THE LONDON STAGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1107, 19 May 1893, Page 29

THE LONDON STAGE.

(from our own correspondent.) London, March 27.

The transference of' Becket,' with scenic accessories, supers, &c, from the Lyceum to Windsor Castle was the greatest feat of the sort ever attempted and could only have been carried out by a management of exceptional resourse. Entirely new scenery had of course to be painted for the piece, the crowd of armed' men and courtiers judiciously docked so as to suit the smaller btage, and yet preserve the general effect. The success, aocording to all accounts, was complete, Mr Holloway (of whom, by the way, Messrs Ellis and Co. have just taken a capital phote) played Wolsey's faithful henchman Grim, and with Master Leo Byrne (whom the ladies of the household petted sadly at supper) came in for special attention. Miss Genevieve Ward and Mr Terriss as well as Mr Irving and Miss Terry had the honour of being presented to the Queen after the performance. This began at 9, the final curtain falling a few minutes before mi night, Merry supper parties for all concerued followed, the Prince of Wales and several minor royalties 'meating' (as Americans say) incognito with the Lyceum principals. Towards 2 a.m. carriages conveyed the company (190 strong) to the station, where a special train whirled them back to town. Miss Terry was unfortunately ill with rheumatism throughout the occasion but bore up wonderfully and looked and looked and acted much as usual. Lord and Lady Tennyson were amongst the invited guests, and expressed themselves greatly pleased,

'The Amazons' at the Court Theatre has settled down into a big sueces, the triumph being due in no amall measure to Miss Pattie Browne, who is so pleased with London life

that she wants (she has been telling the inevitable interviewer) to stay here and create a Metropolitan reputation. I agree with Miss Browne that the colonial stage now affords the same excellent training ground for young actors and actresses that the English provinces used to. Had this clever little disciple of the Marie Wilton school began at Home she would almost certainly have joined a'Private Secretary A Company ' or a ' Lights of London G Oompanv,' and gone on playing the solitary role for months. In the colonies, on the contrary, she often played three or four different parts in a week, and was always able to test her capacity in all sorts of different business.

the St James' Theatre with ' Liberty Hall' continues so good that Pinero's 'Second Mrs Tanqueray' has been shelved till autumn. No _ special novelties are announced excepting the Barrie-Doyle comic opera at the Savoy. The Palace has at last got its licence and becomes a music hall pure and simple. Now people oan smoke and drink in the auditorium they will perhaps go there. I say perhaps, because you never can tell. The goddess who superintends theatrical enterprises refuses sometimes to forgive blunders and opening the Palace as a rival to the Empire without the essential licence was, the shareholders know to their cost, a huge blunder.