THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 65

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Fabquin.

Tuesday, July 20. The first of the season’s attractions from gj. O. Williamson firm since the outik of the war is duo at His Majesty’s >atre on Wednesday, when the muchmed “ Cinderella ” pantomime will bo presented to an expectant public. As it is nearly 12 months since the firm has deigned to send us anything from their extensive theatrical emporium, and wo are still practically “on trial,”—more than usual interest will be taken in the “ Cinderella ” season. According to the measure of its success, so will our future bo. Bui sufficient unto the day. Mr John Farrell, who arrived breathless in the city on Friday to sound the loud tymbrel on behalf of the lady of the glass flipper ami the golden carriage, who will

hold court in our leading theatre this week and portion of next, rushed off in hot haste on Monday to Timaru, where “Cinderella’ was presented on Monday night. Mr Farrell returns with the merry pantomimers, who arrive by special train from Oarnaru on Wednesday morning.

Dunedin vaudeville lovers are putting up a gallant defence for permanent vaudeville at the Princess. This favourite house has been packed to capacity each night to witness Paul Stanhope’s Revue Company and the supporting artists. The first change of programme took place on Monday, when " Pun on the Farm ’’ was put on by Paul Stanhope and Co. to the delight of a laiige audience. The present vaudeville artists will hold the fort for another week, after which a ne'w company will the Princess with its presence. Meanwhile business is excellent, and if present _ indications may be accepted the re-estabhshment of permanent “‘variety’’ at the Princess is certain.

The revue set down for production by the Stanhope Company at the Princess Theatre on Monday next is entitled “Hello, St. Clair,” and the plot {what there is of it) deals with the adventures of one Mike Donovan, a newly-rich millionaire, who is visiting St. Clair for health reasons, and incidentally in hopes of meeting a lady with the object of making her his wife. Mr Stanhope -and his associates contrive to make the fun fast and furious Some pretty costumes are worn by the Bu.ty Korns, the quartet have fresh song numbers,. and the principals will also introduce the latest songs and rag numbers. Madame Marion, billed as “the qu.ckest woman in the world,” will ho the headliner among the many now 7 vaudeville acts to appear at the Princess Theatre on Monday evening next. Madame plays seven cut of eight characters in a one-act playlet. The ages of the characters that Madame takes range from 15 to 60 years. They are all types and figures, and as one pons off the other pops on, and it is claimed that some of the changes (which are complete in every detail) have been timed to take place in one second. For quite a while American newspaper men treated the act as a fake, and it was some time before they were disillusioned. Madame Marion has. according** to the New York Herald, “all other quick-change artists looking like snails on a sleepy day.” while the Detroit Journal said “ Madame Marion is billed as a light-ning-change artist. We think this is doing lightning too much justice. She would probably dodge a flash wdth ease.” Supporting Madame Marion will be a company that will include Plrl Pordval, “the comedian at the piano” ; Tozart. “the vagabond artist” ; Bluffo a famous comedy juggler; Edwardos and Parkes, natter duo; and the_ 1 ossmg Hestros, herculean jugglers. In addition, the Stanhope Revue Comnany will be seen in a new revue, “ Hello, St. Clair.” A country newspaper boldly prints the statement that “the company played to a £lO house on Monday night—a result that was very disappoint’ng to the management, but easily accounted for by the multiplicity of patriotic entertainments.” That is bad enough, but not nearly so bad as a big all-star comcdv company which played in the Princess Theatre, Dunedin, to a £5 house when there were neither wars nor rumours of wars.

They are coming along in clue cou ’se. wars and rumours of wars notwithstanding-. Some time ago we had that clever Scotch comedy “ Bunty Pulls the Strings.” Now we welcome the return of the Scotch players, including, of course, Mr and Mrs Graham Mcffatt. who reached Auckland on Sunday, and to-night (Tuesday) produce for the first time ; n Now Zealand “ A Soripo o’ the Pen ” Much as we welcome the new play, a revival of “ Bunty ” would appeal to a lot of good folk who heard about it and missed it on the last occasion. At last we are to hear a singer who can sing, to sec an actor who can act. and to hear a player who can play. This by way of saying that Robert Parker, the eminent baritone, who was privileged to sing loading roles with Quinlan’s Opera Company in Australia; Jack Cannot, the actor-comedian, late of J. C. Williamson’s companies; and Alfredo, the violinist, will shortly be in Dunedn with the Tivoli Follies, a big vaudeville and revue company, which opened in Auckland the other day” under the management of Mr Hugh MTntosh. who took over the Rickards circuit. Mr George Portus. who is the man ahead of the big show, advises me that it is qu : te an exceptional array of talent, and should be a sure draw.

In all probability a number of new vaudeville theatres will be erected in the four centres of New Zealand. Mr Hugh D. MTntosh, of Sydney, who recently acquired the Rickards interest, arrived at Auckland by the Niagara recently. He told a Herald representative that he needed a wider circuit, and had decided to pay a visit—his first—to Now Zealand, and ascertain the circumstances and prospects. He will visit all the principal centres. After the six nights’ season here the “ Cinderella ” Pantomime Company will embark on the Mokoia for Hobart, via Wellington. a voyage which takes close on nine days.

Mr Roland Staveley. hero the other day with the Plimmer-Hall Company, has now joined the Tait management, and is in Christchurch booming the big war film, “The Fighting Forces of Europe.’’ This “silent drama” will be screened in Dunedin shortly.

Time works wonders The Georgia Magnet. who was a groat attraction in New Zealand in the early days' of vaudeville, ie now Miss Avvin Abbott, who is mystifying iSan Franciscans by her wonderful powers. In Dunedin years ago she was Miss Annie May Abbott. By the. way, the Slamai Siamese twins, billed as “Nature’s greatest mistake,” are the source of wonder and interest at the New Wonderland. ’Frisco, where our old friend, the Georgia Magnet, was appearing. Mr Charles Eerkely is passing through to Hobart on the Wimmera to do the Tasmanian preliminary work for “Cinderella.” C. B. manages the Hobart and Launceston seasons, then proceeds to Perth to act in a similar capacity for the pantomime there. After a 20 weeks’ tour of New Zealand the “ Glad Eve ” Company have returned to Sydney and opened at the Theatre Royal under the direction of Beaumont Smith and Leslie Hoskins. The season will bo one of quick changes, and devoted from July 17 to July 23 to the French farcical success. “ The Glad Eye,” and from July 24 to 50 to “Who’s the Lady?”—a mirthmaker that has been remarkably popular Miss Ethel Dane will again be Kiln’ in ‘The .Glad Eye” and Gobette in “Who’s the Ladv?”: and Tom Shelford, Henry J. Ford. Frank Bradley. Edward Lnndor, Harry Bwccney. Claud Vernon. Fred Twitchin. and others will have the parts in which they scored so heavily on previous

occasions. The women m me cast are played by Sinna St. Clair, Alice Hamilton, Clarice llarciwicke, and Eiwyn Harvey. After the two revivals mentioned above a musical frivolity, entitled Stop Your Nonsense,” will follow. Many people in New Zealand will regret to learn of tire death, at his home in London, ol Barclay Gammon, the famous “entertainer at trie piano,” who toured the Dominion with a Rickards Company some seasons ago. He died after a brief illness, at the age of 48. George /Stephenson, 'back in Sydney from New Zealand, states that he din very well over here with the “Humpty-Dumpty” pantomime. But it was different, ho explains, with the Florence Young Company — tho other venture in which ho was interested. Mr Stephenson is leaving Sydney in August with a newly-formed company for New Zealand. In November he intends to start another pantomime tour of Now Zealand.

Mr Barrie Marschell, who is well-known in Dunedin, has written some capital verses on the war entitled “Kidd from Timaru.’ Every line vibrates with life. xVs a recitation it has already made a hit on the vaudeville stage. Mr Harold Parkes who was here with “The Blue Moon” Company some eight years ago, and who is now on tho Fuller-Brennan circuit, will recite “Kidd from Tirnaru” at the Princess Theatre next week. By the way, it has already reached Australia.' where it is being recited under the title of “Kidd from Wooloomooloo.’

CINDERELLA” PANTOMIME

“Cinderella,” J. C. Williamson’s latest pantomime extravaganza, is to be staged at His M ijcsty’s Theatre on Wednesday, July 21, and five following nights. Tne success achieved bv “Cinderella’' can to an extent be credited'to the fact that comedy is provided by Mr Barry Lupino, who installed himself a favourite by his clever work last year on “The Forty Thieves.” In “Cinderella” Mr Lupino will take the role of Billy the Buttons, a character which gives him unlimited scope for his eccentricities. and his dancing and acrobatic feats are, it is said, a feature of the pantomime. This year the dame will be portrayed byMr Arthur Stigant. one of London's foremost comedians. Judging by reports the Williamson management were fortunate in scouring the services of the famous English comedian, Mr Jack M’Ardle. for the part of Baron Beauregarde, and his dry humour materially helps towards the success ol the pantomime. Miss Minnie Love, the principal “boy,” was lijst year described as one oi the prettiest and daintiest actresses on the London stage. Those who remember Miss Dolly Castles's splendid work in the printa donna rotas in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas nine years ago will be glad of a further opportunity to enjoy her rich and sweet soprano voice. Another notable artist in the cast is Mr Leslie Gaze, who delighted playgoers in “The Chocolate Soldier” when it was first staged in'New Zealand. Miss Celia Ghilom is an acquisition to any cast, and Miss Gertie Latch ford and Rupert Darrell are both pronounced favourites. Miss Doily Harmor has a congenial part to portray, and so have Miss Dorothy? Firman, Mr Charles Albert, Mr Georgie Young, and Mr Bert Watson. The principal dancer, Miss Maude Amery, created a, perfect furore of enthusiasm in Australia.' and a sensation was aroused by the wonderful acrobatic feats of Tiny Tot Marjorie and Little Eileen, who perform some really astounding evolutions. A feature of the matinee performance which will take place on Saturday, July? 24. will be the. inclusion of an uproariously funny Harlequinade arranged by Mr Barry? Lupino.