THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 235, 27 June 1908, Page 12

THE THEATRE.

Bi Syltidb. Mr. Tltheradge on Margaret Anglln. ; For Miss Slargarot Anglin, with wliom ho is to play hero, and who was mainly responsible in persuading him to relinquish m' S |P o'n ®' r Jolin Haro's company, Mr. lithoradgo has a groat admiration.' ''I can say, without reservo or exaggeration," ho reTii '• "" lafc I consider Miss Anglin ono of the finest all-round actresses living, and I judge her by tho quality of her art not less than the success of it. In a strong play sho has more power than any woman I know, and she is equally good in comedy, olio is an emotional actress, in whom a wonderful strength is blended with fine intelligence." | "Tho Thief," which is to bo their first production, is described as a theatrical play. a^er a ">" sa )' s Sir. Titheradge, 'What was tho theatre built for? Tho drawing-room phase of comedy has been spun to so line a point that tho revival of tho theatrical play is inevitable. When a man in society finds his own associates, his own lifo in tho drama, ho is satiated, and turns to tho music-halls. His jaded palate is tickled when something like Pinero's 'Diana ot Dobson's,' with unconventional people and unusual and almost startling situations, is served to him. But altogether tho British drama to-day must have very nearly reached its lowest phase."

A Harry Roberts Wheeze. Harry Roberts (of "Prince Chap" connection), just back from America, tells the following story:— "One Sunday, whilo in Atlanta (Georgia), I went into a church, and found that it was one of thoso negro places of worship of which I had read and heard so much. I might havo left and proceeded to my own church had not tho exaggerated methods of oration adopted by tho preachor hold my attention, while at tho same time his sincerity touched mo deeply. The text was Faith, and tho preachor was instancing many great things which had been accomplished by faith. " 'Yes, brethren,' ho said, 'even Dan'l in de den ob lions saw dem lions simply walk down and sit-in de cornah. 'Cos why? I ask you again, why? Mali dearly beloved brothers, mah sisters, too, and all do littlo children, I ask you why did dem lions lift up their massive paws when dov seed Dan'l comm , and den go and sit in de cornah? 'Cos Dan'l had faith.' »,

A very old man sitting behind a pillar put his bald head round the corner and, holding one hand up like a child asking its teacher if it may go out, said in a tremulous voice: Scuse me, Mr.' Preachor, but was dey dem same lions what was round hero last tail wid.cle circus P ,,J "Then an outburst from the preacher • 'You are de most ignoramous_ nigger in de whole or dis great and glorious congrogashun. Circus, indeed I Don t you know dat dis occurred hundreds and thousands and millions ob years ago—B.C.—boforo Circuses?' " Frohman tho Philantliroolst.. *,° loavo a record behind me," s , a , '■ i™!'' 11 ?? 1 Wo the London correspondent of tin ,-N.\. Herald") "of not wanting

undertake it in Now York in September. Mr. Bernstein has finished his now play, of which Iho English and American rights Imvo also boon secured by Cliarlos Frohman, It is said to contain 0110 situation of romarkabln dramatic intensity. In goneral character it is supposed to resemble "Tho Thief," to 1 bo played in Australia by Mr. Anglin. According to her predetermined plan, Miss Lena Ashwell will soon givo the flrst of a series of special matineo performances in her London Kmgsway Theatre, at which short one-act pieces will bo played. Those which sho has selected for earliest representation include pieces by Judgo Edward Parry, author of " What the Butler Saw" and "Katawampus"; a fantastic play by the author of "Irone Wycherley"; a serious comedy of tho Hon. Mrs. Eva Anstruther, author of "Fido," and a play of serious interest by Mrs. W. K. Clifford, the well-known novelist. The growing popularity of the short play is ono of tho signs of tho theatrical times ir. England. Instead of playing a roturn season in Wellington tho Knight-Humphrey Co. is playing an oxtra week in tho South. Sardou'3 "Fedora" is included in tho repertoiro of tho Harconrt Bcatty-Madge M'lntosh Dramatic Co. to appear in Wellington shortly, under tho auspices of Messrs. Meynoll and Gunn. "Fedora" is strong meat for such a player as Harcourt Beritty, and is a heavy strain on the leading part. It was last played in Wellington by Miss Nance O'Neill, who was stirringly powerful in the part, but never knew her lines too accurately. It -was the same with that truly great artist in "La Tosca," during tho performance of which piece Willie Bernard, the assistant stage manager, who held the book, used to coyer many miles every evening chasing Miss O'Neill round behind tho scenes as she changed her stage position. In the great' torturo scone, with Scarpia,' Cavaradossi has to get in a number of fearful groans, but the actor playing the part off stago (with his lines m his hands) could seldom make out when to get them in, because of Miss O'Noill's wandorings, and he was wont to make wild shots at the place where he considered a groan should bo heard. Of course sho was too great an artist to " stick" anywhere, and having commenced a speech she was safe, but there were two or three parts in which she used to wander vaguely, to the aggravation of others bout on catching' tho "cues." It will be interesting to seo tho Sardou play once more.