MIMES AND MUSIC.

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 12, 13 July 1918, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC.

(EX "OSPHEDS.")

THE SHOWS.

XJrand Opera House: " Jack« Waller's Company, season commences to-night. Capelli, 27th, 20th, 30th July. ' Concert Chamber^ English Pierrots, season closes to-night. The Great Malini,-20th July. . His Majesty's.—Vaudeville. The King's Theatre.—Pictures continuously. Crown Theatre.—Pictures niehtly. Our Theatre.—Pictures nightly. . New Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Empress Thestfe.—Continuous Pictures. S.hortt's Pictures.—oontiiiuous 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. Gk>unod's "Faust" was played in the Paiis Opera in June last for the fifteen hundredth time. : ■ A New York cable message published in London on Ist May stated ■:—Mies Mary Piokford, the American kinema actress, says she is to act for one more film and then retire. \ Sydney James and the Members of "The Strollers" Company returned to Australia this week. It is probable that Messrs. James, Desmond, and Northcote will leave for South Africa shortly. Malini, that wonderfully clever magi■cian,, who hag been braving the snowstorms in Canterbury, will return to WeUington next Saturday night to commence his farewell season' here prior to_ his departure for America. The genial little conjurer is much impressed with New Zealand, and intends to return here at a future date. Two plays by Mrs. Leo' Myers, of Auckland—both humorous /sketches— have been added to the repertory of Miss Cicely Hamilton's Y.M.O.A. Dramatic Company which is performing in France. The sketches are "Take Cover" and "The New Order." New Zealand, the North Island especially, is well supplied with theatrical companies. This month the following companies will be in the northern portion of the Dominion: "Peg o' My, Heart" (Sara Allgood), Allen Boone, The English Pierrots, "Look Who's Here" (Jack Waller), "The Bing Boys" (J. C. Williamson), the Great Malini, Cappelli, "The Scarlet Troubadours," and Kathlene M'Donell (J. C, Williamson). The '' Dick WMttington " pantomime is< the big attraction in the South Island. "The Sentimental Blokes," of the First Division of the Australian Imperial Force, who give concerts behind the lines in , France,', include Private D. Cerice (Branscombe's Dandies), Private A. Bett (J. C. AVilliamson), and Private Harry Marter, a Wellington boy (son ; of the late Charles Marter (New Zealand Times'-and Sydney Daily Telegraph). That clever band of artists "The English Pierrots," after an eight and a-half weeks' season at the Concert Chamber of the Town .Hall, w.here they have had a most successful time, and have added to their hosts of admirers, leave for Palmerston North on Monday, en route to Auckland, where they open next Saturday evening. After a tour of the centrebf this Island the Pierrots will return toWellington for a farewell season in September, the South Island tour having been cancelled. From here the company will make the big journey to Perth, where the summer season will be played, re-turning.-to Wellington next May. The next big attraction by J. C. Williamson, Ltd.,: for Wellington will he "The Bing Boys are Here," which is drawing crowded houses at Auckland : just now. This great revue is said to quite outdo the pantomime in pageantry, oolour schemes, scenic effects, funny situations, and music. The richness of the dressing is said to be beyond previous stage experience i» Australasia. Jack Cannot and Leslie Holland are the "Boys." . '.. " , . ..:'•• -Signor Cappelli, the .particular star of the fionsalez Grand Opera Company; arrived from Sydney this Week, and left for Auckland immediately, Where he Opens a, concert tour of the Dominion this evening. Cappelli.has made a great hit_ on the concert platform in Australia, quits rivalling, his success on the operatic stage. The tour is under the direction of Mr. John Hopkins. A strong supporting company has been engaged, including Miss Vera Bedford, an Australian soprano, who has Melba's endorsement ; Signor Lucien Cesaroni, an operatic bass singer of more than ordinary merit; Mr. John Amadio, who has taken the place of Mr. John Lemmone as Australia's leading flautist; and Mr. Harold Whittle, a frequent visitor to the Dominion as accompanist to concert stars. Cappelli Will sing in Wellington shortly. > Miss Mfcrgaret Wycherley and "The Thirteentn Chair," the famous American mystery drama, have achieved a wonderful success at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney. It was, indeed, a triumph of the play and the dramatic star who created her role ..in America. The audience was amazed at the startling realism of the piece, and the remarkable character acting of Miss Wycherley in the 'role of Rosalie Le Grand, the spiritualistic-, medium. "I can't make a speech," said Miss Wycherley, ' after the final curtain'at the first performance. _ "I: have seen five productions of this play, including my original production in H^ew York. I would like to say this: that I had to come to Australia to meet the' best all-round cast I have ever played with." Mr. Geoi'ge Tallis, a director of J. C. j Williamson, Ltd., writing from New York to Melbourne, refers to a number. o| productions which have been secured for Australia by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. [ Mr. Tallis says that "Oh, Boy," the musical play to be staged in Sydney rext I week by the New English Musical | Comedy Company, was still going strong ! after many months, and was a phenomenal success. Another big musical hit is "What Next?" and a musical play with a strong element of novelty was "'Going Up," a musical version of "The Aviator," in which aeroplaning is introduced. Mr. Tallis found the Potash and Perl. mutter play, "Business Before Pleasure," doing tremendous business. Jn this the two Hebrew partners are depicted with all- their trials and tribulations in tho I picture business. Other comedies still running, and which will be staged in Australia, by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., we "The High Cost of- Loving" and "Nothing But the Truth."

In the performance of "The Masquerader'" now being played at the F&.'aco Theatre, Sydney, there is a moment when the curtain falle whilst John CM.cotes library is being changed to JolmLoder's lodgings. Guy Bates Post (who plays the dual role) has to be seated at a table in the latter character when the curtain rises. Aided, by his valet he has to remove coat, vest', trousers, c->il;ir, tie, shirts, : and boots, belonging to Chilcote, and put on a similar eet belonging to Loder, The time allowed for this operation depends on the rapidity wit!; which the stage crew change tbp scenery. 'As they have been known it> make the change in 33 seconds, the -lexterity of tho star and his collaborator may be imagined.

Several loyal Italians known in eperatib circles in Sydney are due to gail for the front shortly, sa,ys the flnrnld. These are Signor Jago Belloni, eininent in the baritone role of Scarpia.; Signor Mcsca, the heavy ba6s Gipsy in "Sjignon"; Signor Fiori, and Signor Antonio li"olli. All were identified with tho Gonnalez opera tour, the last-named as tho popular> manager, and also as interpreter, his previous residence here Jiavirig enabled him to. acquire Engliab ■ fluently. Cappelli, the tenor, who is row ;n New Sealand, is not; liable for service.