GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 455, 13 April 1899, Page 8

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

[By

Paul Pry.]

“A Prodigal Father” ought to draw big houses throughout the colony. is doing splendid business with Othello” at Sydney Criterion.

The Hellers are doing good business across the water.

Mr Curtis, having settled his little difficulty with Dante privately, has departed for Vancouver. A theatrical company in N.S.W., is advertising for actors at the remunerative salary of thirty bob a week. Miss Gladys Leigh and Company are performing at the Opera House, Sydney, in “ Round the World in Eighty Days.” The Wood-Williamson Company is not doing very good business down South. It is stated that very few of the original members remain, and that the ranks are filled up by amateurs. A Montreal manager has been mulcted in damages because he refused to allow a negro to take his seat in the theatre as he was “ only a black man.” In awarding damages the judge said a theatre manager could distinguish between people, but could not adjudicate on a question of color. The British law is color-blind.

“ The Tyranny of Tears,” Mr Haddon Chambers’ new play, was introduced at the Criterion Theatre, London, recently. By both public and critics it was well received. The latter bestow high praise upon the work for its ingenuity and novelty. Last night the Moore-Roberts Company staged “49.” On Friday “David Garrick” will be played for that night onlv. I can imagine Mr Roberts to be an excellent David Garrick, and I hope to see a crowded house for what will undoubtedly be one of the gems of the season. Some of Emily Soldene’s comments on George Rignold’s “Othello,” at the Criterion, Sydney;

—Miss Wheeler’s appearance was beautiful, and she played exquisitely. “ A maiden never bold-, of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion blushed at herself.” Soft and gentle, and pale and fragile, she was the fair Venetian to the life. Lovely costumes, white pearls and flimsy misty gauze; her second a dream of beauty, clinging closely to the graceful figure, showing the contour of the limbs, in pale blue, with an overdress of white embroidered lisse, embroidered with spangles and beads and flittering diamonds; a red rose in her hair, and gleaming girdles bound her round and round. She was dreadfully “gone” on her black man; anybody could see that. At the end of the third act everybody was in a state of exaltation, and very much impressed indeed. 1 went round to Mrs Rignold’s box to congratulate her. “ You like it,” said si e. “ I think it too grand for words,” said I. “ I’m glad,” said she. “ Don’t you think so,” said I. “ I—l—l’m no judee. I’m nervous, you know.” “ Well,” said I, “ there’s nice goings on. All the ladies are real wild over it; each one filling in her time wishing with Desdemona, ‘ That Heaven had made her such a man.’ ” We all cried at the beautiful scene where Desdemona intercedes for Cassio: when she kneels at his feet, you know. How fond Othello is of his “ excellex t wench.” “ I will deny thee nothing,” says he, and takes her in his arms and holds her to him close and tight, and makes every woman in the theatre dreadfully envious. “ Farewell, my Desdemona; I’ll come to thee straight,” and we all look at each other (our eyes full), and sigh, “ Lovely.” The Henry Dramatic Company finished a fivenight season at the Theatre Royal, Napier, on Thursday. Fairly good houses greeted the com-

bination during their stay. The following plays were produced —“Shamrock and Thistle,” “ Scotland Yark,” “Under Two Flags,” and “All For Gold” (on Friday and Saturday). The company appeared at Hastings to good houses. Waipawa, Waipukurau, and Danevirke will be visited in that order.

A most enjoyable social evening was passed at St. Benedict’s Hall on Sunday last, the occasion being the usual Easter reunion of the choir. Mr Roberts and other members of bis company were present as special guests of the evening, as also was Brother Mahoney from Melbourne. Refreshments were partaken of and a number of musical selections given, the solos by Mies Thomas and Miss Hastings being specially worthy of notice. Miss McElhone acted as accompanist and Mr Allen as matter of ceremonies. Mr Roberts gave two recitations, namely, “The Seven Ages of Man” and an Irish parody on “ Excelsior.” During the week the Gaiety Company of variety artists have been performing to good houses at the City Hall, and a constant change of programme evidences the completeness of the company. Miss Daisy Chard has quite established herself in local favor, and her whistling in “ The Whistling Coon” always receives an enthusiastic encore. Already the “ Chard” whistle has been annexed by the Auckland “small-boy.” Miss Chard, in her musical sketches and in her singing of “ Not There,” pleases her audience immensely. Miss Edie Wright sings with go her items in the programme, “Humpy Humpy Hay” and “O’Soloman.” The I.ucifers during the week have been very well received, and the high-kicking of both Mrs and Mr Lucifer is quite a feature of the

entertainment. The weight-lifting of Mr Lucifer ! must be seen to be appreciated, whilst the acrobatic display of the Lucifers is remarkable for its originality and cleverness. Mr Sid Doody is i all there in bis dances. Mr Prince Godfrey receives warm applause for his songs, “ I Can’t Get On With It” and “ A Jolly Crew,” and the comic element is well supplied by Messrs Edwards and ■ Stow” in their sketches, “ Dante Outdone,” I “ Dissection,” and “ The Clothing Store Dummies.”

On Wednesday night in last week the MooreRoberts Company gave their first performance of Glen McDonough’s sparkling farcical comedy, “ A Prodigal Father.” The play had a tremendous vogue in London, whose playgoers do not damn a thing with faint praise, but give loud and demonstrative expression of approval or disapprobation according to their convictions. A sue cess in London and in Australia should be good enough tor Dew Zealand, and I am quite sure this play wi-1 prove a dra'*' throughout the colony. “ Father” is rich in humor, crisp in dialogue, and full of “ go” from start to finish, therefore a taking play to tut before the public. Mr Stanley Dodge (a wealthy and elderly American gentleman), accompanied by his valet (Smith), is supposed to have gone on a discovery tour through Darkest Africa. In reality he spends six months at Chicago and elsewhere on the “ razzle dazzle,” and, returning home, half makes up his mind to confess that he has not been to Africa at all. Finally he determines to stick to Africa, and, backed up by Smith, resolves to tell of wonderful exploits. His daughters (Graceand Tacy), in order that their father’s light shall not be hidden under a bushel-basket, have a Pressman on the scene of welcome, and, unknown to the

supposed explorer, his thrilling yarns are taken down in shorthand. His adventures are wonderful and, if landed in a difficulty, he refers to Smith, who supports him in the unveracious story. He invents a reformed cannibal, King Kukapoo Wattlepop, and sundry other wonderful beings. Catesby Duff (the newspaper man) publishes the whole story, and then the troubles of Stanley Dodge begin. He is written to by geographical societies all over the world, and he is the wonder of America. He can battle with these obstacles until the arrival of Dollie Bond, a serio-comic artiste whom he met at Chicago. Then a would-be son-in-law has his doubts as to the truth of the traveller’s narrative, and visits Dodge as Kukapoo Wattlepop himself. Stanley Dodge is in a pretty fix, but eventually things right themselves without his secret becoming public property. Mr Roberts, as Stanley Dodge, gave further proof of his marvellous adaptability. Here in a richly humorous farcical comedy the actor was equally at his ease as he was in the parts of John Stofel and Cyril Maitland. He made Stanley Dodge light, bright, and effective, thoroughly grasping in every detail the author’s conception of his creation, and throughout the play he never exceeded the bounds of true comedy. The part of Stanley Dodge is one that easily might be overpl-iyed, but Mr Roberts’ representation was refined and at the same time delightfully comical. Miss Maggie Moore gave a capital rendering of Dollie Bond, the lady with “a limited liability bathing costume,” who astonishes the household of Stanley Dodge by her startling sayings and doings, who tells Mildway Smiles—the same old stage curate —that “The Wearin’ o’ the Green” played slowly is “an unpublished mass by Mozart,” and who scandalises him by high-

kieking when he begs for an item for the programme of the school concert. Miss' Maggie Moore acted with much spirit, and shared with Mr Roberts the honors of the evening. As Kate (the eldest daughter of Stanley Dodge), Miss Madge Corcoran was quietly effective. She has not many good things to say, but when the opportunity comes her way Kate is not behindhand. Miss Lily Branscombe, as Tacy Dodge (the younger sister), played nicely, and the same may be said of Miss Osgood Moore, whose Beadle (the waiting maid) was brisk and lively Of Birdiekins (Dollies’ angel child) Miss Ethel Bashford made just the objectionable and precocious juvenile an “angel child” always is. Mr Percy Ward was very good as the tame little curate. Mr Herbert Ashton was better in the part of Catesby Duff (the newspaper man) than in any previous production. Mr Alec Cochrane was admirable as Percy Dodge, and the Smith of Mr Walter Rivers was decidedly funny. Mr Fred. Esmelton tpok the part of Tom Breeze (afterwards Kukapoo Wattlepop), and, save for a rather indistinct delivery, I liked him. lhe scenery used was painted by Messrs Campbell and Vaughan, and is entirely new. i On Saturday night the Moore-Roberts combination produced, at the Opera House, Dion Boucicault’s ever-popular drama, “ Arrah-na-Pogue.” The evergreen story of Shaun the Post’s fidelity and faith never fails to attract a good house, and as played by the Moore—Roberts Company the drama proved no exception to the rule. Miss Maggie Moore’s interpretation of the name part retains all its original freshness. She is the tender, true, and trustful Irish girl to the life, and though it costs her husband’s freedom, and perhaps life, she is unable to betray the secret of Beamish McCoul, so sacredly is her promise—not to speak for three days —regarded. In the scene (in Arrah’s cabin) where Shaun accuses himself of robbing Michael Feeney, in order to save his wife’s honor, Miss Moore acted very finely. In the prison scene and in the Justice Hall the actress was equally successful, and throughout the play, in both light and serious situations, Miss Maggie Moore delighted her audience by her ■jfinished acting. During the health-drinking after the wedding Miss Moore sang “The Wearin’ o’ the Green” with much expression, and also gave “ Shaun, Dear, My Own,” very prettily. Fanny Power was played by Miss Ada Woodhill; who gave a very capable rendering of the part, besides looking handsome in her riding-habit. The Shaun of Mr Roberts adds more lustre to the actor’s already bright fame. lam not quite sure but that Shaun is just a little bit too earnest, but, as a whole, the performance was a most excellent one. Mr Roberts is a much younger Shaun than that portrayed by Dion Boucicault, but probably the reason is that the author never had the advantage of youth in playing the part. However, Mr Roberts is a very typical young Irishman—loyal, honest, and loving. He is very tender and gentle in the trying scenes with Arrah ; he is genuinely humorous when occasion requires ; and his passion is not too pronounced when he breaks loose in the prison and frightens Michael Feeney out of his wits. In the scene when Arrah tells him she cannot say who was hidden in her cabin unless he asks her, and Fanny Power rushes in with the information that Beamish McCoul was Arrah’s lover, Mr Roberts was admirable. Shaun’s great joy in knowing that his wife is faithful was a splendid bit of acting, and just as good is the actor when, though life may be the penalty, Shaun is bouyed up with the sense that he is serving the McCoul The Michael Feeney of Mr J. J. Ennis is a careful study, and the player is to be complimented upon his interpretation of the contemptible process-server and informer. Mr Alec Cochrane played Colonel O’Grady with humor and with dignity. Mr Herbert Ashton’s was a very good Major Coffin and Mr F. Esmelton gave satisfaction as Beamish McCoul. All the smaller parts were effectively filled. “ Arrah-na-Pogue” was repeated on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

The performance of “David Garrick” on Friday will be given as a complimentary benefit to Mr Roberts. Robertson’s comedy, with the beneficiaie as the Garrick, should draw a big attendance. Yesterday afternoon the Moore-Roberts Company played “ Mrs Quinn’s Twins” as a benefit performance in aid of the St. Mary’s, Ponsonby, and Takapuna Catholic Orphanages. The Opera House was well attended.