FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 19062, 3 October 1925, Page 19

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

[By LOITEBER*]

There will be a big reshuffle of acts at the Princess on Monday. Four new acts of importance enter the bill in the Harris Family, Edwards and Hughes, Three Melfords, and Bessie Slaughter. The Harris Family—father, son, and two sisters—whose services nave only recently been secured by the Fullers for a tour of their vaudeville circuit, are probably the jolliest entertainers who nave ever visited Dunedin. Their “ whirlwind of harmony ” act, which they will present at the Princess Theatre on Monday, is one of the cheeriest imaginable! The four constitute a brilliant and talented family indeed. There appears to be no limit to the instruments they can play, and_ in addition there is some good dancing and singing. It is a clever and lively act, which everyone will enjoy and appreciate. They give what they rightly style a whirlwind of vocal and instrumental music, opening with a fanfare—earsplitting in the stalls—with cornets and trombones. The gentle harp, in combination with banjos, is a welcome, quiet relief. They introduce novelty in the four of them playing hand pianos of the concertina class. Few actors have displayed such a round of parts as George Edwards, who, with Miss Molly Hughes, will on Monday present a series of comedy sketches at the Princess Theatre. As an amateur actor Mr Edwards produced no fewer than one hundred plays in Adelaide, in addition to interpreting the chief roles himself. In England ho was associated in musical comedy with Marie Studholme when that famous actress was in the heyday of her youth and picture post card fame. He returned to Australia to play in ‘ The Blue Moon ’ and * Lady Madcap,’ and later entered vaudeville. Mr Edwards has just returned from a - world-wide tour to secure a series of fine sketches for Sir Benjamin Fuller and Mr John Fuller. The “ light fantastic ” is always adopting new disguises. The Three Melfords, who will make their appearance at the Princess Theatre on Monday under the direction of Sir Benjamin Fuller and Mr John Fuller, should be welcome indeed, for they are said to display a great deal of originality in their work. Their dancing stunts are entirely different from anything presented here before, being novel and distinctive. Miss Bessie Slaughter', the phenomenal contralto, will be appearing at the Princess Theatre on Monday, October 6. This artiste has been meeting with big success during her recent tour, and I am sure Dunedin will endorse the sentiments of the other towns which she played. If New York is providing London with plays, London is supplying Now York with actors. Sailing on the Leviathan recently were Miss Toots Pounds, the star of ‘ Sky High,’ who will make her first bow to American audiences in a ‘Night Out,’ and Frederick Kerr, Robert Andrews, and Herbert Marshall, who will play their original parts in ‘The Pelican,’ which opens in New York this month.

Irene Browne, who appeared with H. B. Irving and Julius Knight in Australia, is now one of the song-and-dance principals in the big hit ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ at the Palace Theatre, London, and is warbling her jazz numbers as well as anyone in the cast. Frank Tinney and his affairs recently came into the limelight again. The comedian’s wife, who filed suit for a divorce, was granted 200dol a month alimony and b,ooodol counsel fees in the Supreme Court of Brooklyn, pending the outcome of her suit for divorce, which will be heard soon. Tinney is now appearing in vaudeville in London. Nothing funnier can be imagined than Bradley’s Monkey Orchestra and Hippodrome, a new turn on the Fuller circuit, to the seen at the Princess soon. This act comprises a full monkey orchestra, a troupe of educated denizens of the jungle, who perform all sorts of tricks. The jazz drummer and the conductor of Sousa-like agility are among the performers, and the violinist makes up in energy what he lacks in tune. The monkey acrobats present their_ turn in a finished manner with seemingly no direction other than that supplied by Simian, the master of ceremonies. The act, which is as novel as it is funny, is particularly interesting to the younger generation. Albert Heats, who, with Dorothy Grace, is presenting an extremely artistic act in Fuller vaudeville, and will be in Dunedin shortly, once enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest organist in England. At the age of twelve he was appointed the Government organist at the Wandsworth Prison, England, a position he held for three years. At the same time he was organist at the local parish church and choirmaster. “ I was always musically inclined,” he says, “ and was educated at Trinity College by Dr Charles Pearce. I drifted into the theatrical profession, and whilst acting as musical director met Miss Dorothy Grace, whom I subsequently married, and formed the act we are now presenting in vaudeville.” Paul Althouso, tenor, and Arthur Middleton, baritone, will open their Dunedin season at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday next. The Melbourne ‘ Age ’ of July 27, referring to the Althousc-Middleton recital, wrote: “ Oratorio and operatic excerpts of the first interest and songs and ballads covering many aspects and phases of human experience were given by Alt house and Middleton before another crowded house. There is a broad human comprehensiveness in the repertoire of these singers that makes a wide appeal Middleton was in great voice, and his ‘ Arm, Arm, Ye Brave,’ from Handel’s ‘Judas Maccabeus,’ was both stirring and dignified. An extra, ‘ Passing By ’ (Edward Purcell), was sung with a gentle comprehensiveness that only had to be compared with tbo rugged strength showu in such songs as ‘ Mother Carey ’ and ‘ Danny Deever ’ to arouse tho highest admiration for a singer who can also render music of the quality of Secchi’s ‘ Lungi dal caro bens’ with taste and finish. Althouse did wonders in tho high part of his range. He was most impressive in such numbers as Starch’s ‘ Slumber Song,' the ‘ Spring Song ’ from Wagner’s ‘ Valkyrie,’ ‘ E Lucevan lo Stello ’ (‘ Tosca ’), M. Hamblon’s ‘ The Nomar],’ and Clarke’s ‘ Blind Ploughman.’ The Btarck and Wagner songs went with a rhythmic lightness and delicately crisp enunciation that extended to an extra by Rachmaninoff—sung in mellifluous tones, with a touch of silver iu the soft high notes. The tuneful duet from the first act of Flotow’s ‘ Martha ’ and the dramatic vicissitudes of the scene ‘Be Mine the Delight’ (Faust) were well done.”

Jfetßags -oa tlio people of too Stago and-Senes ! msd ca tli© latest recorded Maste.

Miss Pauline Frederick’s tour of the dominion is tor four weeks only, and should prove a series of triumphs for star and company. Recently, at the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York, the Australian actor 0. P. Heggie appeared in an all-star cast of ‘ Trelawney of the Wells,’ This company was headed by veteran John Drew, who played Gower (Boucicault’s part in Australia), and Laurette Taylor, who represented Rose. Heggie appeared as Mr ,Ablett. Of the first Melbourne concert hy the Butt-Rum ford combination the Melbourne ‘Herald’ states:—“lf Dame Clara Butt’s voice lias lost something of its beauty, time has given to her art a better sense of the value of reticence. The lines of her songs are more closely knit, the tension is keener, and the whole voice more adjustable to changes of mood. The clearness of her diction is another striking virtue. The programme opened with some very fine music, Dame Clara Butt beginning with that, of Handel, Brahms, and Beethoven, and Mr Rumford with Hugo Wolf, Strauss, and Brahms. But it was one that was intended to please all tastes, and the greatest enthusiasm came when the famous contralto announced Elgar’s ‘Land Of Hope and Glory,’ and when she and Mr Rumford joined in ‘ The Keys of Heaven.’ These were extras. The Elgar anthem brought the audience into the closest touch with the singer. She asked for its help in the refrain, and found it ready to indulge whole-heartedly in community singing.” Young Australian dancers are given fine opportunities to show their ability in ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ at the Melbourne Princess Theatre. Apart from the fine concerted work of the ballet in dance movements, no fewer than four specialists have their share in the spotlight. They are Elam Hardman, Fred Carpenter, Polly Power, and Royston M'Donnell, all of whom are seen to exceptional advantage in the production. Three of them, Elma Hardman, Polly Power, and Royston M'Donnell, began in the chorus of ‘ The O’Brien Girl ’ Company. Fred Carpenter first appeared in Melbourne under Hugh J. Ward’s management in the chorus of ‘ The Rise of Bose O’Reilly.’ In the ‘Cinderella pantomime last Christmas ho did solo dances, and was the partner of Nola Reid in others.

Harvey Adams, the capable actor who has played a round of varied roles with the Muriel Starr aud John D. O’Hara companies, played opposite Muriel Stan during her South African tour prior to her return to Australia. During this tour the company had many exciting experiences, according to Mr Adams, who often went on hunting expeditions. One “hoy” with whom he used to tramp the veldt in search of wildebeeste and buffalo was a giant of about 6ft Gin, built in proportion, and immensely strong. He had a method quite his own of catching crocodiles. He would lie iu tho mud at the edge of some slimy river and imitate tho plaintive callof a crocodile. Presently a curious saurian would come over to investigate. The native would lie still till it came close, then grasp it by the throat, and either strangle it with his huge hands or break its neck Mr Adams has frequently watched the performance, but admits that he has never tried it himself! Marjorie Daw, who appears as the impetuous cousin, Biana, in ‘ Wildflower ’ at tho Theatre Royal, Melbourne, had the unique experience of being able to read her own death certificate. It was while she was tonring with her own company that she became very ill with fever at Colombo. For some days she was delirious, and one day the native doctor at tho hospital to which sho had been taken while unconscious decided that she was dead, filled in her death certificate, and washed his hands of the case. Miss Daw, however, declined to die. She recovered sufficiently to be able to run away from the hospital, and was taken charge of by Miss Grace Pnlotta, who heard of her plight. When Miss Daw was able to walk her first thought was to got weighed. She found that she had lost 4stl Sho was, she says, more like the shadow than the substance! In ‘Kid Boots,’ the new musical play by the J. C. Williamson firm, to be seen hero next Saturday, George Crotty, an English comedian of note, will make his first appearance hero. Ho plays the part of Menlo Manville, w\o society reporter, on downright American lines. He is responsible for plenty of fun. The Intruders’ dance introduces some exceedingly clever toe work. Manville assures the social debutantes that he is aware they move in the best society, adding that that is the reason he has come to gather scandals for his paper. Hearing of one lady that she enjoys a good reputation, he says there really is no reason to put her in print at all. Judging by the interesting youth portrayed by Mr Crotty, who pursues his scandals even into the_ Turkish baths, no lady would have enjoyed a reputation long in his paper. ‘ Kid Boots,’ which comes to Dunedin next week, reintroduces George Geo and Josie Melville. Making a first appearance here is Mr George Vollaire a singer of first-rate London musical comedy reputation. He will play the tenor part, and hero “ Tom Sterling ” opposite to charming Josie. Mr Vollaire has an exceptionally mellow and popular tenor. Ho is largely responsible for the lyric gem of the evening in ‘ Polly, Put the Kettle On,’ with an unaccompanied male chorus. He makes love to his pretty little pupil in a wav which justifies Kid Boots’s assertion that to prove his devotion a man only has to teach a woman to play golf. Young Australians are noted for achieving distinction on the stage. The latest to have their ability recognised are tho Four Little Kellys, a quartet of juvenile instrumentalists, who have been amazing Sydney theatregoers with a brilliant musical performance. Their success is due to sheer ability. For instance, Leone Kelly, the leader of the act, is rapidly coming to the fore in juvenile musical circles. Sho _was awarded a silver medal at tho Initiatory Grade Violin (Sydney College), a silver medal for children twelve years and under at the Canterbury Eisteddfod, and only recently topped the pole at the Sydney Consorvatorium examinations for violin. Leone is a pupil of the Sisters of Mercy, Ryde, New South Wales, and there is no doubt music lovers will hear much more of this gifted child. Eily Malyoo, the clever and versatile actress appearing in ‘Within the Law ’ at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, will shortly leave for America to seek fame and fortune on the stage in that country. Miss Malyon, who commenced her career on the Australian stage with Miss Ethel Irving’s company, which opened in Melbourne in ‘The Witness for the Defence,’ commenced her stage life in England in melodrama, and has a fund of anecdotes regarding her experiences in that branch of stage work. On one occasion she was appearing as the heroine, and was clinging to a rock, in tho midst of raging seas. The hero was to come to her rescue in a boat, but the curtain went up and took with it the canvas representing the seas, and disclosed a property _ man walking across the stage pushing a cardboard representation of the boat. The audience, who had been weeping with the heroine in her perilous position, burst into roars of ribald laughter, and the show—for that evening, at any rate—was as deal as the proverbial red herring t j