FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 17793, 15 October 1921, Page 5

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

[By LomctiEß.] Important new acts coming to tho Princess Theatre on Monday evening: Bd y Elliott (the popular black-face comedy star), Reno and Arta, a*id Gardner and Revere. ... Sir Beniamin and. Lady I'ullor wm leave Sydney in January next for London. Nora Dclanv. the imported “principal hoy’’ of Williamson’s forthcoming panto. ‘Babes In the Wood,’ is in private life Lady Maxwell. Her husband m a baronet. , ~ In an interesting letter to the I'niter News,’ n bright little Sydney publication annexed to the Fuller interests. Ben Fuller (the firm’s American representative) states that recent arrivals in the Stales from Australia, were tom llaverlv and Ids wife, the Artois Bros., and Lie Littles. He. also states that Reynolds Denniston (the Dunedin-born actor) and his wife Valentine Sydney, recently appeared at the Savoy Theatre, Trisen, in

‘Peggy Machree.’ All 'the London papers recently gave most prominent position:; to a reported hint by Dame Nellie Melba as to nor intention to retire from the and concert platforms. W hen Dame Nehic Melba was questioned fd Melbourne in regard to this report, f'-tm gave it an denial, and said •" Ik ridit'iilons.” . . His many friends in the Dominion will ho .sorry to hear that Mr John I‘nlloi, sen., has recently been in a Lonuon private hospital. Captain Odiva and his performing seals, the most expensive act the I idlers bine ever imported, appear at tho Opera House, Christchurch, on October 31. and will bo in Dunedin about a. torlnigiit later. Another great pianist has arrived in Sydney—Andrew Wagner Hkalski. ibis artist ‘is a, Pole, and he is visiting friends in the New South Wales capital. It is not unlikely that he will give, recitals in Australia before he returns to Europe. Mr Carl Hertz, who. has been giving demonstrations in London to show that in the “ vanishing canary ’ trick the bird <loes not lose its lilo, paid his first visit to Australia early in the “ nineties ’ witn ft compaaiy which included the, Cra.ggs. an acrobatic troupe <>l celebrity. ’1 ho entertainment was given at (he old Opera Hons©, Melbourne, on the site now occupied bv the Tivoli Theatre. home years later, when Mr Harry Rickards controlled the same theatre, Mr Hertz returned as a Tivoli performer.-—‘ Argus.’ The Rev. Frank Gorman temporarily abandoned vaudeville in .Sydney at the ocginning of this month to play tho Failing paid—that of a clergyman, -in ft drama. ‘ Th© Saint and the Sinner,’ produced by the Fullers at the Grand Opera, House. Th© Opera House (says Christchurch ‘ Hun ') has seldom been the scene ot such uproarious enthusiasm ns occurred on Monday, when George Storey and his wife, Dnlcie Milner, made their first appearance sine,' the little comedian’s serious accident some months ago, Tho indicator at the side of the stage had no sooner registered “ Storey and Milner’’ than there, was a pandemonium of cheers. At the conclusion of the act (lowers, chocolates, and cigars were handed up to the redoubtable George and his good lady. Storey will anpear in Dunedin shortly. Hilda Snong. who iTinnncnced hc v stage career with the Broughs and Bland Holt, and who was here last in ‘ Every W’oman,’ was to produce in New York this month n play. ‘ The Fan.’ described as a satire on domestic felicity. In 1906 Caruso had been singing in ‘ Carmen ’ and other operas in Han Francisco, and the great earthquake and lire occurred while he was there. According: to a Californian writer Caruso was carried out ot his hotel shrieking, and vowed that he would never return to a place so dangerous. Certainly ho did not sing there again.

Mr and (Mrs Archibald Xewbnry. baritone and contralto, have arrived in Low Zealand, and will give a short Serb'’? of high-class concerts prior to their departure for America again. They are accompanied by Miss Katie. Rnddv, a wellknown Sydney pianist, and their daughter (Marie (lyric soprano), Adolph Zukor, motinn-pictnro producer, has taken nut a life insurance policy for £1.000.000 in favor of the company of which he is the head. This is regarded as the largest policy ever taken out by an individual to protect a business. The previous record is said to have been a, policy of £700,000 on tho late Thomas L. Sh-ev-lin, which was in favor of the lumber corporation that he, headed. Tho policy was written when he was regarded as a perfect risk. Marv Bickford, Charlie Chaplin, and Douglas Fairbanks am insured for £200,000 each in favor of tho companies with which they are cnnnccWL The New York American Baseball Club has a, £40,000 policy on Babe Both. Our London correspondent writes that a. friend just arrived from South Africa on the Edinburgh Castle had a? companion on board Mr Mark Ilambnnrg, returning from his tour for an autumn season in London, Even on board Mr Hamhnnrg did not miss his daily practice, hut did violent execution on the saloon piano for an hour every morning to an audience consisting solely of stewards. He would not allow anyone else in the room while ho was at work, and my friend tells mo that it. used to bo amusing to seo tho queue of early risers that congregated outside and on the deck to hear tho groat man doing pyrotechnics on tho ship’s piano. Other passengers were a. number of penguins for the Zoological Gardens, which travelled tho entire journey without a meal, ns tho hot weather put. them sadly off their feed. The journey through the tropics did not. suit them at, all. and there were many fatalities, not directly attributable to .Mr Hambourg, before the birds finally reached London, only some 60 per cent, actually being available for delivery to the Zoo authorities. Lydia Ca ne has joined (ho Johnson Revue Company at Fullers’ Christchurch house. This clever dancer and comedienne was a member of the original company with which Johnson toured for the Fullers. Musical people will ho interested to know that the great Italian prirna donna, Madame Tetrazzini, has written her autobiography, which is to bo published by Cassells. In addition to interesting reminiscences of her musical life, the groat singer will give several chapters of practical qdvico on voice culture, etc. Harold Reck, (ho Christchurch ’cellist, is returning to Now Zealand. On the occasion of tho visit of the Now South Wales State Orchestra to Now Zealand M. Henri Verbruggheii, hearing Air Beck play, was greatly impressed, and immediately offered him an engagement to join tho organisation. After tho Dominion tour of the orchestra was over Mr Beck proceeded to Sydney, where he has now been in association with the orchestra, for two years, during which time he has greatly extended ’his knowledge of symphonic music. Australian musical crilics speak very highly of his solo work with tho State Orchestra. Mr Beck was a supporting artist to Harry Dearth, the English baritone. Miss Buckman, o f 'Wellington, is in receipt of information from her sister, Miss Rosina Buckman, the prirna donna, that she and her husband will bo visiting New Zealand next winter. As there does not seem any prospect of a grand opera company yet, Miss Bnckman’s relatives assume that the visitors arc to tour in concert. As an operatic soprano Miss Buckman is at tho head of her profession in England, and all recent arrivals from Home say that she is sinking peerlessly. The latest information is that she has accepted an engagement to sing at La Scala, in Milan, where she is to appear in (ho French opera ‘Arianno eb Barbe Blouc ’ at its first performance in Italy. Tho death occirred in Sydney on September 25 of Mrs Charles Calvert, formerly a well-known English actress, at tho ago of eighty-five years. Mrs Calvert played as a child actress at tho ago of seven with Mr and Airs Charles Kean. She was loading lady at the Theatre Royal, Southampton, in 1854; then she took a two years’ engagement at tho Boston Theatre' United States. During her husband’s twelve years’ management of tho Princess Theatre, Manchester, she appeared in his five Shakespearean productions as Miranda, Cleopatra, Hermiono, Katherine of Aragon (with Mr Phelps as Poessy), and the Queen in ‘Richard ILL’

In the Geelong Exhibition of Records and .Relics, which was opened recently, is a programme of a concert given at the opening of the new Town Hall, Richmond, on December 11, 1869, with a criticism of Nellie Mitchell (Damo Melba), winch appeared in tho Richmond ‘ Australasian of that date. The criticism read;—“Little Miss Mitchell, a young lady of tho precocious age of ton years, who did not content herself with singing in firstrate style ‘Can’t You Dance the Polka? but also accompanied herself on the piano, was, we think, the ni of tho evening, and rinhUv deserved the spontaneous encore sfic received and responded to by singing Cornin’ Thro’ tho Rye.’ It took the audience by surprise to hear such sweet notes combi" from comparatively a mere child. The incomparable Miss Mitchell, in singing ‘Barney O’Hea,' _ quite outdid her former effort. This is indeed a musical prodigy, and will make crowded horses whenever ;ho is announced again.

Writes the Sydney correspondent of tho Melbourne ‘ Argus ’“ Shakespeare was not so much in the minds of tho people who attended the performance of ‘The Merchant of Venice.’ in aid of the memorial fund, as Airs T. 11. Kelly and Air Walter Bentley, who appeared as Portia and Shylock respectively. They' were .specially interesting, not merely because they demonstrated their own particular perceptions of the author’s intentions, but largely on account of (heir careers. Airs T. If. Kelly, one of the leaders of society, is pleasurably remembered as a comedy actress. Mr W. H. Kcllv, formerly A1.11.R., and Air T. 11. Kelly" his brother, married popula” favorites from the stage. Airs T. 11. Kelly has been very active in local movements of importance, and on occasion has addressed largo audiences. Air Walter Bentley was conspicuous on the boards many years ago, but for about a quarter of a, century he has trained dramatic talent, in this city. In his voting days he, was with Irving and Ristori. " Bentley played here on many occasions, his repertoire covering a wide hold —‘ The Silver King, ‘David Garrick/ ‘ Aierchant of Venice.’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Othello’ (nl;'tying alternately the Moor and lago), ‘ The- Christian,’ ‘ Tho Bells,’ and ‘ Cramond Brig.’ It was recently anmunced by cable that Marguerite d’Alvnr' 1 /. is to visit Australia and New Zealand next year. This singer is held by many to be tho finest operatic eontnilto'now before the public. She is described as llm true Spanish typo, with black wavy hair, lustrous black eyes, a slightly retroii : ee nose, and perfect mouth. Her figure and carriage arc superb, and her voice, easily and evenly produced over an extraordinary range, is lull and velvety. with a. resonant ring in reserve that lifts her out of the common run of operatic coatra.lti.K-, AVh.cn it is stated that she has a top B Hat at her disposal it will be realised that the voice is phenomenal. But it is interpretative graces which give her artistic eminence. There is pint a Samson living who could resist yielding In such a- Delilah as hers in ‘ Softly Awakes My Heart,’ from Saint-Saens's opera “.Alfred Dampicr," says the ‘Bulletin/ “was the Hamlet, of the" evening, and his daughter Rose the ample Ophelia. Alfred had come to the grave, and was moralising over poor A wick’s skull, when a new stage hand, in .shirt, trousers, and boots, with sleeves rolled up and a face as grimy as Elizabeth street on a hot-wind clay, pushed himself into view. Hamlet disregarded him. ‘ Boss,' he said. The moody Dane was deaf. The new hand beckoned. The Prince of Denmark was blind. He moved a step further on to the stage and whispered : ‘ There's a- bloke out there says he’s got to see you. He says ’ Hero Horatio laid rough hands on tho non-professional, hustling him off, while Hamlet said, in Hamlet’s own manner: ‘Hurt not the poor hind, Horatio. He is an idiot of the village who these threo years hath had largesse of me.' Then, in a fierce aside: ‘Kick the damned fool into the middle of next month.’’’ Isn’t; the ‘Bulletin’ a little astray in the, description of Rose Dampier

as an “ample Ophelia ’? Lily (.Mrs Rolfe) was the .Tunoc';(|ue daughter. Theatrical and operatic circles in New York continue to discuss with the greatest interest the .matrimonial affairs of Miss Geraldine Farrar, opera singer and film actress, and her husband, Mr Lou Teliogcu, a handsome “ matinee idol," following- the recent denouement in which the lady locked her husband out of doors. Miss Farrar is renowned for her cynical observations on the subject of marriage, some of which, made b’foro her marriage to Mr Tellegen, arc recalled by the 1 New York World ’ “I shan’t marry until I’m forty,” is one. “No man living could hold my interest for more than thirty minutes !” the prima. donna is said to have declared on another occasion. “Men are like cakes in a bag!’’ is another of her dicta. “After you’ve begun to oat the cake with the green icing you think perhaps that you’d like one with the pink icing bettor. ' You try that, and a yearning for the chocolate one seizes you. _ Then you put that aside, for the cake in the bottom of the bag still allures you. Hypocrisy is at the bottom of all theses stories about happily-married stage stars. They kowtow to respectability.” When she was engaged to Mr Tellegen, however, it is recorded that her comment was: “I'm very happy ; there’s nothing more to say.” .After four years’ married life Miss Farrar mentioned in magazine articles the reason that she and Air Tellegen “are as happy together as mi our wedding day is because my husband ami I are brutally frank with each other.” Will the tie withstand this latest “brutal frankness ” 1