AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10140, 10 December 1910, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

NELLIE STEWAKT. | 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 favour Masterton with a visit will be read with keen pleasure by local playgoers. Nellie Stewart in any character could always attract a large 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 Drury," must n°turally increase the interest in her reappearance tenfold, for great as she is in other roles, "our Nellie's" representation cf 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 the idol in Comic Opera and had even made a hit in Grand Opera, scored a triumph in drama, and "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," at the Princess.Theatre, Melbourne. Theatre-goera fell in love with,the piece, and they voted Neil Gwynne their favourite actress' best impersonation. There ia no doub". that for many years to come Nellie Stewart will he. lovingly associated with the character of the orange girl who became an actress, and was first favourite with Charles 11. "the story ot Paul Kester's delightful play and how Nell Gwynne outwitted the infamous Judge Jeffries and united with lovers—Sir Roger Fairfax and the lady Olhver 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 fict that almost from her infancy she has devoted herself entireJy to her art. She, of course, had the advantage of being a member of the mos*; popular family , the Australian stage had ever known, Mr Richard Stewart, her father, was always a great favourite, and here sisters, Docy and Maggie, were the beloved of our playgoer when ilttle Nellie was in pinnies, at which period it was she made her debut. It gave her a start, but it would not have carried her through and won her the place she occupies, had she not been a gracious and beautiful woman. Miss Stewart has surrounded herself with an exceptionally powerful company for her present tour, and the caste will include the names of a number of well-known and popular artists, among them being the brilliant romantic actor, Mr Harcourt Beatty. Positively only one performance can be given by Mias Stewart, for which the plans will: be opened at Miss Rives's, stationer, on next Saturday morning, 17th December. As there is likely to be a large demand for seats,early application is abEolutely necessary.