SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1133, 28 December 1911, Page 11

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

WELLINGTON-

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, December 25

J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company was to have opened a Dominion tour at the Opera House on Wednesday evening last, but owing to unforeseen circumstances the! slow old Warrimoo did not get in harbour until about seven o’clock after a very severe trip. Consequently the management wisely decided to postpone the opening until the following evening. Though losing one night I’m certain the box office receipts will not suffer. “The Speckled Band” is one of the very best, and is a sure moneywinner.

There is a distinctiveness about the construction of “The Speckled Band” which makes it depart from the ways of the common run of plays. It is altogether different from any other Sherlock Holmes play that has yef been presented, And it is an honest and artistic effort to improve upon the lordinary design of piece to' which it belongs. Those familiar with Sir Arthur Conan. Doyle’s story will not need to 1 be reminded that the title refers to a rare snake of the most venomous type by means of which a scientific scoundrel in the person of a Mr. Rylott poisons one of his stepdaughters in order to obtain her money, and would make away with the other, but for the intervention of Sherlock Holmes. The sister of the murdered -girl Enid Stonor, in whom Dr. Watson is much interested, appeals to the famous detective, who thereupon enters the victim.’s house as a butler and intervenes just in time to save the heroine from the same awful fate as her sister. The snake which fills the title role gave holds the audience breathless. The ance. The scene in which “the speckled band” makes its way through the ventilator towards the bed of its victim is very astutely managed, and hold the audience breathless. The performance has been watched each evening by packed and most enthusiastic audiences. The cast of characters has been excellently allotted with the result that a really high-class interpretation of the play is given, in which case it seems invidious to mention any special performance, though exception must be taken in the case of Miss Dorothy .Dix, Miss Susie Vaughan, Mr. Gaston. Mervalei, 'Mr. William Desmond, Mr. Charles Bryant, Mr. Cyril Mackay and that capable actor, James B. Athol wood. The Empire City will be well catered for during the Christmas and New Year holiday season in the way of picture shows. There will be a dozen of them catering to the wants of the general public. The Wellington season of “The Chocolate Soldier” will extend from January 3rd to the 16th.

H. B. Irving opens at the Opera House on January 26th. The season will extend until the 14th February. Harry Rickards’ vaudeville bunch returned to Sydney by the Ulimaroa last Friday. >

Had a short letter from Mr Albert Clarke this week in which he states that he is now managing Spencer’s picture show in Launceston.

The “Quaker Girl” is having a great run at Home. According to the London musical publishing firm which holds the Australia selling rights of the piece, it is one of the most popular operas they have ever published. The demure lady will appear in Sydney in the new year.

Lewis Waller has-made an immense success in New York, where he is appearing in “The Garden of Allah.” After 'the first performance, thousands of the people, principally women, waited in the street to see the famous romantic actor, and an indescribable scene of enthusiasm was witnessed. In London Mr. Waller’s admirers formed themselves into the “K.O.W.” —the Keen Order of Wallerites; and there is every probability; says a .New York paper, that the “Order” will be extended across the Atlantic. Mr. Waller appears in Australia next year under the J. C. Williamson management. His leading lady will be Miss Madge Titheradge,, daughter of the popular actor.

Something of a sensation was caused at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, one night last week, during the performance of “Dame Nature” by Miss Ethel Irving’s Company. So carried away was a gentleman in the dress circle by the impassioned emotional acting of Miss Irving that, during her great scene with the Princess de Chabrand and Robert Bertram in the third act, he exclaimed: “Don’t speak to them, LoJette. For God’s sake, don’t speak to them!” Needless to say, the outburst caused a great stir, but the .gentleman responsible .subsequently explained that it was quite involuntary on his part, his thoughts and emotions having been, swept away by the power and depth of Miss Irving’s acting.

Mr- H. B. Irving says he would like to see some of Shakespeare’s plays cut down and abridged so that they could be acted by school-boys, who v r ould take an interest in the work.

Mr. Alfred Moulton, of Melbourne, is the musical director of the New York production of “Every Woman.”