STAGE NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11226, 3 June 1922, Page 4

STAGE NOTES

The season of “Babes in the Wood,” the big J. C. Williamson pantomime, at the Grand Opera House, is sure to bo a successful one. So far the New Zealand tour hasbten one of tho most successful recorded, and as the cast is a particularly strong one, and ae tho pantomime . abounds in spectacular scenes, is -rich in beautiful music attractive solos, and quaint and ' surprising .specialties, it should go strong in Wellington. “

“Memo England’ ’ was very favourably received in and tho booking was very heavy. It will be followed by “The yeomen of the Guard” to-night, and the other gems follow thus:—“Dorothy,” June sth and 6th; “The Gondoliers,” June 7th; “The Mikado,” June Bth; “The Chocolate Soldier,” June 9tli and 10th.

It is'said that Mr . Ben. Fuller, for tho Fuller representative in San Francisco, who is accompanying Mr Hugh Ward on a world tour in search of novelties, arranged for . several ■ special turns for the Australian and 1 New' Zealand cirouit before crossing to England.

One of the best acts of its lfind that has ever been offered at Fullers’ is the burlesque turn of the Sisters Sprightley. Some years ago the couple appeared under the management of the late Harry Itickard. On that occasion their grotesque imitations: of the prevailing fashions aroused the interest of theatre-goers. Their appearance' was greeted with the same enthusiasm as was aooarded them then. Their turn is a- scream, and the comedienne is one of the cleverest performers seen in Wellington. William Desmond, an actor who became very popular when he toured New Zealand under the J. 0. Williamson banner, was seriously (probably fatally) injured at Truckee, California, on April 18th, when scenes were being filmed in a Universal production. He fell fifty feet into a river, and was injured ..internally.

r,i .-Thqre. -.was ; some close: .cross-examina-tion work in the Q.P.-Leonard Nelson case in Christchurch. It was said that the heads had stated that the company had a oapital of £IO,OOO, hut it was ascertained during the hearing of the case that this was hut the nominal oapital. It was stated that the actual amount of money put into the show was £I4OO. When die company of 17 artists landed"" in "Wellington the principals had £2OO. . There wad.' trouble ;,at , Auckland, , New: Plymouth and Wanganui owing to the irregular and leisurely manner in which “the ghost walked,” and they appeared to be anything but a happy family. A new company has been formed' by the .performers. Mr Frank Rigo is said to -be very enthusiastic over his grand opera scheme. He has already arranged , for the engagement of Strella Wilson, Gertrude Johnson' (who has made igooii in Jjqndon),. Patti Russell, Leah. M'jfers, and ' Gladys’ Vernon. The 'idea appears to be “catching on.” Dame Melba writes: “I am entirely in accord with' Mr Rigo’s efforts to establish a permanent opera in Australia. To assist his undertakings I will be pleased to take 250 shares in the company he is forming, and wish him. every success.” '

, The. Harem Sonuem Girls, who arrivc<T from' London, on ja starring, engagement .at'.Fullers’,-' present, the.'-only' “bumsti-humsti” act ever given by women,, one! they are likely to retain this distinction. ■ Their danng agility and imperviousness to injury commands the closest attention and Respect. Their acrobatic work is clever, but it is the oomedy. antics and gay irresponsibility of the girls that constitutes the crowning merits of the duo. The Hairem Scarem Girls have just oonolnded a starring engagement ip. paaitomiine in London. They -scored 1 '.phenomenal -®ucoesses as the Ugly Sisters, being ideal types for the "Cinderella” Pantomime. They will! soon be here. Seeing that Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas are being revived in New Zealand it ia interesting to note that fresh evidence of the extraordinary and apparently never-fading attraction that the Savoy operas have fox theatre-goers was . supplied bn April Bth at the London Prince’s, .when one of the most remarkable “last nights” ever -mown in the history of the London stage took place. The occasion was the close of a season of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas, which had lasted twenty-seven weeks, and in that time had drawn, during a, period of severe theatrical depression, audiences aggregating half a million people. During the season 218 performances had i been given, twelve operas being played.

I On a Friday, twenty-five hours before tho doors opened fox the " final night of the Savoyard season. in London, hundreds commenced to form a queue. By midday on Saturady 1800 had congregated, and 1 ■ the management, to prevent traffic being blocked, had to give numbered tickets to those present. “The Gondoliers” and the second half of “The. Mikado”; formed' the programme. Allan Wilkie .made a great hit in Sydney .by his impersonation at Falstaff in “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” which followed “The Tamili g of the Shrew.” Miss Hilda .Dorrington played the part of Mistress Ford. The remarkable illusion "Sawing Thro’ a Woman,” shortly to be presented at Fullers’, is sensational. A full-sized woman is bound helpless and placed in a box, a little bigger than a ooffin, and the box is sawn in halt. The two pieces of the box are pulled apart, and out comes tho woman, just as she, went in, unharmed, and still helpless as the result of her bonds. This unique performance is presented by P. T. Selbit in a businesslike and practical maimer, but how the trick is done remains a mystery. A unique attraction appearing ' in Sydney is the original and complete company of Irish Players, from the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, in ‘The Whiteheaded Boy.” This remarkable organisation is now in its sixth year, and Australia is the sixth country of its triumphant worid’s tour. “The White-headed Boy” is described as “a play of all period's and of all lands.” The performance has caused something of a sensation in Sydney. Sir John Hare, the famous actor and manager, left a striking tribute to his wife in his will. Tho gross value of his estate was £30,066, mid this ho bequeathed absolutely to Ladv Hare, saying: “She has been my helpmate, best friend, and wisest counsellor during our long married life, of over 50 years, and I wish to show my entire confidence in her judgment as to how m_v nroperty