STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 14

STAGE JOTTINGS.

On rare occasions only do the more, distinguished "Jiterary" journalists iof London—those whose work finds ready sale between book covers —deal with stage personalities. But nearly all have tried to catch and express ia words the elusive charms of Miss Marie Tempest. One described her as the reincarnation 1 of Nell Gwynne, whom poor old Pepysl struggled to picture in his diary. George' Meredith saw her and called her "a dainty rogue in porcelain." It is doubtful, however, if Miss Tempest is to be summed up in a phvase. "Puck in petticoats" was James Douglas' attempt to do this in "Adventures in London." Evidently the alliterative effort had a sobering effect, for he forthwith "applies himself to the searching each of Miss Tempest's features for the secret of her fascination." "Let mc try," he writes, "to describe what the Irieh would call the 'divilment' in her eyes. There is no other word for it. They are full of pure divilment, even in the mock response ot gravity, when ehe is holding back the lightnings of laughter that are rendy to flash in all directions. Her bottled fun is always bursting to break loose. You can see the drollery struggling behind half-shut eyelids. You wait breathlessly for something to give and go. As you watch her you anticipate the explosion of humour before it explodes somewhere in the world of comedy behind her eves." Then Mr Douglas thinks it might bo Miss Tempest's eyebrows, and, again, lie devotes much reflective study to her mouth. "Most mimes," he says, "have a stock smile which they turn on and off like the gae." Kot so, however, with Mies Tempest's. "Her smile contracts and expands, passing through tones and slmdes of humour which correspond tvith their moods." Mr. Douglas devotes a whole chapter to his idol, than whom he is sure there never was a greater oomedv artist.

Walter Cornock, dame in the Fuller pantomime, "Robinson Crusoe." came into the 'business as a call boy, and now, at 23, can look back nn successful appearance in every lino of theatrical business. His last appearance in Sydney wae ns Joe Wilson in Henry Laweon's "While the Billy Boils." He has also acted for tlip pictures, and once sang as a boy balladist in vaudeville. After p'.aying under every management in Australia, Cornock finds versatility nnd perseverance rewarded with a biff change i" a big show. He lias just signed another ■two years' contract with the Fullers, and "credits his training by H. R. Roberts, Magffie Moore, and A. Bran-don-Cremer for liis success.

The theatrical amalgamation rumour has again baen revived (says the Sydney "Sun" of 21st inst.). It is freely bruited about that there ie a scheme suggested for the amalgamation of the theatrical enterprises of J. C. Williameon, Ltd., the Harry Kickards circuits, and the Fuller circuits. Colour has been lent to the rumour by the interchange of prominent artists between the J. I. Williamson and Rickards companies. Several theatrical representatives were interviewed on the subject. The representative of the J. C. Williamson companies declared there was not the remotest foundation for such a rumour in 60 far as .(. C- Williamson, Ltd., were concerned. lie was of the opinion that the interchange of artists had given rice to the current story, and explained that such interchange was due to the fact that many of these artiste could not got back to England and America owing to war conditions, and had been employed by Australian managers who hud not originally engaged them. That an amalgamation proposal had been mooted some time ago was disclosed by a representative of the Fuller companies. He. stated that a proposal for the amalgamation of certain theatrical enterprises, including the Fuller circuits, the Harry Rickards circuits, and certain of the -I. C. Williamson circuits, had emanated from an outside source, hut when the terms were, disclosed they were so unacceptable as not to be entertained at All so far as the Fullers were concerned. The interchange of vaudeville artists, he added, had no significance other than giving employment to thot;e who maybe unable to obtain employment abroad because of the war.

The J. C. Williamson pantomime tour Of New Zealand will begin in June, and the "Bing Boys" in July, both opening at Wellington or Auckland.

The "Star's" London correspondent writes by th last mail: "Miss Kathleen Levi (Dunedin and Wellington) was accorded a deservedly great reception for her brilliant rendering of the Beethoven ''Sonata in C Minor" at a Chamber Concert given at the Royal Academy of Music a few days ago."

The "Vogue" ballot is one of the sensations of the "Dick Whittington' , pantomime at Her Majesty's, Melbourne. A&sociated with Maggie Dickinson and Sidney Yatcs are the best dancers of the famous J. C. Williamson ballet. Tho dressing, too, is startlingly unique, ench c.'f the dancers representing a liguro from the cover of the famous fashion magazine. Vera Pearce, the principal boy of the J. C. Williamson pantomime. "Dick Whittington," is a great favourite with the children who appoar at the big production at Melbourne Her Majesty's. In many ways they have shown, their admiration and n.fcet.inn for her. One day last week Miss Peftrcc reciprocated by giving the ohildfon a party at her charming hmi'.e. The youngsters opened their eyes wide at the lavishness of the entertainment provided for them, and declared it was "honzcr." They had the time of their young lives. Every one of them at that party Unhesitatingly declared that it was their greatest ambition to be a pantomime principal boy like Vera Peareel

Charles Vatide (of Vaiule and Verne) wae among a company due to appear at a Melbourne theatre the other morning on behalf of charity. The show was to be a continuous one, starting at 11 a.m., and at that hour Vaude and some dozen other members of the company wore lined up at the back of the curtain prepared, to go on with the good work. However, counter-attractions, in the shape of processions outside, had cast a damper on business, and when the orchestra had finished its prelude only one person had paid for admission. The company did not care to go on in the presence of this vast audience, nnd Charlie Vaude was deputed to find a polite way of asking the Iftdy to retire and take the ebilling back which she had paid for admission. Like a dorifleJ usher Vaude advanced among the ompty chairs, and, with an elaborate bow, said: "Madam, I am aorry, but you are sitting in someone's scat." He explained that all the seats had been reserved, and their purchasers might turn up at any hour; then pressed the shilling upon her. Later he put his overcoat over his drees clothes, and went over to the Bijou Theatre, .where he met Fuller's manager, Harry Mullet*. "How are you doing over the way?" Mullor asked. "Doing?" said Vaiide. "Doing! Turning moncj' away!'