THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 520, 29 May 1909, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

"The world's a theatre, the earth a staso."— Heywood. (Br Sylvius.) Chung Ling Sod. Chung Ling Sop, tho Yankec-Chineso conjurer and illusionist, who 'is at present loaning his sorvices to Mr. Harry Ilickard3, at a salary exceeding thrco figures per week, arrived from Sydney yesterday, bent on mystifying the Dominion public. Ho is American in dress, and manner of speaking, and yet thero is just that something about him that suggests a streak of the cutest, race east of Suez. Ho attributes this to a Cantonoso mother. Chung is a man who cannot help doing tricks. Ho does them as another would smoke a pipe or whittle wood. When ono is introduced to him, he says:—"Pleased to 'meet you—have you seen this trick oeforol" Straightway he proceeds to show you a trick that, ton to ono, you have not seen before. Tho writer was present yesterday when ho asked a gentleman questions about bis watch —ono that had been in his possession for ten years. "What is tho position of the numeral twelve on your watch?" said Chung, gazing on tho outer caso of the lever'watch. "Opposite there," said tho owner, pointing to the stem wind. "And tho figures run one, two, three, four, and so on?" "Yes." "How is tho foui marked?" "IT," said the watch-owner. "And tho six?" "VI." "Is that so?" said Chune, "let's have' a look—it's a wonderful watch 1" Tho watch-face was exposed. "Now let's see how wrong you wero. You sco the twelve is not opposite the stem wind-; the figure four is quite incorrectly .indicated by four strokes, and there is no six on vour watch at all—tho spaco is occupied by the second-hand dial 1" And it was so. "Ever seen this one?", continued Chung. Ho cot the lid of a cigar box placed it on a table, with half of it projecting, then laid a Dominion, folded in half, across that half of the lid which had the table-top beneath it. "Hit that board hard, and sco if you can lift the paper!" It looked tho easiest thiug in tho world. The man clenched his fist, and smoto the projecting cedar lid with tho force of a Johnson, and lo! the lid ( smashed in half, without raising the nowspa'per an inch. It was a simple experiment in the valuo of air pressure over an extended /area. . . , i ' Chung Ling Soo, whoso wife is a~shade moro real Chinese than he is, states that jugglers and illusionists in China always perform in the streets in a roped space. Tho variety tlieatro is not known, and, until a few years'ago, no woman was allowed to appear on tho stage, all female characters being assumed by men. When a man is "killed, in a Chinese play, ho is tho most astonishingly unconvincing corpse conceivable. Ho merely arranges himself in an attitudo of repose, in full view of the audienco, and, at the end of the act, walks off.Chung finds recreation in Ak company of Chinese,- being able to enjoy their talk and peculiar dishes. He speaks and writes the language, and ho brings letters of introduction to tho Chinese consul hero.' "Strife." A notable review of Mr. Galsworthy's play "Strife," which has received much critical praiso in London, is printed in tho London "Spectator." Tho writer says: "Mr, Granvillo Darker, who produced tho play ; must bo congratulated on a triumph equal, if not superior, to any of those which ho formerly achieved at tho Savoy or tbo Court. Tho peculiar merits of his ilicthod of production seem to bo specially adapted to Mr. Galsworthy's dramatic style. That style, in its scrupulous avoidance of emphasis, its elaborate attention to detail, its conversational, ovory-day.tone, is intensely realistic, and it' has found a precisely appropriate interpretation in,the subtlo and observant realism of Mr. Barker's art. By a happy chance, many of tho most talented actors of our stage wero ablo to givo to the conceptions of Mr. Galsworthy and the visions of Mr. Barker tho actuality, . tbo' force, and tho fascination of lifo itself. There could, he no moro convince ingoxample of the extraordinarily high love] of ■.excellence .to which English acting can roach at the. present day. The effect was all the more, rcniarkahlo'siuco. thcro was no display of consummate or overwhelming genius; the result was produced by pure ability, distributed almost equally over a group of artists wonderfully combined." - But with the play itself ho is not fully content. Ho.writes: "The play is an unusually stimulating ono; and yet on tho whole it is disappointing as a work of art. It is disappointing because Mr. Galsworthy has not been contont to concern himself solely with conflicting, principles, but has attempted to givo a picture of conflicting persons ■at the same time. Had his persons, been , merely types — as they were in his earlier play, " The Silver Box "—this would havo been unimportant; but they are not types, they arc indiridnalisecL characters, aiid moreover they aro presented to us upon tho stage with tho most cod vine■ing force. It is impossible, to resist being i interested in those persons, and yot our interest is never satisfied; wo aro not told enough about thorn; instead, we are told a great deal about general problems connected with class. Theso problems are absorbing, no i doubt; but thero is one thing more absorbing than all of them, and that , thing is the human soul. Mr. Galsworthy shows us the human soul—in Mr. Anthony, in Roberts, in Mr. Anthony's daughter, in Roberts' wife —'and, what is more, he shows it to us under tho stress of profound feelings; but it is only for a moment, and then it is shuffled out of sight." ... . Mr. Maugham Again. i The great hit in Mr. Maugham's "Tho Noblo Spaniard," just produced in the London Royalty, seems to havo been made not by Charles Hawtrey, but by Miss Fanny Brough. One well-known entio gets rhapsodical over her. Ho writes: "Miss- Brough gave us such superb comic genius, such unapproachable art, that a' far worse piece, much worse miscasting, could easily have been forgiven. Miss I'anny Brough, middleaged, 'pining for romance, quoting Byron, imagining herself to be the heroine of a naughty intrigue, revelling in the belief that she—a judge's wife — is ardently beloved by a youthful and passionate Spaniard, fiercely indignant when sho discovers that sho is nothing of tho sort—; Miss Brough simpering, Miss Brough cajoling, Miss Brough confessing to her 'lover' with downcast eye that she 'will not ho ungrateful,' Miss Brough, the repentant'wife, fearful of tho. sack and tho Bosphorus, Miss Brough, a woman scorned, clamouring for the lifo of the young man who has no intention of being hor lover—to those even who have known her as the greatest comic actress of- our tinio it was a revelation."

"Deanie" Lyon—An Appreciation,

A contributor writes: —As one who has had tho privilege of friendship with the late William Deans Lyon for many years past, and who lias been closely associated with him in various ways, tho writer craves space for tho.public expression, however inadequate, of the great admiration lie entertained for those sterling qualities of heart, of mind, and of character which rendered tho deceased so good a citizen, so genial a comrade, so truo a gentleman in its best and noblest sense, so useful a member of the community, so staunch a friend, and so excellent ail examplo of the straight and upright life. It would be superfluous where ho was so well and widoly known as an nmateur dramatic entertainer of unusual ability and oxcellonco (mostly in tho cause of charity) to enlarge on tin's particular phase of his public utility. But it is duo to his memory to recall that his services were never sought in vain fc-r a good purpose, or a help-out in an emergoncy or difficulty. They were given readily, willingly, often at personal strain and inconvenience, and ever with that abnegation, of self which made it appear that thoso who sought his aid wore paying him a compliment rather than seeking a favour at his hands. Personal, aggrandisement, notoriety had no placo in his simple, candid outlook; it was sufficient that ho could further a good cause. In this regard Wellington has, indeed, causo to regret tho loss of ono who has for so many years past dono so much for its recreation, so much for its public benefactions. Ib was, however, in tho more 'private phases of bin life, that tbo rcnl czoollonco oi tho deceased's character woe to

bo found, mid fortunate was ho who was privileged by friendsbip to find it for himself; for such an oho would of a certainty bo the gainer by contact with so truo a man. In all tbo years tho writer has known him he can truthfully say that ho Cannot rcmomber to liavo over heard tho deceased say an ill word or speak disparagingly of anyone. On the contrary, if failings wero being discussed it was "Dcanie" Lyon's way, to minimise tho evil, and givo prominence to tho- good. Ifc was tho elaboration, of this characteristic which mado him so square in his dealings, so good a friend. Himself freo from cant, tolerant of others, above potty meannesses, too strong for little failings, pursuing easily, undomonstratively, modestly an unorringly straight course,, ho would give, when it was sought, tho best of sympathy,' the shrewdest and wisest of counsel, the kindliest encouragement to others weaker than himself or in trouble, and always with' fcho very refinement of tact. His word was his hond; his hand given in friendsbip meant all that tbo act implied; bis help, if the causo were right, was assured if within his power. Yot when it was necossary bo was capable of a firmness which scorned inconsistent witb bis good-natured, lovablo disposition; but, as a matter of fact, it was consistent with his grand conception of the better life —never to sacrifice principle on any shrine whatsoever. And now wo know that it is well with him; it could not be otherwise. Valo! William Deans Lyon, vale. More About Harry Lauder. Mr. Harry Lauder caught-tho public fancy with tho phrase, "My wife is my best critic," as he catches it times after time with bis songs and mimicry. But there wa,s something more than quaint humour' in the saying, for ho and his wife, who is just tho kind of bright Scotch woman one would expect tho popular comedian to choose for his life partner, are as united and happy in their regard for each other as one would like to believe all husbands and wives are. Sho appropriates her husband's testimony to her critical faculty as entirely her due. Moreover (remarks a Homo journal) she says that if a wife does not know more of her husband than anyone else there is something very wrong, and that if site does know moro about him she is the one best qualified to criticise him. Perhaps one may add, without indis-. cretion, that Mrs. Laudor has moro than an influence in tho making of her husband's songs and patter, often bringing homo to him some queer incident or quaint catch-phrase which has; struck her as suitable for a special role. And finally she is ono of the committee of two who carefully exclude anything that might 'appear unworthy of her husband, who is the other member of the committee. "If my wifo is satisfied I dinna care whs* the newspapers say," ho told his hosts and friends at dinner tho .other day, which' is a compliment to the lady, but unkind to the other people. . Note. "Invasion" plays are popular in London just now, and ono of tho latest is by John L. Shine, who lias written a dream play inwhich John Drowsy sees in his sleep the results of a siege of London. Drowsy represents John Bull, and Sir Harry Wideawake, V.C., is n stage replica of Admiral Sir John Fisher, and advises John Drowsy to prepare for invasion, but in vain. Tlio play depends largely on scenic effects and tho invasion' scare.