VAUDEVILLE IN N.Z.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18206, 17 October 1924, Page 11

VAUDEVILLE IN N.Z.

SOME BIG ATTRACTIONS COMING. THE J. C. WILLIAMSON VENTURE A "Press" reporter hr.d a conversation with Mr Harry P. Muller. manager cf the J. C. WilliArr.f.on World Untcr-t-aincrs afc present appearing at the Theatre Roy a], yesterday afternoon, on uie question of tho future of vaudeville ;u Xctr ZeaUnd. I'coplo were asking, said Mr Mr.Her, if J- C. Williamson, Ltd., could, in future bills, keep up tho standard of their initial venture into vaudeville — tho World's Kntortaincrs. That, hosaid, was a matter for the public. If the public could keep up the standard of patronage, then "the Firm" could do its part. A few months ago J. C. Williamson, Ltd., bought out the Musgrore eircuic. The latter had booked star acts for the next two years and Williamson intended to use tliem. They had .two sots of acts on their books and arrangements were being made to give New Zealand tho opportunity of seeing the world's greatest vaudeville acts presented in Sydney style. Mr A. U.Shepard had formed a separate limited liability company to control J. C. Williamson's Vaudeville artists in New Zealand. The vacant theatro dates would in future bo played by vaudeville companies at frequent intervals. At the present time another company, headed by Hetty King, the famous malo impersonator. was on tour, and would open in Christchureh on November \f?oth. Included in this company were Donald and Carson, Scottish comedians; Hol'loway and Austin, wire experts; Dudley Dale, cartoonist and dancer, Kd. Lavinc, comedy juggler; Laveen and Cross, comedy ncrohats, and Ross's Jazz Band. This ccmipaJiy was at present Auckland, and. would b& followed in Christchureh by another company headed by Harry Weldon, the English . oqmedian, and Hilda Glyder, tho comedienne. Then, following cn these, arrangements were being made to send a tour through New Zealand headed by Bert Errol. the f emails : impersonator; Albert_ Whelan, munio; Bert Levy, cartoonist; Irene Franklin, comedienne;' Scott arid Wyley, coloured comedians,; tho. Six Brown Brothers, dancing saxophonists ; MarceUo and his seal and such headline acts. It was hoped to arrange for a visit by tho Havaiina, Hind, at present pi ay Lag at the Ambassador, Sydney, and looked on as the Princo of WaJes's favourite jazz orchestra. ' Speaking of tie success,of the imftal venturo into vaudeville,. Mr Muller said ho had been so impressed with tho result that be intended to reoomlri.ervd that tho New ' Ze-aland centres should bo regularly visited by TivoJi circuit acta, thus enabling New Zealand theatregoers to sco clean vaudeville oil up-to-date lines. But tiie idea that, this scheme . would interfere * with Williamson's usual theatrical and. musical attractions did not enter into the question at aIL , The compaaiies under the new 6chemo would not .clash witb the usual fixtures at all; the, vaudeville companies would fill only what were known'as vacant dates- ' . "I think tho theatre-going public quite realise'that if-high-class, vaudeville can he run successfully and regularly in Australia, it can bo run in Nf>w Ze'aJand,' provided'the standard of patron ago justifies the scheme," 'concluded Mr Muller.