Mr. G.C. Miln.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 474, 1 July 1890, Page 2

Mr. G.C. Miln.

The announcement of the appearance in this town of the renowned actor, Mr Geo. C. Miln. will be received with genuine pleasure by the public of this district. Mr Miln’s reputation as an exponent of the ever-interesting and immortal plays of Shakespeare is now known thoroughodt the civilized world. Never before did any actor make so much stir in the Australian colonies as our distinguished visitor. In Melbourne during his lesseeship of Her Majesty’? Opera House, he received the admiration alike of the literary, artistic, and general public, and the critics were unanimous in their desire to do full justice to his exceptional abilities, not only as an actor and manager of extraordinary power and originality, but as a scholar of the first rank. The undergraduates and professors of the University attended his performance of Hamlet in a body, and subsequently presented him with a valuable diamond locket as a token of their admiration and respect. In the New South Wales capital Mr Miln was no less popular. The reception accorded him oa his first appearance in Sydney is spoken of as the most enthusiastic ever known in Australia, and the success of his season at Her Majesty’s Theatre was regarded as phenomenal. As a portrayer of the many different characters worked out in the plays of the immortal bard, and as a stage manager in producing all those splendid spectacular effects in which classical drama, rxoells, Mr Miln is said to be facile privceps of all artists who have visited the southern hemisphere. As will be seen from the following brief sketch Mr Miln’s career has been both eventful and unique. Born in the year 1851, in London, he received his early course of training at the famous Blue Coat School, where he avers he won more fame in the playground than in th; schoolroom. At the ago of 15 be crossed the Atlantic, and io due course entered and graduated at the Princetown University. Having been intended for the Church he devoted some eight lor nine years nt his early manhood to the ulpit, in which he won a high reputation as a broal minded preacher of the extreme liberal typo, and was universally noted for bis eloquence. Mr Miln’s opinions on religious matters then underwent a change, and he became convinced that hie ideas were too radical on many theological points to justify him in retaining bis position, and he voluntarily, and in thefac; of many protests, resigned his priestly office. His vi.hdrawal from the University occasioned widefelt regret and. as may ba imacined, his adoption of the profession of a Shakespearian actor was the sansa of much curiosity and surprise. Mr Miln’s first appearance on the stage took place in the Grund Opera House, Chicago, where be played Hamlet, a character which he has since impersonated over eight hundred times. Adhering oloseiy to his classical drama this great author has in right succeeded in placing his name in the front rank of the living exponente of Shakespeare. His tour in Australia is now almost completed, and he leaves in a few months for England, to take np long standing engagements there. During his present Naw Zealand trip Mr Mile has achieved successes, second only to those attained in Australia, and both Press and public have been most liberal in showering upon him their unstinted praiee. The company in support, which numbers over twenty flrstolass artistes, many of whom are individual favorites on ths European and Australian stages, is reported to be one of the strongest companies ever seen in New Zealand, and tho respective characters in the various plays are ail done full justice to by the impersonators. One of the most distinct features in Mr Miln’s management, is his close study of ihe requirements of bis patrons, and no matter what play he produces, it is mounted and performed in such a way as to elicit tbe most genuine enthusiasm, the keenest interest, and the warmest appreciation of his audience. He has consequently availed himself of the services of actors and actresses of recognised merit, and by this means assures a good all round and even production. Amongst tbe members 0! tbe company may be noted such well-known names as Miss Kate Douglas. Mies Ruby Bowman, Me Collet Dobson, Mr W. F. Montgomery, Mr Wm, Holman, and Mr G, H. Wunn, 1