THE DRAMATIST SCORED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 22, 26 January 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE DRAMATIST SCORED.

W. S. Gilbert, the dramatist, once heard that his "Trial by Jury," renamed and slightly altered, was being given at a certain hall; and not liking to be swindled, he called upon the manager.. The author opened proceedings by inquiring whether the hall was not let for amateur theatricals some times. It was any evening, if not already engaged, the manager informed him, and inquiittd what Jiis visitor proposed to play. "Well, there's a piece called 'Trial by Jury.' I was thinking of that," the visitor replied. "And a very good piece too," the manager kindly assured him; "sure to take." "I know who could play the principal parts very well," Mr. Gilbert said, "but I was [doubtful about the chorus. Could you help me in this, do you think?" "I think I could—in fact, I'm sure of it; you need not trouble about a chorus that knows the music," the manager replied. "Thank you; you are very kind," Mr. Gilbert gently answered; "but," he continued, "by the way, are there not some charges—fees—of some kind to be paid for the right of playing pieces of this sort? I fancy I have heard something to that effect." Then the manager grew very confidential indeed. He looked sly. He even winked, and he said, "Never you mind about that. I don't. Why, we play the very piece you're talking about every night: only we don't call it 'Trial by Jury.' We ain't such fools. Gilbert and Sullivan don't know anything about it, and ain't likely to. You leave it to me, and you'll be all right!" It was now Mr. Gilbert's turn, and he quietly replied. "I think you've made a slight mistake in my name. lam Mr. W. S. Gilbert, and I had heard that you" were good enough to play my piece without mentioning it; so I came to see." Mr. Gilbert declares that the man shrank visibly. From a huge creature six feet high he seemed to descend to the dimensions of a child; but Mr. Gilbert mercifully spared him for the sake of the fun lie had afforded.