AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 213, 17 December 1910, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

NELLIE STEWART. ; Miss Nellie Stewart's sweet charm, dainty grace, fascinating personality, together with her wonderful histrionic abilities, have long since made her the greatest idol of the Australian and New Zealand public, and this morning's announcement to the effect that she is again to favor New Plymouth with a visit will be read with keen pleasure by local playgoers. Nellie Stewart in any character could always attract a laro;e audience in this town, but the fact that she is once more to present us with her glorious interpretation of Nell Gwynne in the fascinating historic romance, "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," must naturally increase the interest in her re-appear-ance tenfold, for great as she is in other roles, "our Nellie's" representation of Paul Kester's heroine is without doubt the greatest of her long list of brilliantly successful characterisations. It was in 1902 that Nellie Stewart, who had been idol in comic opera and had even made a hit in grand opera, scored a triumph in drama in "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne. Theatre-goers fell in love with the piece, and they voted Noll Gwynne their favorite actress' best impersonation. There is no doubt that for many years to come Nellie Stewart will be lovingly associated with the character of the orange girl who became an actress, and was first favorite with Charles 11. The story of Paul Kester's delightful play and 'how Nell Gwynne eventually outwitted the infamous Judge Jeffries and united the lovers—Sir Roger Fairfax and the Lady Olliver Vernon—is well known to theatre-goers. ■ The exalted position Miss Stewart holds in the theatrical profession can be accounted for to an extent by the fact that almost from her infancy she has devoted herself entirely to her art. She, of course, had the advantage of being a member of the most popular family the Australasian stage had ever known! Mr. Richard Stewart, her father, was always 1a great, favorite, and her sisters, Docy ■and Maggie,' were the" beloved 'of "our playgoers whp'n'little Nellie was 'in pin'-

nies. Nt which period it was she made ksr debut. It gave her a start, but it vould not have .arried her through and won her tho place she occupies, had she not been a gracious and beautiful wo-'ii-in. Mis*'Stewart has surrounded herself with an exceptionally powerful company for her present tour, and the caste will include the names of a '.lumber of well known and popular artists, among iheni beinq- the urilliant romantic actor, Mr. Harcourt J.catty. Positively only two performances can be given by Miss Stewart, for which the plans will be opened at Collier's on Saturday morning next. A- there is likely to be a large demand for >eats, early'application is absolutely necessary.