ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 171, 18 January 1912, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MR. H. B. IRVING IN "HAMLET.

BOX PLANS OPEN THIS MORNING,

This morning at Collier's the box plans will be opened at 8 o'clock for the first and only appearance here of Mr. 11. B. Irving, which happens at the Theatre Royal on Monday night next, when the famous English tragedian will be presented in his magnificent and unequalled representation of "Hamlet." Anticipating a large demand for seats, the J. C. Williamson management will have a staff of ushers in attendance from ail early hour to form a queue which will ensure that the .earliest arrivals shall have first 'choice of seats.

Personality counts for a great deal on the stage, and it is possession of tliis important and wonderful characteristic, it is said, that endows Mr. H. B. Irving's | representation with the distinctiveness and individuality that makes them stand ' out boldly and strikingly. His "Hamlet," it is said, is a portrait—a real human figure, that is made all the more real and vivid by coloring of the actor's owm personality. When H. B, Irving comes on the stage lie makes himself | felt over the footlights- He interests at once, and, arresting the audience, he holds their attention, and carries them along with him all the time. The subtle spell of personality, it is stated, coupled j with the actor's own genius, makes his I impersonation of "Hamlet" something to jbe remembered. It is said to be a different Hamlet to all others, and were a dozen other actors to play the part before Mr. Irving, the interest of this actor and his hold on the audience, would in no degree be lessened. Mr. H. B. Irving follows in the footsteps of his father in more than one direction. Not only is he keeping up the reputation of the name by his magnificent interpretations of the various characters he assumes, but he personally supervises the plays in which he appears. This was also done by Sir Henry Irving. Mr. H. (B. Irving, it is stated, has all Nature's gifts to portray the part of the Prince of Denmark, including a classic face and large sympathetic eyes. Miss Dorothea Baird, who will be remembered as toeing the original "Trilby" in London, will make her debut here as Ophelia, her interpretation of I which earned her lavish praises from Australian critics. Mr. Henry Vibart, who appears .as the ghost, and Mr. H. Frank Tyars, as King Claudius, both i supported Sir Henry Irving in many of his greatest triumphs, whilst the other 1 members of the organisation were in the i London cast of "Hamlet." Judging by the enormous demand made on the plans in Auckland and other centres, it would be wise for intending hookers not to delay in securing their seats.