STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 137, 9 June 1917, Page 14

STAGE JOTTINGS.

A budget of news haß reached mc, says "Loiterer" (Dunedin "Star"), from Mr. A. E. Cohen, who, while enjoying a holiday in Sydney, interviewed the leading managements and obtained definite information of what attractions are coming to New Zealand this year. Mr. Hugh J. Ward, managing director of the J. C. Williamson corporation, told him that the firm have never before sent over in one year com pa.lies of importance equalling that of the companies that will show here in the next six months. The first comers will be Charles Waldoe and Miss MacDonell with "Dadcy Long Legs" and "The Outcast." Sydney theatregoers are enthusiastic concerning Miss MacDonell, writes Mr. Cohen. The pantomime, "The House That Jack Built," will be dispatched to the Dominion a few days after the Mac-Donell-Wnldron Company, and commences at Wellington on June 18. Marie Tempest, with Graham Browne as leading man, will be the succeeding attraction. Theirs will be a Hying tour, embracing only the four centres; and the sole .production will be "_.ie Marriage of Kitty." (As 1 announced a fortnight ago, the Dunedin dates are September 2"_-_o.) Cyril Maude (now on his way from America) commences his Australasian tour in Melbourne on June lti. He conies here later in the year. Similarly the Musical Comedy Company will play here towards the end af the year, with the new piece, "Canary Cottage," as the staple attraction.

I The Taits will send two "winners" to New Zealand very shortly. The Musical Comedy Company, with "Very Good, Eddie," will be the first visitors. As a second string they will also play "The White Chrysanthemum," an extravaganza to be produced initially at Melbourne. The tour opens at Auckland on I July 16. Our old friend Barry Lupino heads the company. The "Turn to the Right" Company will leave Sydney lor New Zealand in the last week of October, opening at Wellington early in Novum- | ber. Mr. Cohen received news tbat will be pleasant to all playgoers who saw I "Peg o' My Heart"—namely, that .Miss Sara Allgood (who on May 14 completed her 350 th performance of the title role in Australasia) may sign a fresh contract with the Taits, who are endeavouring to get a couple of new plays as starring vehicles for*cr talent. Ben. J. Fuller, tho managing director lof the rapidly-growing ventures of the Fullers, also had a hig budget to disI close. Allan Wjllrie, with "The Story of the Rosary" and a sheaf of .Sheridan comedies will play New Zealand shortly, and the "Bunyip" pantomime (which has been tbe success of vie season) will be staged at Auckland on Boxing Night. Mr. Fuller has also just completed by table arrangements with Chung Ling Soo, the magician, to "do" the whole Australasian circuit controlled by the Fuller management. Chung Ling Soo, who is at present in Hongkong, will be supported by a vaudeville company entirely new lo this country. The company opens at the Grand Opera house, i Sydney, in August. "Ben. J." hopes to visit tne Dominion this monui in connecJ tion with his picture interests, and will come to Dunedin. He mentioned to Mr. Cohen that Daisy Jerome had written him from Seattle stating that she had just completed an engagement on the Pantages circuit, and was going to Los Angeles to rest at a bungalow which she had purchased. (The following note from an "exchange" is of interest: —"A

letter from an Australian in San Francisco stated that 'Daisy' was appearing at the Pantages theatre in that town, but, according to the writer, 'the redhaired one was not knocking 'em oil their seats.' ") Lastly, my correspondent announces that Wirth's Circus will be in Dunedin nt Christmas time. The features of their show will be the marvel-lously-trained sea lions and the Japanese acrobats. More than ordinary interest is taken by theatregoers in the appearance, at His Majesty's Theatre next week, of the young Canadian star actress, Kathlenc MacDonell, together with Mr. Charles Waldron, in Jean Webster's dramatisation of "Daddy Long Legs." The company will also play "The Outcast," a powerful piece, dealing with a social phase of life in the West End of London. This is the first of a series of "big things" promised by J. <'. W., Ltd. In August we are promised a visit from Marie Tempest, a London idol of the critics, Cyril Maude, and Sir Herbert Tree. Misn MacDonell is striking looking, with smiling blue eyes and retrousso nose, and radiates health. She has a wealth of ntiburn hair. "I am awfully glad to bo here," she said in a brief chat with an Australian pressman. "It is a long way to come, but I have long •wanted to make the voyage. It is not easy to realise one's ambition in this respect, however. When one wants an enffiigemunt nobody wants you; when you are wanted in Australia you are wanted in America. That is the way of it. Mr. Ward, however, secured my release, and hero I am. ('nnudu —Tor-

onto is my home—ls tremendously interested in Australia. The fact (hat the boys of both countries mc fighting side by Ride has made a Benl.imontnl tie that will always endure." For the past, three seasons Miss MacDonell 'has been continuously in New York in first-class production.. The last two seasons sho has been slurred Mr. Henry Miller, from whom Mr. Hugh J. Ward secured the Australian rigilts of "Daddy Long Legs," had engaged Miss MncDnnpll for a revival of ''The Great Divide." Miss MacDoripll fn play Mnrgnret Anglin's original part. It was from Mr. Miller that her release for an Australian tour was secured, he lieiug mixioim to have ber appear as Jean Webster's beroino. Mr. Waldron will nrqienr in his original role. He plnyptl the title part of "Daddy Long Legs" in both New York and London. He ifl accompanied by Mrs. Waldron, formerly a Sydney girl, and their two children.

Mr. Barry Lupino, tho brilliant comedian and dancer, who has been the soul of, several Williamson pantomimcß, met with a rather seriouß accident in Melbourne a few nightß ago. In the last net of "Good Boy Eddie" he, in the course of one of his amazing acrobatic dances, jumps backwards down a flight of steps, about eight feet in height. As he took off from the top his heel caught in a nail, with the result that he landed on tho back of his neck. He lay there in a crumpled heap while the audience, who did not know whether it was an accident or not, applauded. Then it was seen that he was partially stunned, and was assisted to his dressing-room in a state of collapse. Two doctors were quickly in attendance, and discovered that the injury was not so serious as it might have been.