THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

The World's a theatre; the Earth a staga.—lleyivjod. (Bv Sylvius.) "Via Wireless." "Via Wireless" is the second drama to bo staged by the Williamson Company during tho present season. Possibly the niost telling situation in this play is the scene where tho wireless operator on the big ocean liner Mongolian has the stage practically to himself and, presiding at the instrument, repeats in graphic and realistic words, an account of all that is happening to the steam vaoht Irvessa, which is lying in a disabled condition some distance from the liner. Tho message comes through that two boats have left the yacht aiid, in olio of them, is tho heroine of tho play, Lieutenant Somcrs s sweetheart. Tho lieutenant himself has remained on hoard the yacht, with one assistant to keep in touch with the ■Mongolian until the boats' crews arc picked up. When tho boats arrive, it is found that the heroine has remained behind to stand by the dynamo, and keep tho current going to enable the lieutenant to flash the messages along from the yacht. The latter informs the Mongolian's operator that he will not show a light till the boats have safely reached tho liner. When they aro on board tho Mongolian ho notifies Somers that it is time for. him to bo rescued, and this is accomplished just in the nick of time before the yacht falls to pieces. A remarkably fine elfect is produced by the big ocean-going steamer, outlined with light, standing off, and tlfe lifeline reaching tho yacht, just hdforc she finally breaks up and sinks out of sight. Notablo Acting Performance. Speaking of a Wellingtonian's performance in "Nobody's Daughter"—recently produced for the first time in Australasia in Perth—the "Daily News' says:—"Mr. Plinimcr dees not- appear in the first act but, from thence onward, he is tho central figure. Ho looked the part (Mr. Frampton) and lived it in very truth. From tho moment when ho entered. struggling with his coat, the genuine honesty and whole-hearted geniality of the man were most marked. He was supremely at his ease— tho life and soul of his household. But when ho discovers his wife's secret and tho deception which she has practised upon Tiim, the intensity of his suffering was almost too real, reaching the climax in a frenzied expression of despairing anguish—'My wife! My wife!' It was tho end of the third act, and he shared with tho whole company an enthusiastic call. In the last act he was the man of grief, whose fall had been seared by tho downfall of tho wife ho idolised, and who only became the nioro embittered as he was entreated to forgive. Gently he yields to the pleading and, as the'curtain fails, he takes his wife in his arms, and wipes away tho past. It was done with such a wonderful master hand that tho notion of acting was banished, and the audience was witnessing a secret tragedy in home life. Mrs. Brough's picture of the woman who loved her husband so much that- she was afraid to tell him of hor mistake, roso to heights which she- has not reached since she created Paula Tanqueray in Australia. Nothing could he finer than- her depicting of the heart-hunger of the mother for the love of her child, and those who saw it aro not likely to forget tho heart-wringing pleasure of its-excellence... -Miss Lizettc Parkes as Honora May (nobody's daughter) acted with charm and intuition, and Miss Tempo Pigott presented a fine study as Christine Grant, the old Scotch nurse. . • ■ . ' No Liens for Kor. Mr. Tom Graves, who is appearing in Sydney in tho "Gay Gordons," was appearing at the London Hippodrome last year at the samo time as Lafayette (recently burnt to death in an Edinburgh theatre), and witnessed a scene of tragic-comedy, of which that same lion was the hero, and a sharp little charwoman the heroine. Tho royal beast was suddenly revealed at large upon the stage, just as the curtain had fallen after a matinee. Some attendant had probably forgotten, to .-latch the gate of the cage. Lafayette at once assembled a score of stage-hands with pitchforks and other weapons to frighten' the animal back again. Much shouting, coupled with a fixed determination not to get too close, to- tho growling monster, with such remonstrances as "Don't shovo mo on-to 'im, Bill," caused Mr. Graves and other ' artists perched in safety on coigns of vantage, the most exquisite amusement. :: Ultimately, the lion backed into tho green-room, where a slip of a sharp-featured cockney charwoman was cleaning a window. "Now then, you boys, just clear that nasty bruto out again. I 'ates tho smell of 'im, and I won't 'avo it." As the cleaner advanced rapidly with her brooms and pail with undaunted front, tho lion slunk out again into his cage, and three cheers wcro given for tho woman who. had shown the men "how to do it." Drama cf To-day. Proposing "Tho Drama" at the twentv-seventh annual dinner of the Playgoers' Club, London, -on Sunday, March 26, Mr. Vv. Pott Ridge said ho wished people wcro- as anxious about literature as they were about the drama, which was sometimes fussed over to such an extent that what it seemed chiefly to require was a rest cure. Occasionally they were informed the drama had a temperature of 101, and then they were at the bedside recommending cooling draughts and sedatives, and no more comedies adapted from the French. (Laughter.) At times they wcro informed "that the drama was becoming uuH and mopish, whovcupou there was a hurry with suggestions of pick-me-ups and tonics, and musical farces from Austria. (Laughter.) Mr. Charles Hawtrey, in reply, said if thev could have a National School Theatre—a theatre where, perhaps, two or three hundred actors and actresses could bo regularly employed, and given tho chance of playing parts that 110 West End manager would dare run the risk of engaging them for, something on the lines of the old stock' companies— they might' improve on the existing state of things. (Hear, hear.) Luck was an enormous factor in the theatrical profession. Twenty-five years ago ho had the good fortune to adapt "The Private Secretary" from the German, and owing to the further good fortune that it was a dreadful failure to start with, ho had to take a theatre of his own. The result, was that afterwards he was able to play parts that he felt he could play. He thought the days of tragedy wcro over, and did not believe they would ever see a great English tragedian again. Many would no doubt deplore this, but, after all, they were entirely in the hands of tho public, and must give it what it wanted. (Applause.) A Great Play. | Thus the Perth "Daily News" on George Paston's play "Nobody's Daughter." produced for the first time in Australia by the Plimmer-Dcnniston Ccml pany three weeks ago: — I "A cameo from real life, with all its intensely human errors and emotions, touched' finely with the divine attribute of forgiveness, "Nobody's Daughter" stands out from the commonplace of the stage, just as the actual experiences of our own lives project in bold relief from the stories which we read in books. It is a tragedy of the emotions, running the whole gamut of heart throbs, tho joy and love of life, the agony and suffering born of misdeeds, the torture of broken confidence, and finally the loving

triumph of forgiveness. It is a simple but compelling story of the fall of a very young man and girl. . . . Even tlio most callous of tin; audience had a lump to swallow in the last act. The opening act is the quietest of all, for it is largely explanatory, hut from that out the progress is rapid, and the interest grows and intensifies, slep by step, until it culminates, as all plays should, though few do. when (lie curtain fulls in the last act. It is well balanced and well worked out, and the dialogue is exceptionally smart and clever. Jt is u wonderful play, which must have a vogue extending over many years, eventually becoming just as much a classic, though in n different sphere, as The Silver King'." "Tho Scarlet Troubadours." Encouraged by the success achieved by the now-celebrated "Scarlet Troubadours," Mr. Edward Branscombo has arranged a farewell visit of Australia and New Zealand before the company's final departure, for England. When "The Troubadours" first left England— over three years ago—they were engaged for only twelve months. So great was. the popularity, of their performances, and so well did they provide a longfelt want, that they have now made no fewer than three comprehensive tours of the colonies. Their all-round musical excellence, elc\cr humour, and refined witticisms, and the, vocal abilities of every member of the company, has earned for them hearty support. The personnel is practically the same as on their prevents visits, and they will present entirely new programmes. "The Troubadours" arrive from Sydney in a few weeks. Notes. A cable message from London notifies that Sir Rupert Clarke, who is at present in England, has made arrangements with Mr. Oscar Ascho and Miss Lily Brayton to visit Australia early next year. Among the plays that will be produced will be "Kismet," an Oriental drama, by Mr. Edmund Knoblauch. The following is the New Zealand tour of the Clarke and Meyncll "Arcadians" Company:—Dunedin, Tuesday, Julv 27; Wellington, Thursday, July G; C'hristehurch, Saturday, July 22; Palmerston North,"'Monday, August 7; Wauganui, Thursday, August 10; Auckland, Monday, 'September 1-1. "The Arcadians" is, without question, one of the most satisfying musical comedies ever staged in Australia, and its success is unquestioned. Miss' Winnie Birch, formerly of Wellington, will visit New Zealand next month as a member of the, "Scarlet Troubadours." "The Master of Mrs: Chilyers" is tho title of the new play by Mr. Jerome K. Jerome, recently scoured by Messrs. Vedrenno and Eadio for the Royalty Theatre. Tho cast contains several well-known people, including Miss Lena Aslnvell, Miss Mary liorkc, Miss Esme Boringcr, Miss - Sydney Fairbrother. Miss Gillian Scaifo (the clever maid of the Australian production of "Mr. Hopkinson"), and Messrs. Edmund Gwenn, Michael Sherhrooke, Dennis Eadio, and Leon Qi;artermnine. The Sydney "Daily Telegraph" is responsible for the statement, that Miss Beatrice Day is shortly to join the ranks of the Plimmcr-Dennisto:i Company. Mr. Harry Sweeney joined this company recently. Mr. Grjbrge Edwardcsi juu., a cousin of the well-known London manager of that name, is on his way to Australia to take control of the Ethel Irving tour under Clarke and Meyncll. . Wests, Ltd., of picture fame, opened a now theatre in Sydney on Monday of last week. This is tho Princess Theatre, erected on • the site of the old Bijou Theatre in George Street. The whole of the front of the premises is new, and will he tho first experiment in Australia of stucco marble, work. Picked out with blue vilos and brownbordered frames, and relieved with huge, brightly-polished brass columns at the corners of a great elliptic arch, the effect is a striking one; but this is not all, for a number of electric light bulbs form 19 large roses that throw back the darkness for hundreds of yards, and give a very pretty combination. Back of all this, and'leading to tho entrance of plush-bound swinging doors aro mirrors, and more mirrors, and brass mountings. The star pictorial attraction on tho opening night was "Henry VIII" as performed by the Becibolm Trco Company. This picture will be shown hero shortly.