THEATRICAL HOAX.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 7

THEATRICAL HOAX.

STRANGE SYDNEY CASE. PRINCIPAL DISAPPEARS. OX EVE OP BIG VENTURE, (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, March 7. The disappearance, since la-"t Saturday, of a man who was living in Roslyn Gardens, Darlinghurst, Sydney, ha-i roused a furore of excitement and speculation on the part of theatrical stars and others who had entered his employ while the proprietors of a suburban garage are also anxiously inquiring for his new address. It is stated that when he arrived at Darlinghurst a few weeks ago, he said he was a storekeeper from Grafton, on the North Coast, creating the impression of being possessed of wealth by rarely moving from the Hat without using expensive limousines, which were hired from the garage in the suburb. The proprietors of the garage extended him credit on the representation that he was a personal friend of a rich squatter, who is always a client of their firm on his visits to Sydney. The man who is now being sought by so many indignant persons, announced that 'he was interested in a theatrical proposition at Grafton, and proposed to put the local theatre on a first class footing, both in a financial manner and in the nature of the attractions to be offered. He got into touch with a man connected with the managerial side of a city theatre, and the latter agreed to accept the position of manager of the Grafton project. He immediately set about getting together a company of artists, and as he had been told by the principal that money was no object, he contracted with several leading theatrical people in Sydney.and soon had them rehearsing their first offering. The head electrician of a city linn threw up a permanent position to accept a good offer for his services. A jazz band, which has been appearing in Sydney, was engaged, while the ballet from a large restaurant vas engaged for the tour. -A special drop curtain, recently brought out from Eng land, was tentatively purchased, and photographs of the company were taken at a city studio. All negotiations were carried out through a firm of city solicitors who are above reproach, and everything was arranged for the trip to Grafton, of the principal and manager, who were to make final arrangements at Grafton, the company to follow them this week. But the principal was not to be found on Saturday when the limousine which was to take them to Grafton arrived at his flat, and the people engaged for the big theatrical venture have been left stranded, wondering whether the whole thing was a huge hoax. Inquiries 'have been made at Grafton, but no one of the name given by the principal is known there, and further, local authorities have heard nothing of any project in connection with the Grafton theatre. What motive lay behind the actions of the man in question is a matter for conjecture. It is certain that he did not make anything in the way of money, and the police, who have been consulted, are of the opinion that he was cither a crank, or intended some big move which failed, and he consequently disappeared. Meanwhile, there are numbers of disillusioned parsons seeking diligently for the would be theatrical magnate.