“THE PRINCE CHAP.”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 957, 9 July 1908, Page 16

“THE PRINCE CHAP.”

There is no other instance in the theatrical history of this country which affords a parallel to the case of Mr. H. R. Roberts, who will appear at His Majesty’s Theatre; on Tuesday, July 14, in a new London comedy, “ The Prince Chap.” Mr. Roberts has the unique distinction of being the first actor who has left the Australasian colonies to become an accepted star on the English; and American stage. In the course zof nine years’ experience abroad he has been associated with some of the leading artistes of the English-speaking world, and within the past two or three years has taken front rank among them. For 150 nights he starred at Sir Charles Wyndham’s Criterion 1 . Theatre, London, in “The Prince Chap,” creating the part of Peyton the sculptor. No actor has ever returned to his native land with such eclat as Harry Roberts, for he was received immediately upon his arrival in Wellington by the Mayor of the capital city, in the presence of at least a hundred prominent citizens, and with the patronage of the Prime Minister. He was again accorded a public reception in Christchurch, and on the occasion of his first appearance in that city on June last he received an ovation of which any actor might well be proud. The Mayor of Dunedin, desirous of welcoming back one of that city’s most brilliant sons —for it was in Dunedin

Roberts was born —gave him an official reception at the Town Hall in the presence of a representative gathering. Harry Roberts’ father, Mr. R. R. Roberts, was one of the most famous light comedians of his day, contemporarily with Charles Matthews and G. V. Brook; and his mother, Miss Pollie Leake, was recognised as the cleverest soubrette on the Australian stage. It was therefore only natural that Roberts should drift into the theatrical profession, and few actors have received such good training, for he appeared in a large round of varied parts in the company of such fine artistes as John L. Hall, William Hoskins, W. J. Holloway, Essie Jennings, Bland Holt, George Rignold, R. Brough, and Dion Boucicault. He subsequently joined Miss Maggie Moore, whom he afterwards married, and with that brilliant comedienne he was seen in some of his finest characters. The box plan for “ The Prince Chap” is now open at Wildman and Arey’s.