THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 11

THE THEATRE.

[Bt Sylvius.]

The World's a theatre; (he Earth a stage.—Hey wood. "Tlio Monk and the Woman." This play, which is to bo produced at tho Opera House by tho Marlow Company, is said to bo quito as innocuous as others which liavo been held up as offending tho canons of good taste, but througu tho objections mado to it by those whoso wisuorn should dictate a more prudent course, it has attracted a lot ot attention. "The Monk and tho Woman" concerns tho contlict between tho monastic system and the French court in tho lGth century. Tho curtain rises upon tho refectory of an old French monastery, with gracetully groined roof and stone-tlagged floor, where tho brethren eat their joints and pasties out of pewter dishes at stoutly-timbered tables. . The monks file in in their cassocks and hempen girdles, full of gossip about brother Johu, a lovable young monk, who has Ijeen ordered six days' cells on bread and water lor speaking to a woman. Tho general opinion is that John is bewitched by unholy spells. It seems that Liane. "Tho Pearl of the o'ourt," with her friend Vcnet, havo fled to the monastery, where they aro pursued by Priuco Henry do Montrale, with orders from the king to capture them at all costs. The king is anxious to secure Liane. for himself, as a preliminary to which the youthful beauty is to bo forced into a niarriago with Henri, whom slio does not fear as a companion, but dislikes as a husband. Henri'takes possession of tho monastery with an armed guard, overawes the monks, and boforo returning to tho capital, leaves Liano in tho custody of tho venerablo prior. The prior hands the key of hor cell to brother Paul, who, however, falls in lovo with tho royal ward. Tho first act is practically all comedy, and includes a vivacious scene showing- tho wiles of Liano in her attempt to subduo and take to herself her handsome, innocent gaoler. Paul, the monk, is haled before tho king, and is challenged as to tho witchcraft by which ho has won Liane to lovo him. But Paul, in his fearless analysis of the king's character, impressively accuses tho king, whb commands his minions to search for ami destroy his wizard's charm. Whilst they do this the guard prepare to ,firo their arquebuses. But only tho symbol of salvation hangs round his neck, and the curtain fills on the exclamation of Liane v "They dare not fire upon the cross."

Tho Coming Dancers.

Playgoers throughout Australia are already keenly interested in the visit' of (jenee, tho world's greatest dancer, and the Russian Imperial Ballet, who are to open their Australian season at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, on Juno 21, under the management of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. In this connection it is interesting to noto that Miss Ellen Terry has recently written a short appreciation of tho Imperial Russian Ballet, which has been appearing in London, and in ft is a Rood deal of delightful comment on the performances. Hero are some of the eulogies she bestows: "They dance not ouly with their bodies, but with their souls. Whatever their role, the. young Russian dancers project an interior emotion which has in it all the fire of spontaneity, but is at the same time conscious and considered. As as actress that has always been my ideal of expression. In all their phases, these dancers 6how a nervous force, a tragic power, a strange and alluring gracfi, that mako one vibrate with the power and beauty of it all." His Two Records. Mr. Richard Stewart, one of 'J. C. Williamson's most popular managers, tells a rather good story of the two records he has experienced in respect to receipts sinco ho has been-with "tho firm." Both, strangely enough, relate to BaMarat. When, ho went-thero as manager of the "Mother Goose" Pantomime Company he could feel that business was going to be very big, so got a couple of men up from Meljxmrno to make a littlo more room in tho gallory. Suro enough tho opening was euormous—J3l7s better than tho previous best for the theatre: As usual he telegraphed down the (amount of tho "house," but so shto was Mr. Tallis that a mistake of

.£»00 had been rnado that in telegraphing the news to Sydney ho deducted that amount: Tho next matinee and night were also very big—in short, .£I2OO was taken in tlirc-0 performances. Later on Mr. Stewart weat to Bailarat as manager of tho "Humpty Dumptr" Company. This timo his instinct and the booking told him that things were not going lo be too good, but ho never anticipated how bad it turned out to be." Instead of .£IOO, there was not iiO in tho house. • There'was just .£3B, to (be correct, and tho second night was no better. , "Now, how do you account for that?" asked Mr. .Stewart. " Humpty Dumpty' was a lino show—over a hundred people. Isn't this business a puzzlo?" Of course, I was in a terrible stato over tho house, and felt anyhow when I rang up tho head offico in Melbourne to tell them. When I said there Was .£3B in the house, someone at the end of the telephone roared with laughter. I was a bit worked up, and that was the last straw. I asked who was laughing. 'It's only me, Dick— J.C.W.'! Now you'vo got a double record for Bailarat!"

Sarah Bernhardt's Mishap. Another sensational incident in the eventful career of Madame Sarah Bernhardt was chronicled on March 12. This time tho famous actress, at the ago of G9, is tho heroine of a motox-ear collision. Whilo appearing in. San Francisco. Madamo Bernhardt promised to assist at a matinee benefit jierformnnco for tho Los Angeles City Fire Brigade. It was at Los Angeles that tho mishap occnrrcd. While tho actress was on hor way to tho theatre her motoT-car collided with a heavy wagon. Although the car was wrecked, Madamo Bernhardt oscaped with a few cuts and bruises. When sho reached the theatre it was feared that both ankles had been injured. The doctor who was summoned advised Madame Bernhardt not to risk a breakdown on the stage. But the strong-willed actress had her own way, and a little later she was being cheered by the audience. At tho conolusion of her performance the chcering was renewed. In responso to tho cries of "Spcech!" Madamo Bernhardt said: "My friends, you are too kind. It is truo that ivo had n bad timo in tho motor-car, but you people of California, with your sweet sympathy, healed all my woes." A newspaper correspondent who saw Madame Bernhardt next day, said that (he actress was not troubling much about her bruises. In reply to expressions of sympathy, she said; "Never mind, when t'lie heart is young bruises do not last long." \ Cheap Effects. Thero is no mistaking tho atmosphero which Mr. Oscar Asclio gets into his productions. Remembering the thick, heavy, incense-laden air of 'Kismet," one is not surprised to learn by tho notices that incenso is burned in all tho palace scenes in "Antony and Cleopatra, now being played in Sydney. To many peoplo incense is upsetting, and not a few had to leave tho theatro in Wellington during "Kismet" solely on that nccount. Besides, it is not necessary—it is _ only .a cheap offect. If it were tho right thing, it would bo just as correct to shoot tho aToma. of tho stable into tho audience in some of our "horso" plays, or to convey tho clammy odour of tho grave in tho famous graveyard scene in "Hamlet." In "Sweet Lavender," t'lio theatro was faintly perfumed with'.the scent of lavender, which, of course, had no analogy with tho name of tho ploy, which is that of tho leading part. What audiences want in ihr - ns, where usually from 1000 to 2000 j;c • 're packed into a minimum of sj:..- is fresh, clean air, without getting i„ shafts. This, by tho way, has been successfully accomplished in tho case of His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, whero (he ventilation is all tlmt'Can bo desired.

Notes. Melbourne is particularly well off for high-grade theatrical entertainment at present. A t His .Majesty's Theatre, "Tho Count of Luxembourg," most gorgeously produced, is attracting wonderful business: Mr. Julius Knight is at the Royal in "Milestones"; "Faust" is being played at the King's Theatro by (ho WilliamgbiL Company that was seen in Wellington in "lion Hur"; at tho Princess, tho artistic liamiltou.Plimmcij Comedy Con.

pany is appearing in, "Dr. Wake's Patient"; and at tho ol<l Bijou, ilie American Burlesque Company is doing; turnaway business in "Tho Grafters.' 11l tV Divorco Court, Sydney, on April I], Mr. Justice Gordon hoard tho petition by John Co strove, actor, I'ot dissolution of lii 3 marriage with Mildred Isabel Cov grove on ilio ground of desertion. Tho parties were married according to tho rites of tho Itoman Catholic Church at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sydney, on July CE), ( 1!)03. Tho petitioner snid that his wifo's maiden, namo was Nunnerley, and sho had been on tho 6tago. Mr. Justico Gordon granted a decreo nisi. Mr. W. S. Penloy, theatrical manager, and producer of "Charley's Aunt," which proved such a successful comedy, left an estate of .£15,000. Ono of the specialty features in "Th 6 Count of Luxembourg," now being played in Melbourne, is tho waltz on tho stairs. "Is tho waltz on tho stairs as easy as it looks, and how did you learn to do it P" Wherever she goes, Mies Florenco Young, who has added another to her many successes by her performance as Angela in "Tho Count of {Luxembourg," is asked this question. Miss Young's invariable reply is, "Try it yourself, and you will seo if it is easy. And mind tho step!" "A thoroughly charming and. artistic performance of 'Dr. Wake's Patient' was begun on Saturday night by tho Hamil-ton-Plimmcr Company at tho Princess's Theatre. If any man or woman of 1 tho largo audienco went away dissatisfied with the performanco ho or sho was very hard to please. For tho play, though slight in plot, is brightly writton, with smart dialogue and a great deal of the love interest which makes for popularity. Plaved by tho right peoplo it' must charm. And the Hamilton-Plimuier Company arn tho right peoplo—the bost peoplo since tho old Brougn and Boucicault Company."— Melbourne "Argus."The Julius Knight Company is to play Shaw's drama "Man and Superman" at tho termination o£ the run of "Milestones" in Melbourne. Mr. W. Low will act as advance representative for tho Hamilton-Pliminer i)nimatio Company on its coming tour of New Zealand. > " Cummin and Scahem are the quaint names of a pair of acrobats now appearing at tho Tivoli Theatre, Sydney. Like their mimes, tho turn is full of quiet humour. ,