THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 18 May 1912, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

(Br Sylvius.) The World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—lteywood. "Everywoman." Walter Brown's striking modern morality play, "Everywoman," which is far removed from the ordinary category of dramatic performances, is'to tee tiie limelight in Wellington on Tuesday evening next. It will bo remembered "that the author—an American—unfortunately died oil tiie eve of the production of his play, which made quite a seiisatiou in -NewYork and elsewhere in tiie States. It v.as not so eagerly accepted in London, which proves nothing. Interest is added to the production by the reappearance here of Miss Hilda Spong, who appeared here with tho HoweSpong Company many years ago, ami impressed playgoers with her youthful charm and dramatic possibilities. Since then sho has had p. long experience in her profession in England and America. She will bo supporter! by a capable company, including Air. William Desmond (last here

with "Alias Jimmy Valentine"). He v.iil sustain the important role of Nobody. The mounting a'nd dressing of the ploy are said to bo on an extra special scale of elaborateness. "The Pigeon." The opening bill at Mr. Winthrcp Ames's new Little Theatre in New York on March 12 was "The Pigeon," a now play by Mr. John Galsworthy, one of tho most distinguished of the Kngiish-speak-ing writers of our day. An enthusiastic advocate of every measure tending to improve the conditions of the unfortunate, Mr. Galsworthy regards his business as a dramatist seriously. He is not content to merely amuse his audiences. His plays, while they entertain, usually contain a message, a message wliicli, at least in one instance, bore good fruit. This was his drama, "Justice," which created such a stir in England that a Parliamentary inquiry into conditions in English prisons foliowed, and many abuses wero abolished. The author is all the more convincing in that he is never preachy. He never bores his listener. Ho presents only the facts, dispassionately yet mercilessly, and in a masterly way that compels attention. He - creates real human typos and presents pictures of life as ho sees them through the spectacles of a philosopher; pictures often whimsical, but none the less poignant and tragic. "The Pigeon" of the title is Christopher Wellwyn, a good-natured artist, who, without the slightest pose, tries, as he goes through life, to,'do what good ho can. Ho empties his pockets on all the beggars that chance along, and when lie has no more coppers leit, he gives the tramps his visiting card and tells them to call and see him. His daughter, a matter-of-fact young person, thinks it is nil perfectly ridiculous, but protests in vain. It is Christmas eve, a snowstorm is howling outside, and the daughter, after an angry argument, goes off to bed. i A knock at the door. Mr. \Vcilwyn opens and sees on the doorstep a'ragged, forlorn flower girl, who seeks shelter for tho night, so he shows her a corner where , she can sleep, and gives her a rug. He says good night, and is about to retire, when there conies another knock. Another social outcast appears, half frozen and faint from starvation. This time it is Ferrand, a French philosopher of the gutter, who admits that ho can never be anything but a rolling stone. He also is accommodated, and then comes along Timson, a drunken old "cabby," who hates "furriners."

To all tiioF.o waifs of life Wellwyn acts (He rolo of the good Samaritan. Ho feeds them, and clothes, them, anil shelters them. He tries to save the girl from a life of vice; ho docs everything possible to redeem the "cabby" from drink, and to make a man out of the French vagabond. But nil is in vain. }To cannot do anything with them. The "cabby" gets drunk again, and the ilower girl runs away with tha Frenchman, and finally attempts suicide. The philosophy of the play seems to be that it is folly for society to make any set rules for conduct, that, there will always be certain individuals who are unable to control themselves, that the Pharisee has not the right to criticise conditions which he himself cannot understand, and that the bast philanthropy and real charity consists not in criticising, but in helping all you can without asking awkward auestions. The Motion Picture Peril. tiermun managers, actors, and playwrights have made ready for action against the all-conquering motion picture mania. At a meeting of delegates oi' national associations representing histrionic art in Berlin recently, it was decided that lieroic measures were necessary to preserve tlio theatre from ruin at the hands of "Kintopps," as motion picture shows are called here, Reports from Berlin and the provinces revealed that many theatrical establishments are or the brink of disaster in consequenco of "Kintc-pp" competition. The craze for film shows is not only dealing box offices a deadly blow, but is tempting actors and actresses from the legitimate stage. The case was cited of a Berlin leading lady who has succumbed to the higher salaries offered by film concerns, and who did not hesitate recently to fling herself into a lake, to portray rlia principal rolo in a "Kintopp" melodrama entitled "Tired of Life."

The consensus of opinion was that motion pictures should bo confined by law to science and education, and should be debarred from invading the sacred realm of drama. It was decided that one of the most potent means of fighting the "Kintopp" would be to place a prohibitive import duty on foreign films, and the Imperial Government will be petitioned to that end. Meantime, "Kintopps" continue to sweep all before them. The Kaiser's impresarios themselves capitulated this weak to a seductive offer for the rental of the obsolete Royal Operetta Theatre, which will now be turned into .a "Ivintopp."— Berlin correspondent of the "Observer." The New Adelphi, The new Adelphi Picture Theatre in Willis Street is to bo opened on Tuesday next by Mr. A. L. lierdman, M.P., for the district. The owner (Mr. Thos. Coverdale) and the company (which was formed by Mr. George Nathan, who is chairman of directors) are to he congratulated on having set a new standard in picture theatres.

Tho reference is to the beautiful and chaste finish which characterises the decorative design of the auditorium, tho fact that everyone can see the screen from any seat in the building, and tho really comfortable upholstered seats which have at considerable expense been provided in the dress circle.

Pictures have ceased to bo a novelty— they are a necessity—and those who find them calling every week are entitled to some degree of comfort. The Adeiphi management think that way and are providing for it. Such n. theatre in such a site should command success. "The Firm" in Sydney. Speaking of the theatrical situation today to a Sydney "Sun" interviewer iast week, Jlr. Hugh .T. Ward said that rarely, if evor, before, had the three principal theatres of Sydney attractions of tho importance of those now being presented. "At the Royal," he said, "is 'Ben Hur,' with nearly ,100 people engaged; at Her Majesty's 'Sinbad the Sailor,' with even a greater number, and at the Criterion Theatre, 'The liluo Bird/ with a big cast and a costly production. "At first glance one would bo inclined to wonder how this competition could be met, for the natural suggestion is that nlthmigh the J. C. Williamson management controls all three, yet each must necessarily aft'ect tho business of the other. That would certainly be the case if the appeal of each play was tho same. I will go further and say that were this so, Sydney, in spite of the love its people have for the theatre, could not sustain attendances that would cover the enormous weekly expenditure involved in these enterprises.

"But you will see no reflection," ronlinued ill'. AVard, "that big as tho threo attractions are, each exercises a distinct appeal. 'Ben Bur,' by the religious atmosphere and the dignity in which the theme is treated, finds a public that is almost non-theatregoing at ordinary times. \\ e have cause to think that is almost 50 per cent, of the community. When a play reaches this big section of tho public there is no doubt about its success. Tt has. however, to be a sincere artistic effort. 'Ben Uur' has not only religious atmcEphorc and incident*,

but spectacular beauty, ballets, music, dramatic interest and sensational moments of which the chariot race is one. Anc. with all this violence is never done •o tho sacred nature of the subject."

Notes. . That _ capital entertainer, Joseph Blas- ? • » r '.' s '"turning to New Zealand for a Uriel| farewell tour, commencing in Invercargill on May 28. Tho Wellington dates are Juno 10, 11, and 12. President Taft's favourite play is Justin Macarthy's romance, "if I Were King." is he tired of tho United States as a Republic? The scheme for making a revenue-pro-proposition out of the Sydney City Council's "white elephant," the Queen Victoria Markets building, b.y lUriung portion ci' it into a theatre, is evidently not going to materialise on account of the Government architect's objections _to the plans. Alderman Walker Ijilv B lvcn notice of his intention to move: iiiat in view oi' the fact that >lr. William Anderson cannot comply with tho regulations under tho Theatres and Public Halls Act in connection with tiie proposed theatre in the Queen Victoria Markets; notwithstanding any previous resolutions, this council approves of tho whoie of the ground floor being remodelled on the lines as recommended by tho late committee of inquiry, and thai: tenders be invited for the "lease of the remoiielled shops for alternative terms of > and 11 years, and that present tenants bo given first option on the terms of the highest tender received."