BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHEC

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12211, 8 August 1925, Page 13

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHEC

Josie Melvtfla and George Gee, with a strong company, are coming to the Opera House. • * • Maurice Lvnch, the quaint comedian of "Mother Machine,” enjoys tho unique distinction of having teen brought from Sydney to play on Broadway, New Fork. The hart was Bonny McNab. tho bailiff, in Allen Donne’s American production of 1 "Lucky O'Shea." Maurice has a warm corner in his memory for the "gobs," as tho ratings in Uncle Sam’s navy are known to their fellows, and he has his little flag all ready for the welcome. Lester Carey, who purveys stage* villainly with the Denis Kehoe Company, was not always one of sinister aspect. He was formerly associated with the George Edwards companies in musical comedy, both in London and the provinces, also played in a round of Gilbert and Sullivan productions nnder the D’Oyloy Carte banner, during which time he came into contact ' with the late Charles Workman, whose memory he holds in affectionate regard. “A fine artist and an Englivh gentleman," is Mr Carey’s description of the departed funmaker. A temporary breakdown in health brought Mr Carey to tho Antipodes. * * * * The next notable J. C. Williamson dramatic, attraction to visit Wellington will be Guy Bates Tost, the well-known American actor. The company is due at Wellington August 29th. * * * * "The Peter Pan" of vaudeville, "Wee” Georgie Wood, opens at the Christchurch' Theatre Royal to-night. -** * e According to Denis Kehoe (who opens at the Opera House to-night in "Mother Machree”) many of the companies at present touring the English provinces, in spite of - the low railway fares, are becoming motorised. Large 'buses are being utilised to transport the artists, while trucks which take the effects from theatre to theatre without reloading are being largely availed of. A company playing “Mother Machree” in the North and West was employing two Thornycrofts. **• * ■ i Musical comedy lovers are promised a treat presently in the reappearance of the J. C. Williamson premier musical comedy company, headed by Josie Melville, of "Sally” fame, and George Geo. This popular organisation are due to open at the Opera House on September 2nd with "Kid Boots," a brilliant musical play to be seen for the first time in the Dominion. Of "Kid Booft” a' leading Australian critic writes r “Love and golf are pleasantly and cleverly interwined in "Kid Boots." No expense apparently has been spared in staging this quite uncommon production: In fact tiK*’spectator might be exensod for confession that at times the riotious colours, with which the stage becomes filled, are almost overwhelming. Both Miss Josie Melville and George Gee are sure of a Warm welcome. The first will be seen as “Polly Pendleton," and the latter as "Kid Boots,” the caddie magter. • It is said that both of these artiste have never done anything .better. » » * * Violet Victoria, who is presenting a delightful vocal and dancing act" in Fuller vaudeville, has had a most varied stage career. Her early appearances 1 were nlade in comte ppera, but it is jn vaudeville that she has seen most of the world. She has > danced and sung her way into popular favour from Rhodesia to Bagdad—from London to' New York. Nothing delights her more than acting in serions drama. For many years she was with John Lawson in the East. End of London in a repertoire of fine productions. She has also acted as her own manager, and'organised companies. On one occasion- she produced the "South African Troubadours," and tonred them throughout Rhodesia. •*. * ' « One of the attractions being prepared for visitors to the big Exhibition in Dnnedin by the director of amusements : (Mr Scott Colville) is a season of: comic opera. The society will have the. benefit of Mr Gustave Slapoflski's long experience in training the chorus: and; leading the orchestra, and a professional producer will be engaged. Finance is guaranteed by the Exhibition .authorities. It is proposed to stage a musical comedy the first week,' and something a little more advanced during the second. • * • *• . An interesting new act engaged for a tour of the Fuller theatres is that of the La Morte Trio, clever and daring trick cyclists. Their work is performed on a saucer track, which is only 10ft fn diameter at the bottom, increasing to 16ft at the top edge. The saucer is built of slate of wood with a space between each slat, so that the riders-are in view of the audience. At one period of the turn the three riders all cycle round the small track at the same time, whilst on another -occasion the two cyclists on the track move in opposite directions The saucer is then raised up from the stage, while the gyrations of this talented trio are continued in mid-air. Further thrills are provided by Harold Lr Morte, riding a 2J h.p. motor-cycle ai breakneck speed around the track. Tin whole act is extremely novel,. and must be seen to be appreciated.

Aremarkable fact about Hilton Hayes, the Tivoli star, is that he doesn't make up and . doesn't know what he is going to say until he walks on the stage. Everr line >of “The Heanderings of Monty" is impromptu. * , # * * * Neil' McKay, the Bussian-Scottish come-, dian, is coining to New Zealand. • * • • • A new .feature at Sydney Tivoli is a. : playlets entitled “The Bachelor," featuring .Reginald Wykeham, Pirie Bush, and Pressy Preston. j/ Just before leaving America, Harrjy Green, the brilliant American sketchstar, due soon in New Zealand, had a try-out in ''The Family," his big starring comedy drama, in which he will appear on proadway next year. The show was a brilliant success. The play is written by the same man, who is responsible for Green's vaudeville sketch' success, “The Cherry Tree." He is sup- • ported by a very strong sketch company, including. Marie Hurst, Walter Allen,Scott Clarke, and Bert Barton. • . • *' Alice Delysia, the famous revue star, is filling in her non-matinee days by half-hour Appearances in a big London West End store as a mannequin, and' gets a three-figure salary for each of her. four weel&y appearances. •. * •. * .- m ’ ' Evelyn: Australia* is' singing leading roles with the Carl Rosa Opera Company‘at the Lyceum. * _ ■*- • • • Harry '* Cohen has resigned from the management of Sacks, Ltd., and' has an interest' in a touring revue at Devonpoft, England. • • •. • : • * Tom Pqyne (in New Zealand with Ladder on hie previous tour), and Billy de Haven (who, as Horace, was Noni's partner in ah' act at the Tivoli 12 months, ago), , are in the show. ** • * Dorothy* Seacombe has just . received: an offer t}> be lead in Godfrey Tearle's next sh'ow. '* - s ;> • • _ / • . George Storey, the clever comedian who. finished l»js engagement at Fullers’, has., left for Western Australia,. where he - will complete a short season prior to hisfor England. # » The ©ver-popular Jim Gerald and hie company of funmakers ate due' at His Majesty 8 on Monday, August 17th* andrvfchoy are sure to be greeted by an audience both large and enthusiastic. At 'the conclusion of the Auckland season, which was an unqualified success/ they received a 'great send-off, and, in recognition of the valuable assistance given by the company to the - cause of' charity the civic authorities rose up and? mv them in words grateful, and. sincere. civic send-off to a comedian is a little out of the beaten path of municipal amenities, but Jim. Gerald and his‘ merry men and lasses thoroughly, deserved it. A brief rest before opening* at Wellington, and a riiotor tour from? Auckland to Wellington are at present on the programme. gimnniiiiimnDninimi»auiHHnHta»in»nniniHnnnmDnniimni

nqimniiinguiumßionMmwMMiDHidtaniuiiflmainiaßiing The F.-Gayle Wyer Band Box Revue Company, at present appearing at Pullers', ? Wellington/ will oe seen at Fullers' New Theatre, Sydney, on! August 22nd •..•.• ' . • . • It has been definitely decided that the great American duo of singers, Mr Paul Althouse. (tepor) and Mr Arthur Middletoif (baritone), will tour New* Zealand in a : few ‘ weeks' time under the J. C. Williamson management. > ■ . , Marcus Clark, and Co., Ltd.,'have now completed' the purchase from Fullers' Theatres, Ltd., of the Princess Theatre, in Central square, Sydney, for <£40,000. • ■ • Miss Pauline Frederick will probably appear qn the London stage at the end of this year under the' management of Mr E: J. Carfoll, and, in a new play, “Declasse." —This will be her first English appearance. The Veterans of Variety made their first appearance at Fullers’.Opera House, Auckland,-last Monday, August 3rd. They are due soon at His Majesty’s, Wellington. ■ ! '