THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

♦ ''The world's a theatre, the earth a stage."— Heywood. (By Sylvius.) Coming Attractions. Wellington is to bo generously treated in the matter of better-class attractions during the next few months. In the course of an interview with Mr. Ramaciotti (ono of "Tho I<'irm") in Sydney, that gentleman was found to bo fully posted on all matters affecting tho theatrical business in this country—quite aware, for instance, that, financially speaking, things have been better than they are at present. That being so, he did not care to go too far ahead in announcing what attractions we aro likely to see. What had been definitely fixed up was that tho Royal Comic Opera Company was to open in "Wellington at Easter, in that wonderfully successful comic opera, "The Merry Widow," which ran 100 nights in Sydney, and which has proved tho "draw" of a decade in the larger theatrical world. The "Royal Comics" will also play "The Dairymaids," light and airy nonsenso of an exhilarating order, and "The Girls of Gottenburg," the military musical comedy written round the affair at Kopenick. It is regrettable that "The Duchess of Dantzie" will not come to New Zealand, as it is one of the brightest and most melodious works that tho Royal Comics have been seen in for a long time. Still, wo cannot expect all the good things at once, and, in the three comedies named, there will bo found much matter for merriment, and many attractive airs that will be whistled by the baker-boy in tho fulness of time. "The Firm" also has the pantomime "Jack and Gill" (still running in Melbourne) coming ■ along to cheer us in the winter time. Mr. Ramaciotti informed the writer that tho panto, would commence its tour of New Zealand at Christchurch on July 16, and would visit Dunedin, Wellington, and Auckland, in that order. Another attraction to appear in New Zealand at the same timo will bo Miss Nellie Stewart and company, in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs," under Mr. Williamson's management. This is to be a particularly gorgeous production, and it is said that the costumes will cost something like £2000. Mr. Harry Rickaras's Bon Eons, Vaudeville, in its permanent sense, having "gone under" to the übiquitous picture shows in New Zealand, Air. Harry Rickards is looking to this country as a field of operations for some of the best artists now under his control. Tho first Rickards show will be headed by the incomparable Cinquevalli, who dispenses amazement with, it anything, moro finish than ever. Ho still juggles thrillingly with the 251b cannon ball, which ho throws high into the air, and catches between his shoulder blades, with the same skill as ever. Everybody says "He'll do it once too often I", But Cinqucvalli goes on year after year dispensing thrills, and tho "onco too often" is as far off as wo all wish it to be. Ho will be 'supported by the Latonas, a musical .comedy team, Guest and Newlyn, comedy artists, and M'liinnon's Scottish Meisters. The company will commence a tour of New Zealand at Dunedin on April 5, and will work north with Mr. Fred Aydon as manager. Tho second big Rickard's show will be headed by that important personage Chung Lung Soo, a celebrated Chineso illusionist, who carries with him a company of ten assistants, and who is At present packing tho Opera House in Melbourne. Chung claims a salary of £250 a week, which entitlos him to bo considered a of tho first magnitude. He will open in Dunedin on May 31, other centres to be visited in geographical order. Mr. Maas, manager for Mr. Rickards at Sydney, informed tho writer that, if both companies are successful in avoiding losing money in New Zoaland, Mr. Riekards will probably appoint a permanent manager in New Zealand, who, as soon as one company finishes at Auckland, will go south to pick up its successor —and there will always bo a successor. Personnel of the " Royal Comics." At tho completion of the run of "Havana" at.Sydney, the Royal Comic Opera Company will come direct to Wellington, opening on 35nstcr Saturday in "Tho Merry Widow." Tho company is to include: Miss Florence Young, Miss Fanny Dango, Miss Nellio Wilson, Miss Connie Milne, Miss Betty Ohls (?), Mr. Higginson, Mr. James Hughes, Mr. W. S. Percy, Mr. "Bobby" Roberts, and Mr. Claude Bantock, making one of the strongest combinations which have been sent to New Zealand. An Important Enterprise. An important enterprise for tho production on a permanent basis of plays of the better class —Shakespeare, old and new comedies, and modern literary works—has been talked of in Melbourne and Sydney for some time amongst certain enthusiastic friends of tho drama, at tho head of whom is Miss Madge M'lntosh, tho well-known English actress. The object in view is to establish a stock company of artists for the purpose, and at. tho same timo a dramatic school on the linos of those so successfully organised in England by Mr. Becrbohm Tree and Mr. F. It. Benson'.

It is contended by the promoters of the scheme that the playgoing public of Australia are not exclusively devoted to melodrama and musical comedy, as many supposo; but that, on the contrary, thero exists for the better class of play a demand extensive enough to justify this venture. The movement has proceeded so far that proposals for tho establishment of a company with a share capital of £3000 have been made. It is claimed tiiat the success achieved in England in work of the character mentioned, not merely by tho Vedrenne-Barker management at the Court Theatre in London, but by Mr. lionson in tho provinces, indicates sufficiently that an enterprise of a similar character will be successful in this part of the world, where tho people are enthusiastic playgoers. "I am convinced from what 1 have seen of Australia during the 18 months I have been here," said Miss M'lntosli recently, "that there exists on the part of the public a desire for a theatre run on repertoire lines, with a stock company, at which plays of the better class, speaking from the artistic points of view, may be produced, without ostentatious display, and under careful direction." The policy suggested is. that the stock company, which will include eight artists from England, should play for four or six months in Sydney, and for a like period in Melbourne. Suitable dramas, written by Australians, would bo included in the scheme. Then when a "money-maker" was found, in tho shape of a play which hit the public taste, it might bo sent on tour, and the profits it would secure could bo expended in developing the scheme, and assisting the dramatic school. This school, it is proposed to establish for the training of aspirants to a theatrical career. At the present time, tho negotiations are still going on; but Hiss M'lntosli, who has had considerable experience in the management of dramatic companies in England, is confident that the venture will provo highly successful if it can be proceeded with. "Our Miss Oibbs." An Australian girl, formerly with the J. C. "Williamson musical companies, but now trying her luck in London, has written to a Sydney friend giving an interesting glimpse behind the scenes at tho Gaiety. "I am with 'Our Miss Gibbs, , tho now Gaiety production, which will go your way in due course, as the J. C. Williamson management has it for Australia. The first sceno is in Gat-rod's stores, and tho dresses are simply magnificent. Thero is ono costumo costing 128 guineas, and the show girls havo model gowns and hats which are very beautiful. Tho second act takes placo in tho Court of Honour of tho ' White City,' first in tho clay and then at night. Tho colour schemo in tho latter is from the lightest to tho darkest of blues, which, of course, gives a moonlight effect. Each member of tho company at dress rehearsals is allowed to invito four friends. I am most interested in the way pieces aro.produced hero. Tho chorus loarii the music by its being played over to them without the score. Then they are handed a typowritten copy of tho words, song by song. Next they are tnught tho 'business,' mid after Unit the manager, producer, and author —or, I should say, tuithors, as generally half a down if" to mjiko a piece—sit in judgment, and if they don't approve of a Bong or a

particular bit of it tlmy out it out. Thou tho alterations aro rehearsed, and when the result has boon shown to those responsible for it, they promptly order that tho original way bo reverted to. Next step is the rehearsal of tho chorus with the principals, which means moro chopping and changing, it a principal objects to 'business' tliat draws attention from himself or horself, there is dissatisfaction and out it comes again. I must say I prefer tho Australian methods." Our Miss Gibbs," mentioned in this letter, is tho story of a Yorkshire girl who becomes tho most popular and successful assistant at Garrod's. Miss Gertio Millar, Miss Dc-niso Orme, Messrs. Geo. Grossmith, Edmund r.-iyno, and 0. B. Claronce aro prominent m tho cast. Notes. . Tho Julius Knight Company produced Justin Macarthy's play "Tho Duke's Motto" at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, on Saturday last, riio mounting and costumes have cost a mint of money. " Havana " is to bo produced by tho Royal Comic Opera Company at His Majesty's lbeatro, Sydney, this evening. Ono of tho best performances now running m Sydney is the Meynoll and Gunn production of "Jim the Penman." Notably good work is dono by Mr. Gaston Mervalo as Baron,Hartfeld, Mr. Conway Wingfield as Louis Percival, Mr. James Lindsay as Captain Redwood (the detective), and Miss Madge Macintosh as Mrs. Ralston. Mr. Harcourt Beatty, as Jim tho Penman, was too theatrical. With Mr. Geo. Titheradgo as Jim, the cast would bo difficult to improve upon. "The Dairymaids," to bo produced at Easter, should cause a revival of Sandow exercises among tho young ladies of Wellington. A Meynell and Gunn Dramatic Company left Sydney for Auckland on Wednesday last. It will play "Tho Miner's Trust," "The Old Folks at Home," and other , melodramas.