MR. HUGH J. WARD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 6

MR. HUGH J. WARD.

HEARTY FAREWELL AT AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) March 27. Mr'. Hugh J. Ward, the actor, was enthusiastically farewelled on Saturday night. In a spcech before, the curtain, .lie said hfi was leaving the itselt to join the greatest 7 theatrical firm Aus-. tralasia has ever known.' Mr. J. C. Williamson, the head of the firm, hacl peon fifty years in the business, and for thirtythree years the best known figure in stage life at this end of the world. It was due to Mr. Williamson's great work that the theatrical plane in Australasia had been brought up to its present high standard, a standard he (Mr. Ward) thought could be favourably compared with any in the world. In the immediate future it would lie within his province to assist in keeping up this standard. Mr. Tallis had.recently asked him his opinion about the possibilities of successfully producing "The Blue Bird." the great Haymarket success, in this part of the world, and his reply was that, he did not think any modern theatrical production was too ambitious for the Williamson firm to produce. and in due course "The Blue Bird" would come to New Zealand. (Applause.) Sometimes, continued Mr. Ward, it was a perplexing problem to know what would "go" with the public. In tho opinion of some patrons even a good thing like "A Bachelor's Honeymoon" was "too frothy," but his friends' that evening seemed to •have enjoyed it. (Cheers.) In Sydney he had just-seen "Our Miss, Gibbs," and unquestionably it was one of the finest comic operas ever produced in Australasia. Tho pantomime now showing in .Melbourne was also very' fine, and "The Whip" was another very good thing. On these they would shortly have the opportunity of passing judgment in Auckland, but as he had said it was not always possible to be sure of how plays that had been a success in England or America would take here. Theri was, for instance, his. last classic, ''Glittering Gloria." (Laughter.) ]t was not his fault that it did not go down like some of tho other good filings. He admitted that it had proved to bo one of tho rottcnest things he had ever put 011. l'or himself, he could only thank them and Kfy "Good-bye." Miss Palotta, in his opinion one of the leading light comediennes of the world, would no doubt be pleased to spoilk for herself. Miss Palotta, who was- enthusiastically received,' and the recipient of a number of very fine bouquets, contented herself with -assuring' the audience that ''she loved them all," and amidst another rousing outburst of applause tho curtain was allowed to fall.