THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 80, 28 December 1907, Page 13

THE THEATRE.

(Bi Svi.'vius.) ' "Tlio world's a theatre, tho earth a stage."—Heywood. "Tho Bluo Moon." "Tho Bluo Moon" has been olevated over tho theatrical horizon ami tho inveterate first-nighters aro busy chatting over their impressions of tho now picco and company, for tho combination is a nrw one. As a production "Tho Bluo Moon" is gorgeously beautiful in respcct to its mounting and dressing. It ; was really exhilarating to take the first scene (painted by Coleman) on tho rising of tho curtain. On 0110 sido is a broad-verandah'ed bungalow and on tho other rich evidences of tropical scenery. Away hack in tho distanco is a far-cxtond-ing valley shimmoriiig under tho rays of tho torrid Burmoso sun, tho atmosphere being admirably suggested in tho golden liazo that bangs over tlio countrysido. Tho second set is tlio Ruby Palacc at Kliarikar (Gordon) is another very lino sccno. On 0110 hand is a deep portico of the Palace supported by huge red pillars and plentifully bedecked with smooth-faced Buddhas, which add a touch of tho barbaresquo to tho ensemble. Tho extent is brighter than tho first act, the water of tho river that \rinds away in tho distanco is inoro bluo, and tho air is purer, indicating that tho Palaco is in tho lulls. Both artists aro to bo congratulated on tho magnilicent eye-feasts they have given us. Tlio dresses are ravishingly beautiful, but aro being left to our lady editor to deal with in an undorstandablo fashion. 'In tho writer's opinion "Tho. Bluo Moon" falls short musically of such musical comcdics as "Tho Geisha," "Tho Gay Parisienno," "A Chinoso Honeymoon," or "San Toy," but still there aro occasions when it rises quito up to tlio highest standard set in this particular class of musical play. Tho finaJo of tho first act is a vory creditablo bit of writing, and is worked up and up with musicianly skill by tho conductor, Mr. Alfred Moutton,-who 0110 can sco at once knows his business, and is earnest in his desiroto get tho best out of band and chorus. Tho wea kne-ss of tlio company is in tho singing of the principalsMiss Amy Murphy That littlo lady should servo as an object lesson in vocalisation to other members of tho company. Miss Alma Barber sings rather nicely, as for tho rest —well tho voice is missing, ! and W.oro it not that tho music of musical comedy is so easily "cutablo" according to tho pattern of tho company .there would bo trouble. Cdurtico Pounds, for instance, -played tho.Major in London, and when ho sang "Tho High To]), G," ho really sang _ it—tho number is ciit . from tho colonial production with several other attractive numbers. "Burmah Girl" is ono of tho protticst bits ,in tlio plav, but is sunjr too heavily by Mr. Kennoth, and should really bo voiced by a tenor .major instead of a baritono captain. Mr. Kennoth .has a pleasing nasal baritono of limited rango, and is tho only malo with any pretence to a,singing voice. Mr. Pat Batliurst used to sing a good baritono song, and Miss Ccclia Ghiloni is always worth liearing. Tho inclusion of tboso two artists in tho singing department would strengthen tho performanco materially—it would bo just as legitimate to give thorn songs as it is to . out others out. Miss Daisie Wallace, the seriocomic of tho casto, seems in two. minds as to how to deal with tho part of tlio lady's maid Millieent Leroy. Sho mars all pre : tencd to smartness and chic by ' her deportment and a certain simulation, of the yokel in :tho uttoranco of her lines. Yet sho is clover, witness her singing of "Sho Didn't Know.!' Her other song "lola" was ono of the protticst hi the play, but it needed moro vocal quality than Miss Wallace can lay claim to. Victor Gouriet is a comic treasure, who held tho audienco by his finished art tho wholo time ho was on. ; Another very good porformanco was that of Harold Parkes, the Cockney Tommy. On' tho wholo, however, "Tho Blue Moon" is a bright holiday bill that- should succeed in charming good houses.for, a run. ~ -y. .y, Margaret Anglin.' So Miss Margaret, Anglin is to go to Australia after all, in spite , of rumours to the contrary,' for it had--been definitely,;statcd that she and Henry Miller wero ■ to remain in partnership, and shortly visit London in a professional capacity.' It would appear, the blandishments held,'out by J.; C.' Williamson, who is in this city, liaVo bcon too much for tho actress, tho moro so as I understand that ho has secured Ik-rn-stein's "Tho Thief" for her to niako her first appearanco in at tho Antipodes, and I vcn r turo to think that fow actresses could resist a temptation like that.' Another plav which sho intends to do 011 tins tour is,-I hoar, "/An," which you may remember is a rechauffeo of Wilkie iCpljins's "New Magdalen,"- by Hartley Manners.. It is needless to say .that- Henry Miller is, somewhat perturbed ' lit losing bis loading . woman, nut thoro aro others, though I confess there will bo somo difficulty in replacing Miss Anglin. Tho ono great regret is that it will now bo somo considerable time, if it over' liap--1)011, beforo those two artists can bo seen in liondoii in "Tho - Great Divide."—"Tho Stago." "Los Clochcs" Rovivsd in Sydney. , Tho Sydney Operatic Society produced "Los Cloches do Cornevillo" at Sydney oil tho 14tli inst. Tho jierformanco was in aid of tho Hcyno for incurablcs. There was a good deal that reficcfod credit upon, thoso connected with tho production, 'and -.it 'appeared to be much enjoyod by: tho liudicrico. Mr. Oiiarles KwminghamO who stago managed, and had worked hard to mako tho performance a success, appeared as Greniclionx, tho fisherman, and was given an enthusiastic recoption. Ho was in good voico. Miss 'Winifred Birch was a dainty Germaino, and was heard to advantage'in tho song 3' of that part; and Miss Gladys Boyd tyas. effective. as tlio iicry serpolettc, the rest of tho cast, which was mostly satisfactory, boing as follows:— Henri; Marquis do Cornovjllo, Mr. S. Grainger; lather Gaspard (a niiser), Mr. 1 R. B. Orchard; the Bailli of Cornoville, ilr. W. D. O'Loughlin; Gobo (lira clork), Mr. P. A. ' l'awloy; Christoph (cabin boy), Miss B. England; Gertrude, Miss M. Vincent; Joannetto, Mrs. Lawrence; Mnnetto, Miss Maggie By an; Slizanne, Miss Gertie Bennett. Captain Forsyth-Chcfiins was assistant stago manager; Ilr.. William Asproy, musical director; and Mr. F. Mowat. Carter, loader of tlio orchestra. A Succcssfui Play. ■ "The Scarlet Pimpernel" evidently possesses an enduring vitality in England, to judgo by an expcrionco of Miss Ola 'Humphrey just beforo she loft England. Naturally desirous of seeing tho piece, sho went to Manchester where Miss Julia Neilson and Mr. Fred Terry bad bcon playing it in tho cours'o of thoir provincial tour. . Mr. Williamson wont with her, but so popular was tho play that thcro was not a seat vacant in tho whole of tho theatre ,and chairs had to bo placed for them near tho orchestra. Furthermore Mr. Terry told them that though ho and his wife bad already played tho picco for upwards of (iOO nights in London, they were going back there for another revival aftor their tour and wero confident of tho continued success of tho piece. ' A Nov; John Storm. The Rev. John Storm, says "M.A.P.," is played now in "Tho Christian," by Mr. Arthur Wontnor, a young actor of the heroic and romantic ordor, who has learnt how to citrry "a considerable amount of dramatic power" 011 to tho stago without slopping it about for tlio applause of tho ignorant. Mr. 'Wontnor would not bo John Storm if 110 did not preach; but ho does not rant and ravo, aud—may I say it in all innocence?—storm. Ho goes to work earnestly rather than noisily, and thero is a ring of truth in his performance which contrasts strangely with certain of. tho scenes his part requires him to play in. Mr. Wontnor lias been through tlio hands of throe excellent teachers—Miss Sarah Tliorno, Mr Kdward Complon, aud Experience. Under the last-named instructor —porliaps the best of the three oxcopt. for teaching tho A 13 0 of acting —he has done a lot of good work in Australia (of which, by tho way, 110 is not a native), and was specially engaged by Mr. Tree to play there tho Baron Bonolli of Mr. G'ainc's first play (was this not his first play?) "Tho Eternal City.',' Mr. Wontnor recently finished up a year's engagement with ilr. Charles Frohman, playing Bunny

in "Raffles," as well as understudying the name-part of that play; so that even a heathen might bo struck with the versatility of an actor who, within a few weeks, has been selected for the parts of a- burglar and a curate! Mr. Wontner was in New Zealand with the first "Beaucaire" Company, and • was regarded as an actor of impressive exterior with a somewhat wooden style. Xmas at Sydney. The following shows were seen at Sydney on Boxing Night:—"The Sarlet Pimpernel," by the Julius Knight Company; "Bluebell in Fairyland," by Williamson s Company; "The Girls of Gothenburg," by the Royal Comic Opera Company; "Cinderella,"' by John F. Sheridan and Wm. Anderson's • Company; "When Knights Were Bold," by the ■•Frank Thornton Company; and Rickards's Company. - . v About a Dramatist. Mr. Cosmo Gordon Lennox, who is a cousin of the Dulco of Richmond and Gordon, and who, as most people know, is (says "M.A.P.") married to a lady of no loss dramatic distinction than Miss Marie Tompest, was at ono time, i|i the days of his more youthful youth, a fairly regular visitor at the Coventi Garden faiicy dress balls. If, now that ho is so" busy'a writer for tho stage, he still patronises these festive entertainments, and would'j.Jiko to attend ono in an impenetrable disguise, he could not do much bettor than label-himself "C .G. Lennox." No one would be in the least likely to recoguiso him in a domino liko-that; As a much younger uian ,than he is " to-day (though lie is still, and' looks it, well under middle-ago), Mr. Cosmo'Gordon Lennox' was as sure to be seen at the first night of a play as the play itself. His great idea, as a youth fresh from college, was to become a character-actor; and s(Y when, after a "long and painful experience of theatre-going,' borne with fortitudo and resignation, he felt ho knew something of the art of" acting,'"lid sought and obtained engagements',. generally under Mr. Beerbohm Tree, Mr. Cyril-Maude, and Mr. George Alexander (for whom, by tho way, ho has turned Henry Bernstein's "Le Volour" into "Tho Thief," down for production at tho St. James's) , and went in solidly and most earnestly for the actor's calling; Financial Panic and the Stsge. . V', . The financial panic which has absorbed.the speculative rnind does not seem. to. have, had much disastrous effect upon the theatrical disposition, sinco tho popular- shows have been crowded, and even the partly successful ones have felt the- influence-.,0f. the; craze, which seemed to take the form of sending the people to,-t-hu places of amusement to got away from their troubles. The only thing, in connection with tho scaro which in any, way affected tho profession'to an extent •w;as i tho suspension of the Knickerbocker' Trust Company, which is rather a favourite .institution with actors for the deposit ,of their superfluous dollars, so that when " the news spread around thero was consternation >.in more than ono theatre as to tho eventual result; but, happily,. the suspension was only, a precautionary step, and there is riot tho.least doubt that-the bank, which is looked upon as ono of the most solid of its kind in the citv, will resume business in the near future, if .it has not already done so by tho time these lines are in print. Still, the suspension, in-con-junction with the removal of-tho president of the institution,. caused cold shivers <to quite a number of actors. in; this .-.-city.— American letter, in "Tho Stage.'!- •• A Theatre-going Country. | Said Musical Director Alfred Moulton (of the ''Blue Moon" Company) in the course of an'interesting chat: "Do you know that in America there are nearly, 3000 theatre's with an invested capital of £0j'000,000? ,Why,', in New York alone there are sixty-one: theatres which take in the .thirty-weeks''season' close on £2,500,000. ,:The largest 'is tho Hippbdrome, which scats ..about 1,4800. / - It cost also the most- money to build,,more even than the great .Mct-ropblitah'"':Opcra".House, which was uuilt for £600,0Q0. •Two'-.very, fin'o playhouses are the Criterion arid' New Amsterdam, and I was told by a .prominent New. York architect that they ;cost • about. two millions each. And there is still" a demand for more theatres." ;' . ' , Mr. E. S. Willard .Talks. ■ t Mr. E. S.' Willard, speaking at tho dinner of the Kit 'Aiarl.owe Dramatic Club, put in a plea for a subsidised theatre. "Ho referred to', tho dramatists' of tho past and those; of the present. ''Unfortunately;, he said, nil these people were buried under our present system: We had no place where wo; could year, after' year reproduce those masterpieces which had been vouchsafed'to us, \. A play was produced, and ran a month, or perhaps two years, and after it had been hidden tor some years it was found that it had grown old-fashioned, and,' really,. it was- not 'what wo thought it was. ,I'ut if ,we, had seen' it year after year wo should liavc' grown old with it.- s Therefore,' wo- should- never liave a dramain the real sense niitil wo reverted to-the old state of affairs, arid had the old 'stock icompany/when actors could act, and were not specialists, and were not engaged because thoy had a wart on the riosc. Tliey (were, made to put a .wart on the nose if required.." '; - ' ' ' , Continuing,. Mr. Willard said he did; .'not, believe they would ever get 'tho ".national theatre that people spoke of. A-great- many, people in England objected to the theatre altogether, and. they. would object to being taxtkl. for :it.' But if there were any love of tho. drp'ma amongst''them,, and lie was suro there was, lie thought it was possible that, some day or other we might come'to liavo a subsidised theatre in the .same 'soiisfe feK&t the opera was' subsidised.'- - John Hare's Good-byeto Liverpool. ' ' * : If Mr.'. John Haro ever had any .doubt as to'tho feeling of Liverpool playgoers'towards him.'it. should have;,, ; ü been dispelled oil November .2. , Mi'. Hare, playing at the Shakespeare, was 'concluding his farewell visit to Liverpool, and ,after the. performance thero was an imperative demand by. the audience for.a speech.; Mr. Haro ,said: "Forty years ago' a rier v.oii's, "'anxious-, lad stood outside your old.'Princo of Wales' Theatre, fearful of making his first, plunge, ami meeting his new comrades; A few days later, under the friendly wing of dear, John Toole, this lad mado his" 'first public' bow, and was soundly hissed ; for'' forgetting, through stage-fright, .his- words.. To-day this samo individual stands beforo.jou, .'no longer a lad, but ono v lito'rally grown grey in the servico of tho stage, ..to. hid;,'yoii,'a last adieu. If nervous" on thfe.pccasioti, of my first appearance before, y0u,.1 am doubly so on this my last, lest I should Tail' in adequately expressing my'deep sense.of the great kitiiliiess shown: mo for so; maiiy; years. You liavo been indulgent'to'my;'many, faults', over-generous in appreciation of , 6iich merit as I may possess, and.never sinco:.that fateful first'night liavo I.received; anything but the warmest welcome at your hands. Indeed, i may have beon amongst, the happiest of my theatrical experiences','.'.for I have felt that'in a sense Tbolonged to you, and that each step in my earner has been Vatclied with interest and sympathy:"..