BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 13

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

MURIEL STARR’S N.Z. TOUR j Muriel Starr, the famous; emotional > lutress, will commence her New Zoa- j 1 land tour at the Grand Onera House ' ’ at Wellington on Wednesday, August j . 4th, in tilady.-. I ngor’s French comedy, < entitled “'I'llt» Goldfish.” The story of j 1 "The Goldfish” centre** round the career t j ot Jenny Wetherby. a charming but * common little New York girl, married ij to a hard-working but hot-tempered and ‘i

untidniimiDiiiiiiinmniimmimaiiHiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiDiimitmiiEni jealous young man, whose livelihood is earned by composing songs and singing them at a little “down-town" restaurant. Whilst dining out the girl has been noticed by an impoverished Polish count, who, reduced by evil times to the necessity of earning a living, has taken upon himself to teach manners to the unmannered. He calls on the young lady and prophesies a glorious career for her if she will put herself under his tuition. This she does, and it is with the results of this that the play deals. Naturally, many amusing situations arise, and the dialogue bristles with many of New York's quaintest slang expressions and repartee. , During the Wellington season Miss Starr will also present “The House of Glass/' “Outcast," “Madam X," “French Leave," and “The Sign on the Door." Miss Starr is supported by a strong company of international artists. WHEN # GREGORY WAS A DUD CRICKETER Reg. Thornton, The Kangarooster, now appearing with marked success at Fullers' Vaudeville, is an interesting personality. Educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School, he was originally intended for Law, but like many others in the theatrical profession, drifted to the realms of “greasepaint." At college Thornton gained his colours at football and cricket, and after, leaving school represented the Glebe district cricket club in 1911, along with such celebrities as Bardsley, Kelleway, and the late TiTTby Cotter. “The Kangarooster," as he is professionally known throughout Australia, has a novel photograph of his school team of 1910, which included J. M, Gregory, at present touring with the Australian eleven. At school Gregory was a “dud" cricketer, his batting average for season 1909-10 being 5 innings, 1 not out, high score 4, aggregate 7, with the lowest average—l. 4. One amusing incident anent the long fellow is related by Thornton. Playing aginst Newington College second eleven, in 1908, Johnny Taylor (now with the Australian eleven) was treating the Sydney Church of England Grammar School team to a leather-hunting. The score stood at no wickets for 189 runs. Then the ball was thrown to Gregory, and with his first delivery he clean bowled Taylor. Thornton has had a varied career, starting as a journalist, theatrical manager, boxing promoter, song-writer, and vaudeville artist. Two years ago he was especially selected by the African Theatre Trust for a tour of South Africa. His distinctive, original topicalities have earned him much success in Australia. , , _ . With his versatile partner, Dons, they are making their first appearance in New Zealand, and both have already become popular favourites with Welling-

STAR ACT AT HIS MAJESTY'S An act of startling cleverness will be presented at Ilis Majesty's Theatre on Monday next, when Aplale’s Great Animal Circus, an amazing combination j of performing- animals that are almost j human, will give a highly amusing en- I tertainment of acrobatic - comedy j “stunt.-,” dances, etc., with “Mutt," the j great comedian monkey, as chief of this 1 remarkable troupe of intelligent animals, | 1

ifniii!iiiiaiii!iiiiiiiic3iiiiiiiiiiiic3iiiiiiiiiiiicatiiiitiiiiiiaifltiiiiuiiE3iitmi including bears, monkeys, dogs, ant eaters, etc., all- seen in a happy round of skirmishes that will not only delight the children, but provide adult patrons with a very unusual and entertaining study. Ah immensely popular artist now on the Fuller Circuit will appear at His Majesty's shortly. Mr Harry North, “The Concertina Swaggie," has had a long and brilliantly successful season at each of the three other New Zealand centres, and now it is Wellington's turn to hear this clever performer. A master manipulator of the concertina. Mr North can make you sad or happy just

as he chooses. A popular artist playing popular airs. The much-talked-of Elton Black Town Topics Revue Company, is enjoying a popularity that is to bo envied. Wellington lias seen all kinds of revue comedians, Irish, Jewish, Dutch, Italian, and English, but Mr Black introduces in himself a character entirely new to this part of the globe at any rate, the Scottish comedian That he is successful cannot be questioned, for the large audiences attending His Majesty’s during the two weeks of. this talented Revue Company’s appearance, not slow in showing their warm approval. In Alice Bennetto, the company have a chic and clever leading lady, whose fine voice and charm will commend her to all. It is difficult indeed to distinguish between these clever artists, as all give such n fine account of themselves, and Mr Black is to he congratulated on having such an individually talented combination