THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 52, 24 November 1917, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

Tlio Professional Orchestra. Tho Wellington Professional Orchestra's past season has been tho most successful up-to-date. To mark tho closing of tho season an extra concert will bo given, at His Majesty's Theatre to-morrow evening, when a special programme, of mostly operatic music will bo presented. It will include the "Madame Butterfly" and "Carmen" fantasias, the sestette from "Lucia di Lammcrmoor," and the "Hymn to tho Sun" from Mascngni's opera "Iris," which is not known in New Zealand. The "Endure to Conquer" overture of Baynes, tho famous "Million" gavotte, and "The Little Leaden Soldiers" (Pierno) will also ho played. Mr. H. Mosckini will conduct.

Madame Elsie Davies. Madaino Elsie Davies, now giving a series of concerts in Australia, made a high place for herself .during her extended visit to tho United Kingdom and tho Continent. Writing of a concert given in Dublin, tho "Irish News" said: "Tho artists were Madame Kirkby Lunn, Mr. Ben and Madame Elsio Davies. Tho crowning success of the evening was undoubtedly achieved by Madame Elsio Davies, an Australian Eoprano, who has been enthusiastically received in London. Her voice possosses a sweetness and purity rarely found on tho concert platform, and sho has also a genuine artistic perception which mado her rendering of the various airs really beautiful." It is twelve years since this prima donna left Austialia for England. Her last appearanoe prior to her departure- was in "The Messiah," where sho appeared with such artists as Ada Crossley and W. A. Peterkin. Madame Davies is at the very zenith of her career, and will make her first only appearance in Now Zealand with tho Choral Union in "The Messiah" on Wednesday, December 19.

The "Grumpy" Tour. Tlio Now Zealand tour of Mr. Cyril Maude (in "Grumpy") will be as follows: —Wellington, November 27 to December 6; Hastings, December 7; Napier, December 8; Gisborne, December 11 and 12; Auckland, December 14 to 22; Ohristchurcli, December 26 to January 5; Duuedin, January 7 to 12; Tiniani, January 14 and 15; Masterton, January 17; Palinerston North, January 18; Wanganui, January 19 and 20; Hawera, January 22; Hamilton, January. 24. The last-named town was included in the tour as it is Mr. Maude's desire to spend a week at Rotorua before leaving New Zealand i'or America. Ho is taking the company complete to America, including tho Australian members, Dorothy 'Gumming (who came from . America with Mr.. Maude after being there a few months), Stella Paytor, and Harry Sweeney. It is understood that the company will open in New York in the new play, "Lord Robert in the Pantry,"

"Tho New Henrietta." On Saturday last 1 .mentioned that tho J. and N. Tait Company, which made so favourable- an impression hero in "Turn to the Right," was to return to Wellington shortly and play "Win.cbell Smith's comedy, "The New Henrietta." Since then the date of the company's return has been changed. Instead of opening on Thursday, December 6, tha season will begin on Saturday, December 8.

"A Pair of Silk Stockings." Tho next production of Miss Mario Tempest and Mr. Graham Browne at tho Theatre -lloyal; Mulbourno, "A Pair of Silk-Stockings,"-is a piquant comedy by Cyril Harcotirt, which has had an immense success in England and America. Captain Bagnall, returning unexpectedly at night, climbs through tho window into tho guest room! ho has been occupying. Them lie finds Molly Thornhill, whom he had wooed before her marriage to Sam Thornhill, in his bed. They hear a noise in tlio wardrobe, and drag a muffled figuro out. They do not know that it is Sam Tliornhill, disguised, who has sought this means to got an interview with Molly, his divorced wife, hoping to explain away their difncultios. Bagnall tics the supposed burglar up with curtain cords and Molly's silk stockings; and this is where "tho plot thickens"! "A Pair of Silk Stockings" has fine comedy situations for Miss and Mr. Browne, as well as tho supporting cast. Miss Muriel Starr. Miss Muriel Starr, the Amorican actress, who was here with "Within the Law," will open in Melbourno at Christinas in tho new fanciful melodrama "Tho Bird of Paradise," a play with a Hawaiian setting. It is understood that Miss Starr will also figure wliilo in- Australia in "The Man Who Camo Back" and Veilleur's ■ newest play, "Tho Thirteenth Chair." Mr. Georgo Barnum, tho producer, and Air. Jack Hackell, who are concerned in tho production of "Tlio Bing Boys aro Here," will come over by tho same uoat as Miss Starr.

"Quirmejy's." Of the performance of Horace Vachell's comedy "Quinney's" at the Sydney Playhouso by the Tait Company tho "Sunday Times" says:— "As the principal character, Quinney, Mr. Gregan M'Mahou offers a lesson to most actors in tho matters of restraint and concentrated effect. Ho gives a character sketch which is equally as perfect as Cyril Maude's sketch of Grumpy. Ho lives the part from beginning to end, without ever losing his grip of the situations or allowing his own personality to show through. Another clover pieco of character acting is that of Mr. Cecil Brooking as Mr. Sam Tomlin, a rival dealer in antiques. Mr. Brooking introduces several fine littlo touches into his work, and never loses an opportunity to score a point. Miss Tien Hdgue, as Posy I Quinney, is a distinct success. She is pretty and girlish and ingenue, the three qualities demanded of her; aud, what is more, sho_ adds a decided touch of personality which makes her conception of tho part of Posy fomcthing quite out of tho ordinary. Miss Dons Gilham, as Mrs. Quinnoy, and Miss Betty M'Millan, .is Quinnoy's typist, aro both well suited in their rpspectito parts. Mr. Cyril Mackay looks and acts the part of Posy's sweetheart, James Meggitt, with distinction and absolute caso of manner throughout. Mr. Gernld Kay Souper is hardly suited to the part of Cyrus P. Hunsnkcr. His manner and his speech aro too essentially English to allow him to inipoivonato with case thn diameter of a citizen of tho United States, 'who uses his homo-town twang to.the extent Cyrus P. does." Notes. Thoso who remember tho fino performanco of tlio lato Mr. Robert Brnugh as Captain Barley in "Beauty and the Bari<o" will bo interested to learn that Mr. Cyril Maudo originated tho role in London. "Seven Days' Leave" is running successfully at tho Opera Houso in Sydney, and, according to advices, is- likely to do so, uptill the time "Robinson Crusoo" and his man Friday talco poswhen tho Allan AVilkfo Company will move over to Princess Theatre, Melbourne, with tho new drama.