MIMES AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC

: (DI "ORPHEUS.") THE SHOWS. Grand Opera House: "Look Who's Here," season opens to-night. Town Hall (Concert Chamber).—Mallni, season closes to-night. . , His Majesty's.—Vaudeville. vThe King's Theatre.—Pictures continuously. Crown Theatre.—Pictures nightly. Our Theatre.—Pictures nightly. New Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Empress Theatre.—Continuous Pictures, 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. Madame Melba appeared in "Faust" on 6th February' at the Chicago Opera Company's New York season. It was the silver jubilee of her American debut, and she was given an enthusiastic reception, being recalled twelve times. Miss Lillian Tucker, the American actress, who came to Australia under engagement to J. and N. Tajt, returns to America- in a few days to fulfil some long-standing engagements in New York. Miss Tucker made her first appearance in Sydney twelve months' ago in " Very Good Eddie," and has since been seen in the. " White Chrysanthomum " and the comedy dramas, the "New Henrietta" and "Turn to the Right." The return of the Jack Waller's "Look Who's Hero" Revue Company should be welcome to theatregoers. When last here,* this company made a big impression by the novelty and excellent staging of the turns. The " potted pla-ys " will not be easily forgotten. The retur^i season should be as successful as the initial one. The company appears to-night in the Grand Opera House. Miss Florance Gleeson died suddenly on 4th inst., at a private hospital, St. Kilda (Melbourne), after a brief illness. Miss Gleeson was for several years a member of the J. C. Williamson Co., and during that period created a number of roles, such as Natunch in " Squaw Man,"- Tweenie in "The Admirable Crichton," and Bessje Broke in "The Light that Failed." Her last appearance ! here was with Miss Marie- Tempest in "Penelope," Miss Gleeson playing Mrs. Watson. Miss Gleeson made two trips to London, returning from her list trip at the ontbreak of the war.

Long-memoried playgoers will be sorry to hear of the death of Mr. George Warde, who appeared here with the London Comedy Company in 1880 (says Sydney HeralSy. Mr. Warde died! recently at Hastings, England, at the advanced age of 80. This grand old man of the theatrioal profession was on the stage SO years. He played 1 with Samuel Phelps, Charles 'Kean, 'Barry Sullivan, Forbes Robertson, Lewis "Waller, Helen Faucit, Kate Terry, Miss Fortescue, Mary Anderson, -and Mrs. Patrick Campbell. His last appearance in London was as the Archbishop in the late Lewis Waller's production of "Henry V.." Mr. Warde was the -doctor in "Friends"—the opening pieca of the London Comedy Com..' pany in Sydney. Of the members of that company only two survive^—Alma Santon (Mrs. Q-. S. Titheradge) and Mi;. Frederick de Belleville. Sydney audiences saw nothing of De Belleville, viba left the company after the Melbourne season, with which the Australian tour commenced. The place of the man whx» 'afterwards worked: his way to the front in the United States and who was still acting there a few years back, was filled by the engagement of the late George S. Titheradge, who had just finished his own Sydney season at the Theatre Royal. Before he diod in January^ 1916, Mr. Titheradge saw the passing of Fred Mar. shall, Edward Marshall, Frank Cates, Arthur Garner, G. Shepherd, William Farreri, Henry Lemon, Arthur Boberts, Blanche Stammers, Marion Stammers, Annie Taylor, Nellie Playfair, and other members of the London Comedy Company. George Gordon, the excellent scenic artist, who remained here, predeceased his artist son, John Gordon. A theatrical item comes from London to the effect that Lady Tree has offered Antonio Scatti, the opera singer, the title role in "The Great Lover," Leo Ditrichstein's satiric comedy, which was presented in New York twe- seasons ago. The late Sir .Herbert Tree obtained the English rights to the play shortly after its production in New York, and intended to appear in it this autumn. His death loft the rights to the comedy in the hands of his heirs, and the report states that Lady Tree considers Mr. Scotti the ideal choice for the leading role. Scotti and Caruso were frequent visitors to "The Great Lover" during its engagement in New York, and they applauded heartily the gentle irony directed at the characteristics of opera singers. How many people take away their programmes from the theatre?- Of those who take them away, how many could give a good reason for doing so? Judging by present standards (saye Sydney Daily Telegraph), the only plausible reason that could be given wouldl be to say that they had been kept for purposes of record. Printed for the most part on the cheapest grade of puper, apart from the information given as to the members of the- cast, the shows that are appearing at certain other theatres, and a few ghost-like half-tone reproductions, there is nothing in the Sydney theatre pro-, gramme that is in any way_ novel or attractive. In one case there is an essa^ on applause printed in one of .the smallest of types; but even that is passed over by the majority as an advertisement for some nostrum or other!' The various managements by this practice losb agolden, opportunity of advertising their wares. There would be nothing -very difficult or expensive (in consideration of the results to.bo attained) in devising^ a programme that would be kept for its.intrinsic value. If the advertisements for patent medicines, spirits,, and dramatic schools pay for the present productions, a higher-grade publication would suraly appeal to a wider range of, advertisers. Whatever the public attitude may be to "old stuff" about the theatre, there can be~ no question that man, Woman, and child will read every line that is printed about present stage favourites. And the information that might Jjc given in this regard need be nothing that is not true. There is not one actor or actress ' at present appearing in Sydney in whoso career there is not at least a score of genuine "stories" worth the telling and always certain of a hearing. We already have one pantomime with us, and are shortly to have another two. What a wealth of good reading matter could bo compressed into the small compass of an attractively-printed pantomime programme ! Good wine needs no bush, but a bit of greenstuff does help to keep off the flies.*