GREAT THEATRE COMBINE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18266, 27 December 1924, Page 14

GREAT THEATRE COMBINE.

ENGLAND, AMERICA, AUSTRALIA. Mr E. J. Tait, one o: the throa managing directors oi J. C. Williamson, Eld., stated last week in Sydney that for some timo negotiations had been in train by Sir George Tallis in London to effect- a combine with other great, firms so as to ensure a. free exchange of artists and pieces between England, America, and Australia. Enormous sums of money will be ultimately involved in the proposed arrangements, but Mr Tait pointed out that affairs of such magnitude take time to develop, and that playgoers on this side will not bo immediately affected. As a matter <>i fact, the first two enterprises will bri launched in London and Edinburgh. Their importance consists in. the fact that they point to the successful conclusion, so far. of operations which will be rapidly extended throughout the English-speaking world. These first productions will oi "Lightnin' Jones'' at tho Shaftesbury Theatre, London, and of "l-'rasquita," the latest operetta by the composer of "Tho Merry Y'idow," in Edinburgh. Tho agreement by which the J. C. Williamson theatres will gain more famous artists than before, due to the greater length of the engagements offered, is being made with Messrs Klaw and KHanger, who have for years past directed a series of important theatres iu New ork and throughout the United States: Messrs Smith_ and Golden, agents and producers; Mr "William (launt, a Bradford millionaire, who owns the Gaiety, Adelphi, and Apollo Theatres, London, and Mr A. E. Malone, for many years agent for J. C. "Williamson in London, where he is now in partnership with Mr Geo. Grossmitb, and is a large shareholder in Hi 3 Majesty's, the "Winter Garden, and the Shaftcsburv Theatre. Tho ramifications of tho proposed agreement will, it is stated, make, it in time one of tho largest deals 111 theatrical affaire yet recorded.