STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 279, 22 November 1913, Page 14

STAGE JOTTINGS.

HIS MAJESTrS THEATBH. December 9 to 14—Quinlan Opera Company. December 15 to 20— J. C. Wiliamson PICTURES. Klne'e Theatre. Boy«l Albert HalL Ljric Theatre. King George—Durham Street. Newton Picture Palace (Continuon*). Queen , Theatre (Contlnoous). Globe Theatre—Queeu Street (Contlnnwnn VADDEVIIXS. Opera Hoiw—Nlglitlr. TOWN HALL. November —Madame Clara Bntt. December John McCormacK. The Ventura, which arrived at Sydney from San Francisco a few days ago, brought quite a large number of acts for the Brennan-Puller circuit. They include: "Ted" Bailey's Posing Dogs, presenting in canine living statuary the masterpieces of great animal painters; Juno Salmo, "the Devil Dandy," a contortionist, who has something new to offer; Mitchell and lightner, comedians; Edith Mole, protean ca.ntatrice; Jolly Fanny Rice, with her miniature mimic stage; Winifred Stewart, phenomenal baritone; Jessie Millar, assisted by Doliio Millar, in a novel musical act; the Georgia Trio, singing, dancing, and talking comedians. "Mary Goes First." the new comedy by Henry Arthur Jones at the London Playhouse, seems to have made a hit. It is 'a satire on the polities and social aspirations of an English"provincial town; and the central figure is one Mary Whichello, who successfully intrigues for a baronetcy for her husband, and thereby

is enabled to enjoj' her revenge upon a rival, who is only the wife of a knight. Miss Marie Tempest plays the role of Mary, and, of course, makes the great success of the play. Others in thp cast are Mr Charles V. France (as Whichello), Miss Hamley Clifford (as Lady Dodswortb), and Messrs. \V. Graham Browne and Herbert Rosa. Mr. Hugh T>. McTntosh. governing director of the PJckards circuit, who j recently returned to Australia from I America and Europe, stated that he had j entered into engagement with IS.T i artists for the circuit, the total salaries to be paid being over £153,000, in addi- j tion to £20,000 for fares. The artists ! include Ada Reeve and Paul Oinquevalli. Despite the fact that London amli j ences do not properly appreciate what ■may be d'pst-ribed as the "colour line," Rox BearhV; drama '"The Barrier" is nra.ring Hβ 100 th performance at Mr. I-ou-is Meyer's Stra.nd Theatro. In Aus•ralia and New Zealand thp colour qurfition is thoroughly und-erstixnl, and the play. w,hieh. liJce the novel, is full of fceneo eituaitione, should havp a long run I

tK-re when it ie produced early next ye/i.r by Mx. MeytT in conjunction with' Mr. Beaumont Smith. One of Mr. Carlton Chase's eongs in "A Day art the Races" at the King'o Theatre, Melbourne, is entitled "Gee' But It's Great to Meet a Friend." He is assisted in tie chorus by a fine male quartet, who, when they receive an invitation from Mt. Chose "to come right up," make their way through the stalk on the 9ta.<re. Last week two country gentlemen sitting in the front stall* thousht they were included in .the invitation, and ithey followed on the hce!e of the qirartet. Mr. Chase w-bj rather surprised to se.e the Ktra.nperß on the *ta.ge, but he qaickly sized up the situation, and gave them an eirtJiiKiastk! welcome. They, of oouree. w-c.re unablv to join in the chorus, as they did not know the words. Everyone behind the scenes thoroughly enjoyed -the situation, and after the =ong had been finiehmd! Mr. Willhm Anderson invited the.m •to remain and see the show from the .prompt * : de of the stage. They accepted the invitation, and were de lighted with the novelty. -As a ruin, aspirants for stage honour? have some substantial reason? for seekins to win a plai-,- for themselves behind the footlights, whether it be for financial purposes or rc.isons of ambition. Consequently the .1. C. WilFiamson managemenr. at Her Majesty**, Melbourne, were extremely surprised on goin:r through the applications from ladies for inclusion in the "beauty girls" to represent Australia in the "Forty Thieves'' pantomime pageant, to come across one from a Melbourne girl who candidly confessed that her sole object in wanting to £0 on the stage was to fill her empty life with "something to do." "I am nn only daughter," she wrote, "and have had everything I want as often as I wanted it. I am a spoiled darling, I believe, but I have simply got sick of doing nothing. So I want to get a place on the stage, I am young, attractive (I am told), and harp what might be called a "slashing figure.' I want to 'hie a beauty girl, and battle along with the rest of the crowd who feel the glamour of the life upon them. I don't require any salary. I simply want to do something, I am tired of fine food, fine living, and idleness. Please let mc know at once." As it happened, the young lady, on presenting herself, was found to duly harmonise from her description of herself, and was engaged with the consent of her parents. Another society stage "romance ™ has, apparently, failed to result in happiness for those immediately concerned. Miss Lily Elsie, the much-photographed beauty, who was Ixindon's most popular "Merry AVidww, , ' is bringing a suit for divorce against "her husband. Mr. Lan Bullough. This gentleman i« the son of a wealthy Scottish baronet, and his marriage with Miss Elsie took place two years ago. Only a few weeks since Mies (Jabrie-Ue Buy, another musical comedy favourite, brought divorce proceedings asainnt her husband. Mr. Kric Loder. ' who. in addition to being the son of a j baronet, is said to be the possessor of a fortune of £2.000.000. One of the important engagements ] made for the Christmas revue in Aus- j tralia is Miss Daisy Jerome, who is to i be one of the beauties of the English stage. Miss Jerome is really an American, Ch-iefiy &he has +>een associated with the mueic haTk, with songs written exclusively for her use and rendered in her own particular manner. .She has red hair, and is said to be the only woman living with Titian locks who can wear purple and cerise. Anyone has only to mentally conjure up the combination—red hair, purple gown and cerise. Her wardrobe is mightily original in other respects. In vaudeville it consists of 70 gown*, and she never wears the samp one twice in any one town. It is Miss Jerome's fondest idea that she is a creator of drees ideas. The American land English Press -ecord that rniny of ' her novelties in th-e respect have been i copied by her rioters in the audience and I worn with startling effect. Miss Jerome is also credited with the statement that I smart people nowadays do not go to fashion pampers for clothes ideas. They take their hints from the music halls and revo? stage. " All that is required." she states. " is a little judicious modification. One can dare more on the stage than in a drawing room, of course."

It was recently announced by cablegram -that B_ G. Pelissier, founder of the London "ToHies." left personal estate valued at £"10.S:J1. Pelissier was 39 years of age at the time of his death, and was probably one of the quaintest humorists in London. He popularised a new form of burlesquethe "potted" play—with British audiences, but in doing so came into conflict with the censor of plays (who objected to the "potting-"' of "An Englishman's Home"), and -wi-tib. several theatrical managers, who did not relish the idea of their productions being burlesqued. George Edwardes obtained an injunction to prevent Pelmsier using the music of "The Merry Widow" and "The Girls of Goitenberg," so H.G.P. set to work and composed fresh ■music, including a "Deceased Wife's Sister Pol-k-a" in place of "The -Merry Widow Waltz." One of Peliesier"s most

emphatic "bits" was made at a. time when charity matinees in aid of oldtime actors and actresses were particularly prevalent in London. "The Follies" put on a burlesque called "Everybody's Benefit," given to obtain money for one Sarah Judkins. "a forgotten star oi forty years ago." Sarah, while watching the performance from the "wings," was ordered to give up to a titled amateur the chair upon which she was sitting, and there were many quarrels among the various more or less distinguished actors who had "reluctantly consented to appear by kind permission of the-ii respective managers." In the end. it was announced by the_ manager that the receipts had been over a thousand pounds and that after deducting the expenses of the entertainment he had "much pieajfure in handing Miss Judkins a postal order for half-a-crown." These and many si-mikir prankß endeared Pelissier ami his "-Follies" to London theatre goers.

G*orge Murphy, the talking corned; juggler at the National Theatre, it Sydney, reiates a funny incident tha Look piace in 'Frisco a little while back He was appearing at the t>rpheun rhtsiLre in tftat ci'ty what time arfiothe: somedy juggler named La Tosca was a 'be Lfupretis Theatre, a few blocks away Sot being on till rather late, Murphi was wending his way along, and pullet up at the Empress, where be e.musc. himself look ing at the lobby display o phutqgraphs, etc Near by was a youn; fellow, and to him Murphy said, ""Say how's tins show -this week?" "Great,' replied the stranger. "Seen this feltov La Tosca yet?" "Ves," came the answer "What is be like?" "Fine," said th. stranger. '"He's the best comedy juggle that has ever been on the coa_a_' Murphy plied him with further questions "Be<:n to the Orpheum show yet?' "Yes, I was there last night." "Wha do you think of Murphy, the corned' juggler there?" "Rotten,'' came th" answer. Telling the story, Murphy con Unties: "This kinder made me mad, s< 1 said to tie guy, 'Say. do you know wht 1 am. I'm Murphy.' I thought it wotili stagger l.kn a bit, but he said in tin quietest of tones, 'And I'm La Tosca." The two have been great friends eve since. The producers of the two alle-ed improper plays now being performed New "lork and the authors of contemplated pieces of much the same character declare their wiLingness to allow the Press and the public to judge for themselves. With this end in view, there was a special performance at 1.30 one mornin" recently in Miss Maxme Elßott's theatre of one of the plays. "The Lure," now so .Mich in the public eye. The audience that crowded the playhouse to the doors consisted of newspaper men, women suffragists, and personal friends of the producers in stage circles, who had been invited to see the play and decide whether there was anything objectionable in it. Nearly a thousand persons, most of them armed with special invitation cards, were turned from the theatre door, and their disappointment was so great that police reserves had to hustle them away. When the performance had proceeded as far as the second act. Mr. V. Serrano, who piays an important part, came before the curtain and asked for a vote as to the merits of the "disorderly house" act Everybody yelled "It's all right!"—everybody but one man in a back row. He started to make a speech, but was hissed down, and he shouted until he was removed by the police. Another man, who said he "was a psychologist and physician, wanted to know if "this class of play" was the kind tlie men present would like their mothers, sisters, and wives to see? He, too, was cried down, and had to retire. Then Mrs. Harriet Stanton Blateh. a prominent suffragist leader, of New York, arose and said that she would answer the last speaker's questing by saving that the play was just the kind " for mothers, wives, and sisters to see. because it taught them what to avoid. In response to a request for a vote, all the women In the audience—they constituted a-third of arose and shouted their approval of the play. The Commissioner of Police at New York (Mr. Waldo) declared, on the other hand, that he would take steps to have "The Lure" and 'The Fight" declared public nuisances, and wotrld prohibit future performances of either at the Maxine Elliott and Hudson Theatres respectively. And Magistrate M'Adoo (who eight years ago was responsible for the interdiction of a Bernard Shaw play) rejects the theory that the exposure of white slavery in big cities is any justification for plays that specialise in a disorderly house scene. "We do not need to uncover a sewer." he says, "to convince people as to its filthiness. nor to warn those of ordinary cleanly habits against getting into it. A considerable portion of our -police force is devoted to preventing exhibitions of immorality on our public streets. How useless is this if we are to Have more glaring exhibitions of vice on the static to be served up to adolescent youth and pure-minded girls." Somewhat of a sensation was introduced to theatre-goers in London recently when Scrvias Leßoy, the Royal illusionist, unheralded and unannounced, introduced his new illusion spectacular, which he calls "The Defier of Nero," in which some twenty people take part together with two lions, an elephant, and a modern and full-sized railway locomotive. Pretty girls are beheaded, traitors are thrown to lions, and a very pretty peasant girl who defies and shuns Nero's affections is bound and laid upon the ; floor and a huge elephant is seen to tread upon her body and apparently i crush out her young life. A race l>e- | tween an automobile and a railway tTain I is seen, and the lover arrives just in time to save his young sweetheart from heinc: I torn limb from limb by Nero's .-laves. i Although the whole situation is only an ■ illusion, and no one is injured in the ■ least, it appeared so realistic that the j managers of the Hippodrome asked Mr. Leßoj to modify it so as not to frighten his audiences half to death. Mr. Leßoy appeared in Australasia a few year3 ago in conjunction with Talma and Bosco, and it will be remembered that they set the whole of the Commonwealth talking about their many mysteries. THE DEADHEAD.