GHOSTS OF VANISHED PLAYERS

Evening Star, Issue 19262, 29 May 1926, Page 15

GHOSTS OF VANISHED PLAYERS

James Burns, the night watchman at the Palace, Sydney, as he goes las rounds in tho shrouded, silent theatre nightly, must often reflect ou his past, which is peopled with ghosts (says Use Sydney ‘Sun’), ‘'lnto the night go one and all,” sang the poet Henley in his mummers’ tale. And, though most of James Burns’s associations are connected with the Theatre Koval, where he was property master, modeller, and paper worker for many years, tlio.se friends' and comrades of other days have a way of rising from their shrouds and walking with a man in tiie silent watches. He has seen the glorious days of the stage, this sex-property master. A sheaf of old programmes, which lie treasures mightily, their pages discolored, their edges worn and nibbled with age, gives .some slight idea of the rollicking ’seventies and the splendid ’eighties ol the Australian stage. In 1877, for instance, for the Koval Italian Opera under the direction of Samuel Lazar and the conductorship of Signor J’aola Oiorza, tho “ elegant properties ” were by Mr J. Burns, ‘The usual magnificent dre.sses from La Sea la accompanied the production ol ‘La Vestale,' in which Signora FJeanora Parodi Fahris was I,he star. Who today remembers Pietro I’aladini, Giovanni Gamliotti, Gaetano Ccsari, and Marghcrita Venosta, who supported her? ‘‘ Into the night, go one and all.” That season was under tho distinguished patronage of Sir Hercules Robinson and suite. The Iree list was entirely .suspended, with the exception of the Press. Mr Burns was also a man of parts—one of them being an hotelkeeper. Wo find a newspaper cutting of the ’seventie q which speaks for itself:—‘‘Governor’s arrival at ft o’clock. Grand view from Ocean View Hotel balcony, Bondi. Admission L J. Burns, proprietor.” On January 111, 18811. ‘The Babes in tho Wood, or Who Killed Cock Robin?’ was produced, with J. ('. Williamson as “ Tommy,” a sweet child-heir to the head of the house, taken ofi by a new depilatory, hut not hot ore he affords much fun and gives a lot of trouble,” and Maggie Moore as " Sally.” Ids sister, a sweeter child, il possible—such an attractive little puss’’—-and the sisters Doorwyn, Alice, and Constance as Falcontrina and Prince Pot Pound, and .sweet .Maggie Oliver as a bad man. On tins occasion the Gas Appointments were by Mr Harry Evans, and the Tricks and Properties by Mr J. Burns. Again in 1877 there was that special engagement ol Miss Bose Stella as Princes; Roseloaf in ‘ Hnmpty Dumpty,’ with Mr Burns presiding over the court of King Arthur, the Magic Garden, the Fairies' Fountain, the Fern Forest, and the Harlequinade. There was ‘The Duke's Motto,’ at the Criterion, with Alfred Dampicr and his daughter Bose, supported by John Fordo, Cecil Calvcit, Allred Rolfe, and Edmund Holloway. And the following week Dampicr did ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ and later on Maggie Moore in 1 Pinafore ’—-all with Mr Burns in attendance. Rum Emery in ‘The Polish Jew ’ and ‘ True to tho Core ’ had his properties made by Mr James Burns in February, 1879. At the Queen’s Theatre, when the young Australian actress, Miss Clara Stephenson, was engaged to appear ns Jessie Brown in ‘ The Relief of Lucknow ’ for a limited number of nights, against the “new properties and appointments ” were the work of James. When the Georgia Minstrels at the Queen's camo to make out their programmes they insisted that tho “ magnificent properties ” were by the same J.B. At the old Gaiety when ‘ Proof ’ was produced by if err Bandmann he was well on top. Augustus Glover, Alice Johns, and Louise Beaudet. were in the cast. For William Greswick in ‘King Lear’ (with Bland Holt ami Myra Kemble in the cast) he worked valiantly in 1879 at the Theatre Royal, And George. Kignold bad the benefit of his services in ‘ Tho Lights of London,’ On December 4, 1880, a grand farewell benefit was tendered to him in the. School of Am, when he appeared as Higgins in ‘ Irish Justice.’ This was not. the redoubtable Mr Burns's first appearance' ns an actor, as it is on record that he played Charles the Wrestler in _‘ As You Luke It.' with 'William Creswirk and Helen Ashton. And these are hut a few of his memories.