THE LATE MR ROBERT BROUGII.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 65

THE LATE MR ROBERT BROUGII.

Br Phoextx. Theatregoers throughout the whole of | Australasia will hear with sincere regret of the not altogether unexpected death of the well-known, manager-actor, Mr Robert Brcugh, who expired in Sydney on Friday last from heart 'affection. * Playgoers generally recognise the fact that the- colonies owe a great dccl to the Broughs. Probably nc theatrical combination has done so much for dramatic azt in the antipodes. They have at "times presented quite a galaxy of interpreters; they have brought their ratrons into contact with the- best work in modern comedy, and their triumphs have been won by art, not reclame There was n-ever anything like that about the Broughs. Their endeavours were always directed towards heightening the tone of the playhouse. They appealed neirher to sects nor to sete, tried to v.'in box office fame neither by scandals nor eccentricities, but relied rather on good plays and good acting for their success. Following this policy they d.d not make fortunes, but they counted as ccn»pen3ation ilhe fact that they could claim to be genuine professionals following with dignity an occupation which is often nowadays considered to be irremediably i-ul-gar. As an actor, Mr Brough was refreshingly natural : he always played with studied completeness and quiet force, the repose of liis acting being his strength,' and. over all, it wae generally artistic. The visits to New ■ Zealand were always looked forward to as fortunate omens, presaging, as they should, seasons of high class entertainment. The • deceased, with his wife, made their first appearance in the colonies at the Royal Theatre, Melbourne, in 1885, under 'the management of the triumvirate fWiliiamson, Garner, and Musgrove) in "lolanthe." with tha Royal Comic Opera Co. Mr Brough was the Lord High Chancellor, and Mrs Brough the Fairy Queen. No reception was. more cordial, no applause more hearty,' than the performers received as the opera swung along. But at the -curtain fall nc> hand clapped. "A failure after all/ ejaculated Brough.: . '"No. no. a greateucoess," .*^aid someone. "Australians do not call Sot actors and authors like Londoner*; *> when the curtain falls they go home, to bed." In 1886 the idea of forming a company; for tho production of high-class comedies was carried into force, and of this Mr and Mrs Brough, Mr Titberadge. and Mr Bouoi- ■ eaulfc were the principals. In that year was formed the- subsequently widely-known combination of Brough and Boucicauli, Mr Brough being manasrer as well a,s actor during its existence. The partnership lasted until 1896, when it was dissolved. During; the partnership. Messrs Brousjh and Boucicault were lessees of the Bijou Theatre, Melbourne, and it used to be generally felt amongst theatregoers that if one wanted to witness anything of an educational or solid description in the amusement line, tbe Bijou was the place to got requirements satisfied. One always felt that the management endeavoured to bring forward the latest a;jd best in the dramatic world — the modern school of drama, strictly speaking, whi^h was for the education and benefit of patrons. 'Messrs Brough and Boucicault as partners made their first appearance in Dunedin in May 1888, when they brought from Melbourne an opera burlesque co. and presented for the first time the then London gaiety success ''Forry Thieves." a spectacular burlesque extravaganza During tbe season. "Little Jack Shepherd" Mid "Dick.' % both of a similar description to the open•'ng; piece, w-ere produced for the first time. Mr Brough directed the staging. In December 1889 the management reintroduoed , Mr Frank Thornton in the "Private Secretary," supported by the TJroujzh Boucicault Comedy. Co.. the season also witnessing "My Milliners' Bill." 'Mama" (first time). i "Sweet Lavender" (first time X.Z.|, and the irial scene from Pickwick. In December 1893. came the first New Zealand tour of the famous Broutri and Boucicault ComedyCo., .which had been- scoring successes in the Australian centres -for several years. ! with the choicest of modern comedies. The opening piece was "Dandy" Dick." and the repertoire included "Sophia." "The Idler." "Niobe," "The Village Priest."' "The Amazons" (first time), and "Caste." In Novom!>er, 1894. saw the second tour of the company with "Sowing the Wind." "The Sportsman." "In Honour Bound." "Lady Windermere's Fan." "Aunt Jack." "Second Mrs Tanqueray."' "She Stoops to Conquer." and '"Niobe." In November, 1895. was witnessed "Second Mrs Tanqueray." "The Case of Rebellious Sa^an." "The Amazons." "The Importance of Being Earnest." "A Village Priost." "An Ideal Husband." ' The Pickpocket " "Damiv Dick." and "Xiobe.' In July 1897 the Brough Comedy Co. apnearcd, tho partnership between M-p^sr* Brough and Bouoicault having meanwhile bepn difrsoKcd. The vi-.it was made prior to tho disbandment of + he combination, and the departure of Mr and Mrs Brough for England. - The n' IT nberd =ta£red inrludt-d "A Woman Of No li*oortance" (firs) prodx-.cfion N.Z.). "Nancy and Company " (fir<-t production N.Z.L "The Notorious "Mrs Ebbsmith" (first production N.Z.). and '"Dandy Dick." At the conclusion of the season Mr Brough was piesentpd with an addre ;= ; of appreciation ftom the citizens .of Dunedin. In January. 1900, tho Broughs were asram with lis, producing. "Tlie LiajV (first ur<xlite.tion), "Tho Ad\cnlure« of Lady lTr»uia" (first production). "The Gax Lord Quex" (first production). "Thp Phveician" ffirst time- in .Dunedin), "Lor.l and Tacly Al^y* (first time N.Z.). " 'Dandy Dick." ""Son in? the Wind," "The Second Mr^s- Tanqueray." "A Vili'ai?f Priest." and "Niobe." February 1902, came the anjiounopment that after the then N.Z. season Mr and Mrs Brough would retire from ihe Australas.an sr a ge. The attractions placed on the boards were "Lady Huntworth's Experiment" "i&rst tim.6 Dun&ain), '"Kb« Second ia Com-

, viand*' (first time Dunedin), "Mrs Dane's ' Defence" \tirst and only production in Dun- "■ edin), "Sweet and Twenty" (first and only • production). "Th-e Amazons," "The Liars." ' '"Sowing the Wind." "Tyranny of Tears" ' (first and only time Dunedin). The final 1 visit paid by the deceased gentleman was " ia^ti November, when a combination epk pearedasthe Brough-Flemming Comedy Co., ' Mr Brough having previously partnered ' with Mr Herbert Flemming. The repertoire included "Beauty and the Barge," "The Walls of Jericho," "Quality Street," ail , staged for the first time here, and "Niobe," '. the latter being put on by desire so that [ patrons might ccc ilrs Brough once again on the local 6tage. this being her only appoarance during tbe season. After the Dunedin season the company proceeded north and finally arrived in Sydney in February last, appearing at the Criterion in "Beauty > ! and the Barge, ' "Walls of Jericho," , j "Quality Street,"' '"Little Mary,"' and lor her attractions. During the season Mr Brough broke down more than once. At first the doctors gave no hope of his recovery. Eventually he took a turn for the better, although jt was felt he would be unable to appear on the boards for some considerable time._ He had as actor-manager for years been doing two ' nien's work, and vt&s justly entitled to,- a little ease and comfort. It was thought that a sip of Blue Mountain air would havo the' desired result, and to that Sydney health resort he Was taken, having- sufficiently recovered to allow of this being done. The change, however, -was only beneficial for a little while, and the deceased finally passed away as before indicated. The Sydney season" was to close on April 20, aft&r which Brisbane was to have been visited. Mr Percy Brouarh, a nephew of the late Mr Brough, died at Colombo last February. { I !