WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2978, 12 April 1911, Page 57

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

By Petes, Pak.

April 7. Dear " Pasquin,"—Mr Ben Fuller returned from a trip to Sydney on Wednesday. This was. one of his periodical trips to Australia, by which he means to keep himself quite up to date in theatrical affairs; and he tells me that this latest visit was oiie of the most successful he has ever made. Arrangements have been made with Australia's premier vaudeville manager, Mr Harry Richards, for a succession or his star acts, and also to book tours for him at the principal centres in New Zealand. The biggest drawing card the Richards circuit has ever had, Barnold's dogs (including the celebrated "Drunk-en Dan") will play the Fuller circuit this month, and they will be followed by Alexander Prince, a. concertina virtuoso. The Brennan circuit will also be tapped, and satisfactory arrangements have been made to get the principal performers from this firm. For the Fuller picture enterprises Mr Fuller has secured the showing rights in New Zealand of all of Charles Spencer's productions, and Mr Fuller expresses the opinion that from what he saw, for steadiness, clearness, and attention to detail in mounting, they challenge comparison with any ether biograph productions. Mr Fuller admits that there is a boom in things theatrical just now in Australia. Owing to the good seasons and the accumulation of. capital, and the limited avenues for investment, a number of amusement schemes are being exploited and over-capitalised, and he thinks the only outcome of many of these will be liquidation, and that not altogether voluntary. He was approached by a syndicate which wanted to build in the Commonwealth for the Fullers a chain of theatres, but he gave the proposers to understand that it was all his firm could do to satisfactorily cater for the Dominion without taking up any further responsibilities. He announced himself as proud of the fact that the Fullers are a Now Zealand firm, and to all suggestions of a slump in the Dominion offered strenuous denial. Mr "Jimmy" Morgan is once again in New Zealand. Mr Morgan at one time was a frequent visitor with the Ada Delroy Company, but the last occasion ho visited us was with the late lamented Mel. B. Spurr. This time Mr Morgan is paving the way for "The Wanderers," Gteorge Stephenson's musical combination. "Tho Wanderers." are due from Sydney next Wednesday, and will'commence their New Zealand tour at the Town Hall on Easter Saturday. The bright particular star of the combination is Miss Phyllis HopwcodFoldi, a imonologuist. George Marlow's company, with. "The Bad Girl of the Family" as the piece dp resistance, is also due here on Easter Saturday. Mr Barney Levy is in town, doing the premliminary work, and he informa me that the Auckland season was a great triumph. So big was business with "The Bad Girl" that the season had to- be extended, and the manager, Mr Stanley Grant, was more than satisfied with the results from the northern city. Mr J. Hounsell, who has been associated with Messrs Fuller's managerial staff ac His Majesty's. Theatre, has been transferred to the Christehureh Opera House, and has been succeeded by Mr R. Fleury. Mr Hounsell was presented with a gold sovereign purse and silver cigarette case by the staff on the eve of his departure. _ The Hugh J. Ward's farewell season is proving the great success anticipated. "Seven Days" has been attracting all "Wellington to'the Opera House. The piece will run till Monday, and then we shall see "The Girl from Rector's" for one night, and "A Bachelor's Honeymoon,"' preceded by "The Scarecrow" for the two remaining nights. The company will be in Christehureh for Easter. Mr Ward's great effort on behalf of the Children's Hospital is not to be forgotten. A meeting of citizens has been held, and on Monday afternoon a public reception will be given him, Miss Palotta, and the members of the company, at the Town Hall, when they all will be presented with souvonirs of the great day in August last, when in the pelting rain they collected over £lO3 in the streets. A "Gala Night" will follow in House—and I. shall be there. Fullers' Skating- Rink is to reopen next Wednesday, and Mr Victor Beck will be in charge. Messrs MacMahon and Donnelly have named their picture house "The New Theatre." This as a result of a public competition to .select a .name. An advertisement wast inserted in the papers asking for suggestions for a title for the theatre, and in a few days over 1500 replies were received. The Now Theatre is fast approaching completion, and will be opened on Easter Saturday. There is a small army of workmen engaged in completing the alterations. "The Brooklyn Pictures" have opened as a permanent show in Brooklyn. This* makes" eight picture houses in Wellington and suburbs! Mr Ernest Parkes, a favourite baritone singer at local concerts, is to be tendered a farewell concert at the Town Hall this evening, for which a notable programme has been arranged. . Mr Parkes intendsgoing to Auckland for further training, with a view of adopting a professional career.