THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1860, 20 September 1913, Page 11

THE THEATRE.

[BY SYI.VIUS.]

The World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—Heywood. Coming Williamson Attraotlons. 1 111 the course of an interview in a London paper regarding tho extension of tho enterprises of J. C. Williamson. Ltd., Jlr. J. A. E. Malone, tho firm's representative and director in London stated that a number of important attractions were being booked to be sent out <to Australia via South Africa, where the Wheeler theatres and business had been acquired. "Wo have already arranged for most of Mr. Georgo 15 dwardes's musical plays," said Mr. Malone, "Mr, Michael Faraday's productions, musical and otherwise, tho D'Oyley Carte operas, 'Diplomacy,' and other productions by Gerald Du Maurier and Frank Curzon, most of Mr. Charles Frohman's 'presentations,' and Louis Parker's Biblical drama, 'Joseph and His Brethren.' Wo have also arranged that Australia will have a rollicking revue-time. To that end we have fixed with Mr. Stanley, of the London Opera House, to transplant to Australia that splendid theatre's higlily successful revue, 'Come Over Here.' The pantomime 'The Forty Thieves' this Cliristnias will be one of tho most varied in its attractions tho firm has ever presented."

Melodrama Not Aft. Whenever the occasion has arisen The Dominion haß been far from backward in pointing out that much of the melodrama presented to the public for many years past is not uplifting to the stago, nor is it elovating either to the actor or his audience. It somehow or other plays upon the primitive emotions in a crude garish fashion, and unliko the melodrama of fwonty years ago, has a taint of nastinesß that is not palatable and not oven interesting. This view has been, in a measure, corroborated by Mr. Geo. Willoughby. Although now managing director of a oompaiiy which is producing in Sydney a "shocker" named "Tho Queen of the Whiteslaves," Mr. Willoughby —a shrewd man and capable comedian —said recently in t-lie oourso of an interview :—

"Of course, I am not . foolish enough to claim any very high artistic level for my productions, everyone knows that melodrama has nothing to do with art, but I consider that to a certain class of tho community this typo of play makes a bigger appeal, and is, therefore, more necessary than, say, a subtle 'comedy of manners' from the p<yi of Arnold Bennett could ever do. 'The average Adelphi audience is composed of men and women whose lives lie in much more strenuous grooves than those of the people to whom tho delicate delineation of character would appeal. Their minds, theredemand a much more strenuous shaking up, and it is only through tho medium of melodrama that they are able to get it.

"Melbdrama makes a direct appeal to their humane side, to thoir hearts and emotions, while the splendid opportunities it _ affords for scenio displays pleases their eyes. I have 110 illusions on tlio subject; melodrama is not. art, and I know it just as well as anyone else, but it is what my patrons want, and. so I give it to tliom. "After all, it is an open question whether people should go to the theatre to havo their minds improved, or whether they should maka it the occasion of an evening's entortainmcnt. My idea is that nine out of ten people don't caro a rap about the artistic side, they merelv go to see the plays they think will please thorn most." Quite so, Mr. Willoughby; quite so!

London Productions. Tho last mail from London brings theatrical affairs to tho annual bank holiday (sometimes called by cockney wits "St. Lubbock's Day"), wherefore tho number of play-houses still open barely reaches a score, and the news is all of what shall be in the autumn. The American manager, Charles Frohman, seeins to have most to say on the subject, and he says it to the prcaa ot Now iorkl Ho will produce a new play, "The Mob," by Joun Galsworthy, a human document appealing for tho life of weaker nations against, tho strong. Mr., Frohman speaks of five new pieces for London by Sir Jamea Barrie. In addition to "The Legend of Leonora" and "Half Hour," thoro will be a satirically humorous comedy "The Ladies' Shakespeare," as well as two fifty-minute plays as" yet unnamed. Somerset Maugham, a dramatist .who has been iilent for stimo time, is to be represented by a play with a purpose, "The Promised Land." Maugham, it may be added, is known on this side only by Ethel Irving's brilliant production of "L!)dy Frederic."

Since the above was written, one of J, M. Barrio's new plays, to wit "Tho Adored One," has been produced with puzzling effect. The cable message intimated that the play seemed perfect until half-way through, and then collapsed through feebleness. It is difiicult to understand the author of "What Every Woman Knows" and "Peter Pan" breaking down so utterly aa to induce groans which drowned the applause. The explanation will be looked forward to with interest. It is bound ta give rise to much comment in the Home press.

A Thriller. A particularly strong one-act play from the pen of W. H. M'Laughlin has been successfully produced at Cleveland, Ohio, and its fame has travelled to Now York. It ; s a one-act drama entitled "Demi-Tasse," and is described as follows in tho "Cleveland Plain Dealer":—

" 'Demi-Tasse' is well written. It proves that the author has something to say, and it proves that he has tho knack of dramatic expression. Robert Gregory, a New York broker, went to Spain after an affaire with Pauline Stevens. At Madrid he married a protty Spanish girl and brought her back to America. She trusted him and she loved liiin. Sho suspected him after a time, but sti'l sho trusted, until one day sho opened a letter by mistake, believing it to bo addressed to her. The letter was a bold message, which exposed former relations and present entanglements with Pauline. Instead of flying into a rage, the wife quietly telephoned to Pauline and invited her to dinnor. After threo have dined, they enter the music room of the Gregory home for their after-dinner coffee as tho curtain rises. It is suggested that they go to a theatre. In discussing the plays on viow the wife wishes that thoy might gQ to see "The Kreutzer Sonata.' 'Horrible,' shriek the guilty pair, who pretend that they do not rememoer it in detail. Tho wife insists upon relating it sceno bv soeno. Tho wife kills her husband- and nis mistress and then kills herself. Thoy are terrified and laugh at her remarks, endeavouring to lift the gloomy cloud that seema to have come over her. She whips out- a revolver. " 'I have placed poison in one of two oups,' she says to tho mistress. I will drink one; you shall drink tho other, as my husband admits that he cannot chooso between us.' • At the point of tho pistol Pauline is compelled to drink. 'It will be quick,' says tho wife. But Paulino does not got tho poison. Then the wifo raises her cup. Tho sceno would have lost its tenseness if she did more than to lisp tho briefest good-bye, 'I hopo you two will bo happy— very, very happy,' she says, as sho raises tho cup, pointing tho pistol at her husband and warning nim away. 110 risks tho shot and in despair at lior proposed action dashes to her sido and knocks tho cup from lior hand. " 'That's not fair,' uhrioka Paulino,

'you have not fulfilled your part of the bargain.' " 'Ho wouldn't let me,' laughs the wife, 'and, besides, there wasn't poison in either of the cups—l just wanted to seo which one ho ' "And tho curtain falls."

How Perie Bush camo to bo a member of the Niblo Company is related by Sir. Niblo:—"Mr. Hugh Ward and 1 were discussing the cast of 'Wallingford' shortly after my arrival in Australia.' We were sitting in his office. Tho door of the next room was open, and Mr. Bush was there inquiring if there was anything for him. AVo hoard him laugh. 'Ssh,' said Mr. Ward, 'there's .Eddio Lamb.' He oalled him iii, and engaged him on tho spot. That was luck. I never spoke the line in the play, 'Sent right from Heaven,' without thinking of our first introduction."