THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 604, 4 September 1909, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

■ "Tho world'a a theatre, tho earth a Btngo."— Hoywood. (By Sylvius.) Mrs. Cornwallis West's How Play, "Kis Borrowed Plumes," tho new playso enthusiastically received at tho Hicks Theatre, London, last month, represents the first dramatic effort of Mrs. Gbrnwallis West (formerly Lady Bnndolph Churchill). Tho play, which was written in a single week in tho country, about two years ago, is described by tlioV'Daily Chronicle" as a "remarkably bright and interesting piece of work —not, perhaps, a convincing masterpiece, but full of clover touches, of racy epigrammatic dialogue and scenes that betray Mrs. West's possession of a genuino dramatic, instinct." The theme is that of a husband who, ,, all unconsciously, uses tho plot of his wife's novel to make a play with. This play proves a» great success, but when the husband realises, his theft ho bravely owns up, and, yields to his . sore-triod helpmeet her honour due. Tho wife, already a popular .novelist, is a good deal cleverer than her husband, p.- retired major, who.had a fancy for writing jjoetry. It was poor stuff, and when he read it out, as by an anonymous author, his wife was tricked into confessing frankly that she thought it was rubbish. So thore camo a little rift within tho lute. The major had already begun to fall into the toils of a flattering adventuress. Happening to find tho manuscript of a novel that the wife was writing, the adventuress sees her chance of yet further alienating husband and wife. Shesteals, the manuscript, and by its aid "inspires" the major with tho plot for a play. This play is accepted by tho National Theatre, which Mrs.. Cornwallis West presumes to bo only just established. In fact, the audience is told that it is "not yet in tho, telephone directory." Accordingly, tho last scene actually happens behind a box at the National Theatre, 'represented as' a stately play-house, with marble columns,and busts of Shakespeare decorating thei corridors. .

The Asches in "Othello." 'There seems to bo a consensus of opinion in Melbourne that Mr. Oscar Ascho is giving a great performance of "Othello," a tragedy last-staged hero some years ago, with George Rignold as tho noblo Moor, wheai that actor-displayed both intensity and breadth; in tho character. Before his day,; a few old Australian playgoers remember Gustavus Brooke, Barry Sullivan, and Montgomery; whilst in London Irving and Booth used to act Othello and lago on alternate nights. Forbes Robertson,'* cold and classic actor, ..has played tho ,'part;. whilst the present-day representatives of the character have been Oscar Asche and , Lewis Waller. Oscar Ascho has made a deep impression at tho Melbourne Theatre Royal, where his. Moor stands revealed' "a being of splendid' physique, high courtesy, chivalrous adoration, and noblo bearing—a man who might indeed, despite his;swarthy skin, easily havo won a 'romantic maiden's affections." ■ Equally we read that Miss Lily Brayton "developed, tho character of Dcsdomona as if it were a glorious flower, beautiful in tho lovely bud of girlhood, growing in. dignity and sweoter fragrance as a wife, .finally to bo swept away in tho fulness of her springtime by the relentless ■ hands and biado of tho "■ arch-destroyer." -it-appears that.the murder-scene is.carried out witfi greater barbarity than is usual,' a reading which Mr. Ascho defends on the- ground that a woman of Desdomona's high-bred quality would not havo consented to dio tamely under the stigma of a false accusation. Thero was a scene of extraordinary enthusiasm at tho oponing, and the season is still running to over-crowded houses. ■

Another Rickards Company. ■■..--' Mr.' Harry Rickards will send' another "all-star", combination to Now Zealand shortly,''opening at Auckland on October 4, 'and. , ' Wellington on October. 18.' The principals. ;will includo Rose Casselli and her troupe of dogs, which havo'caused a. great sensation in Sydney; Florence and Lilian, in their original musical act;-, which is generally, voted one of the best and, most.refined "turns , , , ever imported by Mr. Rickards; Fred; Graham anil Nellie Dent, who will return to ; 'Ncw, Zealand with a number of new sketches; and another sensational English act will bo; included in the company, which promises to compare with the strongest that.Mr. Rickards has yet organised for New Zealand. Mr. Allan Hamilton will travel with tho company, and personally direct, the-tour, . ( -

Cho'Czar's Ballet. - For the second time the Czar has allowed his Imperial ballot to visit Berlin. .Ballet dancing has not boon much in favour in the Gorman metropolis of late years;. it has shared tho fato of tho old-fashioned operas with which it was.chiefly associated. But this Russian ballct.is a very different thing from tho usual operatic tiptoo dancing. August Spanuth grows quite eloquent in describing its charms, for the Teaders of tbo "Staats' Zerrang." Tho girls and youths engaged for-this ballet havo to go through a sovero course of- training, lasting several years! They aro taught a rhythmic precision of which ordinary dancers havo not tho remotest conception'; they pay, attention to tho.slightest accents in the music;'the least member of tho corps .'does things that 0110 ordinarily expects only of famous solo dancers. Ballot dancing like this hns never been seen in America, Mr. Spanuth declares, and ho thinks that a manager who engaged this company, for America would make a fortune. In' Berlin top-notch : prices are charged, yet people have to r be turned away at the door, the tickets, being all sold in advance of each performance. It is not likely, howover, that tho Czar would allow his favourite dancors to leave him long enough to cross ■ tho Atlantic. ■..•',.- ■ . -

Managers and Stars. V : I am a great believer in "stars," becauso I am a great beliover in individuality. I don't behevo any manager living ever made a- "star." I read all abput tho managers who havo made actors and actresses, and this, is the real fun and enjoyment I get put of my reading; it is liko reading a funny paper. . An actor or ah actress is mado by tho audience. Tho manager does not watch tho actress's methods,' but watches tho methods , of tho audience when an electric actor is on. the. stago; ho then sees his chance. and takes it. That actor will go along. What theso aotors with individuality, electricity,. and charm really-do is to make the manager. "That is tho funny part of it: .and some of-the managers don't know ;it. I do.—Charles Frohman. NOtOS. .'.-..- ■■ /.;-■•■ Walter Bentley will, in all probability, open a Now Zealand tour in January next, imdor the management of Allan Hamilton. Tho repertoire will -include-, "Hamlet," "The Bolls," "David Garriok," and- "Rob Roy." ; Julius Knight Company is duo to'arrive.-', at. Auckland from Sydney to-morrow. Tlio Wellington season extends from October 25 to November 13. •".■'. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Vcrnon ,(Miss.Vinia do lLoitte) aro at present in London. . They intend returning to Now Zealand almost immediately. . , ■ ' Mr. Bland Holt has secured, tho rights of tho latest-Drury Lano drama, "Tho Marriages of Mayfair." Tho sensation—a Loyo drama with one would-be "Hamlet" without tho Prince—is au avalanche in Switzerland. The- drama was a big success in London. Mr. G. P. Huntley writes to Sydney con. corning the "probability" that ho may again tour Australia, "if possible next year." Tho comedian was immensely admired here whon ho played in "Three Littlo Maids," "Kitty Grey," nnd "Tho Girl from Kays"' with Delia Mason, Madge Crichton, Maurice Farkoa, and. others,, of the original east. Many people expected too much, ami were consequently disappointed in the very "average" display made by tho London crowd; but all united in joyously .hailing G.. P. TTHiitloy as.a.star. ■ It is probable that Mr.'Huntlev lias been confabulating in London with J. C. .Williamson ; but, to quote "Tha Rivals, "-

ho is "ns ■ silent as a coach-horso" on tho point. However, this may prove to ho ono of tho many'pieces of news which Mr. Williamson will bring back with him to Sydney. Towards tho end of September tho "Flag .Lieutenant" Company return to Sydney from Melbourne, and it is,' therefore, "of interest to learn that thero is a prospect that "A Village. Priest" will be revived. "In this way Mr. G. S. Tithcradge, exchanging an admiral's cabin for a v flower-encircled presbytery, will rcsumo ono of the characters in which lio was famous with .tho BroughUoucicault Company. _' , .. It is also notified that the J. C. Williamson management has re-engaged Mr. Andrew M'Cunn, who proved bis mottlo as conductor of tho Royal Comic Opera Company hero somo time back. This musician's last appearance was during tho. run of "Tho Dairymaids" in 11)07. Miss Gertrudo Boswell has returned to Australia. As a child-actress Miss Bosswel) was the original Stephanus when "Tho Sign of the Cross" first saw.. tho light at St. Louis, U.S.A., in 1895, and she subsequently mado a bit in the part with tho lato Wilson Barrett's Company all over the world, visiting Australia in 1901. During her stay here, this artist married Mr. George H. Smith, for many years tho manager of tho Wilson Barrett combination, and at present manager of the' "Jack and Jill" Pantomime Company, now playing at tho Opera Honso. Quito lately Miss Boswell has been appearing in England as; "Sunday," and published accounts still testify to her talents as an artist.