MELBOURNE THEATRICAL LETTER

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 68

MELBOURNE THEATRICAL LETTER

January 12. The weather so far this season, while no doubt acceptable to city managers, lias been most unkind to these interested in the numerous open-air picture and piorrot shows. At Her Majesty’s the pantomime “ Sinbad the Sailor ” looks like a fixture for many months. It easily eclipses all previous productions, the magnificent setting's being wonderful. Victor Loydall, who was not in tho original cast, fills the role of Sinbad, formerly played by tho lamented Frank Lincoln. “Evorywoman” is proving a strong draw card at tho Royal, and Miss Hilda Spong and the nearly-all Australian company supporting her have scored an undoubted triumph At the Princess Theatre George Marlow (Ltd.) presents “At Cripple Crook,” an American Western drama of a type familiar to moving picture patrons. The King’s Theatre houses two companies—viz . Ljfddiard’s Lilliputians in pantomime at matinees only, and Anderson’s Dramatic Company in “ England’s Hone - ’ every evening. Excellent attendances are recorded at both productions. The Opera House has a line vaudeville bill, including Fred Bluett, tho Marlow Sisters, Irving Sayles, Lea Warton, Harry Linden, and Ida Porridge. Tho Gaiety bill includes Jock Willis, Frank Yorke. Clias. Pope, Ernest Pitcher Will Wynand, and Lulu Eugene Most of the picture shows are doing very well, particularly Spencer’s and Tait’s. At the former the chief attraction is a lengthy film of Miss Nellie Stewart and company in “Sweet Noll of Old Drury,’’ filmed in Sydney by Spencer’s experts. It is a magnificent production, fully .equal, and in some cases superior, to the best American and European productions. At Tait’s Kincmacolour continues to be the star item. The of Tiny Town is drawing to a close Largo numbers have attended Over 100 per cent, has been returned to shareholders, though the company has only been in operation three months. The Alien Doono Company, under the direction of George Marlow (Ltd.), leaves for a short tour of Now Zealand on Wednesday next. The Brisbane season, like that at Sydney, was moat successful in every way. The Now Zealand tour opens at Christchurch George Marlow leaves for England shortly to seek fresh attractions for hits firm. ' During his absence Mr George Willoughby will be the governing director. Mr John Fuller, jun., ha« boon recuperating his health in Australia after an arduous time in New Zealand. Quite a number of visiting managers and agents in town this week, including G D. Portue, Frank Talbot. George Willoughby, Claude Webb, and Joo St. Clair. Brennan’s (Ltd.) have taken over the King’s Theatre, Adelaide, from Mr A. R. Shepard. G. Homan Barnes is now managing Wykeham’s company of comedians. The moving pictures of the fight in Sydney between M‘Vea and Langford were fairly well patronised here. Tho Vaudeville Artists’ Association is rapidly growing numerically stronger. It has decided to talxio child performers under 16, and also refuses to allow members to work with non-members. The Actors’ Union has been affiliated with tho Trades Hall.