[A little cheild is the hero of _Everybody's Secret_; the curtain
rises upon four little cheildren in _Her Own Way_; there are
cheildren of various ages in _Alice-Sit-by-the-fire_.]
Mr. Barrie's new play, _The Admirable Creche_, will be presented
to-morrow. We understand that there is a pretty scene in the third act
in which several grown-ups are discovered smoking cigars. It may
confidently be predicted that all the world will rush to the "Duke of
York's" to see this novelty. _The Admirable Creche_ will be preceded at
8.30 by _Bassinette--A Plea for a Numerous Family_, a one-act play by
Theodore Roosevelt and Louis N. Parker.
Little Baby Wilkins is making quite a name with her wonderful rendering
of "Perdita" in the Haymarket version of _A Winter's Tale_. As soon as
actor-manager Wilkins realised the necessity of cutting the last two
acts (in which "Perdita" is grown up) the play was bound to succeed. By
the way, Mr. E. H. Cooper's new book, "Perditas I have Known," is
announced.
Frankly, we are disappointed in Mr. Pinero's new play, _Little Arthur_,
produced at Wyndham's last week. It treated of the old old theme--the
love of the hero for his nurse. To be quite plain, this stale triangle,
mother--son--nurse, is beginning to bore us. Are there no other themes
in every-day life which Mr. Pinero might take? Could he not, for
instance, give us an analysis of the mind of a young genius torn between
the necessity for teething and the desire to edit a great daily? Duty
calls him both ways: his duty to himself and his duty to the public.
Imagine a Wilkins in such a scene!
The popular editor of the "Nursery," whose unrivalled knowledge of
children causes him to be referred to everywhere as our greatest
playwright, is a little at sea in his latest play, _Rattles_. In the
first act he rashly introduces (though by this time he should know his
own limitations) two grown-ups at lunch--Mr. Jones the father, and Dr.
Brown, who discuss Johnny's cough. Now we would point out to Mr. Crouper
that men of their age would be unlikely to have milk for lunch; and
that they would not say "Yeth, pleath"--unless of Hebraic origin, and
Mr. Crouper does not say so anywhere. Mr. Crouper must try and see
something of grown-ups before he writes a play of this kind again.
We regret to announce that Cecil Tomkins, _doyen_ of actor-managers, is
down again with mumps.
* * * * *
[Illustration: MODERN IMPRESSIONIST ART. A MUSICAL COMEDY]
* * * * *
[Illustration: AT THE PREMIERE
_Lady in Front Row (to her neighbour, towards the end of the second
act)._ "Who is this man next me, who's just come in,--do you know? He
doesn't seem to be paying the smallest attention to the play!"
_Her Neighbour._ "Oh, I expect he's a critic. He's probably made up his
mind long ago what he's going to say of the piece; but he's just dropped
in to _confirm his suspicions_."]
* * * * *
NO FIRST-NIGHTER.--_First Man in the Street._ See the eclipse last
night?
_Second Man in the Street._ No. Thought it might be crowded. Put off
going till next week.
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE BILL OF THE PLAY]
* * * * *
[Illustration: AMENITIES OF THE PROFESSION.--_Rising Young Dramatist._
"Saw your wife in front last night. What did she think of my new
comedy?"
_Brother Playwright_. "Oh, I think she liked it. She told me she had a
good laugh."
_R. Y. D._ "Ah--er--when was that?"
_B. P._ "During the _entr'acte_. One of the attendants dropped an ice
down her neighbour's neck."]
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF WOMEN
_Dora_ (_consulting a playbill_). "Only fancy! '_As You Like It_' is by
Shakspeare!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: PRIVATE THEATRICALS. A REHEARSAL.--_The Captain._ "At
this stage of the proceedings I've got to kiss you, Lady Grace. Will
your husband mind, do you think?"
_Lady Grace._ "Oh no! It's for a _charity_, you know!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: AN INFANT ROSCIUS.--_Stage Manager_ (_interviewing
children with the idea of engaging them for a new play_). "Has this
child been on the stage?"
_Proud Mother._ "No; but he's been on an inquest, and he speaks up
fine!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A SOLILOQUY.--_Tragedian._ "Cheap. Ha, ha! Why in my time
they _threw_ them at us!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "Well, papa, how did you enjoy the play to-night?"
"Oh, I think I enjoyed it fairly well, my dear. I've got a general sort
of idea that I didn't go to sleep over it!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Enthusiastic Lady Amateur._ "Oh, what a pity! We've just
missed the first act!"
_Languid Friend._ "Have we? Ah--rather glad. I always think the chief
pleasure of going to a theatre is trying to make out what the first act
was about!"]
* * * * *
THEATRICAL.--When it is announced that an actor will be supported by the
_entire_ company, it is not thereby meant that the said professional is
sustained in his arduous part solely by draughts of Barclay, Perkins and
Co.
* * * * *
The wretch who refuses to take his wife to the theatre deserves to be
made to sit out a play.
* * * * *
GOOD "PIECE" OF FURNITURE FOR THEATRICAL MANAGERS.--A chest of
"drawers."
* * * * *
REGENERATION OF THE BRITISH DRAMA.--There are at this moment three
English managers in Paris "in search of novelty!" More: three
distinguished members of the Dramatic Authors' Society started for
France last night.
* * * * *
"AS GOOD AS A PLAY."--Performing a funeral.
* * * * *
A PLANT IN SEASON.--Now is the time of year when managers of theatres
show a botanical taste, for there is not one of them who does not do his
best to have a great rush at his doors.
* * * * *
THE DRAMATIC AUTHOR'S PLAYGROUND.--Paris.
* * * * *
THEATRICAL NOTE.--_Net_ profits are generally the result of a good
"_cast_."
* * * * *
[Illustration]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "Shakspeare and the first Quart O"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "Shakspeare and the last Quart O"]
* * * * *
A DUBIOUS COMPLIMENT.--_Rector's Wife_ (_after harvest festival_).
Well, Mrs. Piggleswade, how did you like the Bishop's sermon?
_Mrs. Piggleswade._ Oh! ma'am, I ain't been so much upset since my old
man took me to the wariety theayter in London last August twelve-month,
and 'eard a gen'leman sing about his grandmother's cat.
* * * * *
There was a poor actor on the Norwich circuit who squinted most
dreadfully: he was put up on one occasion for "Lear." "We must succeed,"
said the manager, "for there never was a _Lear_ with so strong a
_cast_."
* * * * *
A RICHMOND DINNER.--A shouting actor who performs the part.
* * * * *