THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 13

THE THEATRE

' (llt Sylvius.)

"The. play's the thing."—Shakespeare.

Tlie Next Gourso. ■The next course on the local theatrical menu is the visit to Wellington of Mr. Allan Hamilton's'"Home, Sweet Home" Dramatic Company. This Company was organised a few weeks ago to play this melodrama, which has been played in Australia under tho aegis of Mr. Harry Richards, and which is said to contain tho maximum amount of thrills and "heart interest" usually apportioned to tho modern English melodrama. The better class —or should 1 say the more intellectual class—of playgoer will, however, bo more interested in tho revival of that clever comedy "A Message from Mars," so popular when played by the Hawtrey Comedy Company, with Herbert Ross, Gregan M'Mahon, Heggio and -W. F. Hawtrey in the chief roles. Another play of interest tho Company is to appear in is "Little Lord Fauiitloroy," with sweet little Baby Watson, a clover child of great charm, in tho title part. Every child in Wellington will want to see "Little Lord Fnuntleroy," for those who saw it here ns children arc now grown up, and may havo children of their own. The play is well worth a revival. / Kipling Dramatised. The news that when Mr. Forbes Robertson comes to the Savoy ho will (says "M.A.P.") probably revive "The Light That Failed" reminds mo of the circumstances under whicli Mr. ltudyard Kipling's popular novel camo to be dramatised. \\'o owe to Miss Olga Nothersole its introduction to us in its stage form. The actress had always been a lover of Kipling's books, and when sho read "Tho Light That Failed" for tho first time, sdmo fifteen years ago, on the homeward jour/ioy from Australia (wher'o she had been playing for the fifst time as a "star"), she was struck by its dramatic possibilities, and determined to do all in her powor to get the story made into a play. So, on her arrival in England, sho approached Mr. Kipling for permission to dramatise tho book —and this Mr. Kipling refused. He didn't think it would make at all a good play, and ho had no intention, then, of contributing, even indirectly, to tho literature of tho stage. This might havo been accepted as a final answer by most people; but Miss Olga Nethersolo, priding horsolf upon those qualitios which have mado her the successful actress sho ig—tho qualities of patience and .porsoveranco —repeated her request two years later, and again met with the same disappointing refusal.

Nothing daunted; Miss Nothersolo, when a decent time hnd.gono by from tlio sorrowful hour of the authors second "No," made a third application to Kipling—and Kipling hesitated. Wo all know whas happens when we hesitate, and it happened to - tho author of "Barrack-Boom Ballads." Ho hesitated —and rewarded tho actress's valiant pushfulness with a contract by which ho gave her tho sole rights to dramatise the novel,, and. to deal with tho play as sho thought fit. Sho then went* to work and made a detailed and complete scenario of tho' play, calling in to her ussistanco hor friend, "Georgo Fleming" (Misis Constance Fletcher); and tho result*, as we all know, was ono of the most suecesa■fiil plays of modern times. It was performed all over tho world in endless different languages, and Miss Nothersolo was fortunate enough to .secures equal rights with the author in all its various dramatic forms —for, of course, it had to be lengthened, and shortened, dnd added to, and subtracted from, and done all sorts of different things to; according to the tastes of tho several and distinct audiences it was tnken bofore in its wanderings abroad. G. B. Shaw's Instinct. "If my own father wore an actor-manager, and ):is life depended on his getting favourable notices of his performance, I should orphan myself without an instant's hesitation if ho acted badly. I am by no means the willing victim of this instinct."—Mr. Bernard Shaw in his reprinted criticisms. John Claydc's Honour. John Glaydo, the American iron king, has won a leading place among the world's financiers at'the early ago of forty by sheer force of will and concentrated energy.. Naturally he has had little time to devote to anything else —even to his wife, though sho is always at tho back of his mind, and though, after twelve years of marriage, ho loves her with all tho strength that is left over from, his business concerns. When he. unexpectedly turns up at her flat in Paris, he reminds his wife that it is nearly seven months since they were together. . Muriel —Really? But thon we. never see much of each other, do we? John —I accept tho reproach meekly. Your business mon over'here, I supposo, Mr| Collingham, go out in tho morning somojvhero about 10, and return homo in time for dinner, and spend the ovening happily with their families? Collingham (smiling)— More or loss. John—Well, with us, you see, there's no such thing as regular offieo hours. Wo work all the time. In England a rich man's ambition is to become a poor, mix with county families, and forgot that ho was ever connected with trade. Iu America we want power, and.thon more power—the thing becomes a habit; wo go on because wn must.

But while Glaydo lias gained tho wholo world, or as much as he wants of itj.in the way of he has lost the love of his wife. Neglected, allowed to go her own way, treated as a creature who could: bo satisfied with "diamonds, horses, motor-cars," Muriel Glaydo has'fallen in with tho ways of tho fast, Bohomian, Anglo-American set in Paris and taken a lover, one Trovor Lorodc, a good-looking portrait painter. It is a rumour of scandal that has brought Glayde across the Atlantic. He is determined first to find out how matters stand, and then to put them right by turning over a new.leaf and devoting himself less to business, more to Mrs. Glayde. The series of scones in which the situation gradually becomes clear is worked out very skilfully indeed. Ncvor for a moment does the interest Hag. Now John seems to he. satisfied that all is well. Now fresh doubt arises, somo now piece of evidence turns up, and lie is forced against his will to face a hideous possibility. So tho see-saw goes on, but all the time the catastrophe is drawing nearer, tho atmosphere darkening, the- suspense becoming more acute. When at last tho truth is plain to him, when Muriel has avowed her passion for Lerode, when ho has surprised their final preparations for leaving Paris together, he realises the hopelessness of his efforts to win hor. back. It seems to be borne in upon him that his power is vain where a woman is concerned. He bids Lorode take her "and help hor to lio and betray no moro." Tho lovers are left with heavy hearts, averted oyes, checks palo with shame. 'One feejs that this horrible moment will live in their memories and pnison their gladdest hours. "John Glaydo's Honour" has been secured by Mr. J. C .Williamson for production in Australasia.

How Duse Spends the Day. A correspondent' of a London journal writes:—"Jimo. Elcononi Du'so has arrived in Vienna by the Nice express. She is nttondotl by two faitliful maids wlio invariably accompany her ' nil over Europe; ami who stedfiistly'keep off even th 6 most pertinacious of Vionn'n reporters, who, in pursuit of news, are very little, if at all, behind their colleagues of New York. Mine. Duse lives very quietly here, as indeed she does whenever' she niny bo. She rises early, generally before seven o'clock, and spends most of the morning in reading und answering her voluminous correspondence, a good deal of the replying being done, by telegram. If thu post' does not take up nil the tiino before, lunch, the tragedienne slips out of a back door opening on to the Maximilianstrasso, directly out of the passage lending to her rooms, mid has a short incognito stroll. The time between 11.30 and 12.30 is devoted to giving her maids instructions concerning her toilettes, which aro contained in no fewer than thirty-five trunks, which have a largo room to themselves. In the afternoon she sees the members of her company r-gives them liinto and lessons, so that a sort of piecemeal rehearsal coes on for an

hour or two. An hour before the play begins, however, everybody is turned out, and Mine. Duso takes a little, perfect rest,' during which'nothing and nobody is allowed to disturb her." "Pilgrim's Progress" Dramatised, A dramatised version of the first part of "The Pilgrim's Progress" line jiist been playod in London for a hospital fund. Tho dramatisation, says the "Evening Poet," was done by Mrs. W. Hadley and Miss E. Ouloss, who lcbjit strictly- to fclie words of the book in tho scenes chosen for representation. A representative of Ihinyan declaimed tho latter part of the introductory "apology" and tho whole of the epiloguo: and a good many of the incidents were shown in tabloaux, such as the wicket gate, tho removal of Christian's burden,' the arming of Christian, the martyrdom of Faithful, the River of Death, and the Celestial City. These wero arranged by Mr. Frank Dick'seo,' and wero very picturesque. Tho scones in which diakguo occurred woro the City of Destruction, tho Valley of Humiliation"(with a combat with Apollyon), Vanity Fair, and the Delectable Mountains. The part of Christian is said to have beon played with wonderful success. Tho parts of Faithful and Hopetul wero both given to ladies. Notes. '■■■'.. Mi3s Billie.Burke, the Finglish actress who figures a good deal intho colonial eye through tho medium; .of tho postcard, has becu ongaged by Mr,,,Frohman to support Mr. John Drew during this present Now York season. "The Time,,,tho Place, and tho Girl" is the title of. a: now ( American musical comedy that looks liko boing a big success. "The Merry "Widows", is a comic opora to bn anticipated. .' It. was written by two Viennese pressmen, Leon and Stein, and has already run. over 400 nights in Vionna, and since its production at Daly's in Juno last (in London);..the opera ,has been swinging along merrily. The opera contains a haunting waltz that ! is as catching as tho iu(luonza. ■;•■."■ " ■ ''. ' "School for Scandal" Revised. "Tho School for Scandal" is ever fresh and young, because it is simply ari. expression of human society and human character at all times,,set forth-with a wit'ahd sparkle that will rarelj. be equalled.: Crivon, therefore, a satisfactory interpretation, the revival of Sheriila'ii.'s mastcrpieco must always have its strong following. At tho St. James's Theatre (says the "Pall Mall Gazette") the.ro is certainly little to be said against.the interpretation, and consequently it is not surprising .'.to find an enthusiastic audionco eagerly witnessing the revival. The public would",bo h'arii to ploiiso indeed wero such an arch'"hhd" fascinating Lady Teazle as that portrayed by Miss Lilian Braithwaite considered unsatisfactory. This revival is interesting owing to tho fact that a certain independence of idea is seou in characterisation. The Joseph' of .Mr; Henry Ainley is an 'exhibition of ■light-hearted gaiety that is in "dbiit'rast; ! .and' perhaps , "effective contrast, with' sh many unctuous, hypocritical Josephs in these Sheridan revivals. , Mr. Ainley, therefore, makos up in novelty what somo may think he "lacks in' interpretation, and affords probably the problem of the revival most likely tp be discussed and disputed. In a day or two tlio ropreeentation of tho comedy ■friH'feo with more lifo and vigour, and then it will be realised that tho St. James's revival is really ono to rank with tho many oxcellent interpretations of tho past. "* '•• ' i '."'.''■ . ! #'The Hypocrite's." '.-■■ ' '■'• ' : "Tho hypocrisy of .'the' English nation is a favourite topic' among foreigners," says Mr. Max Deorbolmj, .hi .the, '.'Saturday Hevicw." "Among Englishmen • it , ,is-'rather an axiom than a topic.'They takes'it for grimtod, as ono of tho necessary defects of their qualities, and are rather proud of the good humour with which, shrugging their shoulders, they plead guilty to it... Mr.' Henry Arthur Jones is exceptional in that'.ho has nover got used to the national failing.; If haunts and appals and infuriates him' yet. Many things swim in and out of.the ken of this student lifo; but one thing,' English hypocrisy, is forovor fixed thero in tho. centre of: the foreground. . "In nearly all tho plays ho haa written—in his comedies as well as in his serioim dramas —English hypocrisy, has boon the objective of his wrath. In somo of his comedies, certainly, tho wrath has been toned down to Koem like mere amusement. But after that strain it has always .burst forth with donblo force. Mr. Jones could-hardly be so persistant if, ho were not upheld by a belief that the evil is remediable. And it may be that, sorao day, shamed beyond endurance, wo shall rush out into the public square and mako n bonfire of our pot pretences. Meanwhile, H.- A. Savanarola's latest sermon is entitled with special directness, Tho Hypocrites,' mid is to bo heard at the Hicks Theatre, where, I rccrot to say, the congregation seem rather do* lighted than abashed and abased."

"Mr. Wilmore, lord of Weybury Manor, lias boon much shocked by tho curate's suggestion that'a certain farmer should not bo compelled to marry a girl of bad reputation who is about to bear a child. Mr. AVilmoro can admit only one law in such matters; and the farmer must choose between matrimony and his farm. Thus it is embarrassing for Mr. Wilmoro when ho learns that a quite respectable girl, Miss Rachel Nero, is about to boar a child to his son Lennnrd. Mr. Wilmovo's estate is heavily mortgaged, and the father of his son's fiancee is in a position to sot all that right. . . "The fiunceo and hor father aro not-less strict in their views of moral rectitude .than is Mr. Wilmore himself. Poor Mr. Wilmore! There is n great deal of lying for him to do. Not Georgo Washington himself was more iii favour of tho truth; and Mr. Wilmoro's lies, aro doubly painfnl for tho fact that tlioy are so likely to bo found out. His one comfort is that he docs: net, lie alone. His wife lies. His son (reluctantly, because be is in love with tho girl,to whom ho is not engaged) lies. And the girl herself (because sho does not want to,stand in .his way) lios. Everybody lies, except thbeurato. This inconvenient curate, privy to tho truth, so loudly and nnrolentmgly tries to persecute them all into making a clean, breast of it, that , n general council has to he held in order to allay tho suspicions of'tlit) fiancee's father. Everybody, for this gentleman's benefit, sticks gallantly to his or her lie. Not one of them (you cart imagine how exciting the scone is on the stage) can be trippad up; and it soems a* though the curate is destined to look a.fool for the rest of his life. Evidently this is his own impression; for" just when, with bowed head, he is about to go forth into tho world, ho turns round and volleys a final and moro than ever bitter .jeremiad. Miss Novo utters a cry, and is* about toi,swoon when Lonnard Wilmore, stujuj,. with,;remorse,, .catches hor in his arms and implores her forgiveness. Collapse of the other liars, fury of the fiancee's father,, deep, sigh of yolicf and tumultuous cheering from;the audience. It is indeed a dramatic moment." ■