EXIT THEATRE ROYAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1844, 2 September 1913, Page 8

EXIT THEATRE ROYAL.

« TO CLOSE ON SATURDAY. SOME OLD MEMORIES, The old Theatre Royal in Johnston Street," where many line players have been privileged "to strut and fret their little hour upon the stage," is to close its doors to the public for ever on Saturday niijht. There is something rather pathetic in tho passing of an old playhouse, which in its time' has been the sceno of so many histrionic triumphs— fleeting though tlioy be 111 characteryet held very dear in the memory of those who interest themselves seriously in the world of make-believe, arid thero will ho many who will recall brilliant scenes and memorable performances in tho theatre which lias now outlived its usefulness. Tho Theatre Royal was built by the Wellington Public Hall Company in 1574. The late Mr. Toxward was the architect, and Mr. James Lockie was the builder. In its day it was accounted a very fine theatre, and for over a quarter of a century it served its purpose admirably, but tho times have moved along, and for years past the Theatre Royal has only been allowed to exist on sufferance, -until finally the City Council had to -sign the death warrant, which is to bo executed on Saturday evening next. Tho standing of the theatre began to wane with the erection of the first Opera House in Manners Street, and for some years it was "practically closed. Then somo twelve voars or so ago the theatre was secured'by Mr. P. R. Dix, who initiated permanent vaudeville there, and it flourished' for a few years under tho stimulus of the new idea. Later it was secured by j\lessrs. John Fuller and Sons for vaudeville, and last vcar was taken qver by tho Brennan-Fuller management, under whose auspicss it is to die.- , . The Theatre Royal gave nccommodation to many remarkably fine players, whose names are too numerous to set down here, but some may be recalled as having graced its stage. Among the earliest were Mr. Wm. Hoskins (to Whom the late Sir Henry Irving paid tributes) and his wife, Florence Colville, who wore stationary for months nt a. t-inio in Wellington, and were (according to tiro custom of the times) often • assisted by tho leading amateurs. Adelaide Bowring was a gracious and accomplished actress of tho okl school, and W. F. Sheridan was a- fine tragedian of the days "when acting meant acting, sir!" Another forgotten actor who paced the "giddy hatches" of tho Royal was Mr. John B. Fairclough,_ the most princely "Hamlet" ever seen in AVellington, and in America the rival of Edwin Booth. W. H. Croswiek was probab|v the bast all-round tratredinn ever seen in .Wellington, and a niche is surely preserved in the memory of oltler plavgoers for Dion Bouoicault. the author of "The Colleen Bawn," "Tho Shaughraun, "Arrah-na-Pogue," and "The Octoroon, tho eminent father of Dion Boucicault

tlio younger, wlio for so many years was the partner of tho late Robert Brough. Chaplin, D. H. Harkins, and Miss Dargon mav also he honourably mentioned among; the Thespians of note who knew t'he Royal in its lmlrny days Later vears saw Geo. Rignold tlie.ro as bluff Sine Hal and Poola Macaire (m Called Back"); Alice Mav. tlie great soprano, sang there, as did Madame Pitey, Anius Montague, De Vero. Sapio, Chas. Turner, Arines Beaiimcnt, and manv otners, down to tlio stars of tlho Hoy- 1 } Comic Opera Company. Truly the old theatre lias served its turn. It miclit bo mentioned that the Jiren-nnn-Fuller management is taking over His Majesty's Theatre from Messrs. Joiin Fiilhw and Sons for a term, and will onen there with vaudeville on Monday, September 15.