PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7021, 8 January 1910, Page 10

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

BOOKINGS AND PBNCILLINGS. OPERA HOUSE. Doo. 26 to Jan. 15—J. 0. Williamson. Jan. 17 to 26.—Carter tho Magician. Jan 25 to Fch. 19.—J.' C. Williamson. I’ob. 26 to March 25—Allan Hamilton. March 26 to April 13.—J. 0. Williamson. THEATRE ROYAL. Vaudeville (permanent). TOWN HALL. Doo. 26 onwards —West’s Pictures. NOTES. [3r " Lougnette.’’] Air J C. Williamson's Dramatic Company, which continues to play to hrst;.|a4 business at the Opera House, will this evening present the nautacul amnia, in four acts, entitled Liio i* lag Lieutenant.” which has been successfully product*! in England Now York, and Auntralia. It is said to afford the member* of tho company ample opportunity to show their histrionic ability. Tho following i* a brief outline of the plot j—Richard. Laßcellos, flag Ueutenant, is a social comedian with some money and no inclination to bo serious. Ho is in love with Lady Hornuono Wynne, niece of hia admiral. Sir Berkoley Wynne,. His best friend is William Thesiger, major of marines. Thesiger as in lovo with Mr* Cameron, a tactful widow. Thesiger has never had an opportunity to show' hi* worth. There trouble in Crete and tho garrison at Kandia, commanded by a Scotchman, Colonel Macleod, has asked. Admiral “Wynne for aid. Thesiger is sent on a *maU gunboat with a detachment ot marines, and Ttaecelles. after much begging, ie permitted to accompany him is interpreter. Tho boat is wrecked m tlie landing. Murines and sailors join Colonel Macleod'* troops on the walls of ICandia, beleaguered by an overwhelming force of Ba&hi-Bazoufes. ,Ti the telegraph office, on the other side of tho enemy's lines, can be reached tho fleet can bo coiled upon for relict. Thesiger puts on tho clothes of a dead Bashi and attempts to pass the lines. He i* struck by a bullet before ho leaves tho ramparts. Lascollos takes the Badifa clothing and makes a try. Duung absence a wounded Bashi is biought in with information. Lascelles cannot be found bo interpret and the man dies before ho can tell his story. Lascelles returns, wounded, but successful. Thesiger recovers consciousness, but his memory of event* immediately preceding hia accident is gone. Lascelles, to repay an old favour, gives Thesiger credit for passing the lines and getting a message off. The Basihis attack, and the fleet arrives in time to «ave the garrison. Back at Malta, where the fleet is stationed, people call Loecello a coward and eav he hid himself during the light. He refuses to defend himself, even to tho girl he loves. Thesiger is mad© a colonel and is much feted for his courage. On board the flagship, whore a court of inquiry has been called, comes tiie telegraph operator from Gandia. He recognise* voice. Mrs Cameron understands Xiascel-les sacrifice and makes him confess. The admiral overhear* the confession, calls oh the court of infill fry and exonerates Lascelles without taking away any of Thesigers, laurels, which is a niost satisfactory ending.

Mr Harry Lyons, probably tbe oldest theatrical representative travelling, arrived in town last evening to make arrangements for the coming season at the Opera House of Carter, the magician. Since the veteran’s last visit to New Zealand ho has toured the Far liafit with Carter. On his return to Australia he was anxious to retire and i'dtla down, but as Mr Carter was anxious that he should manage his present tour lie acceded to his wishes, which brought the veteran out on the road once more. Carter hue some fifteen tons of baggage and nine assistants in bis company. The season opens on Mondav evening, the 17th inst., and will extend until the 26th.

The Fullers have teen doing capacity business at the Theatre Eoyal with vaudeville. Tho company is a really fine combination, being especially strong in dancing. All the turns are clean and neat, being free from the slightest tamt of vulgarity. If the Fullers continue to cater for the playgoing public in the future as they are doing at present they will have to hurry up with that new theatre or else get expanding sides put into tho cosy Koyal to accommodate their patrons.

Mr Fred Cambourno, who has been reBponeible for eo many excellent character sketches in different J. C. Williamson productions during the past few years, is an Australian born and Australian trained actor who "dates hack* a full quarter of a century to the days when, in. 1881 and 1885, ho appeared in o, long scries of dramas under the management of Dunning Bros., of Ireland and Herbert, and in partnership with tho late Dan Barry- Eo got his first engagement with J. C. Williamson in 1888 as a member of the famous first Gaiety Company, in support of Fred Leslie, Nellie Farren, and the rest of that all-star combination. Thereafter he was with Harry St. Maur, Brough and Boucicault (by whom he was specially engaged for the part of Simmons, an "Booties Baby”). He accompanied Jennie Lee on a New Zealand-tour with "Jo," “The Grasshopper," ‘Run Wild, and the rest of the bepertoire. In 1891 ho went into management himself with King of Iron" and Tim World Against Her,” and next year Was back with Biongh and Bonofoanlt to play Bates in "Uncles and Annts." Wyko in "The Magistrate," and other parts, •Then followed ten years of varied and interesting work in numerous companies of. different calibres and conditions. He was with Saes and Emery, several times with George Darrell, with Arthur Garner, with Pattie Browne in The Bittle. Minister” (he is the only one of tho original five elders of Thrums now alive), with the Piuilton-Stanley Company, and several other organisations. In 1903 ho joined Frank Thornton for an eighteen months' tour, and thereafter was with Andrew Mack, “The Squaw Man" Company, and again with Andrew Mack. His two most recent successes have been as Since in "Peter Pan," and Captain. Finch in "An Englishman's Home."

Mr J. C. Williamson's new Comic Opera Company opens its Wellington season at the Opera House on the 29th inst. with "The King of Cadonia," one of the most successful musical efforts of recent years ' "Cadonia" is described os a comic opera country into whose history humour has been ueoglitfnUy woven with romance. It is also a kingdom of beautiful women beautifully gowned, who move in idyllic surroundings to the sound of exquisite music. To hold securely the delightful illusion Mr Williamson has engaged a number of artistes quite new to New' Zealand, including Mr Herbert Clayton, Mr Frank Greene. Miss Dorothy Courts, and Miss Lottie Sargcant, besides that inimitable comedian, Mr Bert Gilbert, who will appear ns the Regent Alexis and heir presumptive to tho throne, nr. honour ho little relishes owing to tho relentless activity of tho Cadonian anarchists.

Miss Amv Ca-stles, the famous young Australian 'soprano, who opens her tour of the Dominion at Auckland on the 27th inst., under the direction of Messrs J. and X. Tart, is at present touring Australia, and will have given over SO concerts before the close of the year, '[’ho company which is to support Miss Castles will'include Mr Peter Dawson, said to be probably one of the finest bassos in .England to-day. Ho is an Aus-

tralian, and has throughout the present tour met with remarkable success, lie is credited with a splendid reputation, and the gramophone records of his fine baa* are said to be among the best. Mr Anderson Nicol, the tenor of tho company, is described as probably the most interesting tenor -who has visited this part of tlio world for many years. He ha* performed at the Queen - ’* Hall ballad concerts, London, and has become very popular in Australia. Herr Victor Buisfc, the pianist, is also stilted to bo a splendid artist, having takeai a course of study with tho most famous masters on the Continent. The tour of tho Dominion will embrace about twenty concerts, during which tho four centres and several of the inland towns will be visited.

One of the features of "The King of Cadonia," which is to bo presented at the Opera House on tbe 29th inst- by the J. C, Williamson new Comic Opera Company, is the famous "Danse des Apaches.” In this speciality the stage is darkened, and the artists, in the guise of a French Workman and a bareheaded ouvriere, move in a searching focus of limelight. In the gestures and poses of this pas do deux, now dartlv tragic, anon brightly smiling, there is a tense commingling 0 f the ferocious and the weirdly yohiptonons that, according to the- critic of the “Sydney Morning Herald," is almost blood-curd-ling in its Zolaesqne realism. This extraordinary dance, enthralling and absorbing, calls forth the finest in the performers. Mr Bert Gilbert and Miss Lottie iSargent, it is said, invest the, remarkable series of evolutions with ia certain nndefinable hypnotic atmosphere that lasts after the dance is over and the curtain has fallen. The feature, is essentially French. Mr Gilbert and Miss Sargent are both of French extraction, and speak the language perfectly. This dance was lately the talk- of Sydney. One paper, whilst giving the “King" a particularly flattering notice, was most drastic in its criticism of the “Danse des Apaches." The .Williamson management appealed to the public, and a resultant ballot, extending over three weeks, showed that they desired the retention of the dance by a majority of considerably ov'er 8000.

Interest in the revival of "The Silver Kinfp’ at the Opera House next Thursday evening will naturally centre ill tho fact that Mr Geqrgo Titheradge, _ to whom is due the distinction of creating the character in Australia, will appear as Wilfred Denver. He first played the part in 1883, a year after the late Mr Wilson Barrett won success iu tho same role in London. Critics who saw the original English and Australian productions state that while tho London success was remarkable, it was on account of “The Spider," as impersonated by Mr E. S. Willard. Although the first Australian production had an excellent exponent of this part in Mr Arthur Gamer, Mr Titheradge’s acting made Wilfred Denver the centre of interest.

Sinco its unprecedented success, “The Silver King 1 * has had many imitations, but no melodrama has ever attained to the .same degree of popularity. A celebrated actor onc& remarked of it that durability in plays, as in boots, depended on good workmanship, and Messrs Henry Arthur Jones and H. Herman certainly built better than they knew in this piece. It has in it no adventitious support in stage .mechanism, .the interest being in the admirably contrasted -•character*, its closely built plot, and its "human - " story. It is interesting at this time of the day to read some of the names of those who appeared in the first Australian cast of the piece and tho cast of the coming production. Here they are:— Wilfred Denver ... Mr G. S. Tithoradge “The Spider" Mr Arthur Garnor Henry Corkett Mr Hans Phillips Eliaii Coombe Mr A. Redwood Cripps Mr AY. H. Leake Daniel Jaikcs Mr Philip Day

Samuel Baxter Mr Stirling Whyte Geoffrey "Ware Air Prank Cutes Belcher Mr 0. Deering

Tipsy Passenger Mr - Charles Brown Gafier Pottle Mr W. H. Hoskins Cabman Mr J ohn Bryan

Olive Skinner ... Mias Jenny Watt Tanner Tabitha Durden Airs 11. Taylor Susie Mrs Marcus Clarke

Mrs Gammago Mrs J. F. Hydes Nellie Denver Miss' Annie Mayor Cissy Denver Miss Marion Bridger Leaker Mr W. P. Bates Binks Mr Harry Daniels

The only survivors on the Australian stage of tbe abovc_ cost are Mr Tithcradge, Mr Hans Phillies, and Mr Charles Brown. Miss Annie Mayer, an Hnglish actress, revisited Australia a few years ago, and appeared in some unappreciated dramatic sketches at the Sydney Palace. The following are the name? of a few in the cast for,the coming i>roduction at the Opera House: — Wilfred Denver ... Mr G. S. Titheradge "The Spider" Mr Harry Plimmer Henry Oorkett Mr Hedge Carey Eliah Coombe Mr Fred Canibeurne Cripps Mr Boyd Irwin Daniel Jaikcs Mr Eardlcy Turner Samuel Baxter Mr A. E. Greenaway Geoffrey Ware Mr Cyril Maekay Belcher Mr K. Staveley Leaker Mr Frank Harcourt.

Tipsy Passenger ... Mr I,awrenceHarding Brownson Mr XI. Frederick

Sinks Mr C. : Morse Gaffer Pottle Mr W.m. Steele, Olive Skinner Miss Nellie Calvin Tabitha Durden Miss Emma Temple Susy Miss Eiwyu Harvey Mrs Gammago Miss Ethel Gordon Cissy Miss Lily Aldridge Nellie Denver Miss Ethel Warwick

The management of West’s Pictures have no reason to complain about th© patronage accorded them during the past fortnight. Tho pictures are all. up-to-date, the effects excellent, and the charges within the means of all, so whoever wants a couple of hours’ educa-

tional recreation had better pay a visit to West's at the Town Hall. STAGE GOSSIP. The Pollard Opera Company produce "Miss Hook of Holland" at Dunedin on tho loth inst. , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and company gave a “command" performance of “Trilby" at Windsor Caetl© on Wednesday, November 17th, Forman and Fannan, who are playing the (robbers in William Anderson s pantomime, “The Babes in the Wood," at tho King's, Melbourne, wero the principal comedians in the pantomime “Red Riding Hood" at tho London Lyceum last Christmas. , . Tho West Coast tour of William Anderson's Dramatic Company will close at Blenheim on the IGth inst, after which tho following dates will bo hlled: Ashburton, Janua ry 20th; Timaru, 21-22; Oamaru, 24-23; Dunedin, 2G-1 ebruary 4; Invercargill, 5-6; Christchurch, 8-19; Wellington. 21-25. , The following dates have been booked for H’ackenschmidt's tour of the l.K>miuion :—Auckland, panuaiy 17-21; Gisborne, 24-25 ;' Napier, 27; Hastings, 28 ; Palmerston North, 29-31; Wanganui, February 1-2; Hawera, 3; Mastcrton, 4; Wellington, 6-16; Christchurch, 12-16; Timaru, 19; Oamarji, 18; Dunedin, 1924; Invercargill, 25-2 G. Mr Leo Do Chateau, the clever actor and teacher of elocution, with a party of his advanced pupils, during tho recent festive season visited Greytown and Pictou, where they produced tho famous comedy “Dr- Bill." Both seasons were in every way a success. Mr Do Chateau reopens his school on Monday for the purpose of enrolling new pupils. Mr James B. Athohvood is well known as one -2-f the best character actors ever seen on the Australian stage, and in looking- round for someone capable or impersonating the character of the Italian teacher, Lingi Golf-anti, in Tho Climax," a part requiring a nice sense of foreign character and a pathetic note in tho player's voice, Mr J. C. WiHnnnEon had no hesitation in entrusting the role to Mr Athohvood. . Miss Lottie Sargent, who is to play “Maltizo,” the comedienne in the I 1 ™" duction of “The King of Cadoiua, at tlie Opera House on January JStli, is so fresh and bright and. young that it conies rather as a shock to hear her solemnly declare tliat she has been on tho stage “for more years .than. I cia remember," until she explains that elio ■ began at the a-e ot seven playing children's parts with the late Sir Hemy i Irving.