Plays and Pictures.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 71, 19 July 1912, Page 12

Plays and Pictures.

"Ben Hur" opened big in tho Wellington Opera House on Wednesday evening last, 17th inst. It is a superb spectacle, this magnificent dramatisation of Lew Wallace's woudrutis story of tho Christ, and is presented on a scale of splendour exceeding anything ever known in local theatrical annals. It grips the audience completely with its intensity of interest, ita fascination of theme, its picturosqueitoss of scene, and its thrill of incident. No lover of tho drama, of art or beauty should miss this magnificent production, for the opportunity to see such a dramatic tour de force comes rarely but more than once in a lifetime.

The Harry Rickards Vaudeville Company te commence a New Zealand tour next month will be a very strong combination. The hunch will be beaded by "The Great Rinaldo," tho wandering violinist, an artist such aa whom we have not heard before. His success in Australia has been phenomenal, and no doubt will ho repeated in the Dominion. Will H. Fox is another artist of refute.. He is the originator of all the trick piano acts, and ia a splendid entertainer. Then there is Monio Mine, one of the best English soubrcttcs; Walker and Sturm, brilliant racquet spinners; Blake and Granby, English burlesque artists; Ronald George, musical specialty artist; the Tossing Tostros, extraordinary jugglers; Melro.se and Monzios, patter comedians; tho Bright Sisters, serios and dancers; and Marshall Crosby, baritone.

We presume "Aspor," of tho Christchurch "Evening News," means "Ben Hur" and not "Tho Blue Bird" in tho fallowing par., but his comment holds good nevertheless: "Reports state that 'Tho Blue Bird,' a wonderful play to road and a production not uninteresting to watch, is doing good business in tho north, but by no means the business to pay tho enormous expense involved. However, should the balance bo on the wrong sido of the ledger it will not bo a very terrible matter —tho advertisement gained will compensate for almost any loss. That J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has sent tho play to the Dominion is a compliment which is not likely to bo forgotten for a very long while. Being interpreted, it says that New Zealand is not condemned to expocfc nothing better than 'A Fool There Was.' "

Mr. Allen Hinckley, tho handsome basso of tho Quintan Opera Co., is acknowledged to possess tho noblest voice ever hoard in Australia.

Seated at her piano, with a darkened stage behind her and a crowded audichco in front, Miss Margaret Cooper looks the personification of cool composure. But it is only her art which gives her that air. According to the Sydney "Sun," Miss Cooper is a martyr to nervousness. Every performance, tries her just> as much as though it was her first appearance on tho stage. The difference between Miss Cooper and tho ordinary nervous person is that she has tlve will power to conquer and conceal Iter nervousness. In everyday lifo it is the same with her. Sho is naturally a shy, timid woman; but sho has schooled herself till no traco of this ever appears in her manner or appearance.

Harry Corson Clarke, the American comedian who is to play tlie chief role in the Williamson production of "Get-Rich-Quick says that nothing over worries him. He has a lifo ticket in the Don't Worry Club.

Tho Four Amaranths, now doing the Rickards' circuit in Australia, are extremely energetic young ladies, who fill the stage with a whirlpool of flying spangles, purple silk dresses, and tossing limbs, and then, in an instant, are frown still, as though posing for a beauty competition.

.Johnny O'Neill, now in New Zealand with the Marlow Dramatic Company, last year made a tour of the western towns of New South Wales.

"What was it like in those towns?'"' was asked him.

"Oh, a hundred and five in Cobar, a hundred and seven in Bourke, and round about that." | "What! a hundred and seven quid! Do you mean to say you got a hundred and seven in the house in Bourke?" "Good Lord, no," said jovial Johnny, "not in tho house —in tho shade."

It, is a remarkable, thing how tho words that rhyme with a name generally give an indication of tho disposition of the individual answering to it. A notable example, says a Sydney exchange, is Aschf, with which may ho rhymed crash, smash, bash, dash, and other violent Anglo-Saxon words.