MR. H. B. IRVING IN HAMLET.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1348, 27 January 1912, Page 5

MR. H. B. IRVING IN HAMLET.

To-night at 7.45 the curtain will rise on the initial Wellington appcarance of the famous English actor, Mr, 11. D. Irving, who will bo presented by the. J. C. Williamson management in Shakespeare's inasterwork "Hamlet.'' , There qro stated to bo plenty of seats, iii central .positions for this evening's perfofniitfiio which can bo selected at tho Dresden until 12.30 p.m., and niter that hour scats may ha booked at Christeson's, opposite the Opera House, where tickets for the early door stalls and gallery can also bo purchased. Mr. Irving and the members or his company arrived from Palnierston Xorth yesterday by the Main Trunk express, and as the scenery and effects were sent on ahead in charge of a largo staff of mechanics and electricians, to-night's performance should bo a particularly smooth one. Mr. Irving's visit constitutes one of tlio most important theatrical events that have happened in Wellington (luring the past few years, and the famous actor will doubtless receive as great a reception here as he was greeted with in Auckland. Mr. Irving has enjoyed many triumphs in London, but. it was as the melancholy Prince of Denmark that ho mm!* l his name a household word in Europe, and in which lie firmly planted himself in the hearts of playgoers in Australia. His initial appearance as "Hamlet" created quite a sensation, and,:critics described his representation as unquestionably the greatest Been djtrinjjv the resent generation. Miss Dorothea Baird, who plays the part of Ophelia, made herself extremely popular with playgoers in Australia, principally through her sympathetic reading of this character and she received lavish praises from leading critics for her brilliant acting in tho mad scene. The company , supporting Mr. Irving tho majority of those which appeared in the London production of "Hamlet." These include Messrs. Frank Tyars, who will appear as King Claudius, Honry . Vibart 1 as tho Ghost, Tom Rovnolds as the first gravedigger, Arthur 'Wliitbv- as Polonins. Eric Maxon as Laertes, Stanley'- Howlctt as Horatio, W. Beaumont as Osrie, Arthur Curtis as Rosoncrantz. C. Trevor Roper as Guildenstern, W. Heinstoek as Marcellus, J. Cass as Bernado, Ronald Byram as Francisco, W. H. Graham as UeynaUlo, Roland Fortius as first player,* Claude Becrbohm as second player, Walter Gibbs as tho priest, C. Arthur as second gravc-dieecr, Miss Helen Rous as Gertrude, Miss Irene Brown as Player Queen. Tho sevnory and dressing are special features of tlio production, which is staged under the personal supervision of Mr. H. B. Irving. Mr. Tom Reynolds is stago manager, Herr SlapotTski musical director, G. H. Smith business manager for tho .T. C. Williamson management, and Mr. S. Arden Godfrey is manager for Mr. Irving. The doors will be opened at 7 o'clocV, and the performance begins punctually at 7.45 p.m.