THE THEATRE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 4

THE THEATRE.

(By CRITIC US.) Tho Sydney "Daily Telegraph” writes interestingly concerning a wellknown theatrical figure of the old days: —Died in London last Sunday, a shortstatured man, with tho .nigger-black hair and brilliant jet “imperial” and mercurial manner of a. Latin, but in fact an Englishman through ami through, in disposition and conduct, "ono of the best,” as he would have generously said of any colleague, and by name George Bull. As it is about twenty years since ho left for England, after a. few years in Australia, many of the present generation have missed the pleasure of knowing this most lovable and witty good fellow, but those who remember him will do so with undiluted pleasure. He was of tho "Star” of his day, the manager ol which paper once successfully backed a request for a higher salary with the perfectly just argument that “George was an asset for the paper. ’ He was Iho sort of theatrical critic who knew everybody'on or about the stage, and was adopted brother to all tho best men in " tho profession/' Ho wrote pantomimes, too, and topical songs for the same. Ono lecalls a song of bis, with the chorus, "But Pin’s Too Long a-Lingcring,” one verse of which dealt with the seeming delay of Georgo lleid to introduce bis promised freetrado policy after evicting tho (protectionist) Dibbs Government. One night Premier Reid sat in the dress circle of Pier Majesty's by invitation, and grave question arose as to whether that particular verse should be eliminated. "Not at all,” said Rignold, imperiously: "the show as usual.” Accordingly the verse was duly given, and the audience was more or less relieved to see the present Sir George laugh ami applaud as though tho little jibe had been aimed at bis dearest enemy. Mr Bull married, after going to Loudon, Miss Madge Rossell, a beautiful dancer who came here with tho Gaiety Company that included Brad field, Florence Lloyd, Fred Kay, Maud Hobson and Charles Ryley. For a long time ho conducted a successful news agency business, and recently wrote a great deal I'or that delectably bright journal, "London Opinion.” Only tho other day a story was told of him asking whether there was not some single technical word describing tho themo of a certain dully serious play, pie was told that evidently “ psycho-therapeu-tic” wes the word ho was looking for. " Psycho-therapeutic?” exclaimed Bull, "my dear bid chap, I wasn’t thinking of writing that .-much about the wholo show!”

The .theatrical pendulum lias once again swung back to melodrama, and a proposed revival by an American manager is being awaited with interest in London. Says the "Era ’:—"Tho revival of melodrama is to bo heralded by some successful sensational pieces that have been exploited in the United States by A. PI Woods, and are being brought to this country by C. P. Crawford, who has secured for tho management of his tour Albert- Gilmer. This gentleman’s Valuable experience at the Princess’s should make him an ideal hustler. There are to be great sensational effects in the productions, which will preserve their American milieu, but the stories told and illustrated will be appealingly domestic; there will he what the Americans call ‘ punch ’ and thrill; and the success of the new enterprise should be unquestioned in the larger theatres of the great manufacturing centres.”

The . Fuller management lias announced jts now pantomime for production at the Grand Opera House at Christmas. The titlo will bo " The Bunyip,” the setting Australian from first to last, including an exceptionally realistic view of the Jenolau Caves. The idea of the original pantomime has been conceived by Ella Airlie, who is well known as a vaudeville entertainer, and who is the composer of a number of popular songs, among them "Bottle0, and the pantomime number sung bv Olivo Morrell, " There’s Sunshine My Side of the Street.” Tho enchantment of tho Princess Wattle blossom, who is changed by the bush gnomes into a bunyip, forms the basis of a- quaint story that can be admirably wedded- to festive foolery. Ben. J. Duller states that he intends to make of the first Fuller pantomime a production to remember.

George Marlow, wlio is responsible for the introduction to Australia of ,tho Gonsalcz Grand Opera Company and Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company, is at present resting in Sydney, preparatory to leaving for America and England, in search of theatrical novelties and productions for Australia. Mr Marlow is at present in active negotiation with a leading London manager, and expects to complete arrangements within a very short period after their meeting. Ethel Buckley (Mrs George Marlow) has been offered a moving picture eugagement in America, but up to the present is undecided whether or not to accept. It was Mr Marlow who gave Allan Doone his first opportunity of appearing before Sydney theatre-goers. ■>

In view of the revival of "The Geisha ” by J. C. .Williamson, Ltd., at Melbourne lier Majesty’s, it is interesting to recall that the first production in Australia of the Japanese musical play was given at the Princess’s Theatre, Melbourne, by Williamson and Musgrove on December 17, 1898, with the following cast:—Florence Perry as O Mimosa San, Dorothy Vane as Molly Seainore, Rose Musgrove as Juliette, Beatrice Perry as Nami, Minnie Everett as O Hana San, Nina Osborne as Ivomurasaki San, Mrs Henry Bracv as Lady Constance Wynn©, Cecil Englehart as Marie Worthington, William Pauli as Reginald Fairfax, Sydney Bracv as Dick Cunningham, Kevin Gunn as Hon Gerald St Paucras, Fred England as Arthur Cuddy, Alyce Leitch as Ethel Hurst, Lily Tithcradgo. as Tommy Stanley, Pat Bathurst as Captain Katana. Fred Young as Takamine, Howard Vernon as Marquis Imari, George Lauri as Wun Hi. The play was produced by Henry Bracy, with Leon Caron as musical director. The Perry sisters and William Pauli appeared, "in the Pollard production ill Now Zealand when May Beattj’ was the -Molly Sea-more, W. S. Percy Wun Hi, Jennie Opie was Lady Wynne, Ernest Fitts was Kotana and Alfred Stephens was the Marquis Imari. At the Opera House. Wellington, on Monday. October -3 (Labour Day), J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present for the first time to New Zealand playgoers Hale Hamilton, in the successful comedy, “It Pays to Advertise.” Brief seasons will be the order of the tour, and in each centre Mr Hamilton and his combination of comedy artists will also stage “ Twin Beds.” " The Boomerang ” and "A Pair of Sixes.” Hale Hamilton, who was the original creator in New York and London of " Got-Rich-Quick Wallingford,” will be supported by Myrtle TannehiJl (bis wife), Donald Bowles, Celia Ghiloni. Nancy Stewart (daughter cf Nellie Stewart), Mildred "Warren, Beatrice Nicliolls, Edwin Lester. Mutt-ee Brown, Leslie Victor, John Ardizoni and Charles Wheeler.