AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2711, 15 January 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S. local"fixtures. Pathe Pictures. —Nightly. Pollard’s Merry Midgets.—Jan. 12 to 15 inclusive, February 2,3, 4, s—»Scarlet Troubadours. Hackenschmidt, • the Russian Lien. — Jan. 24 and 25. A drama written round the Steinheil case was acted in Paris some weeks before the trial concluded. It is entitled “Be Crime de I’lmpasse.” The English version is entitled “The Red Widow.” Miss Madge MTntosh, lately starred by Meynell and Gunn through Australia and New Zealand is in the London caste of “The Great Mrs. Alloway,’ ’in which the title role is played by Miss Lena Ashwell. Miss Beatrice Day has not gone to her amile ranch in Western Australia yet. There are rumors around that she will form a company to revive some of the plays made popular by the BrougbFlemming combinations, but nothing to support that theory has been announced.

Torn Pollard has blossomed out as a composer. One of the best numbers in “The Belle of Cuba” was introduced and the words and music are his handiwork. The well-known stage manager was once leader of the first and original Pollard orchestra, and the duet in “The Belle” was composed on the violin.

One of the latest plays in New York is entitled “The Fourth Estate.” It deals with the work of a newspaper, and in one scene the composingroom of a big daily is shown, the linotypes working, and everything is “slap-up” realism. The story is a very improbable melodramatic telling of the withholding of a “scoop” because the girl’s father has been ruined bv it. Instead of a “scoop.” her hero editor’s obiruarv is published, the aforesaid hero editor having committed harikari with a gun.

Miss Amy Castles does her best never to disappoint the public, even when her health is had (says the “Sydney Referee”). Few are aware that she has sung at times when suffering severely. For instance, during her last tour of Australia she contracted ak her side, but, despite the pain convenience, she adhered to afiTier engagements. Miss Castles was operated upon, and was then informed that she had just been saved from acute bloodpoisoning. Undaunted by her experience, the young vocalist sang, according to contract, the following night.

Madame Emma Calve, who is to visit Australia and New Zealand this year is described as “a woman of an intensely charitable disposition,” and the most interesting stories are told of her practical sympathy with people in affection. One little story, worth repeating, tells how the singer’s attention was attracted be a little sick girl on an American mail boat. Tho great artist took the deepest interest in the tiny invalid, and, when both arrived at their destination, she arranged to visit the Child at least once a week. True to her promise, Madame Calve called on the little one once every week, always taking the best flowers and fruits, and sometimes singing to the child.

Tlie new theatre at Rio de Janeiro built by the municipality, is a mignificent structure. The cost, inclusive of site, amounts to £687,500: £60,637 has been spent on machinery and electric plant, and £57,437 oil marble and bronze. There arc scats for 1700 people. The stage opening is 33 feet high and 43 feet wide, while the stage itself is of great dimensions, and is finely equinned with electric appliances. The system of ventilation is new. Instead of pumping in the cool air from below, and allowing the hot air to escape above, the cold air is brought to the roof of the building, and allowed to sink, expelling the vitiated air laterally.

Miss Amv Simpson, an Australin soprano, sang with so much success at the Steinway Hall. London, last month, that the “Musical Standard” declares that “a more finished ballad singer it would bo difficult to find. She can also be finely dramatic when the music requires it, as was evidenced in her ex. quisite delivery of Landon Ronald’s scena, 'Adonais.’ ” The critic continues: “When not singing dramatic music, Miss Simpson is at her best in dainty songs, and perfect interpretations were given of ‘When Mother Sings’ (DelmarWilliamson), “To a Seabird, ’ a new and well-written song by Emmiline Brook, ‘A Love Song,’ also new, by York Bowen, and toe group of Ma Hinson songs, which included ‘Autumn,' ‘Snowflakes,’ “B aby,” and last, but not least, the spirited ‘Gloriana.’ ”

From the prices of admission into our ancient- theatres in the time of Shakespeare (observes Malone) I conjecture that about- £2O was a considerable receipt at the Blackfriars and Globe on any one day. and my conjecture is somewhat confirmed bv this evidence: — In Sir Henry Herbert’s “Office Book” are the following curious notices on this subject- under tlie year 1625: ‘“The Kiuge’s company with a general consent and alacrit-ye have given the men the benefit- of two d-ayes in the ycare, the one in summer, thotlier in winter, t-o bee taken out of the seconde daye of a revived playe, att my own choyse. The housekeepers have likowyse given their shares, their davly charge only deducted, which comes to £2 os this 25th May, 1623. The benefitt of the firste day, being a very unseasonable one in respect- of the weather, comes but- unto £4 155.”

There was an enthusiastic scene last month at Miss Emmy Destinn’s farewell in Berlin, proir to her departure for Now Y T ork, where she is to sing in the opera season. At the Berlin OperaHouse, whore she .made her name and fame, in ten years of glowing technicalskill and ripening dramatic instinct, the Czech soprano’ bade adieu in the character of Butterfly, almost hidden behind a barrier of floral offerings. Long after the lights had been lowered the plaudits of her most tenacious admirers were still echoing in the auditorium. For her farewell concert the large hall of the Philharmonic was' completely sold out, at prices ranging between £1 and 3s, immediately the booking opened, and she was prevailed upon to console the disappointed by an afternoon performance "on Sunday. These concerts also witnessed scenes of enthusiasm similar-to that which mark, ed the close of her engagement at the