FAREWELL TO A POPULAR ACTRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10919, 13 March 1907, Page 5 (Supplement)

FAREWELL TO A POPULAR ACTRESS

Miss Tittell Brune's. farewell to Sydney last week at Her Majesty's Theatre assumed the character of a great demonstration on the part of the playgoing public. Early m the afternoon people were waitiiig m Pitt-street at the theatre doors,' and outside the early door at 5.30 o'clock a queue had been formed which ran round past the hotel at the corner and a long way into Market street. Those waiting m the line were mainly young girls, niany of them carried bags containing buns or fruit, which which they proposed to stay the pangs of hunger, whilst others had books to beguile the weary hours of waiting until the performance began. The curious gaze of the idlers m the street, the people hurrying to and fro m the traffic of business, or the workmen on their way home at the end of the day's toil, could- not disconcert the patient waiters ; and the line grew m length until the doors were thrown open. The house was practically full'jat 7 o'clock, when the sale of tickets was stopped, as there was no more room m the theatre. Miss Brune, when she walked m ar-; rayed' as the boyish Duke of Reichstadt, orie of her best characters, met with a great reception. In the first act of "L'Aiglon," the actress was supported by a long cast, which included Mr Mer- ■ "vale, m a. new role as Prince Metternich, Miss Susie Vaughan repeating her excellent performance as the Empress Marie Louise, and Miss Elwyn Harvey as aclever Brooklet. .The second act of "Leah Kleschna," the balcony scene from "Romeo and Juliet," and the. Jast act of "Sunday," were ' also ; played, so that Miss Brune appropriately appeared m four of her most successful characters. When the curtain fell the enthusiasm was renewed, and floral emblems m great variety were handed up to the actress. In a farewell speech, Miss Brune ,->aid she had. spoken many words and expressed many different sentiments over those dear old footlights— but these were words written by clever men, and the words she: now addressed to them could havjs no merit from the standpoint of the great authors, but they came from her heart. "I wish I could make you feel-how miich your love and appreciation have meant for me,", said she, amidst applause — "I am sure there is not another . audience like you- in the world.".: Her work had been hard at times, but they had made it a labor '.o t, -love. • Although she • was : going to her own country, she .would always consider the Australians her dear friends, and Australia her English home, if they would let her.. /'..,. . "Don't forget to come back !" shouted a voice. . ...-.'-;:' Miss Brittle expressed her sorrow at leaving the Australians, the ladies and gentlemen of her company, and her m^Oa gers— especially Mr J. C. Williamson. "And now I will say," she continued, "that I wish you a wealth of joy; a wealth of love, and a wealth of happiness." ....•■.-.. "Thank you !" "Thank you, Sunday !" responded some girls m the' gallery, m shrill treble. "To those very dear young girls who have extended to me the hand of friendship, and given me their confidence, 1 say that I wish them everything that makes life good," said Miss Brune. When she was far away there would be, she hoped, nothing but fond thoughts for the little American "Eaglet," and she would havo only tender, sweet memories for the people "whose hearts (with .a sob). are." are big as the land that holds them." This quotation from "Sunday" roused the audience to fresh enthusiasm. The curtain was raised agaiii and again, and Mr Kingston had also to make a speech before the audience thought of going home.