THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 64, 8 December 1917, Page 13

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

"The New Henrietta." J. ami A l . Tail's clever comedy company w'!ii return to the Grand Opera House this evening in Winehell Smith aim Tictor Mape's clever comedydrama, "The Now a play racy or American Stock Exchange, with a love story ingeniously interlaced with exciting "bull" and "boar" play on 'Change in connection with a copper raiuo known as the- "Now Henrietta." Tho complications aro said to be amusing and dramatic by turn, and the dialogue crisply Jiiodern and gripping. A Theatrical Astronomer. Mr. A. Turner, known to tho wider x theatrical world as "Tubby" Turner, k manager for Mr. Cyril Maude, and incidentally is paying his lirst visit to New Zealand. He already confesses to havo developed nu affection for the country. Still rubbing tho little red scars on his fingers, the brand of a very industrious clan of niosquitos who resido in Brisbane, he informed me that Wellington seemed a livo little village- with a future. "1 like tho sunshine- and your mountain air. Tho women dress well and look well. Another point about tho Wellington ladies, bless 'em, is that they are quick to seo overy point- in "Grumpy"! / Mr. Turner has been associated for many years off and on with Mr. Maude, whom he considers to bo thefinest Sir Peter Teazle- on the English stage, and also ' the most finished exponent of old English comedy. Mr. Turner has had a long and varied experience with English "stars" both in and out of England, and is au fait with overy player of note in the "Green Book." He went to America •with Sir Bcerbohm Tree when a tour of the big cities was made by the late. Sir Hcerbohm, playing "Henry VIII," in which tho actor gavo a,great rending of tho part of Wolsey. It was also produced in lrinema form. On that tour Mr. Turner says that a member of the company was Mr. G. W. Anson, the notable Ecclcs in "Caste," with .the old Brough and Boucieault Company in Australia and New Zealand. Not so long ago he received a letter from the old actor, together with a calabash pipe, which Mr. Anson had coloured himself, just as a memento of an old friendship. Mr. Anson is now 74 years of age. Mr. Turner has also been associated with Sir Charles Wyndham, tho fine old English comedian, who built and owned Wyndham's, Theatre. Ho expressed concern at the recent death of Mr. William Haviland,- whom he said was a very fine Shakespearian actor in his prime. Unfortunately Mr. Haviland had been ill for a long time.

New York Notes. "The Barton Mystery" was presented in tho Comedy Theatre by the Shuberls. This is the three-act drama by Walter Hackctt which had a notable success at the Savoy Theatre in London, where the principal character was played by 11. ]S. Irving. The part of the latter was taken in New York by that excellent actor, A. E. Anson, who had among his associatos his father, George \V. Anson, a veteran of infinite experience, Charlotte Grauville, and Henry E. Sanford. Shelley Hull is to have (the leading part in a new comedy, by L. Evans and W. 'Perceval, called "Among Those Present." Charles Cherry, Charles Harlrary, and Elsie Leslie have been engaged to appear in "Losing Eloise," a new comedy by Fred Jackson, which Solwyn ami Company was to have presented at a Broadway theatre early in November. .. . . Tho first performance of ine Torches," by Henry Bataille, with Lester Lonergan, took place in Hartford, Conn., on October 15. The Bhuberts have engaged Miss Mary Young to play the part of Lady Angela, with 'Walker Whiteside, in "Mr. Jubilee Drax," the play by Horace Anuesley Vachell and Walter Hacketfc,, which is now in rehearsal. "The Dancer" is tho namo of a new play by Edward Locke and Lawrence Hart. ' ' George V. Hobart is making a stage version of "The Fall and llise of Susan Lenox," bj David Graham Phillips. William Hodge will open his season in "A Cure- for Curables," a new play in four acts by Earl Derr Biggers and Lawrence Whitman. Eleanor Painter is to appear here in "Art and Opportunity," tho three-act comedy bv the late Harold Cbapin, in which Mario Tempest played in London. Madame Yorska and Fred Burt have been added to the cast to be seen in "Madame .Cecile," tho new comedy by Louis K. Anspecher which is to bo produced this fall. Current New York shows:—Belasco: "Polly with a Past." Rialto: Clara Kimball Young in "Magda." Broadhurst: G. B. Shaw's "Mesalliance." Empire: "Rambler Rose." Lyceum: "Tiger Rose."- Knickerbocker: "Hamilton." Criterion: "Tho Scrap, of Paper." Forty-eighth Street: "The Land of the Froe." (!3ort: "Mother Carey's Chickens." London Notes. Few modern playwrights have a longer list of successes to their credit than Henry Arthur Jones, but he, too, scores an occasional mres. His parable play, "Tho 'Pacifists," failed to find public appreciation at tho St. James's Theatre aud has been withdrawn. Arrangements are in tho making for the production of "The Thirteenth Chair" in London, where tho American drama is, just now, in great demand. Lilian Bayliss has resumed her Shakespearean enterprises at the Royal Victoria Hall, beginning with "King John" and "The Merchant of Venice." Tho County Council has demanded that certain structural jm-1 provements be lnatlo in the building, and Forbes-Robertson is at the head of a committee to raise funds for this purpose. At a special performance of "The Merchant of Venice," Ellen Terry will reappear as Portia to the Sbylock of Matlicson Lang. Walter Howard's war play, "Seven Days' Leave," which \s to be . presented in New York City by Daniel Frohman, has passed its three hundredth .. performance at the London Dyceum. Notes. The following is a copy of a Itttor received by Mr. Cyril Maude fv<,m Brisbane since ho has been m Wellington:—"My Dear Grumpy,—Tins war has brought great sorrows to me, and I thought I had forgotten how to huMi. On Thursday evening I never thought onco of all my sorrow, and when the time came to say good-night to tou I was sorry. Thank you so much for the pleasure you arc able to civo to others, and I thank bod ilwt amidst so many tears you are able to biin-r thoughts into the hearts and inucTitor to the lips of ro many. I - i, a great gift. I shal! never foraet the happy evening von gave to the mother of three solder sons.. _ "Bunyip," tho Fuller pantomime, is not to come to Auckland at Christmas, as was announced, hut. will be produced in Melbourne. With Williamson s, Taits 1 , and Fullers', there will bo three pantomimes in Melbourne, two in bydliev, and one (Anderson's) in Adelaide this year. Miss Muriel Starr, the American actress who has returned to Australia to star in "Tho Bird of Paradise, pnvs tTial tho report of Mr. W'ic Mason's death at the front is incorrect The name is said to have been confused with (hat of Mr. Eric Maync.