MR. H. B. IRVING IN HAMLET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1343, 22 January 1912, Page 5

MR. H. B. IRVING IN HAMLET.

"A MEMORABLE EVENT." Unquestionably the most important theatrical event which has happened in Wellington for some considerable time will be the initial appcarance here on Saturday night next of the famous English tragedian, llr. 11. B. Irving. That playgoers are regarding his advent in tho fight of an extraordinary occasion is evident by tho large number of inquiries which it is said have been made at the Drosdon in reference to the booking arrangements, and it is more than probablo that tho wonderful success which Mr. Irving achieved in Auckland will bo repeated here. The sensation Mr. Irving created by his interpretation of "Hamlet" in tho northern city can be gauged when it is known that on every night that he appeared in Shakespeare's famous tragedy the whole of the dress circle and reserved stalls was booked riglit out, and the queue Which nightly lined up outside the cheaper portions of tho theatro never measured less than a quarter of a mile, and on no oceasion did tlio first rush fail to fill tho gallery, which has a holding capacity of SOO people. Mri Irving is said to bring forcibly out all the characteristics of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," • showing his affeetionato nature, his lovo for his father, for his mother, and for Ophelia, whom ho turns aside awhile because he discovers that she allows herself to be used as a decoy to trap him and test his sanity. Miss Dorothea Baird, who will appear as Ophelia, is said to be ono of the most distinguished actresses the English stage has ever known. . Tho cast supporting Mr. Irving \ull bo the same as that which interpreted "Hamlet" in London last year, including Messrs. Prank Tyars, Henry Vibai't, Tom Reynolds (these three artists were associated with the late Sir Henry Irving ill many of his greatest productions), Eric Mason. Arthur Whitby, Stanley .Howlett, W. Beaumont, Arthur Curtis, C. Trevor Roper, W. Benstock, ,T. Cass, Walter Gibbs. W. H. Graham, Roland Pertuis, Claude Beerbohm, Ronalf Byrani, C. Arthur, also Misses Helen Rous and Irene Brown. Although "liamlat" could have run successfully throughout the Auckland season, tho management, nevertheless, stuck to their original intention to present Mr. Irving in at least four of his most successful characterisations. This will also be the case here, and in addition to "Hamlet," Mr. Irving will stage "Louis XI," "Tho Lyons Mail," and "Tho Bells." Tho plans for the first six nights of tho season will bo opened at tho Dresden on Wednesday morning next, when there is certain to bo a large demand for seats.