THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1138, 1 February 1912, Page 16

THE STAGE

AUCKLAND FIXTURES.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. January 24 —February 7 —J. C. Williamson’s Dramatic Company. February B—l8 —15 —Ethel Irving. February 16 to 24 —Brennan’s Vaudeville Company. February 2 6 —Allan Hamilton Company. April 6 to 20 —“Everywoman” Company. June 24 to July 3 —Pantomime “Sinbad the Sailor.” July 22 to August 3—“ The Blue Bird.” September 30 to October 12 —Oscar Asche-Lily Brayton. TOWN HALL. Newbury-Spada “Pops”—Every Saturday night. QUEEN'S THEATRE. Pictures.

HIS MAJESTY'S.

J. C. WILLIAMSON’S DRAMATIC COMPANY. THE SPECKLED BAND. With such inspiring names as William Desmond, J. B. Atholwood, and Gaston Mervale in its caste, “The Speckled Band” needed no further trumpets to bespeak it a fine interpretation. In tact tne piece is marked by the nnished acting of all the artistes in the company. With tfie seal of Conan . Doyle on its dramatisation, it is one of tne most fascinating of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and impels interest from the outset. A step-father, a girl, and a snake make up the piece, with a final move by the almost uncanny detective, and as one might imagine, there is plenty of scope for gruesome situations. It fascinates while it repels, so artistically is it presented. Dr. Kylott, an Anglo-Indian doctor has already despatched one step-daughter for the sake of her money, but so mysteriously that the cause has never been fathomed. He uses the “Speckled Band” to achieve his ends, the “Band” being a venomous snake that he trains by weird music and a diabolical contrivance to glide into his ward’s bedroom at night, poison its victim and leave no trace. The doctor is about to try his fiendish scheme on the first victim’s sister in order to appropriate her money, and is just on the point of succeeding, when his plans are frustrated at the critical moment by Sherlock Holmes. By the latter’s clever cunning, the tables are turned, and tne doctor is hoist with his own petard.

Mr. Gaston Mervale as Dr. Rylott gives a masterly and noteworthy exposition of the neurotic Anglo-Indian, hypnotising the audience as he does his helpless ward and terrorised servant by his Satanic methods. With such cruelty, and withal cunning, does he invest his part, that the snake might well envy him his traits. Mr. William Desmond as the likable, nonchalant Sherlock Holmes, has the audience with him all the time, and never fails to score, both by reason of his own personality and his artistic handling of a subtle character. Mr. J. B. Atholwood’s work as the aged butler is one of the outstanding features of the piece, and is another tribute to his genius in character studies. Miss Dorothy Dix, as the unfortunate Enid Stonor, leaves nothing to be desired in her interpretation. Strikingly pretty and appealing she wins the sympathy and admiration of all. Miss Susie Vaughan fills her unenviable part as the doctor’s housekeeper admirably, while Dr. Watson has an excellent counterpart in Mr. Boyd Irwin. Mr. Leslie Victor makes a sinister Indian valet, Mr. Fred. Cambourne causes much merriment as a juror with his downright questions, and Master Roy Seaton is a bright and

breezy Billy. All the minoi’ parts are well sustained, while the setting is well in keeping with the spirit of the piece. To-night will be the last performance of “The Speckled Band.” “ALIAS JIMMY VALENTINE.” COMMENCING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2. “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” to be produced for the last five nights of the ensuing J. C. Williamson season at His Majesty’s Theatre, is by Paul Armstrong, and it was suggested to him by O. Henry. Of its production in Sydney recently a leading critic wrote: “If sheer human truth has any power to attract, the new comedy-drama ‘Alias Jimmy Valentine’ must succeed. ‘Give us life,’ we hear people say. ‘Let us see the world reflected on the stage as it really is—real human life with

characters that we know, and who behave as we should expect them to, with j ust that tinge of romance that gives a flavour, a zest to the picture, and there is indeed the drama of the day. And this is ‘Alias Jimmy Valentine.’ ” The author has taken his types from the street, and set them in a story which, though intensely interesting and extremely powerful, is yet subordinate to their natural development. Another definite virtue of the piece is the skilful blend of humour with the serious movements of the incidents. Mr. William Desmond will appear in the title role, the part that held H. B. Warner in New York for three years. Miss Dorothy Dix gives a delightful performance as Rose Lane (the very antithesis of the role she pourtrayed in “The Speckled Band”), and Mr. Gaston Mervale shows his extraordinary versatility as Detective Doyl. The other members of this fine company are all cast for congenial roles, and a delightful child interest is maintained by two clever children, Miss Vera Spaull and Master Jack Ferguson. The box plan for the five farewell performances of “Alias Jimmy” is now on view at Wildman and Arey’s.

ETHEL IRVING SEASON. ENGLAND’S GREAT ACTRESS. A comedy by Somerset Maughan is at last to be seen in Auckland. The English dramatist recently had four running successes at London theatres simultaneously. The pick of these, which went over 60 0 nights, will be seen at His Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday, February Sth, when Miss Ethel Irving produces “Lady Frederick.” There are some delightful character studies in this comedy. Lady Frederick herself is bewitchingly irresponsible, but that there is a serious element in her character is shown by her heroic treatment of Lord Mereton, a youth of 22. He is head over ear? in love with her, but his mother makes use of an incident in the past of the object of her boy’s.

affections to force an issue. When it becomes known that this incident is mere scandal, and Lady Frederick, is proved guiltless, Lord Mereton is more anxious than ever to marry her. Lady Frederick, however, is In earnest in her desire to stem the tempestuous onrush of love that the youhful lord has turned upon her. She accomplishes her object by shattering his ideal. She allows him to see her in her dressing-room, engaged in making her toilette. She shows him that the hair he so much admired is not real; that the glow of her cheek is applied on a chamois leather, that the scarlet on her lips will come off; that the delicate arches of her eyebrows are mere pencilligs; in fact, that what he takes for natural charms are attained from supplies from her chemist. The scene is one of striking skill and. daring, and the artistic cleverness of Miss Irving in it attracted all London. “Lady Frederick” will be played for four nights only. The second production will be “The Witness for the Defence,”' Miss Irving’s latest and greatest London success. The box plans for the season of seven nights will opened at Messrs. Wildman and Arey’s at 8 a.m. on Monday next.

TOWN HALL.

NEWBURY-SPADA CONCERT. Good music lovers have every reason to be grateful to Mr. Philip Newbury and Madame Spada for instituting the Saturday popular concerts. Both are artistes of a very high order, and their efforts should do much for the cause of music in our midst. Last week’s programme was particularly enjoyable, Mr. Newbury being in magnificent voice for the rendering of the recitative and aria “Lend me your aid,” a pianoforte and organ accompaniment adding to the effect. “My Queen,” and the ballad “Mary” were two more delightful items. Madame Spada gave artistic interpretations of Tosti’s “Good-Bye” and “Winiata Poi,” and shared the honours with the tenor. Mr. Ernest Parkes, Herr Raimond Pechotsh, Mr. Harold Gregson, and Miss Kathleen Major contributed to the excellence of the programme,.

while Mr. H. Woolley gave substantial support 'by his -finished accompaniments. Next Saturday (February 3rd) Mr. Philip Newbury will sing Rodolfo’s “Narration Che gelida Manina,” Puccini; Aria, “Cujus Animam” (“Stabat Mater”), Rossini. He will be accompanied by Mr. Gregson on the grand organ, and Madame Sfpada will sing “Una Notte a Venezia,” Arditi. Mr. Oliver Farrow will made his first appearance.

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

Anniversary day was a gala one at Queen’s Theatre, crowds flocking to this favourite rendezvous from morning till evening. The varied programme caught the popular taste, as was evident by the appreciative reception of each item. Particular care being devoted by the proprietors to providing a series of subjects that should mark the occasion, some beautiful photographic studies were shown, exclusive to Queen’s, and evoked rounds of applause, so exquisitely were they delineated. “The best the wide world can furnish” is one of the mottoes of

the firm, and that they live up to it is apparent by the attendances. The public recognise merit when they see it. That is the secret of the Queen’s Theatre popularity.