AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2455, 20 March 1909, Page 12 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S. LOCAL FIXTURES. March 31 to April 3.—Meyneli and Gunn. Easter Week —Maskelyne and Devant. MADAME MELBA. AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME. MOBBED BY WOMEN. Madame Melba reached Melbourne by the Adelaide express on March sth. Her reception A\*as marked, by great enthusiasm ; in fact, at one stage the croAA’d was so anxious to shower greetings upon her that the position became decidedly critical. Fortunately, tho situation AA’as saved by the firmness of the police. Although no official reception had been arranged, Madame Melba’s arrival A\as awaited by a large number of friends. His Excellency the Governor (Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael) was represented, and others present included Professor Peterson and Mrs Peterson, Mr Marshall-Hall and many of the singer’s intimate friends. Members of the Women’s Exhibition Choir, Avho were elad in AA'liite dresses, AA*ere also on the platform. When the train drew up at the station the excitement became intense. Women AA'ere jostling one another, pushing and scrambling in an endeavour to get near the car in Avhich Madame Melba was said to be travelling. To the surprise of everyone sho alighted from another carriage. As soon as the singer Avas seen the eroAvd raised a loud cheer. Then followed a rush along the platform. Hats were crushed, but there was no time for protest. Tighter and tighter the crowd packed together, and Madame Melba, though evidently distressed by the heat and the jostling to Avhich she Avas being subjected to, tried hard to appear pleased at the boisterous reception.

Fortunately, the police cam© to her aid. Several constables made a pathAvay through the crowd and kept the people back.

In response to requests Madame Melba was about to speak, when once more the crush of excited Avomen and children bore down upon her, and nearly carried her off her feet. Ths singer, AA r hose hat had assumed a jaunty tilt, brought it back to its correct angle with a deft touch —then laughed. Notwithstanding the crowding and jostling a little girl managed to present Madame Melba with a bouquet. A request by tho singer for a cab Avas the signal for a stampede from the station. The eroAvd noAv composed of excited women and inquisitive men, surged out of the station into Spencer-street, carrying Madame Melba and the police with it. As they passed the women cried, out, “Welcome Home,” and laughed and shouted. Right across the road swept the crowd, utterly regardless of traffic. The police seeing that the people were getting out of hand, advised Madame Melba to take refuge in a hotel. This she was glad to do. Once inside a little anteroom she breathed a sigh of relief; then laughingly chatted >with Mrs Peterson about her experience. Meanwhile tlie police had been guarding the doorway and keeping the ii-omen at bay. A feiAminutes late a motor-car forced its v.ay to the hotel door, and Madame Melba now smiling indulgently at her over-en-thusiastic admirers, was driven aivay. “It was a triumphant home-coming," Avas the singer’s comment upon her reception. • “I’m delighted* to be back amongst my friends in Melbourne once more, and am much affected by tlu kindly intentions of the women who gave me such a cordial welcome.” Several ladies and gentlemen Avho had attended at the station to extend a welcome to Madame Melba Avere unable to do so, OAving to the crowd having taken the arrangements into their own hands Tho fact that no special provision to cope with the crowd had been made by the raihvay authorities Avas the subject of comment. “If there had been barriers on the platform,” observed one of the reception commitee, “tho arrangements would have been carried out wit-h----oifT a hitch. As it Avas the eroAvd was practically unchecked, except by the few police.” A railway officer who aa'S6 questioned regarding the matter said that tho crowd had exceeded all expectations.

Acoording to Mr Clyde Meyneli thero is a golden opportunity for the Australian playwright at present. English playwrights seem to be Avriting for tho late diners —people who come into a theatre at about 9 o’clock. Consequently few of these plays are such as could be produced in "Australia. This gives the Australian playright his opportunity, but so far he has not arrived. “I have rejected as many. \No, tho Ausstagecraft and of dramatio sequence is apparent right through,” said Mr Mevnell. “One play Avhich Avas produced here by ah Australian aAithor, was, rightly speaking, finished in the second act,' but two others were appended. Climax and anti-climax abound in tlie average play submitted to us; a good situation is over-shadowed by others, and generally speaking, the plays are impossible, many of them being execrably'Avritten. Wo. have read many and have reejeted as many. No, the Australian playwright has yet to make his appearance. '

— — it is said nothing more e'hj*>orate thi» Chung Ling Son’s, the Chinese jugglewardrobe and stage setting has be* .seen in Melbourne. the rob are stiff with gold and silver* threads. Palmerston North Municipal Opel House’s income for the past year £llOO. After making provision f( contingencies, such as upkeep,-interesl sinking fund, etc., there remains a pro fit of £IOO.

Mr. Walter Monk, who has been as] sociated with Mr. J. C. V£lliam&on’j managerial staffs for years, hasevered his connection with the finnj and proposes ,to begin business on hi;

own account in Auckland. Miss Nellio Stewart, interviewed H London, said she was looking forward to her return to Australia, where warm th predominates in everything. She i: bringing out a handsome actor and ( talented girl, and some gorgeous gowns; “Australians,” she added, “will hav€> the best. At the same time they are establishing a national that what is called the best in England an<|i America is not always what the Aus-*; tralians consider the best. Their sense] of humor is quick and keen, their symjl pathies alert and active, but they.,will! not tolerate bathos, are are sharply cri-1 tical of false sentiment requiring realj human nature in all guises.” Mayer Allison, of Christchurch, is} determined not to let the njatter ,of the $ theatre by-law sink into obliyjsjh. He' is now communicating with the United ; States for the purpose of ascertaining j what is done there in the matter of j controlling the seating accommodation,!.; and stopping the discomfort inseparable" from rushes. ' "V