn conclusion, the writer says:—

“Even in the shadow of the veneration for Bismarck the Emperor might achieve a true popularity, something on the lines of the old Emperor’s, but he himself broadened the shadow by so often remaining mute where'word or glance would have reconciled and made good, by doing the opposite of what his people expected of‘him. and by not thinking it worth while to adapt himself to the people of whom he was born. Despite nil that attracts us in the healthy, fiery temperament, the weltpolitische sense, the technical genius of William 11.. despite the fact that, the ideal family life at the Imperial Courttouches the best chords in the German national character, the person of the Emperor does not draw near to us. He has long since felt it, and wc know that he feels it deeply. Witn words of bitterness he has confessed that a lord of a people of sixty millions suffers from loneliness.