THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1764, 31 May 1913, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

[Br Sylvius.] Tho World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—Heywood. "Puss in Boots." Tho cast of "Puss in Hoots," which is to bo staged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., on Wednesday, .luno i, includes Messrs. Pip Powell, U. K.' Leniion, George Miller, (the dancer), William Hassan, George Darreil, Fred Leslie, Misses Violet Loraiue, Ivy Schilling, Irene Sandeman, .Nellie Leslie, Dorothy Firmin, .-ilice lionton, Collins, and Hart, and the Gaudsmidts. The music was composed by Andrew M'Cunn, (ho ballets aud marches were created by Minnie Everett, and the productiou- was staged under the direction of Mr. Frank Wit, who was specially engaged from Drury Lane Theatre, London. Mr. J. C. Whilheld is stage manager, and Mr. Fred Quinbult musical director. Altogether thero aro over 300 people in the production of "I'uss in Boots.'' _ Although tho initial production in New Zealand docs not happen until Wednesday next, a large quantity of effects have already leached Wellington, and the whole of the first set is due to arrive by s.s. Maunganui 011 Wednesday. Tho staff of mechanics aud electricians attached to the pantomime will also arrive by the Maunganui, so they will therefore have a full week to prepare l'or tho Wellington season. ■ . , , Tho cast of "Puss in Boots' includes tho Misses Violet Loraino (principal boy, from JJi'ury Lane Theatre, London), Alice Kusson (ii'om the Gaiety Theatre, London), Ivy Schilling (solo dancer), Dorothy Firmin (Fairy Que;n), a' so Messrs. "Pip" Powell (King Gabbus), George Miller (Damo Shortly), 0. 15. Lennon (l'hi Cat), Fred Leslie (Muggles), Vernon Davidson (Baron Kumphiz), Kupert DarToll (Cyrus I'. Hanks), G l'ayten ( the Ore's Slave), and Messrs, Hart and Wlntinoro (Tho Horse). Two big features 111 I the pantomime aro Messrs. Collins and Hart (America's greatest burlesque aerobats), and the Gaudsmidts and their wonderful dogs. The Dandies—Pink, Having disposed of the Red Dandies satisfactorily to all parties, the way is now being prepared for the 01 tho Pink edition of 'tlio Branscombe Costume Comedy organisation. The "Pinks, who are said to be every bit as cuter- ; idling as the "Iteds," in £l slightly different style, have just completed a suci ccs.sful season in Auckland, t and are to • appear at the Concert Chamber hero ! from Mondav, June 9, "until July 21, | which indicates the fait!h that Mr. Bransi combo has in this company to engage j popularity sufficient to extend a season over live weeks in the one town. l;he company includes Misses liila and Lily i Fitzgerald (late of tho Scarlet TroubaI clours), Miss Peggy Koss, Messrs. av " shall Lawrence, Ford Waltham, Robert : Agncw, George Edwards,. Atliol Tier, i Joseph Brennan, Phillip Harduian, and I Frank Peachy (slage director).' It will be noticed that the -company is especially strong in male performers.

"Cyrano de Bergerac" Revived. Tho Paris correspondent of tho London "Times" says or tno performance by Lo j Bargy of Cyrano de bergerac at tho re- j cent revival of Rostand's play at the j Porte St. Martin: —"There. is much of • warm French humanity in th« play, so , much of the Latin spirit ill its most sub- ! limo and its most fantastic manifestations, [ so much of tlio genius of the peerless Knight of La Manoka, to wlioso memory indeed Cyrano expressly doll's his hat with its unsullied pmnie,. that a French audience will always be moved to tears and laughter by M. Kostand's coruscating verse, if the actors merely know how to declaim it. M. Lo Bargy did much 111010 than that. He gavo us a Cyrano inspired by some fresh conceptions of the actorsown. Tho Cyrano oi tho groat Coqueim had a deeper and broader nature, and his love for lioxaue, although it entered profoundly into his lil'e, remained somewhat of a thing apart, until it glided with gleams of sunset the filial evening sceno in tho convent garden. In La liariry's representation tho love story dominates tho whole play. i'he death scone was, tliETeioro, thought by somo to be oven fiiicr than tiiQt oi Coquclin. ill tlio earlier acts, Le l'-argy, experienced actor though ho be, showed signs ot nervousness; and 110 wonder, His voice lias not tlio extraordinary depth nor tno roll of Coquclin's, but his delivery in tho brisker scenes was marvellously nunb e, aiui he brought clown tlw ljouso with •Lea Cadets do Oascogne. In tiie last sceno of all he was portectly wonaeiiul, and contrived to convey all the lire, tlio the physical weakness, the romance, ami the unconquerable heroism oi tno Cyrano, lie had a great reception.

A Valuable Compliment. There has been much. t ergument throughout Australian _ theatrical elides lately auent tho relative merits ot tno imported actor and tno local .artist, ami •toa pi-ess oi that country lias given considerable prominence to the discussion. One example which has been pointed to as demonstrating tho rcat capability oi the Australian artist is the Jiamiltonplimmei' Dramatic Company, at present ill Melbourne. Uf that company ine dramatic critic of the .London "imily leiegraph," now in Melbourne, said tlio other day: "111 all my experience ot West End Loudon theatres, 1 Have never a nioro finished perlormanco than Di. Wake's Patient' at your theatre lait evening." "Dr. Wake's Patient," •together with "A Woman of Impulse, will comprise the repertoire jor tiie i\cw Zealand tour, which will commence at Invercargill on June 10.

The Eloquence of Silence •When Geneo appears in Melbourne on June 21, the opportunity will be provided of witnessing tlio lamous Russian daneeis. They are uulike any other dancers in their agility, and the grace and case with which every movement is accomplished, but tliey are also clever actors and pantomiinisis. They enact a whole story in dumb show, not a word being spoken, it may well be said that these Russians are horn dancers. 'They are taken .ill hand hy the great teachers oi' tiie Imperii Ballot at St. Petersburg, and Moscow when they ar.e at tho ago of six, and their rigorous training is carried on lor some years, their whole career as a dancer ending at the ago of 31, whin they aro pensioned and go into retirement, tneir places being lillcd.by others draited trom the training school. 'i'Ssis explains how it i 3 that there is no deterioration m the Russian Ballet, ior they are retired bcioro they lose their suppleness. It is therelore not surprising Unit Kurfia has the finest ballots and the iinest dancers— excepting, of course, Geine, who is a Dane by birth.

The duinlan Opera Company. On Thursday of last week' the J. C. Williamson management received a cable message stating that tlio Quinlaiii Opera Company had sailed tor riouth Ainca, where tuey will appear prior to commencing tho Australian tour at Melbourne, Her Majesty's, in August. The message further mentioned that the company totall: d 173 people, and that tremendous enthusiasm marked the concluding performances of "Tlio Ring" and '"Ihe Mcistersingers," the latter of which will open the Australian season. This is the largest company that lias ever undertaken a tour in auy part of the world. j Notes. J. C. Williamson, Ltd., lias secured a two years' extension of tho lease of the Opera House in Wellington. This will mean that, next year both the "Grand and the Opera House will be under lease to tho "firm." Tho Williamson "Puss-in-Boots" Pantomime Company leaves Sydney to-day ior Wellington direct. So good are the prospects for theatrical business in New Zealand that managers are now booking tours for I'JIO. The cliargo for dress circle and orchestral stall seats during the Genee season in Sydney and Melbou.rno will bo 7s. lid. Miss Muriel Starr, one of J. C. Williamson's recent importations from America, has made a success ;in tho American drama, "Within tlio Law," now running in Melbourne. Pincro's comedy. "The Amazons," has been revived in New York. Lawrence Grossmith has taken a lease of the Savoy Theatre, London, lo produce a new farce, entitled "Brother Alfred," by H. W. Westbrook and I'. G. Wotle- , house.

M. Emile Duploye, inventor of tho Duployan system of shorthand, has died in Francc, o.?,ed eighty,