THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 11

THE THEATRE.

[Br Sylvius.]

. The World's a theatre; the Earth a stago.—Heywood. ; Apologia. Mr. O'lfane (secretary of tho Celtic Club) called during the week to inform mo that tho Celtic Comedy Club, which recently produced "The Emerald Isle" was not connected in any way with the Celtic Club, and as proof exhibited tho nomination for membership paper, which set out "The objects of the club are to foster the study of Celtic literature, history, and art." He intimated that the last word absolved the Celtic Club from any suspicion that it might be encouraging such productions as "The Emerald Isle." It did. Not What was Wanted. W. R. Coleman, hard at work on the soenery for the production of "Tho Count of Luxembourg," soon to bo 6taged in Melbourne, paused a moment, and dived into reminiscence. "Years ago," he said, "I was painting for an American manager named Hicks. I wn9 young and enthusiastic, and I put my whole soul into every dab of the brush. So when tho manager came to me and said he wanted a 'village green' painted, I prepared to turn out something special, just to show what I could do. All the description he gavo' mo was that there would be three people appearing in it. This gave mo plenty of room, so I worked in a shady pool with trees and bushes, and a dainty gravelled pathway leading to a shady nook. I can tell you that scene looked just right. But when the manager saw it he roared like a bull. 'You fool/ ho sliouted, 'what have you done? I want this scene for a trick cyclist act.'" Bernhardt's Tomb. Sarah Bernhardt has been assured that her toinb, which has been prepared for her on a rock in the Atlantic Ocean, will not be taken from her by the French Government. The tomb is hewn out of a rocky peninsula which touches Belle Isle, the island off the Brittany coast, where Madame Bernhardt spends her holidays. At low tide tho rock which contains the tomb joins the island, while at high tide it becomes an island itself. After the actress had prepared tho tomb doubt was expressed regarding her title to tho rock, and a lawyer informed her some. months ago that it did not belong toher. Madame Bernhardt has now received a definite assurance through Madame Delcasse, wife of the Minister of Marine, that her title will not be challenged. Play that Won £100 Prize. The result is announced of a notable competition for the best drama dealing with Welsh life. Lord Howard do Walden, the donor of a ifilOO prizej has awarded it to the author of a play, "Change." The successful play-writer is a young Welshman, Mr. J. 0. Francis, 8.A., who is now teaching in London. An old pupil of Merthyr County School and nn old student of Aberystwyth College, he graduated in tho University of Wales eight years ago. The author has tried to nicture the conflict of ideas in industrial South Wales, showing the old Liberal Nonconformity at grips with advancing Socialism, and glowering at tho disintegrating forces in the religious life of the community. Hamllton-Plimmer Enterprises. Allan Hamilton and' Harry Plimmer, who have reorganised their company, and at tho-same time strengthened it,- will revive "Dr. Wake's' Patient" with an exoollent cast, when the company begins operations in Sydney on March 15. While Miss Beatrice Day will again appear as Lady Gerania, and Mrs. Brough in her original rolo of the Countess, there will be a new Dr. Wake —H. R. Roberts, while Arthur Styan will appear as. Arthur Wake, G,. S. Titheridgo .as the . Earl of St. Olbyn, Sidney Stirling as Duff Winterdoh, Harry Plimmer as tho Bishop of Selby, Lizetto Parkes as Harriet Bronson, Muriel Dale as Mrs. Murdoch, and Katie Towers as Mrs. Wake ... It is further announced that Pellissier and his original Folios Company from tho Apollo Theatre, London, will tour Aus-' tralasia next year under the direction of the new firm, which is clearly beginning work in a spirit; of enterprise. A Veteran Actress. To look at Mrs. John Billington, says a London paper, you would .not imagine that sho celebrated the 88th anniversary of her birth this month. There is no suggestion here of frailty or feebleness, her eyesight is (she embroiders, reads, and can write.without the aid of glasses), she still enjoys a short walk, and pays occasional visits to the theatres. "My doctor says ho will keep, me alivo until I am a hundred," sho smilingly confided to a newspaper representative. "Of course I feel like 'living to be a hundred.! .1 can eat most things, get' about to whist parties, and a matineo occasionally, sit for my portrait, and generally enjoy every moment of my life.", Sho was in the s original cast (30 strong) of "The Colleen Bawn" at the Adelplil. Of that SO only Mrs. Billington and Mrs. Dion Boucicault are left.

The veteran actress tolls tho following anecdotes:—

"Tho first words I was over given to speak on tho stago were never spoken—by me at any rate._ I was supposed to be a page-boy in "Richelieu,' and my great scene was when I. had to open the door for Macready and announce the arrival of 'His Eminence the Cardinal.' I openj the door, but I couldn't say my lines for fright, and I was kindly, although lgnominiously, hauled back by another girl, who' stepped into tho breach at a moment of awkward pause. "Irving and my husband, 'Jack,' were great friends, and I remember them once coming to our rooms together. Tliero were three portraits in tho room —one of my Jack, one of Toole, and one of Irving himself. Irving walked up to each, looked at them hard, and then turned to my husband. 'I wonder which of us will go first?' hosaid gravely."' Mrs. Billinrton thinks that in many respects the old order of things theatrical was better than tho new. For instance, actors in years gone by prepared themselves for a London appearance by long training in t'lie provinces. Now they begin in london and' consequently lack the experience they used to acquire in tho country.

"I do not know how many parts I pl^yod—-it must have been thousands," Mrs. Billington remarked. "If I told you what my favourito part is it would not convey anything to most people. They do not nowadays play the plays that we did; they can t! ' Then, again, plays before producion were road to tlio company by the author; there is little or nothing of that sort dono nowadays. But there is one great consolation—salaries have gone up by leaps, and bounds.