THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1008, 24 December 1910, Page 10

THE THEATRE.

The World's n theatre; the Earth a stage.—Haywood.

(Br Svlvius.)

"Tlio Dollar Princess." Leo Fall's bright and melodious light opera, "Tho Dollar Princess," said to be a first cousin to Franz Lohar's tuneful "Merry Widow," will be produced for tho first time in New Zealand at the Opera House on Monday evening' by tho New Comic Opera Company. Dr. Fell, who is an eminent Viennese musician, is said to have imbued tho score with wonderful life and melody, and, in his attention to the orchestra-' tion, ho has : taken a page out of Lcliar's book, for there is no question that, in this department, light opera and musical comedy has been more or less slummed sincc'tho halycon days of Gilbert and Sullivan. Tho lyrics of Adriaii Ross are said to bo well up to that clever writer's standard, and tnere is humour, bright and sparkling, to add a seasonablo gleam to tho . ensemble. The New Comic Opera Company has been strengthened for tho visit. Take tho ladies: We have Miss Florence Young, to whoso strong, vibrant soprano, is a delight to listen.- Miss \oung has done excellent work in light opera, including .such parts as. Ma Mie Rosette in tho opera of that name, Yum Yum and Katisha in "Tho Mikado" (the latter a fine dramatic study), Casilda in "The Gondoliers" (when Violet Varley and Flora Graupner appeared originally as Tessa .and Gianetta), Nataho and Sonia in "Tho Merry Widow," Elsa in "The Girls of Gottenburg," and Madame Sans Gene in "Tho Duchess of Dantzic." These are only a few of her best-remembered performances, but I have no .hesitation in placing tho part Sans Gene as Miss Young's finest performance, and tho opera as one of the , } best staged by. "tho firm" during the last- decade. AVhy it has never been brought to New Zealand is a mystery and a misfortune. Miss Olivo Godwin is best remembered by her appearancc-s m tho Gilbert and Sullivan Repertoire Company, when she .sang "Princess Ida and other leading roles with taste and refinement. Miss Lottie Sargent is tho clever little comedian who danced so quaintly with Mr. Bert Gilbert in the Apache'' delirium, in "Tho King of Cadoina." Mr. Bert Gilbert is with us once more, with his laughter-mak-grimaces under good control, and, backing- him up aro Air. W. S. Percy T>n paries 'Albert, a capital pair of 1 oiiard-trained comedians. Mr. Herbert Clayton, , tho handsome King of Oadonia,: will once more dazzle tho eyes of tho fair, Messrs. Frank Greene, Victor ■Prince, J. R. Hogue, and Arthur Lissent will appear, in-the cast.

Says Hugh Wars. ' "You say I'dop't look 39," lie remarked, picking up an Adelaide interviewer s comment on his vouthful appearance and sunny personality. ''More than, one pressman has said that. I'll S'tnl? bd { eV6 7* c , 0011 " othcrs can only toll me how I look, but I. know exclusively how I feel. And, no, I confess. I don t, feel 39. That- is because i. ve looked after myself. I am \ n . t0 - Jj, u ®" less . A r ith . Mr - Williamson and -• .Tajlis .with healthy faculties and matured-experience. Candidly, I. feel Qualified to take an active part in tho .management of such an,important concern conducted by these capable and esteemed gentl'cmon. ,■ 1 have been associated with theatrical affairs all my life, so that, still comparatively yonn" i ill J ears, although old in experience, I art „?. 1 1 V.J u 'y 1) 1913, as partner with I Williamson and Mr. Tallis, fully belic\ing that I have tho right equipment tor the responsible duties ahead of me." A Now Damo. Mr. Neil Keny.on, who is to play th'o damo. in this year's pantomime, is Specially suited (both from tho point of view, of natural aptitude and of Son" experience) for that class of role. Mr. Kenyon devoted the initial stages of lus theatrical career to vaudeville work, but he very soon drifted into pantomime, and was so successful thai cacli year for some time past ho has been keenly sought after by tho principal ■London managers .to take part ,in their annual Christmas productions, and it is an acknowledged'fact that Mr. ICenyon is on the top of the ladder in this' respect. But prior 'to his departure for ;Australia lie turned his attention '*n musical comedy, and, as the' Scotch pasha in.''The Islander," was tho luo and soul of that piece, receiving from the press gratifying acknowledgment of his ability. Mr. Kenyon visited Wellington on holiday early in November. His wife is a sister of Mr. Harry Hayward, so well known in the picture business in New Zealand. Now Plays for Australia. : The London papers of November 5 announce that Air. J. C. Williamson nas secured John Galsworthy's famous labour play, "Strife," to follow "The Whip" in Australia, and that his more recent purchases are . Conan Doyle's drama, "The-Speckled Band," the new musical comedy, "The Quaker Girl," just produced at the Adelphi, and the new pieces, which are ultimately to follow tho current successes at the Gaiety Theatre and Daly's. This interview adds one more name, that of Mme. Vayda, to .those of Mme. Melba and John M'Cormack, already notified for tho grand opera season in Australia next July. .

Ellen Terry and Music Halls. ■ As she was leaving Southampton for tile United States, where she is now giving tho Shakespearean readings, Ellen Terry was handed a pot of white heather by Mr. Dickons, a son of the great novelist, who has just returned to England after a long absence in Australia. The grand-daughter of the actress was ono of the", "au revoir" party. Miss, Terry gave tho following reasons for declining a cabled offer from an American namager to appear in vaudeville in New York:—"l am not dreaming of appearing in any music hall. No actors in their senses should, in my opinion; at least, not whilst tho regulations and ; privileges are so different for tho two places. I don't think actors show to advantage in a music hall. They cannot entertain the visitors as some to tho manner born (of music halls) can do. To be sandwiched in between past-masters of the art of vaudeville entertainment, such as Mr. Cinquevalli and Miss Mario Lloyd, really shows off an actor to ill-advantage. Music hall artists aro out of place in a theatre, and actors aro out of a place in a music hall—at least that is my opinion." Booth Tarkington Again. A now comedy called "Getting a Polish," by Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson,' in which May Irwin has tho principal part, was produced in New York last month. This fact, of course, is a sufficient indication of the general nature of tho composition. Miss Irwin (says tho "New York Post") is not one of those performers who change their personalities with their parts. This time she appears as the widow of . a miner, and heiress to a hole in tlie ground,- which, of course, presently' yields gold in fabulous quantities. Then the widow goes to Paris for the purpose of justifying the title, and instantly is beset .by suitors of every rank and variety. Motes. The' principal girl for. this years' J. C. Williamson pantomime, Miss Dorothy Firmin, has had considerable experience in theatrical, work. Before she was nine years of age she was touring tho English provinces in childs' parts in drama. When she reached the com-

pa-rativcly mature age of seventeen summers, Miss Firmm transferred her talent to musical comedy, and appeared with success in' '"i'iie Orchid'' as the iLndy Violet Austruther and in "The Girl from Kays" as Ellen, together with other plays of a similar nature. Included in her wide pantomime experience she can claim six years in succession under the management of Hobort Arthur. Mr.. Frank Green will be the Princc Dainlo in the New Comic Opera's production of "The Merry Widow." Mr. Andrew Higginson is with the "Our Miss Gibbs*' Company iu Sydney. 'The Whip" was staged for the first timo iu Sydney on Saturday last. Mr. Charles Albert, who did such good work with Pollard's Opera Company, is a member of the "Dollar Princess" Company now in Wellington. This evening in both the Sydney Glaciarium and the Town Hall the management of West's Pictures will present a novel local picture under the title of "Australia's First Beauty Competition." This contest is restricted to young Australian women of 16 years of age or more, who have resided in Sydney or its suburbs' for at least twelve months. TJIOI public will judge tho. competition by ballot. | flic Orvieto brought to Melbourne last Monday week Mr. Clyde Meynell, who had been on a six. months' visit to London to engage new. artists and secure further attractions for tho firm in Australia. Mr. Arthur Levy, general manager for Clarke and Meynell, has gone into Dr. Bird's private hospital in Melbourne for an operation, and on his recovery he will leave .for- England. During his absence his duties will be performed by Mr. Phil Finkelstein. Tho death of Fred. - B. Norton is announced; Mr. Norton camo to Australia 25 years ago, after having been a comic singer in the music halls for many years.