THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2384, 13 February 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

[Br Sylvius.] the World's a theatre; tho Eaffcl a stage.—Heywood. "Seven Little Australians." This, dramatisation of Ethel Turner's widely-read books will bo produced by Mr. Beaumont Smith at the Grand Opera House immediately following the season of "The Glad. Eye" Company. "Seven Little Australians," recently played successfully in Sydney for sis weeks, and in it a great success was achieved by Cecil Haines, who will feature in tho production here as "Suds." Another very charming juvenile actress woll known in New Zealand will make her reappearance, while Mr. Harrington Reynolds, who played Father Kelly in tho recent tour of "The Rosary." The Royal Strollers, The name of Mr. Sydney James is known throughout England as one of tho most versatile entertainers appearing before the public. Sydney James is' the proprietor and organiser of the "Royal Strollers," an exceptional!? clever oompany of eight artists in the comedy costume line, ,but each member of the company is a "star" performer, and the whole company give one of the brightest entertainments yet seen in this part of the world. At present "Tie Royal Strollers" are appearing in Adelaide. Messrs. J. and N. 'l'ait have arranged for an eight weeks' season in the Auditorium, Melbourne, after which they will appear in Sydney, with New Zealand to follow. A Stickler. George Broadhurst, who wrote "Bought and Paid For," now booming at Molbourne Theatre Royal, is as particulaj about the staging of his plays, 'and non-interference with the text by the artists or producer,- as \V. S. Gilbert is credited with having been. "Every rehearsal of 'Bought and Paid For 1 in New York was attended by the author," said Dorothy Davies, who is playing the role of Fanny GiUey, which she tilled in the New York production. "No rehearsal ' was commenced if Air. Broadhurst had not arrived, and during its progress he took a keen interest in every detail. The position of a chair, a piece of furniture, or an ornament on a mantelshelf would'engage his serious attention. The result' was that the piece was technically perfect, and the characters moved through the play as naturally as in real life. I have never been associated with a more punctilious producer than Mr. Broadhurst." The "Bird." • "Have yon ever had the 'bird'? was the question Barry Lupino was asked the other day. The "bird," or, as it is referred to in the profession sometimes, Order of the Aviary, is conferred on 'artists when they are guyed by the audience, who express their opinion by unpleasant noises,, fragrant eggs or vegetables, or other means of expressing their dissatisfaction or displeasure. "It was years ago at a mining town in the North of England," said Mr. Lupino, "that 'I received that unpleasant distinction. This town is , notorious for its audiences, and' some of England's most famous artists have received short shrift from them. George Robey and I were in the same bill. He went on first. The rough spirits in front gave 'bim two minutes, and then bade nim 'get off,' only in. not 6uch polite terms. I lasted about the same period. They simply wouldn't have us. Our turn was too clean for them. We got our revenge. We bothwent back oh the stage together, and impolitely but forcibly expressed our Opinion of tho people in tront. , They rushed the stage to drag 'Us off, but we got out the back way and caught the next train 1 ■ The 'bird' and I, I am glad to say, have been utter strangers ever since."The Drama in London. Mr. F. W. Haybittle forwards mo the following interesting summary of the situation of the stage in London at the time of writing (December 17): —"I suppose the season this year could not in any sense be termed unqualified and brilliant in regard to-the plays themselves or their runs.. Things promised well ;at the start, and several productions gave promise of long seasons, but on August 5 came the war, and with it the blighting of the hopes of many of the managers. The only plays which have been running.from June until the presont time are "Potash and Perlmutter," a dramatisation of Montague Class's stories, a success duo to the brilliant acting of the name parts by two American actorSj and "Mr.- Wu," played for so many months by a company headed-by Mr. Matheson Lang,, and his wife Miss Hutin Briton. Several might have had a chance, including "The Knowing Ones" (which engaged the attentions of Gerald Du Marier, Edmund Gwen, and Marie Lohr), "The Land of Promise," by Somerset Maugham, "Bluff King Hal" (Bourchier and Violot VanbroughJ, "Drake" (Sir Herbert Tree), "My Lady's Dress" (Denis Ea'dio and Gladys Cooper), "Grumpy" (Cyril Maude), and "Mameena" (Oscar Ascho), but all have had to succumb, while the straight-out failures have been overwhelmingly numerous. Nearly half the theatres are reverting to revivals of old successes, and wo ha,ve "The Earl and the Girl," '-'The Country Girl," "When Knights Were Bold,' "Our Boys" (just imagine it!), "The Silver King," "A Message from Mars," "Raffles," "The Flag Lieutenant," "Tho Little Minister," "His Housb in Order,'! "Miss Hook of. Holland, all going in the various theatres, so that you can see what straits .the managers are in to keep the theatres open. Tree produced "King Henry IV (Part 1) in a majestio fashon, beautifuly. staged and superbly acted. Tree was I'alstaff, Owen Nares Prince Hal, Matheson Lang Hotspur, Basil Gill the King. The revival recallod the daring (1 was about to use another word) of the old Wellington Dramatic Club in imposing this drama on an unsupcctihg Wellington public iu the early eighties, taking the advantage of the presence there of Arthur Sketchly (Geo. Rose), who was engaged on a lecturing tour. I note that pantos, are announced at Drury Lane, the Lyceum, the Little, and the Savoy; By. the way, I noticed that the London County Council have granted licenses this year to 863 cinema shows in Greater' London. Does not this afford one an idea of the immensity of the world's capital city, and the appalling grip pictures have on the public mind. Owing to the darkening of the-city and suburbs at night, several theatres give their performances at 2 p.m. or 2.30 p.m. each day, and only two night performances per week. Others continue the nightly programme, and the usual two matineos a week. London at night' is now dark, drear, and awesome. So many accidents take place that. many people, like 'myself, prefer an afternoon performance to the risk of coming out at night, and either walking in the semi-darkenss or chancing it in a bus or taxi. "Of course the air is electric with wars alarms, and go where you will in the streets, the parks, squares, or vacant sports—there you seo the good old colour khaki—the whole W(jrld at drill. It tho samo in the countn Every little town one passes through, you come across Kitchener's Array in their thousands billeted on the public, or in 'public buildings, tents or lints, all preparing for a- big forward movement in the spring."'