Theatrical Notes

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14216, 4 June 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

Theatrical Notes

M. Guitry is not- the- first actor (says & Home ox;, to -impersonate a cue*. EThat di siui'./uan probably belongs to Garnck. ihe occasion is recalled by Hazbtt in his essay, "On Persons One Would \\ ish to Have vSeeii, ' in "Wintexslow." "Once at a spienditt dinner paa^y 1 a t Lord "s,- - inev suddenly ,missed Garrick, and could not- imagine what was become of him, till tiiey "Were drawn t-o the window by convulsive • screams and peals of laughter of a young negro boy who was rolling on the ground in an ecstasy of delight to see Garrick mimicking a tur-key-cock in the courtyard, witli his ooai>-taii stuck out behind, in a seeming -flutter of feathered rage and pride."-

In Sydney at the Theatre Royal, "The Third Degree" is meeting with undoubted success and it is very evident that the second Charles Klein has caught on- even more than "The Lion *nd tho Mouse'" which was also a solid success. Miss Katherine Greyhas surpassed herself in the leading feminine role and on all sides her praises are being sung. Mr Julius Knight in the part of Richard Brew*ter, the constitutional lawyer, has added yet another to his list of big successes and the rest- of the company are adequately placed in their respective roles. Mr Julius Kuight thinks most highly of Miss Katherine Grey's portrayal of Mrs Jefferies. jun. He thinks fcer "characterisation of Charles Klein's lonely and friendless woman is a wonderful piece of acting which is accentuated by the fact that she always wears the same dress and in her manner, gestures, and even in her forced cheerfulness which bespeaks the aching which she tries in vain to hide.

A re'o'-l house* assembled on May Slit. «t Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. to welcome the Royal Comic Opera Company back to that city. The organisation is always assured of an enthusiastic welcome from Melbourne pi ay-goers and its recent premiere of "A. Waltz Dream" onlv served to emphasise this fact. Play-goers were anxious to see the Strauss opera which ias gained for itself such a reputation for melodious music, gorgeous setting, and excellent comedy, and in addition to all the old favourites of the Opera Company, they were to make the acquaintance of three newcomers. The result was a packed and most enthusiastic audience that greeted old friends and new faces with the heartiest of applause. Miss Florence Young received something of an ovation and her colo, "Gay Butterfly" in part"cu T ar met with tremendous success. Then there -was Mr Reginald Roberts who had a part which called for some fin» acting and singing, to which he did fnll justice. The newcomers proved themselves worthy of the warm reception accorded them. *

By the death of King Edward the "theatrical profession lost a true friend and. a generous patron. While he was Prince of AVales his late Majestv took a personal interest in the principal theatrical productions, and the operatic managers in London never sought his aid in Tain. Then, when he ascended the throne, the frequent presence of Royalty was hailed as a boon and a blessing by the theatrical managers of London. During the first three months of -Khis year King Ed-ward broke all Koyal records in his attendance at theatrical "performances. In one week lie Baw three London plays. Miss Mn r-jV. Xiohr, an Australian, and Miss Tittell Brane were two of the actresses who appeared before his Majesty in February. Just before he went on the continent Kins; Edward witnessed a

performance of "The House of Temperfey," Sir Arthur Cor;an Dovle's Oramatic setting of Ms stoiy. "RodBey Stone," There is a prize fight in l!he play. During the reign of Queen Victoria two actors were raised to the dignity of knighthood—the late Sir Henry Irving and Sir Squire BanCroft. King Edward bestowed the royal favour on Sir John Hare. Sir Herbert "Beerbohm Tree, and Sir Cileries "Wyndham. And it was King Edward who tapped Santley, the singer, and.the shoulder with a gracious "ri«p. £' r Charles!" In the case of Sir Charles Santley, the stage was again honoured, for the veteran baritone, who at the age of 76 is still Kinging, won his fame as an operatic artist. Sir Arthur Pinero, Sir Arthur Conan Dovle,. and Sir "William Sher.ck Gilnerfc were "elevated" as dramatic anthors by the royal patron of the drama ■who is now at rest.

A NOVEL HAMLET. There died recently, in South America, an actor who did. or is eaid to have done, a verv the character of Hamlot. Creston Clarke, partly English and parti v American Chis fatiher - heing t-be famous comedian. John Sleeper Clarke, and his mother "the 'sister of Booth"), held the viVw that Sljakespeare would liar-e obtained piore sympathy for h-'s morbid Prince if he had in f rodueed him in a prolojrue as he was befoi-e his father's death. The public would better appreciate ihe Unromnromisins extremity of Hamlet's gloom, the actor thou "Tit, if they first PAiar fn the flesh the Hamlet of whom Onh°liT. supposing him to be mad, regTetfnUv and passionately speaks—the Harnl«?t sh" had known in the hapoy day*. matchless in beauty, the leader of fashion, the mirror of elegance. the Writer of lov® songs, or. as the t( dear maid" them. "music vows": the lieir of Denmark's throne. He shonld come the stage (said Creston Clarke}. not onlv a.s a word-por-tru't. but ns o fic're and a fact. And «■*? n T " rs^CTl °f tragedy (riven v " n " r.Tmll American town. - _ ' To th/v even of * Sovth "' r - r '", ri n audience, the plav r *Preceded by +he of a tableau showing Harlot, a jrailv attired gentleman, strolling bravely and onovantlv abouf the room of state, evidntly the pet. of th« entire Court: "as nappy as a who is not a king": payine (in dumb show") wittv comnliments coin-trying beantv; activelv JiobnobbJnsr with the soort and valour o the throng: and coinfr up to his beloved father ~t ir+oi-vqls f_r> hand and to have }>."<= head stroked in "etTirn. It was a. ri«ky experiment to if ofr witlioufc any i«nootine an <7 a local paper th? tableau TTTA great r^ar 7 --^. "wbo to fi IVfr WMon and "with "Tonne fwin of tb rt late T. "VT. nnd an actor no land of +>«- livirur' l . irw tho many a -y plar t-Ko not^bTA of bis a.« a T^lsT-wnflit +bnh Jrv^iin 0"f r^rrv?ttw? n. TA^ r -or AJV Tl,^ CSIW 't 1 "- *a+r> fVorf» n ni Had lit th« » he nlaved c<^ a RV-helicu of his nnelo, Ed"snn Booth.