GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1139, 8 February 1912, Page 17

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

A Tribute from “Punch,” Miss Ethel Irving’s acting in the title role is well known to Melbourne playgoers, says “Punch” on the return of that lady to Melbourne in ’ Lady Frederick,” after a season in Adelaide and Sydney, and, of itself, justified the reputation of the lady as the greatest comedienne upon the English stage. The impersonation has all the daintiness, mercuriality (if one may coin a word), and irresponsibility of a spoilt and wilful, young Irish widow, with that further Hibernian characteristic of a warm and feeling heart within, and a power of self-sacrifice in a woman’s greatest foible, her personal appearance, when the opportunity arrives and the necessity becomes urgent. There is. no need, on the occasion of a revival, to entei’ fully into the actress’ good points, but there is one shining characteristic of her performance that cannot be too often emphasised or too warmly admired, for it is an object lesson to all aspirants for the stage. This is what seems to be Miss Irving s complete -and unforced naturalness. Nine out of every ten playgoers probably fail to' recognise that there is a very wide difference between being natural and “acting natural.” ♦ * * • Head-liners in Brennan’s. Prominent amongst the “stars” in Brennan’s Vaudeville, opening on February 16 th, is the almost human prang-outang, who performs a variety "of entertaining acts, unsurpassed even by a human being. He skates, rides a bicycle, drives a motor car, cooks a dinner, and eats it, and does a multiplicity of other startling things. Johnston and Harvey, the Jewish comedians, are recognised to be the head of the profession in their class. They are quite in advance of anything ever seen or heard in Australasia before. Eva Mudge is the American lady who went to England and completely captivated London with her wonderful quick-change character act. Les Petit Totos are continental performers, and are known as “The Boy Darlings of Paris.” Their gymnastic act is sensational and thrilling to a degree. Johnson and Wells are American coloured performers who also have appeared in London, and on the Continent. Archie (boy) Glen, is known as the “Laugh in Every-Line Comedian” whose songs and jokes are funny in ’ the extreme and entirely wholesome. Nelle Kolle is a male impersonator and an extraordinary singer, and it is claimed for her that her songs have a greater fascination than any other male impersonator in the world. Mr. Howard is a base singei with new songs, and the other members of the company possess exceptional talent which make for the biggest and brightest entertainment that can be crowded into two hours and a-half. v e ® • j “The Blue Bird ’ Coming. Herbert Trenck’s complete London company is coming to Australia to stage Maeterlinck’s fairy play, “The “Blue Bird,” under the management of J. C. Williamson, Limited. The production will be given exactly as in London. The company sails for Australia on February 9th, and opens in Sydney on the same night as the Oscar Asche-Lily Brayton Company make their re-appearance at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. The position will be unique—the appearance simultaneously in two Australian capitals of two such notable attractions presented by complete English companies, and with every detail as in London. * * * * Wanted a Tramp! The Melbourne Theatre Royal management advertised as follows last week: “Wanted, a real live tramp. One with a romantic history preferred, for ‘Passers-By.’ Personal application (for obvious reasons) will disqualify.” The advertisement appeared for five days, and only six applications were received. Five of these appeared to be genuine, and one was palpably a “joke.” Strange to sa y» however, one of the applicants proved his bona fides as a relative of a wellknown English baronet; and stated that he came to Australia some ago to gain “colonial experience,” had lost everything he had in a bush fire in the district, where he had taken up a selection, and bad health a made it impossible for him to undertake regular employment. He described himself as a. “professional wanderer and liver of the simple life.