"MAKE THESE BEGGARS STOP! "

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 74

"MAKE THESE BEGGARS STOP ! "

Weedon Grossmith began life as an artist. He is now playing at the Avenue Theatre in a piece of his own writing and a part of his own creation. Weedon Grossmith is, in mauy ways, unique. He has a face with a fortane in it, a voice that cannofc be imitated — although mimics try their beat — and a physique that fits the parts he plays like paper on a wall. Who will forget his Lord Arthur Pomeroy in " A Pantomime Re'ieavtal " — the eyeglass and the boutonniere?

It was when playing Lord Arthur that he had an exciting experience. Mr Brandon Thoma^. who was playing with him, relates the incident: —

I wa^ in my dressing room w'^en T heard Weedon Grossmith's voice shouting, " Brandon ! Brandon ! come and make these beggars stop ! " From the tone I concluded that the case Wib pretty urgent, so I hurried down ; and there was GrosMiuth, dvescs*d for Lord Arth ur — pycpla^s, boutouniere, and all — struggling ni the embrace of two big stage carpenters who weic hustl'Pg him out of doors. "What is the matter?" said I, catching one of tie fellows by the shoulder.

"We're putting this Johnny outside," he firmly replied. "We dou't allow no inasher£ inside our stage door." I explained, and I'm afraid I laughed. I don't know whether (Jiossmif-h aw tlie fun or not.