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MESSRS. MEYNELL AND GUNNS'
ENTERPRISES.
~-4---
INTERVIEW WITH MR. JOHN
GUNN.
Amongst the old Dublin playgoers
resident in this State the name of
Gunn was probably a household word.
Thirty-six years ago John and Michael
Gunn built the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.
The enterprise was in every way a suc
cessful one--so much so that Michael
Gunn secured the controlling interest
in all Gilbert and Sullivan's operatic
ventures at the Savoy Theatre, London,
in conjunction wvith D'Oyly Carte. The
partnership commenced with the tour
ing rights of "Pinafore." and termin
ated with the extraordinary success
ful run of "The Mikado," perhaps the
most successful comic opera produced
in the nineteenth century.
Seen at the Palace Hotel yesterday
by a "West Australian" representa
tive, Mr. John Gunn remarked, "My
interests are purely Australian now.
My father, John Gunn, difl five years
after the Gaiety Theatre was built, and
since then our branch of the family
have no interest in the Dublin pro
perties.
"My first visit to Australia was
made as an acting-member of the cek
brated English comedian, John L.
Toole's, Company. .I next came out
as stage manager for the Gaiety Com
pany headed by Fred. Leslie and Nellie
Farren. In May, 1904, I came out to
Australia on a pleasure trip. Mr.
Clyde Meynell at that time was repre
senting Mr. Beerbohm Tree, and on the
conclusion of his contract with Mr.
Tree I joined forces with Mr. Meynell
and ran the Knight-Jeffries Company
through Australia and New Zealand, in
conjunction with Mr. J. C. Williamson.
I may mention that during this period
we managed the Dallas-Lloyd "J.P."'
Comedy Company as a separate ven
ture, with good financial results.
"In May, 1906, Mr. Meynell and my
self started as a distinct firm uncon
nected with any other Australasian
managers, 'The Fatal Wedding' being
our trump-card. It may be, perhaps,
egotistical to speak about the success
we have achieved with that play, but
facts are stubborn things, and you can
judge for yourself.
"We have a lease of the best-sit1nated
theatre in Melbourne-the Royal-for
10 years, and. also hold the Criterion
Theatre, Sydney, on a lengthy lease.
Our three dramatic companies now tour
ing Australia are comprised of the fol
lowing :-Our leading dramatic com
pany, headed by Miss Madge ,lcIntosh,
is now appearing at the Melbourne
Royal. The repertoire includes 'Her
Love Against the World,' 'The New
Magdalen,' 'The Midnight Wedding,'
and 'Camille.' - Mr. Meynell informs
me by telegram that the performance
of the last piece was an enthusiastic
success last Saturday night in Mel
bourne. This company will appear in
Perth in October next. Our Maud
Hildyard Company, now touring the
Eastern States and presenting 'The
Beautiful Fiend,' 'The Great Awaken
ing,' and 'A Warning to Woman,' will
not, unfortunately, appear in Western
Australia, as Miss Hildyard has im
portant engagements tofulfil in England
early in the present year, and she is
unable to extend her contract with us.
You must not, however, think we are
confining all our interests to melo
drama. For instance, we argimport
ing a specially-organised Comic Opera
Company the members of which are
principally recruited fiomr. Mr. Soy
mour Hicks's and Mr. Frank Curzon's
companies, and comprise 48 princi
pals. Amongst these I may mention
Fred. Williams (comedian), Edwin
Brett (comedian), Tom Payne (eccen
tric dancer and: comedian), George Ap
pleby (baritone), Vincent Davidson (se
cond baritone), Ruth Lincoln (soprano),
Alicd Russell (second soprano), and
Emily Orford (soubrette). The com
pany's repertoire will consist of 'Miss
Hook of Holland,' still running at the
Prince of Wales Theatre, London, after
a deasoh of 370 nights; 'The Belle of
Mayfair,' which had a record of 500
nights at the Vaudeville under Sey
Smour Hicks's management; and 'The
Girl Behind the Counter,' another
popular success from the Prince of
Wales Theatre. We are so satisfled
regarding-the vocal and histrionic
strength of this company that iwe in
tend inaugurating our first pantomime
with them on Christmas next.
. "As regards another phase of our
business I may state that we have
arranged for an Australian and New
Zealand concert tour of Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur Malleson. This will com
mence in May next at the Town Hall,
Melbourne, and the gifted dno will in
-due course appear 'in Western Austra
lia. Mr. Malleson is now one of thq
best-known composers in England, and
his wife is a singer of rare ability. I
may state that the lady is a personal
friend of Queen Alexandra, and that
she has given her her patronage for the
tour. Finally, as regards our present
Perth season, I may state I secured
the Australian rights of our opening
piece, 'The Little Breadwinner.' last
year in London. The play has had
four years' consecutive run there and in
the provinces. I.i . QueBnie Wil
liams, who playcd t'e leader of the Tin
Can Band in 'The Fatal Wedding,' will
sustain a similar part in the present
play, which, if judgment fails me not.
ihould be just as successful as the last
play we had the pleasure of placing be
fore Perth audiences."
$