NEW “STARS” FOR AUSTRALIA.

Evening Star, Issue 6174, 26 December 1882, Page 3

NEW “STARS” FOR AUSTRALIA.

Mrs Langtry, it is now definitely announced, like Archibald borbes, makes America the half-way house to the antipodes, and at the termination of the tour in the United States will visit Australia. Our colonial cousins will pay largely for the honor of seeing a somewhat indifferent actress, if Mrs Langtry’s American prices are maintained. The sum given for seats to see her are nearly fabulous ; L 65 for a box, L 4 and Lo for a single seat, L 3 for one in the upper part of the house, show what vogue will do in a country where money is plentiful. These prices are in excess of what was paid to see Sara Bernhardt; but then the divine Sara was never popular in the States. Jenny Lind’s takings are left far behind. Mrs Langtry seems fully to understand how to make the most of her chances. The cablegram received from the Prince of Wales on her arrival at the other side of the Atlantic was an inspiration, and gave her at once a status with the American public. _ She was clever enough, too, in humoring theii national vanity, and her request that the band should strike up “ Yankee Doodle ” on board the mail steamer proved that she knew what was what. It will no doubt be the same throughout the tour. Already in the more distant cities of the Union—Chicago, Ran Francisco, and so forth—the excitement is great, and theatrical managers are competing in large sums for the privilege of bringing her out. Another more eminent, if not more successful, theatrical star will shortly follow Mrs Langtry across the Atlantic, and, like her, will probably extend bis trip to Australia, This is Mr Henry Irving, who proposes to take the whole of his company, including Miss Ellen Terry, for a tour through the States, and perhaps round the world. This enterprise will be about the biggest of its kind ever attempted. What has made Mr Irving’s representations of Shakespeare such a success has been the marvellous manner in which they are put upon the stage. In “Much Ado about Nothing,” which is just now attracting such crowds that seats have to be engaged weeks ahead, the scenic arrangements are on the grandest and most perfect scale. The great cathedral scene is an exact reproduction of a gorgeous Italian interior, and the whole of the ceremony of the marriage is faithful, even to the crimsonclad acolytes with their swinging censers of burning incense. There is another beautiful and realistic scene of the harbor of Messina, Yet these are but a hundredth part of the theatrical plant which Mr Irving’s stage manager will have to transplant some thousands of miles. Probably the scenery, wardrobe, and other theatrical properties will amount to hundreds of tons, fortunately the performance, which might easily be dwarfed to secondary importance, is in every way worthy of its gorgeous setting.— ‘Home News.’