THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1907, 15 November 1913, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

[Bt Ssn/yiDS.] Ihfe World's a theatre; the Earth a stage.—Heyivood. Postponement of "The Gsisha," In comon with quite a lot ef other people, tho _ newly-formed Wellington Operatic Society is suffering inconvenience on account of tho strike, Tho first performance was to hairo been civon at the Opera House, but as tho outlook for si normally successful season was hardly favourable, the committee has decided to postpone tbe season until December 1. in the hope that by that date the present trouble will bo a thing of the past. It it is not, it is probable that tho season will have to bo still further postponed until the- New Year. Tho break is unfortunate because both principals and chorus were making rapid strides in the staijo business under tho direction of Mr, Tom Pollard, who has smeo returned to Greynwuth, where ho has moving picture interests, Mr.. Pot ■lard is delighted with the talent that has been placed :d his d&posal by tho society, and predicts a. most interesting performance. J Henry Arthur Jones's Latest, Concerning Henry Arthur Jones's latest comedy, the London "World" s fl3'Sj.—"Tha audience at the first night of Mary Gobs First,' a four-net comedy of M.r. Henry Arthur Jones, gave it a most enthusiastic welcome. The quarrel between Mary Whiciiello and Lady Uodsworth is somewhat forced, though it leads to some amusing incidents, for Mary so far forgets good manners as to call Lady Bods-worth, a guest, liko herself, at a dinner in Mr. Felix Galpm s house, 'an impropriety.' Obvious as are that poor hdy's complexion and wig, the words aro, under the circumstances, unpardonable, and an apology is demanded, but refused. Hence threats of lawsuits and all manner of unpleasantness which are discussed between Mr. Felix Gtilpin, tho solicitors who acts for the Whichelios, aud Mr, Tadnian, tho old and eminently respect' able adviser of Sir Thomas and Lady Dodswortli. Polities figure largely in the play, and tho question of the price of a title from the Liberal party for Mr, Whicheilo, who at one period of the play turns renegade to tho Conservatives, but repents later, come to the fore, but never, apparently, receives nn .answer. * As a matter of fact. Mr. WMchello's politics are guided greatlv by the question of Sunday golf, which is regarded by the Conservatives of Warkinstail with equanimity, while the Liberals and Dissenters condemn it unanimously, All, however, ends hap-, pily in the fourth act, between which and tho third ttec is an interval of two_ years. Lady Dodsworth, without a wig aud'complexion, and in tears at liqivina received no invitation from 'the dear Countess' to the garden party, appeals to Mary's heart, which, after all, is in the right place, though her tongue is somewhat sharp. The two quondam enemies walk in to dimier together, "Never Say Die," Of "Never Sav Die," a new farce by W. H. Post, which lias just been pro* duced at tho Apollo Theatre, in London, by Charles Hawtrey, a well-known critic writes:—"DJonysius Woodbiiry was a wealthy American who was assured by two eminent medical men that he had but oug more mouth to live. Determined to do one noble deed before tho end, ho married a charming girl who had suddenly lost her fortune, in order that after his demise a penniless friend might marry her as a wealthy widow. Of course Dionysius, despite the oroalcings of the doctors, did n °t die, and a year later was heartier than ever, Ms only regret being that he would sjo down to posterity as the first man who broke a promise given with his dying breath. The diffkmlty of such a story is that.by the end of the first act one knows exactly what is going to happen, and Mr. Post has no surprises tip his sleeve. Ho endeavours valiantly to maintain tho,.interest by introducing maity extraneous incidents —Sir. Hawtroy serves atid eats asparagus in the best farcical fashion; tiioro is a delightful conversation between him aud a precocious American boy,-played by Master Reginald Sheffield with great effect;' a private detective makes a {joint of appeariug on tho seevio at tho wrong moment; and a foreign chef blunders hopelessly in his efforts to master the Knglish genders—but all the time one knows that htisband and wjfo will come, together, and tho requisite happy ending will be provided. Mi'. Hawtrey, admirably suited in tho_ part of tho gentleman who will not die, is the lifo of tho entertainment." A Comic Economist. Harry Lauder, tho famous v Scotch comedian, wkose first tour of Australia occurs next year, is tho central figure. of a story in which his alleged parsimonious habits are held up. The story goes that Gus Eleu, a London come- '. tliau, who is suspected of being canny like his Scotch contemporary, wiis mueli exercised in mind regarding Laucler's economical habits, and determined to sen that worthy to learn a few points ' about saving money. So ono night Elen took a bus to the house where Laudor was living, aud, though he arrived comparatively early in tho evening, he found the building iu darkness, but for a i'ceblo glimmer of light in an attic room. Ascending the stairs to discover the source of the illumination, Elen found Lauder in bed reading by the light of a single caudle. Lauder 1 welcomed him briefly, and when the i other had put the cause of his mission as emphatically as possible, tho great ono said: "Put out thes candlo, Gus, and I'll toll you." A Famous Frenchman. M. Jules Claretie, tho well-known French author, has retired from the office of director of the Comedie Fran-. caise, a post he has filled with so much distinction sinco 1880.- Tho versatile Claretio, who is now 73, iirst studied and medicine, then took to journalism, aud after a period of service as a war correspondent in Italy, became a dramatic critic. He fought in the Franco-Prussian War, and made use of his experiences afterwards in-ono of his novels. ' A delightful story about him is that one day, at the ComeiHc Franca isc, ho was annoyed at some trifle of omission or commission, and sent up a little note, reprimanding the "super" responsible, and imposing a small fine, whereupon the man, unperturbed, marched out with the note to a dealer in autographs, from whom ho got tiio sum of lOs. in" exchange. Thus ho not only paid his fine, but showed a profit on tho transaction. "The Adored One" Revised. Barrio, it appears, by no means lost heart-when Ins play, "The Adored One," was so coldly received at this Duko of York's. Ho took it away, revised it, and so amended it that at latest advices it was likely to settle {town for a long run. Thus a threatened failure ia being turned into a S4io* c«ss, and a lesson is at the same- time being furnished by the author in tho desirable art of never knowing when to bo boateu! Meanwhile, ho has writton anothor play, "Half An Hour," which was produced last month in New York by Mr. Charles Frohman, who has thus scored a dramatic point over London. "Half An Hour" proves to bo quite different from Barrio's usual excursions into tho realm of fancy and humonr. It is a tense littlo play, lasting jusfe as loug as its title indicates, with two brief interhidesi H sketches the story of a woman unhappily liwried, who bears with the insolence and money of her brutal Intsband until she can no longer endure them, and then rushes to thn lodgings of-the man whom she loves, ready to accompany him to: 15gypt. Shn learos n letter telling her husband of her flight, and also leaves

her jewels. Her lover is killed a few momouts after she joins him, being run oyct by an omnibus while calling rv carriage. A physician' who witnessed the : accident attends him, and meets the woman. There remains no course for her bqt to return to hov own home at once, where she find* guests assembled for dinner, among them the physician, who tells the story of the accident. The husband had found the }envois left by his fleeing wife, but had missed the letter When he hears of the cftso hs suspects his wife, but she had cleverly obtained possession of mo letter. His suspicion is then calmed, and tho guests ftlo to dinner, tho almost hysterical wife being escorted by tht- physician. Upon this scene the curtain falls, tho whole drama being enacted in half an hour. Miss Grace' George played tho role of tho wife iii the New York production. Tho piece has now been put on at tho London Hippodrome, Miss Ireiso Vanbrugh appearing as the* wife, Mr. Edmund Gweiin as the husband, and Mr. Sydney Valentine as tho doctor. Audi, ences in both cities are making up for the recent coldness towards Barrio by, being highly enthusiastic.