THE ACTOR'S TRIBUTE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 7, 16 August 1911, Page 52

THE ACTOR'S TRIBUTE.

On Tuesday night there was another “command” performance, at which the actors of England paid their homage to the King and Queen in a scene of magnificence and beauty at His Majesty’s Theatre. From the faet of ampler area and greater opportunity for display, the Gala performance at Covent Garden was more opulent in its surroundings, and ornate in its decorative adornments, but that at His Majesty’s gained in intimacy and homeliness. There was the same' wonderful array of diamonds, dresses, and gorgeous uniforms, but the scene in every particular was on a reduced scale —Covent Garden in miniature. t ery cleverly devised was the prologue, written by Mr Owen Seaman, and read with mingled humour and feeliug by Mr Forbes Robertson, habited in Court attire. The prologue was cast in the mould of easy familiarity, and offered jest and homage in turn. She! we are mummers, ami we make pretence Of tears or laughter at the Truth s expense; It is our calling, under Art’s disguise, Thus to divert imaginative eyes; And sometimes, in our more expensive scene. We even play at being kings ami queens. Rut he, the glory of our golden age. Wisely remarks that all the world's a stage, Wheie every man alive must play his part Unaided by the mysteries of Art.

Such is your burden, in the day's full beam Playing your part, to be the thing you seem; So stand you crowned, tu serve your country’s need, No King of shadows, but a King indeed. These lines broke through the reticence of the audience, and enthusiastic cheers made the theatre ring again. Applause gave place to hearty laughter at the subsequent plea for indulgence: — If here and there a pensive pause is made, While memory searches for a line mislaid, Kindly legat'd such lapses as unique. And due, no doubt, to Coronation Meek. And when, in reference to the drunken scene in "David Garrick” the prologue explained that We feign a count -rfeit intoxication. Not from experience, but with fancy’s aid, Assisted by a little lemonade. tlr? distinguished audience simply rocked with laughter. And then, so soon as Mr Forbes Robertson had made his bow with a final “God Save Your Majesties.” we came to the real entertainment —a theatrical feast indeed, rich beyond words in laughter anc entertainment. No fewer than 300 of England's leading actors and actresses took part in the programme, which commenced with a scene from the “Merry Wives of Windsor.” in which Ellen Terry, Mrs Kendal, Mrs Charles Calvert and Rutland Barrington appeared. Then came the drunken scene from “David Garrick,” in which Sir Charles Wyndham and Miss Mary Moore had the support of a caste of “stars." This was followed by the Forum scene from Julius Caesar, iu which Sir Herbert Tree was the Mark

Antony, Mr E. S. Willard, Brutus, Mr A. E. George, Caesar, Mr Basil Gill, Cassius, and the “crowd” a hundred actors of note. After Shakespeare, Sheridan, with “The Critic,” with all the “gags,” ancient and modern. The caste would fill a column, and included Arthur Bouchier, Charles Hawtrey, George Grossmith, jun., Cyril Maude, Lady Tree, Marie Tempest and George Alexander. Finally came Ben Johnson’s masque, “The Vision of Delight,” with a prologue written by Mr Herbert Trench and recited by Mrs Patrick Campbell. Practically all the lady “stars” of our stage appeared, and very beautiful they looked. The whole ’thing was a sheer delight to look upon, and it culminated with “God Save the King,” sung by Miss Clara Butt, and taken up by all the actors on the stage, the great audience joining in. A theatre gala is something new in the history of Court festivities, and Sir Herbert Tree must be happy in the knowledge that the arrangements were perfect, and the tribute worthy of the King to whom it was tendered.