THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3183, 17 March 1915, Page 63

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By PAsgcry Tuesday, March . 16. Ar uneventful week so far us local attractions are concerned, but now that managers are taking heart of grace prospects are brighter for the future, and we are assured of several important ventures within the next few weeks. First of the foreign shows duo is the Beaumont Smith “Seven Little Australians” Company, to be folio wrd by ‘ The Glad Eye” under the same management. It matters not a great deal wixieix comes first, so long as t'nc others happen along in due course. There is every vjo.sibdity of all the attractions ev ■•situating in the order of their booking; but we must not anticipate too far these war times. As I write news comes to hand of the pydval of Charles Knight in front of the tVilloughby pantomime “The Babes in the Wood.” So that attraction is assured at least. Tire Babes will bo lost in the wood in Dunedin at Easter, and for seven nights the wicked uncles will endeavour to hide them securely in the greenery of the panto scenery. At this writing I am unaware of what arrangements, if any, have been made for the robins dropping leaves on the recumbent forms of the babes; but wo may safely leave that detail to the stage manager. All things point to a fine, spectacular production, and with Dorothy Harris. Daisy Jerome, Josephine Gassman, and other celebrities in the east we may expect a flow of soul if not,a feast of reason. Anyway, we do not look for reason in panto. So what matter. Sufficient that “The Babes in the Wood’ is about to materialise. Easter will be less dismal on that account, and it may even be quite ch- "fn!

Meantime, “Charley’s Aunt” is duo at His Majesty’s this (Wednesday) evening.

Xlio lady Irom Brazil may be assured ol a welcome, tor it is many years since this famous farce-comedy was revived in Dunedin. The season is a brief one, ending on Saturday, but before it closes 'ilie Private Secretary,” another old-time favourite, will be revived.' After Dunedin “Charley's Aunt” will visit Invcrcargdl. ft certainly is good news to hear that Mr Claude Haigh, late manager of the King s, has been appointed to the management of flic new Grand Picture Palace during the absence of Mr Irvine Elston in London, whither the latter goes shortly on behalf of a private syndicate in search of the best film subjects for New Zealand. It is , a dual arrangement that commends itself heartily, and the xiublio will reap the benefit. 1 notice that Mr Harry Plimmer has been telling the people of VV ellington all about his tneatricai venture in aid of the Belgians. His statement differs not at all from the scheme previously outlined in this column, and it may be accepted as a fact that it will be carried out m its entirety. The idea is an excellent one, and needs no recommendation from us. A fine company has been got together with Miss Beatrice Day as loading fady, and the plays to be staged—“ Lady Windermere's Fan” and “The Mummy and the Humming Bird” — are two of the best of their class. Popular prices, as become war times, will no doubt be charged; but even if the prices are higher they will only be in keeping with the prospective merits of the show —then, of course, there is the main object, help for the Belgians,—and there is no denying that. Talking of the Belgians, members of the theatrical profession are taking every opportunity to assist the fund for the distressed in tliat at present distressful but loyal country. A few days ago I received a letter from Mr Lionel Walsh, manager of the “Within the Law” Company, in which he states that two members, of his company. Miss Kathleen Murray and Miss Tien Hogue, took part in a swimming carnival at Pahiatua in aid of the Belgians. The ladies won certain prizes, which they returned to the Mayor to bo auctioned, with the result that some £4O was raised for the Belgian relief. “Not bad fo> Pahiatua,” comments my informant. To which I re-echo, “Not bad.” By the way, the “Within the Law” touring company is doing excellently in the North Island, where, Mr Walsh says, other companies are also doing well. Last week “Within the Law” was taken north as far as Whangarei, and this week is down in the hot springs district—Rotorua, to wit. Taranaki and down the line follows, with the West Coast of the South Island for the final stages of the tour. Mr Tom Pollard is arranging the Coast portion of the trip, and as he knows the district thoroughly no anxiety need be felt for the safety of the people and the success of the venture.. Mr Irvine Elston, manager of the Grand Picture Palace, is about to proceed to London on behalf of a private company to orange for supplies of the best films for exhibition throughout New Zealand. Mr Elston proceeds by the Niagara to Vancouver on the 23rd inst., from Auckland, and will remain for a few weeks in New York in the company’s interests, and then go on to London, which he will make his headquarters. It is considered that the immense development of the kinematograph industry in New Zealand warrants such a step, and Mr Elston, after eight years’ experieneo of the moving-picture business in the Dominion, will be able, in the heart of the world as it were, to obtain special mms to suit the public of New Zealand. It will bo Mr Elston’s aim to secure films of interest, such as war views, scenics, and other educational pictures, as well as’light and heavy dramas of merit, and the best class of comics. Mr Crome, manager of the Princess theatre, s arranging for the appearance of the _ popular Magpies ”in a street proSa . tur ; da .y aid of the Belgians. Iha Magpies” raised £IOO in Wellington recently for ihe Belgian .Fund, and Dun- € rrn, t» U i behind this amount. the Randall-Jackson trio which opens at the Princess at Easter was formed bv Mr Jackson. He is an old chorister, and was first trained at St. Paul’s, London, and later at the Royal Academy, and subsequently at Milan. He has fulfilled important engagements throughout the length and breadth of Great Britain. Miss May Wmsor, the lady humorist, is the author of many of the concerted numbers done by the artists in their performances. Mbs Florence West, the soprano, has already become popular in Wellington, while Mr Geo. Nash and Mr Herbert Winter, the humorists of the party, have lived up to their London credentials. Their humour is said to be refreshingly original. The Brennan-Fuller management announce a specially attractive programme, which will include several star acta, for Easter at the Princess In addition to the RandallJackson trio already mentioned, there will appear Maud end Gill (famous trapeze artists). Mann and Franks, James Toddy (champion jumper), and the Elviras (Spanish clan-ccrs). The latest venture of that cheerful Canadian, Mr Frederic Shipman is the engamiment of the famous Annette Kellerman “the perfect woman,” and a company of 200 players in “Neptune’s Daughter,” billed as the “ film masterpiece of the world.” Mr Shipman, m a post-card to hand, says that the world’s greatest aquatic artist will visit New Zealand, via the screen route at the latter_ end of the month for a tour of the Dominion. Although Miss Kellerman does not come to us in fiosh and blood, yet she will bo soon here in all her wonderful beauty of form, and will display to us those marvellous aquatic feats which nave gained her world-wide fame. She will also demonstrate that she is a splendid actress, a remarkable dancer, an export swordsivoman, and mistress of 100 arts, which contribute to the success of this wonderful photo-play, which takes two hours to produce.