OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 115, 18 May 1931, Page 7

OBITUARY

MR DAVID BELASCO. NEW YORK, Alay 15. The death has occurred of Air David Belasco, dramatist and producer, after a long illness, aged 77. Air David Belasco was born at San Francisco in 1854 and educated at Lincoln College, California. In 1873 he was a call-boy at the Alctropolitan Theatre, San Francisco, but in three years had become stage-manager at the Baldwin Theatre, and later held a similar post at Grand Opera House and Alctropolitan Theatre. In 1882 he went to New York, where he, was put in charge of Madison Square Theatre, remaining there till 1884. He later moved to the Lyceum, New York, under the late Daniel Frohman. In 1890 he began producing on his own account, his first effort being ‘’The Ugly Duckling,” with Airs Leslie Carter in the leading role. Air Belasco opened the. Belasco Theatre in New York in 1902 and he also controlled many theatres in other

American cities. Later he built the Stuyvcsant Theatre, New York, which he opened in J 907 with “A Grand Army Alan.” One of lhe most popular dramatists in America, he wrote alone or in collaboration a large number of plays, mostly niclodramtic, and adapted many more —some of thorn for the stock coin panics with which he was connected in his early days—the total coming tu over 200. Owing to his mastery of stagecraft, lie was eminently successful as a producer ami stage director. He presented, among others, (he famous E. H. ;<'thorn, Blanche Bates and David Warfield, and was manager for Mrs Leslie Carter for 16 years. His plays included “The Heart of Maryland,” “Aladame Butterfly,” “The Girl of the Golden West,” “Du Barry,’’ “The Darling of the Gods” and “Adrca’ ? (the last three with Luthe: Long). “Sweet Kitty Bollairs,” “Thr Return of Peter Grimm,” “Lord Chumley,” “The Wife,” “The Charity Ball” and “Men ami Women” (the last four with De Mille), “Van tier iDceken, “ May blossom, ” “Timothy” (witli \V. J. Ilurlbut) , produced in London, and “Zaza” and “The Lily,” adapted from tli ( » l■'|•enel). His recent productions included “The Bacliel.ir I’ather,” “Lulu Belle” and ihe Freiburg Passion I’l ay. A UNIQUE Hot Water Bottle will give as much cosy comfort in your car as it. doci in your bed. British—Unleakable—Labl.i a lifetime.—-3* J?, positive safeguard against cough.' •olds, and all such throat and lung ••omplaints—“NAZOL.” Put a few Irops on your hnndkercl 1 iet every lay. 120 full doses for 2/6.—Advt.