THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

(Br Sxtvros.) The World's' a theatre; the Earth a stage.—Heywood. Tiny Town. The fascinating mystery of life itself is behind tho lure that exists, to a wore or less extent in every freak show, and there is not much doubt that all Wellington will interest itself in the colony of quaint little folk Who are to establish themselves in the Town Hall on Monday evening next. The picture posters and photographs which may be seen ;it every turn in the city give a very good idea of tho physical appearance of these- niites. A feature of the company is that nono of the populaco of Tiny Town arc really "freaks." This may sound paradoxical, but it is true. It simply means that each one, though small, is a. perfect specimen of hunianit}-, about whom nothing is abnormal, except their "tonnngs and displacement," as the marine folk say. Somo of them aro talented, and tho entertainment which they give each afternoon and evening is said to bo extremely amusin?. . ~ Tho "Town" was brought to Australia by a company formed by Mr. Beaumont Sinith, the shareholders of which are reported to have reaped a rich harvest. They come to Now Zealand under arrangement with Mr. Alfred Linley (of this city). The advanco manager is Mr. Alfred Lumsden, who toured New Zealand some years ago as a conjuror under the nom do theatre of Czerny. A Play With a Soul. The next attraction in the sphero of the drama is that by tho Plimmer-Dennis-ton Company, now playing iu Duntdin. It is nearly two years since the combination was in Wellington, and during that long period it has enjoyed seasons of uninterrupted success in the larger Australian cities, where it is recognised, as the successor to tho famous Brough mid Boueicault Company. The first play to be staged during the Wellington season, which commences on September 23, will be Georgn Pnston's charming coiisedydratna "Nobody's Daughter," a play of simple graces, . of, laughter and tears, which carries in its soul an appeal to all classes. "Nobody's Daughter will be played for four nights, Oscar Wilde's brilliant comedy "A Woman of No Importance" thro nights, and "A Village Priest" for two nights. Owing to engagements ahead, the "Wellington season cannot be extended beyond nine nights.

Each U inches high; 21 and 25 years old. Opening at the Town Hall on Monday next.

A Magnificent Failure. • •-. Mr. Oscar•Hainmersr.ein , made a speech at the close of tho season at the London Opera House on Saturday, July 13. ''One of his artists," he said, "'sued him, and he brought his books to tho Court. The books showed the receipts of the establishment during the opera season; they showed that during-the last seven months in which he (the speaker) had produced grand opera his losses had been over «C 45,000. Some two months ago," Mr. Hammerstein went on to say, "I produced a new opera here—'Don Quixote,' Massenet's latest, and one of his most popular creations. The first night the box office receipts showed an income of .£BS. From there it dwindled during the eight performances to the magnificent sum of .£sl. Instead of coming before you wincing nnd whining, I will only tell you there is no cause for it. I knew long before I started here I was to present- grand opera to an operatically absolutely uneducated public. Musically, though, I was convinced that I was coming before a public that deserved all my efforts; but, I repeat, operatically, it is my fault. The love for grand opera must be inherited. It must come from generation to generation. I have a mortgage on this building amounting to some 40 odd thousands of pound?. It is a 'question of how a continuance of an operation of that kind is possible. Any other man would have said good-bye to the city. Do you want this house for music-hall purposes?'' asked Mr. Haminerstw'n. "Why, it would bo a crime. I have tried to solve the problem. I am alone in this. I have not a single soul that is interested to the amount of ono penny in this building or iu tho operatic performances. What am I to do? (A voice: Stick to it!) Again to look disaster and ruin in the face? I am an-enthusiast on this subject—l am a musician, a creator of great and small things, and to withdraw now is to mo an absolute horror. I cannot tell you how much 1 have struggled against it. It is to mo something terrible—the thought.of giving up this beautiful edifice in London and slinkiuj? away almost. I cannot do it. T am going to br-gin again. I will begin again in tho middle of November, and end whdh you don't come again."

Serge Zamaco, tlio singer, secured a judgment against Oscar Hammcrsfcin for salary and damages. Kamaco sued for breach of contract. Mr. Hammerstein's defence stated that the singer, who had not appeared after being hilled, was too nervous to sing. TJin judge 1 nought that tlio manager had made a bad bargain, but mast stick to it. Secret of Success. While in San Francisco recently David Warfield look an interviewer into his confidence. Said the representative American actor:— "If there is any secret in my success it is pM'Son.'ilit.y. It is the secret of all pond acting. Acting is a mystery. ]t can't lie taught, ami it can't be learned. Fine acting produces a certain effect—just as that painting by Corot on the wall over there doe*. Why, no one can explain. Actors will tell you somolimt'S they know how it is done, why a certain cause produces a certain effect. ■ None of them know. It is personality. "What makes great financiers, great painters, great newspapermen? Not the tools with which they work; countless other men work with the same tools in vain. It's the intimate personal touch. CM ■' genius or insanity as you like. I call it the power to endow the particular medium through which you are trying lo express yourself with truth, sincerity, conviction, and sympathy. And even behind all that some other ingredient enters into it—a sixth sense, which it is given to no one to perceive/!

Note;,. Tim brilliant, rnmedy "A Womnn nf No liiimirliinci'," which 'will bo sinned lit Wi'Minglim (luring (lio forlhcomini: l.'lini-innr-OiMiiiislnii wasun, is tho original soureo of epijjraniH which have lnng passed into general use. The comedy gavo birth to'lhc famous dilinilion of fox limiting* as I lip "unspeakable- in full pursuit of" tho uneatable," and ol' women as "KpliiiiNos wit limit secrets." Tho epigrams "The Yon 111 nf America in ils.olil<at tradition," "Nothing sucweds lilcu excess," nml many others. A vein of keen irony pervades tho play. In fact, it is Wildo at his very best. Mr. Tilheradgo, as tho cynical Lord llliiigworth, will bo presented in ono of his greatest achievements. A notnblft innovatioii nt the Manchester Hippmlrnmo (says tho London "Kra") is the introduction of the popular Irish , bnroiint. Sir Ynllenlino Grace, to Uio variety theatre. Ho is appearing in a brilliant one-act comedy, entitled "Mrs. Hilary Hcgrets." This bright little duologue was originally played ivilh great success by Sir Charles Wyndhain and Miss Mary Moore, anil has been a favourite selection from theii repertoire I'or years. On tho present, occasion Sir Valentino is assisted by Miss Hilda Dick.