ROUND O' THE YEAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 80, 28 December 1917, Page 8

ROUND O' THE YEAR

THEATRE AND MUSIC

SOME NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS

(By "Sylvius.")

No one who takes an interest in the passing show can hut agreo that tho year ended has bcefi a somewhat notable one as far as the theatre is concerned, particularly in view of tho times wo are living in. Indeed, it might not bo going too far to Bay that it may bo owing to the war conditions. in other parts of the world that has made the engagement of such preeminent artists ae Cyril Maude, Mario Tempest, and Ada Reeve possible. In normal times there would probably be far greater competition for their services in theatrical fields more lucrative than offers in Australia and New Zealand.. Suffice to say we have been privileged to,see such world-renowned artists, and'aie props:!/ ihenkful therefor.

Early in the year the theatrical atmosphere was disturbed by tho performance here of Brieux's powerful es'snv in play form on the perils of the "red plague," "Damaged Goods," a play that lias since been introduced to London with success. It is still a moot point, -with me at all events, whether the_ theatre is the place for-iiiriiig a social evil in such a bold,. prlo.ves-nfF manner. I prefer to regard the theatre as a temple of intellectual ■ entertainment, wherein- the mirror is held up to nature, preferably in its more pleasant and amusing aspects, a- place where one may for a brief hour or two' ■forget the cares nnd trials of the worlc-a-drw world.' "Damaged Goods" was played with deep seriousness and conviction, and introduced a verv competent actor new to us in Mr." Stephen Scanlon.

A George Willoughby, as cherubic and buoyant as ever, turned up ag.iin in a nvusicalised version of "What Hapiwned to Jones," afterwards developed in Melbourne into a thorough-going musical comedv. This habit is a growing one. In London, for example, Sir A. W. Pinero's farcical comedy, "The Magistrate," has been converted into a musical comedy entitled "The Bov," and is running successfully. Another dramatic attraction of the earlier half of_ the year wr.s the advent here of Miss Florence Rockwell in "The House of Glass," "The Land of Promise," and "Tiie Law of the Land." Miss Rockwell is an actress of considerable emotional power, who hardly met with the appreciation she deserved. I preferred Somerset Maimliam's nlnv to either of<r, the others. It had real grip and a liasis of sound logic in its argument. I T n lighter vein we had "The Seven Keys to Baldpnto," a remarkably clever comedv by Geo. Cohan. "A Pair of Sixes," "The Travelling Salesman," "Broadway Jones," and "Baby Mine." bv a Williamson company,' headed by Mr. Robert Greig and Miss Beatrice Holloway. ' Melodrama of a Sort; . v•' Then for several weeks Wellington was held in the throes of melodrama, mostly of a class scarcely worthy of serious mention, by the Brandon Cremer Company. The result was not encouraging to ;the management, and,not particularly edifying to those who take their play-going seriously. Melodrama of the class referred to no doubt has its place in the theatrical scheme of things, but that class of {he public who appreciate its crude and morbid sensationalism are few in number in Wellington. . - • A New Management. A kindly welcome has, boon accorded during the year to Messrs. J. and N. Tait, who have entered into the business of theatrical management with a. zest and purpose that promises well for the public. In "Very Good Eddie" they gave a very smart and laughable American musical comedy, racy of the soil, with such admirable players as Barry Lupino and Fayette Perry in leading roles. They also appeared in "The White Chrysanthemum.'}' Another Tait company that mado a success was that headed by Miss Kara Allgood in "Peg o' My Heart," anil lnttorly the company that plnyed "Turn to. the Right" and "The New Henrietta." At the present time the Tait management is interested in a pnntomime in Melbourne, and recent advices state that Mr. E..J. TaiUins purchased several tow successful American plays, which wo will doubtloss see in the. fullness of time . Another delightful ■ actress and play which gave inordinate pleasure was Miss Katlilenc MacDonell in "Daddy Long Legs." Tt was an impersonatinn"of outstanding virility and ohnrin. and everyone will be disappointed if we do not' have farther opportunities of seeing this actress in other parts.

Notable Artists. During the final quarter of tTio year. «uU Ttcevo rushed in upon us, and brisked up'the whole. community''wth her magnetic personality, varied -art, niirl ceaseless eilercv. Then •»( Cyril Maude in jus incnmparaWo (i oldman impersonation, "Grumpy,' a study that will live long m tho ■ memory as a character delineation "f deen insight and resourceful art. Ho was not quite so successful in - "General Jofc'i Reran," in which tho actor cavu ji Brisk but somewhat colourless performance as the volatile Dr. Lucius CGnifly. His Eocles in "(Me" antl tlio Tittle bit we. saw of his Sir Pe|*T Teazle in tho serpen scene from ""he School for Pcandal" displayed'the vnrsatilitr antl. comedy oowers of ihs English actor. Mr. Stephen fjeanlon was again in evidence in. tho Ma"udo sf.""'n. TTis was distinctly the "tar pciTiirmr.net. in the Geo. A. Birmingham ii'ay. Lastly, we have Miss Marie len>™"!t —the only Marie Tempest—in "The Marriage' of■ Kitty." Miss Temiiest is a radiant, buovant, piquant little actress, refreshingly natur.il rnd nnstagey in s>ll she. does, and her success here is only an endorsement of n-lyit the dmle world thinks and savs. Miss Tempest is to hn seen here in "T>n,iMone." "> r i's. 1)ot.' y "i\ Pair of Silk Sticking." and "Good Gncious. Annabolle." 'Wimt a hunch of good things! Glory he! Dull Mijsloa! Year. Apart from the ever-present patriotic concert, the year from a musical point of view has been a. dull one. The chief event wns the welcome appearance of tho Royal Comic. Onera Company, who bounced right into favour in that bte. buoyant, vivacious, musical comodv, "The Pink Ladv," and "The Cinema Star." with Miss Florence Young, Miss Minnie Lnve, Miss Gladys Monc'i'ieff. Messrs. 11. Roberts. L. Holland, and Phil Smith an the chief merrymakers. Among the smaller musical shows which gave pleasure were the talented "English Pierrots and Waller's "Look Who's Here!" Rente Company. In January last the Selinsky-Aniadio Concert Company gave a series of good concorts well above the standard. Tho amateur performance of Audrau's liffht opera,' "Lα Mascotte," was entirely praiseworthy from every noint of view, and it is to be hoped that the society will continue the good work. The Choral TJnion gave an interesting concert performance of "Maritana," a miscellaneous choral concert, and ihe usual year-end performance- of ''The Messiah," which- introduced Madamo Elaio Pav'es, of Melbourne. Vaudeville Rippics On. The standard of vaudeville has been well maintained by Messrs. Fuller and Sons, who make no mistake in giving tho publio what it wants. In that,

respect the bos office talks, find , tlu> Fullers are not complaining. The development has been a double one— firstly, in the gay white way of the revue, and perhaps as an antidote the engagement of better-claes' vocalists, such as Miss Anfy Murphy, Miss Black, Miss Margaret 1 jowoll, Mr. Malcolm M'Eachern, Signor Molinari, Mr. Philip Ne-wbury, and others that could lw mentioned. At times the revues of vaudeville go fairly closo to the borderline of taste, but there are compensations in the bright action, dresses, and dancing, which certainly please those people who* are numbered amongst the numerous Fuller patrons. The Ada Eeovo Vaudeville Company was a good one. The Amusement Tax. During the year the , Government has imposed an amusement tax of moderate scope, at which no one has cavilled. It is very doubtful if the tax has u-ade the slightest difference in the case of touring attractions, whilst it may have tended k> increase the number of sixpenny peoplo in the case ' of picture shows at the expense of deafer reservations. In any case.the tax is only an infinitesimal part of the burden war has put upon the public, and as B\ich it has been accepted cheerfuily throughout the country.