FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 19020, 15 August 1925, Page 15

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

The large and jovial Miss Mills, who haadieen creating a furore on the Puller circuit, has proved one of the most popular turns over imported. Although an Amazon in proportions, this lady cavorts about the stage like a gazelle, and the agility she displays is not the least remarkable feature of her offering. There is a decided pep in most of her songs, and her “Kan Kan ” dance is ipiite in keeping with her vocalism. Miss June Mills has considerable ability as a comedienne, and her burlesques and facetious offerings hit the target of public approval with a vigorous attack. She is assisted by Mr William Junes, who acts as her sparring partner in several bouts of patter ; and contributes a couple of vocal items. Miss Mills and Mr Innes will make their appearance at the Princess Theatre on Monday.

Phil Smith and his merry revnists, whose popularity with Princess patrons rivals that of any predecessors, will stage on Monday another fast-moving musical comedy entitled ‘On the Scent. 1

By one of those strange tricks of the fate that watches over street traffic (the while the points policeman thinks he is omnipotent) there was a terrific jon between Breakfast Creek bridge and the- Albion Racecourse after the races, says the Brisbane ‘Mail.’ When the mass of petrol-driven and horsedrawn vehicles surged on again one could see .a small boy on a push bike adroitly threading a nonchalant way through the moving maze. He tacked across the noses of bonnets, and darted under the chins of horses, entirely heedless of the, hand of Death, who lay over-ready a few inches from his shoulder. He would have made an admirable living advertisement for the La Morte Troupe of stunt cyclists, who opened at the Empire. The feats of these four folk—lady, gentleman, and two boys—performed on ordinary cycles are amazing. The troupe appears at the Princess soon. In the revival of ‘ The Beggar’s Opera ’ at the Lyrio Theatre, London, Kathlyn Hilliard is again playing Polly Peachum, and Sara Allgood is the Mrs Peachum. Sara is said to make “ a flambuoyant Mrs Peachum,” and Kathlyn Hilliard “ a Polly, mistress of all the wiles of an ingenue, and her singing full of dramatic point. The F. Gayle Wyer Band Box Revuo Company will be seen at Fullers New Theatre, Sydney, on August 22. The Nellie Bramley Company has secured a lease of the Palace Theatre, Sydney, and opened on August 1 with ’Fair and "Warmer.’ An excellent repertoire of popular plays and comedies will be produced from time to time.

Mr Ernest Crawford, baritone for so long with Jim Gerrard's Revue Company, has been recuperating at Rotorua after a severe illness, and is back once more with the company. Marie Tempest has taken the last play of Noel Coward (author of ‘ Fallen Angels ’), and, when the mail left, was expecting to produce it ou June 8. It is called ‘Hay Fever.’ The author was to produce it.

George Baker, who was Josie Melville’s first “ silver lining ” young man in ‘Sally,’ recently was in a bad motor accident at Algiers, where he and his wife have a holiday home. He has been appearing in 1 Better Days ’ at the Hippodrone quite lately. Eve Gray is playing Nellie Payne’s part in the Loudon suburbs in ‘ The Lady of the Rose,’ with Huntley Wright as her partner. The ‘ Daily Sketch ’ says: “Only four plays in London could be described as Indecent or pernicious—namely, 1 Rain,’ 'White Cargo,’ ‘Fallon Angels,’ and 1 Spring Cleaning.’ ” Tim latter is a big draw in Sydney, with Pauline Frederick in the lead.

Cecil Haines was considered by Guy Bates Post as the most gifted child he nad ever known on the stage. That was seven years ago. To-day she is playing her first grown-up part in ‘ Tho Masquerader ” —the cockney slavey. Kreisler, supreme violinist, anived in Auckland on Tuesday morning of last week, and left by the Niagara for .Vancouver.

Princess Rangariri and her nine Maori maids, now touring Australia, are meeting with phenomenal sucmss At Brisbane they were accori-.d a u;. io reception, at which the principal citizens of Brisbane were present. After |he reception they proc-v.dod down Ijueen street to the theatre, anu lutcr*st was so great that activities in ah the shops were for the time being suspended. Harry Plimmcr is still a prominent member of Ethel Barrymore’s company. One of the features of ‘Kid Boots Et Melbourne His Majesty’s is a jaws and, which performs on a moving platform. This advances over the footlights until it gets close up to the front stalls. When it has finished the band is returned to the back of the stage again into a tropical setting, where it provides the music of a wonderful “ Cocoa-nut Ball,” in which the full company of over 200 people take part. Few persons upon whom Auckland has no real claim have done more for this city’s charities than Mr Jim Gerald, the popular comedian from the Opera-house (states a recent Auckland ‘Star’). That Aucklanders appreciated his efforts was- plainly demonstrated on the Civio scpiare, when o great gathering assembled to bid tarewell to Mr and Mrs Gerald, the former being presented by the Rev. Jasper Calder with an illuminated address, it was a wise decision of those responsible to hold the gathering in the open air, for no hall would have held the thousands who gathered together. After eulogistic speeches had been made, Mr Gerald thanked all for their wonderful treatment and kindly sentiments. Anything he had done had been a great pleasure to him. The people pf Auckland had been most kind, and he was leaving them with genuine feelings of regret. However, on some future occasion he hoped _to return to pnee again amuse.his friends here <\~a fielp in any way ho could. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Gerald. Maude Fane, who is appearing at present in ‘ Whirled Into Happiness, at Melbourne His Majesty’s, is anxious to transfer from musical plays io legitimate comedy productions. “Musical comedy is very pleasing,” said Miss b'ane, “and is full of interest and variety, but I am very keen _to get a chance in comedy, which gives one more satisfaction artistically. I hope one day to achieve this ambition.’ Miss Fane would ho following the example of Marie lerapest and othoi comedy stars who commenced their career in musical comedy.

[By LOITERER.]

psoplo of the Stage aml'Scrcsa k ■ mid oa fli® latest recorded Misfe,

The Veterans of Variety have opened *r. Fullers’ Opera-house. Jake Friedman, who heads the venerables, war, in Auckland thirty-six years ago playing in vaudeville. _ He ha a plenty of entertaining reminiscences about fishing m those days, and is still keen on the pastime. It is said that Anna Pavlova has amassed a fortune of nearly £l,o' since she commenced her stage caTec.-, But she remarks that she has to he very careful to keep down tho expenses of her large company. And the J. 0. Williamson management conics that this is the most expensive engagement it has yet made for Australia, “Wee” Georgie Wood zealously guards the best position of the theatre. No artist is keener regarding the rnojal uplift that vaudeville is getting. “ Vaudeville,” he says, “ can take its place with the highest of theatrical artists. It epitomises tho arts of comedy, dancing, drama, and gives a unique touch to each.” “ Wco ” Georgia has many serious moments, none more so than when ho stresses that the old elements of vaudeville—relics of the clays when tho entertainment was of a pothouse character must be elimi natecl entirely. “Wee” George will appear at His Majesty’s on Monday, heading tho company of international vaudeville from J. C. Williamson theatres. Tho star is supported by his own company, including Dolly Banner, Thelma Kurtzman, and Torn Blacklock. Among tho sketches to be staged are ‘Black Hand George.’ ‘Daddy.’ ‘Nobody Loves Me,’ and ‘ His First Love.’ Tho J. C. Williamson acts supporting this little star include the “ Beau Brummel ” of vaudeville, Billy Maloney, in up-to-date songs and steps.