THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 60

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pa*qdin.

Tuesday, August 26. Miss Priscilla Verne, the well-known New Zealand favourite, who has been in America engaging artiste for “The Lund of Nod,” to be staged in Sydney in December, writes me under date August 17, Sonoma (at sea): “Dear ‘ Pasquin,’—A few lines to let you know I am returning from a hurried visit to New York. Had a most delightful trip over the Pacific, although everybody was scared about the smallpox, and nearly all the passengers were vaccinated, including myself. I guess I can now go on my way without catching anything. I have engaged several artists in Now York to play in the musical extravaganza entitled ‘The Lund of Nod,’ to be produced in Australia about December 26, under the management of Mr William Anderson. I daresay you will see the play in New Zealand about the month of March or April. I urn quit‘s sure you will be delighted with the play, and I shall be most anxious to have your opinion of same after you have witnessed it. Kindest regards and best wishes. —I remain, yours sincerely, Priscilla Verne.” When the Harry Oorson Clarke American Comedy Company open at the Majestic, September 13, the theatre will be known os the “House of Laughter.” It is Mr Clarke’s intention to produce only firstclass comedies. His company can almost be said to come from the four corners of the world. Six of the members are Australians; one comes from South Africa. Mr Loo Pierson, an American who has previously played with Mr Clarke, and who is now on his way to Australia, was travelling in the East, and a cable caught him in Saigon. Cochin China. Mr Roy Clair, a clever American character actor, accompanied by his wife, arrived from San Francisco on the last boat. Mr Frederick Shipman, the cheery Canadian under whose direction Madame Nordica is touring Australasia, forwards the following circular: —“On Mine. Lillian Nordica’s' forthcoming tour of Now Zealand, the world-famous diva will be assisted by Mr Paul Dufault, the Canadian tenor, whoso triumphs during the recent tour of

Mine. Dc Cisneros are still vividly remembered; Mr franklin Holding, the distinguished violinist; and Mr Romaync Simons, the pianist, whoso accompaniments have created somewhat of a sensation m Australia. The bookings for New Zealand are as follow Auckland, September 17. 20, and 22; Wellington, September, 25, 27, and 30; Christchurch, October 4 and 6. Owing to the theatre being solidly booked in Dunedin, it is very doubtful whether Mmc. Nordica and her aggregation of famous artists will be able to visit that city.”

The statement iHat “owing to tho theatre being solidly booked in Dunedin it is doubtful whether Madame Nordica will bo able to visit that city ” comes as a surprise, for tho reason that a few’ days ago there were available dates in October and November at His Majesty’s—the theatre, I suppose, referred to. Owing to the smallpox scare in Sydney the arrangements of tho J. G. Williamson firm have been considerably upset, and many changes have been made —in some instances to. revert Lack to the original arrangement. Such a position has occurred with the Royal Comic Opera Company, which was originally decided to tour K’cw Zealand, opening at Auckland in September. Then came the information that it had been decided to send the New Comic Opera Company instead- The latest now's is that there has been a rearrangement, and the Royal Comics are coming. Mr Bert Royle lias supplied the following tour: —Auckland, September 8 to 27; Wellington, September 29 to October 11; Masterton, October 13; Dannevirko, October 14; Napier, October 15 and 16; Palmerston North, October 17 and 18; Havvera, October 20; Eltham, October 21; New Plymouth, October 22; Wanganui, October 23 and 24; Tiinaru, October 27 and 28; Oainaru, October 29; Invercargill, October 51 and November 1; Dunedin, November 3 to 8; Christchurch, November 10 to 19.

Instead, then, of getting “The Count of Luxembourg,” “ Autumn Manoeuvres,” and revivals of ‘The Arcadians” and “The Chocolate Soldier,” which was to have been the repertoire of the New Comics, New Zealand is to be treated to “ The Quaker Girl ” and “ The Sunshine Girl ” by the Royals.

In these times of uncertainty and change, it is not safe to hazard the future attractions for Now Zealand play-goers, but present arrangements provide for visits from (ho Julius Knight Company, the Royai Comic Opera Company; Genee, the Russian dancer; the Williamson Dramatic Company, playing “ Within the Law ”; the American Comedy Company, producing “The Fortune-hunter” and “Excuse Me.” “ But you never can tell ” ; and I must leave it at that. Dunedin will shortly bo in the throes of the annual Competitions, which means that budding authors, actors, dramatists, and vocalists will be plentiful in the land. The Competitions commenced on the 27th inst., and will continue without interruption from early morn until dreary midnight for the term of two weeks. Mr Barrv Marschel, the well-known actor, who, together with his wife (Miss Irene Carlyon), left for Melbourne some four years ago, is hack, in New Zealand again. Barry Marschel was in Dunedin this week ahead of (ho star film “Quo Vadis?” but has now left for the north. He is advertising manager and press agent for the Now Zealand Picture Supplies Company 'I td.). and touring representative for star films. Mr Harconrt Beatty, well known in Australia. has returned to the London stage at the Strand Theatre in a piece called “The Barrier.” an adaptation by Philip E. Hubbard of Rex Reach’s novel of that name. Mr Matheson Lang and Mr Hubert Willis are also in the cast. “The Barrier.” in its hook form, has secured much popularity, for the story is amply provided with sensational incidents such as Bret Harte ndght have ’imagined. The heroine, Neeia. supposed to be a half-breed, wins the afTeetu.ns of a young American officer, Meade Burrell, in whom the conflicting emotions of love and race antipathy are at once awakened. Typical characters figure on the author’s canvas, while virtue on one side is resolutely opposed by villainy on the other. It is n stirring tale of life in an Alaska town let. to which the news of the discovery of gold brings a heterogeneous crowd of all sorts and conditions. The Williamson management continues to gather material for its Australian and Bondi Afr ican theatres in a wholesale manner. The rights have recently been acquired of a number of new plays, some of whieh are of American origin. Two are hv Mr George M. Cohan, who dramatised “ Get-R.ieh-Ouick Wallingford.” Their titles are “ Broadway •Tones ” and “ Forty-five Minutes from Broadway.” Both are big New York hits. “Broadway Jones” will most likely be played bv the dramatist’s brother-in-law, Mr Fred Niblo. He will abo figure as the centra! character in two other farces that have lately been purchased--namclv. “Stop Thief and “Officer 666.” The Williamson management has now plenty of farce

comedy to keep a company going for a couple of years. Besides those mentioned, it has “ Ready Money,” “ Baby Mine.” and a new laugh-maker, “Oh. I Say!” (tow crowding the London Criterion). It has also purchased the rights of a. serious play by Broadhurst. This is “ Bought and Raid For,” the biggest success America has known for several seasons. It is believed to have returned the author and manager a prolit of nearly £200.000. The successful adaptation of Sard oil’s “ Diplomacy,” with which Mr Gemld Du Maurior kept his theatre crowded for the greater part of last London season, will also be offered lo Australian audiences within the next few months, most likely by Mr Julius Knight. Another play soon to be staged will lie “The Fair Highwayman.” In this Mr Lc ■wis Waller will appear. The author, Mr William Devoreux, has come to Australia with Mr Waller to superintend the first production. Rehearsals are being conducted daily at the Theatre Royal under the direction of Mr Dovereux. The Williamson management Ims secured the Australian rights of a number of musical plays, and the revue “Come Over Here.” In the field of light musical entertainment it has, among others, the following pieces:—“ Princess Caprice.” “ Gipsy Love,” “ The Spring Maid,” “The Siren,” “ The Girl in the Taxi,” “The Girl on the Film,” and “The Marriage Market.” John M'Cormack, the brilliant tenor who commences an Australian tour next month, will bo an exceedingly busy man for the next throe or four years. He is such a rare favourite at Covent Garden that on the conclusion of his three years’ engagement at that opera house he was offered and accepted another four years’ contract at a salary greater than that offered to the highest Continental stars. Also, ho is booked for the New York Metropolitan and other American opera houses for various operatic appearances during the next three years, and has concert and oratorio engagements to fulfil as well. Meanwhile he continues to sing for a big gramophone company, and naturally derives considerable revenue therefrom. Last year ho had the pleasure of learning that the sale of M’Cormack records surpassed all expectations, and even eclipsed the' sale of records by Caruso himself. The principals of the Williamson firm realised long ago that if they could get a substantial footing in growing South Africa something of the initial cost might be lessened to the theatrical advantage of both countries (says the Australasian). The plan only became practicable when a hotter class of passenger steamer was added to the Cape service between London and Australia. Not so very long ago the suggestion that Africa should bo played cn route to Australia W'as met by a point-blank refusal from prominent London artists. Latterly they have changed their minds. Mr H. B. Irving took Africa on his return trip; Mr Oscar Ascho is now doing the same thing. A point of advantage in the new plan is very well illustrated in the present movements of the Pantomime Company. They jump from Invercargill to Perth for a two weeks’ season at a cost for transport of about £ISOO. Once at Perth very little more than that amount would take them to Africa for a 12 weeks’ season. They can land at, Durban, got thence readily to Johannesburg and Pretoria, travel to Bloemfontein, to Capetown, and so back to Australia. It is just possible that the present Pantomime Company will be the first to undertake such a tour. The theatrical capture of Africa moans that the firm have taken over the operations of the Wheeler Bros., and become the owners of throe now' theatres in Capetown, Johannesburg, and Pretoria respectively. The plan of campaign for this enlarged empire is not yet complete, hut the prospects are that it will be first, associated with a revival of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas mentioned some time ago. The idea is to engage the principals in London, but organise and train the chorus in Australia, and one thing wo may count upon as assured is that it will bo a far finer chorus than that obtainable when the operas had their first notable production in Australia. Principals and chorus will meet at the Cane—a plan that may bo widely adopted both in musical and dramatic productions.—by the time they reach Australia everything will he running easily, the work of preparation and rehearsal at this end will he considerably lessened. It is a big scheme, but it all works to advantage in the operations of a great, theatrical firm. As a consequence Mr J. E. Malone, who came hero originally as pilot for one of the Gaiety burlesque companies—and who has acted as London agent and adviser for the firm for years past,—joins the hoard of directors, and will control the business in London. Another of the directors will be constantly on the move in England. America, and the Continent searching for now attractions. While tho operator was changing a spool at a picture theatre at Newtown last week tho film caught fire. Water and wet blankets were used to quench the flames. The fire brigade was summoned, but before it arrived the outbreak had been suppressed.

About £ls to £2O worth of films was j destroyed. As the operator works in a fire-proof box there was no danger of the flames spreading.