THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

The. World's a theatre; the Earth a . 6!age.-Uey\v<jod. (Br Sylvius.) "Only tho Best." "I have boon accused of spoiling the Australian public, and (ho way 1 have done 'it is by giving only tho best," raid Mr. J. C. Williamson in a recent interview. The cynical will put the statement down to a box-office interview, tho critical may very easily find matter in the rash remark for sharp comment. It docs not read like a ■)• C. Williamson remark, made, too, on tho day succeeding his arrival back in Sydney from the. "hub of tho artisti: world. Mr. Williamson has done wonders for the Australian slcige on sound commercial lines, au'l h.is been the cause of placing several obscure English and American actors on their financial feet. At times ho has imported the really good—Nat. Goodwill, Win. Collier, Margaret Anglin, Nance, O'Neil, and, I. fancy. Charles Cartwright, who came out with Olga Ncthcrsole before r.he had developed into a big star. There-have, boon plenty of other clever artists who have-Heated this way

ier tho Williamson pennant, back to the old days- when George- Musgrovc was the mnn with tho big artistic ideas. Bufc "the best" leaves no margin at all, and one only lias to glance at tho map of tho world to realise how that would, and always will be, impossible of attainment, 'i'he theatres, to begin with, would be, found lacking in equipment. How would it ever bo possible to ■ secure tho artists for pantomime, for instance, that command salaries such as'are paid to tho stars of Drury Lane. "I have given tho best of whatever kind—grand opera, comic opera, melodrama, or comedy," Mr. Williamson is reported as having said. Grand onera? AVho knows of Sembrich, Emmy Destinn, Gcraldinc Ferrar, Caruso, Scotti, Renaud, Amato, Johama Gadski, Olive Fremslad —iheso are numbered among the, beet grand opera artists in tho world? So far, cur grand opera, or even that given to Australia, has been second-rate, as far as tho. artists are concerned —.at times good second-rate—but still second-rate. Melba is coming, and Melba is a great singer. But she comes as a sentimentalist, who, doubtless, has a desire' to be seen in grand opera by. her army of friends in the sunny south. Mr. Williamson has given us good melodrama, and an annual dose of acceptable romantic drama, such as wo have been i ■ accustomed to by the companies beaded I by Mr. Julius Knight and Miss Tittel Brunc. - In comedy Mr. Williamson cannot claim to have given the best. Brotigh and Boucicault went closest to that high ideal in-the days when'Geo. S. Tithcradgo, Goo." Anson "Dot" Boucieaiilt, Robert Brougb, and Mrs. Brough, Miss Bessie- Major, Cecil Ward, Eminn "Temple, and Grace Noble were in their prime. No "Williamson Comedy Company has ever approached that "best," as far as. I am aware. In comic opera a hirdi standard has always been f.et, and both the productions and performances have been good enough for anywhere. But why should riot, that be? It'has always paid to do this class of entertainment really well, so. there is no call for laurel wreaths... "Our Miss Gibbs" lias been running ,to enormous business in Sydney for. six. months, arid it is a very excellent show everyone concedes, but that ; is hardly proof that tho show is the best.."People in Londou who mostly reside in: St. John's ATood would smile at the boast. Then, again, has Mr. Williamson -attempted to give us tho best? .Wlm't of tho years' old plays of Pinero, John Galsworthy, John Mascfield, Bernard Shaw, Clyde Fitch, and Bernstein, AYo, know them not—yet we. 'have hoard of "Strife," "Justice," ''Chains," "'Mid-Channel," "His ■House in Order," "Israel," "Samson," "Tho City-," quoted as the best—the intellectual best. No. Mr. Williamson has not given us the best, though ho has dropped an occasional plum in the path of tho artistically hungry. Ho, like Sir Joseph Ward (vide tint speech delivered in Now York), has found out what tho people want, and he serves it up to them .very decently indeed. Jci'onn's-"Mystery , ! Play; Tho Hamilton - Plimmer -Denniston Companjvis. likely to keen "The Passing of the Third Floor" Back" before the Australian public for a year or more (says the Sydney "Sunday Times"). The recent revival of the "mystery play" at the Palace Theatre shows that Mr. Mathesbn Lang did not exhaust the interest of playgoers in the boardinghouse reformer. Mr. Percy Burton, manager for Mr. Forbes Robertson, now on tour in America, states that Mv. Forbes Robertson and his brother, Mr. Lan Robertson were both playing in Chicago oil February IS as tho Stranger in two companies of "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," Mr. Forbes Robertson at the Garrick, and Mr. Lan Robertson at the Princess's. The present American tour of Mr. Forbes Robertson will last till May 1. It is estimated that the lucky English actor, who is married to Maxinc Elliott's sister, has already made £40,000 or £50,000 playing the part of "tho Stranger." Bfllasco's Latest. "The Return of Peter Grimm," is the name of David Belasco's latest play, in which David AVarfield (of "Music Master" fame) is starring in New York. Of Peter Grimm Mr. Belasco says: "As I first wrote and rehearsed tho death scene, 1 pictured Peter Grimm dying in full view of the audience. For weeks 1 rehearsed Mr. AYariiekl in the part until ho became too vivid. It was then I conceived the idea of merely suggesting death, and I did this by placing tho old armchair (in which he passes away) with its back to the audience, so that all tho spectator sees is the top of Peter Grimm's'grey ho.id fall slowly forward, the hand dropping to the sid:. , , and his old pipe released "from tho relaxing fingers. The effect of this picture upon tho audience is as instantaneous as it is ominous.

"Chantodsr" in Now York. Edmond Rostand's "Chaiucclor" has been produced' with great success hy ilr. l'"rohman in New York with the .same complctenpss of detail that characterised the Paris production. The translation was by Lnnir, X.-Parker. An innovation was made hy the manager in giving the role of' the lordl.r farmyard rooster t-nJliss Maudo Adnms. Thus speaks tlip critic of the. ''Theatre .Magazine." of the "female rooster":— "Tli.lt the American production was weakened, in fact, seriously handicapped by having a woman impersonate the lordly cock must be admitted even liy the most loyal nud devoted admirers of Maude Adams. Perhaps it will forever remain a mystery why the usually perspicacious Charles 'I'Vohman selecte;! .Miss Adams for the role and why she eonsunted 1 to play it. Certainly it will .-.(ld nothing to her reputation. Kveryone loves Maudo Adams ami will crowd to see her in no matter what she appears. liut may not popularity be put to too severe a test!' Unwise experiments of this kind, if indulged in bo long, may 'diminish the glory of the brightest star. If Maude Adams's astonishing success and vogue rest on anything at all, she owes it to her womanly charm, her daintiness, her sweet, refilled, loveable personality. Tak" 'ill these away and what remains? Chantecler is brutally masculine or lie is nothing. He is aggressive, arrogant, masterful, with, a powerful,, virile voice and a lustiness that betrays itself both in his strut and his crow. .How.much of all this does Miss Adams suggest? Nothing. Her frail, womanly physique.

ilul not permit her to oven hint at the possibilities or thi: part. .She read the linos acceptably, lint only m> fur :is the poetic values wont. Delivered in soli, feminine (ones, tho. lines lost- Iheir true significance, oiitircl.;-. .Not. for a- moment was one able to target thai ;i delicate Int of femininity was !m;sf[;ierading in course masculine garb. , '

Tho Irving Tour. On February J 7 tho London "Era published the following paragraph :— '"i'ho opening of Mr. 11. H. "Irvine's Australian Inur on June 20, will ho either af_ Melbourne or (Sydney. Which piece v.i!i ljfi chosen for (he occasion has lint yet been sealed. Mr. 1 wing's rcpertoiro includes, besides many of jiis father's .successes, "Tho Bolls,' , '''Faust 1, (if which is sperm! production is to lie played), "The Lyons Mail," "Louis Nl, ' "Hamlet,'' "The Princess Clementina," "Dr. Jokyll and .Mr. Hvde," and "Robert Macaivc.' , Among Mr. living's company are Mr. Frank Tynrs, Air. Jlenr.v VibaYt, -Mr. .Arthur Whiibv, Mr. Eric Maxnn. .Air. Arthur Curtis, «»fl Mr. Stanley Howlett, Mr. Austin breictoM will remain as Mr. Irving's business manager. Mr. Meredith Ball is tho musical conductor. Owing to Mr. Austin Brereton not being able to acoom|>any Mr. Irving on his Australian tour as business manager, Mr. Artluir Bourchier has released Mr. S. Ardon Godfrey, who has represented him during the last throe years, so that ho may look after Mr. Irving's interests in Australia. Mr. Brcreton was for some lime a theatrical critic in Sydney. Ho returned to England, with his actress-wife. Miss Edith Bland, shortly after tho Australian tour of baiii Bernhardt. Ho is tho author of tne 'Life of Sir Henry Irvine;." Tiic Irvings are to sail for Australia on May 12, Efina May Ftaiiviviis. The London "Daily Express," February 14, had a glowing account cf the return of Edna May (Mrs. Oscar Leivisohn) to the. stage. Thirteen years ago tho American chorus girl, who suddenly rose to fame as the Salvation lassie, was the most popular musical comedy actress in London during the 500 nights' run of "The Belle of Xoiv York" at the Shaftosbury Theatre. Nearly lour years ago Edna May said farewell to 'the footlights. Lured from her retirement by an appeal to her good nature, thr> original "Belle" appeared at the Savoy .Ihcatre with a company of amateurs in six performance!;, which were in aid of tho Prince Erancis of Took Memorial Fund of the Middlesex Hospital. On the first night of tho revival of "The Belle of New York" the theatre was crowded. We road:—"When the orchestra struck up the familiar opening bars of 'Follow On!' heralding Miss Edna May's appeanneo. a surging wave of applause rolled down 'from the gallery r.nd started the whole "house clapping before over she walked on the stage at all; and when she came they kept her there at tho footlights—it scorned for many minutes—quivering, tongue-tied, a little frightened oven, acknowledging the welcome with trembling lips and glistening eyes. Miss Edna May is just as young and as appealing as over;' she was just tho same demure, flaxen-haired Edna May who first won every theatre-goer's heart. ■Goodness to say, her every song was encored—of 'Follow On!' 'For lam the Belle of New York,' and the rest, the audience could not have enough." Notes. Mr. Jerome K. Jerome has written a new play, which will ho produced -.it a ATest End Theatre, London, under tho management of Messrs. Dennis E.idio. and Vodreiine, who have lately joined forces in iheatiical management. A London dramatic agent, Mr. Hartley Milburn, has developed the somewhat novel way of opening a "h've-to-spven" theatre in tho West' End of London, at which one-act plays of originality and interest will be staged. It is proposed io name the new -iiouse "The Interlude Theatre." "Homeward Bound" is the name, of thp latest play by Eugeno Mather (and ■Walter Hackctt}, tho author of "Paid in Full."' It succeeded "The Fawn" in New York quite recently. Mr. Win. Conrtcnay was the new "star." "Nobody's Widow" is tho title of Avery Hopwood's latest comedy, nowrunning in New York. ' It promises to outrun "Seven Days" in popularity. -