Staging "Tho Whip."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 9

Staging "Tho Whip."

It used to be a theatrical axiom never to spend money except where tho audience can see it. 'With a big production Jiko "Tho Whip," however, it would be necessary for the public to go underneath the stage, off it, and above it, to see where the greatest outlay is. The machinery of big mechanical effects has to bo hidden and never for a moment even suggested, if the illusion is to be complete.- This art of concealing art is what has been engaging a large staff of highly skilled stage hands during the past fortnight at Her Majesty's, Sydney. It would probably surprise many to know that to handle the big sporting drama twenty-seven men are kept active on the stage, and six men in "the flies," while twelve men devote their entiro attention to "properties." Also there are fifteen electricians employed on tho lighting of the piece. Scenery rehearsals have been eoii'lticted. nightly. The mass of material that has to be handled would astonish anyone who is unfamiliar with the dexterity of the trained stage employee. It amounts, in the present ease, to well over 100 tons, in which arc many miles of painted canvas. At one time there is a horse box and a railway engine on the stage, in addition to a motor-car and all tho setting of a big scene Another few minutes and a field of racehorses are at full gallop, while the panorama flashes past. Again, there is tho horse show at Olympia—all the animals in their stalls, and tho crowd moving and admiring them. There is a hunting breakfast and a pack of hounds. Tho pictures are moving always, and unseen hands must of necessity be busy. Every change has to be worked to cues. These are the spoken lines of the actors in the drama. No sooner is the word said than a worker at tho switchboard presses a button and a light jumps up in front of a waiting group of stage hands. All the directions are given by these electric flashes, which arc acted upon with a celerity that is astonishing. But it is tho result of rehearsal after rehearsal— the endless patience tbat eventually gets things as they should be. "Nobsdy's DaL'sfttts , ." Of "George Paston's" successful play "Nobody's J>.iui',hter," which liab htm secured by Messrs. Plimmer and Ltainiston for production in Australasia, tlio London correspondent of tho Sydney "Morning Herald" recently wrote: —''I went to teo 'Nobody's Daughter,' a play which has been running hard eight times a week ever since it was produced last September. 1 never saw anything inoro touching, while at times I. laughed; but it left, mo when the curtain tell with eyes full of tears 1 could not staunch, and this for so hardened a playgoer is some tribute to the merits of the. play. It is, 1 suppose, what one would call a domestic play, with many sharply contrasted phases of character." Tho truth of the correspondent's estimate of this fascinating play has been already borne oia by the startling success the play made at its initial production in Perth two weeks ago. It captured the large audience present, and, at the fall of the curtain, there-was a scene of great enthusiasm. "Nobody's Daughter" is said to be packed with laughter and tears, commingled after a strikingly original design. While tho •play presents a serious problem, it is thickly veined with brilliant epigram and good comedy. In the "Stage Year Book's" review of the London stage of last year, under tho headmy of "Comedies with Ideas," tho following appears: —"In all these pieces from tho French there was a good central idea, either a problem or a satire, and that h what our own dramatists have to learn if their comedies are to bo more than unnatural farces. They aro learning tho lesson gradually, and that is why it can be said, without undue optimism, that the level of our drama is rising. The most promising play of tho year in this serio-comedy vein is "Geo. Pasion's" "Nobody's Daughter." Tho story of the- love-child and its parents' responsibilities is old enough in all conscience, but Miss E. M. Symonds, the author, has treated it with freshness and pathos.. There aro certain ps.vohologieal weaknesses in the play which could have easily been strengthened, but, ev-n as it* stands, it is a human little'drama. The best play of the year was from the pen of a lady dramatist! Thero is an idea -in this comedy which moves to tears as well as laughter. , ' "Nobody's Daughter" is now in its ninth month <it, Wyndhain's Theatre, London, where Misses Lillian Braithwaite, Miss Henrietta Watson, Messrs. Gerald du Maurier, and Sydney Valentine are concerned in the performance. A Repertory Theatre. Melbourne is to have a repertory theatre, Mr. Gregan M'Mahon, encouraged by the success achieved in Glasgow, Manchester, Adelaide, and elsewhere, having decided on making tho experiment. He proposes to start his first season at thu Turn Verein Hall at tho beginning of June, with a performance of "Tlio Two Mr. Wctherbys," by St. John Hankin, and an act. from Sheridan's "Critic. ,, During the same week he will produce, for the lirst timo in Melbourne, ibsen's "John Gabriel Borkman," ami both productions will bo repeated the following week. Six weeks later it is proposed to shge "A Voysey Inheritance," by Granvillo Barker, and "Chains," by Elizabeth Baker, the new playwright brought to light during Frohman's season of repertoire plays in London, Maeterlinck's "Interior" is also underlined for future production, and it is hoped eventually to perform ono or two local plays. A number of wellknown citizens who are interested in the movement have promised their support, and managers aro showing their sympathy by offering assistance in the mounting of tho productions. Tho prices of admission have been arranged on the system adopted in connection with the Glasgow Repertory Theatre. Tho charge for single tickets will be four shillings, three shillings, and one shilling respectively, but a batch of six four-shilling tickets can be obtained for a guinea; six three-shilling tickets for fifteen shillings; and six oncEhilling tickets for four shillings. The purchaser of any ticket will be entitled to book his seat without extra charge. The tickets will be transferable, . and will bo available for any night of the season. 16 is considered that :i party which only wants three tickets will have no troubie. to arrange with another party to share the six. University and art students who want to make a night of it will have the opportunity of taking tho wholo gallery at the rate of eightDcncc a seat, >

The casts of tlic opening piece nil! inchule both amateurs and professionals, iinrl it is expected that as a result of this movement a chance will bo given to aspirants who show they have decided talent for the stage. One of tho principal parts in "John Gabriel Borkman" will bo acted by a lady, who, although unknown to Melbourne, audiences, is expected to make an impression in the Ibsen drama.