MR. CHAMBERLAIN AS AN ACTOR.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7411, 10 September 1889, Page 2

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AS AN ACTOR.

The news that Mr Chamberlain has presided at the dinner to the Kendals on the occasion of their departure for America revives recollections of a now distant period when the member for West Birmfngham'wainomean exponent of histrionic art. It may not be generally known that many yeare ago, before he was drawn Into the political vortex, Mr Chamberlain was an accomplished amateur actor. THE OIiBVKR BKNDERING OF PT7FP IN THK "CRITIC." We have before ua an Interesting relic of his footlight achievements in a little playbill relating to an entertainment when one of the great events of the evening was the future member for Birmingham* singularly clever rendering of Puff In the flrat act of the "Critic" Those who witnessed the performance still speak of It as a masterly and polished piece of acting, In which Mr Chamberlain's biting and sarcastic humour and perfect enunciation were displayed to great advantage. His facial expression—-the clean-cut features being well set off with a powdered wig—is described as admirable, and every line in Puff's long but never tedious speeches told with consummate effect. Twenty-one years have sped by since the right hon. gentleman displayed his capacity for interpreting Sheridan s immortal sallre, and recent events have imparted a curious complexion to that crumpled and faded little playbill which lies before us. The politician of the present day will rub his eyes as he endeavours to picture that scene of the dim long ago, 'when Mr Chamberlain and Mr Phipson Beale rehearsed comedy parts together at Mr C. B. Mathews's residence In the Augustus road. Those were the happy days which knew no Irish question, and when there was no fierce party strife to strain the closest and most intimate- of private friendships. If any one during the Central Birmingham election had reminded Mr Phipson Beale of the time when he supported Mr Chamberlain on a rather different stage, it would have filled him with a sad sense of the transitoriness of mundane affairs. The theatricals at Oak Gate were quite unique in their way. They lasted, as a rule, a weak—that is, they were continued night by night till the four or five hundred privileged guests had availed themselves of the opportunity of witnessing them. The preparations were marked by the most fastidious care and taste, and the rehearsals, frequently extended over a month. The cosy auditorium would accomodate' from seventy to eighty at a time, Che guests usually numbered over 520, ra «ras rare that anything under a week sufficed to exhaust the list. HIS OTHER FARTS. But Mr Chamberlain's connection with amateur theatricals is by no means exhausted by the contents of that curious little playbill. Before playing at Oak Gate Mr Chamberlain, when still younger man, used to take a conspicuous part in the performances at the late Mr W. J, Beale'e in the, Westbourne road. There was a very nice little theatre at Mr Beale's house. Here it was that the right hon. gentleman In his salad days played the Frerfchman'B part" In the too seldom acted piece "The Wonderful Woman," and in action, emphasis, and conception his impersonation was equally excellent. In Charles Mathews's favourite part in " The Liar," Mr Chamberlain achieved another unequivocal success. At the* dramatic evenings in the Westbourne-: road he found capable and enthusiastic supporters In ;she. present! Sir Thomas Martineau, the daughters of the late Mr Timothy Kenrick (now Lady Martineau and Mrs Osier), and various members of the Beale family. He gave several performances at his own house in the Augustus road, and on each occasion he* iiJupi'eßseQ vis audience by* vlte* ~epar &le and vivacity of his light comedy. ' AS A DRAMATIC AUTHOR. Very few-people know that Mc Chamber" lain can claim to belong to the noble and gifted army of dramatic authors. On one occasion he wrote a farce, entitled " Who's Who 1" and produced it at a performance at Mr Follett Oder's* playing himself one of the parts. Meeting a local author at one of the Highbury receptions not very long ago, Mr Chamberlain congratulated him oahavibggot a piece produced on the London boards. " I used to write plays ptnyself, when I was a very younjr, man"," ! aoded the member for Weet Birmingham, with & twinkle in his eye, " but I could , neve* get ft manager to- accept them." " You would If- you- wrote a piece now," waa toe author's happy reply. It is. probable that Mr Chamberlain's days of writing: for the atage were paeeedV in London shortly after he Left , eohool and before he. came to Bixmlttgham. It Is very interesting to examine some of those old jEfigbaeton theatrical programmes. There are names that are writ larffe in naStOHal and local history* On fck* stag* a* Oak where en embryo Cabinet SJlofeter moved the house to mirth in Sheridan's great comedy, appeased-abo the eldeefc daughter of Dr Gceojse who made a great hit in the part of the Countess d'Autreval, in "The Ladlae Battle." end ten years after' ward* one of the daughters of- the late Bicfiard Cbbden played wfCh much aym- : fiAthy and aweetneis tne eh&rMing bait oil Jenny Nortfcsote One of the best known- figures on the stage at ! the earlier performances wa» Mr Alfred kOaksrv wbe, lite* JSr OV B. MattjeWe, I modestly contented himself with small paitfcr - . ■ ..

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