ABOUT HUGH J. WARD

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 968, 8 November 1910, Page 5

ABOUT HUGH J. WARD

Iho substance of the above cable was embodied in a paragraph which appeared under tho heading of "Tho Theatre" in baturday s Dominion. It has been known lor some time that alterations were about to bo made in the personnel of the theatrical firm known as- J..C. Williamson, Ltd., when the proprietary was turned ntq a limited liability company at the beginning of tho present year the five signatories to tho application were: Messrs J. C. Williamson, George Tallis, Mr. Eainaciotti, sen., Mr. Ramaciotti, Zi and . 1 ? I .V A1 l»n. of the Melbourne music publishing house. Since that time Mr. Ramaciotti (who has been looking atter the hrm's interest in Sydney, and the byclney circuit which includes New Zealand) has arranged to sell out his interest as from the end of March next, and iv ,s probably, that-interest which mi. Ward (who has been most successful m management for some years past) has consented, to tako up. Snch a man would be needed in the firm at the present juncture, as Mr. J. C. Williamson, who lias up till .the last year or two been overworked in selecting plays and players, and in a largo measnre actually producing them. Such arduous work is not compatible with his increasing years, and Mr. Ward's all-round experience-in comedy, pantomime, vaudeville, drama and, musical..comedy-should be of the g u- v st . P osSlb 'e value to tho firm to which Australasia owes a good deal for maintaining a high standard of artistic excel once in its varied productions. Mr ( \Urd, who is a native of Washington, United States of America,- first came to Australia with a big musical extravaganza company, headed by Mr. Harrv Conor, playing "A Trip to Chinatown >' and 'The Mjlk-White Flag," and then earned for himself a fine reputation as a comedian and dancer. After the tour he was re-engaged, by Mr. J. C. Williamson to pipy .in comic opera and musical comedy, in which his clever mumming raised him still higher in the scale of public popularity. Then for a brief season ho played in drama with tho Uaniol Fawley Company, making a notable success as Tony, the Mexican greater "i Arizona"—a perfect play of its class. Alter a trip to America he returned to Alalia with that delightful comedy iho Man from Mexico" and formed a partnership with Mr. George Willonriibv when they orodticed "The New Clown" and "Mr. Hopkinson" most .successfully. After a long tour of Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Ward went to England, and while thero appeared in tho Drnry Lane pantomime, in which be introduced bis famous 'Scarecrow" act, seen recentlv in Welington at the matinee given in aid of the .Children's Hospital. On his next ■n tlr i ? • ?r colonios h ° introduced "A Bachelors Honeymoon," which proved a biir money-maker, and revived some of hU old successes.. The history of his latest tour with "The Girl from Rector's" is still fresh in the public memory as Is also the campaign Mr..Ward practically initiated for raising money for the Children's Hospital in this city. For his prompt and electrical notion rm that ooea sion alone the name of Mr. Hugh Ward will always command respect in WelhV- • to I s com P™S ™at present tourinn in Western Australia, after, which it plays a season , nt the Sydney "Palnce" commencing on Boxing Night. Mrs. Hugh ..Ward is a cultured singer, who has been notably successful on tho concert platform and m oratorio. . ■■ •