CLIMBING THE RUNGS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1101, 18 May 1911, Page 17

CLIMBING THE RUNGS.

MR WALTER DALGLEISH OF WM. ANDERSON’S COMPANY. Mr Walter Dalgleish, whose portrait is reproduced in this issue, is making his bow before an Auckland audience again after an absence of five years. As Hildred, in “The Prince and the Beggar Maid,” Mr Dalgleish, who gives a highly convincing study of the arrogant reigning prince, is quite a familiar figure to Auckland theatre goers, and his extinction in the last act is always the signal for general rejoicing—surely the villain of the play could not be paid a greater compliment! Mr Dalgleish was out here five years ago with .Mr Anderson’s company, and played “La Loup” in “The Face at the Window.” So realistically did he portray the “Face” in all its horrors and gruesomeness, that the memory of it is fresh still in the minds of those who saw it, a doubtful tribute which Mr Dalgleish pleasantly acknowledges. “But it’s the hero who gets all the sympathy,” observed Mr Dalgleish ruefully. Fourteen years with Mr Anderson. Mr Dalgleish commenced his stage ■career with the late John F. Sheridan, and was with him for seven years in all capacities, from dresser to leading man, accompanying that sterling actor to New Zealand ten years ago, and playing leads for him. He has also been associated with George Rignold, and played Gilbert Vaughan to Mr Rignold’s Maccari in “Called Back.” “I learnt a good deal from Mr Rignold,” said Mr Dalgleish. “Pick your part to pieces,” he would say, “and see what you would do if were you in that man’s position.” He was always ready to give good advice and hold out assistance.’ Mr Dalgleish takes the part of Jim, the cow boy in “Right is Might,” which is included in the company’s repertoire, and has to exercise some ■superior horsemanship to maintain the character of the piece. “I’ve been brought up with horses all my life, both in my native home, Scotland, and in Australia,” so I don’t need cobbler’s wax to keep my seat! For all that I had a nasty jar just before leaving Melbourne, my horse slipping -on the rostrum and rolling on me.” Mr Dalgleish has taken a hand in

every department of theatrical life, and has run the whole gamut from call boy to lead; Mr Dalgleish's forte is “heavies.” He likes the vigorous movement that goes with the part, and being naturally entertaining, cheery, and energetic, he invests his role with a due appreciation of its worth, and convinces one of the soundness of his work, and of his still greater possibilities in the Thespian art.