LATE MR. J. C. WILLIAMSON.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1797, 9 July 1913, Page 7

LATE MR. J. C. WILLIAMSON.

ILLNESS DUE TO ROUGH SEA TRIP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 7. Mr. J. C. Williamson, who died in Paris yesterday, succumbed to kidney trouble and heart complications. A severe cyclone in the Pacific caused a serious condition, and when ho landed at San Francisco ho was taken to hospital. Hn Improved, and managed to reach New York. Ho had a great wish to see his family again. When his relatives met his boat at Havre he was very ill. The Paris doctors were, however, hopeful., He made a brave struggle, but gradually weakened. Conscious till the end, he discussed theatrical ventures. His last hours were passed peacefully on Sunday afternoon. His wife and children and Mr. Malone (his Ix>ndon manager) were present when he died. (Rec. July 9, 0.45 a.m.) Paris, July 8. The remains of -the late Mr. J. C. Williamson have been embalmed. The body lies in the mortuary of the American Church. WIDESPREAD SYMPATHY. Sydnsy, July 8. There have been wide expressions of sympathy in connection with Mr, Williamson's death. 1 A LEADER OF MEN. AN APPRECIATION. ' "He was a bom leader of men," said Mr. Harry Plimmer, the actor-manager, referring to the late Mr. J. C. Williamson, the news of whose death in Paris was a town topic yesterday. "He commanded everyone's esteem, respect, and even love, and that without descending to any of the pretty little shows and artifices that make for a certain kind of popularity. When he was in personal charge of the affairs of the firm, he was held in the highest esteem from the leading actor down to the call-boy. His word was his bond always—contracts, were unnecessary where 'J.C.' was concerned. "I have come into personal contact with most of the imported producers of plays, but none'iin"ity "oxperifence'' , ffii-o r 'fit to' brush the shoes of 'J.C.' in that department of the business. He could not only tell what was wanted, but could come on the stage and show how it should be done—and all so unobtrusively, taotfully, and yet with that behind it which encouraged the best in one. "Only some three months ago I was standing outside the Criterion Theatre in Sydney prior to having a look at 'Bella Donna/ when a magnificent automobjle drove up, and out of it stepped 'J.C.'— looking, to me, about half his usual size. He seemed to have shrivelled up and become a miniature of his old self. He eyed me with dawning recognition, and said that he wanted me to play with him. I told him that I was sorry, but was otherwise engaged. 'But only for one night, ho said, ' "Kerry," to play "Kerry;' for the Scott Fund.' Then I understood, and willingly consented. I had played with him in it ten years before at the opening of His Majesty's in Sydney, and he remembered. "I thought he appeared to be too old and frail to play the part, and at rehearsals he forgot the old business of the part of the aged Irish servant and would do mine. One instance was where he does not wish the girl to know that I had returned as she had thought me dead, and he, as Kerry, feared tho effect of shock. To keep her out of the room the 'business' was to place a sofa across the door and pretend to be dusting. She knocks at the door, and Kerry > tells her she cannot como in as tho room is full of dust. So she asks Kerry for her prayerbook which is lying on the table. As Kerry gets it, I was supposed to take it from him, give it to the hand outstretched through the door, and at tho same time kiss it. But when it came to rehearsing the kene 'J.C.' thoucht he had to do it all, and waxed quite indignant when I told him he was doine my 'business.' Then I explained the whole scene, which I remembered perfectly, and all was well. As it grew near tho date 'J.C.' missed more than ono rehearsal and I began to think that the performance would never eventuate. But the date came, the old man came up to the scratch, and gave a performance that shook up the emotions of everyone present—beautiful! | beautiful! He was so frail, so tender, and yet his brogue was as rich, and his way so appealing. It was his last appearance on the stage. "An illustration of his brainy resourcefulness occurred when we were rehearsing Belasco's play 'Madame Butterfly* at tho opening of His Majesty's, Sydney. There is a little child part in it called Trouble and we had a very clever little kiddy who was delightful in it, but who had moods and would refuse to rehearse altogether on some days. 'J.C.' tried hard to tempt the child with lollies and pennies, but all without avail. One day he asked the mechanist if he did not have a little eirl, and being answered' in thp affirmative was asked to bring her down to tho rehearsals. Ho got Mrs. Grundy to make her a beautiful littlo kimono. Tho tiny actress viewed the new-oomer with a suspicious eye, and whenever she was there played her part beautifully, knowing that if sho did not lier rival would supplant her. Then oamo the season, and every night we had the mechanist's little girl, dressed and made-up to go on, and every night the littlo actress was on her best behaviour. It wag an example of tho old man's tact and knowledge of human nature. Anyway—he's gone- now, and tlio stage is the poorer for it. Peace bo to his ashes!"