THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 66

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquin. Tuesday, October 5. Mr John Farrell, touring manager for J. O. Williamson (Ltd.), is now business manager of “The Man Who Stayed at Home” Company (which commences a Dunedin season at His Majesty’s this evening!, relieving Mr Dick Hazlett, who has gone to Hobart to do the advance work. It is idle to take a line through the business done in the northern centres to gauge the possibilities of the season of drama commencing at Plis Majesty’s this evening; but in the belief that “The Man Who Stayed at Home” will appeal not alone to the regular playgoer but also to the patriotic citizen, I make bold to forecast a successful season—an experience at once delightful and novel so far as J. C. Williamson attractions are concerned since the outbreak of the war. It is true that in the past 12 months only two companies under the ,'egis of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) have visited Dunedin —before the war we averaged six and seven a year;—it is also true that both these companies presented pantomime; it is also true that financially both wore

failures in Dunedin. Still rigidly adhering to truth, Dunedin will not pay 6s for pantomime in war time, and after 12 months, with rare intervals, of picture shows at cheap prices I doubt whether Dunedin theatre-goers will pay top prices for attractions infinitely more worthy than pantomime during the present crisis. The management’s retort is: “Then we must cut Dunedin out, for it dors not pay us to send companies from Australia to risk losing in the South Island the profits wo make in the North.” As a business proposition—and theatrical enterprise is purely a business proposition—this is unanswerable. One can-' not reasonably blame the Williamson management for its attitude. It has attractions to sell at a price, and if Dunedin will not pay the price Dunedin cannot have the attractions. That’s all there is to it. Dunedin may ho justified in its retort that the attractions are not always worth the price, and I am not going to say they always

arc, according to the measurement of our standard ; bin it must be acknowledged that Dunedin’s standard measured by price is exceedingly high—the highest indeed of any town, with the possible exception of Invercargill, m the whole of Australasia. if there is any town in the Commonwealth or in the Dominion which exacts higher value than Dunedin or Invercargill I do not know of it. It may bo not that Dunedin’s standard is too high, but that the standard of other towns is too low. Yet it is incredible that the majority of the towns of New Zealand exact a lower value than Dunedin, wherefore I am forced to the conclusion that Dunedin’s standard, measured through the box office, is too high. The truth of the matter is not that Dunedin theatre-goers want too much for their money, but that there are too few who want it. Another factor —and it is an important one —is that Dunedin’s wealthier class —that class the theatrical manager looks to to fill his dross circle and orchestral stalls —is not in the mass inclined to the theatre, and the few of the class now take their pleasures in the stalls, if they take them at all. Nor can the fact bo overlooked that Dunedin takes its pleasures, as if takes most things, seriously, the recent Queen Carnival notwithstanding, and nothing more serious than its theatre, unless it bo the Competitions. Mr Harold Ashton, who for the past two years has boon resident director in South Africa for ,T. C. Williamson (Ltd.), is returning to Australia, via America and England. Ho was at latest in San Francisco, from whence he wrote me that he was going on to London, and hoped to be in Australasia in the course of a few months. Mr “l>iek” Stewart, who relieved Harold Ashton in Africa, has already settled down as resident manager in Johannesburg. Mr Lionel Walsh, recently through Now Zealand as manager and leading actor of the touring “Within the Law” Company, writing mo on board the Maloja, tossing in the Australian B'ght, says that once again the company is on the war path—this time W.A., where the company is booked for eight weeks; thence South Australia. The repertoire is the same—viz., “Within the Law” and “The Rosary”; later we included “The Woman in the Case,” “Potash and Pcrlmutter” is the best show running in Australasia; you will like it. Reynolds Denniston, of this city, is now appearing at the Theatre Royal Sydney in the dramatised version of Rex Beach’s “The Barrier” which has been revived by the Beaumont Smith Theatrical Enterprises. Others in the east known in New Zealand are Winter Hall. Cyril Mackay, Harry Halley, and Arthur Styan. “The Man Who Stayed at Home,” to bo staged at His Majesty’s this (Wednesday) evening, was produced at the Royalty Theatre, London, on December 10 last, and is now approaching its 300th performance. It has already been played in the United States, Canada. South Africa, and Australia. Vodrenne and Eadio have now signed with Mr Maurice E. Bandmann for the lights in India and the Far East. Moreover, the French rights have been acquired by Mr Max Dearly, the celebrated French actor, who was one of the constellation of stars that shone at the Theatre des A arieties in Paris. Mr Max Dearly, who is at present Maying at the Gaiety Theatre, hopes to produce the French adaptation in Paris before the end of the year. The policy of quick changes at the Princess is being carried out with Spartanhko insistence, despite the fact that the stars of to-day would also bo the stars of to-morrow. The present strong company at the vaudeville theatre gives place next week to several new artists, who have won name and fame elsewhere. Amongst others there are the Jqnrets, Mexican gymnastic acrobats ; Eclair brothers, equilibrists; Violet Trcvenyon, English soubrotte; the Gibson Girls; Baron Geo Fredo, musical comedian; and Anita Primrose, American comedy entertain and quick change artist. The latter claims that she obtained her idea for her quick change act while playing in the melodrama “The Life of an Actress,” in which there is a dressing-room scene on the stage.

A complete novelty is promised at the Princess Theatre next week, when Miss Rose Leo Ivy will introduce for the first time in Now Zealand her original singing film, “'The Soul of "Venice, ” a superb romantic legend of Venice, during which Miss Ivy will sing songs illustrative of the main incidents of the story, and also “Ave Maria,” “The Rosary,” and “My Hero.” Though nearly 26 years have passed since she made her first appearance on the stage, Florence Young confesses that she has not yet been able to rid herself of the nervousness that clings to her on the first night of a new production. Miss Young is rehearsing her old part in “ Paul Jones,” which is to follow “The Quaker Girl” at Pier Majesty’s, Melbourne, and as the opening night gets nearer her nervousness increases. “ I have never boon able to shake it off during all these years,”- said Miss Young. The opening night of “Paul Jones” fills me with positive fear, though the role is one of my old favourites, and I am just as nervous about it as when I was making my first appearance on the stage nearly 26 years ago.”

Particular interest attaches to the production of “Paul Jones” by the Royal Comic Opera Company at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne, by reason of the appearance in the cast of two artists of more than ordinary interest and popularity. These are Miss Florence Young (who has been specially engaged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to star in her old part of Paul Jones) and Miss _ Minnie Love (who will be seen as Chopinette, this being her first appearance in comic opera in Australia). The cast will also include Phil Smith. Reginald Roberts, Claude Bantock, Leslie Holland, John Ralston, Derek Hudson, Ethel Morrison, and Charles A!boil.

Mr Henry E. White, of Dunedin, the structural engineer, who specialises in theatre-building, has been ontrutecl with the planning of four now theatres during the past month. apart from those already in progress. The latter includes the now municipal theatre at Hastings, to ho opened on October 18, a fine modern two-tier theatre, with the galleries supported with but one steel column, which does not obscure the view from any one scat in the auditorium, and a serviceable picture theatre which is to adorn the main street in Pc-tono. He has also the plans in hand of an elaborate continuous picture theatre, which is to be erected by the New Zealand Picture Supplies (Ltd.) on the site of the old Marino Arcade, Napier. This theatre will have a breadth of 66ft, with an adequate depth, and will, in a commodious dress circle and stalls, accommodate from 1200 to 1300 people. The facade will bo judiciously elaborated in the Mission style, which is finding great favour in Australia, whore Mr White has planned several now theatres of late, notably the new Tivoli

Theatre m Brisbane. lie is also completing' tiio working' plans of a lino big picture theatre to bo erected in a central position

on Gladstone road, Gisborne. From the foregoing it will he judged that the picture business in New Zealand is comparatively in its infancy, and that those people interested in it have plenty of confidence in the future. Mr White, who has permanent offices in Sydney and Wellington, loft by tiio Manuka for Sydney on Friday.

Writing from East London under date August 6, Mr Robert Greig, wiio, with his wife (-Miss Beatrice Holloway), has boon playing the Niblo farce-comedy repertoire in South Africa, states that they wore then in the straight. In a week’s time they were to leave for Capetown, and after a farewell season there were to sail for “dear old Australia.” “We wore going right on to America from here, but the war lias

altered all our plans,” writes Mr Greig. Besides the Niblo comedies they have been playing three other American successes —viz., “It Fays to Advertise” (another winner as good as “ Got Rich-Quick Wallingford”), “A Pair of Sixes,” and “Stop, Thief.” “ Dick Sotwart is due here in a few weeks,” writes the comedian. “1 think he is the right man for this country. Wo expect to leave on the Arawa on August 27; but on account of the war the shipping business is fraught with uncertainty.” The firm of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.), of Australia, “ one of the most important theatrical concerns in the business,” as the dramatic critic of Public Opinion (London) correctly puts it, is ' completing arrangements for a permanent homo in London—one of the big developments of the theatrical world. Somewhere in the later clays c>f golden autumn the reopening of the Adclphi Theatre, under the management of the firm, may be looked for. “ High Jinks,” that lively musical piece of American origin, has been selected for the opening performance, and it will have the advantage of a fine cast. Australia and New Zealand will benefit by the new management. High-priced artists, who in the past could not undertake the long sea journey because of loss of time, may find it to their advantage to enter into engagements which will embrace ail three countries. And also there is the prospect before ambitious Australians who can make good of appearing in London under conditions which, to a groat extent, have been denied them in the nast.

Dear “Pasquin,”—l am at present managing “Slnma,” the Japanese jiu-j tsu export and champion catch-as-catch-can wrestler of Australia, and M. Sadie, the lady jiu-jitsu expert. Shima has the rights of the Stadium at the military camps m Now South Wales, and wo arc giving them the best. Among the fighters the last two weeks wore Rcgio, Jack Chine, Tommy Vren (light-weight champion of Now South Wales), and Bob Turner (cx-ohamp:on, who put up some good fights with Tim Tracey in Now Zealand a few years ago). Bob is a member of the military police here. Shima defeated Chas. M'Derraott for the championship of Australia (catch-as-catch-can) on June 16, securing two falls in less than the half-hour, and wrestles Holmcr for £IOO aside and the championship on October 23. The deposits arc now held by the Referee newspaper. Another pro. well known to Now Zealand with the Phil Walsh Dramatic Company has enlisted, in Stuart M ; Rae. He loft about three weeks ago. John Hopkins is running the Queen of Sydney scheme hero for Allies’ Day; then back to Napier to get another queen. Phil Newbury is going out, in the country with his own show'. Doc Rowo and Mora are getting good money in Victoria. — I am, etc., Chas. Ekeves, manager for Shima and Sadie

THE MAN WHO STAYED AT HOME.”

At His Majesty’s 'Theatre this (Wednesday) evening the *J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) management will present for the first time here the remarkably successful and inspiring patriotic drama, “The Man Who Stayed at Home,” which, it is stat’d, had a wonderfully stimulating effect on the recruiting campaign in England and Australia. “ The Man Who Stayed at Homo ” is such a good drama that, were its characters portrayed by mediocre artists, it is quite on the cards that it would still attract large audiences; but a glance at the names of those included in the company will convince playgoers that the J. 0. Williamson (Ltd.) management have been successful in getting together a particularly strong aggregation of dramatic stars. There are Miss Violet Paget, a perfectly delightful artist in either drama or comodv, who, with her husband, Mr Hugh Buckler, at present in the firing line in Franco, created a furore in a number of successful plays staged in the Dominion during the latter part of last year; Mr Frank Harvey, the brilliant young English actor, who has been specially retained to fill the place formerly occupied by Mr Julius Knight with J. ( . W illiamson (Ltd.); Mr Arthur Cornell, the popular comedian of the Hugh Buckler Company; Miss Dorothy Cumming, the fascinating young Australian actress, who scored a triumph recently as the Empress Mario Louise in “ A Royal Divorce ” ; Mr Leslie Victor, unquestionably one of the finest actors seen in Australasia; Miss Emma Temple, a universally popular and talented actress; Miss Temple Pigoft, another favourite member of the Hugh Buckler Company ; Mss M. Browne, who has scored a triumph in “The Man Who Stayed at Horae ” as Daphne Kidlington, a young lady who hands out white feathers promiscuously to any athletic man she may happen to meet; Mr Charles Morse, Inst hero with the Julius Knight Company; Mr Austin Milroy, specially engaged in England for the present produrt’on ; and Miss Florence Cxleoson, who on previous occasions has demonstrated her exceptional dramatic abilities, notably as Nat-U-Rich in “The Squaw Man” and as Stephanie in “The Sign of the Cross.’’ The booking has boon excellent; but there are plenty of seats in good positions, which may he selected at the Bristol, and’ tickets for the stalls and gallery may he purchased at Jacobs’s. Positively only ’five representations can bo given in Dunedin of “The Man Who Stayed at Home,” ns on Tuesday and Wednesday next it will he presented to playgoers of Invercargill.