GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1094, 23 February 1911, Page 22

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

“The Third Degree.” “The Third Degree,” which is to be staged at His Majesty’s, on Monday, draws its title and has its.-foundation in an abuse in police administration, which could not live in the freedom of a British community, and in New York, where it is most rife, the power of the stage, the press, and the pulpit have been arrayed against it, and apparently not without result, for quite recently the cables stated that a congregational committee had been appointed to enquire into it. Charles Klein’s play, which has the peculiar fascination of a detective story, is a powerful indictment against the whole system. In the first act young Howard Jeffres, junr. is arrested for a murder which he did not commit. The police put him under the pressure of the third degree, and in his agony he confesses. This scene is shown on the stage, and is said to be very sensational. The character of Mrs. Howard/ junr., gives Miss Katherine Grey opportunities than the part of Shirley Rossmore; ‘ in “The Lion and the Mouse” to present her tragic powers- It is the part of a desperate suppliant against circumstances, and yet not merely a suppliant, but a fighter against whom the strings of hope are stretched, but in whom they nevei’ snap. In the ’’Lion and the Mouse” Miss Grey is the educated girl who is forced to descend, in the “Third Degree” she is the uneducated girl who is fighting pride, prejudice and suspicion, and she is said, in the latter, to rise to great heights of emotion and dramatic power. Messrs. William Desmond, Cyril Mackay and George Bryant are also seen to advantage in “The Third Degree.” Six nights will be devoted to “The Third Degree,” and the season will close with four performances of Eugene Walter’s famous drama “Paid in Full,” and two representations of Clyde Fitch’s fascinating comedy drama “The Truth.”

Extending the Tour. The enormous success which has attended the visit of Miss Katherine Grey in the various provincial towns, has induced the management to extend her present tour and a return visit to each of the following centres will take place: At New Plymouth on Monday, March 13th; Wanganui, March 14th; Palmerston North, March 15th; Masterton March 16th; Timaru,

March 18th and 20th; Oamaru, March 21st; Gore, March 23rd; and Miss Grey will make her final appearance in New Zealand at Invercargill on Friday and Saturday, March 24th and 25th, in the “Lion and the Mouse” and “The Third Degree.” • « < • Miss Amy Castles* Mr. Homan Barnes wires me from Christchurch as follows:—“Miss Amy Castles continues her triumphant career through the South Island. The uristchurch season of three concerts has just concluded, and was the biggest record of the tour. On Saturday evening five or six hundred ladies cheered Miss Castles as she left the ling. Miss Castles leaves for the West Coast to-morrow morning. The popular songstress is looking eagerly forward to a season in your town.” * * • « Tneir Unique Record. The Williamson Comic Opera Company can boast of a record in the way travelling. After leaving here on Sunday, they played at New Plymouth on Monday, Wanganui on Tuesday and Wednesday, will be at Palmerston North to-night and Friday, and take the train on Saturday to Wellington, where, through the representations of Mr. “Dick” Stewart, and the courtesy of the Huddart Parker Steamship Company, they will be able to pick up the Victoria, which is to be delayed on their behalf, and arrangements made that tne trip from Wellington to Dunedin shall be direct. This means that the company will play in Palmerston North on Friday and Dunedin on the following Monday! Surely a record of whch Mr. Stewart should be proud. That popular manager, by the way, has been through New Zealand no fewer than 81 times with various Williamson companies, extending over a period of 20 years, and he possesses a most interesting collection of valuable/mementoes given him by different companies, *es + ifying to the regard in which he is held. A much treasured souvenir in a handsome silver salver with a facsimile of the autographs of all the members of the Mother Goose Company. But Mr. Stewart’s experiences would fill a page in themselves.