DRURY LANE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1605, 23 November 1912, Page 15

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

■' o ' - , V ■ CENTENARY CEMIBRATION. . Drury Lane Theatre was thronged, on October 10 at the performance of "Everywoman," the occasion, being the celebration of. the centenary of the opening of the theatre on October 10, 1812/ The old theatre was burnt down in 1809, and : the building opened 100 yeara ago stands -practically unaltered to-day. ■ To marie the event, Mr.- Stephen-Phillips had written some Acommemorative verses, which were spoken by Mr. -H. B. Irving. At the close of the; performance the whole company .assembled on. the stage, and Mr. W., Douthitt, who plays Passion in "Everywoman'," sang the National An.them, the- audience >and company joining in the chorus. ' Prom Mr. Phillips's spirited verses, tho following lines are quoted:— ... Here Siddotts down the castle stairway 'stole, Cleansing-her hands of blood, but not hor ' soul, Or, as oao drunk with triumph, did she • sway, ' Reeling in glory down the Roman way. Here solemn Kemble trod; behold him . stand !- v'-" And moralise on " death , with, skull in hand. . ' .' Who. last of all appears? -What holier shade,' Familiar portals doth again invade? See on his brow he weareth Dante's But Henry Irving 'tis not mine to praise. Here, where men saw those famous . players tread, : Let others rise to emulate the dead. A second Siddons and a second Ifean, Re-animate this memorable scene!