STAGE-STRUCK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16566, 2 June 1914, Page 10

STAGE-STRUCK.

JUVENILE PARTS IN TOM’S CABIN.”

“ UNCLE

THE FIRST RUNG IN THE LADDER.

Around the stage door of the Theatre Royal yesterday morning were about fifty children, all in a high state of excitement at the prospect of being picked to appear in a coon scene in "Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Male and female, big and small, plain and pretty, tho stagestruck youngsters pushed and shoved for places in the front row, whore they would be more likely to come under the eagle eye of the manager. This great personage dashed tho hopes of the juvenile Irvings to the ■ground by the bald statement that boys were not required. Ho was immediately lost in a flood of females, which included besides the smaller girls, hero and there a lank flapper, and several prouu, but by this time, somewhat bewildered mothers.

Picking from the crowd, as a meatbuyer picks from a flock of prime Canterbury lambs, the manager sorted out a dozen of the more intelligent and shapely children, and the disappointed ones were hustled out, not before, however, some of the mothers endeavoured to get a word in the great man’s private ear. These were nipped in the bud by a curt “Too late.” The chosen were then instructed in their duties, being highly delighted when told that they would havo to black their faces for each performance. They will not be expected to db much more than laugh and pick cotton in as realistic a manner as possible, but the opportunity will doubtless bo regarded ns the first rung in the ladder which leads to fame in stage land. The fact that boys wore not selected is not curious, as it is seldom that children’s parts are taken by any but girls. They are regarded as far more intelligent and sympathetic than boys of the same age.