WHEN THE "GOD'S" SPEAK.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 274, 11 May 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

WHEN THE "GOD'S" SPEAK.

AMUSING STAGE

INTERRUPTIONS

Heckling is generally reserved for politicians at election. Actors, however, come in for their share now and again, and many a good laugh has been enjoyed by audience and victim alike when tho "gods" nave seen fit to speak. Mr. Seymour Hicks tells of an amusing instance which occurred to him once while ho was playing the part of the doctor in "Heartsease". Miss Grace Hawthorne was tho Camille, and even Mr. Hicks thought her not nearly co good as that consumptive heroine as she was in many of the other parts she had taken.

On the night in question he had examined the pationt, when the maid turned to him and said: "Doctor, is there any hope " The reply was : "She will be better in the spring." A voice from the gallery, in confirmation of his private opinion, shouted out, setting tho whole theatre in a roar: "We hope to heaven she will, guv' nor!".

SETTLED THE QUESTION

Another amusing interruption took place ona night in the crowded "theatres royal." on a village green in the Midlands.

It was one of those travelling theatres that arc now almost a thing of the past. The play was a great tragedy ,and the old king, infirm and ill at ease, tottered about on the stage in great mental agitation; ho did not know on which of his two sons to bestow his crown and estate. After repeating the lane twice in dramatic fashion: "On which of my sons 6hall I bestow rho crown ?" a yokol, to settle the question, shouted out: "Give 'em half-a-crown each, guv' nor, and get on with t'play." Of course the interrupter does not always get the best of the deal. As an instance the celebrated Barry Sullivan once completely turned the tables on the "voice," much to it 3 discomfort.

ONE AT A TIME

It was. during a performance of Riohard 111. in the Theatre Royal, Dublin, when Barry came rushing on the stake in tho battle scene, shouting tho famous, " A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!"

"Arrah, be aisy, yer Majesty! Won't a donkey do as well "

"Sure* an' it will, me bhoy. Come along as quick as ye can! The writer remembors once hearing the principal girl in a provincal pantomime quieten an interrupter mast effect ively. She was m the middle of the first verse of her main song—a popular favourite at the time—when a peculiar squeaking noise was heard comrinig from a box occupied by some young fellows who had evidently dined and wined well. People in tho audience turned to where the offensive noise appeared to come from, and were not very well pleased. The girl at the end off the verse motioned to the conductor, turned to the box and said sweetly: "One fool at a time, please!" The audience clapped delightedly, and there was no further interruption from tbe box.