Theatre Royal.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2534, 19 February 1877, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

FIKST APPEARANCE OF MX

J. K. EMMET.

Mr J. K. Emmet the celebrated actor arrived at the Thames to-day with Mr De Lias, Mr Thatcher, and a company of twenty-two* and will open this evening in the Theatre Royal with the play of "Fritz," which has aroused so much admiration wherever it has been played. An impression had got abroad yesterday that Mr Emmet might not perhaps come to the Thames, as it was stated that he had a disagreement with Mr De Lias. Happily for the many who have been looking forward to Mr Emmet's appearance, the rumour turned out groundless, those who spread the report having evidently got hold of the dirty end of the stick, and substituted the name of Mr Emmet for that of Mr Maeder. Injustice to Mr Emmet and Mr DeLias we publish a true account of what actually did occur taken from Saturday 's Auckland Evening Star, Mr Emmet having nothing to do in the matter except

having to act under most disadvantageous circumstances. Mr DeLias has, we hear, obtained the services of efficient artistes to replace those of Mr and Mrs Maeder, and we have no doubt but that there is a treat for the audience to-night.:— A little performance, " not in the bill " was gone through on the stage last night at the Theatre lloyal, during the representation of the first act of Phil the Foundling. Miss Eena'(Mrs G-. F. Maeder) appeared at the dress-circle door, accompanied by three lady friends. Mr De Lias, the lessee, has an unalterable rule, that no person whateyer shall enter the auditorium of the Theatre without a purchased ticket, or an order from himself, or the reigning star, or his or her agent. The Medes and Persians and Mr Brutus,. Senior, were weak vacillating fools compared to him in this respect, and he inexorably deducts the price of tickets of anybody admitted otherwise from the checktaker't salary; dismissal likewise following a breach of the regulation! The custodian of the portal was in a quandary, but he allowed the lady and her friends to pass, and ran down to his employer for instructions, as the case was a peculiar one. Mr De Lias was, as usual; pacing Napoleonically up and down outside the other entrance, and in answer to his bewildered employe's query as to whether it was "right," replied briefly and majestically, "You haye 1 your instructions." Back went Cerberus to the place where the lady sat, and an un pleasant altercation took place, which ended in Miss Eena leaving the theatre hurriedly, exclaiming, " I have been grossly insulted, my husband shall not play." This extraordinary threat was actually car^ ried into execution, Mr Maeder, who is evidently amenable; to discipline; upon being informed by his excited spouse of her grievance..;.(?) so ;fay forgot himself, and his duty to the public and his professional brother, Mr Emmet 1, as to refuse to continue his part, which was of course essential to the action of the piece, which Mr JEmmet had to bring to an abrupt termination as best he couldi The ungovernable fury into which Miss Kena lashed herself can only account for; and not excuse this breach of all profes? sional etiquette, for her husband seems to have been a passive agent in the matter. It was no doubt : irritating to be subjected to <. annoyance] but that could easily have been avoided, by asking fpr the usual compli-j mentary order of admission. As for the great principle involved, those acquainted! with theatrical matters will approve of Mr De Lias's determination to exercise a direct control over his checktakers, and force them to account for everybody entering the Theatre. Miss Hena, had she asked, would.have been perfectly welcome to introduce her friends, and in fact Mr Thatcher was hurrying round to make things pleasant, when he met the' lady hastening towards the stage on her mission.