MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

BOOKINGS. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. December 26 onwards— C- Williamson* Royal Comic Opera Co. January 15 to Muriel Starr Co. Several of the latest dramas and war plays, now being featured in America, attracted the attention of Miss Minnie Hooper, of the J. C. Williamson firm, during her recent visit to tho United States. "On Trial," especially appealed to her. "A Full House" and "It Pays to Advertise*' are known American and South African successes, which Miss Hooper considers certain to win approval. Also "Twin Beds." This comedy is already expected in Sydney in circles that are credited with knowing a good thing a long way off.

The forthcoming J. C. Williamson production of " Mother Goose*' at Melbourne Her Majesty's will introduce Miss Maggie Dickinson in the most important pantomime role she has yet played, that of Gretchen, a part giving her plenty of opportunity to display her talent in its varied phases. From principal dancer in " The Forty Thieves'" Miss Dickinson stepped into the same role in "Cinderella" last vear, but here she was given a chorus to feature in Leslie Gaze's song. " I'll Never Love Another Girl Like I Love You." The Williamson management decided to make fuller use of Miss Dickinson's capabilities and develop her talent. by attaching her to the Royal Comic Opera Company. Her success in a series of important roles culminated in her triumph in the name part in " The Dancine Mistress," previously played in the Sydney production bv Blanche Browne, and her career in this phase of stage work was assured. When the casting of the " Mother (loose" pantomime was under consideration, a well known London artist's name was mentioned for the important part of Gretchen, but it was ultimately aereerl that Miss Maggie Dickinson should play it.

The death is announced of Miss Millie Herbert, who, in the eighties and nineties was a popular soubrette. appearing with a number of companies, the orincipal beiner Mr. F. M. Clarke's "Silk Stockings." Mr. Harrv Riekard's coinnanies, and Fuller's vaudeville companies in New Zealand. She retired from the footlights about ten years ago. With her husband. Mr. Cbas. Elliott, a well-known member of the Victorian Cl"b. she took a trip to England Inst year, bnt owin<? to the war, she returned after a brief visit in December. Recently she bad been suffering from neuritis. The deceased ladv was 49 vears of age.

"Stop Thief" is now being played at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. The new farce-comedy is described as a hustling and breezy play, full of exciting moments from start to finish. Tire operations of two thieves amongst the presents at a wedding, and the incidental suspicions, which fall upon the bride, groom, bride's father, best man, and others of the party, r - said to keep the audience rocking with laughter throughout the performance. Mr. John Webster plays Jack Doocan, the burglar, the role he played in the original production in New York. Others in the cast are Elma Roy ton, as Joan Carr; Marion Marcus Clarke, as Mrs. Carr; Matee Brown, as Caroline Carr; Fanchon Campbell, as Madge Carr; Beatrice Nichols, as Nell; PJumpton Wilson, as William Carr; Gerald Harconrt, as James Clunry; Herbert Leigh, as Mr. Jamison; Harry Sweenev, as Dr. Willoughby: Fred. Camborurne, as the Rev. Mr. Spelvin; Charles Wheeler, as Joe Thompson; Tom MacLarnie, as Sergeant of Police; James Hughes, as Police Officer O'Malley.

The Princess Theatre. Montreal, at which Miss Phyllis Neilson Terrv and Mr. Lyn Harding were performing' " Trilby."' was recently destroyed by fire, and the Property of the artists was onlv saved with difficulty.

The Cine Journal savs that at Pekin recently, 20 Austrian soldiers belonging to the Austrian Legation entered a picture theatre, the proprietor of which is of British nationality. Some films dealing with the sinking of the Lusitanin were being shown. Before it was possible to summon the nolice. the Austrians broke into the operating box and smashed th« projector. The proprietor of the theatre has delivered a statement to the British Legation with a view to securing an indemnity.

" An amiable correspondent writes asking me to say who 15 the most beautiful woman on the London stage to-dav?" says the editor of the Pelican in the issuereceived by the latest English mail. " The question is. of course, a most difficult one to answer, for we are each of us possessed of our own ideas of what constitutes beauty : but. as I am asked. I should say that Miss Ivy Schilling, of the Empire Theatre, is certainly in face and i.gure one of the most beautiful women seen in London on the stage for a good many years past. I have never seen the ladv * off.' but ' on' she is certainly very good 'to look at.

An interesting incident has just transpired at San Francisco concerning the visit there recently of Madam Melba. Ragtime, the bane of many high-class musicians, has won the .Australian diva. so it has won TTda Waldrop, the famous organist, who for several vears has made Nan Francisco bis home, and who has the distinction of being the first American pianist to act as accompanist to Madam. Melba on a concert tour. While Melba was still in San Francisco, Waldrop, by way of being democratic, nerformed' his own interpretation of how " Cavilleria Rusticana" would sound to him in ragtime. This occurred at an informal mnsicale at the exclusive Rohemian Hub at San Francisco, when Madam Melba was present. The great diva was delighted with the interpretation of the inter-mezzo and soon after informed th- musician that she would take him ns pianist on alencthv engagement- tour of California and the Do"minion of Canada. The remarkable success of " Kick In"' in London is taken as a great compliment to the play, for London audiences are not as partial to the typically American drama as are Australian playgoers. As a matter of fact, most of the American dramas are Anglicised for London production the names, locations, and other details being altered, and many of the Americanisms translated into plain English. This was done in regard to " Within the Law " I n the case of " Kick In," however, the play has been staged in London with verylittle alteration, the only important change being made as regards the title, which has been turned into "Shell Out." The title refers to a stolen necklace which forms the basis of an exciting drama. The English Sketch has an interview with Miss Eve Balfour, a New Zealand young lady, who arrived in England some six years ago, and understudied Mrs Pat rick Campbell in "False Idols'"' at His Majesty's Theatre, London. Miss Balfour is now a cinema star actress, and plays the heroine in the film version of "Five Nights," which is being exhibited in Great Britain. Miss Balfour considers there is nothing in the play that is in any way inartistic. The cast of the J. C. Williamson • .Mother Goose pantomime will include the following: Mother Goose, the dame Harry Farrow : the Mavor of Moortown' Arthur Reynolds ; the Golden Goose' Albert Felino: the Donkeys, afterwards the horse, Billy Le Brun, assisted hv George Smith ; Jack, Victor Kellv ; Jill principal girl, Maude Fane: Lady' Ida' Dorothv Firmin ; Eric, second boy, Queenie Paul; Gretchen, Maggie Dickinson ; Malignan, demon. Charles Howard : Heartease fairy-, Gladys Moncrieff ; Colin, principal boy. Lilian De Vennev. The pantomime will be produced by Charles A. Wenman and Victor Champion, who is composing the music, will be music*] director. Minnie Everett, is again inventing and arranging the ballets, marches, and groupings. Mr. CarMo Rmythe announces that Mr Frederic Villiers, the war correspondent, is to visit New Zealand on a lecturing tour. Vvsico-BtusiAriovs.