THE THEATRE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17078, 29 January 1916, Page 12

THE THEATRE.

(By CRITICTJS.)

February 7 to 15. —Boyal Comic Opera Com* pany. Mr Charles Fanning, one of the most popular comedians Australia has evsf* produced, has taken "his last call in South Africa, whither he went with his wife (Georgte Devoe) and her daughter (Charlotta) not; so %m ago. Unlike the variety performer of to-day,- Fanning could adapt himself to any of the requirements of the musichall stage. A capital clog dancer, although ho did little of it in recent years, a clever mimic, and a raconteur who could tell stories in a "quaintly original manner, no manager was ever "cornered because of the indisposition of a member of his troupe whilst the genial Charles was about. Years ago, when the, Alhambra Theatre in Sydney was struggling to keep going, Fanning, who had made good as the end-man of an amateur minstrel company, came along and was given a chance. " What he did to the old place," said a frieeO recently, " it seems a shame to tell, for he got little out of it beyond his salary, which was a long way from what is being paid to less enthusiastic performers to-day." Charlie became an institution in Sydney. Ho for long years enjoyed 'a reputation in bis smaller circle equal only to that of the English wnite-ej r ed Kaffir. Many old Sydneyites still remember a good joke played off on Charlie nearly a quarter of a century ago. One evening he had distinguished himself more than usual, and a group of jockey friends who had previouslyvisited Paddy's Market across the street, showed their appreciation.of his good humour by passing nim over the footlights several bunches of bright green vegetables. "Thanks, boys," was the laconic acknowledgment, " but you might have sent some corned-beef with this." Fatal reminder. During the interval the lads hied them to another) stall, and purchasing a huge smoking round of beef wrapped it carefully in newspaper and returned to the auditorium. Charles "went better than ever" in his next turn, and as he was taking his call one of the horeerestrainers, looking like a miniature undertaker, solemnly appsroached the stage and handed up the "boiled offering." It was hot, and as Charlie was unprepared for the feast he dropped it from his half-black hands on to the stage, from where it slid on to the piano keyboard. The audience thought it part of the evening's Business and voted Fanning " a trick."

"Factory 'Ands," a four-act play from the pen of Mr Edward Dyson, founded upon- some of his well-known and popular short stories, published in book form under the same title, is about to be put into rehearsal, and will be staged shortly at the Palace Theatre, Sydney.

Tho late Morris Abrahams, a onetime well-known London manager, loved to'teli a story which related to an amateur performance at an establishment where novices, for a consideration, were allowed to strut and fret their hour upon the stage. On a certain night " Othello " was due for representation, but the audience was kept waiting because the two male principals had not turned up. At last a cab arrived, and the representative of the Moor fell out. He was in that condition recognised as'''O'er all the ills of life victorious." "You are drunk, sir I" said the stage manager. ' 'Oh, ves, I know I am," acquiesced the, indiscreet amateur; "but—you just wait until you see Iagol"

Sir George Mario w announces what may be termed an independent policy in his management. He d'oes not depend upon, or is not hound to, any particular market for his plays or people., and he refuses to make engagements solely on reputation. Although at present Mr Ben Fuller is securing new people and pieces in America.for the firm Mr Marlowis by no means partial to that market. He explains that at present there is practically nothing new available in England or elsewhere, while theatrical activities are as great as ever in the United States. Mr Marlow also points out that on numerous occasions English successes and stars have not been acceptable to Australian theatre-goers, while money has been coined out of several locally written Dieces. and Australian artists have been forced to the front by .weight of publio appreciation. "Of course, reputations have to be taken into account," he says, "but if an unknown actor walked into my office to-morrow with an unproduced play and convinced me that I was being offered what the public wanted, I would not hesitate to give it a chance. I believe" that Australians differ from people in other sections of the Empire in that ijiev have acquired an entirely independent point of i'iew and have a peculiar capacity for judging for themselves. Nothing can be forced upon them if they do not want it, and' what they-do want they, have a manner of showing whicli is quite unmistakable." Tt may be added that owing to the difficulty of getting melodrama Mr Marlow is engaging a revue company in America.

"Twin Beds" will play at the Sydney Criterion up to Saturday night. This will make a run of five weeks for the farce. The Criterion Theatre will then be closed in accordance with arrangements entered upon w>me time ago to have the auditorium renovated. Mr Hale Hamilton and Miss Myrtle Tannerhill, together with the company associated with them, will go to Melbourne and open there. They are at present rehearsing "It Pays to Advertise," a successful farce written by Roi Cooper Megnie. This will be the third production Mr Megrue has had in-Aus-tralia. The other two are "Under Cover," the story of the Customs frauds, and "Under Fire," the war drama now running at the - Theatre Royal, Melbourne. Mr Megrue is a young playwright -who acquired fame ;ind fortune rapidly in America. He made his first hit with "Under Cover." This ran for two seasons in New York. Following this he wrote "It Pays to Advertise," which George M. Cohan staged. Four companies have been playing it contimouslv for two years, | and Mr Cohan recently said that he « had naid the author over £40,000 in royalties and' he estimated that the plav had still throe years' life in it before it was released to the stock companies. "■- ■ . ' ■■-.■■ -. •'