THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1061, 25 February 1911, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

Tho' World's a • theatre; tho Earth a stage.— Haywood. (Br Sylvius.) Criticism and Assortlon. Whilst I join tlio chorus of praise given to Miss Kathorino Grey for her entirely effective performances in tlio particular class of play in which sho appeared in New Zealand, wholesale extravagances havo been printed about tho lady's capabilities that aro unfair to others. One critic has said that sho was worth crawling through a milo of wet grass -to' see; another that sho was easily , the best leading lady whom Mr. J. C. Williamson had ever introduced. Few of those who heartily enjoyed tho forceful modem American plays/ and the manner in which .they were acted, will go all the way—or even part of it—with tho writers. An actress is one who acts, surely. Now, did Miss' Grey act? or was it merely the deep intellectuality of a new personality thrown into parts " which just about fitted that lent such solid aid to her effectiveness?. To ho quito candid, I do not know, not having seen her in a wide enough range of parts to judge. But hero is a littlo woman, without any claim to presence or beauty (as it is understood on tho stage) who, in her business, pursues similar methods to Cuyler Hastings—the calm, still actor'who never acted. Is-not, Miss Grey's attitudo towards the Klein plays much tho samo as that of Hastings's was towards Sherlock Holmes —a caso of suitability of personality? Can ono imagine Miss Grey in such a repertoire as, say, : "Rosalind,", "Juliet," "Ophelia," "Camille," "La Tosea;" or, to 'step down a littlo into sniart society comedy of tlio Wildc-Pinero-Carton type, ■ where sparkle, technique, and presence aro required? Miss Grey, I can imagine, would never bo ridiculous/ but she would bo vastly unsuitable, and would'not, in somo instances, como near •to tho ideals. Miss Grey lias not a tittle of the power of Nanco O'Ncil, for instance. -She .would not dream of playing, such ..-.parts- ; as "Lady...Macbeth," '■Elizabeth;", "Parthenia," or "Lady Inger". because sho could not touch tho big hard-working tragic roles in, which noting—vivid trenchant acting, that means something more than tho mere utterance of- words—is demanded. Yet, forsooth, she is "the best actress whom Mr. Williamson lias sent us." To say so is foolish, oven if ono thinks so, bccauso. there are so many points to consider, and a liking for a new personality does not make- a good actress groat. I would not like- to see Maud Jeffries as Mrs. Howard Jeffries, jun., in "Tho Third Degree," but I would, sooner enduro that spectacle than I would see Miss Grey as Galatea or as Lady Mary Carlyle. I havo vivid recollection or some excellent performances in romantic drama by Miss Ada Ferrar, and Miss' Henrietta Watson was a particularly fino dramatic artist in a class in which I '.wculd not place Miss Grey. It has becoino customory to gloss over artistic. achievements of.the. near, past,' and to (lo.od;the nearcst;pfcson9o"\vith frothy may- bo' wcll intended, but is sometimes not sincere ana not honest'to the talented ones who liavo passed by. : ■ : - •

'.'Via Wireless." For "Via Wireless," the new production by "ThoVWhip" Company at .Her.Majcsty's Theatre, Sydney, Mr. J. Povali, tlio chief electrician of tho J. C. "Williamson management .has boon busy installing tho operator s outfit. This will enable;, tho story "to illustrate ■dramatically this use' of-wireless;ill. 'jv, tempest at sea. The play is' to b'o a' big spectacular production. In New York it was "put on", by the same man who designed, tho "Brewster's Millions" yacht scene, but that sensation is said to bo a'very small affair to tho effect "Via Wireless" will introduco; Ono of tlio big sensations will show wiriiless being dramatically employed at sea, and other stago-effect .will bo tho'forging.of a'heavy gun.- Tho drama has had a successful'run in New, ;York, and will bo seen in Australia bc- : foro it goes .to England, later in tlio .present year.""- ' Return of Joe St. Clair. Mr. Joo St. Clair", who left Sydney nearly nino years ago as manager for Miss -Natoco O'Neill's company, • which lie accdinpanicd to South Africa, Madagascar 1 , Cairo, and London (Adolphi Theatre),- has returned to Sydney as manager■ of "tho'National; Amphitheatre for Mr. James Brennan. After. Jliss O'Neill's return to Amorica Mr. St.' Clair was engaged for tho MoodyManners Grand Opera Company as manager under Mr. Charles Manners, and shared tlio direction of all three combinations. Ho states that the "A" company ' travels 13S pcoplo with 15 trucks of scenery, tho personnel including an orchestra of 40, a chorus of 60, a • doublo cast of princjpals,. and two conductors (Signer Sapio and Herr ■Echold). -Tho "B" company travels 82 people, and..tho,."C" company only 45. Tlio most' elaborate Wagnerian and modern Italian works aro staged by -tlio - first-two J combinations, but the scope of tho third is confined to "Maritana," "Trovatore," and picces of tlio old-fashioned and familiar reportoiro, tho musical accompaniment being provided' by,-a .first-rato pianist and five other instrumentalists. Mr. St. Clair remained with Mr. Manners as manager eight and a half years, and being very fond of music,becamo. deeply versed in grand opera, but views philosophically, and even with enthusiasm, his present conncction with vaudeville, remarking, "there's less anxiety and moro money in it." Edmund Duggan's Latest. Sonio ,of tho defects of Mr. Edmund Duggaji's piny, "My Slate,-" at tho King's, liavo been noted (says tho "Australasian"), and tlio chief of them is the confusion of platform platitudes With theatrical essentials. It seems to us .that in tlio ordinary courso of things Australians liavo' quito enough politics without going to tlio theatre for them. Otlierwiso Mr. Duggan. has constructed a playable, presentablo drama. May wo again suggest to Mr.Duggui and other local dramatists that rich dramatic possibilities in our early-history aro still neglected and unused. Thero aro events of a hundred years ago which move our imagination, our admiration, and which might very well at this era of our history furnish many plays. Are tlio conventions of melodrama so insistent that tho stago writer may not look beyond the racecourso or tho bush routino of the day beforo yesterday for u suitablo subject?

Frank Worthing's Death. Just beforo the curtain of a theatro was to riso to-niglit (says a messago from Detroit of December 27) Frank Worthing, leading man for Graco George, was strickcn with a hemorrhago and died n few minutes lnler. Tho houso Was crowded. The patrons were dismissed and announcement of a postponement of tho performance was made from tho stage. According to physicians, xWorthing's death was duo, entirely to the breaking of'a pulmonary artery. 110 was 11 years old and a nativo of Gotland. For years he has been directed with tuberculosis. Ho had walked from his hotel apparently in his usual health: Frank "Worthing firat appeared on the American stago at Daly's theatre here as Sidney Austin in "Love on Crutches;" Ho had previously played in England with Mrs. Line-

try and later with Sir Charles Wyndhani, He found favour with American audiences and subsequently took part in many well-known plays, among which were ".Madame Butterfly" and "The Climbers." During ono season he was leading man with Julia Marlowe.

Tho Katlurlno Cray Tour. Tho'success which has attended tho visit of Miss Kntherine Grey in the various provincial - towns, lias induced tho management to extend her present tour, and a return visit to each of. tho following centres wil Italic place as follow:—New, Plymouth, ou Monday, March 13; Wanganui, March 14; Palmers ton North, March 15; Mastcrton, March 16; Tininru,' March 20; Oamaru, March 21; .Gore, March 23. Miss Grey wil! mako her final appearanco in New Zealand at Invcrcargill on Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25, in tho "Lion ahd tho Mouse," and "Tho Third Degree." \ ,"Sv;oet Lavender." "Sweet Lavender" is one of the simplest and sweetest plays that Pinero has written, and •in Dick Phenyl, ho created a delightfully quaint human character who . will (always bo loved. Phenyl is usually tlio stumbling block in tho casto with amateurs. 1 trust that the Wellington Dramatic Company which'play-tlio comedy at tho Opera House on March 15 and 16 will havo no 'difficulty in this or any other regard. The casto is as follows: —Geoffrey Wcdderburn, Mr. John larsen; Clement Hale, Mr. Kenneth Aitken; Dr. Delaney, Mr. Dennis Kelly; Dick Phenyl, Mr. Norman Aitken; . Hqraco Bream, Sir. Xanto Wood; Mr. Maw, Mr; Davo M. .Williams;. Mr. Bulger, .Mr. Leslio Holmes; Mrs. Gilfillian, • Miss Irene Mason ; Minnie, Miss k Lena Lennox; Ruth Rolt/Miss Ivy Scott; Lavender, Miss Lulu Arnold. • Notes. .* Nat.Goodwin, tho famous American actor, is being sued for a divorce for tho fourth time. His latest ' wife — Edna Goodrich Goodwin—is an exceedingly beautiful woman. According to tho "Daily -Express" tho engagement between'"Miss" Mario Lolir, tho yo\ing Australian- actress, aijd Mr...Robert Loraino, tho .actor aviator, has been broken olf.' The engagement was announced in October "last.

, Miss Emma Tcniplo lias been engaged by Mr. J. C. Williamson for tho "grande dame",'part in "Via Wireless," which is to follow, "Tho Whip" at Her Majesty's,' Sydney.

Moro than COO performances of "Tho Arcadians" havo been registered in London. The musical • comedy is still running to bis business at tho Shaftesbury —tho theatre in which our Mr. Georgo Musgrovo, mado a fortuno;-with "The Hollo of Now York" years ago. ,

■ "Seven . Daysi"' tho now American farce staged by Hugh Ward it, Sydney, is a big success. Tlio company leavc3 Sydney for Auckland on March 8. With Sousa's Band, tho Sheffield Choir,' and- tho Melba Grand Opera Company, the present year promises to bo a romaikablo ono musically for Australia.

Mr. Eardley Turner lias joined'"Tho Whip" Company, and will como. to New Zealand witn/tno combination. ; Tho PJimmor-Denniston Company will open its Sydney season with "A Message from Mars," which comedy has not been staffed-there for a long timo. "Smith," Somerset Maughan's new play, will not bo staged until tho company's return from Western Australia. .