THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 9

THE THEATRE

(Uv Sylvius.)

"The world's a theatre, tho earth a stage."— Heywood.

The "Star" System Defended by a "Star." So much is written and talked to-day on the subject of the star system in theatrical affairs—so much criticism is directed at it — that tho actor's viewpoint may not come amiss, and it is interesting to learn from Mr. Julius Knight, who has figured in more star plays than any other actor in Australia in our recent stage history, his view that " as plays were in the beginning, they aro now,and ever will be." To him it seems the most natural tiling in the world that a playwright should, in waking a drama, study tho r.ccomulislniionts and limitations of actors. If he'iocs not, ho must work in the dark. Tho roles which an author creates havo to ho interpreted and, he says, it is better to l>oar that in mind before he sets out to build a play, than after ho has completed it. "I am not for a moment suggesting that a dramatist should subjugate himself to the powers of any particular star." Mr. Knight remarks, " but he must always realise that ho and those who are to personate his characters arc inter-dependent. To excite any interest in a play there has to 1)0 some dominant personality in it, whether man or woman. That's how it comes about that one character always moves in the limelight. All the intensity is worked to ono central figure, and it is for that figure to give that force off as effectively as may be. Star parts' are spoken of as if they were a new development, but it is far from being so. The Greek poets wrote them. Sophocles is believed to have written to the range of particular actors, and his plays bear evidence of it. Moliero built up the leading character in each of his comedies so as to accord with his own acting abilities. Shakespeare devised Hamlet for Burbage, and tho samo actor created most of the big roles in the tragedies of our greatest dramatist. Racine composed plays with a view to the histrionic capabilities of Mile. Champsmesle, Sardou wrote for Uernliardt, Rostand for Coquolin. The actor, who steps into a part that is made for him, is liko a man putting on a tailor-made suit; the man who writes a drama with nobody in view for his leading role is best likened to a tradesman who turns out slop clothing— ho takes chances about the fit." Ginqucvalli Coming. Mr. M. Marcus will arrive at tlio Bluff on Monday next, in advanco of the Richards' Vaudeville- Company. The combination is headed by the incomparable Cinquevalli, who last visited the Dominion six years ago. Supporting the star juggler and equilibrist aro the Latonas, Lawson and Namon, the Scottish Meisters, Guest and Newlyn, Fanny Powers, Arthur Harris, Nellie Maunsell, and Tom Dawson (one of the most amusing comiques in Australia). The company is to play in Invercargill from April 5 to 8, Dunedin from April 10 to 21, Christchurch from April 23 to 30, Auckland from May 4 to 15, Wanganui May 17, Palmerston North May 18, and Wellington May 19 to 27. "An Englishman's Home."

It only needs the comments of "An Englishman's Home" mado by tho English papers, which camo to hand by last mail, to demonstrate how intenso was tlio enthusiasm,

how profound tho impression mado by that play which J. C. Williamson is shortly to produco in Australia. No matter what tho particular shades of political opinion it held, every newspaper joined in tho chorus of praise lavished on tho play, its import, its dramatic qualifications, and tho lesson that it drove homo so insistently and so well. "Tho Daily Chronicle," a Liberal organ, speaks of the "unprecedented sensation combined of amazement and bewildered delight and approval it created." "Tho' Star" awards it "tho fascination that only a strong, simple, and livo work or art possesses. •. . .■•-: Artistically tho play's high value rests in tho vivid arid racy dialogue, its luminous studies of English character, its finn, simple construction, its pathetic dignity, its unwavering dramatic energy." "Tile Evening News" says "that it would not bo easy to exaggerate tho tempestuous manner with which it gripped tho interest of tho audience or the extraordinary enthusiasm of its reception." "Tho. Morning Post" calls it "an honour to our stage—on a level to which no other play produced in recent years can aspire." "Tho Daily Mail's" eulogy is even more striking. In one pulsating paragraph the reviewer has managed to convey not only the character of "Tho Englishman's Homo" but also its effect upon tho audience. It says: "Right from the beginning it got grip of 'us and held us to the end—it is a play—construction, dialogue, sense of dramatic point and illusion—strong, compelling, convincing from sheer force and dramatic emotionalism. Jokes go off like percussion caps, the wholo business is combustion, but the spontaneous combustion of a practised penman, a skilled eye, a craftsman who knows his game, and what is more, has tho art to cast his spell.over us. There is honest drama in it, a brightness, a cleverness, a power, an art which moves, inspirits, I and delights."

The stags as a Career. Miss Mario Lohr, the well-known Australian actress, now in a prominent position in London, has given the "Daily Express" hei views concerning the stage as a career:—"l cannot honestly say that I havo found tho stage a snare or a delusion, for I am sure that ono does got on in the long run if ono only works hard enough and has perseverance and pluck. 1 began my stagecareer as a very tiny tot—in fact I was only eight years old—and I have been working hard ever since. Although my mother is tho well-known actress, Miss Kate Bishop, I determined to work my way up tho ladder under my own name, and 1 have had no influence of any kind behind me. I think I can. honestly say that I have got on entirely by hard work and love of my profession; so how can I say that I have found tho stage a snare in any way? After all. talent is something that will endure, and tho owner' of a pretty face with no intellect to "back it up" can only expect to find her stago illusions shattered, and shattered very badly. There may bo one or two Ellen Terrys in embryo, and yet they have never been heard of, for tho simple reason that they havo never had their chance. That is due to tho struggle and competiton of the stage." Miss Lohr's advice to aspirants is:—"Do not go on the stago unless you havo talent and a grim determination to succeed. Nothing but sheer hard work can make an actress." " Napoleon's" Droam. Mr. Wybcrt Stamford, the Napoleon of. " Tho Duchess of Dantzic," in Sydney, tells of how ho dreamt a dream, "and it was a horrible dream," according to himself. His strong personal resemblance to the Little Corporal, who afterwards came nigh to conquering the whole world, lias been the causo of his having had to assume the part of tho Kmperor again and again. " Indeed, for the last ten or twelve years," says Mr. Stamford, "I havo been more often Napoleon than myself." To this fact, added to the abundance of reading matter he has studied on the subject, Mr. Stamford attributes tho "horrible dream." "I became Napoleon in very sooth," ho says, " and the first vision conjured up was Miss Florence Young ironing out a pair of satcou trousers, which she threatened to singo if I didn't pay the laundry charges which she required in advance. Then a.U through the dream those trousers haunted his sleeping hours, and ono person after another appeared habited in them, including Mr. Dantock and Mr. Higgiuson. Then Tom Mann eamo on the scene, wearing those identical nether garments, but by this time the owner of the sateens was mounted on horseback, and promptly set spurs to his steed and gave chase —the labour champion sprinted down Pitt Street, and away to the South Head of tho Sydney Harbour, and then quietly leapt across two miles of writer to the North Head and escaped. Broken LI ill was the dreamer's next objective, a.nd, after having settled the strike, he found himself in Fontninhlcu, where he again encountered Miss Florence Young, still anxious to have her account settled. After a >;ood deal of wrangling and unpleasantness, the Emperor and the Duchess at length came to a satisfactory understanding, then followed a dance, a.t which tho reconciled debtor and

creditor led off hand in hand. Then to his joy, the dreamer looked down, and found that he was wearing the sateen trousers, which had so troubled him, and his delight at the discovery was so intense that ho awoke, and great was his relief to find that lie was 'not Napoleon, or Caesar, or Alexander, or anybody else who was dead.' "

Notes, Mr. Lewis Waller lias appeared in a military play entitled " The Chief of Staff," at the Lyric Theatre. Miss Madge Titheradgo, daughter of Mr. Geo. 11. Tilheradgc, appears prominently in tho play. Mr. Geo. Alexander has revived "Tho Prisoner of Zcnda " in London. That talented actress, Miss Susio Vaughan, is now a member of tho Poyal Comic Opera Company. It recalls the time, when she. and her clever sister (tho famous Kate Vaughan) wero well up among tho Gaiety girls, and prominent in pantomime in London. Tho rival pantomimes, "Jack and .Till" CWilliamson) and " Cinderella " (McyneU and Gunn), are still running in Melbourne. Kach has registered over 100 performances, and if one does not decido to " move on," Melbourne is threatened with continuous pantomime. Hut each management lias other attractions coming along. Mr. Williamson is sure to produce "An Englishman's Home" at Easte", and it would not surprise tho writer if lio equipped two companies for tho new war drama, as it is essentially the typo of play which should be produced while the subject is hot. Tho recent discovery of Germany's naval activity only serves to emphasise, the lesson that Major Du Manner's drama teaches. Mr. Williamson also has Nellie Stewart and an English company in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs " to make way for. Moynell and Gunn, on the other hand, _have a new company to plav " Tho Hypocrites" and " Tho Passing of the Third Floor Back," which should succeed the pantomime in Melbourne next month. For a long time past Mr. Julius Knight has been giving consideration to essaying the rolo of Hamlet, with tho encouragerjent of the J. C. Williamson firm. Mr. Knight says that ho is now determined to appear as tho molancholy Dane before returning to London. He will plan out tho production on tour. Ho states that it is with some misgiving that he makes this announcement, as Hamlet is not a part to bo lightly undertaken. " I am always reminded when I think of it," ho remarked to tho writer recently, " what Henry Arthur Jones said to George Alexander when that actor confided to him that ho was thinking of playing Hamlet. ' Take my advice,' said the dramatist, ' and keep on thinking about it.' "

" Jack and Jill" concluded a run of about 110 nights in., Melbourne last evening. Miss Tittell Tirune reappears there this evening in " The Girl of the Golden West."