MR H. B. IRVING IN “HAMLET.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15862, 27 February 1912, Page 9

MR H. B. IRVING IN “HAMLET.”

At the Theatre Royal to-morrow night the famous actor, Mr H. B. Irving, will make his debut before a Christchurch audience in Shakespeare’s great master work “Hamlet.” ,Mr Irving and the members of his company will arrive here this evening by the second express from Dunedin. The booking is not quite so heavy for the opening performance as for subsequent ones. The plans for the first five nights will be on view at Messrs Milner and Thompson’s from nine o’clock this morning, and tickets for other portions of tho theatre may be purchased at Woodward’s. Tho last night of Mr Irving’s Sydney season was a memorable one. The night was notable as the close of an important season, and the presence of Madame Melba in the manager’s box also contributed to the interest of the audience. The box was decorated with wattle blossom, and when she entered the house the audience rose and cheered, Madame Melba bowing her acknowledgments. Mr Irving was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. Between tno second and third acts Madame Melba went behind the scenes and warmly thanked him for the enjoyment of tho performance. At the close of the performance Mr Irving responding to insistent calls for a speech, said he was very sorry indeed to leave Sydney. (A voice: “Come back.”) “ I think,” the star continued, “ I have had in this' city the most delightful and happy time in my professional experience. I thank you heartily for the way you have received our plays, and for the splendid manner you have attended them. I hope it may be possible for me to return to Sydney. Nothing would give me greater pleasure before leaving Australia. I wish to thank you all in the theatre, both behind the curtain and in front of the theatre, for the great assistance they have given me, and again to thank you all for your great kindness.” Numerous floral tributes were handed to Miss Dorothea Baird, and Madame Melba sent Mr Irving a wreath of laurel leaves. During the applause at tho close of the performance she also threw upon the stage a mass of wattle blooms from her box. The last train to Rangiora will be detained until 11.20 p m. on Saturday.