THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 175, 18 April 1908, Page 12

THE THEATRE.

By Sylvics.

" The world's a theatre, the earth a stage."—Hcywood. "Hore Wa Are Again!" This evening Wellington playgoers will be afforded the opportunity of renewing their acquaintance with that most alluring form of lighter theatrical entertainment, the pantomime. In older and larger communities the pantomime'is as much a part of Christmas and the Christmas period as is tho blazing, pudding, tho mistletoe, imitation or otherwise (what matter so long as it gives an excuse for kissing), and "the waits;" but here in New Zealand wo and our children have to take our pantomime when we can get it, and that is invariably any other time but Christmas, for the simple reason that the oxpenso entailed in producing a big pantomime is better justified in such cities as Melbourne and Sydnoy than it would bo in Wellington. "Cinderella," for instance, which to be played this evening by the SheridanAnderson Company, was produced in Sydney at Christmas, and after a run of five or six weeks there has been on tour. "Mother Goose" which we saw late last year, had been played in Melbourne, Sydney, and on tour throughout the year, and was revived recently in Melbourne at the conclusion of the "Humpty Dumpty' pantomime, which, will doubtless roach this country in due course. So it happens that the p'antomimo has taken its place as a touring proposition /equally with drama and opera, which could not happen in England, where every city of any size has its own pantomime at Christmas. Cinderella" is headed by that well-ostab-hshed Irish comedian, Mr. John F. Sheridan, who ' has been seen in a variety of parts in New Zealand, but is always best remembered for his inimitable performance as the Widow O'Brien in "Fun on the Bristol. Sir. Sheridan has never done anything qiuto so good as the "Widdy," but is always amusing in whatever he undertakes. • J 8 by Miss Hebe Barlow, who is the uindorella of tho cast, and a full company of clever people, including' Morris and mlson, animal impersonators, Fred Morris, champion trick skater, and . Master Porcy Clark, who is said to have a phenomenal alto voice. There are some beautiful ballets and marches, including the Porcelain spectacular march; and tho Sappho, Rainbow, and Snow ballets, a gorgeously beautiful transformation, and the usual - harlequinade'. ■ 1

The Sunshine of the Dance. Miss .Adeline Geneo says,: in America, she is never so happy as when she was dancing. "It makos no difference how dejected I am, I take to dancing, and in 1-5 minutes the sun is shining again." In expressing her. opinion of modern dancing. Miss Genee said: "I don't think much of it. I loye to see a good-'sand dance,' but the average ballet dancing of this day and date is ungraceful. And what excuse has dancing if it is not graceful? None at all. I thinlc modern dancers make grave mistakes in wearing- the short hip skirts, which stick out . like boards. I will not danco in anything shorter than a kneo length skirt, for-sihen the'clothes assume graceful lines while'l . dance, and they help mo in voicing my message of gracefulness. You have got to charm your audience before it will:give you its attention, and once you havo charmed it you may speak to it or you may dance to it ,with the same easo, provided you know how." Tiio Sicilians. v f., '' ' A company of, Sicilian players have made a success in London. In the courso of an interview, one of the actors said:—"Wo are, paid salaries by* the year., So as long.as I we do fairly well we are safe from hunger. Of course, wo are glad to have such large : and appreciative audiences, to -play-to, but financially' that does' not affect- us.-.. Not that we want more money. So long as one has a roof and enough to oat, and in addition can send a little home to keep us whon we-are'old; what is the good of >money, be-, yond that?; You English,", ho "work," and work, and work,, and always ■want more and more money.' f Well, of courso, youf climate is so cattivo that there is nothing olso for you to do. But wo Italians, we do not believe in working more than is necessary." The essential; fundamental principle of Sicilian women's lives, says Sig: ; norina Aguglia, in the "Telegraph," is lovoj of,'littlo' children. Yon should see how the' mothers love their littlo children. AH the babies are , big and strong 'in- Sicily. Wo have not what you call puny children. We like to havo, big families; womdn*are' happy, when ' they ■. all sit round tho"-: family table,; father, mother, grandfathers,' and grandmothers, and, porhaps, twenty-one or twentythree children. I' have seen that, and the mothers of these children are . very proud and very happy. Why should they not ; be?. Little glasß bottles to nurse our - babies; 'never, oh, never! The mother nurses her baby, and if she does not do so then we have; wet nurses—big, healthy women,- and strong; or, quite,' quite strong, twenty years old or so. Little glass bottles, oh, never!

"Petor Panisms." . 7 Nearly all the characters in "Poter Pan" fly. The boy who wouldn't grow up is specially given to that form of locomotion, and' all his .friends have learnt the art. For their flights across and up and down the stage Mr. L. B. Carleton has invented a new flying machine, which, is now. being made' in Melbourne under his superintendence. Mr. Carlton, whom Mr. Williamson has borrowed from Mr. Trohmann, is one of the latter's leading stage managers, and lias travelled with Maude Adams in "Peter Pan" for two or threo years, bo 'that ho is. familiar with, tho least detail of tho piece. An Australian playgoer who has just arrived fronl London comes back full, of enthusiasm for "Peter Pan," which he saw six times in one week during its revival at tho Duke of York's Theatre. "There is no roason why it should not run for a year," ho declares; "it's going stronger than over in London just now, and in its fifth year is a bigger draw than 'it was in its first." -' A

An issue of 100,000 booklets of "Peter Pan," for tho benefit 'of the youngsters, is being made by Mr. J. C. WiUiamson, with tho story told in simple language by Miss Annie Rontonl, and' with dainty . coloured covers designed by her Bister, Miss Ida Rcntoul.

Harry Roberts's Return. Mr. H. R. Roberts, the popular Now Zealand actor, is a passenger from America by tho Moana, due at Sydney on April 22, where preparations . will be at once commenced for the coming tear ' of "The Prince Uhap."- It js now definitely settled that the Australasian tour, will commence at the Theatre Royals Chnstchurch, on Monday, June 1. Mr. Roberts, will bo supported by a specially selected company of Ameriean, English, and Australian.,artists. Those from America will • reach' ■ here by tho next; mail. .steamer; from Vancouver. The New Zealand tour will be under the of Harold Ashton and Allan Hamilton. "The Prince' Chap" will be tho attraction during. winter show week in Invorcargill and Palmorston North. "The Merry Widow." When the Royal Comic Opera Company finish their soason in Sydnoy—a season which, after two strong successes in "Tho Girls of Gottenberg" and "Tho Dairymaids," is finishing in a Mazo of splendour with that ideal comic opera, "The Lady Dandies"—a period of much' moment will begin for them. They will remain in Sydnoy till tho second weok in May under tho old conditions, and, then a reorganisation will tako place, for "The Morry Widow," which is to bo produced for the first timo in Australia at Hor Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, on May IC. The importance of tho pitco, and tii« immensity of its triumph both in England and America, esrtainly merits special efforts on its behalf. It will get them, .and not only will the ranks of the company be strengthened by the inclusion of several new principals, but it will have the benefit of Horr Gustave Slapoffaki's high talents as a conductor. It is MitteeoMMy to rofor to Horr Slopoffiki'a rnufiicw standing in Australia. His work in'.

grand opera lias been tho subjcct of eulogistic reference from ouo ond of the Coromon- | woalth to the other, lie has moreover tlio additional advantago- of thoroughly I acquainted with "The Morry Widow," which he saw a ccoro or more times in Europe, and also with its composcr, Lehar, with whom he became vory friondlv during his rcccnt tour of the old world." As to the composition of the company which will lie entrusted with the production—it will bo ono of the most powerful combinations that has over been got together in Australia for tho lyric stage. Miss Carrie Moore, for oxample, whom Mr. Williamson specially engaged for tho title role-, will be a host in herself, and her return to the scene,'of her former triumphs in Buch a play, and with such a part, is an event'of outstanding importance in itself, while another most interesting engagoment is that of Mr. Albert Higgmson to play the part of Danilo, the baritono who lias also to be a comedian. Mr. Sherras, the new English; singer who has made' bo favourable an impression, and all the .old comic opera favourites, will 'also be found places. But tho company as a whole win practically become "Tho Merry Widow" Company, and, that opora' will become its chief, and, indeed, only care for the next twelve months or two years. That Mr. J. C. Williamson is justified* in all these" oxtensive preparations is abundantly manifest from a recent letter from Mr. Geo. Edwardcs, who writes that "Tho Merry Widow" is the biggost thing he has ever handled, and that he anticipates for it at Daly's Thoatre a longer run than any musical piece has previously achieved • under his management. Notes. The Julias Knight—Ola Jane 'Humphries combination open in. Auckland this evening in "Tho Scarlet Pimpernel," the play which hit the public taste in Sydnoy. The Company includes Messrs. Harry Plimmer.' Reynolds Denniston (a nephew of Mr. Justice Denniston), Bentley, Beg. Rede, Rupert Julian, and other good mummers. "Tho Dog Man"—Mr. Chas. H. Weston— who has been brought from America to play Nana in. "Peter Pan," is, rehearsing it now for the fourth time. Ho was in three Maude -Adams companies touring through the United States, 'and of him—to slightly, paraphrase Shakespearcr—it may be said that one mau in one piece plays many parts. ,On different occasions ho has been the dog who daj[ nurses the Darling 'children, the ostrich which _ dances for the six lost boys, the crocodile (part of him) which pursues Hook, a lion, some pirates, and a Red IndianBrisbane will he the I last , port of call 'for the .J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company with' their present repertoire, with whicli" they have just completed a very comprehensive tour of Australasia. f They will proceed there direct from Hobart, where they are at: present entertaining ; largo and very enthusiastic audiences. Brisbane will 'also seo them enter upon a new career/for it is there that they will commence for "Tho! Prince of Pilseri," tho first of Mr. J. C. Williamson's most recent acquisitions to be added to their'ropertoire. Mr. Loder, an American actor who specialises on German comedian parts; and has been specially engaged for the production, will join them there the day after they, open on Eastor Saturday, and rehearse with them for the whole three weeks of their stay.

Miss Lena Ashwell has discovered a new dramatist in Miss Cicily Hamilton, the author of "Diana of Dobsoh's," her latest London success, which Mr. J. C. Williamson,. has .secured for Australia, and has set aside for Miss Margaret,Anglin's repertoire. It is a fine drama, telling'the story of a girl ; who, while an . assistant at Dobson's Drapery Emporium, inherits '£300, with which she determines to live for a month at the rate of £3600 a year; Down in the South of France, however, . while engaged in that pleasant: occupation, she meets the inevitable "man, 'who, .when he proposes 1 to her,-and is told the truth, calls her an adventuress, and. leaves her. But they meet' again in poverty upon tho Thames Emba'nk-inentrT-piana becauso her money is all gone, the man bccauso he has defied; his family. A reconciliation.follows, and tho curtain falls on the two sharing a modest repast of coifeo and' -rolls; 'toy: purchase jwhich •. th^yVhad . ; to'. borrow - a 'shilling'from a" police' constable. The opening scene % even more novel than this,, for jt shows_ the girls; at Dobson'sgoing. tO ibed' in their dormitory and making all the preparations therefor, while chatting over tho ovents of the day, and, later, - Diana's legacy. ■ : * ' ;

"The -Little Breadwinner"- has :■ scored a conspicuous success at tho Melbourne Theatre Royal, where Messrs.' Moynell, and Gunn are presenting ; tho pL'iy to crowded liCuses.' Allan; Hamilton's New Zealand tour, of Meyncll and .Gunn's, .Dramatic Company will commence at the Theatre Roval,: 6hnstchurch, early in August,, and, the repertoire unli delude—"Tho Little Breadwinner," , The stepmother" (a new drama by : Sutton \ an p)j "Old Folks At Home," and a revival of, the ever-popular. "Fatal/Wedding." Upwards of fifty people will travel- with this Company, which will make an' extended tour of the Dominion.