MIMES AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 36, 10 August 1918, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC

(BY "ORPHEUS.")

THE SHOWS.

Grand Opera House: . "The Bing'Boys," season closes to-night, . ' Kathlene Macdonell, 13th August. Concert Chamber ■ ■ . ,

: Scarlet Troubadours, in season. His Majesty's;— Vaudeville. The King's Theatre.—Pictures continuously. Crown Theatre. —Pictures nightly.

Our Theatre.—Pictures nightly. . Now Theatre.—Continuous Pictures. Empress Theafre.--Continuous Pictures. Shortt'a 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. 1

According to papers filed in an American Supreme Court case, the income of Miss Mary Pickford, the film actress, for 1916, amounted to £207,500. - Already J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have preparations; well in hand for their Christmas Pantomime, which this year is to be based on the attractive story of "Goody Two Shoes." In America Mr. George Tallis, and in London Mr. Clyde Meynell, are hiird at work selecting material for the big Christmas, spectacle; 1

The National Theatre, Fuller's vaudeville house in Sydney, is to be pulled down to make room for a palatial building which the firm has instructed- Mr. H. E. White,' the well-known architect (who built His Majesty's Theatre in this city), to design. For some years past the.' Fullers. have endeavourtd. to replace the old ramshackle building which lias done duty as a theatre, but always 1 somo obstacles intervened. These have been now overcome, and it is the intention of the firm to erect a modern playhouse on tho site.

So successful was Miss Kathlene Macdonefl's tour of New Zealand some time ago that J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have decided to again send the brilliant young Canadian star to tho Dominion on the conclusion of the present season in Adelaide. Miss Macdonell's season will follow-that of "The Bing Boys." The season will open with the production for tho first time in New Zealand of acharming comedy entitled "Romance." "The Rainbow ". and "The Cinderella Man" are otherjjnew plays to be presented, and the delightful " Daddy LongLegs " will be revived- Mr. William Russell arrived from Sydney this week to prepare the way for the opening night. Theatre-goers will be delighted to hear that the big revue successes being staged by Harry Rickards Tivoli Theatres, Ltd., are to visit New Zealand in future. The first of these companies will be that' at present playing in "Bits and Pieces" in Sydney. The personnel includes Charles H. Workman (who is well and favourably known hero by his association with the various J. C- Williamson companies), Celia Ghiloni, Sydney Valentine, Frank Greene, . Eileen Boyd, Elsie Parkes, Hugh Huntley, and Mile. Renee Adore and Guy Magley, two FrenchAmerican dancers. "Peter," in the Bulletin: A blob of green paint on the big poster of "Katinka" in Melbourne^ is a reminder of the strained air of neutrality between tho Taits and the Williamson firm. The manufacturers of "Katinka" also wrote "Tho Firefly/ which lias been bought for Australia by the Taits, but the Williamson people would not allow their imported picture to mention that tho authors of ' "Katinka" had perpetrated the attraction brought ..out by the rival showmen. Now if the Williamson people had had their posters made here they could have saved that lick of green, which isn't rain-resistant and doesn't suppress "The Firefly" after a shower.

: Cyril Maude's manager, Alfred Turner,; thus extols "New, Zealand in a letter from Aiherica'to thet London Referee:—"We^ sailed for New Zealand on- 22nd November, and, opened at: 'Wellington, on 27th, November, j I had no.idea that Ne;W,Zea-land-was so beautiful, and , the moro'sl saw'of, it ..the more beautiful I thought it. ' It. is" full "of variety and charm. The rivers \ are iperfect, and fishing .is the national sport. The .'scenery: is the grandest I have'ever seen. The people are charming.: They speak with-; a. perfect accent, and.are most hospitable. .■>l hope some day; to, return to' New;. Zealand—it is my ambition." v

What .the Irish Times said of "Eog o" My Heart" when .she played the role in Dublin should ¥c a good guide to the capabilities of Miss Sara Allgood in the role we are to see her .in -within a. week, or 'two.' ■ That paper,, said:—"Miss 'Sara Allgood is the dominating figure. She got right down, to the heart, of things, and makes her audience feel that she is just as unsophisticated as the girl sho represents. Liiher.playful moods she is captivating, but it is in her pathetic moments that she is most effective. . Her plaintive.musical "voice,.is more-effective in :tragedy, than, comedy,, yet in, bath she. is ■wonderfully good." .'■■■ ; .'

Here's a letter telling.its.own story. It was written by M. E. : Maclaine,. matron .of the Children's Home; at Walkeryille (S.A.), and addressed to Mr. H. Myers, business manager ati the Theatrb Royal, Adelaide : "I wish to tell you," it runs, "and beg to, jJonveyto the managing directors of the present. plays at the Theatre Royal/ a little tale which I ; feel is due to them to know, and which I : believe they would like to hear. !'A gentleman who went to see 'Daddy, Long Legs' was so impressed and touched | that he sent this home £10 next day for comforts for the children. ,Now I was wanting a. few :.extras [ very badly, and with all my thinking, was-at, a loss just to know how.l was to^get them. Though the children get good plain, food, we have to be economical, especially just now, and there are some small boys in my care who, are..-not constitutionally strong. They need some building up in the winter months i with extra nourishing foods. You can; imagine my feelings when . this money was suddenly given, and which will give the children what they v want'for/ the cold months. vlt ; is all a happy little sequel to, your beautiful little play. I went,myself last night, and was delighted" with its dainty and artistic production. It conveys a great social lesson. .• . .1 feel I owe the company thanks, every one, and will never forget 'Daddy Long Legs.' " Sa-Hcra, the mind reader (who has been a great success in Sydney), on arriving in Australia, told the Fullers' general manager, Mr. Will Douglas, that she would remain on the National Theatre programme for 38 performances. Douglas laughed, and said, 'You'll be .wrong; I'll keep you there SO." He fully intended to, but the sinking of the Wimmera upset all transport arrangements, and acts that should have come froni New Zealand to Newcastle couldn't get there in time, and Douglas, in rearranging the circuit acts, scheduled Sa-Hera to close at the National on Friday next. Then he reckoned up the number of performances she had given there. Sa-Hera was right—the total was 38. ■

Mr. "Billy" Low, who has been touring in. the Fiji Islands, has arrived in Wellington. Mr. Low has secured the rights of the Aostralian picture "The Enemy Within," in which the wellknown Australian athlete, Mr. "Snowy" Baker, is featured. The.picture will be shown here shortly.