THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 92, 11 January 1908, Page 13

THE THEATRE.

(By Sylvius.) "Tho world's a theatre, the'' cart-li, a stage."—Hoywood. .7; " THREE LITTLE MAIDS." Tho Williamson Musical Comedy. Company's next production- will'. bo , "Threo Little Maids," from tho prolific,pen. of the goiitlo'mah. with tlio classical 1 cognomen, Paul Reubens, who was ' largely ■ ; interested in' "Tho Blue Moon " and Lady Madcap!" This is another comedy written round',tlio pet'of Loriddii's giddiest, Mr,. Georgo P. ' Huntley,, and once more we are to have him ; represented by that very good mummer,, Myles Clifton, whoso• voice is cut: out' -iforsuch parts. " Threo Little Maids ". is ;a '~ huge' joke about golf, and if a person is riot up in golf terms .or : tho : slang :'of . the .sport ho stands a good, chance of:missing many of the clever points, that tho book .provides. Tho play opens on the golf links,' and golf 'permeates the- piece like vanilla in an ice ,cream.' We have (ill learned not to : expect too much from tlie alleged-: successes that come to us from London from time to time, as, in a great many instances, these musical comedies are built tip round London stage idols that we only fead about or see-in' a multiplicity .of attitudes, in tho post-card shops; still, there is always a. certain exhilaration about sucli... entertainments, provided in ;tho " business," . mounting,' dressed, and orchestra, that co'mpels' audiorices,. and', until wo pass ; through 'that: sec6ipn ( of-- the cycle labelled musical : Comedy ..< we- miist aedept th.em, willy-nilly, and,bo'content that Mr. .Williamson coricontratos such, care, in tlieir preparation.' - .' '• i, klnematogtaph in the' Drama. The annual Drury Lano (London) melodrama which preceded "tho Christmas .pantomime .is an: elaborate, production this • year. "Tho Sins of Society," by Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton, is in rio less'than thirteen scenes, the curtain rising at tho unlioly hour of 7.30." The plot of tlio pieco is' chiefly concerned with' the misfortunes arid - downfall of Lady Marion Beaumont, played by liands?fne .Mi 58 Constanco Collier, the embarrass'rierits ■ and finally actual crimes into ' .which she is led ■ by her mad extravagance, and especially her passion for gambling. There are.,opportunities for some wonderful stage pictures, and skilful, mechanical'-, effects;'- A (cinematograph is . employed , to simulate :a hasty row down the Thames. A weir is.seen, over Which 'a policeman ,is hurled most realistically, and tho, scene at tho racecourse of LongchampSj including the > arrival of I resident Fallieres, was- highly effective. An elaborate pxamplo of stage, mechanism was' tho ; departure and subsequent sinking of a troopship. ; f. "St. Elmo" Dramatised. "St. Elmo," after'forty-brie years of,lifo as a wonderfully popular novel, has just been dramatised in America. The G. W. Dillingham Company, who, jointly with, the author, Augusta Evaris Wilson,' own the. dramatic rights, expect to have the, play produced during the present season. Its prestige as tho most popular, novel of our time, its salo tho',past year, having exceeded .150,000 copies, should mako it a great dramatic success'. The book has been translated,' into severallanguages, and is.known throughout' the civilised world. Tho dramatisation is bv John I'. Hitter. . ' 1 ; Anotilsr "Girl" Musical' Comedy.'': , Low Fields' is' a com'cdian wo .do . not hear n J" 0 1 ". cu " Zealand, but like dozens or other actors whoso names are'not'even included m our theatrical philosophy—names rvv' -n 3 -'David Warfieki, Eddie l ? oy. Jaines (J AoiJl, Denman Ihompson, Dustin Fai'num, Joo Wcbcr-ho is,a "sure go", in New; York, ■tie lias just scored a, big suecess' in tlio musical comedy. "Tho Girl Bbhiri'd tho"Cdifiiter"' (music G., Howard, Talbot), :which" We in u cllirigton will, doubtless bo laughing at some \tliree years hence if Wo survivo- the theatrical faro during - tho interregnum. ■ Of -.Jm nt 7' ,nUslC!> l Play the "Theatre" says: 1 lie old saw about too many ehefs spoiling tho chowder docs not always apply.' Countless English authors had a hand in making this pieco, after which it was turned over to JWgar Smith to be. translated lii to'colloquial American. Little 'wonder that it proved to 1)0 one. of the funniest shows Broadway has, yet laughed at,'and.that thero is a small- 1 sized riot at tho each evening to secure seats. No one. however, need labour undor tho impression that "The Girl Behind tho Counter" is high art, or that its production marks a step forward in tho development of our native drama. Nothing of tho kind., Indeed, the enthusiast)! with -which the crowds at the Herald .Square, greet it nightly should be causo for sorrow rather than joy, for, it demonstrates forcibly, that a very large portion of our playgoing public has it decided tasto for shows of this character—vacuous, silly, .mcaiiingless ' entertainments, which ■ are really degrading the theatre to the low level of tho variety stage.

"Under the Greenwood Trea." Mack to. tho simple) life! This lias formed tho t-hcmo for many plays' and novels, and Mr. Henry V. Esmond has used it as tho leading motivo in his latest comedy, "Under tlie Greenwood Tree,' Being the romantic story of .Alary Hamilton," in which Miss Maxinc- IMliott opened her London season on September 12 at tile Lyric Theatre. Mary Hamilton, Orphan and many .times millionaire, is so weary of the appeals for money, indiscriminate offers of marriage, and general flattery of which her great wealth is the incentive, that she determines .to escape temporarily from her social world. She purchases from its gypsy owners a ,van, and thither to tho Now Forest, wliero its former occupants abandon it, repairs with her protesting woman secretary. Tho simple life includes, however, a motor ear and an indignant chauffeur, tho picture of silent- protest, who appears each morning for orders. There aro solid silver, choico 'china, wines and other .'luxuries. It is a preposterous complication. Young Englishmen and justices of tho.peaco in real life do not madly entreai supposed gypsy girls to mairy them within tho first half hour's acquaintance. Thero is, however, plenty of opportunity for the picturesque in tho picce. The forest setting and gypsy costume cnhanco Miss Elliott's .beauty, and in the. dialoguo aro a number of clover lines. ' The play requires but littlo in tho way of acting, and tho star was more than equal to tho demands. Mr. Charles Cherry played the role of the suddenly enamoured young squire. Actress of Five. "My name is Vera Huggott—H-u-g-g-e-t-t— I am fivo last birthday. I played in 'Alico in Wonderland,' then in 'Mother Goose,' and now I am in 'Bluo Hell in Fairyland.' I am a baby sister and a bluo girl, and I sing 'Waiting with a Birch.' Oh, I forgot 1 sing with tho cnts, too. One of tho cats used to bo very naughty at rehearsals, and sing out of tunn; but Mr. Stamford said if lie wasn't a good boj* ho wouldn't lot him bo a cat any moro. Mr. Stamford teaches us. He is very nice, and calls us 'dear.' Do I always remember what to say? Oil, yos; I wouldn't bo an actress if I didn't. I can learn ver;p quick.. Why, 1 learnt 'Waiting with a Birch' in two days, and then sang it .at tho dress rehearsal. Thero wero somo other actresses —big ones—sitting in tho stalls, and they all laughed and said something about it being a 'hit.' I said my grandma wouldn't let anybody hit inc. I think they must liavo been jealous, don't you ?" Sho may lie rather precocious, but sho showed no sign of affectation. Her cheeks wero round and chubby, her eyes a perfect blue, her hair an enviable gold. Sho spoko intelligently, and ono understood in conversing with her that it was not all training which had equipped her for tho success sho made ono Saturday night recently. "Oh. I do liko Voter—that's tho cat, you know," the prattler went on. "I'd like to lie a cat, or a bird, or a frog, but I'd rather bo Florence Young. I played with her in 'Mother Goose,' and I sing all her songs. I had niv photo, took as Tittcll Bruno tho other day—liko this"—hero follows a tragic jtwisß— I "<uid I.'ju going; to act lika, her eomo

finio. I love aAing^real',noting), likevßlue* Bell—and I'd: love: to\be alfairyuvjl believei in fanes, ddn!fc ,you*?i The? "big; \ girls ' say • tliero arerf'b any, but if tlieroi wasn't there," Wouldn't! bd any for. pantomimes;::, Every?" thing else: is- truo,- likov all tllo' funny' birds* and animals, so- tho~ .fairies must, be thie;, imfs'tn't'they?.. Oh;.I thmk-itfs-so-lovely on> tho stage;- because: when-1 say 'Pleased Bondi • us- son>o.- toys,, because- weihavonffc- gob any>J - . :a- nice man- comes; aiid j -gives . Bluet-Bell) a'-, ; sovereign- so that she- can- buy toys 1 for' usi. J've sauli that oVer aHtt! bver-' again at?, homo; • btit .nribody oven, sent" US'.' sixpence; noj Moiniug Ifeialtl " Wishes she Mad Nover Seen Him. ' "Good-by,, deariOj- donJt! got- wcaryj. Fllt he! trileV" sings May, ;Yohe;,>'formerly .Lady. Frinois Hope, once '.Mrs;:. 'Jiutndm Bradlee.! Strong,, at tlio- National! Theatroi 'and Mrsi, Yohc-Lady Hope-Strong,, nt; the. longuago of: tho.professioiij ma]cesr:rßali good'.':v':' --• "r The' local- debnt, of -Miss? YohensKsays- tho.' Sah;Erin'cisco : ' < !Nov6mber'i27)' of pedulair' ! intore'st . to, ,'tlib . .tlieatre-going,' public,: for lioro;it was tllab sho ; nnd ; her. : 6rie-. tihio- affinity,: . Captam->, -Putnam. Bradloe 1 ; Strong,. embarked, oil- their.giddy careqc-. "I wish tllat I had.!never seen him,"-she' sighed, with the. note-of infinite regret m-her' vbicc.--: When- Miss Yohe's .nttentioiV'Wasvcalledv to! tho fa(jt' : _tha<;'' Jieen'.xquo'tijd!-' as.speaftinu■ most a(fetjtipnatelyof-.-her former ' husbdnd.- .Lprd .Hop'o', vi" "Why should I not-? - HoMSi aj-noble nifln,' and ho-.waff ahvavss good-to m0...;.>-I.made: tho. ■ great ifliatalfei of!, my:, lifo. when; ;t yielded l 'a i blirt'd'- -infatuation l , a-fjuprp' ijtfssihg and' left-him..;': •:>'What l -' would/ I. riot give: to! take' haoW thafe.^: "Oh,, yes -, I .am. happy .in .vrtudtevillo. 1 I lovd l hiii*cl. v/orlv and' I ro'so'' from> i sick 7 tiqdj.|o r fortune': : over aeiiiiri l .. ':. I aitf doing 1 , Incidentally,. Missi .Yohe's: voi'cfej!' which : 'isi of- baritone quality, '/a-! dccla'red. to, be better' tlian ;it ever ; was,, and both .her' songs'' aro rnwarded with eu'eorti . ; : / MisS- Folio.isregistered'^'ai ''.Mrsi-vK-Strong at', tli'o'- Hotel: JefferstiHQ'. ' -.T'ii > ''In view ,o.f-,Vilat'hanponect;'jjrh'cip-; last; iff this city' I . would bo morio appropriate'than-any' othery''. slio explained. Dramatic English. O'flr dramatists, havo''jong -vMnce-iorgottoti' that, tho". English , 1 -language?■ is'-''still..-the'' medium of the English"drdnia; a'tfd' that; iio; branch of literary: art ii -worth'' a-'wofd' of' praiso that wantonly -, divorces itself - from literature (observes Brander;;Mattheis)'.'.Th«i foolish dramatist' wha wns" - onco; loquacious cpricerning, what ho.was', pleased- to dall"the litoi'&fy drama''."condemned i his dwa;cfaft in a-'singio phraso.- : > jiig essential,,; the audieiic6*-of our;,theatres' must share the b!ame>'witb - their- fivouiitis. ' Too/idle, to. listen .'fo exquisite4'prose or> splendid verse,A- they-.'prefer-.Hho'::quicb-aritics of^ ! comedians,!;,,and- rin:: their ear, as in Pinero's, "theatrical ' has- a'far jnoro splendid'sound thail- "dramatic." The Small Part Player. Tho player of small-parts'-is'not'"without his roward (remarks Georgo Aiexander): Tho stroller, who makes but an insignificant oho of, an insignificant company, ,'at'.ah' insignificant saliry, ( sometimes, 'I- tear, of'uncertain rcenrreneo, finds something..-- td .••compehsato' him. Let hiiri but love liis art and/all'-is well, for following her even -thus - ho disarms.tho enmity, of. inclination:-and fulfils a loving service., Andy after all, -though tho pay bo precarious,'it i§,while,it'eontiiiues,: as good or better'than the' pay givert' in ( bt-her callings fov ' a similar 'I-evel' of work dono and expense incurred.' Do .work you caro for, arid, in one /sense, you "are a rich; man. So to ono who' lives his art an artistic' career, however hard, is not of necessity-poor.' Dono by a Cabby. L:: { Some years ago I, happened, to ,bo in, the grcon-room at tho old iiyceum, 'conversing with somp of'tho company, .'when thero'enter-' od' a well-known act-or wh6' was 1 not'o'rioua for.his bombast (says/a-London gossip). Tho conversation hushod for. a niinuto as ho camo in, and wo waited oxpectintly f6r his latest picco of brag.,'-;. . , • "Haw'!" ■ho exclaimed^" n Pvo : had-sucE.a jolly'timo, fellahs—such a jolly timely, Dined with ,tho'- Dulco of —"r""in his'houso-in Park Lane. Champagne and "all- that ";sort of. thing. Fact I just drovo.down with .him m his brougham— loft'him'!"; ;: t ' So wo lot him rattlo oh. 'Presently, tho stage-door keeper camo up and said,' Who was it?.just drove up here ?"; "It was mo," said' 'the 'braggart, consequentially. . . ''I'" '':v. I '.; ".Well,"\ said the riian, "the cabby says he wants his money," .' Ho w:iß somowhat taken aback,'but, re-, covering himself, said,."What do you mean? I just-drbvo down frii l: "tlto Duke of 's brougham." , : , : ; "Vi'ell, I'll go amFmnko' sure "(said tho fireman. Ho went,'to'return presently. "Cabby says," he reported, as how, acoordine to, t-ho- namo 'on t|io' pawn, tickct which ho found in .tho"'fe*b, : ib' r was r ybu( : sir;*' 1 never hoard agairi; t; Tho Lost Play. 1 v Weedon Grossmith. usc<l'to''tell/'a'storrabout a;play, by' Robert• (Janthoiiy, : wliich that gentlcninh . asked him to read. " Groasmitll took- tho cbhie;ly", , '''bu , t I Jost' 'it oil 1 his way. homo. . i,.,.:. , , "Night after night," i ho- says',; : would meet Ganthony, aud'ho'wdiild ask 'mo !iow I lilted his play. It was, a'lvful; tho perspiration used to coiiio -out on my - forehead as I'd say haven't had timo to look at it yet!' or again,' 'Thii first act vi-ii?' good, hut 1 can't stop'to-oxplain, btc. ;■ must catch a traiii.' was ' tho bano of my existence, and haunted md even 'in' my dreams." ■ Somo months passe<l, and Ganthony still pursued him.' At last -it occurred to'Gro'ssmitli that ho might havo left tho comedy in tho cab on tho night, it was given to'him. He enquired at Scotland Yard. "Oh, yes," was the.reply.. "Play marked with Mr. Ganthony's namo, sent ba,ck to owner four months ago, as soon as found.'" Notes. . Mr. Georgo Castles;'"ivh'p shortly, goes out t-o Australia under, contract to. Mr. J; 0.-' Willinmson for tenor parts in the, ltoyal Comic Opera Company',J# 'now. ''in" Paris studying undor M. Boiiliy,* tho accomplished vocal teacher of his sis'tors, Misses Amy and Dolly Castles, and also! of . Madame,. Clara Butt. M. Bouliy is greatly struck with ,the quality of his voice, and considers that ho should devbto himself to grand opera. Mr. Castles should, however, dorivo an inraluablo experience, in Australia, : that would in-no wisa unfit him for moro serious work later oh. Mr. Haigh Jackson, who was for a couplo of years principal baritone of tlio Williamson Coinic Opera Company,, lias "for- somo ;timo been studying in London - with a -view to blossoming forth as a tenor'. Mr.'Jackson mado his debut in oratorio 'with" tho liondon Choral Society at, tho Queen's Hall,' on December 4, as tenor in tho -now-work "Pompeii." Miss Esta D'Argo .'was tho soprano on tho occasion. • Mr. Gerald M. Braham, son of tho lato.Mr. David Brahuni, solicitor, of Melbourne, has been engaged as leading man by. Miss Ada Marius, and is touring tho English provinces. Sir. Braham is known professionally as Gerald Malvern. Miss; Marius's namo is known to Australian audiences, as her father, M. Marius, played lead with Mrs. Bornard Boero when she toured Australia. Miss Nanco O'Neill has created tho greatest sensation ever known in vaudeville, in San Francisco, at tho- Ornheuiu Theatre. By special request Miss 0 Noill has been playing tho "Sleep-walking" sceno from "Macbeth," a role in which slio was greatly appreciated ill Australia. . ' Mr. Edward Lauri has been engaged for the pantomime of "Sinbnd tho Sailor," which, will bo produced at tho Hammersmith Theatre, London, on Boxing Day. Miss Maggie Moore, who is at present touring tho "United States with a son of tho famous actor Joseph Jelfcrson in "Rip Van Winkle," is returning to Australia with Mr. Harry Roberts shortly, with a number of now plays. Miss Margaret Parker, who wout out to Australia to appear under tho management of Mr. Harry Richards in December, Was given a farowell performance at thb Surrey Masonic Hall, when a, number, of vaudeville IJavourifcaa appeared.- ' t-