MIMES AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 23, 26 January 1918, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC

(EY "ORPHEUS.")

THE SHOWS.

Grand Opera House: Musical Comedy Company, in season. His Majesty's.—Vaudeville. The King's Theatre.—Pictures continuously. Crown Theatre.—Pictufes nightly; Our Theatre.—Pictures nightly. New Theatre.—Contiguous Pictures. Empress 'Theatre.—Continuous Picture!. Shortt's Pictures.—Continuous Pictures. People's Picture Palace.—Continuous Pictures. Britannia Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Everybody's Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Queen's Pictures.—Continuous Pictures. Paramount Theatre—Continuous Pictures.

A theatrical company selected from the ranks of the Australian Imperial Force is to tour England in aid of charities.

Mr Harry Lauder is making an extensive tour of the American variety theatres at a salary of £1100 a week, higher than he has ever got out there before.

Mr. Joseph Benson, a Lancashire nitrate merchant, and propretor of Shaftesburj Theatre, London, has purchased His Majesty's for £105.000. Messrs. Grossmith and Laurilliard will be tenants after the run of "Chu Chin Chow" is concluded.

Signor Malini, a prestidigitator of much merit, has arrived in Wellington, and will commence a short season at the Concert Chamber next Saturday. Signor Malini has travelled the world, and has had the honour of displaying his art before the King and Queen of England. Newspaper reports give him great praise for his performance, some declaring that he commences where others finish.

Messrs. J. and N. Tait have secured the engagement of Mr. Guy Bates Post, a distinguished actor, at present playing at the Bootle Theatre, Broadway, New, York, in "The Masquerador," a dramatisation of the well-known book, "John Chilcote, M.P." This will be one of his pieces for Australia. Mr. Post will probably bring several members of the company now appearing with him in New York. The Australian tour, which will be limited to under five months, is to open at tha Palace Theatre, Sydney, about 6th April. ■ Miss Nellie Kolle, principal boy in the "Robinson Crusoe" pantomime at the Grand Opera House, Sydney, has now been seven years in Australasia, and reckons herself, quite Australian. Originally engaged for a 26 weeks' vaudeville season, her popularity became so great that from time to time her contracts were renewed till now ehe can look back on seven years' continuous success, mostly undor the Fuller banner.

The J. C. Williamson management in Sydney announces that it has received a cablegram from Mr. Walter Jordan, the firm's New York representative, stating that Miss Dorothy Brhnton.has made her first American appearance in the leading role of "Follow the Girl," a new musical comedy, at Philadelphia. "Snippetty" said the code word, which, being interpreted, means "a great success." The cable added that the attraction would shortly be brought into New York. Mail advices conveyed the information that upon her arrival in San Francisco, Miss Bninton did not feel inclined to begin rehearsals with Mr. Morosco. She felt the need for a longer rest. Consequently, she went through to New York by easy stages. Her Australian reputation led to several offers being made her, and she finally decided upon "Follow the Girl." The message received from Mr. Jordan states that he has secured for the Williamson management the Australian rights of the musical comedy in which Miss Brunton has made her American debut. .

Mile. Dolores, the distinguished French soprano, who, since the outbreak of the war, has been living in Melbourne, has decided to resume her charming recitals this year. At the commencement of hostilities Mile. Dolores was engaged in an Australasian tour. She at once cancelled all her remaining dates, and announced that sho would not sing except for patriotic and charitable objects while the war lasted. To the present she, has faithfully adhered to her original announcement, la a. letter- to a Sydney friand, Mile. Dolores states that she intends giving a short recital season in Tasmania this month, and will then go to New Zealand. She has not, however, yet made any announcement as regards sing-' ing in Australia.

Back from New Zealand cornea A. Brandon-Cremer, as full of propositions and of. youth as ever, aays a Sydney paper. Ho reports all-round success from his venture;! in the Dominion. The No. 1 company had 60 consecutive weeks at The King's Theatre, Auckland, and a busy time it must have been, for during that period no fewer than 59 plays were staged. Nor were the productions skimped. The management set a high standard, and maintained the pace to the end. The No. 2 Company was no less successful on tour. The members of both are now back after their strenuous but none, the less happy working year. Mr. Cremer is lying low for the immediate present, but somewhere about Easter next he hopes to place a dramatic company at the Melbourne. Palace, under the auspices of B. and J. Fuller. A repent rumour that the now famous Nance O'Neil was to revisit Australia shortly is contradicted in the New York Dramatic Mirror, which states: "Miss O'Neill received an offer to appear in an Australian production of 'The Wanderer,' to be done in Melbourne, but she has' decided to remain in America, and will continue throughout the season to play in ' The Wanderer,' under the management of Elliott, Comstock, and Gest." The actress in pre-stnr days came to Australia, and New Zealand as, lead with a company \that included the late Thomas Kingston, M'Keo Rairtrin (also since dead), and Harry Plimmer. Amongst the productions were "Queen Elizabeth," "Magda," and "La Tosca." J. C. Williamson, Ltd.'a, attractions to bo produced during the year comprise a goodly list of successes. The dramas include: "The Silent Witness," "The Easiest Way," "The Thirteenth Chair," "A Scrap of Paper," " General Post," "The Heart of Wetona," "The Man Who Came Back," "The Willow Tree." Amongst the comedies are the following : "A Tailor-made Man," "Business Before Pleasure," " The Cinderella Man," "Captain Kidd, Jun.," " Hit-the-Trail Holliday," "Johnny, Get Your Gun," " Nothing but the Truth," "Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath." Musical plays include: "The Maid of the Mountains," "Maytime," "The Aviator," "Oh, Boy," "Oh, Oh, Delphine," "What Nest?" The programme of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., during 1918, therefore, promises to be an interesting and varied one.

Roland May Watts-Phillips, who, said the police prosecutor, Sgt. Spyer, was formerly an actress of some repute, was charged in. the Central Police Court, Sydney, recently, with having insufficient lawful means of support. Her age was given on the charge-sheet as 58. Mr.' M'Kensey: Will you consent to go to Newington Asylum for the sake of your friends and for your own sake? The defendant gave her consent, and Mr. M'Kensey discharged her. Miss Roland Watts-Phillips was at one time one of the best-known actresses in Australia. She was leading lady with George Rignold for many yqars, and played the leading women's part in his Shakespearien plays. She was a great favourite, and always shared the honours of the big first liishta in the old days u(, Her Majesty's Theatre.