EXAMINER OF PLAYS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1298, 29 November 1911, Page 7

EXAMINER OF PLAYS.

ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. By Telesraph—Press Association—CopyriEht London, November 27. Mr. Charles Brookfield has been appointed Joint Examiner of Plays. Many of tho newspapers protest against the appointment, and recall tho fact, that he is tho author of tho much-criticised play "Dear Old Charlie." Charles Hallam Brookfield is as wellknown to the English theatrical profession as an author as ho is an actor. Tho new Examiner of Plays (the official oloak for that nasty word "censor") is 54 years of age. Ho is the son of the Rev. W. H. Brookfield, and his wife was a distinguished woman of letters, and a personal friend of Dickens, Thackeray, Kmglake, and others. Ho grew up in . a literary and artistic atmosphere, which doubtless stimulated his interest in the drama. He made his first appearance on tho stage as Gimlet in "Still Waters Run Deep," affile Alexandra Palace Theatre in 1879, and after a short probation joined the Bancrofts, with whom- he remained until 1881. After a short spell in business on his own account, he joined the Kendals, and made a big hit as General Makaroff in "The Red Lamp," a part he subsequently played with Sir Beerbohin .Tree in 1887, with whom he 6cored some'notable successes—in "The Balladmoneer," The Pompadour," "Partners," and tain Swift.' He subsequently played a long engagement at the Comedy Theatre, and made his last appearance on the Stage in Ihe Grand Duchess" at tho Savoy in 1698. Mr. Brookfield has written a great number of plays, and collaborates in others, including "Nearly Seven," T I " s „ ] ;, c: ' soll '" "The Burglar mid the ft , Godpapa, "Under tho Clock," An Underground Journey," "A T> a l „• Archie's," "The Grand Duchess," "A Modern Trilby, "Hie Belle cf Mavfair " and "Dear Old Charlie." jfr. Brookfield is well-known as an admirable raconteur, and there are ahvavs rood Brookfield stories floating through clubland in London. Some of them have been published in his volumes. "The 'IVihVlifof Love," and "Random RemirWnepiT"