THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 58, 1 December 1917, Page 13

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.). "Caste." It inspired one with the feeling that wo are going to meet with a very dear old friend when Mr. Cyril Maude informed mo that it was his intention to revive "Caste" in Wellington. It is a far cry now to tho days of Tom Robertson's plays, when wo shaped our sentimentalise and perhaps our ideas of humour in tho spirit of tho Robortsonian comedies —"Caste," "School," "Ours," "Home," "Society," "David Garrick," etc. And tho best of these is "Caste." What will bo most interesting in connection with the revival is that the costumes to be worn ' will bo those of the Robcrtsonian (midVictorian) period. It is a long time sinco "Caste" was played in Wellington. I fancy it was last done by amateurs, with Mr. W. P. Bastin as Ecoles. Tho Brough and Boucicault Company mado a feature of tho performance, with G. W. Anson as Eccles, and Robert Brough as Sam Gerridgo. Later "Dot" Boucicault played tho rascally old toper, but did not approach the Anson standard. Charles Holloway also played Ecclos in. "Caste" with his own company, Miss Constance Deorwyn (Mrs. Richard Stewart) being the Esther Eccles, and Miss Alice Deorwyn (Mrs. Charles Holloway) the Polly, and Richard Stewart tho Captain Hawtroy. On this occasion Mr. Maude will be tho Eccles—he is celebrated in. the part —Miss Dorothy dimming will be Esther, Miss Betty Murray, Polly; Miss Stella Payter. the Marquise do St. Maur; Mr. H. Ranson, Hon. Geo. D'Alroy; Mr. Frank Elliott, Captain Hawtrey; and Mr. Stephen Scanlan, Garridge. More Amei'ioan Comedy. On Saturday evening next the J, and N. Tait Company is to return to Wellington with a now American comedy by Winchell Smith and Victor Mapcs, entitled "The New Henrietta," which is really an old and successful comedy by Bronson Howard smartened and brought up to date. The "New Henriotta" is really the title of a copper mine, in which a lot of very interesting people are concerned, including a young man with a charming wife, an old man (who does not imagine that the days of romance aro finished ,for him), and a merry widow (who iB out to furnish the romance), and others more or less remotely connected with tho quartet. Trouble is brought to hearth, home, and office through a certain comical confusion arising out of the number of Henriettas there appears to bo in tho world. Tho complication causes comedy and tragedy in palatablo adjustment. The Press spealiß well of the play, in which Mr. Walter P. Richardson gives a fino study of the old bachelor who ought to havo known better. A Career of Successes. Mr. Cyril Maude, the distinguished actor now with us, was 55 years of ago on April 27 last. After being educated at the Charterhouse School ho commenced a training for the stage under Miss Rose Le Thiero and Mr. Chas. Cartwright. The same year his health broke down, and he went to Canada, where he took up agricultural pursuits. But, predestined for the stage, he soon forsook, the plough for the grease-paint, joining; Daniel BandI manu's Company at Denver in 1884. ' After touring the States for a couple of years, ho returned to England, and jn- 1887 scored his first success in "Racing." Later he joined Sir. Charles Wynduam for a season of old English comedy, and here; it might be interpblated, Mr. Maude carries .with him that air of breeding which is peculiarly essential in the performance of plays sutfh as "The School for Scandal," "T.he Rivals," ''The Critic," "She Stoops to Conquer," "David Garrick,'' etc. : , and is considered the finest exponent t/f loading characters in those playit, beting the legitimate successor to Sir Charlies Wyndham. The 'ninctces saw him leading man in London-with Miss' Winifred; Emery as leading lady, producing sjuch plays as "Sowing the Wind," "Frou Frou," "The New Woman,' 0 "The Prude's Progress," and "The Benefit of the Doubt." From 189b' to 1905 he was co-manager with Frederick Harrison of the Haymarket, whore sv.lch world successes as "Under the Red Robe," "A Marriage of Convenience," "The Little Minister," "The Manoeuvres of Jane," "Tho Black Tulip," "The Second in Command," '?'Cousin Kato," were produced. His later successes included "Beauty and the Barge" (in which he was the original Captain Barley), "The Flag Lieutenant," "Toddles," and last,.but certainly not least, "Grumpy." "The Messiah." Handel's masterpiece, which is to bo given in 'the Town Hall on Wednesday, December .19, by tho Royal Choral Union, was written when the composer had reach (xl the mature ago of 56, and while ho 'was etriviug with shattered' health but' unflinching courage to cxtricato himscuf from the ruin entailed by a contest -With the English nobility in reioronco ilo tho Italian opera. The work was undertaken in the prospect of visiting XrcQimd by Vice-Regal invitation, and iih order, as ho states in one of his IcttMrs, "to offer to the Irish, that genifrc|us and polito nation, something ne\V.'° The time occupied in its composition has been ascertained from llio inseri'il'fcion, mi his own handwriting, on tho manuscript:—"Commenced on August ii; end of tho first part on August 2|i; end of second part on September 6*; end of third part on Sep. tenner 12, 1741; filled up* (or orcheson September 14." Thus in tho wonclorlfnlly brief period of twentythree days 'the sublime work, which may truly ho s4;id to have passed into immorinlilv, was begun and ended.. Accepting tho invitation referred to, Handel arrived in Dublin on November 18, 1741, and lifter establishing his reputation by a most successful series of subscription, concords, "The Messiah was hoard for the first timo on April 13, 17.12, ami whin Announced as "M' - - Handel's new ((rand sacred oratorio." Notes. Misclm I'ilman, the Russian violinist, is touring the United States from coast to const. Messrs. J. and N. Tail's Christmas n Hi-action !in. Sydney will be "Tho Now Henrietta," which is to bo produced here on Saturday evoning next. Tho latest, mail brings news of the death of W'.r. William Havilaud, an actor who i'u his timo occupied a prominent position on tho London stage. Born at Bristol in 18C0, bo joined Henry Irving's company at tho 'liyccum in lilß2, remaining there, as a valued member, during tho_ following thirteen years. As Dr. Zimmer, in "The Bells' 'as Count St. Valercy in "Tho Dead Heart," as tho Fool in "King Lear,"' mid other responsible chnraclors, hei contrived successfully to impress his personality upon the public, and to -establish himself firmly in its favour. Later ho toured South Africa, as Hamlet, Shylock, Claude iMclnotto, etc., and on his return to thin country wan selected by ForbcsRnbcrlson to play lago in a rovival of "Othello." During the subsequent ton years ho was constantly in employment under the Various managements of Sir Herbert Trep, B. and F. Wheeler, who induced him to pay a fourth starring visit to South Africa, and Mr. j Lewis Waller, his last appearance in the West End taking place in the production of Ibsen's "The Pretenders" at tho Haymarket. (