MUSIC-HALL WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13497, 25 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

MUSIC-HALL WAR.

AMERICAN TRUSTS FIGHT FOR

I ENGLISH STARS. , [It's an ill wind that benefits nobody. The [formation of a new American music-hall trust has led to a rush for British artists, who are being offered enormous salaries!.

The new combine has at its head Messrs. Klaw and . Erlanger, who control a vast number of theatres in the States, and its mission is to fight the syndicate recently formed by Messrs. Keith- and Proctor. .

" Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger will turn many of their theatres into music-halls, and in !towns where their opponents have a monoi poly of existing buildings they will erect j new houses. '!

. Some idea of wit at the fight between the: two controlling interests means to British artists may be gained from the fact that the following artists have already accepted I engagements at the attached salaries: — £. Marie Lloyd ... ... 500 Harrv Lauder ... ... 500 |*. Gus Elen 300 how THE war BEGAN. The idea of forming a giant music-hall trust in the United States first originated with M'r. Keith, who for many years has been the Napoleon of the variety _ business in America. For months Mr. Keith went secretly to work, until a few weeks ago the announcement was made that the following great owners of variety had entered into one vast combination: —Keith and Proctor, Hammerstein, Percy G. . Williams, Poli, and Beck's Circuit. These five concerns own scores of halls in all the principal towns of the United States, and had they been allowed to proceed in their scheme unchallenged would soon have destroyed every vestige of competition. ' A few days later, however, came the sensational announcement that the millionaire magnates, Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger, who have an octopus-like grip on theatres devoted to legitimate drama, in America, had decided to enter the variety field, and gradually to turn their numerous houses into music-halls. The moment that the rival combination to Messrs. Keith and Proctor became known a titanic struggle between -the two trusts began to secure the services of the world's leading variety "stars." Mr. George Foster. who is agent for Harry Lauder and other well-known artists, prophesies halcyon days for English artists. "They want English 'stars'- at any price," says he. " I am asked to engage them at all —salary is no object." " Harry Lauder is to have £500 a week. A friend of mine declares that he will be offered £1000 a week before his engagement is over. There are hundreds of thousands of Scotchmen in New York, and they will support him to a mam. " Gus Elen and Marie Lloyd will visit America in September, and Lockliart's elephants in October. Little Tich, George obey, and Harry Fragson have also been [approached. "There are a number of agents of Klaw and Erlanger at present in England, and they will engage everyone they can. "It has all occurred since the formation of th© Klaw-Erlanger combine. Artists have visited America regularly in the past, but this is a different matter. Thev will now go in shoals. It will be a great thing for English artists. WHAT ABTISTS THINK. " It is about time we had our turn," said Miss Marie Lloyd. "American artists have been coming over here in hundreds, while only ft few English artists have gone tc j America. Even then the English artist* were not too well treated. Now everything is changed. From what I hear nearlj , everyone seems to be going over. "No, I am not going to stay there. 3 r want to see Regent-street now and then • This will be my fourth visit to the Unitec States.'' ..„;r • >(.£7 >; - " Keith-Proctor and Klaw and Erlangei have both been after me," said Mr. Hajrj Lauder. "Klaw and Erlanger .are spending vast sums of money to pet all the first-class entertainers. They will soon have every ' star' beyond a doubt,. . / , . „„ • •' I hear that George Robey, among others, has also decided to accept an engagement with Klaw and Erlanger. "I start on November 4. I must return in time to appear in Mr. Robert Arthur's pantomime in Liverpool, under a contract signed three years ago." , / M'r. !. Gus Elen contemplates the possibility of staying in America altogether. "Some artists have not done well over there, but others have," he said. "I cannot say what I shall do' until I get over Kit pre. ' but if I like the countrv I niav

stop." - ' ../ . , " ,'■ .';'." ! "I shall do my work in exactly the same way as I do it in London, and I shall make no'changes to allow for American tastes. They are paying me a 'tidy' price, £300, a week, but some ethers are. of course, get-; ting more. However, it is a fairly good salary. "■ _ : ; ';'. ■_ Competition of this kind is always good for artists, and I think they will do well now."