MISS ELLEN TERRY'S JUBILEE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 13

MISS ELLEN TERRY'S JUBILEE.

The cable messages have already mentioned the enthusiasm with which Miss Ellen Terry was greeted by the people of London on attaining her jubilee the other day ; but they have given only a faint idea of the remarkable scenes enacted at the three theatres at which Miss Terry appeared. The famous actress, who played Mistress Page in Mr. Tree's production of "Tho Merry Wives of Windsor," at His Majesty's, was received with a cheer like^a "hurricane" by the people, many of whom had waited outside in a queue from 8 o'clock in the morning for this moment. "In the best of spirits, looking as young as. though the fifty years of stage-life were, to come, and had not passed over her head, full of mirth, the incarnate spirit of mischief," writes tho "London Daily Telegraph," "Miss Terry waltzed and skipped and glided over the boards for all the world as though Beatrice were come to life once more. . And Mr. Tree seconded her efforts with all bis might. Indeed with marked self-effacement, ho perpetually made Miss Terry the principal object of the entertainment, knowing well that the idensely-packed house, crowded from basement to ceiling, had come in their thousands to do honour to the incomparable and much-loved actress. Muchbeloved — that _is the only word which can give a faint indication of the attitude of the audience. They hung on Miss Terry's every word ; they applauded every movement of her graceful and resistless form ; they were never weary of calling for her again, and again, whenever the curtain went down. Indeed it was one of the most wonderful nights that have ever been seen in a theatre." After the play there was a kind of epilogue, written by Mr. Louis N. Parker, in which Mr. Tree hailed Miss Terry as — Dear sister-artist, Britain's pride, The genius of her stage personified, Queenlike, pathetic, tragic, tender, merry — 0 rare, O sweet, O woqdrous Ellen Terry ! Miss Terry stood, the representative of pretty bewilderment, protesting that she could find no words to reply, and, in compliance with stage directions, a dove flew down, bearing a document, from which she read her thanks. This speech ran; — 1 want to thank you— all of you— l see Through tear-dimmed eyes, your love envelop roe, Wrap me as 'twere within & shining cloud, And I am 'very humble — very proud — I want tq say — I want to say — alas ! These written words are but as sounding brass And twinkling cymbals, for at such a time Silence were better than a puny, rhyme. Mr. Findon, on behalf of the Playgoers' Club, presented Miss Terry with a casket containing an illuminated address, signed by the executive of the club. The casket, which is of solid silver, about a foot in length and half a foot in breadth, is handsomely decorated with embossed scenes of the Olympic Games, while the crest of the Playgoers' Club and Miss Terry's mpnogram are engraved on the shields at the sides. At the Alelphi next day. the actual anniversary, the distinguished actress, anxious to appear in a Shakespearian part, however small, assumed the role of the nun Francesca at the matinee of "Measure for Measure." The house was crowded to welcome her, and her first entrance was the signal for a tremendous demonstration ; handkerchiefs were waved, and the wildest enthusiasm prevailed. At the end of the act Miss Terry, to the delight of the house, came forward and made the following little speech •.—"lt. — "It makes me very happy to be here to-day in a theatre where J acted when I was a girl, and jp a play by Shakespeare, who was my first playwright. Fifty years— fifW years — ago to-day I spoke his lines for the first time, and, pn my stage birthday, what nicer treat could I give myself than a new Shakespeare part — though it is such a tiny one. Thank 3 r ou — thank you — two little words must express the thousand things I feel." At the Court Theatre, where Miss Terry appeared as usual in the evening in "Captain Brassbound's Conversion," the same enthusiasm prevailed. For some minutes after her appearance as Lady Cicely Waynflete the pjay came to a halt, and the whole audience cheered until it seemed as though they would never stop. After each act Miss Terry received many calls, and, at the end of all several little presentations were made and flowers in abundance were offered by the company and the audience. The actress, who was obviously moved by the warmth of tho tribute made to her, eventually made a graceful little speech. The official celebration of the jubilee took placo this month, at a notable matinee at Drqry Lane, supported by the leaders of the dramatic profession, and realised £60Q0,

The contract! for the building of the new theatlre in New York, which a certain number of rich Americans are endowing, has been put out for competition between nine firms of architects, and the specifications havo been accompanied by tuie announcement that 750 dollars will be paid for each set of plans found unsuitable. The theatre contemplated is to hold 2000 persons. The stage is to be 85ft deep and 100 ft wide, while the proscenium arch is to be 4Qf(l high and 45ft' wide. Forty dressing rooms are to be provided for the performers ; the two chorus rooms must be designed to accommodate 30 persons each, and in addition there will be a library, a room for ballet practice, three rehearsal Tooma, two rooms for the musical conductors, and three for stage managers. A green room, which may be .regarded as practioally extinct now in our modern theatres, is also stipulated for.