AMUSEMENTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10190, 16 March 1911, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS

"THE LION AND THE MOUSE."

TO-NIGHT,

Interest in the first and only appearance here to-night of America's greatest actress, Miss Katherine Grey, the brilliant young romantic actor, Mr William Desmond, and J. C. Williamson's powerful supporting company in "The Lion and the Mouse" is at fever heat, and judging by . the splendid booking, the Town Hall will be taxed to its utmost capacity. . For many months prior to Miss' Grey s arrival in New Zealand, theatregoers have been hearing of her great conquests in Australia and of her wonderful histrionic abilities, and naturally they are anxious to become acquainted with an actress who has been .more than favourably compared to thefamous tragedienne, Sarah Bernhardt. That Miss Grey is as great as.the reports that preceded her stated, is very evident by her brilliant triumphs_ in. Wellington. On the opening, nightthere,, che leapt into the hearts of the large audience which had assembled to welcome her, and right through the season, the Opera House proved too small to accommodate the large numbers who nightly endeavoured, itd obtain admission. .In'"The Lion the Mouse." Miss.Grey.tfilt take ;fche.rf>le of , Shirley Rossmore, which she originated and performed for over two years in New York. It is said that she rises to the very height of her dramatic gen- < ius in the third act where, in a tragic scene, she denounces the multi-million-aire before his own son for his ferocity and cruelty to her father. In' this scene, the new "Julius Knight" actor, Mr William Desmond, is also said to be magnificent., The company supporting the two "stars" is undoubtedly one of. the strongest combination of dramatic, artists which has ever been sent on tour by Mr J. C. Williamson. A glance at the names; will prove Ibis. ! Mr Cyril Mackay will appear as Jefferson Ryder, Mr T. W. Lloyd as Judge Rossmore, Mr Leslie Victor as*; Hjhl ' Fitzroy Bagley, Mr-Winter Hall as Senator Roberts, Mr Boyd Irwin as ex-Judge Scott, Mr J. E. Atholwood as Rev. Pontif ex. Beetle, Mr' Charge. Chalmers as Jorkins, Mr T. W. .poster as' Expressman, Miss Alma Vaugban as Mrs Rossmore, Miss Susie Yaugmn as Mrs John Burkett Ryder,*,- A'j&s Maud Wingfield as Kate.Roberts, M:"ss Alma Phillips as . Mrs Nesbitt, Miss Kate Towers as Jane Beetle, and Miss Florence Gleeson as Eudoxia. A -iratuio of the production will be the beautiful dresses, the magnificent scenery and elaborate furnishings. Mr Thomas Foster is stage manager, and i Mr George Leopold musical director. To-night's performance will mark■ ':hc only appearance here of Miss Ivacherin.o Grey, as after a fareweU'seciai in Melbourne she will immediately taavo for America, where she is booked to ooen the millionaire's theatre. Nrw .York ('which, by the way, cost over £IOO,OOO to build), in a piece whioh has been specially written for her by oie of America's leading dramatists, The plan for to-night's production is at Miss Rive's, where day sale ncl<ets can' also be purchased until one o'clock, and thereafter the plan and. day sale will be at the Town Hall. Mr Harold Ashton, who was personally ■' responsible for the engagement of Miss Grey, and who-purchased the Australasian rights of "The Lion and the Mouse," I is in charge of the company.