PLAYS AND PLAYERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6489, 8 April 1908, Page 2

PLAYS AND PLAYERS

BOOKINGS.

OPERA HOUSE. March 23 to April 17— Flemming 00. April 13 to May 9. —Sheridan Company. May 11 to 23—E. Geach. , May 23 to June *3—J. C. Williamson. June 20 to July 4—Allan Hamilton. July 16 to 2S—E. Geach. Angmet 14 to 31—J. C. Williamson. Sopt. 2 to 22—Allan Hamilton. Oft. 3 to 30—Bland Holt. Mot. 25 to Pec. 19—West’s Pictures. Dec. 26 to Jan. 14—J. C Williamson. TOWN HALL. April 18 to Hay 2—Catholic Bazaar. Sept. 5 and 9—Mallison Concert Co. THEATRE ROYAL. Puller’s Entertainers—Permanent. HIB MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Royal Pictures—ln season.

NOTES

(By "Lorgnette.")

Tb© last three nights of the Julius Knight Dramatic Company's Sydney season was devoted to the presentation oi Lulwer Lytton’s love, romance, 4 inc Lady of Lyons/*. with. Mr Knight ns uiaude Memotte and Aiiss Ola- Hum* phrey a« Pauline. Mr Knight s company commence a tour of the Dominion, at Ills Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, with "Tho Scarlet Pimpernel, on the 18th inet.

Mr Harry Hayward, who is directing the Australasian tour of Maskelyne and Levant, hits a novelty in tho shape of a lady press agent, whose smiles and paragraphs have been making the rounds of the Sydney papers for several weeks past.

Tho rehearsals of "Peter Pan, which ie to be produced In Meloourne at Easter, are now in full swing, unecr the direction of Mr L. 13. Carleton, who has come out as stage manager for the piece. Mr Carleton, Whoso American origin reveals itself in his accent—he was bom in New York City—went on the stage many years ago, playing, singularly enough, old man parts in the beginning of his career. He has ajipeared in almost every theatre in the States, and every big city. He joined the forces of Mr Charles Frohman fifteen years ago, and later on took up stage management with him. For two years ami a half he travelled through America with stock companies, fulfiling the duties of stage director as well as playing parts. Afterwards ho returned to Mr Frohman, and was ono of Miss Maude Adams's company in the production of "The Little Minister, his roie being Sergeant Davidson. Ihe piny ran for 300 nights in New lorh. Tho last night of the run, he declares, he will never forget, sc tremendous was tho enthusiasm, the stage being heaped with flowers till it looked like a conservatory. Mr Carleton has produced "Peter Pan" and other plays on toui in the States.

There are evidently still some unnophisfcicated pe.rs.one in Melbourne. prominent journalist sent his boots no the pantomime a few days ago, and next morning asked him how ne enjoyed -Jt. "It was amazing, sir," aie youthful enthusiast replied, "but (iocs the Government pay for it?" v. hen aekocl his reasons lor supposing it was a State concorn, tho youngster, wit a a. happy lutie sigh of reminiscence replied, "I did not think anybody els© could afford it."

Mr~ George Castles, brother of Amy and Dolly Castles, made his first a-v. pca-rauce with' Mr ■). D. Williamson & Musical Comedv Company on Wednesday, March 25th, at Ills Majesty.? Theatre, Dunedin, in the “Three Little Maids.” Mr Castles is said to have r. pleasant voice, but is not calculated to create the stir of his talented sister. Miss Amy.

Last Saturday Haskelyne and Levant s Mysteries commenced a Lour of Australia and New Zealand at the Palace Theatre. Sydney. The combination includes Mr Barclay Gammon, humorist; H. Gintaio, Japanese juggler; and Mr Owen Clark, conjurer. A strong combination which ought to make a pot of money.

In referring to the recent confirmation of the partnership entered into by Mosers Meynell and Gunn, J. Wren, and Sir Rupert Clarke, a Melbourne paper says:r-*'The new firm, with drayloads of money' at their command, will emulate J.C.W. in scouring Europe .and America for the pick of the drama, musical comedy, comic opera, concert soloists, and every otther description 6f firstclass attraction. Clyde jacyneli and our only baronet are leaving shortly to book the" big things. Melbourne Theatre Royal and Sydney Criterion wall be the chief playhouses, hut the money-kings of the quartette are prepared to build theatres all over the map if they hnd such to be accessary to further their enterprises."

Miss Gertie Everett, who recently toured the Fuller circuit, has sailed for America, where she will join her sister. Miss Daisy Harcourt. Miss Everett n brimful of dash and ambition, andoughv to "make good" wherever she goes.

Melbourne's new theatre is progressing apace, the work having gone so far that ono can see that the stage will be comparatively small (says a Melbourne paper), especially for Bilandersonian drama and the like, though, remembering how well "The Squatter's Daughter" was adapted to the limits of the Bijou stage, it would be rash to say that there won't be sufficient room to swing any kind of a sensation in. Smaller stages have had some very thrilling murders done on 'em. As to the name of the new playhouse, how about the Australian, the Federal, or the Commonwealth? —though the latter has an unpleasant sound to theatricalities.

Mr Malcolm Watson, the well-known London author and dramatic critic, writing to Mr Reynolds Denniston of the Julius Knight Company, gives some interesting impressions of recent dramatic enterprises in London. Miss Lena Aahwoll has made quite a success in the production of "Irene Wycherley," at Kingsway Theatre, whica.is a beautiful little house, cosy and comfortable throughout. Mr Watson praises highly the performance of Mr Norman MciCinnel as the drunken husband, declaring he plays the part with a realism almost terrifying. The letter contains news of old favourites of the Australian playgoing public— r Mr B, Sass, who "keeps fevell and jolly," and Mr T. W. Lovell, who has been touring with Mr Weedon Grossmith, and afterwards playing at the Apollo.

Mr Alec Verne has joined Moynell and Gunn's firm. H© starts his duties as treasurer at the Sydney Criterion at Easter, where the Maude MacintoshHarcourt Beatty organisation opens.

Miss Olga Grey, the clever young mimic, who has been one of the outstanding individual successes of the rtfcent pantomime season m Melbourne, began her stag© career at a very early age, h©r first engagement being with the "Alice in Wonderland” Company, which Mr J. C. Williamson staged some few years ago. Then she went on with r, Bca Hut,” but was forced to learo th© company owing to th© illness of her mother, and did not take up work again for some time. From tha first her extram© nervousness was against her. and the only way she conquered it was by going in for touring worit with dramatic companies. She was also with Bland Holt for eom© eighteen months before her talent for imitations had a chance to assert itself. Since then her rise to her present popularity has been raou and if she should achieve her ambition —which is comic opera—there is no doubt that th© rise and th© popularity .will contis.no '■a.’re^s©.