ELLEN TERRY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 116, 22 June 1914, Page 5

ELLEN TERRY.

A THEATRICAL TREAT. During Miss Ellen Terry's last visit to America, where she gave her Shakespearean Discourses to enormous houses in all the chief cities of the United States, she was the recipient of many tributes to her genius. Painters, poets, authors, vied with each other in laying their contributions at her feet. At the Eudson Theatre, which was packed to its utmost capacity, she was given a testimonial in the form of a beautiful book on behalf of the members of her own profession, men and women in art, literature, education, society, philanthropy, finance, and firmly told that she must never read aloud from it, that it was aimed, designed, and executed for her personal comfort and vision. On the title page of this simply beautiful volume was the following greeting written by the famous American authoress, Kate Douglas Wiggin:—

"The names in this book are interlined throughout with radiant memories and happy anticipations, they will be visible to no one but yourself, as they are in sympathetic ink of a peculiarly confidential tint; '' This little volume is a book of welcome from certain loyal admirers to that incarnation of poetic harmony we call Ellen Terry, the enchanting, the inapproachable, the imperishable beloved of the English speaking stage.

'' Since that star danced under which you were born up to the present moment, dear Ellen Terry, each of us could have said as Portia to Bassanio, One half of me is yours, : the other half yours . . . and so all yours.'' "Kate Douglas Wiggin." Amongst the many contributors to this unique book was the great American poet, Percy Mackaye, who wrote a SONNET TO ELLEN TERRY On her Return to America. How shall we welcome back iier image bright, Who from our hearts has never been away? They never lived who never loved a play, Nor ever loved who loved not in delight; Therefore to her, who in dull Care's despite Long since has taught the world's sad soul to pray To saints of joy, we bring an homage gay Of hearts made lighter by her own pure light. Juliet of love, Miranda of the mind, Katherine of quips, and beauty's Rosalind, Truth's Portia Beatrice the madcap merry, All heroines wrought of the master's heart — ,To these we bow, and. these bow down to art, And art to time, and time to —Ellen Terry. Miss Terry will be supported by the following distinguished artists: —Miss Nina Forbes (with her charming songs at the piano), Miss Gladys M'Dowell (a rich contralto), and Mr Joseph Blascheck (the farnour English humorist). Miss Terry's season of two nights opens on Saturday at the Theatre Eoyal. The box plan opens on Wednesday at the Dresden. The day sales at the Toy Cave admit holders to enter fifteen minutes before advertised opening times. This is a great innovation and should be appreciated by the public.