SOLDIER PLAYWRIGHTS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9417, 13 April 1909, Page 7

SOLDIER PLAYWRIGHTS

: Gtjy Lonia Busson Du Maurier, D. 5.0., who is now acknowledged to be the author of the play, “An Bngliehman/s Home, ” that has taken London by storm, is, it need scarcely be said; a sou of Mr George Du Maurier, the famous caricaturist and novelist, and brother off the popular actor of that name who produced the play. Major Du Maurire, although a Royal Fusiliers officer, which regiment he joined in 1885; has been latterly closely identified with the mounted infantry. His success, following so closely upon that of the ex-soldier author, F. D. Bone,' whose playlets have proved very popular at West End houses, brings to mind others in the band of soldiers-play wrights. Of these Captain Basil Hood is perhaps the best known. It is tolerably certain that but for the spin of a coin the latter might now. have been pursuing the unexciting routine of regimental, colonel.

The crisis came when he was ordered to proceed to India with a draft. For “Gentleman Joe” had been surreptitiously written, and the captain had to decide, at very short notice, between staking his all on the play and throwing up the army, or ooninuing his ‘ comfortable military career. “ When my servant began to pack my bqses for India,” he once said, “I felt desperate and incapable of a . satisfactory decision,” Tbe toss of a coin decided; he resigned his commission; and the funds with which he backed his play stood between him and ruin. Fortune favoured the; brave, and theoaptain has been drawing something like the salary of a fieldmarshal. Hla many successful ipusioal comedies are too well known, to need mention here.

Captain Robert Marshall is perhaps, Basil Hood’s nearest rival among soldier playwrights. He is Represented best by “The Second in Command” and “The Duke of Killieorankie.” He has. served in a regiment associated with Yorkshire, namely, the West Ridings, and he did a great deal of writing whilst serving. Hike Major Dir Manrier, one of his most famous plays, “His Excellency the Governor,” was written whilst he was soldiering in South Africa; daring, as a matter of fact, the last year of his appointment as A.D;O. to the Governor of Natal.

The only other notable additions to the attenuated list of soldier-play-wrights are Mr Edgar Wallace, war correspondent, novelist, and ex-pri-vate, whose novel, “The Four Just Men,” was staged a short time ago at the King’s Theatre, Hammersmith ; Major A. P. Owen-Lewis, D. 5.0.. also of Captain Basil Hood’s regiment, whoj besides being a very capable amateur actor, has written bright little comedies} and Captain Fraser, husband of Ruth Vincent, ■whose action with George Edwards a few years ago, in regard to the authorship of “The Cingalee,” will be remembered.