THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1800, 12 July 1913, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

«— — [By Sylvius.] The World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.— Heywood. "A Message From Mars." lew comedies havo worn so well as "A Messago From Mars," which is to ba revived by tho Hamilton-l'limmer Company at tho Opera Houso this evening. .Tin's quaint comc-dy, wliich involves a visit to earth of an outcast from tho planet Mars, preaches a great sermon, whilst it entertains all tho way. The comedy was -first introduced to New Zealand by Mr. William Hawtrey, who made a fortune with it in Australasia, 'ind ever since then it 1 has proved a wonderful "money-spinner." < On the present occasion "the most , selfish man on earth" (Horace Parker) will played for the first time in Wellington by that gifted actor, Mr. H. R. Roberts; Mr. Winter Hall will impersonate the grim Messenger from Mars; Mr. Arthur Styan will ap]>ear as tho tramp; Mr. Sidney Sterling as Arthur Dicey; Mrs. Brough as Aunt Martha; and Miss Ena Collins as Minnie Templar. The Late Mr. J. C, Williamson. General and widespread regret lias been expressed at tile death" of Mr. James Cassius Williamson, the head of the firm of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and the biggest entrepreneur Australasia lias known. • Mr. William soil was born at Mercer, Pa, (United States of America.), 011 Auggust 2G, 1815, so that 110 would. have been G8 years of age next month. In tho years from 18G3 to 1871 ho rose to lie an actor of prominence as a member of Lester Wallack's famous stock company, which in those days played almost continuously at_ Wallack s Theatre, New Y'ork. In 1871 110 went West, to California, and in 1873 he married Miss Moggie Moore (liqw Mrs. Roberts, wife of Mr. H. R. Roberts, now a member of the Hamilton-Plimmer Company, playing at the Opera House). Together ijhey made a great success in the American-German dialect drama, "Struck Oil," with which they .subsequently tour- 1 ed Australia, New Zealand, and America, ' finally playing in it at the Adelphi Theatre, London, in 1870. Having been greatly struck with Australia, where he had become very popular, Mr. Williamson re- 1 turned there in 1879, and bccame manager 1 of tho Theatre Royal, Melbourne, and in ; partnership with Mr. Arthur GarneT, secured control of tho Princess Theatre. Tho two were subsequently joined by Mr. Geo. 1 Musgrove, and entered into extensive enterprises under tho style of Williamson, : Garner, and Musgrove. The Royal Comic ; Opera Company, which still ixists to-day, 1 had its birth in thoso days. Later Mr. Garner dropped out and the business was conducted by Messrs. Williamson and Musgrove. These two parted company later, and Mr. Williamson carried on the business alone. Some fifteen years ago 110 tcok into partnership Mr. George Tallis, who had for years been a trusted servant in tho Melbourno office. Very much later Mr. Ramaciotti, a Sydney solicitor, was admitted into "the firm." Three years ago 110 sold out and Mr. Hugh Ward joined the firm. In the meantime Mr. Williamson, health was failing, spent much of his time in England, and on tho Continent. Then followed the amalgamation with Clarke and Meynell, ; and the formation of the association into ; a limited company. The futuro of "the , firm's" constitution will much depend on ] tho direction of Mr. Williamson's inter- 1 est. Mr. Ward is at present the most - prominent member of J. C. Williamson, j Ltd. The late Mr. Williamson had a i dominating personality, was a fine pro- < ducer, and a shrewd far-seeing business ! man. He made his filial appearance on 1 tho stage in "Kerry" at the Scott fund j benefit performance a few months ago in ' Sydney, in association .with Mrs. Kelly (of Sydney), and Mr. Harry Plimmer. He i left Sydney for America about Mhreo ] months ago, was very ill on tho trip 1 across, and was laid up in a hospital at 1 San Francisco. Recovering, ho proceeded on to Europe. He was twice married, ; firstly to Miss Maggie Moore, and second- < ly to Miss Mary Weir, formerly a dancer in one of his companies. A Busy Season. Tho number of big enterprises, in hand will make this a memorable year for tliaJ. C. Williamson management. In addition to Mile. Adeline Gonee, the world's greatest dancer, and tho Imperial Russian Ballet, there will bo such, notable attractions under the firm's management as Lewis Waller, England's greatest romantic actor, and his complete company, who will open in Sydney in "Henry V" on July i 2, whilst another celebrated organisation will be tho Quinlan Opera Company of 175 artists, including an orchestra of sixty-five picked instrumentalists. Genee Coming Here. Tho news will bo received with gratification by playgoers throughout Australasia that Mile. Genee mil visit; the other States..:':On the conclusion of her season, of fivo. weeks in Melbourne, tho world- ■ famous dancer, together with M. Volinin, tho Imperial Russian Ballet, and the entire company as appearing at. Her Majesty's, Melbourne, will go to Adelaide, then to Sydney, after which a brief season in Brisbane will precede a visit to New Zealand. This will be one of the biggest and most important attractions that has yet been .seat on tour by J. C. Williamson, L^d. Amateur Opera Again. It is with genuine pleasure that I—and I trust a very large section of tho publiclearn of tho formation in Wellington of an amateur opera company. Why the old one should ever have been allowed to expire was always a mystery to many. It seemed, to simply die of inanition, accentuated by tho increasing cost of every production. The mistake was made in making tho society semi-professional, by paying a fee to some of the "leads." If a society cannot work on amateur lines entirely, then it is doubtful if it can justify its existence.. The. trouble in su<Sh a case is that "B" hears that "A" is getting so much for the season, or that "D" learns that "C" is having all her expenses paid, and so the demands grow and grow, as they do in the ca.se of - labour organisations. Amateur opera is a delightful recreation for all who have serviceable voices and an inclination that way, and, personally, I do not think that thero will bo found to be any lack of talent in Wellington. Tho society has made a wise choice in selecting "Tho Geisha" as its first production. The work is bright and melodious; it positively blushes with colour, and is alive with- good comedy. Coached by veteran Torn Pollard, the public may anticipate an interesting performance. Melodrama Noxt. Theatre-goers who love good melodrama at popular prices will hear with interest of the advent of another entirely new Marlow dramatic company, whp aro due in New Zealand 011 July 18 by tho Willocliru, and who will open their season at the Opera House, Wellington on Monday, July 21. For their initial play, the Marlow management havo selected "Tho Night Side of London," a striking London success, and a piece which was staged in all the centres of Australia and enjoyed a good run. The story is one of the tempting of a simple village girl, who is lured to London, wherein the most powerful situations of the drama aro enacted. The play abounds with pathos and 1 comedy, allied with excellent dramatic, situations. The cast will be a strong one, and includes Messrs. Robert Inman, Vivian Edwards. Thos. E. Tilton, I'. V. Scully, Misses Elwyn Harvey, Oriel Hobson, Pearl Heimlich, and a great number of others too numerous to mention. Notes. ' This evening will see the opening performance in Sydney of the Lewis Waller Company in. "Henry V." As bluff King Hal, Mr. Waller is famed in England, and a great deal of interest will be manifested in Sydney in his performance, by reason of the fact that many t.here have clear-cut recollections of George Rignohl's heroic characterisation. The cast includes , ■Miss Madge Titheradgc as Queen ] Katheriue, and Mr. G. S. Titlieradge as . Exeter.