Page 4 Advertisements Column 4

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2003, 12 February 1907, Page 4

MR. J. C. WILLIAMSON. NEW PLAYS AND PLATERS. Looking lialo ami hourly, and certainly a.s vigorous in mind as over, -Mr. J. C. Will iainson, tho famous manager of innumerable theatrical companies, has sot foot on Now Zealand soil again after an absence of twenty-live years. Indeed, there was so little change in his appearance that I could scarcely credit that this was tho same Mr. Williamson that I had seen on tho stage in Dunedin in the early eighties. It was in 1882 that ho brought to New Zealand his first comic opera company. Tho results of the tour, though not great from a financial point of view, were .sullicient to indicate to the alert mind of Mr. Williamson that there would be great possibilities in New Zealand as a lield for theatrical enterprise. The Gilbert and Sullivan operas “Pinafore” and “Tho Pirates of Penzance” were played, and well played too, for even in those days tho name of J, C. Williamson was a. guarantee of excellence and thoroughness in matters theatrical. Prior to that time it was not supposed that any manager could make a hig company pay in New Zealand. However, as has been said, Sir. \\ dliainson discovered that there were possibilities. “During the past twenty-live years,” said Mr. Williamson, during ii chat I had with him in'liis private sitting-room in the new Grand Hotel “r have been developing those possibilities to the lies tof my ability, and New Zealand .has come to be part of the recognised itinerary of almost every big company that visits Australia. In the old days we had to figure things out very closely, and cut down our expenses to tile utmost limit, hut nowadays we simply transplant our biggest companies, _n itli their full casts, their scenery and appurtenances from Australia to New Zealand without considering the cost. As showing how tho business lias developed, let me just mention the different companies, together with some of tho plays, that I shall have the honor of introducing to your colony during the present year, 190/. to begin with, there is the Royal Comic Opera Company, with a repertoire consisting largely of new works, not hitherto seen in New Zealand, some of tho latest London successes. Next there is the American company that is plaving ‘Tho Squaw Man’ and ‘The Virginian.’ Following that will come Andrew Mack, the Irish comedian and singer, who created quite n furore in Melbourne about 18 months ago. Ho will open tho 71 resent Australasian season in Wellington on Easter Saturday. Tho plays to he staged are ‘Tom More,’ ‘Arran Na Rogue,’ and ‘Tho Way to Kenmare. These are plays with a good deal of Irish local colour, and they give Mr. Mack full opportunity for displaying his very versatile power. He is a young man and one of the most popular of American stars. I have not yet got tho names of the members "of the company, but they arc being very carefully selected specially for the Australasian tour. Later a return season. Ho has been for some time selecting pieces and a company for this tour. Amongst the now" plays in which ho will appear is ‘Robin Hood,’ which has met with signal success at the Lyric Theatre in London. He will also play ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel,’ played with great success by Miss Julia Noilson and her husband, Mr. Fred. Terry, and ‘Raffles,* which has been running all through the past season in London, ft is a drawing-room melodrama, something after the style of ‘Sherlock Holmes,’ ‘Brigadier Gerard,’ and, if there is time, ‘Monsieur Bcaueaire’ will bo included in the list. After Knight will come ‘Mother Goose,” jur Melbourne pantomime, now in its seventh week, and absolutely the jiggest success wo have over had. rile cast will bo much the same as in Australia. The pantomime is full of lovelties. Amongst those taking part II it are Mr. Harry Fedora, the English comedian, and Messrs, ijueen and Le Brim, also English lomodians. Finally,” added Mr. Wiliamson, “it is quite possible that our Vow Zealand attraction for next Christmas will be the much-talked >f ‘Peter Pan,’ which has been revived for the fourth time in London >y Mr. Charles Froliman. It is a Ray that has also been remarkably mccessful in America, having been ilayed for a whole year in New

Mr. Williamson, it appears, has arranged with Mr. Frohman and Mr. Barrie (the author) to select the company, the members of" which will rehearse their parts under Mr. Barrie himself, so that they may be able to get the “atmosphere” which Mr. Barrie considers necessary for the piece. The necessity for this personal direction on the part of Mr. Barrie is the reason for our not male ing the acquaintance of “Peter Pan” at ail earlier date; indeed, Mr. 'Williamson has been negotiating for the right to play “Peter Pan” in Australia for the last tuo years, but it is only .recently that lie has been successful in arranging for it. From tbe foregoing list of one year's companies and plays it will be seen how Mr. Williamson’s business has grown in New Zealand. It is his intention to maintain, and even to improves upon the high standard of excellence that has been so characteristic of his work in the post. “Then,” I remarked, “it is not true, as has been stated in some of the newspapers, that you are about to retire from theatrical management ?” “Well,” replied Mr. Williamson, “I have been bard at it since 1 was a boy of fifteen, and that is for fortyfivo years, wliilo for twenty-five years I have been constantly in management without a holiday. The only semblance. of a holiday I have bad has been when I have travelled on. board ship to and from England or America, and these journeys were really business trips, during which my mind was fully occupied. Though 1 am very well, both physically and mentally, there is a "considerable strain about tbe business, and I have often felt that it is desirable that vhilc I am still fit and well, I should take a rest and enjoy myself with my family, but hitherto I have bad to recognise that business arrangements will not permit it. My relations with my present partners, Mossrs. Tallis and Ramiciotti. however, are excellent and amicable, so there is no reason, so far as that is concerned, for me to retire. That partnership has still three years to run. Wo have boon working together now for two years, and they have all the business at their fingers’ ends. They have thoroughly assimilated my ideas and methods, and arc able to take charge of the whole business if necessary. Under these circumstances I have made up my mind to take a few holidays and have a look round Australasia. I have begun by taking this trip to New Zealand, where I hope to moot tbe people and find out if they have any fault to find with me. or my attractions. , I hope to continue in management for some time to come.”— Wellington Correspondent.

he took it for granted. There was a regular hail of rice, confetti and old shoes for good luck as John TV got into the cab, after coming out of church; and, on turning round, he was struck on the eye by a friendly boot with rather a heavy heel. As the cab immediately drove away no notice was taken of the accident, and. despite the large handkerchief tied by his sobbing bride over his injured optic, the blood flowed down John’s face. When they came to the nearest doctor’s, Jolin went in to have the bleeding stopped. “How did you come by tills, my man?” asked the doctor. “Well, you see, doctor. I got married this morning, and ” commenced John, when the doctor broke in: “Whatl has she started already?” Some jieople with no soul for music in them, fail to appreciate the bagpipes unless they are played at a distance. Conversely, to the true Hielnnder, the brazen row from the best of bands is an outrage to the artistic scul. A returned tripper from Christchurch, says the Wairarapn News, relates that a piper was skirling joyfully on the Exhibition grounds when the Besses o' th’ Barn struck up. A kilted bystander immediately discontinued tapping the time with his toe. and, turning an agonised face to the bandmaster, exclaimed : “Stap! Stap t’ nisei we want t’ hear t’ music.”

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