QUEEN’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1159, 27 June 1912, Page 16

QUEEN’S THEATRE.

Shakespeare’s immortal story “Romeo and Juliet” has enthralled thousands at Queen’s Theatre this week, a magnificent series of pictures familiarising the spectators with the thrilling incidents in that famous Mon-tague-Capulet episode. The balcony scene, the secret wedding, the fatal duel, the flight of Romeo and the tragic ending of the lovers were depicted with wonderful realism, and the appreciation of the audience was expressed in rounds of applause. “The Punishment” was the title of another star picture that ranked high in the audiences’ favour. It told the tale of a wealthy landowner who married a peasant girl, but allowed jealousy to spoil their happiness and lead indirectly to the death of his only son 'ind subsequently his own demise. “Child of the Ranch” was an exciting story of the West, showing how a little girl was the means of saving a woman’s life and honour. “Mackerel Fishing” gave scope for some beautiful scenes on the coast of Cornwall, also various phases of the industry. An amusing subject was “The Diamond Earrings,” and provided everyone with a hearty laugh. The orchestra adds its quota to the general enjoyment. As a token of respect for the late Sir John Logan Campbell, the theatre closed for a couple of hours on Tuesday afternoon. Visitors to town should on no account miss calling in at Queen’s. It is a pleasant rendezvous.

Admirers —and they are legion of Miss Grace Palotta will be pleased to learn she is back in Australia. The popular actress who has been ir> Vienna for some months, has been engaged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to play in the Melbourne season of “The Quaker Girl.”

A “fatal case” of stage fright has been reported by the manager of the Grand Opera House in Paris. M. Magnere, a tenor, who, after careful training, had been accepted for leading parts and who, according to the report, had “appeared to good ad vantage at dress rehearsals,” was so overcome by fright when he faced his first audience that “he trembled in every limb and his voice could not be rescued from the tremolo of fright.” On the day following he appeared as Lohengrin, and again his voice forsook him because of nervousness, and after the second act his case was pronounced incurable and his colleague, • Herrman Fontaine, took his place. “I shall pursue a less dangerous profession,” said the man with stage fright, “and shall beginwith aviation.”