MISS MAGGIE MOORE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1163, 25 July 1912, Page 17

MISS MAGGIE MOORE.

. — ■ "SERVANTS OF THE PUBLIC.” It is some nine years since Miss Maggie Moore (who it is well known is Mrs H. hi. Roberts in private life) was in New Zealand, but the hosts of pleasant recollections she left behind her, have served to keep her memory fresh in the minds of local theatre-goers. And no actress will get a warmer welcome! One of the idols of the Australian stage, Miss Maggie Moore, as she is familiarly called, has just come fresh from a series of triumphs with “Mrs McSweeney.” Five weeks in Melbourne, three weeks in Sydney, a tour through New South Wales and Adelaide, and all to exceptionally big business. After the Dominion tour, they do Hobart and Launceston, then a return trip to Sydney. A chat with the lady confirms that she has lost none of her old lightheartedness, optimism, and vivacity. Behind the stage she is ever ready with a kindly word of cheer and encouragement, while no detail is too small to escape her attention. Mr Thomas Spencer, the author of the book, “The Surprising Adventures of Mrs McSweeney,” died a few months ago, and did not see the dramatisation of his story. But three years ago he was negotiating with Miss Moore to play it for him. However it was only recently dramatised by Toso Taylor, “and” (said the actress) “there was some considerable cutting out and fixing up to be done before it could be made playable. For instance, you remember that chapter in the book where Mrs McSweeney goes to the caves, and as she ascends the ladder she slips and falls on her husband. Well, fancy my weight coming down on anyone like that! Why, there would be no man left at all!” And Miss Maggie Moore, who has not lost her keen sense of humour, laughed heartily at the suggestion. “So you can understand,” she added, “that we had to chop and change the book and build it up to suit various exigencies.” “There’s plenty to' do in ‘Mrs McSweeney,’ ” she remarked. “It’s one of the longest talking pieces I have had. But I just love the part and throw myself heart and soul in it. In fact I sometimes wonder whether I’m myself or Mrs McSweeney. The stage is second nature to me, and I try to give my best to it. As servants of the public we owe it to them.” This popular actress has been on the stage practically all her life, since before she was nine, and at fifteen her brother and she sang, danced and did vaudeville sketches. She is a warm advocate of the value of dancing for actresses —which may be a tip for the budding aspirant—and considers that every girl who wants to be an actress should learn to dance. Not necessarily for the public, but to give her grace and ease of movement. Comedy, drama, tragedy, and light opera—Miss Maggie Moore has run the gamut of them all. For she is nothing if not versatile, and with four trips round the world, she has not kept her eyes shut. Whatever she does, she does well. “Oh,” sighed she, “it’s a pity they made me grow ‘thick!’ I could have matched the youngest of them only for that!” But Maggie Moore can rest assured that she is too firm a favourite to be easily ousted. Mr and Mrs Roberts have their home in Sydney. A cottage—“about a minute big”—said Mrs Roberts, who —apropos of nothing—was born in San Francisco, and they find it a cosy retreat out of working hours. The artist enthused heartily over Australians and of their loyalty and -staunchness to her. Of Playwrights, Ltd., under whose direction the company is playing, she spoke most warmly. “No expense or trouble has been spared by them in any detail to make ‘Mrs McSweeney’ go well. They have done everything to ensure its successful presentation to the public, and it is a real pleasure to me to be associated with them.” Miss Maggie Moore is fortunate in having for the manager of her company her brother, Mr James Moore, a well-known figure in theatrical circles, whose affectionate co-operation should serve to further smooth the path of success.

Mr Geo. S. Titheradge is scoring a big success with the Plimmer-Dennis-ton Company in his old part of Lord Illington in “A Woman of No Importance.”