MIMES AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 66, 15 September 1917, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC

(BI "ORPHEBS.").

THE SHOWS. Grand Opera HoH6e: '!The Jtagio Carpet" season opens to-night, • "La Mascotte," 22nd September. ' Town Hall.—English Pierrots, in season. His Majesty's.—Vaudeville, the King's Theatre;— Pictures nightly. Crown Theatre. —Pictures nightly. Our Theatre.—Pictures nislitly. New Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Empress Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Shortt's 'Pictures.—Continuous Pictures. People's Picture Palace.—Continuous Pictures. liritannift Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. , Everybody's Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Queen's Pictures.—Continuous Pictures. Paramount Theatre—Continuous Pictures:

Miss Kathlene MacDonell, who won great popularity as Judy in "Daddy Long, Legs," will have- an opportunity of displaying her powers as a dramatic actress in a production ,of Bostand's play, "L'Aiglon," which Was played here by Miss Tittell Brune. "L'Aiglou" will go up at Melbourne Theatre Eoyal. Incredible as it seems, there are actors who relish a story against themselves. Mr. Seymour Hicks, the English actor tells one regarding his appearance •some yeaia ago as tho Cardinal in "The Ked Kobe." In this play, at the end of the last act, all the characters attack the Cardinal,, who, finding himself alone, turns to the audience, crying, "Am I then only a howling pelican in the wilderness?" "Well," says Mr. Hicks, "one evening when I arrived at this stage, a mau in the pit rose and said, 'Oh, is that it? I've been wondering ■what the deuce you were all the evening.'" , Already preparations are toeing .made at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, for the annual Williamson pantomime, which, this Christmas, is to be based upon the ■ subject of "Dick Whititington." In England, Mr. Clyde Meynell, and in America, Mr. Hugh J. Ward, are selecting attractions for the extravaganza. The oast will contain some surprises. Miss Connie Ediss has decided to remain, in Australia for some time, and has signed on with' ifche' J. C. Williamson firm for a further lengthy period. It -was originally intended by the ..firm to pro•'duco "80 LongyLertty" in London, with Miss Ediss and Miss Bruntoh in the roles they created with so much success here. The war., however,' has had the effect of .preventing this .production. Miss JMiss will, therefore, remain .in Australia, -while. Miss Bninton • proceeds to America.

"La Mascotte" will be revived by the Wellington. Amateur Operatic Society at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening next on a scale hitherto not attempted by amateurs in this city. Mr. Tom Pollard is now in Wellington directing the rehearsals, and Mr. W. Jr-Beck, tho scenic artist, is. .turning out some of the best work.hethas ever done. He gets an admirable chance to display the power of his brush in tho,three scenes— - Rocco's farm, Prince Laurent's palace (an interior in white and gold); and the bivouac in the forest. In the latter act the armies of Laurent and Frittellini m«et in conflict, the latter are victorious, and to show it executes a march, in which half a hundred of Wellington's prettiest girls will fake part. The" new Fuller opera combination, headed by Signor Cappelli, has commenced, its Australian tour at Adelaide. The opening programme was two acts of "Kigoletto" and two acts of "II Trovatore,"bdth done in traditional settings and correct costumes. In the former the Duke was sung by Signor Lois, the Jester by Signor Scamuzzi, and Sparafticile by Signor Cacialli. In the latter, Cappelli was Manrico, and Signora Cappelli made her Australian debnt as Eleonora. Other programmes provide for the production of "Lucia" and acts from "Faust" and other operas.

A. recent English mail to Australia brought a letter from Julius Knight. Playgoers have been wondering as to what had, become of Mr. Knight, who, ib was stated some time ago, intended to produce "A Royal Divorce" in New York, with himself as Napoleon. In his letter Mr. Knight stated that he had been on a visit to his people in Scotland, and that he intended to ."do his bit" by helping to gather the harvest. Subsequently he rail engage in other useful war work. It is understood that Mr. Knight has not relinquished his intention of producing "A Royal Divorce" m New York, and that his intentions will be given effect to when a- favourable opportunity presents itself. ' Miss Dorothy Brunton is due in New York next month to commence rehearsals in a-new musical comedy in which she is'to make her first appearance in America, under Oliver Morosco's management. Before her departure from' Sydney, she was lavishly entertained and was the recipient of many handsome farewell gifts. The citizens' presentation, 'which was made by the Lord Mayor, was a diamond boomerang. At the farewell performance in His Majesty's Theatre there was a remarkable scene, a huge audience cheering tho charming little lady on her every appearance throughout ,the performance. The wealth of affection was too much *or Australia's "Dot," and she sought the usual refugo of woman— tears. Sydney has not witnessed a more enthusiastic demonstration. Miss Brunton carries with her the hearty good wishes of hosts of admirers in Australia and New Zealand. Miss Maud Fane, another delightful and clever actress, has succeeded Miss Brunton as lead of the musical comedy company, and-made her first appearance in that capacity as Suzanne in "The Girl in tho Taxi," and at once made her way into the hearts of her'audience.

After weeks of uncertainty Ada Reeve has arrived—we are to see her after all. Curiously enough, it is those who have seen this brilliant star before who are the most anxious to renew their acquaintance with the lady. There are many who have seen her in Australia, during the three visits' she has paid to the Commonwealth, but more have probably seen her at Home—at the Gaiety, the Pa-lace, the Alfiambra, the Hippodrome, where she is always the favoured topliner. Coming of theatrical stock, she made her first appearance at the age- of six in Dewsbufy, and even then the Yorkshire folk felt thait the child was: born to greatness. She then migrated to the Pavilion, Mile-End-road, London, where she played child parts in " Human Nature," " Iloodman Blind," etc. At •twelve years she was already playing in pantomime with Fanny Leslie's Company at Drury-lane, and at the early age of 14 held an acknowledged place in the London halls, where she made hit after hit in such songs as " What Do I Care?" " The Little Puritan," " I'm a Little Too Young to Know, you Know." In 1894, with Mr. George Edwardes.' Companies, she made a hit in "The Shop Girli" one of the first of the famous "Girl" series of musical complies. She was afterwards the original Julie Bon Bon in "The Gay Parisienne," Fifi. in. "The Frenuh Maid," and Floradora." She succeeded- Marie Tempest in " San Toy," and played the leads in "Kitty Grey' and the "Three Little Maids." Since .then she lias devoted her varied talents to the vaudeville stage pretty exclusively. For a nine weeks', tour of South Africa ten years ago she was paid the enormous fee of £5000. From the foregoing it will be gathered that in the advent here of Miss Ada Reeve there is something in the nature of a. theatrical event.