THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 76, 22 December 1917, Page 12

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

Marie Tempest In Good Plays. A notable artistic joy awaits playgoers in the advent here oil Wednesday evening next of Miss Mane pest. One might say a double joy, for the pleasure of seeing for ourselves the work of an actress who has held the premier position *on the English stage in light opera, musical comedy, and comedy is enriohed by the number of good plays that the arapany ahe heads is going to appear in during the Wellington season. MiBB Tempest, as most people know, is one of. those irridesce'nt beings who are only born to the English stage once in proved beyond all argument, by the pro-eminent position she ,has occupied for the past thirty years. Her earlier years on the stage'were; devoted to the musical side of the business. She first appeared in. "Boceacio" in 1880, and followed that • performance by scoring promising successes in "Fay o Fire," and "Frivoli," after whiob she scored heavily in the title role of "Dorothy" in London, a light opera that was succeeded Dy .'.'Doris," and "The Red Hussar." Then came, a visit to America, where she appeared in such Berious opera as "Carmen," "Mignon," and "Manon." Returning to London, Miss Tempest made a hit in "The Artist's Model," followed by triumphs in "The Geisha," "The Greek Slave," and "San Toy," In 1300 she had a dispute with George Edwardes, which led to a law-suit, which was jocularly referred to as "Trunks v. Trousers —Tempest nonsuited." The same year saw her.aß Nell Gwyn in "English Nell." Switching over to comedy she soored heavily in "Beckv Sharp" (1901), "The Marriage of Kitty" (1903), and "The Freedom of Suzanne," and in her later vcars she has been particularly successful in Somerset Maugham's comedies "Penelope" and "Mr®. Dot," in both of which plays we are to see W, in addition to "The Marriage of Kitty" and "O-'iod Graoious,' Annnbelte," by Claire Kummer (a. particularly clever I American playwright). Miss Tempest has heen twice married, originally to Mr. Izard, and afterwards to the. Hon. C. Cosmo Gordon-Lennox (professionally known as Cosmo StuartV son of Lord Alex. Gordon-Lennox. Her lending man en thn present tonr is Mr. W. Oraham Browno, a refined and trifled English actor of West End rennto. The supporting company is a'strong one. Hawallans for J.C.W., Ltd. Several real Hawaiian are coming to Melbourne for the Muriel Starr production of "The Bird of Paradise." at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. These woro specially seleoted in Hawaii by the local authorities on account of their remarkable physiquo and their- proficiency in playing the ukule and dancing the hula-hula. The Hawaiians will arrive in Melbourne during the wees. Miss Muriel Starr reached Melbourne last Friday, and was met at the railway station by a large crowd, which indicated that the aotress s popularity had not waned during tho time Bhe has Won absent from Australia. Misb Starr said that she was delighted to got back again. In New xork, she said, the favourite pastime of the theatrical people who had been to Australia was to meet togethor on Sunday nights, and talk of the happy times tliev had hnd in that country. "It feels just like coming home, raid Miss Starr, "to bo haok amoi)gßti all my doar Mends again.' l

Notes. The Christmas attractions of the Williamson management in Sydney will be "Peter Pan" (with ■ Kathlene MaoDonell as Peter), the children's pantomime. "The House That Jack Built," and "The Bing Boys Are Here," by tho Royal Comio Opera Company. "Cheating Cheaters," at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, has been drawing splendid audiences. Kathlene MaoDonell, as the astute girl reporter (who sees in the agency of a burglary detective business a means to a bigger salary), has achieved another triumph, «n'd added another to the list of lief numerous and distinctive stage suocesses. Charles Waldron and Charles Workman each make distinctive hit" in their, respective parts. Mr. Phil Smith,. late comedian of tha Royal Comlo Opera Company, has enlisted under the Tivoli banner, r.nd next week will appear 111 J he .J Brok ? r . 8 . at the Melbourne Tivoli, besides which he ip billed as a "single" turn . "Winnie Brooke —Widow" is to b9 produced at the Svdney Tivoli to-Wght, with Ada Reeve in the name part. Mr. John Farrell is managing th« New Zealand tour of the W llliamEOU Musical Comedy Company.

A'new Australian comio opera, en* titled "The Rajah of Sbivapo.ro,'- composed 1 by Alfred Hill,: with book and lyrios by : David, Souter,. was staged at the Playhouse, Sydney, on December 15. The scene is set in India, and tna play revolves around the misfortunes of one Chundler, a temple-keeper, who, in order to stake his fortunes on the knees of tho Goddess of Chance has pawned the golden image of the gort. Alioe Bennetto nlayed the leadin? rol« of Aimee, the temple-keeper's daughter, , . Mr. Philip Newbury, the tenor, « due to arrive Here early next week. He is to fulfil an engagement on tho Fuller circuit. Albert Spalding, renowned Amenoan violinist, composer, and heir to a largo fortune, has given a splendid examplo of practical patriotism. In order to join tho foreign department of tho Aviation Corps, at Mmeola, lßiand, he cancelled more than £7000 worth of contracts for the coming season He had been engaged to appear with nearly all the leading symphony orchestras of the . United States wd Canada. Produeors of big spectacular revues in London could easily augment their salaries is they bo desired, Mr. Haskells (the producer of "Th» Bing Boys Are Here" revue) remarked; Such, at any rate, has been his experience during the run of the *wua "Smile" at the Qarrick Theatre, London. In this production, inoluded in tho famous beauty chorus, wore a num* ber of titled ladies, all of whom, a* well as the rest of the- chorus, wero picked for their beauty alone. Robert Parker (here with a Tivoli Company) has been sustaining the chief part in Sir Thomas Beeeha.m'e produt* tion of "Ivan the TerribW" at Drury Lane, London. In "Aida," Rosina Buckman's plnce wbb takern by Madamo Elsa S+ralia, who receive/d an ovation from the Australians present. Madame Edna was also in "Ai.da." Rosina Buckman played one of ber favmints parto when she again appeared as Madame Butterfly. Miss Pearl Ladd and Mr. Villiera Arnold (who were heve with the last Gilbert and • Sullivan Opera Company) nre included in tho cast of "Dick Whit* tington" to be produced by the WilFisher, P. Charles (St. Thomas's), A',liamson management this week in Melbourne.