THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

The World's a theatre; the Lavth a stage.—Ueywood. (Br SrLviua.l A £10,000 House. Tho Coronation command performance of "Money" at Drur.v Lane, London, was a great success in every way, and rcllecled infinite credit on all concerned, especially on .Mr. Arthur Collins, the manager, who was sent for by the King during the show. The value of the house, according to .Mr. Collins, was precisely and exactly .£10,021, which is, of course, wonderful, even at the large prices charged. The expenses were also licavv, naturally, but after I hey nad been paid, tho balance v.ill go to a charity to be named by the Kins. Great care was taken as to the identity of all purchasers of seats for the performance, and Scotland Yard was in possession ol particulars of each member of the audience present on the occasiou. One lady who ilid not discloso her identity ottered one of the libraries np to .frtOO for one of the boxes right nt the top of the theatreShe could not be supplied. ' That master of spectacular stage-craft, Mr. Arthur Collins (says the London "Era"), had employed all his art and experience in preparing the theatro for the Royal visit; and Drury Lane in gala dress was a delight indeed. For the reception of tho Royalties tho walls of the vestibulo were hung with a cool shade of green, and at the ceiling was trellis work from which fell long trails of smilas. Tall palms stood ever the mirrors, iiud around the hall were crimson rambler roses, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and marguerites. The liotnnda was pretti.ly • festooned with flowers,, throwing into relief the statues, and the King s staircase was carpeted in the prevailing blue lavender,- adorned with some fine panels of tapestry, roses, aud carnations. Tho corridors leading to the Royal Box, which occupied' most of the grand circle, were hung with moire antique in a purplish shade. In the centre was the Hoyal Arms, and tho outside of the box was draped with curtains of crmino lined with red velvet. The edge of tho circle was covered with white velvet. The theatro was profusely decorated with flowers from rich red to palo pink, with a background of cornflower blue. Among the tiers wero festoons of deep red buds among green leaves, and the proscenium was draped with, carnations and laurel. From llio ceiling hung red flowers, encircling a globe of.red of diminishing depth, which faded away into a very delicate pink. The floor was carpeted in dee]) blue lavender, and the stalls were of white and gold. Tho appearance of the auditorium'when the house was full of fashion-alily-drosfed people was dazzling and yet artistic. On their arrival at tho theatre the King and Queen, the Kaiser and Kaisei'in, were received by Mr. Collins, and ushered by him through the Rotunda to the foot of tho Kins'?. staircase, whore Queen Mary and tho Empress were presented with bouquets of pink carnations set in holders of gold. Tho company t.lien proceeded to tho Royal box, tho German Emperor with Queen Mary, and King George escorting the German Empress. The orchestra, under Mr. .Tames Glover's batou, broke into the National Anthem as tho old-fashioned green baizo curtain was drawn lip, and revealed a new and singularly appropriate act-drop depicting the friindsliin of King and Kaiser, Germany 'and England.

Hoskins and Irving. Sinco his arrival in .Australia, Mr. It. B. Irving Las mot few old actors who played n'itli his father's first friend and early patron, William HoskinS. The .late .Mr. HoSkins was a highly-cultured actor, a Cambridge man, and one of tho leading members of tho famous Shakespeare company that Sampel Phelps gathered around him at Sadler's Veils. To .Hcskins c-ii 1110 the stage-struck youth afterwards known as Sir Henry Irving. Hoskins took a fancy to the .voting- fellow, and gave him his first lesson in tho actor's -.art. .In 1856 Hoskins was engaged for a starring tour in Australia, and offered to take young Irving with him. That offer being declined. Hoskins, on the eve of sailing,- handed his friend a letter of introduction to tho manager of the Lyceum Theatre, Sunderland, and there Henry Irving made his debut. Hoskins practically settled down in Australia and New Zealand, and at one time was a prime favourite in Wellington, where he performed at tlio existing Theatre Royal. At times lie uas assisted by local amateurs (who in thoso days set a standard of artistic excellence beyond that which our present amateurs seem capable of achieving). Among those in Wellington who acted with William Hoskins. and who cherish very pleasant recollections «f that association, are Messrs. J. Clarl;. H. Xicliolls (secretary of the. Wellington Harbour Boardl. and T. E. Read, formerly a very fino elocutionist. Clarke and Moynell's Ventures. Tho advanco booking for the first, night of tho Ethel Irving season in Melbourne constituted a record, exceeding oven that of the Asche-Brayton Company. When tho ordinary box plan was opened, every remaining seat—and there were not many —was suapped up, tho whole of tho dress circle and stalls being taken. Tho opening piece on July 8 was "Tho Witness for thq Defence," which Clarke and Meynell consider an appropriate play for Miss Irving and her London company to open in. being her latest' and greatest success. It ran for 100 nights at tho St. James Theatro prior to ths departure of the company for Australia.

"A l'coi There Was," described as "the great vampire play," followed "The Woman in the Case" at the Theatre ltoyal, Melbourne, and scored heavily.' It is said to bo one- of the most remarkable' plays that ever amazed an audience. Hugh 15uckler. niado a bis success as tlio husband, 1 and Miss Mabel Trevor, the English actress, achieved quite a triumph as the vampire woman—the part taken in tlio English and American production by Miss Katherine Kaelred, who was known out hero as Miss Elbert Orton when she appeared iii leading roles with Mr. Julius Knight-'* : "Tho Gay Gordons" Company will bo tho uext attraction which Ciarko and Meyncll will bo sending to New Zealand. This is the biggest musical company ever brought to Australasia, the imported principals totalling eighteen, iu addition to whom a number of show girls arc included. "The Gay Gordons" is by Seymour llicks, and tho piece is well known to playgoers in this part of tlis woriii by the fa'ct that it. ran for thousands of nights in England, and is still being toured.

A Prize Opera. Horatio W. Parker, Professor of Music lit Ynlo "University, and Aryan Hooker, or I'arnrington. Conn., formerly of tlio faculty of llic same institution, were declared winners in the Metropolitan grand opera ooutcit to-day by the jury—George W. Chndwick. Charlei M. LoelHer, Alfred llerlz, and Walter Ibmrosch. Tim opera in English is entitled "Mono." Tlio scencs are laid in tli < days of Roman rule in Urilain. There are three acts, which call for the services of eight principals and a chorus. In addition to winning the cash prize of 10,0011 dollars, the composer and librettist will have thoir work produced at the Metropolitan Opera llousa next season. This honour is the most important that lias ever come to Americans, and the vote of the jury was unanimous. Of the 23 other scores submitted, 11 were declared to be of sound worth and to indicate much for the future of American composers and librettists in serious opera. Mclba and Her Uonductor, At the Covcnt Garden Opera gala night, during Coronation week, when the boxes were 100 guineas, the stalls '111 guineas, and the lowest seat' in ilic gallery four guineas, Madame Mclba sang the balcony scene from "Koiuco and .luilet*. ' Writing to J. C. Williamson, she slated that she had agreed to appear. The diva also mentioned that she_ had the honour of being received by King George at Cnvenl' Garden u few nights before, "when (she slated) his .Majesty very graciously and kindly congratulated me, and asked many questions about Australians whom he had met when in the Commonwealth as Duke of York." For this particular nHit "La Traviat'a". had ben announced, but his Majesty sent, to Madame Melba and asked it she would sing Miini in "I,a ISohome." This she readily did, and the opera was accordingly changed at the last moment. It lias since been cabled that

the lviiiß set aside a -0:11" in Hie Royal box lor ilie 11 iva al Drury Lane mi gr.la night, anil nl.-o hail a seal reserved for her in the Abbey lor Ihe Coronation.

Giuseppe Angelini, who lids been engaged as musical director lor Hie Melba Gland Opera Company, recently moral a triumph coniluelini; "Madame Butterlly." According a New Yuri; critic hi:, interpretation showed liini to he a. liuusiru cit" rare ability, ami a nnn who could accomplish wonders. "lie fully realises' he wrote, "the musical beauties contained in Puccini's workmanship, it's cleverne-s and craft, and he, with very mnniiosf intuition, di-i-loscd all those delightful pni Ills lo the ear." Sigiior Angelini is now on his way lo Australia, via Vancouver. Notes. ■Messrs. Plinimcr and llennistnn's pro. duct ion of "Nobody's llautihler" was witnessed by .')tui |irol'essiai\aU on a recent Thursday afternoon in .Melbourne. Contrary lo the u..ual rule, il was one of the best, audiences I'l'niin an appreciative standpoint) which has wilne-<-cd the production, and. al Uic full it tlx* curtain, the prolan'iiiMs were overwhelmed with coilßratii 1 iil inn". The company is at present playing "[.overs' l.ane," 'which hail not hilherlo been produced in (ho Victorian capital.

.1. C. Williamson's Pantomime Company playing ".lack anil the Beanstalk" will commence a lour of Now Zealand at Auckland on Monday week (July 21). The Marama, which reached Brisbane on Saturday last, had on hoard Mr. E. T. Ste.vne, who has come out to Australia under engagement to J. C. Williamson in tho capacity of stage producer. As Mr. ■ Stevnc will be chiefly interested in the next panljomime, ho has come out by way of America in order that ho might have an opportunity of seems any likely novelties and effects for that product ion. Sigiior Ciccolirii has been added to (ho list of principal tenors who are to appear with tho Mclba. Grand Opera Company in Australia.