HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1531, 28 August 1919, Page 32

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

ALLAN WILKIE SEASON. . “THE MIDNIGHT WEDDING.” Events move quickly in “The Midnight Wedding,” Allan Wilkie’s fourth production, and a crowded audience on Saturday night plainly showed that it was a drama much to their liking, the play being frequently held up while they gave vent to their feelings in outbursts of applause. The marriage of the Princess Astrea to an unknown protector (Paul Valmar) at midnight is the basic note of the piece, and the machinations of the villainous Captain Scarsbruck to circumvent the bridegroom and secure the bride for himself keep excitement at fever heat, while the military and picturesque setting adds to the, romance of the situations. Mr. Allan Wilkie gives an earnest portraiture of the chivalrous Paul, who suffers much tor his lady, and Miss Frediswyde Hunter-Watts in the latter role always suggests the gentle patrician, sublime in her sentiment and appealingly lovable. Mr. Guy Hastings, as the evil genius, leaves no loophole for weakness in that respect, and the opprobium of the audience is his reward. Miss Lorna Forbes, as Satanella, capitally sustains the character of the adventuress. Mr. Gus Neville gives due bearing to the role of the Crown Prince, and the comedy element gets full scope at the hands of Messrs. Henri Dore, Edward Landor, and Fred Patey, and Miss Mildred Carlton. “The Midnight Wedding” will be played on Wednesday for the last time. “HINDLE WAKES.” Stanley Houghton’s story of genuine Lancashire life, “Hindle Wakes,” will be presented for the first time in New Zealand on Thursday night, with two performances to follow. It is described by London critics as a sincere, human drama with the breath of inspiration. It is a play that is bound to create a sensation by reason of its virility. “Hindle” is the name of a small town in South Lancashire. “Wakes” is the Lancashire term for the annual holidays usually lasting about a week, each town holding them independently, but generally in July or August. The title, “Hindle Wakes,” therefore simply signifies “Hindle Holidays.”

“There can be no hesitation in asserting that ‘Hindle Wakes’ is the most original, daring and extraordinary play that has ever been presented to a New Zealand audience,” says Mr. ? Ilan Wilkie.

A cable message from London states that, the Australian actress Miss Dorothy Brunton, has scored a success in Mr. Harold Brighouse’s farce “Bantam, V.C.,” at the St. Martin’s Theatre. London newspapers applaud Miss Brunton for her clever and vivacious acting in a non-musical part.

Mr. Bert Bailey, accompanied by his wife and daughter, has left for England to secure new things for Australia, and also to see if conditions are opportune for the production of the Australian play “On Our Selection.”

Mr. Graham Moffat, of “Bunty Pulls the Strings” and “A Scrape of the Pen” memories, has returned to Scotland after a tour of the world, taking four years to complete. While in Japan he wrote a new play in collaboration with his wife, and he hopes to produce this in England shortly.

The Palmerston North Operatic Society are busily engaged in preparing for the production of the opera, “The Country Girl.”

Mr. Maurice Ralph is in the South at present making preliminary arrangements for the visit to New Zealand of Mr. Harry Dearth, the famous London baritone, together with Madame Marie Power, the wellknown contralto, and a big concert company of picked musicians from Australia.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle, who played heavy roles with Brandon Cremer’s Dramatic Company when it put up a record season in Auckland, has left for Sydney. He has prospects of an engagement by J. C. Williamson, Ltd.

The actors and actresses, including many of the leading members of the profession, recently combined as the Actors’ Federation of Australia, and made application to be registered as an organisation under the Commonwealth Arbitration Act. The application being opposed on behalf of the employers, the matter came before the industrial registrar, Mr. A. M. Stewart, for determination. Registration was granted.