THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2205, 18 July 1914, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

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The World's a tneatre; the Eortb a stage.—Hey wood.' "Tho Forty Thieves." If for no other reason the approaching J. C. Williamson Pantomime of v "The Forty Thieves" should bo the strongest extravaganza, the firm has put oil for years by reason of tho cast alone. Most of the names have been prominent on tho programme of tho leading London theatres for several years, whilst so far as the salaries of tho artist is concerned, the Williamson management are made aware of it by tho fact that the salary list is the largest they have ever handled for panjtomimei -'It.'.was.only by. the offer of exceptional terms, travelling expenses, and other allowances, ■ that Mr. Barry Lupino could bo prevailed upon to come to Australia. In addition to this famous comedian, the cast will include Mr. Edwin Brett, another high-priced English artist who vfts so successful in pantomime in Australia four years ago. Miss Winnie Volt is an English artist from the Lyric, Gaiety, Apollo, and other London theatres, while Misa Gortie Latc'hford is an acknowledged queen in English burlesque. New Style of Theatre. In designing the new Brisbane Tivoli Theatre (.tor Mr. Hugh D. M'lntosh), Mr. Henry E. White, of Wellington and Sydney (the designer of His Majesty's Theatre),, has.given more than satisfaction to those immediately concerned .by planning a theatrd that differs entirely in. appearance from ' any other theatre Tin Australasia. Taking , the sub-tropical climate of Queensland into full consideration, Mr. White has reverted to-the old Bastillian , (Spanish) style of elevation—the white cement finish,, a faMxtending cornice, finished below in • antique copper, and roofed with rough parti-coloured; Roman tiles, with the tiny roofs of the. covered courts on each side of che building similarly treated. Above the cornice is-a promenade balcony for the' patrons of the roof garden theatre (to seat 1100 people), which' is a feature of ..the new structure. The balcony is fitted as a pergola,, where roses, mistaria, and 'other sweet-scented climbers will in time form an odorous screen. -Below the cornice (which is an", architectural feature) is a long, low, gently-arched lat-tice-window, flanked by two small v.ertical windows, which are appropriately surmounted by the masks , of Oomedy and Tragedy. Below these windows is the dress-circle promenade balcony, extending over part of a cantilever verandah, which is also to be finished in the rough red tiles of,old Rome. .:. In keeping with the. Spanish idea, flower-boxes are supplied to each window, and a quaint, vertical sign-hoard, ■ suspended on iron brackets, announces the name of the new.theatre. .The theatre proper (which has two galleries) will scat about 1600 people, and will have a ventilation system which should ensure the very best conditions. In the hoi, midsummer months it is probable that'the theatre proper will be..closed in.favour of the roof garden-theatre,' which ' is .high up in the purer air, where its slightest movement can be felt and-ap-preciated.', ; The sides of the-theatre will consist of steel shutters, which can be rolled oiitof sight,' giving the theatre an entirely al fresco character. Stair-: ways will, lead up to the roof garden from the end of each side court, and an express elevator capable of thirty passengers is also to be installed." Mr. White has been heartily congratulated on evolving a . theatre ■ so admitablv.adopted to the climatic conditions '(ifßrisbane! , ;-;'"- j- ,^..-^-^^ *'■■'■ . A.Lucky Manager.- \ .People .may; .have read the name of Mr. Lotus Meyer frequently in con-: nectiori withthe. introduction of a number of the latest London successes to Australasia. Mr. Meyer-'to-day«is regarded as ' the luckiest theatrical manager iri London. He 'does not seem to be able to handle anything but a success, and "Meyer's luck" has becomo a saying 'amon& other managers, who consider themselves fortunate if they 6ecure one success in five years. Mr. Louis Meyer has only been in a leading position as manager for a few years, but in that time he has struck a succession of-winners. - These include: "Mr. Wu,", <'The Barrier" (a dramatisation of Bex.Beach's novel), '.'The Glad' Eye," "Come, into : the Office," and others. "Mr. Wu," a Chinese subjeot play by Harry M. Vernon, and Harold Owen, had'been'running 200 nights at the Strand Theatre, London, on May 22, and was then.likely to go' just as far again. ■ ■ > Return of Ethel Morrison. Miss Ethel Morrison (nee Ethel Maginnity, a native or Wellington) is. the contralto-with the new Gilbert-Sullivan opera now in Melbourne. Of her performance as the Duchess of Plaza Toro in "The Gondoliers," the "Argus" said: "Miss Morrison (a New Zealand lady) was quite the dignified duchess of handsome presence . and deportment,, keenly alive to her own importance and to the author's witty lines and situations. She moves with grace and dignity, and vocally was quite able to do justice to her solo, 'The Day When I Was Wedded to Your Admirable Sire,' and also to take her share comme'ndably in the duet with the Duke."•'■ The ."Age" remarked: "Miss' Ethel Morrison appeared as the Duchess of Plaza-Toro, and imparted distinction to the character. Vocally her higher notes will not,bear comparison with her lower, a fact which prevented her from doing full justice-to some of the music allotted to this part." The first time Miss Morrison played the part was with the old Wellington Amateur Operatio Society, many .years ago. •■ v ' The Late Sydney Grundy. AH playgoers will sincerely regret the death of the eminent Englisn.playwright Sydney.Grundy,;who has given to the world so many very beautiful 'plays': Mr. Gruiidy was a writer w;hose ,])lays breathed a perfect air . of gentility, generally allied to rare sentiment which never failed to appeal to the'emotions. Pinoro is clover and courageous, Oscar Wiklp was as brilliant and as cold as a- diamond, but Grundy had a melting touch to grace his undoubted Ktorary skill—a touch possessed, away back by Tom Robertson (author of "Caste")'. Grundy's plays wero almost perfection in construction and wonderful on account of the atmosphere they exuded. "The Village Priest" and "Sowing the Wind" are model plays, and wliat an exquisite sentimental appeal is made in "A Pair of-Spectacles" and "A Bunch of Violets"! Poor Grundy's last protest was against tho gross and vulgar language used in a great many of the modern plays. The authors imagine that the uso of suoh , language gives their work strength and realism. Bah! Shakespeare was a realist, and he but rarely descended to vulgarisms except when used by the vulgar. Grundy's plays were strong—his language is English in the best sense of tho word. London Playa. When the last mail left London interest was centred on the all-star cast revival of "Tho Silver King," presented before the King and Queen at His Majesty's on May 22, in aid of tho King George's Pension Fund for actors and actresses. Several, of the original cast of 32 -years ago, including *Mr. E. S. Willard (as the "Spider"), were engaged in the play. : At tho Aldwych Theatre another aged and honourable melodrama, ''Tho Lights o' London)", by Goo. R.. Sims, .was. being played, indicating that tho low intellectual moralo of the modern melodrama is receiving a sot-back in favour

of the more solid fare of a quarter of a century or .more ago. At .the 1 Apollo, Charles Hawtrey, the evergreen, is ionvulsing audiences in "Things We'd Like to Know," and at the Comedy, "Plaster Saints," by Zangwill, was produced for tho first time on May 23. Miss Horniman is operating in repertoire at tho Coronet with and "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray." "The Blue Mouse" continues to attract at the Criterion, and Daly's is thronged nightly to hear the. gay and inconsequential flippancies of tho latest musical play, "The Marriage Market." "The Land of Promise," by Somerset Maugham, is in for a good rim at the DuKe of York's, and "After the Girl" suggests the spirit of the times at the Gaiety. ."Tho JoyKidq Lady" is another Sright and merry musical trifle which glimmers ■ at the Garrick. At. the Globe Theatre . the Oscar Asches are soaking in the incense of "Kismet" once more-'. Jerome K. Jerome's new. comedy, "The Great Gamble" is a success, and "Pygmalion" (G.-B. Shaw), with. Sir Hqrbert .Tree Pat Campbell, hus a'steady clientele at His Majesty's. It had been running. 50 nights .on May 22. At the Kingsway Theatre, Lilian M'Carth.v was presenting Arnold Bennett's "Tho.Great Adventure; at the Lyric, "Mam'selle Tralala" (music by Jean Gilbert, who also composed "The Joy-Ride Lady , '), was enjoying brisk' popularity; and Cyril Maude is charming everyone with his fine performance of."Grumpy , , at the New Theatre. Other bills are:— Prince of Wales, "A Pair of Silk Stockings" ; Strand, "Mr/ Wu" (long run); St. James, "An Ideal Husband"; Princes, "Story of the Rosary"; Queen's, "Potash ■ and Perlnratter" ; Savoy, "Break the Walls Down"; Scala. "Anna Karenina"; Playhouse, "The Wynmarten's"; Vaudeville,; "The Dangerous Age"; Wyndham's, "The Clever (by Alfred Sutro).