THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2510, 10 July 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

IBr Sr&vinsJ ttb® World's a theatre*, tha-Efutli a stage.—Heywood. "A Message from Mars." Whilst Horace Parker, one of tho idle rich of London, could perceive what he thought to bo sejfishncss in others and exhibited it in a peevishness of manner and an entire lack of consideration for tho feelings of anyone on earth, he was indeed tho quintessence of selfishness himself. So eaten up was he in his own conceit that not, even the ispoken protest of the sweetest girl in London could stir Tiim from the contemplation of his own personal hardships, which consisted for the most part 0f trying to be more comfortable than it was possible for wealth and tho easy life of a do-nothing could make this earthly lot. So he refuses to stir out on a snowy eve to a dance, though he had promised his fiancee to-take, her, and even' refuses to emerge from tho glowing comfort of his armchair by tho fire to call a cab for the lady folk of his house. A great fire nearby fails to disturb him, a street accident concerns him not. "The police look after that sort of thing—fine body of men, the police I" The women. l ' depart' .in high ' dudgeon, Minnie finding Horace impervious to her entreaties, breaks off her engagement with him, -which, Horace consideris most selfish and inconsider--'ate of her. -. Hardly have they gone when Horace falls asleep over '- an article dealing with" the possibility of life on the plaaiefc Mars. And he dreamsdreams' that a Martian' comes to him in the night, and drags him forth into the street, shows him the siok and-suffer-ings of the poor, makes him listen to his own friends discussing his' egotism and self-love.. The grim Messenger reduces ' the immaculate Horace to rags; causes him to'feel. the cold chill; in his bones. and hunger' gnawing 'at his stomach,. forces him. to' - give •:■ Ms last sovereign to a poor woman; whose husband has been run. over, and finally, when he sees the'.potion work and a more, generous. soul enter . Horace's being, he'departs skyward, his 'missionaccomplished—ho . has redeemed the most selfish creature in London. The ladies return to a different Horace Parker—a human, considerate creature, who takes a.pleasure in making- others •happy an,d comfortably. This.charmingcomedy is .to be played at the- 'Opera House by tho 1 popular - Plimmer-Hall Company on Monday evening, with Miss Beatrice Day, Miss Ena Shanahan, Mr. Harry Plimmer; and Winter Hall in the principal roles. The lesson the comedy, teaches so fascinatingly is a good. one. for all to hear at tho present time.

Notes from Mr. F. M. B. Fisher- ,' Mr. F. M. B.' Fisher, late Minister .of Customs, is an ardent play-lover. Writing from New York, he 6flys in the course/of an interesting, letter.:—"There are 48' theatres here, which are- what are. called first class. There are more first-class plays "going on here-than in" London, Paris, and Berlin put together —I mean' at normal times. Welly'-1 made a start on 'II Trovatore,' -"that splendid old opera, 'which never losses its hold. My special reason for going to' that was not only to see the opera; but also to see that dear'oid'composer,-Saht' Saens,. who was amongst ■ the .audience, and received quite a flattering reception ; upon his entry. Ho' is. just a dear,' kind, loving old gentleman, and is now on his way to San Francisco to give recitals. The 'company was only' nk'derate, but tho wonderful, music went through with a swing! Next I was invited by one of my - new-found stockbroking friends '.to see 'The . White Feather,' a thrilling war play specially, written for- the present day.-' It . was most. splendidly acted, very anti-Ger-man, and received with most unqualified approbation. The chief character, an Englishman, named Faber, was j niost perfectly wondorful.'. As tor the play,' if I had the money'l would' buy the, Australian rights and send it out to bo put on while tho war', is still going; on. - It is a most cleverly written' play,' and its'intensity 1 is most'fascinating." It' is all to do with tho subject of German, ■spies in England, and opr colonial audionces would go mad over it. lam sorry I cannot buy it myielf.", '■'The. White Feather," which ' Mr. Fisher would like to lia7o_ secured,. the Australasian rights of, is 'the. American ;title of the play, "The Man. Who-Stay-ed at Home," which has been'played in Sydney-and Melbourne, and Which wo are to see in Wellington in September. The rights .-were , secured by J. C." Williamson, Ltd., four or. five months ago.

"Potash and Perlmutter.'". To-night' (.Saturday) will sec' the .pre-' micro' of' that' successful dialect play "Potash and Perlmutter" in Ahstralar sia at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. This will.be played by-a specially organised company of character .'artists, including the following; who appeared in the original production in New York: Sam Licbert, Paul BuniSj' Lizzio Wiir son, Margaret .Vinton, : and Sam Howard. " Messrs. .Liebert and Bunis will play the two Jewish humorists, Abe' Potash and Maivruss Perlmutter, whose delightful epigrams and philosophic humour are being quoted 1 all' over ■ tho world. Few plays in recent, years havei given us two such quaint, •humorous, and lovable types as Montaguei Glass, has created in the partners in the'wholc-, salo cloak and suit-business, who are for over squabbling and arguing, and .saying funny. things.-<that keep,.'the audi? ejice rocking with .laughter. ■ .

Sardou's "Patrie" Revived. ... ■ Tho course' of ' tlie Royal Army, can be traced by'the flight of the: vultures entire villages withoutia soul'm .theinl. Smoking ruins everywhere, you lookl Ruined walls 1 Herds of women; and children, dying of hunger, , snatching: froni'the very, beasts of the field!": 'So Count de Rysor described bis stricken Flanders during the cruel days ,of the Duke of Alba in "Patrie I" by Victorien Sardou, the latest addition: to the •Drama' League Series of Plays.' With her king aiid his gallant , little army driven-to the last small, corner'of their country—the last city still uncon-. quered bombarded by the enemy's guns —might not the same, be written . of Flanders in the year of grace ' 1915?, But patriotism-is as alive there .to-day as when Count- do liysor haranguedKarloo .Van der Noot just before the uprising of ..Brussels in these words :• "Now, lot this corpse live again) May it' rise up in the night magnificent with the ilare. of our torches'and our bare swords, and cry, 'To armsl' at tho call from every bell! .'Then will this ' disheartened people know that Flemish liberty still exists—its great soul stirs again—beneath ; our roofs! Tho flag—for the ringing bells. They are the'spirit, of the city 1 "Better, still, tho nation; best of all, the 'Patrio I And they will fight and die for ber, for she says to them: 'Defend me, oh, my sons, and save me, for I am being crushed—and I am your mother.!'., \ —— The George WiUoughby Company has gone into liquidation, and Mr. Willoughby is arranging to stago comedies at tho Little Theatre on his own account. Mr. Stanley Grant, who w-as ono of Mr.. Willoughby's touring" managers, is said to have taken a twelve, months' lease of' the King's Theatre,