MB W. REYNOLDS IN EXPLANATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2204, 19 March 1881, Page 2

MB W. REYNOLDS IN EXPLANATION.

To the Editor of the Globe.

Bib,-—A few lines in reply to your article of yesterday re change of programme at the Theatre on Thursday evening last. A plain statement of facts will illustrate my position as manager of the Theatre. On Wednesday evening I issued the usual number of advertisements, posters, pictures, &0., announcing the performance of “ The Duke’s Motto ” for Thursday evening. On these bill* I caused the name of the “ greatest ” tragedian in the world to be printed in the “smallest” possible type. The public ie by this time aware that this action was merely “ a Boland for an Oliver ” on my part for the gratuitous insult offered me by tho Kaiser of actors —Koenig of elocutionists—in the bill he hod put oat on the day previous. This matter can be of no interest to anyone bnt the eccentric himself, and I therefore drop it. But, Mr Editor, you charge me, as manager, with obtaining money from the public under false pretences. This is rather a grave subject ; and here is my reply. On Thursday morning L saw a bill being strnck off to the order of “ genius ” announcing that the “ Lady of Lyons” would be substituted for ‘‘The Duke’s Motto” on that evening at the Theatre Royal. Now, Mr Editor, this was the first intimation I bad bad of any change. I am the manager of the Theatre, and I allow no one under engagement to me (even though he be a shooting star fallen tram his celestial sphere into this out-of-the-way portion of our planet) to issue announcements as to what performances shall take place in my establishment. I, therefore, at once communicated with “ the most famous artiste of this century”, through his legal advisor, in these words:— (Copy.) Herr Bondmans.

The “ Lady of Lyons” will not be played tonight unless yon guarantee £6O in the house. If yon do not appear in “ The Duke’s Motto,” you will have broken yonr contract, and I shall proceed accordingly. Walter Reynolds.

P.S—"The Duke’s Motto" has been thoroughly rehearsed to-day. The “ Shaughrauu” shall be played if you like. You see, Mr Editor, by this I was determined, if possible, to keep faith with the public. In a couple of hours I received this letter from the “star’s” solicitor, copy of which I append : (Copy.) Walter Reynolds, Esq.—l find it is absolutely impossible for mo to perform in “The Date’s Motto" this evening. The enclosed certificate will speak for itself. I propose that we should take "The Lady of Lyons” instead, for, as you will see, my character (Claude Melnotte) is light, and needs no rehearsal. Here, Mr Editor, is a copy of certificate—(Copy of medical certificate.) Christchurch, March 17, 1881.

I hereby certify that Herr Bandmann is under treatment by me, and he seems suffering so severely from nervous debility that I have advised him for a few days to abstain, as much as possible, from all nervous and muscular exertion.

John Wilkins, F.E.C.S. Now, Mr Editor, it had been hinted to me

that a certificate would probably be forthcoming, and for that reason I suggested “ The Shaughr&un,” because that piece would have been played entirely without the illustrious invalid ; and, had he not have rather chosen to risk his health than wound his vanity, that drama would have been announced for performance in all the evening papers. But the “ world-famous” persisted in his resolution ; and, in (he name of humanity, I ask you, Mr Editor, whether you would have me force an universally celebrated actor to play such a part as Largardere, requiring—requiring well, I don't know what, in the teeth of his physician’s advice to abstain from all “ nervous and muscular exertion.” There are moments, Mr Editor, when business must give way to sentiment. Two gentlemen requested the return of their money. I instantly handed it to them, as I would have done to every person in the house had they required it. You will then, I trust, acknowledge that there was no attempt on my part to obtain money under false pretences.

Lastly, Mr Editor, allow mo to state that I do not identify myself with any of the eccentricities of the "most famous.”

Some animals have longer ears than others, and, though mine may be just as lengthy as those of other members of the great family, still it gratifies my self-esteem to live under the delusion that I am better able than some of my acquaintance to conceal their proportions from the world’s eyes. I am, Sir, Yours, with a “ star,” Waltbb Reynolds Theatre Boyal, Maroh 19.