THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2970, 6 January 1917, Page 11

THE THEATRE

EBy Sylvius.] London' 3 Repertory Theatre. Loudon is, at last,, to have a repertory theatre onco more, this uino uudor the direction of Mr. J. T. Groin, lii a. published statement Mr. Groin says: "Its establishment lias for Ion;; been a cherished wish of mine, but there were many difficulties to solve. I have obtained an excellent central theatre, for two matinees a week, further, I havo been promised u good deal of support and some money, while my old friends, Leon M. Lion and Fisher White, who helped me with the Independent Theatre, will act as sta"o directors. British dramatists, notably tlio young generation, will come first. AVhen at the chosen moment I give the signal, I feel sure I shall havo sufficient plays to go on with. As this is war time, tho gay note will predominate. Of course 1 have a quiver full of Continental plays ranginc from Balzac, Turgeniefl, Ibsen, and Echegaray, to ■the youngest school of tlio French, the Dutch, and the Italians. As wo start with matinees; and, I trust, may relyon the goodwill of all managers, since repertory is to their advantage, we shall be able to draw our forces from all quarters. The beginning will be modest, for I do not believe that London is ripe for' repertory on the same basis as Liverpool or Manchester. Moreover, the experiment on a largo scale would bo expensive, and I believe in evolving big things. from small beginnings. In conclusion, I would say that personally! shall not reap any financial benefit from the enterprise. Profits will go on the co-op-erative system to the actors, to a reserve fund, and to charity. Tlio Home-made Article. "The home-grown article before an importation" snould be i.he watch-word of every patriotic firm nowadays, and Messrs. Ben. J. and John Fuller, jim., have adopted the maxim for their latest enterprises in the show world. "The Bunyip," an Australian play, written by an Australian, and interpreted by an all-Australian cast, iri gorgeous settings of Australian scenery, painted in Australia, was staged at the Sydney Opera House under the Fuller direction on Boxing Night. If its prevailing popularity is any criterion, this all-Australian pantomime should enjoy an unprecedented success, and it says much for Messrs. Fullers' foresight in giving Australian playgoers tho opportunity of making a comparison between their own play-produc-ing powers and the imported skill. Simultaneously, another pantomime was produced on Boxing Night at tlio Fullors 1 Duncdhi house, and it is also a purely Australian production. "Robinson Crusoe" is a two-act spectacular extravaganza, consisting of eight scenes and two big tableaux, one of these being the raft adrift in mid-ocean. Desiring to give the Dominion a pantomime spcotaclo at the time-honoured period for such entertainment, and having on his New Zealand circuit so capable a producer and comedian as Mr. Victor Prince (who was for so many years a pillar of tho Williamson firm), Mr. Ben. J. Fuller, decided to transport a full specialty company from Sydney to support Mr. Prince in a fullsized 'pantomimo extravaganza, , and "Robinson Crusoe" resulted. It will be seen at the firm's local house, His Majesty's Theatre, in a few weeks' time. Notes. A change lias been made in tho cast of "The Houso that Jack Built," tlio Williamson pantomime at Her Majesty's, Melbourne. This now includes' Miss Amy Murphy,' who has appeared in numerous J. 0. Williamson productions. Her first appearance under the firm's management was in the title role of "Bluo Moon," one of her more recent successes being achieved as Nadina in-"Tho Chocolate Soldior." Miss Murphy plays Fairy Quccii in "The Houso that Jack Built."

Mr. Philip L.vtton, the man who converted Henry Fletcher's stories, "Dads Wayback." into the lively character farce that is now making such a hit in New Zealand, informed a southern paper that ho has some intention pre'sently of giving Loudon the chance of seeing this Antipodean rural masterpiece. There could not be a bettor time than fho present, when "Australia" rings loud in English ears. Mr. Lytton has had 'The Waybacks" as a trump card for seventeen months, and at one time had three companies on tho roads with it.

Gaston Morvale, who will bo remembered here for bis Svengali. and tho Dot-tor in "Tho Speckled-Baud,", lias returned to Australia wider engagement to produce "Turn to the Right" for the Taits.

The American dancer Miss Maud Allan,' 'who toured New Zealand two years ago, began a- aeries of matinees at tho Forty-fourth Street Theatre, Now York, on October 16. She was assisted by tho Maud Allan Symphony Orchestra of forty pieces, under tho leadership of Ernest Bloch, a. Swiss composer and conductor. A one-act dance, play, "Nair, tho Slave," a love tragedy of the Orient, was the chief feature of tho programme. Given by Miss Allan and a company of twelve, to music by Eelpassi, it proved a colourful and interesting ballet.

Mr. J. W. Com.yns Carr, the wellknown English critic and dramatist, died in Londbn a few days ago, aged 67 years. He was founder and first editor of the _ "English Illustrated Magazine," joint author with Hugh Conway of "Called Back," with Hadd'on Chambers of "Bovs Together," with Sir A. W. Pinoro of "Tho Beauty Stone," and with Stephen Phillips of "Faust." Ho was lesseo of the Comedy Theatre from 1893 to 1896, and managing director of tho Lyceum Theatre from. 1902 to 1904. Mr" Comyns Carr was called to tho Bar in 1872.

Miss Annette Kellermann, who "starred" in "Neptune's Daughter," which was shown hero last year, has appeared in another film of a similar character. The latest picture is entitled "A Daughter of the Gods," and is on a very elaborate § scale. This production was made in Jamaica, and took over 11 months to complete. Over 20,000 people are in the cast, deluding 1200 children, who were used in tho Gnome city scenes. Other big features include the burning of the immense city which was specially built at a cost of 350,000 dollars, thrilling swimming feats by Miss Kellermann, and battle scones. "A Daughter of the Gods" is now being shown in Australia.

There was very nearly a blank in the J. C. Williamson pantomime in Melbourne, whore the b g specialty turn, Ritchie's Reckless Rough Riders, were to have appeared. Tlis Ritchie troupe were on board a boat that came within the range of a German submarine, which "dropped an egg," as the captain of the vessel put it, and the torpedo only missed its mark by inches.