DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 695, 25 October 1913, Page 12

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL

By Footlight.

SINCE vaudeville in Wellington took» up its headquarters at' His Majesty's Theatre, Messrs. . Brennan «in/l Fuller, have turned on a much improved bill, one in keeping with the magnificence of the theatre itself. For vanety and freshness this week's roster would be hard to beat. There is not a dull itemin it/ and some of the turns are well up to the "star" magnitude. The show is particularly strong m acrobatic and contortion acts, and surely at is rarely that three distinct turns of this kind of the merit of Lai Perle, a female contortionist, Desperado and _ La tumbling and gymnastic specialists, and Vaughan and Berry, a couple of weird performers, appear on the one bill. La Perle, who is making her first appearance is not the usual species of 'circus contortionist. and her clever performance ib well worth seeing. Desperado and La Hose were also making their debut. The lady is a very graceful performer on the trapeze, and her male partner turned screw somersaults, etc., fit to break his neck. * . #. . ♦ * » Among the other -illuminating "stars" is Foolish Ford, an American burlesque comedian. The way he outdid Eugene Sandow had- the house in • fits of laughter. He lifted or_ broke all the ironmongery in sight' with consummate ease, toying .with neayy-weights as if they 'were nothing, but unfortunately '_he finished -up by having a row with his small boy assistant, who completely / floored him. This broke the audience right up. Miss Gabrielle, a talented player-of .all sorts and shapes of. instruments, also made a favourable impression on her first appearance. Her playing of "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes ' on- the sleigh together with her own pianoforte' accompaniment, went well. The Three Breves, yet another new "star" act, presented rather an original musical act, in which a couple of eccentric tramp musicians break into a fashionable' drawing-room' and make harmony with the "lydy of the hous6. Miss May Brilliant sang and danced her way into popular favour. Besides, there were several other performers,, notably Miss Marjorie Daw, who whistles all sorts of music • delightfully; they finish up this week.

Another alluring .'programme of vaudeville is in store at Bus Majesty's for Monday (Labour Day). . Performances will be criven in the afternoon and evening! The matinee programme will be specially arranged for ladies and children. and those spending the holiday in town will' find it well worth while. /Principal amongst the new performers to be Introduced on Monday are the Three Brothers Vardell, said to give one of the prettiest and cleverest athletic acts yet seen in Australasia. One feat in particular is a thriller, one of the, men being ..thrown clean across the stage, on to another's hands'. Josephine Jbnnson and Gladys CJonway., specialty, artists, will also make their first appearance. Specially 1 announced are Tom Armstrong and Mab Howarth, an old favourite witn a n6w partner, introducing Tom Armstrong's comedietta, "Back' Bush Flat." The. Croydons, direct from England, will appear in spectre clog dancing •'-Tiecialties. Miss Lallie - Brooke will appear in "Feminine Fads and Fancies from 1820 to 1920." Miss Brooke, who is-a clever young' Wellington ladjr, who has presented her. original, act in England, is en route to America, where she will enter on a big American Vaudeville circuit. Supporting these artiste are the cream of this week's programme.

Generally recognised as the world's greatest dancer, Adeline Genee will make er first appearance in Wellington at the Opera House to-morrow (Saturday) evening. Not only is Genee 6tated to be the most highly-paid artist which the firm of J. has yet brought to the Dominion, but, as*the peerless ex--Bonent of the dance, she ranks among le truly great artists of the present day. Of Genee. it is said one has not necessarily to he acquainted with tie history of the ballet, and of tho_ place it has held for many generations, in the art centres of the old world, to be able to appreciate to the fullest extent' her work. Her performance, it is claimed, will show that, given appropriate music, soenery and costumes, a story without words may be made plain even to the dullest in the house, by means_ of gestures, by-play, and facial expression, and by dances, as eloquent as the spoken word.

In the "Coppelia," which is- in two acts, an interesting and 'humorous plot is unfolded, with the most convincing effect, and the denouement reached as intelligibly as in. "the most modern drama. The same effect is obtained in the ballet entitled "Arabian Nights," which is described as a "tragic desert romance," and. depicting a thrilling story of love, hatred, and revenge. The whole entertainment is said to be crowded with dance features of the most original and _ attractive character, and- strong assistance will be given by a grand opera orchestra under the direction of Mr. C. J. • M. Glaser.

♦** » - The boi plans are available at the Dresden.. The booking, it is reported, is extremely heavy. When the t>lans .opened on Wednesday there was an eager rush for seats', and at time of writing . nearly all the reserve area of the theatre is marked off for the entire season. ..." « • .

- Last week was • the first' anniversary of the Empress Theatre since it changed its name from the Adelphi, and the occasion was celebrated by "a special and delectable pictorial fare, crowding out this popular and comfortable theatre at nearly every session. Proof "of the popularity of the Empress and its fresh "and up-to-date programme are found in the large audiences that patronise • regularly. Thiis w«ek again seating accommodation of an evening has been at a premium. • * » • Topmost. in Monday's well selected * new series of films at the Empress was "An Unjust Suspicion," a detective drama of compelling interest with an appealing story running through it. It .is produced in "the well-known A.B. Company's elaborate scale. A couple of other interesting pictures of the dramatic order, ' vieing with "An Unjust Suspi-, cion" for first place, were "The Split Nugget," a Lubin drama relying on . a remarkable coincidence for its climax, and "The Twin Brothers," an Edison "masterpiece," in which one actor cleverly impersonates the dual role of the twins. In lighter vein were "Waiting for. Hubby," a screaming comedy bv the - Thanhauser Company. "Objections Overruled," an A.B. farce-comedy. And a fine scenic, descriptive of a trip to Madeira, and "The Bertanos," showing a remarkable vaudeville act, afforded further variety. A word is also due to the sweet harmony of the Empress orchestra.

/,At present, drawing the crowds to the Empress is another -fine series of films, headed by a trio of feature dramas, entitled "The Drop of -Blood," "The Adopted Brother," and "The Blind Basket Weaver." The other films'are all up to the mark.

: After an absence of fiye years from iber-native heath, Miss Mina Caldow, Wellington's well-known contralto, will make her re-appearance on the local concert platform at the Town Hall this (Fnday) evening. -During her absence, Miss Caldow hag been prosecuting her musical studies at Home, and ." has also been, singing with flattering Success on a concert'tour of England. In yiew of ail this. Wellington" will be very interested to hear-her-again; She-will .only remain in New Zealand for eight months, and will return to the Old Country with the intention of taking, up operatic work. Her programme for" to-night is a capti- / vating one, including "Nearer My- God to Thee," with organ accompaniment, Schubert's "Der Wanderer, 1 ' "Avanera," from "Carmen," "I Hear You Calling Me," and "The Rosary" (by. special request), for her singing of which she was personally complimented by Mrs. Barclay, the author of the book." Assisting Miss Caldow are .Mr. Christian Hellemann (organ), Mr. Charles Clarkson , (baritone), Mr. E. Gilchrist (viol.n), and ' Mr. Frank S.-Amsden. (piano). ■ Popular prices will prevail. * . *, A capital programme of the brightest ~ and best in pictureaom is maintained at the King's Theatre. This week the feature film of a very interesting "series has been ; "Shipwrecked," which is justabout as vivid a picture of*a marine disaster as you're likely to see outside the real thing itself. The principal scenes depicting the. story are the discovery of a big leak in a steamer, the rousing -of' the passengers, and the rush for the lifeboats* The ' survivors reach a desert shore, where further trouble awaits them >n an attack from cannibals. They escape the not, and rest of the film unfolds a pretty little romance. Besides, there are a couple of fine .Vitagraph pictures, viz., "The Judge and the Girl," and "A Husband's Trick," also "Our Pets," a study in Nature, the Pathe Gazette, an; exhilarating ' chase picture, including races in a toboggan, a miniature railway, belter skelter, and a. switchback, railway. . ♦ * - •» ' »

Mr. Frank _R. Johnston© announces that he will give his second 'cello concert m the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Friday next October 31st. A\ notable feature of this concert will be several items by a 'cello orchestra of eighteen players. _ This is the only orchestra of 'cellists in existence in Australasia. Mr. Baxter Buckley" will play piano solos, Mr. Hamilton Hodges will sing, and Mr. Laurence "Watbins will conduct the orchestra. The programme is a very choice one, and if the concert of last year is equalled, as all the performers are determined it shall be, well it will be worth walking from Masterton to see it. - Be sure you are there. v

; A short season of pantomime at popu— • lar pnoes ; commenced . at .the " Opera House Jast Thursday evening, when thenew theatrical partnership of Messrs. Linley and Stephenson introduoed McKay's, Royal Pantomime Company. Th» show is really intended tor a tour of the country districts, and its stay here wasso brief that the. season of four nights- • began • and : ended.: with the one produc- - tion of "Little 80-Peep," This panto— mime is nobetter or no worse than other - pantos, with regard to its story. It is< just an excuse to bring before the footlights the usual shapely damsel masquer—. .(ballets are worth noting. Also a transthe guise of a dame, a couple of duced vaudeville items, a song here andi tnere of the popular order, and a bevy of dancing girls, whose floral and Dutch, ballets are worth noting, also a'trans--formation scene, which-was one of thefeatures of the show. * * ■ * •■ » ' . The company is a particularly youniz: one, and the dancing of the ballerinai: was refreshingly sprightly. A" quartetteoi athletic young women gave a coupleof clever acrobatic items. Miss Kathteea Mack, as Jack Straw, the principal boy* revealed that what siie lacked in power • of singing voice she compensated for in., a shapeliness of limb. Little 80-Peep. in the person of Miss Rita Webb, was of 'fcadmg giris. She must shake things up a bit if she is to makea of her part. Miss Bertha Ashman, as Simple Simon, showed more ability and also that she can dance some clever steps. The widow .Bumpkin, with a voice that required lubricating, of Mr. JJruee Drysdale, was the life and soul aT the_show. His was the usual far-fetched - 1 Sketch of a dame we are accustomed to- ' seeing m pantomime What Mr. VictorLoydall s Duncan McTavish, a humorous - Scotchman, ye ken, had to do with the play was not very apparent. Still Loydall is an entertaining chap in himself, and no one minded him being a disconnected link. The caste altogether wasnot a very big one, but what there wasseemed to give a fair three shillings' worth of entertainment. r • - - *•/ In addition to the midgets that appeared ln Tmy Town on their initial tou* two starring acts, front fciurope have been secured—the FrancoiJ magicians and dancers, and Thednch Ulpts, a well-known artist onthe German stage. . The management impresses on the public that the tinv* people are- not, deformities, and that-. there is nothing at all repulsive, liny Town appears in Wellington in tr few weeks' time., ■ ■ . * * * * ' *» - TT^i le TO Concerfc J S hamb ? r of the Town, Hall was crowded to the. doors on Tuesday night, when Mrs. Martin - Williams•l t —a P u P" s gave an elocutionary recital. As a matter of fact, the hall was. : not large enough to accommodate thepeople who wanted to get in: and many t ? r sL ec ? awa y- .■And whata delightful entertainment it was. Mr: J. M. Clark, who assisted in : the stage managing, m declaring that. the recital would go straight on without: - an interval, summed" things neatly : "It is not a ; dry entertainment, by any means, and ; there is no need for any of you to go out for five minutes.' • * » * ■» ' The. talent was good, and the pieo&s. selected had a wide range, including: items from Shakespeare, Dickens, Longfellpw, and Tennyson. Little Ceral Haines contributed largely- to the programme, and was* happy-all the tune. " Leonard Power -nielmaaosby, Walter Tonics, Hazel Jeffrey, Ngaire liemmon, a ? it. 10 Fisher wer& ofchpr contributors ?t t h &,.Topnger .brigade, and allshowed that they had been well trained in the same school: they said their words with . perfect enunciation, and never hurried, ; , so that, young as they were, their voices - were; distinctly heard right through the building. ■• / ■* ■' *' * ; •' Miss Janie- Petrie; gave a fine render--1,1 j°| e potion, scene from "Romeo .and Juliet, ' showing a good conception of what, was required to give it its full' dramatic intensity. Miss Mavis;' Hall C.L 1 1 -- • P lC °t were (associated in a. bhakespearian scene from "Richard 111., Mr. Picot showing to the greater advantage. Miss Winifred Lonsdale entertained with some of Margarefc er s songs, and surprised by the cleverness •she displayed in these action pieces. Misses Amy -Bender, Effie Cathie, and If- McDonald and Mr, Norman Aitken ' also contributed acceptably. Mrs. Martin Williams recited "In an Indian Gar- ' den," and gave the sleeping scene from "Macbeth" m a manner that proved that _ she is a teacher of elocution, with the necessary ability of" giving effect to her teaching. With' her husband, Mrs. Williams leaves for Hamilton in the Waikato in a few days,* arid she will be missed in_ Wellington by , a large circle of friends. - / : » » » • - Addressed to my care is a letter for Mjbs Marie Baines. Will Miiti Baines please communicate, and I shall forward the letter.' -

Said that the Bert Bailey Company. , .lias made something like £26,000 out of *'•. "On , Oui Selection." The syndicate, .. , which-is-controlled by Bert Bailey, Jules 1 Grant -and Edmund Duggan, originally v put-£IOOO in cash into their theatrical venture, ',aind spent the bulk of the money on the Steele Rudd play before a single performance had been The <: "returns to date have exceeded their wild-; ' •est anticipations, and there is every likelihood that the show will go on produc- ' inz large, profits for some time to come. # • * # « ' "Th 6 revival of "The Arcadians" in ' Sydney is Said to have been characterised by capable' work on the part of the new . cAst. Miss Hilda, Vmuig. Un English ar- ; tist/- wlio' f made ; her ' first appearanoe, generally' is said to have scored a fairly V good 'success .as: Sbmbra, Mr. Hobert Whyte', junior, " another newcomer, is reported' to have achieved-, an eccentric triumph as thS doleful jockey, Peter Doody,'and,, according' ;to.one of the newispiaper'critics, was.well able to stand, comparison with anyone'who had pre- , •oeded'him l in ( 'therole.' , " ' » '» ■ •» » .. 1 Mr. Beaumont Smith, fresh from a t»ur, of. •Tiny,. Town in Canada, has been telling ail Australian contemporary that; - : what is regarded as a good profit there would be looked upon with scorn and •derision by entrepreneurs in Australia.' He instanced the manager responsible fpr. the torn- of the great dancer, Pavlova, ,;■ vin Canada/ and said that the gentleman expected to olear £200(J out of her entire -season. Mr. Smith alleged that his won- . -derful show:. Tiny Town, made that amcttnt of profit in a fortnight in Adelaide. . • The ' Rainey African Hunt pictures, , which, were shown a few weeks ago - at '' *the King's Theatre, were still a big . draw in London at-.latest..- Since the original : series of the fine picture was released, . \ it has been . reprinted. on to new films, which has greatly improved them , as to isteadineeß and clearness. , '•. ' . '•« ■ ■». '' , The-Pink Dandies ' passed through Wellington the other day on their way * back to Australia.. They expected to go •on to Perth, where they will play :, through i the summer season. They enJoyed their sojourn in New and., -« 'hope to return next winter. Their tour v -of the North Island'. country districts, . with which they wound up their visit to . New .Zealand, was particularly succees- " ful.r I; hear that Mr.Athol Tier,, the long-legged funny man of the company, .-Ana his petite wife, Miss Peggy Ross, . •-who sang very pleasingly, haveleft the Dandies, and have sighed on for a long •engagement in -South Africa with the , .'Steele-Payne Company. Thence, if all :goes well, instead of returning they - travel on to England with the prospect •of appearing in vaudeville there. As a •double turn, Athol Trier and Mjsb P«ggF •' Roes Would certainly make a strikingillustration of the "long and the short of - , ■ it.":,:.. V ' " • An Australian syndicate, writes "Petramos" in the Sydney "Bulletin," threat- . enß to import sundry cinematograph cele'brities, including John Bunny ana Maurice Costello, of'the Vitagraph Co., and Max Linder, of Pathe Bros. Costello, ■•by the- way, is boomed by the Vitagraph , -people as an ex-Australian stockman. ; ; .. y » « * ■ The Palladium inusio-hall at Johannes-t sbtirg, South Africa, which was opened • -with a great flourish of trumpets, has ' gone into liquidation, and the perform--el's; who were imported from' England - and-elsewhere,have been left without salaries, and in some instances even without tho money to enable them to return

home.. They • have, therefore, banded themselves together,, and are conducting a show-box office, press agency, and everything—on : their own account. , Included m the stranded company are Mr. Bert Gilbert and Miss Olive Bentor years ago a popular soubrette in JDix's Gaiety Company at the old Theatre Royal here'in "Wellington. • *' * *■' * *' - There will be some hustling, the Sydney "Bulletin" 6tates, in Australian theatres next year. . The Tait Brethren have made-a speculation in drama by purchasing Florence Barclay's "The Rosary" ; Beaumont. Smith, in conjunction with Mayer,'of the London Strand Theatre, .will offer Rex BeachJs "The Barrier"; Carroll/ of Queensland, will tour a panto with Florrie Forde (warbling in the English 'Alls for some years) as chief boy; Willoughby also insists on a pantomime; and "The Glad Eye,"- the revue •-"Come Over Here," and Anderson's "Land of Nod'-? will introduce new coB. A'ded to these will be a sure Lauder_ and a possible Pavlova.', The one lone, likely exportation is "On Our .Selection," which - may go to the Big Smoke. "*** ' . » , Miss Sybil Arundale is playing her last week in Sydney. Her career in Austrar lia has been a. brilliant one. Beginning as Jack, in "jack and' the Beanstalk," she became a public idol. Her goodhumoured smile, her boyish manner, and —well, her other qualifications for principal boyi won her hundreds of admirers every night. "When she departed the . Williamson management received a petition to bring Jier back. All the time, However, Miss Arundale had a contract m her portmanteau to return, and she 4id so after a. month in England. She reappeared in musical comedy, playing the jealous wife in /'A .Girl in the Train" aSid the maid who captivates the count in "Nightbirds," in which musical comedy she featured "Every Little Move- ■ ment," the song hit of tne piece. Her x>lans for the future are not decided. The revues, however, appeal to her. "I am Rorry in many ways to leave Australia," Miss Arundale'said to a Sydney "Sun" interviewer. "I've had an awfully good time here."