The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-11-10
NEWS AND GOSSIP OF LONDON THEATRES Barrie Swallows Up Both Shaw and PinerO BERNHARDT PRAISED Birthday Celebrated by Admirers in London in Novel Fashion--Com-
 ing to America, But
 Will Not Act
Ny MALCOLM WATSON

London, November 9.-(Special. )-- Charles Frohman's triple bill at the Duke of York's is not 10 have lasting place in the programme. shaw's and rinero's playlets are to be relegated 10 tbe limbo of forgetfulness, Barrie's charming little comedy "Rosalind2 alone being retained. By what the two former are to be replaced is not yet determined, but I have shrewd opin- ion that in the selection of new attrac- tons reliance will be placed rather upon the quality of the work than upon tie eminence of the author. The result of Ffohman's latest venture only goes to show how futile is the policy of buy Ing pigs in a poke.
 The useful lesson that 1t is impolitlc 10 run counter to public opinion Is prac- tieaIly all that Granville Barker will take away with him from the Savoy. His production of "The Winters Tale there WAS heralded by a considerable blowing of trumpets and clashing Of cvmbas Alas. it, too is to go the way of all things within week from to- day. A week later Granville and his wife, Lillah Mccarthy, are to present revival of Twelfth Night" few special matinees of The Winters Tale" being promised for the benefit of the select. Personally. I should have been delighted had better luck fallen to Bar ker's lot: he is a man of ideas although, es fl would appear. his ideas are hardly ln the taste. or possibly too much in advance of the general public. At the kingsway. too. his own play @rhe Voy- sey Inhertanee," clever and interesting as 1t undoubtedly Is. has scarcely full filled expectations and a provisional netiee for the speedy termination of the run has been posted. The next pro- duction at that house will be John Gals worthy's new play. "The Eldest Son. That, whether 1t be pecnniarily d sue cess or failure, cannot fail to prove Of aa interesting character.
 Tree Back From Paris
 Tree is back from Paris and since lis return has been exceedingly busy specchifying. Two days ago he tray eled to Worcester to deliver a lecture on the subject of our Betters,' in which he discussed pretty well every ihlng under the sun. passing in review such topics as The Tyranny of the Neak.'' the conventional Reverence for Buttons.e Education" Science. Beauty and How to Be Happy" Just before starting for Worcester he inn parted to me the news that somewhere about the end of the year we might look for the publication of two volumes from his pen, one containing essays, the other a number of short stories. Tree has said so many witty and il- lalrnunating things on the platform that lie chance of studying them in print Will be welcome. aasHH5 stat
 A fortnight hence the probabilities are that he will be escrossing the Atlantic not with the intention of appearing on the stage but. first and foremost, Of Witnessing a performance of Pierre i-oti play .The Daughter of Heaven" Should he consider 1t suitable for London he will doubtless acquire it for His Maies- tvs Conscious that it does not contain a part fitted to himself, his scheme is to offer the leading role to Forbes Rob ertson, who, of course. would be mighty fine draw in 1t From Robertson himself I had, however the assurance lately that he had no desire to undertake a new part; indeed, seriously question whether the task of memorizing one would not now be too much for him. Considering, too, how long he has been away from London his existing repertoire would ob- viously. satisfy all the requirements of farewell season rumor, also. reaches me that Tree contempates making Os- car Hammersten an offer for his opera house, to which to transfer Drake early next year at reduced prices. So far. however. I have been unable to ob- tain any confirmation of the report
 Bernhardt's Birthday
 On Wednesday last we assembled at the Savoy hotel to celebrate Sarah Bern hardt'ss 6Sth birthday and to present her with national tribute in the shape of three bulky volumes containing con gratulatory address, to which were ap- pended innumerable signatures received from all parts of the world. It was an exhilarating Junction. the Divine Sarah being in quite her best form. Save tha- she is not so finn on her feet as she once was the famous French actress betrays few signs of her age. For the first time in all her life she spoke in English. giv- inf to her little speech marked dramatic effect. Throughout the day she was over whelmed with magnificent bouquets and kindly nlesss ges, while her son. Maurice, came specially over from Paris, accom- panied by his daughter and granddaugh. ter to spend the day with his mother. As you may imagine, everybody was fran tically enthusiastic and l had the pleas ure of learning from Sarah herself that she was simply overcome by the many ex pressions of good will America is soon 10 have the chance of welcoming her again. You will all like her sons little play, "Une Mutt de Noel" which she win make the chief feature of her visit.
 1t ore Of the week premeres l ran across E. q. Hemmerde part author of "A Butterfly on the Wheel He con