STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Issue 123, 24 May 1919, Page 18

STAGE JOTTINGS.

The soubrette parts in the Haverly revues, which Claire Lloyd had to abandon owing to ill-health, have (says the Dunedin '"Star") been assumed by Mabel Oliver, a versatile young Aucklander who has done promising work in amateur theatricals.

Melbourne "Argus" qUQtes figures significant of the greatly increased expense which J. O. Williamson are under in keeping up the standard of their productions. Before the war canvas for scenery cost lljd a yard. The firm have just imported 10,000 yards at 5/9 a yard. Again, eilk dresses for the chorus, formerly obtainable at £7 10/, now cost £12; and the cost of principal costumes has risen from £25 to £40.

Sydney Drew, well known to "movie"' audiences the world over, and also a big figure on the New York speaking stage, died suddenly in New York from heart trouble on April 0, aged 54 years. Mr Drew was in New Zealand some 20 years ago with his first wife, Gladye Rankin, a daughter of McKee Hankin, who introduced Xanee O'Neill to New Zealand playgoers. Mrs Drew died early in "1914, and the same year Mr Drew married Lucille McVey, a concert singer.

An Australian, writing home about London shows, states that the places of amusement are all dropsical with constant filling and the clamorous crowds who can't get in. He records the latest successes of several artiste well known in the colonies. Madge Titheradge is leading lady at the Oxford in a new drama

"Jn the Night Watch"; G. W. Anson is Smee in a "Peter Pan" revival; and Kthel Irving ia playing in "The Chinese Puzzle."

"Papa Haydn" has shared in the general and widespread attempts to prove an alibi. A recent monograph harks back to his early antecedents and establishes the fact that, far from being a German, Haydn was a Croatian. The tinst music his young ears heard was Croatian peasant songs, and of these may be found many distinct traces in his compositions, even after the German influence had coloured his music and his long resilience in German territory had made him one of Germany's adopted

Further particulars (from New Zealand "Sporting and Dramatic") of Thos. Tilton, the Auckhndborn actor, who died of influenza in Sydney recently. The deceased produced "The Harrier,"

"Mr. Wu," in addition to such stock dramas as "The Monk and the Woman" and the "Sins of Society" for Ben and John Fuller, George Marlow, and George WillougShy. He was married to Pearl Ilelmrich, who at the time of his death was herself seriously ill in Melbourne of the same disease. Miss Heimlich iis twice a widow. Her first husband was Carden Wilson, a very clever impersonator and character actor who appeared here with the Fullers.

British film producers are making a big effort to secure a share of the world's film market. At present (saye a London paper) nine out of ten films shown to British audiences are American. Germany has lost no time in preparing for peace trade. There is a film-produc-ing concern with a capital of £5,000,000, supported by the German Government, ready to circulate Hun pictures. The best German cinema machine, however, is nov,- being made in large quantities by an all-British firm. The Hepworth Film Company is adopting an open-air policy with country backgrounds instead of studio interiors for many of ite scenes. Formerly nearly all British cinema acting was photographed in artificial light. The British Gaumont Company is photographing Mr. 11. G. Wells' "The First Men in the Moon."

Miss Ethel Erskine, who has come to Australia under engagement to the J. C. Williamson management, to take the place of leading woman in the. New English Musical Comedy Company, left vacant by the departure of Miss" Maud Fane, will make her first appearance in Melbourne in " Going Up," at Her Majesty's Theatre. When that popular musical play, " Betty," was staged at Daly's Theatre, London, the title role was played by Miss Erskine. Associated with her in " Betty" were such notable artists as Mr. Donald Calthrop, Miss Gertrude Glyn (who was in Australia under the J. C. Williamson management in -Gipsy Love" and "High Jinks"), Miss Ivy Shilling, Mr. G. P. Huntley, Mr. Lauri De Freece, Miss Gabrielle Ray, and Misa Kate Welch.

[Melbourne musical circles .ire greatly interested in the advent of the Belgian violinist, M. Walther, and Mdlle. Jeanne Feront, a pianist, who completed her studies under Arthur de Greef, in Brussels, and subsequently with the late liaoul Pugno, in Paris", or, rather, at his country home in Normandy. Both these artists had to seek refuge in Kngland at the beginning of the war. and since October, 1914, have been associated in constant charitable concert work in England. Scotland, and Wales. The fame of the violinist reached the. authorities of the Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music, over which Professor Layer presides. The Coneervatorium was on the look-out for a chief in the violin school, and made an effort to secure M. Walther through the Belgium Government then located at Havre. The Belgian Minister for Fine Arts, M. M. Lambert, communicated the proposal to M. Walther, who. despite his fears that the climate would not agree with him, was persuaded to accept, and he is already preparing f or sevcra i concerts.

Judging from the promise of support that Mr. Henri Yer-bnigghen has received, the development of the present Lonservatorium Oicheetra into a permanent organisation is funV assured (says the "Sydney Daily Telegraph") The convening of a public meeting to consider the scheme awaits Government approval of the project. Mr. Yerbrii"phen has already placed his proposals in full itotail before the Government. 1 hough the formation of a company with £10.000 capital is suggested, in -ome way or other it is certain that with .Mr. Verbrugghen as eonduetoi the orchestra so established must still form part and parcel of the Conservatorium. In the circumstances it could scarcely be a separate institution. Possibly on this acco-unt the Government will "want to come in as a considerable financial factor. It had been estimated that the permanent orchestra is likely to pay itri way just as the 47 lecture-concerts' and orchestral concert* given last year Inthe director have done. Rut it' will be a .[iiestion of the first importance for the public meeting to decide, whether it expects that the permanent orchestra should liquidate its own operations or whether the meeting m prepared to contemplate a low. It is an important point, because it will make a great difference in the management of the enterprise