THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1467, 15 June 1912, Page 8

THE THEATRE.

(Bi SiLviua.)

Tho World's a theatro; the Earth a stage.—Heyirood.

"Mr. Plaster, of Paris," "F.ii'o without laughter is like a niachino without oil," is ono of tho lines whieli head the posters announcing the arrival in Wellington of "Mr. Master, of Paris." Life would certainly be n creaking, boresome thing, and the end would not perhaps be altogether unwclcomo if life were robbed of the sunshine of laughter. .Messrs. lteg. AVykeliam and Kddie Nable, whu intrciducu

"Mr. Plaster ,of Paris," pay tlmt there is laughter in tho iiiecc. In fact, ttisy ro as far as to state (whilst crosj-ing (heir liearts) that he or she who cannot laugh at tho vagaries ef "llr. Waster, ol" Paris, should have their case looked into. Sonic'folk visit the theatre obsessed with the gloomy thought that we are all a, set of hopeless sinners. His with a «i»h of rare relief that onto .more wn shall go tu tho theatro and laugh! We do not need to analyse-we do not need In work out the problem of a eow. ml that wo havo to do is to laugh. t And. when we come out, wo shall feel we re not such a bad lot of fellows after all "Mr. Plaster, of Paris," and '"lho Hello of Ncwtown," which are Messrs. \VyKeham and Nable's opening plays, do not attempt to preach. Their sole and only mission is to create laughter. Jlr. Piaster" comes to us on Monday.

"The Divine Sarah" as Queen Elizabeth. When Sarah Bernhardt visitwl Sydney with a splendid group of artists in 1591 (says the "Svdiicv Morning Herald ) her repertoire included a somewhat tanio spectacular drama, entitled "Cleopatra, by Sardou and Emilo Moreau. After more than 20 years tho latter has secured tho acceptance of his now play, "Elizabeth Koine d'-Viigleterre." The great actress produced it on April 12 in Paris at her own theatre, "rising in it to extraordinary heights of passion nud patriotic fervour/ The French critics, in spite of this display, found tho new piece drily historical. The play is described as finely acted, but tho artists' names are unfamiliar. Headers on this side may like to know that Mile. Seylor, the diva's second secretary, friend, and companion, who played small parts in Sydney, had a minor role as Lady Kiifsell. 'in a beautiful opening scene Elizabeth is with her army on (he clih.s at Plymouth, awaiting the issue of Drake s battle with the Spanish Armada, and when he rushes forward begrimed with powder to announce a victory, she dismisses James I, King of Scotland, and declines tho offer of his army. Tho second act, on tho terrace at the Palaco of liichuiond, slwws Elizabeth twelve years later, aged G7, but mightily in love with the fascinating Earl of Es-sex, and in conversation with Shakespeare. E=sex is surprised by the Queen making love to the youthful Lady Howard, and is so bitterly insulted by Elizabeth that lie draws his sword upon her, and is sent to the Tower. Then the story of the ring is brought in. It never reaches tho Queen, because Lady Howard's jealous husband intercepts it. Kssex dies; and the last act shows Elizabeth on her death-bed, the tableau realis-

ing Paul Delaroche's famous picture, and generally resembling the scene in Giaconictti's 'drama, first staged in Sydney by Eistori, anil last by Nanco O'Neill. 'Whether Bernhardt 'herself will bo seen in her new character here (luring n second tour of Australia is uncertain; the only chance arising from her incessant need for great sums of money, and her marvellous vitality, last year she toured America from New York to San Francisco for 35 weeks, under the personal management of a Mr. O'Connor, played three matinees a week, and studied and produced two new pieces —Maeterlinck's "Sister Beatrice" and Bisson's "Madame X." Her share in the receipts-is quoted at 750,000 dollars. j . A New Comedian.

Mr. Harry Corson Clarke, an American comedian of note, has signed a contract

with the J. 6. Williamson management to remain in Australia for tho farce comwedy season, beginning at the Criterion Theatre in August with "Gct-Rich-

Quick Wallingford." The visitor's wife-, who is well known to tho New York stage, as Margaret Dale Owen, has also been' engaged. Both set out from "the States" a few months ago on a world's pleasure tour. At Honolulu they were induced to play a comedy season, and, in tho phrasing of their country, "cleaned up a lot of money." Determining to resume their leisurely tour, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke came on to Sydney, intending to go on to the East. Mr. lluglv .T. Ward, however, entered into negotiations with them, with the jresult stated. Mr. Clarko was for many years a well-known "stock" manager, visiting periodically Denver, Colorado, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and other towns on the Pacific Slope. One of his records is learning and playing 250 of tho longest parts written in the same number of consecutive weeks. This was before 1693, when Mr. Clarke was a young man. He was in management before he wr twenty. At fourteen ho was a programme agent, and before he was six months old he had made his first appearance on the stage. He was carried on as,, the baby in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Eliza made her escape across the ice with him. His mother, who was Topsy in the original

production of the old piny, was appearing ns Aunt Chloo at this time. Tho wily is still on the stage, though over 70. This is her 51st year as an actress. "Sho won't give the theatre up," says the son. T rorn stock Mr. Clarko went on to New lork, and increased the number of his roles to 125 altogether. One of his biggest hits was as Jones in tho first Broadway, production of "What Happened to Jones. He was also the original cook lady in "Why Smith Left Home," another of Broadhurst's comedies. Mr. Cyril Mackay's "Descent." Judging by the discussion in theatrical circles tliero is a social scale for tho various forms of theatrical entertainment. Quite recently a critic commiserated with Mr. Cyril Maclcay upon "falling from his lofty estate. The Miltoninn expression was b'rought forth because Mr. I Mackay recently left tho J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management to become leading man in Mr. William Andersoa's dramatic organisation. Here are Mr. Mackay's own ideas on the subject:—"To some extent it may be a matter of opinion. A lover of musical comedy or of moblem plays might contend that I had made a downward step, and I am not going to argue, believing as I do that I know my own business best. Since I have been in Australia I have played in 'The Silver King' with such stars "at George Titlicradge, Waller Bentley, Henry Ivolkcr, Harry Pliminer, and William Desmond, and if it is ciood enough for such renowned players to appear in melodrama it is good enough for me to graduate in the same line of business. Practically all my schooling in Australia has been dramatic. It is just six years ago since I first appeared in "3'ho 'Squaw Man,' tho line American drama, which was followed by 'The Virginian,' 'The Christian,' 'Under Two Flags,' 'The Cheat,' 7,ira,' 'Camille,' 'Sherlock Holmes,' 'The Village I'riesl,' and many

There is a good deal of nonsense written jihout tho subject. A few years ngo the clitics held up their hands in horror at tho suggestion of some of tho world's greatest players appearing on the vaudeville stage, but who finds fault with that to-dny? Wlien Sarah Bernhardt first announced her appearance on the halls tho 'press of London and elsewhere united in deprecatory surprise. To-day not a newspaper but lauds tbo movement. Similarly with Airs. I'atrick Campbell, Seymour Hicks,' Ellalinc Terrisi T,iiy Lmislry, and Deerbohni Tree. All of them lmvo 'descemliiil* from tho highest piano of dramatic art to tho music-hall stage. Whoiv Seymour Hicks 'descended' his .answer to those who brolto into regretful wails v.ns this: 'I felt tho step would bring me iuto touch with a really vast public, which could not ufl'ord to see me and those ass-o-cialed with me play at the exclusive theatres, or theatres which could _only be patronised by the leisured class.'

Ooath of Miss Beryl Fabcr. Those who rcmomber the Jlro'.igli-Bnu-cicault Company in its palmy dnys will regret to learn" of Ihe dealli in London last month of Hiss Beryl Faber, an actress iif distinct charm, who played juvenile leads in the series of comedies produced bv that company, and on her return In rlnglnnd in HIM gainod prumineiil. rank nn tlio London sttiKffnr Mich rulos a* (ieraldine. Ridglcy in I'iiwrn"; "His Hoiiso orict"- mi LaOj Ahnll la "A Butterily

on tlio Wheel." Her last, part w;rs. rtJ (l,c, J.itllo Theatre, in the ro.fnvdy;,. '"linv Blindness of Virtue," wriflMr by her husband, 11 r. Civ-mo llniiiiiton.. M.iss Fnbei- was a daughter of llji', iSniilli., ii)' Itove, and sislcr to llr. Aubrey. HiiviWl, who, before lie guvo his ft'i-ipus .aticutirtii to tho drama, was celebrated ns ii. (la.iybridge cricketer, and one of iiio Ji'ireM. anmtciir bowlers of liis day... Mrs. CiVsimi llaniiltiin shared with her ihiifbn.m! 111.0 authorship of various play.s mul sko.lcjn:>, Wrath y.-.-is (lie result of pi.i:eijimiiih!, J'ivs- - iniluenza. Notes. "Hen Hiir" will be the, i\oxi; tii<r (li'Omalic ailrarliun to tour 3>>\i'. /r. ; ;vlsifi«l, Tlie tour will begin at Auckland: On Jhtfldiiv w.'pk. Thi- Sydney i ; iv,i.. iy:as as Vol-low-i— Kric Maxon' as l!en ; • i.llu.i:-. ■■liaicmi.ri. iiealtv as JW.-w.la. Kaidley '-Puyjivr iis Himoi'iides, Winter Hull as- v VnMi% ,V. Styauas llderim. T.rsiii- V|c!oi: iis Drusiiv,, V Compton as Ocilius, .[. [i, MWhoiul n« Balth.r/.ar. T. J.U.vil as- Jhjjluelv, dtliv J)ix as Ksthcr. (.iweiV i<iii;r.o.i)g!Vs :«■ Sra<, Susie Vaughan as 'of ;Uiii,. (leoraic O'Meara an *Vlhki, ViUiglum as Ainruli. ■ ~ Mr. A. Uramlon-CiTuier -i?J,lfo- iuly-njicp

malinger.for th« AVykcham-.iSfil.iis::Mnsic.iil Comedy C'oinpniiy, which is- |rt .com.llleil.9o a season at. the Opera Mr. C'remcr's lildo tcn-ygarroltloclhiighlcr, professionally known as::.Ba;by,-' pierupi* made quite a sensational Kueccss'.iis:;:J?yhyl in the J. C. AYilliamson .production of "Tlio Blue Bird." '»■/■ .- . Miss Celia. Ghiloni, last Jierf/y.itli tho , Hugh Wa-nl Company, iKpV'imember of the "Sinbad tlie Sailor" Pa'.htpmimp Compniir, shortly to visit Now'.■Zealand. Mrs. Harriet Emma Aschoj.?,m.p.tl!«" of Mr. Oscar Asche, died iii ■..Mplbpuvncv.nn May 31. For many years,..sire.; was' the'proprietress of the Imperial I-pW. AYyityiird Square, Sydney. Shp. was':"} ycai:s of age. ... .