Topics of the Day.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 191, 12 August 1911, Page 13

Topics of the Day.

(From Onr Special Correspondent.) LONDON, July 1. OPERA IK A PALACE OF ROSES. The gala performance at Covent Garden last Monday night furnished one of the most splendid spectacles of the Coronation season. The splendour of the dresses and the uniforms, the brilliancy and gorgeous magnificence of the jewels, and the beauty of their fair wearers were set off by the wonderful background of flowers and the blaze of the electric lights. It was "roses, roses all the way," and the King and Queen from the Royal box looked round on a wonderful floral palace, wreathed about with England's national Every pillar, (O'very tier, every box was hung with roses; climbing roses outlined the framework of the proscenium; baskets of roses hung from the roof; roses of every shade from the deepest crimson to the palest and most delicate pink, and from flamecoloured blossoms to dainty cream-tinted flowers.

Eoses were everywhere; only th* Royal box 'stood out clear and separate, draped with crimson plush,- edged with gold, and bordered with a wonderful friero of orchids, of the most delicate shade of mauve, snow white and gold Above the box rose the Imperial Crown, and underneath the Star of the Garter all worked in flowers, while in the tier overhead shone the Star of India. Within the box, carnations, the Queen's favourite flower, were the only blossoms used, all picked blossoms of a delicate shade of pink.

The Imperial character of the perfoimance had been borne in mind in the general scheme of the decorations. On the proscenium curtain was a graceful trophy in which the rose, the thistle and the shamrock twined together, tied with ribbon in a true lovers' knot; on cither side, a medallion appeared, one bearing the letter "G" and the other the letter "M;" above, the Union Jack was draped, surmounted by the Imperial Crown.

Each tier was outlined by a frieze of deep pink roses. On the ground floor the decoration took the form of a broad trellis worked in green silk, over which pale pink roses clustered in abundance. On the tier above the decorative scheme was even more elaborate, medallions of deep roses being linked together by heavy festoons of the same blossoms in a lighter shade, all let off against a trellis background. ' The grand tier, which is on a level ■with the Royal Box, was a perfect glory of pink and crimson and gold. All round there were large medallions of deep pink roses with the names of the overseas Dominions, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa worked in vivid yellow flowers. Alternating with the medallions, falling baskets of crimson roses depended from loops of pale pink blossoms The proscenium was outlined with a broad band of deep crimson roses set against a border of trellis work; and above the house to the highest tier, was adorned with climbing rambler roses shading from pale cream to the deepest crimson, clustering up the columns, and stretching from tier to tier, transforming the theatre into a perfect bower of roses. The work was done on the most lavish scale; indeed, it is estimated that no fewer than 100,000 roses have been employed. Naturally the limited number of seats available to the public were bought up at fancy prices. It is said that 300 guineas was paid for a box that on normal occasions can be bought for eight, and that from five to ten guineas was paid for seats in the back row of what, in an ordinary theatre, would have been termed "the gods." Perhaps "the money was worth it," but apart from the gorgeous scene, it is not often one has a chance to hear Melbn TetTazzini and Destinn on one night,'as well as a wonderful performance of the Imperial Russian ballet. The "command" programme included the second act of "Aida," the second act of Romeo ana Jniiette" and the third act of "II Rarbiere de Siviglia." THE ACTOR'S TRIBUTE. On Tuesday night there was another "command" performance, at which the actors of England paid their homage to the King and Queen in a scene of magnificence and beauty at His Majesty's Theatre. From the fact of ampler area and creater opportunity for display, the Gala performance at Covent Garden was more opulent in its surroundings, and ornate in its decorative adornmento, but that at His Majesty's gained in intimacy and homeliness. There was the same wonderful array of diamonds, dresses, and gorgeous uniforms, but the scene in

every particular was on a reduced scale —-C'ovent Garden in miniature.

Aery cleverly devised was the prologue, written by Mr Owen Seaman, and read with mingled humour and feeling by Mr Forbes Robertson, habited in Court nttire. The prologue was cast in the mould of easy familiarity, and offered jest and homage in turn.

Site: we are mummers, and we make pretence Of tenrs or laughter at the Truth's expense; It Is our calling, under Art's disguise. Thus to divert imaginative eyes; And sometimes, in our more expensive

scene, We even play at being kings and queens. But he, the glory of our golden nge. Wisely remarks that all the world's a stage, AVheie cver.v man alive must play his part Unaided by the mysteries of Art. Such is your burden. In the day's full beam Playing your part, to be the thing you seem; So stand yon crowned, to serve your country's need. No King of shadows, but a King Indeed.

These lines broke through the reticence of the audience, and enthusiastic cheers made the theatre ring again. Applause gave place to hearty laughter at the subsequent plea for indulgence:— If here and there a pensive pause Is made, While memory searches for a line mislaid, Kindly regard such lapses as unique. And due, no doubt, to Coronation Week,

And when, in reference to the drunken scene in "David Garrick" the prologue explained that- <

We feign a counterfeit Intoxication, Not from experience, but with fancy's aid, Assisted by a little lemonade,'

the distinguished audience simply rocked with laughter. And then, so soon aa Mr Forbes Rob* ertaon had made his bow with a final "God Save Your Majesties," we came to the real entertainment—a theatrical feast indeed, rich beyond words in laughter anc entertainment.

No fewer than 300 of England's leading actors and actresses took part _in the programme, which commenced 'with, a scene from the "Merry Wires of Windsor," in which Ellen Terry, Mrs Kendal, Mrs Charles Calvert and Rutland Barrington appeared. Then came the drunken scene from "David Garrick," in which Sir Charles Wyndham and Miss Mary Moore had the support of a caste of "stars." This was followed by the Forum scene from Julius Caesar, in which Sir Herbert Tree was the Mark Antonv, .Mr E. S. Willard, Brutus, Mr A. E. George, Caesar, Mr Basil GUI, Cassius, and the "crowd" a hundred actfcrs of note.

After Shakespeare, Sheridan, with "The Critic"! with all the "gags," ancient and modern. The caste would fill a column, -and included Arthur Bouchicr, Charles Hawtrey, George Grossmith, jun., Cyril Maude, lady Tree, Marie Tempest and George Alexander. Finally came Ben Johnson's masque, "The Vision of Delight," with a prologue written by Mr Herbert Trench and recited by Mrs Patrick Campbell. Practically all the lady "stars" of our stage appeared, and very beautiful they looked. The whole thing was a sheer delight to look upon, and it culminated with "God Save the King," sung by Miss Clara Butt, and taken up by all the actors on the stage, the great audience joining in. A theatre gala is something new in the history of Court festivities, and Sir Herbert Tree must be happy in the knowledge that the arrangements were perfect, and the tribute worthy of the King to whom it was tendered.