THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2618, 13 November 1915, Page 12

THE THEATRE.

Tho World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—Heywood. [Bi Sylvius,] Christmas Attractions. According to the latest advices, the Williamson firm is sending two companies to Now Zealand at Christmas. The company due to open in Wellington on or about Boxing Night wfll lie the dramatic company headed by Miss Muriel Stan', last here with tho American play, "Within the Lair." Since then Miss Starr has endorsed tho good impression she made in a round of now parts, notably in "Bought and Paid For," "Madame X," "Under Cover," and "Nobody's Widow," some of which plays we may expect to see during the approaching festive season. Supporting Miss Starr in a leading capacity iB Mr. Charles Milward, who was here with "The Argyle Case" last year. Someone asked Muriel Starr, who is now making her farewell appearances in Melbourne, what she thought of Australian audiences. The actress's reply was characteristically modest: "I think they must bo wonderfully patient and good-natured to have put up with me for over two and a half years. But, candidly," added Miss Starr, "Australian playgoers are wonderfully sympathetic towards the people of the stage. In no other country, as far as I can see, is there such a feeling of intimacy between the people on the stage and those in front. It is this_ sympathetic bond, that is noted by visiting artists, that gives such encouragement to us, and makes it easy to give one's best in the most trying roles. Encouragement and applause are tho life and soul of the artist, aiid playgoers in lia are unsparing cl both. Believe me, I leave thiß country with, the deepest regret, and I guess I shall feel reai homesick for it before I "have gone very far on my way to New York."^ In Aucldand the Royal Comic Opera Company is to inaugurate a tour of New Zealand, playing a repertoiro of old favourite operas and musical comedies. One of those "Tho Dancing Mistress ; "> we have not seen. Others that may figure in the repertoire aro "Tho Quaker Girl," "Paul Jones," and "Tho Old! Guard." The company at present includes Misses Florence Young, Gladys Moncrieff, Ethel Badrnan, Ethel Momson, Minnie Love, Connie Milne, Alice Bennett, and Addie Len.iard, Messrs. Phil Smith, Leslie Holland, Claude Bantock, Alfred Andrews, Derek Hudson, Harry Burgess, and John Robston. Booked! Tho manager looked patronisinglyat the young man who had been begging for an interview on an important matter. , . "Well," said the theatrioal arbiter, with that finesse for which his guild is famous, "what do you want?" "Your 1 attention 'for jusfc_ a few moments. I have here a play which " "What's the subject?" "I'd like to read, the piece to yon. for I touch "upon some unconventional phases of human nature in a novel way. and I'm afraid that unless I explained as I went along you might not——" "What's tho subject?" roared the manager. , "Well," began the author, "a- crook kills a man and the girl who loves the murderer is helped by the detective to save " • . "Great," came the fortissimo shout frotn the listener, and down came his feet from' the desk. "I'll take- your play. Sign this contract. Have a cigar. Need any money in advance P" "Hypocrites." "Hypocrites" is the title cf what is said to be ono of tho most startling revolationist pictures that have beon brought to the colonies, and is now showing in Sydney. It is the spirit of truth—a undo female, filmily veiled, walking through the land, exposing the hypocrisy that is practised every day and all day—tho common every-minute hypocrisies that are so conventional that wo have grown not to regard them as hypocrisies at all —the hypocrites of •society, tho hypocritical modesty of the latter-day girl; the Christian business man a pillar of the church on Sundays, and who lies, oppresses, and cheats at his business all tlie week; the hypocrites of tho political arena. Some objection has been taken to the picture on account of Truth's aggressivo nakedness, which is perhaps only another little hypoorisy. Notes. Lilian De Venny, the English principal boy, who will make her first Australian appearance in Melbourne in "Mother Goose," is oredited with being the only lady motorist in England who has won racing honours 011 the track at Brooklands. She is a daring and fearless motorist, whose dainty attractiveness and ilender form give little indication of tho. possession of qualities essential in such a dangerous form of sport as motor raoing. Miss De Venny is bringing a sixty horse-power racing car witli her to Australia.

Mr. Augustus Thomas, the author of "Arizona," and other excellent plays, has been appointed art director for the Charles Froliman management in New York. This, says one paper, is the first admission that Frohman was his own nrt director, which" 1 fact adds to his prestige as one of the greatest managera the stage has known in recent times.

American papers to hand by the last mail record the retirement from the stage of Miss Julia Marlowe, who for some years was appearing as co-star witli Mr. E. H. Sothern. Miss Marlowe ranked among the foremost of America's serious actresses. 1

The Modern Amusements Co., of which Mr. Hugh D. M'lntosh is.governing director, has secured tho services of Mr. Julius Knight for a dramatic season, that commenced at Adelaide on October 30. He was to open in "The Silver King," with Mr. Robert Greog and Beatrioo Holloway, in support. Tho' latter couple have just" returned from South Africa.

It was when Miss Maud Fane (Mrs. Edgar Warwick) was in Now Zealand with the Court Cards that she camo under ono of tho many eyes of tho Firm. "Johnny" Fnrrell, the advance manager- of many Williamson shows, saw her, and was so wondrous pleased that he wrote over to his firm, telling them what a smart young lady Miss Fn.no was, how nico she looked, and what a fine voice she had, Then Mr. Hugh D.' M'lntosh llapponod to meet the Cards in Auckland, and a first-phrt Tivoli engagfaneiit resulted. Now Mrs. Warwick is to bo the. company's principal girl in next month's "Mother Goo-se" pantomime. On what little things our lifo movements depend.