BETWEEN THE WAITS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1159, 27 June 1912, Page 17

BETWEEN THE WAITS.

MISS DOROTHY DIX. Youth and beauty personified is Miss Dorothy Dix, the Esther of ‘‘Ben Hur” (see frontispiece). Dressing rooms are not always the cosiest place for a chat, but transformed by Miss Dix into a bower of soft pink — pink curtains, pink cushions, pink silk lampshades, etc., the “den” was truly an inviting corner, and an attractive setting for the exquisite picture that the occupant presented. “I’m most susceptible to my surroundings, you know,” remarked Miss Dix to an admiring “Review” representative. “It makes a world of difference to one. No, I did not expect to be back in New Zealand so soon.” Miss as most theatregoers are aware, was the leading lady in “The Speckled Band” and “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” with William Desmond playing here in February. In Sydney and Melbourne, in addition to those parts, she took the roles of Mercia in the ‘‘Sign of the Cross” and Nellie Denver in “The Silver King.” It is almost a year since she came out from England under engagement to J. C. Williamson, Ltd., so she feels as if Australia and New Zealand have a big claim on her affections. “Esther, I must tell you,” confided Miss Dix, “ was quite a stranger to me until the part was allotted me. So I set to work to study her in real earnest, with due regard to her relations to the other characters. Of course, it is a passive rather than an active part. It is not a character calling for dramatic force. Esther was an absolute girl, pure and simple —her naturalness, her simplicity and modesty, her affection for her father, her faithful love for Ben Hur, appeal to all. Everyone loves Esther. No matter w r ho plays her, one must love the character. So I knew I' must try to hit the right note, and reach the personality of the Esther of Lew Wallace’s conception.” That Miss Dix has succeeded, none will deny. MISS GWEN BURROUGHS. Ben Hur, of mythical fame, inspired the love of two women, Esther and Iras. Mr Eric Maxon (as we see Ben Hur) must count himself lucky in having two such charming counterparts as Miss Dorothy Dix and Miss Gwen Burroughs. Though on the stage it is a case of extremes meeting —Esther, the simple Jewish maid, pitted against Iras, the Egyptian enchantress —they meet on the common plane of exceptional beauty and charm. Hence Mr Maxon’s good fortune. Miss Burroughs was in Auckland two years ag< with Miss Nellie Stewart, playing the part of Ladj r Sybil in Barrie’s “What Every Woman Knows,” and has since toured with Miss Stewart in her one night stand of “Sweet Nell of Old Drury” all. through Australia. Only three months ago Miss Burroughs was here with Miss Ethel Irving’s Company, and took so delightfully the part of the French maid in “Lady Frederick.” She has only had three. years of real stage work, though she had previously studied in a good dramatic school. “So, I’m quite a stage infant, you see,” said Miss Burroughs, “but a lucky one. I feel so grateful to the management for giving me such a chance in ‘Ben Hur.’ But they are very good to Australian girls.” And Miss Burroughs, who likewise hails from Melbourne, cited most enthusiastically several Australian girls who had gone to the forefront, viz., Miss Dorothy Brunton and Miss Lizette Barkes. Miss Burroughs, it is interesting to add, recently acted with Gaston Mervale (a well-remembered name with New Zealand theatregoers) for his pictorial representation of “Trilby.’ taking the title role. As she had understudied Miss Nellie Stewart for this part, its many phases were not new to her. “Do I like the part of Iras? Well, as a study it is very fine. Plenty of life and colour in it. Every emotion is portrayed—the coquettish, the passionate, the disdainful, the furious. But the people don’t love me

lor it! I can’t win their sympathy, as you can imagine. Iras, the evil genius of Ben Hur —the enchantress —how can she be admired?”