GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1148, 11 April 1912, Page 17

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

“The Passion Play” Revived. “The Passion Play” was produced at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, on Good Friday by Mr Walter Bentley by arrangement with Mr William Anderson. A representation of the famous drama was given in greater splendour of detail than ever before. It is about ten years since this play was last seen in Melbourne; on which oc-. casion over ten thousand people v< ere moved to the highest pitch of religious fervour by witnessing it in rhe Exhibition building.

Horses for “Ben Hur.” J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is to put on a great production of “Ben Hur” shortly in Sydney, and last week a number of magnificent horses were inspected with a view to purchase for use in the chariot race scene. It will be remembered that the piece had but a brief run in Sydney some years ago when it was cut short by the fire at Her Majesty’s and playgoers ever since have expressed eagerness for its re-production. To Melbourne people it will come as a distinct novelty. A fine company is being gathered together, and General Lew* Wallace’s

striking play will be given on a lavish scale. In fact, it will be one of the most elaborate productions yet put on oy Mr Williamson. * * * * Thought it was a Lien! The other day the following advertisement was published in the Melbourne morning papers: “Wanted, horses for ‘Ben Hur’. Blacks and greys preferred. Apply, Stage Door, Her Majesty’s Theatre, any morning at 11 o’clock.” That morning a man put in his appeaarnce at the stage door. He half led, half supported, an animal that might as a matter of courtesy be termed a horse. It had more points than a hat rack, and from its bones its skin dropped over the hollow spaces. “Good heavens, man,” said Mr Cubitt, to whom the horse was brought. “What on earth have you brought this thing to us for? We want a horse!” “Well,” said the aggrieved owner, with an injured air, is your dashed lion too particular to eat it The most humorous feature of the story, perhaps, is that it is true. As some people apparently thought that Ben Hur was a lion or a strong man act, the name of the play was afterwards omitted from the advertisement. • * * * Miss Valerie Collins. The public of Auckland on April 24 will again have the pleasure of hearing Miss Valerie Collins, who has a rranged to give the initial concert of her Dominion tour in the Town Hall. Since last appearing before an Auckland audience, Miss Collins has undergone a complete vocal study under Madame Christian, of Sydney, whose fame as an instructor is widely known,

and her charming contralto voice has fully gained that degree of perfectness which many responsible vocalists predicted. Miss Collins will be assisted by leading vocalists, and her reappearance in this city will be eagerly looked fo.rward to. • • * * The Mysterious Girl. Passengers on the Melbourne suburban lines have of late been wondering as to the identity of a daintily dressed young woman who travels about continuously, during the day and evening. And always in her hand is a copy of the musical score of “The Girl in the Train” which she openly displays. She seemed to be a walking advertisement for the musical comedy which opens in Melbourne next week. 'She never seemed to be going anywhere particularly, but just travelled up and down on the. various lines. Passengers began to call her ‘the girl in the train,” but who she is and where she comes from nobody knows, but as simultaneously with her appearance, by a peculiar coincidence, the J. C. Williamson management issued a number of advertisements to “Look out for ‘The Girl in the Train,’ ” passengers in the suburban trains have been devoting a good deal of attention to the mysterious young lady with the musical comedy score.