UNWARRANTED JIBE

Evening Star, Issue 19774, 26 January 1928, Page 4

UNWARRANTED JIBE

DUNEDIN NOT A POOR SHOW TOWN SIR BEN FULLER’S RESENTMENT Wirth’s Circus does not like Dunedin, which, the proprietors contend, does not like the circus. When touring Otago six weeks ago, Mr G. Anderson, general manager for the Sawdust Ring organisation, declared emphatically his firm’s opinion of Dunedin as a show town. “ Good-bye for ever ” was scheduled to be played by the band as the special circus train passed through Dunedin. But Sir Benjamin BTiller, the noted entertainment man, has the happiest thoughts when he peruses the balancesheets of companies which have played in Dunedin under the Fuller mgis. Dunedin is a most discriminating show town, he this morning, and every show received the patronage it really deserved.

Sir Benjamin resented any reflection on Dunedin. His own experience and that of other large firms, such as J. C. Williamson, which played in Dunedin, was a very good experience. “The audience appreciate a good show of any hind, and t think they aie quicker than the audiences of any oilier town to scent out fnediocrity,” he declared. “I am sure Sir George Tallis would verify my statement that His Majesty’s Theatre, Dunedin, holds the New Zealand record for takings by the ‘Mother Goose’ pantomime some years ago. They were the largest in any centre outside Melbourne and Sydney for the last, George Musgrove Grand Opera Company, too.”

Those vere only two big attractions, said Sir Benjamin, hut proved that Dunedin would stand up to a good show; and. proportionately, to the less attractive shows.

Dunedin gave the Fullers their real start in the entertainment business. Tlie first piece of theatre property purchased by the family was the old Alhambra Theatre in Dowling street. The property now runs into largo value. “And it is no reflection of my father's judgment as a showman,” said Sir Benjamin, “to say that once or twice he was inclined to run away from Dunedin when business seemed to justify a rest. Personally, I always stuck to Dunedin, with very gratifying results.”

Ho was sure that when Messrs George and Phil Wirth looked over their average in Dunedin for the past twenty-five years they would once more put Dunedin on their touring roster. The first show was given by the Fuller family in Dunedin in 1895. Sir Benjamin has many old friends here, and although he has been busy renewing acquaintances, he proposes meeting the rest at the Princess to-night, when he will make a speech outlining the firm’s future policy.