SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1380, 5 October 1916, Page 34

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES.

(By

“Lorgnette.”}

WELLINGTON, October 2. There is something about the re-cord-breaking play “Peg o’ My Heart,” which opens its Dominion tour at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday evening, the 10th inst., under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, that none of the critics have yet been able to fathom. On the face of it, they all say, there seems to be nothing extraordinary about Hartley Manners’ comedy. Yet it has been running in one London theatre for nearly two years, and played 604 nights in one theatre in New York. One hundred and eleven performances were also given in Sydney—a record. Laurette Taylor, the author’s wife, and the original Peg, played the part 1400 times before sheer fatigue and staleness compelled her to give it up to another. One well-known London critic said that Peg’s success was due to the fact that the comedy was a comedy of youth, bubbling and vivacious, and full of the sheer healthy joy of living, and that so it suits the young and brings back memories of earlier, happier days to the middleaged and old. Charles Frohmann once said, “I want a play where the girl thinks that the boy sitting beside her is like the hero, and the boy sees his own girl in the heroine.” “Peg o’ My Heart” is said to be very much like that. There is nothing startling or outrageous or risky in “Peg o’ My Heart.” Amongst the companies registered in Wellington recently is the Royal Dramatic and Comedy Company, with a capital of £3OOO in 120 shares of £25 each. The object of the company is to carry into effect a certain agreement made oetween J. C. Williamson, Limited, of one part, and Mr. C. Slack on behalf of the company, to carry on the businesses of theatre, music-hall proprietors, etc. This means that Wellington will in the near future have a permanent stock company to cater to the playgoers of windy Wellington. Of course they would have to go on tour when any of the big attractions wanted to get into the Grand Opera House. Mr. Leo D. Chateau, who has been connected with the management of the Branscombe Enterprises for a number of years, and who managed the New Zealand tour of the Pink Dandies, returned to Sydney last week by the Riverma. Mr. D. Chateau, who is one of the most astute and courteous of managers, has decided to sever his connection with the Branscombe firm shortly. Mr. Harold Bowden has been in town for the past ten days busily engaged completing all arrangements for the coming tour of “Peg o’ My Heart,” which opens at the Grand Opera House on Tuesday, the 10th inst., for a nine nights’ season. Mr. John Tait will manage the tour, whilst an old Auckland boy, Mr. C. Bonnor, will act as treasurer.