38

THURSDAY, December 6th, 1888,
THE EVENT OF THE SEASON!

At 7-30 Sharp, the Greatest Drama of Modern times—THE

SILVER KING

Written by HENRY A. JONES and HENRY HERMANN.

Magnificent New Scenery by Mr. W. LOWERY, Theatre Royal, Sunderland.

The Overture by Mr. MICHAEL CONNELLY.

"I hold it truth with him who sings,
To one clear harp in divers tones,

That men may rise on stepping stones,
Of their dead selves to higher things."

<table><tbody><tr><td>Wilfred Denver</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr. ERNEST LEICESTER</td></tr><tr><td>Nellie Denver (his wife)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Miss INA GOLDSMITH</td></tr><tr><td>Cissy and Ned (his children)</td><td>...</td><td>Miss N. SHEFFIELD</td><td>and Master SINCLAIR</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Daniel Jaikes (their servant)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr FRANK IRISH</td></tr><tr><td>Frank Selwin (Private Secretary to Mr John Franklyn Goss, Warden (the Engineer))</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr H. CHICHESTER</td></tr><tr><td>Samuel Baxter (a Detective)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr W. C. LEARMONT</td></tr><tr><td>Capt. Herbert Skinner known as the "Spider"</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr LOUIS WEIGHTON</td></tr><tr><td>Henry Corkett (Geoffry Ware's Clerk)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr AUSTIN JOHNSON</td></tr><tr><td>Elijah Coombe (a Marine Store Dealer)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr CHARLES CARTE</td></tr><tr><td>Cripps (a Locksmith)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr LEWIS COGHLAN</td></tr><tr><td>Mr Parken (a Parish Clerk at Gaddesden)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr R. P. STELEE</td></tr><tr><td>Messrs Binks &amp; Bronson (Tradesmen)</td><td>...</td><td>Mr C. R. MEWIN</td><td>and J. L. HILBERT</td><td>Mr H. CHICHESTER</td></tr><tr><td>Bilcher &amp; Teddy (Betting men)</td><td>...</td><td>Mr ERNEST ST. JOHN</td><td>and S. CARMICHAEL</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tabbs (landlord of the "Wheatsheaf")</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr H. REEVES</td></tr><tr><td>Gaffer Pottle</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr CLARKE</td></tr><tr><td>Tipsy Passenger</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr C BAWTREE</td></tr><tr><td>Inspector</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr J. SCOTT</td></tr><tr><td>Servants</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Mr D'ARCY &amp; Mr BARNETT</td></tr><tr><td>Olive Skinner (Capt. Skinner's Wife)</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Miss GRACE GORDON</td></tr><tr><td>Tabitha Durden</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Miss EMILY SHIFFIELD</td></tr><tr><td>Susy (Waitress at the "Chequers")</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Miss MILLIE COLLING</td></tr><tr><td>Mrs. Gammage</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Miss LEMARA</td></tr><tr><td>Lady Passenger</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>...</td><td>Miss CRANEBY</td></tr></tbody></table>

Railway Officials, Clerks, Children, Passengers, Detectives, &c.

RETURN VISIT OF

MR. J. H. CLYNDES

Who will OPEN the Theatre for the Winter Season, on
THURSDAY, December 20th, 1888,

When he will appear in the Celebrated Play of

MONEY

January 25th, for the First Time in Dumfries,
MADAME MARIE ROZE,
AND
GRAND CONCERT COMPANY,
INCLUDING
MADLLE. MARIE TITIENS,

(Niece of the Celebrated MADLLE. TITIENS).

MADEMOISELLE MARIE TITIENS is the daughter of Herr PETER TITIENS, only brother of the great can-
tatrice, Madlle. THERESA TITIENS. From her infancy, MARIE TITIENS displayed the greatest talent for
music, and as a child remembered and could play from memory at the piano the most difficult music that she had once
heard. So great, indeed, was her talent, that Madlle. TITIENS before her death, arranged that her niece should un-
dergo a serious musical training, and only to appear in public "if she displayed gifts of a high order." M'am.
MARIE TITIENS, who has just completed her 17th birthday, successfully passed her ordeal of being heard by com-
petent judges, the result being that she will make her first appearance with the MARIE ROZE OPERA COMPANY in
January next.

WALTER BENTLEY,

Mr. H. A. LAMBETH'S
CELEBRATED CHOIR & OPERETTA COMPANY

AUGUSTE CREAMER'S

IRISH COMEDY COMPANY.

HELD BY THE ENEMY !

IN THE RANKS, &c.

JOHN J. FRYER,
Piano Forte & Music Seller

GOLD AND SILVER SMITH, ELECTRO-PLATER
GENERAL FURNISHER, EXPORTER, AND
GUNSMITH,

99 & 100, ENGLISH STREET,
AND
1 and 17, QUEEN STREET,
DUMFRIES.

THEATRE 23 ROYAL.

BOX OFFICE OPEN DAILY

AT
FRYER'S MUSIC SALOON,
99, ENGLISH STREET.

THE
Dumfries & Galloway Herald
Published twice a week, viz: on
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY

To be had from Agents everywhere.
Price One Penny, or direct from the Office
prepaid, 8s. per annum unstamped, or free by
post, 12s. per annum.

THE SHAUGHRAUN
IS
COMING.

THE TWO
ORPHANS
ON MONDAY NEXT.

THE
MIRROR
PROGRAMME,

The best Advertising Medium in Dumfries,
being circulated weekly, post free, through-
out the town and surrounding district. For
terms and space apply at the Theatre, to

Mr E. C. BERTRAND, Acting Manager

THOMAS ADAIR,
ITALIAN WAREHOUSEMAN,

FAMILY GROCER,
AND
Wine and Spirit Merchant,
81, HIGH STREET, DUMFRIES.

Mr. J. L.
TOOLE
IN
OCTOBER.

Mr. J. L.
TOOLE
IN
OCTOBER.

(1)

Extract from Sir James Barrie's Speech at the
"Freedom" Ceremony at Dumfries, 11th December 1924.
having reference to Mr. Wellwood Anderson, (Barrie's "Wedd").

From the "Dumfries and Galloway Standard", December 13, 1924.

My first play was very properly written for the Dumfries Academy Dramatic Society on whose boards I also made my only appearance as an actor. That was due to the histrionic enthusiasm of an Academy boy - the best amateur actor I have ever seen, who, I am glad to know, is here to-day, and who blushes so easily - at least he blushed easily a century or two ago - that I shall cunningly conceal his identity under the name of "Wedd".
(Laughter and applause). Never can there have been a more devoted follower of the Muse or a Stage Manager with more ingratiating ways. During the winters of our existence, his pockets were always bulging with stage directions, which fell on the floor as he was being caned, and all the time the masters were submitting him to drastic treatment, he was considering how they would do for walking gentlemen. (Laughter). Is it conceivable that he ever had designs on Mr. Neilson? Our "Wedd" was truly great! He was certainly the best amateur actor I have ever seen. (Applause). He was best of all in low comedy, but not so convincing as a young lady with her hair attached to her hat, which was the sort of part for which he usually cast me.
(Laughter).

I may perhaps be allowed to tell you without unpardonable elation - so many years having elapsed - that at one of our performances at the Crichton (Lunatic Asylum) a male member of the audience asked for an introduction. (Laughter).

I think I did greatest credit to our admired "Wedd" on one occasion when the curtain rose on my husband and me about to partake of breakfast, and in his stage-fright my husband pulled the table cover and its contents to the floor.

How would a Superb Actress

(II).

Sir Jemes Barrie's Speech. (Continued).

have risen to that emergency? I have asked some of them-Sarah Bernhardt and others - and none of them conceived anything equal to what that Adele did - Adele was my name - I was taken from the French - but the unworthy youth who played my husband would call me "Addle" to my annoyance. I went behind him, and putting my arms round his neck - yet not forgetting even in that supreme moment to be wary about my hair and hat - I said, "You clumsy darling". (Great Laughter). The house rose - I don't mean they went out - several of them cheered, led on by "Wedd", who, when not actually on the stage himself, was always somewhere in hiding leading the applause (Laughter). Thus was a great comedienne lost to the world. The next time I saw that play was in London, with Miss Irene Vanbrugh in my part. You may guess I was critical, and she was nervous. (Laughter). I told her I thought her good but that she was lacking in some of my womanly touches. (Laughter).

It was in order to escape from feminine rôles that I wrote for the Academy my first play, a staggering work, entitled "Bandelero the Bandit". I was not "Bandelero". I nobly gave up that to Tom Newbigging, because I thought one of the other parts was better. (Laughter). It was the part of all my favourite characters in fiction rolled into one, so that I had to be constantly changing my clothes, with the result that I was scarcely ever on the stage. A disappointing kind of part.

I foolishly told Mr. George Meredith about that play long afterwards, and when the fly came to take me from his house to the station he used to announce, in a manner that would have set "Wedd" considering him: "Bandelero's carriage stops the way". (Laughter).

Sir James Barrie's "Wedd".

From the "Scotsman" (Edinburgh), 13th December 1924.

Some curiosity was excited in London by Sir James Barrie's
reference to his old Dumfries friend, associated with him in
his early dramatic essays, and designated in the "Freedom"
speech by the name of "Wedd". The supposed fictitious name
suggested in some quarters that "Wedd" was a creation similar
to the "Maconachie" of Sir James Barrie's St. Andrews address.

At the dinner in the evening he received a telegram from a
London Journal asking him for a statement regarding the
identity of "Wedd". The name which Sir James Barrie adopted
had no element of mystery for his contemporaries or for a
large proportion of the public of Dumfries. It was the
abbreviation by which his school-fellow, Mr. Wellwood Anderson,
was commonly known in the town. Mr. Anderson's father was the
owner of the library referred to by Sir James Barrie in his
speech, as the source from which he obtained the love-making
passages of his first unpublished novel.

Mr. Wellwood Anderson was present in the auditorium at the
freedom ceremony, and also at the dinner in the evening. At
the end of the dinner he walked with Sir James Barrie to
Birkhill, where the latter resided during his Dumfries visit.

Mr. Wellwood Anderson's "Record"
as Amateur Actor, Entertainer, &c.

As a youth, in conjunction with Mr. (now Sir) J.M. Barrie, O.M.
founded "The Dumfries Amateur Dramatic Club".

Plays with Barrie in "Off the Line", "Paul Pry", "The Weavers",
and "The Shufflerig Party."

Re: Mr. Norman McKinnel's first appearances as an Amateur Actor.

Plays in the following:

"Mr. Nubbly", to Norman McKinnel's "John Blunt",
in H. J. Byron's Comedy "War to the Knife."

"Dr. Jacks" (Lexicographer) to McKinnel's "Capt. Pigeon" R.N.
in They're Smith's Comedietta "Old Cronies".

Also Stage-managed and played in the following:-

"Spriggins", in "Ici on Parle Frangais".

"Sam Weller" in "Bardell versus Pickwick".

"Joshua Gedling" (The old soldier) in Eille Norwood's
"Hook and Eye".

"Sir Peter Teazle" in the Quarrel Scene from "The School for
Scandal".

"The Odd Man" in Pinero's "Playgoers".

"Dr. Power" in "Mrs. Hilary Regrets".

Stage-managed and Produced "Billeted" by F. Tennyson Jesse and
H. M. Harwood for the Ilfracombe Amateur Dramatic Club.
April 1925.

In conjunction with Mr. Henry Graves, L.R.A.M., Organist of
St. Michael's Parish Church, Dumfries, founded "The Dumfries
Amateur Opera Co." and produced and played in the following
Gilbert & Sullivan Operas:

"Pirates of Penzance" (Major-General). "H.M.S. Pinafore"
(Sir Joseph Porter), "The Mikado" (Koko). "Patience"
(Bunthorne).

As an Entertainer

In Songs and Sketches of the type of the late George Grossmith's
"Silver Wedding" and in the Patter songs and sketches of the
late Charles Collette of

"CRYPTOCONCHOIDSYPHONOSTOMATA" fame.

By MR. COLLETTE'S Special permission.

The Discoverer of Barrie.

From the "Dumfries & Galloway Standard". December 10, 1924.

As soon as a literary star becomes sufficiently prominent to attract attention, there is a controversy as to who was the first to discover his appearance in the firmament, and to recognise him as a star, and not a will-o-the-wisp.

There was some controversy as to whether Frederick Greenwood or W. E. Henley was the discoverer of Barrie. But credit really belongs to Mr. Wellwood Anderson, as was shown by a paragraph in the "Topical Times" many years ago. Wellwood Anderson, or "Wedd" as he was affectionately known by his school-fellows, was the first and only editor of "The Clown", a manuscript journal, contributed to by Scholars of the Dumfries Academy in May 1875. Barrie's literary donations to the publication (which only lived through four numbers), were on "Rekollections of a Skoolmaster" by James Barrie, M.A., A.S.S., LL.D., and their quality was immediately recognised by the astute young editor, who stated in his "Answers to correspondents" column, that the "Rekollections" were "exceedingly well composed" and that he should be "glad to hear again soon from the gifted author". So that is when and how the literary genius of Barrie was first detected.

One wonders if there are any copies of that Manuscript Magazine still in existence. Perhaps Sir James will hope there are none.

Yes, I have still the one and only copy over issued, carefully preserved and bound in full scarlet cloth, and titled: "The Clown, edited by Wedd".

W. A.