The Stage Dog.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 7, 16 February 1907, Page 40

The Stage Dog.

CANINE ACTORS IN MODERN PLAYS. “There is no doubt,” says the Paris “Figaro,” “that in the early future a class for the t heal re dog must be added

to the Conservatoire, as by ■ strong* coincidence most of the Hew plays count a dog among the actors.” At the Coin edie Francaise M. de Feraudy commences the second act of “ Poliehe ” with a very pretty piece of emotion, addressed to a beribboned King Charles; at the Gymnase a little white dog called Prince of Wales serves as a> confidant fpr Afme. Marthe Regnier; and at the Varieties in “ Aliquette et s* Mere,” it is to a black poodle, which appreciates the applause, that Mlle. Lavalliere confesses the name of the man she loves. The dog, a dramatic author informed the “ Figaro,” is going to replace the con. ventional confidant of modern comedy. One can tell him naturally the state of mind one needs to convey to the public. He replaces the girl friend in the convent, the old family servant, and the college friend. He is a discreet confessor. In a word, he is a blessing as a means of communication with the audience. In the London theatres at the present moment the only dogs appearing in a play are at the Lyric Theatre in “ Robin Hood,” and they have nothing more serious to do than walk on and off. Last March, however, at the same theatre, in a one-act play. Air. Sam Sothern had to address the whole of the dialogue to a dog. The piece was called “ What Shall I Say to Her? ” and the question was addressed to a terrier. In “ The Light that failed ” —curious enough this, too, was produced at the Lyric Theatre —a dog played a little part, and in “ The Cingalee,” at Daly’s Miss Isabel Jay carried on a brown, fluffy little dog. In “Richard II.” Air. Tree had no words for the wolfhound that followed him, but about eight years ago, when he staged “ Rip Van Winkle,’* he had a talk with his dog Nick. Everyone also will remember his Bully Boy in “ The Dancing Girl,” At the Haymarket when “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury ” was making the success of the season, Air. Fred Terry carried a tiny King Charles in his arms. It was his confidant and his friend in the play.