"TRILBY."

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 201, 26 August 1896, Page 2

"TRILBY."

Papl H. Potter's much heralded dramafcisabion of Da Maurier's story "Trilby" will be presented for the first timo in thiscity oe Monday evening at -the Opera House Pf the play itissaid thabMr Potber has done his work, and done it well. He has followed the Btory in excellent fashion, and instead of destroying some of *be characters, principal and minor, he has improved the work required of all. It ia said by the entire preaa of England, America and Australia that the last act of " Trilby " presents one of the greatest scenes ever witnessed upon any stage. It represents the death scene, in which the hypnotic effect of the photograph is utilised. In organising a company to repreaenb this wonderful play, Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, with a view of presenting to their colonial patrons everything of the beat, arranged wibh Messrs Palmer and Brady, of New York, to send one of their companies to Australia, the resulb being that a company of arbiates arrived in Melbourne a few months ago, mosb of whom were the creators of ■their respective roles in the original production a& the Garden Theatre, New York, on April 15th. The forthcoming visib of this company is, so far as we can racollecb, the first cbab any American dramatic company has ever paid to this colony, and should thus -be doubly eventful. There is a good : deal that is interesting about the careers of the American players who 'tire interpreting the chief characters in the present'to ut. Mibs Edibh Crane, who plays bhe part of the heroine, cornea of an artistic family, of -which Walter Crane, the well-known English artist, is a distinguished member. She bast been playrng Trilby since July, 1895, all over AmoTica. She has been six years on the ebage,. and had tike advantage of a training under Dion Boucicaulb. Ib has been her fortune always to be cast for big parts, and she has played in London one or bwo seasons with Augusbin Daly's company. Her favourite parts are those which have plenty of passion in them. Being " tall and divinely fair," and a magnificent figure, she ia said to ba an ideal Trilby. Mr Reuben Fax, whoso Svengali shares thfc honours of the play with Trilby, and is an unusually fine piece of acting, comes of an Canadian family, and is counted among the beßb character actors of the United States. Mr Fax played in the original production of " Trilby," and lias already appeared as Svongali over 300 time 9. He made an immense hit on the opening night of the Australian Beason, and his performance will long be remombered by the Australian people as one of the most remarkable and striking examples of refined dramatic art over witnessed in this country; Mr G. H. Trader, whoes artistic and dohghtful sketch of Zou Zou has been the admiration of everyone who has sees the play, haiU from the north of England, though an early residence in San Francisco has made him practically an American. Ho has been on the s'tnge twelve years, playing a varied round of parts.all over the States, mostly of cue description of those nlayed by Mr Boueicauli, whom be strongly reacmbles, His favourite parb is the boy in '"I'be Magistrate," but Zou Zou is aa congenial as any to him. Another artistic study is eaid to bo that of Gacko, by Mr E. W, Morrison, pronounced by members of the company to be the besb interpreter of the parb in America. Mr Morrison comes from Tennessee, and has been acoing eight years. In the early stages he experienced many rebuffs; but perseverance and ability brought their reward. He was stage manager for Mr Frank Sanger, a prominent American manager for four years, and has toured all over the Sfcabeß with stock companies, playing everything from low comedy bo serious Shakespearian part?. Miss Jennie ReiflAtth is bhe oldest in ember of the company. She ia German by biifch, and bhere ia scarcely a theatre in Amorica thab she has not played in. She has performed in comic opera as wel! as tragedy; in fact, until her voice gave out, she was the most successful in the former. She was the original Buttercup it) the American production of H.M.&. Pinafore, She has alto supported j many . big stars visiting the State?, among them being Modjeska, tke tragedienne, and the thoroughness and artistic grace with which, according to critics, she playa Madame Vinard in "Trilby," proves her to be a highly accomplished actress, Ther genial and massive Mr Hubert Carr, whoso figure looms large &b Taffy, was educated ab Harvard University, awi has been on the sbage eleven years. Ho played his present parb of Tafly 350 times Jin America. Mr Charles Cantield, "The Lhird" of bhe piece, comes from Brooklyn, \iho home of the amateur actor. Bo made bis professional debut seven years ago, He was- playing "Alabama " when M'r Pulwer selected him for the " Laird," , a parb ho has been playing contiguously for over a year. Mr George Webster, who plays " Libtlo BU'i/.e," is a young acbor of much experience. During fcbo pasb ten yean, b^ has been concerned in nearly all the leading dramatic representations in America, and has created numerous parts in important Grab productions in New York. MiVis Cleveland is young, brimful of vivacity rind liveliness, bub has unfortunately nob very much scope in her i presenb role. Mr H. R. Harwood, the wellknown aud reputed Australian comedian, is also with the company, and too favourably remembered to need any introduction hore. As alnjady stated, the box plan will be opened ab Wildman's at 10 o'clock tomorrow/ morning, and as there will no doubt be as greab an interest displayed here tie elsewhere, intending visitors ahould go eirrly. :