A POPULAR COMEDIAN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 284, 25 August 1921, Page 9

A POPULAR COMEDIAN

MR. W. S. PERCY IN WELLINGTON,

, Among tho passengers who arrived from London by tho Il’.mutaka on Tuesday was Mr. W. 8. Percy, tho popular comedian, who is known-so well by playgoers in this country-. During tho past eight years ho. has reached the top| of the theatrical tree in England, where his vital methods are now as much appreciated as they were her® when Mr. Percy was under the J. C. Williamson banner. Under an arrangement made with Messrs. Hugh J. Ward, Nevin Tait, and J. A. Malone (London representative for J. ,C. Williamson, Ltd.), Mr. Percy is now en route for Australia to commence a year’s engagement (on October 18). New Zealand’s, first acquaintance with Mr. Percy was as ft very small and whimsical boy with the Pollard Juvenile Opera Company (a fruitful school for tho lighter musical stage). He grew to manhood under the eye of Mr. Tom Pollard, and many will remember him in such parts as Captain Coddington in "In Town," tho Duke of Plaza Toro in "The Gondoliers," the Toymaker in,"La Poupee,” and a hundred other characters in musical comedy and comic opera. Later ho graduated into the ranks of J. C. Williamson, in which lie rose to comedy leads in succession to the late Mr. George Lauri. About eight years tigo, ho decided to try (his 1 fortune abroad, and left for America and England. In New York he<-played for six months in Lahar's comic opera "The Maid of Athens.” He then went to England, where his first venture was to form a. little company to play sketches at the 'halls. "A Cold Douche" was the name of a sketch written for him by Herbert Clacton, and it ran merrilv round the provinces for a year. He was then engaged for revue work at the Oxford (in London), and, now established in i favour, he found himself ranged alongside such stars as Harry Tate and Little Tich at the Hippodrome, succeeding to Harry Tate’s parts there. Next he was engaged by Mr. Butt to play W. H. Berry’s parts in the provinces in "High [links,” and other successful musical comedies. A syndicate took him up in "The Boy" (the musical adaptntion of Pinero’s comedy "The Magistrate”) in which he made a pronounced hit. After "The Boy” came an engagement with Gene Palejtne i n“The Girl for the Boy." Then, the Alhambra, management secured him for- the Dutch opera "Medora." in which ho "starred" with'. Ada Reeve. James Dodds, and Clara Butterworth. Latterly, ho played Madame Lucie In "Irene," in the provinces. and was the comedian in Bristol pantomime last Christmas, which: established a record. In. that show he was associated with Marriot Edgar, who was tho "dame” jn last’year’s pantomime. Mr. Percy has "thoroughly enjoyed his "conquest of England his theatrical friends call him "William the Conqueror’’—but. quite unchanged in his manner and full of spirits, he is glad to seo hfe New Zealand friends once more. (Mr. Percv is accompanied by his wife (a sister of Mr. A. E. Donne, of Wellington), and two children. After a visit to his wife's people in Dunedin, ho proceed' to Sydn'ey.