THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1485, 6 July 1912, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

(Br Stlvics.) Th« World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—Heywood. Margaret Cooper and Co, Miss Margaret Cooper, the entertainer of the gay West End, who has a nicho at the London Palaco which no one elso can fill, is to charm Wellington at tho Opera House on Wednesday evening next. In Miss Cooper wo have an artist who is as noted in her particular line as Melba is in grand opera or Harry Lauder in Scotch "comics." Thero is no diversity of opinion ns to her qualities as an entertainer in song—grave and gay, lively and pathetic —at tho piano. Ono London critic went as far as to suggest that Margaret Cooper may be tho. reincarnation of Corney Grain, George Grossmith, and Mplb. B. Spun - in tho ono personality, with the added charm of winsome womanhood to <irape her art. Miss Cooper comes to Wellington fresh, from enormously-successful seasons in Melbourno and Sydney. ' In the latter city she was tlio guest of Lady Denham (wife of the Governor-General) for several days, and a few days ago Lord Richard Nevill gave a launch party on the harbour in Miss Cooper's honour. In Wellington Miss Cooper will bo supported by Mr. H. Scott-Leslie, humorist, racconteur, and actor; Mr. Horace Witty, baritone; and Signor Manzoni, a skilful mandolinist. The box plan is now open at the Dresden Piano Co.'s warehouse.

The brilliant English entertainer, who is to commence a season at the Opera House on Wednesday evening next

Great Stago Effect. :. The chariot race in "Ben Hur" is said to be .tho most sensational effect yet attempted in drama in' Now Zealand. The event depicts the great race between the proud ahd arrogant Messnla (the lionv.m) and Ben Hur (the Jew), decided in tho preseiico of 250,000 people at the great circus in Antiooh, the period being the time of Christ. In' tho race, Ben Hur (Mr. Eric Mnxon) and Messala (Mr. Leonard Willey) both drive fonr-horso chariots, which are accommodated on platforms, which travel backwards, tho horses do not disappear. On tho first night in Sydney it'is related that Messala won by a" good half-length, .whereas Ben Hur should win with case every night. It will bo remembered that (in Wallace's book) Ben Hur shoots outward on tho track, and. as he passes his rival, clips the hub, and causes Messala's Jcrriblo accident, which loses him the race, nnd rendering tho Roman an invalid for life, which, by tho way, is no* mora than he deserved. The realism of the play dnes not go so far as that, but tho finish of tho'race is, nevertheless, presented.in a manner which calls up a thrill of excitement even in tho most'.phlcgmatic natures.

Miss Dorothy Dix will appear as Esther, Miss Gwen Burroughs as Iras, Mr. 'Winter Hall ag Simondes, and Mr. Arthur Styan as the Shick. "Mrs. Bridget M'Sweensy," When tho late Mr. Thbmae E. Spencer wrote his book, "The Surprising Adventures of Mrs. Bridget M'Sweeney" (now famous all over Australasia), he littlo dreamt that one day New Zealand and Australian audiences would bo laughing at his witticisms as spokon by such a clover comedy actress as Miss MaggieMoore. The only sad association about the piece is that Mr. Spencer is not alive to see it. AH that'has been said in its favour by Sydney and Melbourne pressmen is exemplified in the reality as staged. It will be put on at tho Opera House on Thursday evening, August 8. "Tiny Town." "Tiny Town," that quaint assemblage of weo men and' women who have been amusing and interesting many thousands of people in Australia, aro due in New Zealand next month. Tho tour is tho outcomo of a visit paid to Australia by Mr. Alfred Linley, of Wellington, who was so attracted by tho novelty' of the show and the clover performances which the littlo people giro. that ho arranged for the w J hole "Town,", to come to the Dominion, where they are likely to attract attention. Mr. Linley's • interests will bo attended to by Mr. W. Low (late manager for Mr. Hugh Ward). The fololwing data gives particulars of the inhabitants of 'Tiny Town":Tlnco of Name. Age. Height. Birth. Miss Hansi Andro 31 38m. Austria M : ss Ilonka ....' 24 34in. Hungary Mr.-Arthur 23 31in. Germany Mr. Morelle ..;; 20. Sfiin. Austria Miss Paola .... ; .21 .llim Austria Mr. Alfonzo 25 31in. Germany Miss Isabel 20 Min. Austria Mr. Havati Hassid 5G 30in. Turkoy Mr. Fred ; 21 Win. Austria Mr. l'ompco 23 35in. Austria Miss Anita 20 30in. Austria Mr. Armstrong ... 54 36in. Australia Mr. Yenka 29 40in. Detroit, U.S.A. Mr. W. Roberts ... 25 39in.' Australia

Notes. Mr. Max Montosole, the smart young English comedian with tho WykehamNnbfc Comedy Company, has had a deal more experience in Hie theatrical profession than his ago appears to indicate. Ite was four years with Kir Herbert tree at His Majesty's Theatre, London, ami in lillO toured tho United States with Miss Kllon Terry, playing tho cockney Urinkwater in ''Captain Brnsslioiuids f oiwersion" (Shaw) over 400 times. Ho de-c-lares that it was one of the most satisfactory parts lie over ployed. He played the part over 300 times, and never tired of it. Tneidcntallv, he expressed surprise Hint Shaw's plavs had not been exploited in Australasia, and believes that, capably played, mam- of them would proyo successful, for instance "Brassbound s Conversion," "Man and Superman," and "You Never Can Tell."/ Whilst in Sydney reeenth- Mr. Monre-sole produced Granville lliirker's play "Prunella, with marked success. "Tho Bine Bird," whicli is to be staged in New Zealand by Frederick Harrison's Company from the Haymarkot Theatre, London, under the management of .T. C. Williamson, Ltd., was first produced at Moscow about five years ago, and took Russia bv storm, to the great surprise of Maeterlinck, who had written it for his own pleasure. Tts popularity spread through Europe, nml to England, whom it has been running- for hundreds of nights. In it the great Belgian poet and dramatist lias embodied a whole philosophy in the guise of an enchanting fairy piny—a philosophy so simple, yet so profound, that, grown-ups. as well as children, fall under dominion of his enchanted wand as they watch the unfolding of the exquisite allegory. Ml go away feeling belter for having seen i!, for it is n message of hope and comfort. The Qiiinlnn Opera Comronj, no*; In Molboucna, i» to open in Sydney ou July

"A Woninn of No Importance," Ofcnr Wilde's brilliant comedy. originally produced by the Brough anil Boucienult (.'nrapany, lias been renewed in Melbourne with wonderful success by (ho-Plinimer-Denniston Company, with Air. G. S. Tithoradgo and Mrs. Brough in their origiual (wis. The opening "house" on Saturday last w.ns nlmost a record for the Princess Theatre, and the performance is paid to bo a brilliant one. Tho Flimmoi'-Denni'--ton Company is to commence a (our of New Zealand at Invereargill early next month.

Mr. Kenneth Brampton has joined Mr. George Mnrlow's Company for tho production in Sydney of "Tlio Marriages of Mayfair."

No book, it is said, has ever sold in America liko "Ben ilur," from which William young made the dramatisation shortly to bo staged in Wellington. Lewis Wallace, who made some reputation by "The Fair tied" (18711), and published "Ben Bur, a Tnlo of the Christ," in 1880, was a lawyor. He served with credit in the Civil War, and gained tho rank of major-general. The novel, or, to l>o more accurate, tho religious romance, had on American sole of over three-quarters of n million copies. It is a paraphraso of the New Testament life of Christ, with descriptive passages of tho scenes of the period.