THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1013, 31 December 1910, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

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

(By Sylvius.)

Wellfngtonian's Success. Etholberfr Hales, son of the late Sir,. W. H. Hales, formerly Enginecr-in-Chief to tho Government, occupies a solid. position on the American stage. Some time ago lio was associated with the tragedian Mr. .Robert Mantell. In thecourso of a critique on "Macbeth," a New York writer said:—"Men in t-lio Mantell Company aroWeighty in talent and singularly, good-looking. Ethclbert Hales, who is one of tho best legitimate actors .iii America, made a statuesque Banquo, and his reading balanced tho music of Mantell's splendid oratory in fine harmony.-" Another criticism on "Hamlet" said: • "Ethelbert Hales, who 'proves one of Mr. Mantell's most valuable players, made the best Claudius any-'Hamlet''has provided these many years." "Jaclt and tho Beanstalk." Onco again (says the "Argus") tlio wonder workers at this -theatre have achieved ! aii indubitable- success in their pantomime-extravaganza melange, with the nursery legend of "Jack and tho Beanstalk" as-foundation. . It lias been so designed as to hold a . charm for every ago and every sensiblo temperament, and contains mo to than the usual vitality and attractive power. As tho filial curtain fell on tho charmingly-toiicd "vintage" ballet tho ovation 'that followed' clearly demonstrated that Her Majesty's had "romped .'.homo":., with . 'its Christmas '• entertainment. -. Excessive prodigality is its only failing, but trifling, excisions here and there- will knit it closer," and oven then tho most voracious lover, of variety must needs bo satisfied.

Ho would be.a bold librettist, who would undertake to alter a theme whose development: is so well known to young and old as Jack and his beanstalk, and so once more wo have the'simple-minded village youth, parting with.'the family cow—the prop of tho house —for tho magic beans which; grow to .hugo proportions" before our. eyes, Rearing on top tho splendid castlo of tho.. wicked giant. And onco again .we seo Jack in shining '■ armour, and fearing no foe, destroy tho monster, and, bring .the castle tumbling about his earsVa triuinph of stage "destructive mechanism...: All this is not accomplished .without the usual vicissitudes of earth, air, fire and water,' variety- interludes, a wealth of lovely ballets and marches, the smartest ground and lofty tumbling, fun, frivolity, vigorous burlesque, and artistic costuming, as clearly distinguished from the usual "gorgeous" quality" that only wearied tho eye. An effective note is struck in the very beginning with tho rousing chorus, "Up in the Morning Early," which ■ heralds the appearance ,of the destroyer Yarra and its escort of.smart sailor lads. Miss Sybil Arutidale, principal "boy," who has the advantage of looking ! really like tho picture in the book, here sings, her first song, "Australia's Naval Cadets," and , was awarded tho hearty recognition that moans slio is going to bo a prime favourite,' her, easy appealing style, distinct vocalisation, and rhythmic danc T ing making, "the boy" always an : attractive -figure. Her last song, "Silvery Snnds," given 'in appropriate mix,cd . bathing, costume. with., parasol, to "keep off the spray," will, however, bo the one bummed-in days tbat are to be.

A Popular Rovlual. ■Writing of tlio Plimmer-Denniston production of "A Messago from Mars," tho Auckland "Star" says:—"The Messenger overshadows, everything in the play, | and ■ iii this role j\lr. Reynolds Donniston was quite as good as, any of. tho previous messengers we -havo seen in Auckland. A weak Messenger means'' a weak production in this play, and Mr., Denniston well upheld the traditions of the' character. Ho was forceful and-convincing, at tho samo time maintaining that atmosphere of "other-; dom" (to use ono of the . Messenger's own words) which is tho most difficult feature of the role. Mr. Plimmer took tho part of Horace Porker, who in 0110 short. evening midergqesthji. Wonderful change that in reality "sometimes takes a lifetime to accomplish, and gave just such a rendering that one would'liavoi expected from'such an experienced artist. Tho boorish nature of Parker was brought out with just sufficient, reality to make the work of the strange visitor from Mars something worth.' accomplishing, and tho change was artistically done. As ,tho Tramp, the pathetic figure round which Horace Parker's regeneration is worked, Mr. A. S. Fitzgerald was distinctly good, even when wo compare him with that incomparable actor in this part, Mr. C. Hawtroy. Mrs. Brough as Miss Parker was admirable, as slio always is, and Miss Lizetto Parkes onco again proved what a very clover little lady she is by tho manner in which she played the part of Horace Parker's fianccc—naturally and sympathetically. The rest of the company filled tho subsidiary characters with success, and mado up a very even cast." ' American Drama. .Tlio American actress,' Miss Katherino. Grey, will make ■ her first appearnnco hero at tho Opera House on January, 18 with Mr. J. 0. Williamson's Company in "Tho Ljon and the Mouse." a powerful play purchased by Mr. J. C. Williamson in America recently. Tho part of tlio resourceful young woman who, like the woman in the fable, en-ables'-the lion—in this case John Bur■kott Ryder, tlio controller, of hundreds of millions —to extricate himself from the net that corrupt influences is spreading over him, is ono of big acting possibilities. When Mr. Williamson, bought tho play, it. was on thoun T dcrstanding that Miss Ivatherino Grey, was to corao to Australasia to play tho part of Shirley Rossinore.

The company includes I 'Messrs. Leslie Victor, Cyril Mac-kay, J.', B. Atholwood, Winter Hall, Georgo Bryant; George. Chalmers, Boyd Irwin, T. W. Lloyd, Rupert Julianj Ramsay Clarke, Elmo Sinclair, also Misses Susie Vaughan, Alma Vaughan, Florenco Gleeson, Elsio Wilson, Kato Towers, Alma Phillips. During tho season "The Third Degree." "Paid in Full," and "Tho Truth"- will also bo staged. : Football on tho Stage. An exciting gamo of football is introduced into tho restaurant scene in tho "Jack and tlio Beanstalk" pantomime. The ball , happens ' to be a "spring" cauliflower, and no fewer than three different modes of attacking it aro brought into requisition by the. tliroo players who engage in tho game. Mr. Keiiyon. being, a Scotchman, plays tho Association game,; Mr. Cannot, being an Englishman, favours Rugby, and Mr. Rupert- Dnrrell, as the waiter, being an Australian, of course engages in the familiar Australian game. It may not bo.orthodox football, but it lias the effect of eliciting roars of laughter and, after , all, that is the most important result from a pantomime standpoint. Good Momorisers, . Writing on actors' memories, "Harosfoot" in tho. "Bulletin" says:— "About tho worst memory on tho stage is that of Beorbohm-Treo. He hardly seems, to know half his part tho first night, although he may have been rot hearsing many weeks and half a dozen other actors could take any character in the play, of which they arc so full up. In general, tlio bad momorisers are good actors, and such in tho past wero Ireland and Stuart O'Brien. Noiy, tako tho exceptional memories, : ,It is said Brooke never studied any part, AH

4 : : " lie had to. do was to read it over, but ho was never perfect in tho text of any il ls c ' I!ll ' ac tors, B rough and Charles Hall were noted in Australia for gv*od memories. Quite an abnormal 0110 was Phil Beck's. Beck recited Coleridge s w.liolo lengthy tragedy of ' 'Remorse," just for tho pleasure of Chief Justice Coleridgo and his family.- This was . tho moro striking, because this piece is not in any theatrical repertoire, it was even moro difficult than learning off a Shakespearean play, rf 3 la Brandram or J«ocko Richardson. Brandram did not begin till ho was 50, and then- piled up an extraordinary stock." Notes. | Seymour Hick's musical comedy "Tho Gay Gordons""was produced by Messrs. Meynell and Gunn in Melbourne on December 21. Ono of the brightest and. most attractive scenes in' this year's pantomime will take the form of an old English fair scene, with its many and. varied novelties for. raking in tho pennies from, tho pleasure-seeking .patrons who wish to partake in full measure of the fun of the fair. The clown is there haranguing tho throng, tho abnormally strong man is there exciting tho open mouthed amazement of the onlookers with his remarkable feats of prowess, and all is laughter, and gaiety, and bustle, and "go" until tho culmination is reached by tho bril-liantly-lighted merry-go-round which swirls round, and forms an exciting wind-up to a delightfully bright and sparkling scene. Tho business of theatrical managers, carried on by Sir Rupert' Olarko and Mr. Clyde Meynell at tho Theatre Royal, 1 Melbourne, and elsewhere,'-, has been registered as a proprietary limited company with a capital of £30',000. Tho shareholders at the dato of registration were Sir Rupert Clarke, Messrs. Clyde Meynell (theatrical manager), J. E. Fyffe (solicitor), J. V. M. Wood (incorporated accountant), C. D. Yeucker (solicitor), and J. W. Carthew. ..