IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1121, 5 October 1911, Page 17

IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

Miss Nellie Stewart is to be pictorialised in a number of her plays. The first picture series will be “Swe.dt Nell of Old Drury.” • 'v « « Mr Edwin Geach has engaged “Hugard,” the illusionist, to take his “Shooting to Kill” sensation through New Zealand. * . * . * Miss Mabel Trevor and Miss Elinor Foster are said to give intensely thrilling expositions .of their parts in “The Woman in the Case-” The Company open on Monday. « « » * Mr H. B. Irving’s repertoire for New Zealand will be “Hamlet,” “The Lyons Mail,” and “Louis XI.” ■. * * * # Another Theatre for 'Sydney! Mr William Anderson’s proposal has been adopted by the City Council for erecting a new play house on a portion of the site of the Victoria markets. * * * We regret to record the death of Mrs Atkinson, wife of Mr Vai. Atkinson, stage , manager of the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, which occurred on Sunday after a three days’ illness. The late Mrs Atkinson was well-known in musical circles, both as a pianist and vocalist. a|s $ ' $ & Miss Maggie Knight, whose fathei’ was at one time theatre manager in Auckland, is with “The Gay Gordons” Company. Old playgoers will have pleasant recollections of her fine performance of 'Nellie Denver in “The Silver King.” For many years Miss Knight was leading lady for Bland Holt.

J. M. Barrie, author of “Peter Pan,” “What Every Woman Knows,” and several other plays that have been seen here, is said to 'be engaged on a big play to be produced by the American, Daniel Frohman.: ' **• * * Miss Amy Murphy, the New Zealand prima donna, was Miss Winifred O’Connor’s substitute in “The Chocolate Soldier” during the latter’s indisposition in Melbourne, and scored a great successThe late Oscar Wilde was famous for his oral criticisms on the theatre. Asked what he thought of a certain play, he replied in his bored, tired voice, “It was the cleverest play I ever slept through.” * ¥ * “H.M.S. Pinafore” is in active rehearsal by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society. Following is the cast which should ensure success: — Sir Joseph Porter, Mr Laurie Abrahams; Captain Corcoran, Mr Abel Rowe; Ralph Rackstraw, Mr T. Adeane; Dick Deadeye, Mr Jas. Lonergan; Bill Bobstay, Mr A. Warbrick; Bob Becket, Mr Forgie; Sergeant Maemis, Mr F. Cofton; Josephine, Miss Ethel Rae; Hebe, Miss Burke; Little Buttercup, Mrs Abel Rowe. -ji -T- 'a Thus the Feilding “Star”: —Last night there were people waiting in doorways for the opening of the box plans at Cole’s, Palmerston, .at 9 o’clock this morning for “Our Miss Gibbs.” The dozen in waiting were wrapped in rugs, lying in doorways and on the ground in the cold. What a business —what pleasure! * Adelaide is to have a magnificent new theatre built to the order of the J. .C. Williamson management. It will accommodate 3000. % * % Another veteran actor in Mr Stirling White has joined the great majority, his death occurring at Sydney this week. Deceased was 60 years of age, and had often toured New Zealand with Messrs. J. C. Williamson’s and Allan Hamilton’s Companies. * * '3 :t: Miss Florence Baines, the comedian, who will be well remembered out here, is still touring England with her popular farce, “Miss Lancashire, Ltd.” * * * * Miss Nellie Stewart is now enjoying a well-earned rest in Sydney, after completing the longest one-piece tour in the history of the Australian stage. For eight months continuously she has been playing the title role in “Sweet Nell of Old Drury” through the “smalls” in New Zealand, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland.