LADY FORBES ROBERTSON

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11685, 24 November 1923, Page 13

LADY FORBES ROBERTSON

AND THE N.Z. SOLDIERS. No performance given for the entertainment of the “diggers” during the war, had such a. picturesque setting as the wonderful Saturday night programmes provided by Lady Forbes Robertson for the New Zealand soldiers in “The Shakespeare Hut” at the official headquarters, Gower street, Lbndon. The liut was designed in the style of Shakespeare’s home at Strat-ford-on-Avon, and part of its foundations stood on land belonging to the Shakespeare’s Memorial Committee, of which Miss Elliott’s distinguished husband, Sir Johnston Forbes Robertson is a prominent member. The programmes represented in this unique setting by Lady Forbes Robertson were in themselves of exceptional interest, ranging from classic selections by the great Ellen Terry to comic patter by the famous comedian George Robey. One act plays were frequently given in addition to concert numbers, and sometimes the whole programme was given over to a series of Qiese short plays. A novel_ item was a performance of Henry V. bv children later repeated by the Old Aic Company. Sir George Alexander was another noted artist who came to hc:j> Lady Forties Robertson in her resolve to provide the New Zealand soldiers with the- best amusement, and from all parts of the dominion sho has received from ox-service men assurances of their grateful ro membrane* of her splendid endeavours.

GERTRUDE ELLIOTT GREAT EMOTIONAL ACTRESS. Many who have been captivated by the peerless art and wondrous beauty of Miss Gertrude Elliott have described her personality os the embodiment of youth, an indefinable something which even to the end of her remarkable career lifted Sarah Bernhardt above the famous colleagues of her time. It is not alone in the fair outline of her fpaturos, the slender lissome grace of her figure, and the lightness of her steps that this famous actress makes an appeal to all lovers of the beautiful but in a glowing radiance which seems to diffuse an atmosphere of naive freshness and joy. To be thus equip-, ped for her stage work is of incalculable advantage, and must necessarily have helped in making her the finest emotiona. actress of the English speaking world. For comedy, in which she has won unique distinction, these natural graces are an invaluable asset. SHOWS IN AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALANDER’S IMPRESSIONS. An ‘Auckland Star” representative, writing from Sydney says- “Sydney and Melbourne are privileged in seeing big theatrical performances before New Zealand, and often on a scale not possible in shifting a big company and all its accessories aoross the Tasman. It was, therefore, with more than ordinary interest that I booked up early for some of theplays that were having a big run. ‘The O’Brien Girl,’ after a lengthy season in Melbourne, waa still ‘going strong’ in Sydney on Thursday last, the theatre being packed every night. It is one of the biggest and brightest shows of the kind, and if it is staged on the same scale in New Zealand, theatre-goers there are ensured of a treat. * “I saw Oscar ASche and Diana Wilson in Pinero’s masterpiece, ‘lris,’ at the Theatre Royal; Gladys Monorieff and Claude Fleming in the comio opera, ‘A Southern Maid,’ at Her Majesty’s; Laurence Gvossmith in ‘Quarantine,' and Gertrude Elliott and company in ‘Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife,' at the Criterion, where I found ‘Diok’. Stewart, who, Auckland friends will be pleased to know, was looking very well, despite a lather serious illness on his last tour of New Zealand. Each and all of these plays can be looked forward to with keen anticipation by theatre-goers here and none more so than ‘Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife,’ one of the cleverest comedies of the kind ever seen in Australia. Though the last play staged in tho Sydney season, it proved tho most successful of the season. Gertrude Elliott is a charming actress, and she lias associated with her a very fine company. It was a perfect production, and the crowded audience fairly ‘rocked’ with laughter over the ‘rapier’ exchanges between ‘John Brown,’ a millionaire Bluebeard, and ‘Monna,’ his eighth wife (Miss Elliott). “In Melbourne I saw Irene Vanbrugh and Dion Boucicault, in ‘Belinda.’ It was a delightful performance, reminiscent of the Brough and Boucicault company in the height of their popularity. If the company visit New Zealand you will enjoy some very fine comedy. ‘Sally,’ a bright musical comedy, was also having a good run in Melbourne.”