Plays & Players

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7847, 8 July 1911, Page 18

Plays & Players

OPERA HOUSE. In season till July 20th.—Clarke and Mcynell, "The Arcadians." July 29. August 4.—“ The Scarlet Troubadours." August 7-16.—J. and N. Tail. August 17-26.—J. C. VTlUamsou.' Pantomime, "Jack and tbo Beanstalk."August 23. September 4. —Florence Balne Comedy Company. September 11-30.—Clark© and Meyncll’a "Gay Gordons'* Company. : October 5-25. —J. C. Williamson. November 3-16.—Olarko and Meynoll. December 2-16,—Maxwell Dramatic Co. December Z 5, January 16.—J. C. Williamson THEATRE ROYAL. Fullers’ Vaudeville (permanent). HIS MAJESTY’S. Fullers' Pictures (permanent). THE NEW THEATRE. Jtlacmabon and Donnelly, Continuous Pictures (permanent). TOWN HALL. August 5,4-19.—Sousa’s Band. "Open with the Liggett thing first/* was Mr J, C. urgent advice to mo in London/’ remarked Mr H. 33. Irving to an Australian interviewer. "Words so authoritative and from such an experienced source, were not. to bo lightly disregarded—hence "Hamlet/ Wo have also, as you know, a repertoire of attractive nieces. ‘Tbo Lyons Mail/ 'Louis XI./ and ‘The Bells/ ail great 'acting* dramas; tho decidedly weird '.Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde/ which all audiences dearly love; and a version of Goothc’« 'Faust/ No; it is not the one compiled by Comyns Carr and Stephen Phillips, which belongs to Sir Herbert Tree. It is the poetic adaptation by tho scholarly W. G. Wills, staged by my father in 1886, and financially lias proved one of tho greatest money-makers of the modern stage. 'Hamlet/ of course, is one of my earliest studies. I first played the character as long ago as 18J5, when I was leading man in Ben Grect’s provincial company. My first appearance in the great character was at Sunderland, where also, you may remember, my father made his stage debut as Gaston in /The Lady of Lyons/ with the apposite remark, ‘Here’s to our enterprise/ The frequent changes of character, tho downright hard work of repertoire companies like , Greet’s and Benson’s, in tho latter of which Miss Dorothea Baird gained invaluable experience, are, in my opinion, necessary lo the mental and artistic equipment of on actor, and it is .to be regretted that this kind of training is now difficult to acquire. Without it. I should not have faced London audiences with the confidence I did as Hamlet at the Adelphi Theatre ten years later, when the revival ran splendidly. My father had-great faith in the old-stock system. "Yes: it was a pity Sir Henry never visited Australia. The possibility came to him too late in life, he thought, and ho dreaded tho distance, the now people, and the greatness of such a toilsome enterprise, perhaps not realising, as my. wife and my self have done, how very restful and recuperative is tho long sea-voyage/' Mr Charles A. Wenman, who has returned to Sydney from England and America during his brief absence engaged now artists for Clark© and MoynelTs September production of Oscar Strauss's famous comic , opera "The Chocolate Soldier/* to which Miss Winifred O’Connor will be transferred for. tho soprano role of Nadina. Aurelia PoX>off will bo played by Rita Presano, a contralto from the George Edwardes companies, and Mascha by Hiss Graham, a soubretto from Gilbert-SulHvan opera with a fine soprano voice; Lieut. Bumeril {the Chocolate Soldier) will be assumed by Mr Leslie Gaze, an actor now understudying tho same 1 character at the Lyric, who has played important parts in America with the Charles Frohman companies; Captain Massarkoff will reintroduce! Hr Frank Wilson, who sank so many Gilbert-Sullivan roles in Australia four or five years ago; Colonel Casimlr Popoff has been allotted to Mr Albert Kavnnngh, who has been playing the same character in tho English- No. 1 Company on tour; and Major Alexis Spirldoff will bring in Mr Noel Fleming. who enjoyed a similar experience. Tho music of "The Chocolate Soldier” Is eoid io bo osneoially captivating. " ❖❖❖ The J. C. Williamson pantomime "Jack and tho Beanstalk/* which is to be staged at tho Opera House next month, on June 24th finished its metropolitan career so to speak, and brought to a conculsion tho six months* rnn in the two principal cities in Australia. It began in Melbourne on December I7th last year, and has practically been played without a break since then, except for the time occupied in the change over to Sydney. The company begin their Australasian tour with a visit to Brisbane, and before they return to headquarters in Melbourne, they will have covered something like 10,000 miles of territory, including a comprehensive tour of New Zealand. So that for the fifth year in succession the J. C. Williamson pantomime, . after conspicuous successes in the two bigger Australian centres, goes on its travels. It is of course only in Australia that theatrical managers over contemplate such a big contract as travelling a company of nearly 200’people through so much territory, and touching so comparatively small a population.

"Art andQpera" is the subject of a letter which Mr Charles Manners, late of the’ Moody-Manners Opera Company, writes to the ' London press. "I see,” he says, "that after the performance of 'Moneys at Drury Lane the German Emperor 'said, ‘lt was : the finest acting he had.over seen. 1 But is there not a still higher form of art, that of grand opera —let mo add, ‘in English'? Docs it not contain all the. elements that went to make the success of ‘Money/ and, added to this, is there, not. singing and orchestration? On the next, visit of our King and Queen to Berlin will not tho entertainment, be grand opera in German? Why? Because it is the highest form of art, and nothing but the highest and best of everything should be given to one's guests. But where is our ,national opera? .We have colleges of music, voices second to none of any country, and everything to. prodneo this art. but nothing is done towards even a commencement. . All other nations. have their national opera, ■ except the .English. Why have my wife and I retired? Principally because there is no further-am-bition to. attain in our line in this . country."

Miss Ellen Terry, with her golden voice-as rich as ever, held-a large and fashionable andienco entranced at the Haymarket recent (remarks a London critic)., For several hours she held the stage alone in a Shakespearean Discourse, with illustrative acting, her subject being ‘‘Some of the Heroines of Shakespeare.” Clad in flowing draperies of silver grey, she stood by a bank of roses, among which her "book” was cunningly concealed, and , with that subtle charm which she knows so well how to weave, held the balance deliciously betwixt laughter and tears. It was a memorable afternoon, redolent of old glories and still-remembered triumphs. A tremendous program left Miss Terry undaunted: her voice never broke . unless it was in sympathy with the trouble of her heroines, but more than once her face was shining with tears —real tears! She confessed that she could not help it.’ She was "a silly, woman,” but the woes of Desdemona and the poignant sorrows of Juliet played so strongly upon her heartstrings that . ‘‘Well, well,” she cried, and smiled again through her tears. The “Discourse” was really more histrionic than critical. It was 'divided into two parts, with Viola, Deademona, Emilia, and Juliet in - the first, and thirteen other notable women

in tho second. Miss Terry throw her whole soul into the part of Juliet- a torrent in love'' was the happy description she pave to her. With no nioro scenery thru a heavy preen curtain as background tho groat actress conjured ; some of Shakespeare's most moving scenes into life again, with here and there shrewd touches of comment which showed her knowledge of humanity and the sound grip she has of tho verities of life. GOSSIP. Mr Hugh J. Ward was present at tho opening performance of “The Balkan Princess" in Sydney, and he received an ovation on 'entering the manager’s bos. Mr Ward got a wireless message through the Australian Wireless, Ltd., from Mr J. C. Williamson, inquiring as to the result of the opening night of “The Balkan’Princess.” Mr Williamson was then about MJO miles from Suva on tho way to Honolulu. Mr Ward immediately ‘sent a wireless in reply, the message consisting of ono word: “Snoeltong,” which, being unooded, means “complete success.” Tho Australian tour proving a most gratifying success, Mr William Anderson is contemplating a tour of New Zealand for his Liliputian Pantomime Company in “Tho Old Woman AVho Lived in a Shoe.”

Mr Lionel Walshe, a young Wellington boy who won some fame as a character actor, is stage manager of “Tho Arcadians” Company. Mr Walshe was introduced to Mr Meyncll by Mr Leo D. Chateau; ho was appointed assistant •stage manager to the Maud Hilyard Company which toured New Zealand about five years ago. On his return to Melbourne he was appointed to assist Mr Chas. Wenuian (producer) and Mr Wcnman secured a permanency for Mr Walshe and left him in sole charge when he (Mr Wonman) was called to London recently. In the course of a conversation with Mr R. Stewart a southern writer •

enlightened as to some or the salaries paid to “turns” in “.Tack and tho Beanstalk.” Pantzcr Bros, received a weekly remuneration of X'Sio. and Elton the plate smasher .£l2O. Three quarter of an hour “turns” cost approximately J24a a week. Tho company includes 120 people. ' ISiiss Blanche Browne’s experience with “Our Miss Gibho” is most decidedly unique. Bov connection with .the same musical comedy has lasted for two and n half years. She was in the piece when it vrasi produced jn London in January, 1009, and for eighteen months of its run appeared in it, taking various parte—Lady Elizabeth Thanet, Mrs Farquhar, and on several occasions undertook the title role. Then she was engaged by Mr J. C. Williamson to come put to Australia, and when she landed in Sydney tho Royal Comic Opera Company wore in the midst of their final rehearsals. She walked straight into the leading role, and has played in it ever since without a break.

The plot of “Tho Belle of Brittany,” the second production of the “Arcadian” Company's season here, is based upon an ancient legend. The rising of the curtain _on the first act discloses the old trysting tree, and if man and maid meet under • this tree and exchange vows of love when the bells of the neighbouring convent are ringing it means a happy marriage. In the case of the hero and heroine of “The Belle of Brittany” the legend of the > trysting tree is borne out (in the happicet manner. Tom Walls made something of a stir at the Criterion, Sydney, with his impersonation of tho Marquis. tt The first performance in Australia of A I 00l There Was” was given at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, last week, and it was received by a crowded bone© with enthusiasm. The play, which is based on Kipling's famous poem, “The Vampire,” is a subtle study in psychology, and the. principal character, played byMies Mabel Trevor, is a remarkable one. At the conclusion of the performance tho actress received many floral tributes, and, - with Mr' Hugh Buckler, who played tho other leading part, was several times recalled. Among those present were the Governor-General and Lady Dudley, Marqiiis and Marchioness of Linlithgow, and Miss Ethel Lrviug, the distinguished English actress.

Mr Charles A. Wenman, writing from New York, says: "When I left London the principal successes were ‘The Chocolate Soldier' and ‘Baby Mine,' tho Australian rights of which Clarke and M©yneli have. Both of these are running strong over here, and are doing enormous business. I have also seen ‘The Spring Maid,' which is a magnificent production in every way. The music is delightful, tho fbook clever' and funny, and the story most captivating." This will‘also be staged, in Australia by the firm's comic opera company. Could Shakespeare but awake from his long sleep and look upon the London of to-day, what a transformation he would have to wonder at (remarks a London writer). He would find- the peace and quiet of his day gone, and the world he knew peopled with another type of being living in another atmosphere. . "Where the taxlcabbies . now puff their cigarettes and wait for fares in Horse Guards-avenue, the players at the .Court theatre of King James awaited their cues and the great Shakespeare himself watched, the progress of , his plays." This remark was made'by Mr Ernest Law in the course of a meeting of tho London Topographical Society, held at the Board of Trade offices under the presidency of Lord Kosebery. Mr Law was giving an address on "Shakespeare at Whitehall,", and he told his audience that it appeared certain that the great 1 dramatist had acted in the open-air in Whitehall himself, at a spot near tho present War Office. It had been arranged tnat the members of the society should perambulate tho site of Whitehall Palace, and Lord Rosebery said that he would not detain them, as ho had a burning wish to stand where Shakespeare had stood. Mr Law had proved, beyond all dispute, that the connection of. Shakespeara with old Whitehall Palace was much closer than anyone had previously had reason to suppose. Since they had learned to recognise Shakespeare as a Groom of tho Chambers in Whitehall, they might look out for further revelations as to his close connection with the Court. Lord Rosebery said that ho did not know ,that tho King which Scotland gave England was among their most popular and venerated figures, but be did think that his close association with Shakespeare gave Mm an adventitious halo which would last longer than any of his historic achievements. (Laughter.) Mr Matheson Lang and Mr W. E. Holloway, with the company they have organised for a tour in South Africa, sailed from London recently. They carry with them a number of plays. Mr Holloway undertakes the general management of the tour; tho business manager is Mr W. F. Crowe, who was for so long at the Lyceum in a similar capacity; and Mr A, W. Tyrer, who toured recently with Mr Lang in Australia, is the stage manager. They are taking with them complete production for five or six plays. For instance, they have arranged with Mr Lewis Waller to tour "Bardelys the Magnificent" and "A Royal Rival," and in addition to these they take "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" and a new play by Leon M. Lion and Malcolm Cherry. This last was originally acquired by Smith and Carpenter for Mr Lang at the Lyceum.

. The romantic play, "The Popinjay," which has been filling the New Theatre, London, nightly since its production, celebrated its hundredth performance recently, when Miss Julia Neilsou ana Mr Fred Terry had a warm reception from a crowded house. The drama is described as a stirring one, full of the glamour of royalty and gorgeous uniforms. and it retains the interest of the audience from first to last. The scone in which tho exiled king is shown lying drunk on the floor, while tho queen addresses a crowd of adherents, ig said to be particularly thrilling.