FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 19841, 14 April 1928, Page 18

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

[By* LOJTESER-]

‘Sunny,’ the musical comedy to bo produced by Sir Benjamin and John Fuller's London Musical Comedy Company, will follow the presentation here soon of ‘ Archie/ the company’s first string. ‘ Sunny ’ has achieved records in London and New York. It is described as a beautiful play, and introduces a succession of attractive scenes. The poppy fields of Florida, with girls gaily dancing through the swaving blossoms, is one of them. Elsie Prince plays tse title role. Following the J. C. Williamson lead i writes a Sydney 1 Bulletin ’ correspondent), the Fullers intend making a descent upon Englind. A theatre on the Sydney St. James model in London and a provincial circuit is the idea. As E. J. Carroll has taken a nano already in management liicra, Australia threatens to be amazingly well represented on that rde in the hub ;1 hmipire.

The forthcoming New Zealand tour of Moseiwitsch, which commences at the Wellington Town Hall on May 21, is already being discussed with in wrest in musical tides. The aocid pianist (who comes to New Zealand under the managpment ol J. and N. Tait), writing to a friend before the final arrangements for the tour had been made, says:—“l hope to see the people of New Zealaid again this year. To in? this will be a real pleasure, for, apart from the business side of the engagement, which, of course, has to be considered in these practical days, the New Zealand music-lovers’ appreciation of all that is good in music was to me most kind. Their goodness and thenhospitality I have not forgotten.”

Air Arthur Jordan (our Exhibition tenor) was the tenor soloist in the London Choral Society’s recent performance of Walford Davies’s ‘Everyman.’ Th© new Fuller Theatre at Auckland is now expected to open at the end of June. The Elsie Prince-Jimmy redden Company will provide the opening attraction with ‘Sunny/ ‘Archie/ ai.d ‘ Alercenary Alary.’ Later two net musical comedies, ‘ The Merry Alalones ’ and ‘Funny Face/ will be presented for the first time in Australia or Now Zealand. Following the musical comedy season, the Gonsalez Grand Opera Company will visit the dominion. The Fullers have so many large productions in view that it will be toward the end of the year before any of the smaller revue companies are seen in the northern centre.

At the interval I heard of a little bet ns to whether Sir Benjamin Fuller would eventually receive a telegram of congratulation on his enterprise from a great singer (says a Sydney writer). When the Gonsalez Company was here in 1912 the diva graced a performance; but, the story goes, was horrified subsequently to receive a bill for £5. That was at the Grand Opera House, and, as Sir Benjamin was interested, he set about making amends. The _ money could not be returned, but Sir Ben agreed to pay in bis cheque in a like sum to any charity the lady liked to nominate. The sporting offer was accepted and the cheque forwarded. Ho thought that in his present enterprise i lie cantatrico might have recalled that time.

The noted actor, Air Aiaurice Aloscovitch, with 'a strong supporting company, has opened an Auckland season at His*Alajesty’s in Edgar Wallace’s mystery play, 1 The Ringer.’ It will run for the week, and will then bo replaced by ‘The Terror/ another mystery play, said to bo every bit as good as the opening offering. A tour 1 of the rest of New Zealand follows. Audiences will make the acquaintance of Air Patric Curwcn, a London actor, who appears in prominent parts in both productions; and will meet again Aliss Alary Al'Grc■gor, Air Nat Aladison, Air Reginald Newsome, and Mr Jack Dunne. Aliss Bertha Riccardo is another newcomer who will play leading roles. “Keep up with her? I’ve as much (banco as a tadpole with a tin hare.” Thus said Archie of his beloved spouse, Billie Cobb. . With a -husband who stays homo while his pretty young wife gads about, ono lias the theme for half a dozen interesting plots. ‘ Archie,’ the musical comedy to ho presented here presently under the direction of Sir Benjamin and John Fuller, has such a theme for its plot. It isa matrimonial bnrlesue garnished with delightful frills of humor, melody, and dancing. ‘ Archie ’ deals with the adventures of one Archie Cobb, a harmless _ kind of idiot, who allows his wife, Billie, to become unduly extravagant. Aliss Elsie Prince is as charming as she was in ‘ No, No, Nanette,’ Air Gerden is amusing as Archie, Air George Willoughby makes a choleric old uncle, and Charlton Alorton also performs well, as do the remainder of the talented company.

Air Lester Brown, publicity manager for Fox films, who has been selected by the Wellington Amateur Theatrical Society to produce its forthcoming production, ‘The Belle of New York/ commencing on Saturday, April 21, at the Opera House, is a producer of wide experience. He came from London to Australia to produce the pantomime ‘ Aladdin/ in which Carrie Alooro and Grace Palotta appeared. Ho also produced in Australia the revue 1 Samples, with Phil Smith, Celia Ghiloni, Charlie Workman, Alarie Eaton, Frank Green, and Elsio Parkes; ‘ Honi Soit/ with Barry Lupino as the star; and the- beautiful revue ‘ Bubbly/ with Hugh Steyne, Beatrice Holloway, and John Junior; also the London musical comedy ‘Aly Lady Frail,’ with Bert Clarke, Celia Ghiloni, Vera Pearce, and Alarie Le Varc. Ho was also associated with Ada Reeve in Australia, having produced the London musical comedy ‘ Wiuniebrook Widow’ and ‘Spangles/ and was director of the first London production of ‘ The Belle of New York ’ at the Shaftesbury Avenue Theatre, in which Edna Alay became famous.

No one is wearing a more expansive smile these days than Sir Ben. Fuller (says a Sydney ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ writer). His gamble with the Gonsalez brothers has every prospect of being a huge success, and he is in the process of proving an idea he has had at the back of his mind for a long time —the opinion that one can give the public good opera at reasonable prices and still show a profit. The official seal of approval on the venture was set in position when social Sydney turned up in force to the opening night, and shed the light of its countenance on all concerned. Sir Benjamin is a Londoner by birth, who arrived in tin's country with the proverbial 6d, and found Australia ready and willing to give him a largo bank balance in return for the entertainment ho was able to provide- If you ask him his hobby he will tell you that it is business. But I’ve seen him on more than one occasion walking along a fairway with something suspiciously resembling a bag of golf clubs.

So great has been the rush for seats at the St. James’s Theatre, Sydney, where the Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company is playing, that the Fuller firm ha's engaged the Sydney Town Hall as a booking office, and has opened there the plans tor the balance of the entire season, making 45,000 seats available to the public. The season closes on April 2(1, It has been a phenomenally successful one, and is notable in that, despite the enormous risk attached to such ventures, the Fullers adhered to their original determination to provide grand opera at prices within reach of all. Thus for first nights, holiday nights, and Saturdays the top price (with tax) has been 10s lid (ordinary nights 8s 9d), and the lowest price, 3s 4d (ordinary nights 2s 7dH

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A striking feature of ‘ Archie/ the fascinating musical comedy to be staged by the London Musical Comedy Com-p.-yiy at His Majesty’s Theatre on May 19 is the frocking. Never have theatregoers had the chance of seeing such a rich wardrobe as that provided by Ethel Moar. It is indeed a symphony of spring. So light and fascinating are the materials used in many of the frocks that they seem to be fashioned of dream fabrics niched from the rainbow. The genera) effect is that of an iridescentpageant of exquisite color tones and blendings that enchant the eye. While t!ie production of charming stage effects has been Miss Moar’s objective, she has cleverly contrived to achieve this by featuring frocks that could be suitably worn at race and river carnivals and other outdoor diversions. To women patrons of ‘ Archie ’ the frocking is full of interest. ‘ Archie ’ brings back to Dunedin all the favorites who endeared themselves to theatregoers in ‘ Lady, Bo Good ’ and ‘ No, No, Nanette.’ The principal roles will be played by Elsie Prince, Jimmy Godden, Charlton Morton, Elsie. Parkes, Nellie Deane, and many other wellknown artists who also have important roles in the production. Mr Victor Champion, who died at Mount St. Evins Hospital, Melbourne, on March 25, aged sixty-five years, came to Australia twenty years ago (says the ‘Australasian’), since when he "had made a wide circle of friends in his position as a musical conductor. Ho arrived in Melbourne from England as conductor for the Clarke, Meynell, and Gnnn firm (formed by Sir Rupert Clarke, Mr Clyde Meynoll, and Air John Gunn), and his first duty in its productions was the conducting of the orchestra for ‘ Miss Hook of Holland.’ Since then he has played a conspicuous part in the arrangement of dozens of “scores” for his original employers, and later for J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Several weeks ago, while conducting at his Majesty’s Theatre in ‘ The Student Prince/ he became ill and underwent an operation. He was a skilful conductor and an accomplished musician. Ho composed incidental music for pantomimes and other productions, and supplied numerous lyrics for additional songs for musical comedy. Mr Champion was a brother of Air E. J. (“Teddy”) Lomien, principal comedian of the London Gaiety Burlesque Company, which visited Australia in 1892-3, under engagement to Air George Alusgrove. Air Champion leaves a widow and one son.

Melbourne had its first taste of Grand Guignol drama at the Cairo, St. Kikla, last Saturday, when a number of thrillers were staged. Among them was ‘The Second Ash Tray/ written by Gaston Alervale, who is directing the enterprise with Joseph Cunningham. Another lurid item was entitled ‘The Mask/ and came smoking from the pen of C. AI. Hallard, who was leading man with the Vanbrugh-Bouci-cault combination iu Australia two or three years ago. Eacli piece ran from fifteen to twenty minutes. The beauteous Zillah Bateman appeared with Gaston Alervale and Joseph Cunningham in the pieces, and in tlie intervals there were vocal , items by Arthur Alayes.

In the presence of the King and Queen Aladame Clara Serena, the South Australian contralto, appeared iu the principal role in Handel’s little-known ‘Solomon’ at the Queen’s Hall. Sir Thomas Boccham was the conductor. Tins is the first time their Alajesties have attended a Philharmonic Society’s concert. The King and Queen received Aladame Clara Serena and the other principals during an interval, and congratulated them on their noteworthy performance.

Gladys Aloncrieff is on an incoming boat bound for a Fuller engagement of considerable dimensions (says Alelbourno ‘Table Talk’). It is stated that she is returning to Australia at a towering salary, and is bringing with her several trunks full of frocks, some of which will be revealed in the first local presentation of ‘Rio Rita/ the Ziegfeld show which the Fullers secured for Australia. ‘ Rio Rita ’ has ceased to earn dividends for the energetic I Ziegfeld in New York, but its novelty, j glitter, and waywardness will stand transporting across the Pacific to the Commonwealth, provided that the production is largo and handsome. With this show the Fuller management has a chance to add another cubit to its reputation. To be striking ‘Rio Rita’ will demand the expenditure of money, and the cast must level up in personality with that of the leading woman., After keeping the secret for nearly a year, Aliss Rosie Dolly, ono of the famous Dolly Sisters, has divulged the fact of her marriage to Air Alortimer Davis, son of Sir Alortimer Davis, the Canadian business man and sportsman. Aliss Dolly was married at Brewster, Connecticut, on Alaroh 31 last year. “ We withheld the news of our marriage,” she told the Paris correspondent of the ‘ Daily Express/ “ because my husband did not wish it announced until I had severed my connection with the stage. I appeared for the last time at the Casino de Paris on November 29, 1927, and I am now free to make the announcement. From now on 1 shall devote myself to homo and my husband.” Aliss Dolly and her husband are now negotiating the purchase of a homo in Paris, where they will spend most ol their time. Aliss Dolly admitted that sho had won more than £40,000 gambling at the Casino in Cannes during the season, and revealed that her sister, Aliss Jenny Dolly, who is still on the Riviera, had won and lost the amazing sum of £145,000 in the short space of one and a-half months.