THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 62

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquin. Tuesday, May 16, 1916. After lamenting the lack, for a number of years, of an up-to-date theatre, Dunedin will shortly rejoice in the possession of two first-class and well-appointed houses. One of these, His Majesty's, is just on the eve of completion alter extensive alterations and improvements have been effected. Seen on Monday the interior of His Majesty's was scored with scaffolding, but on Tuesday this was taken down, and a good idea of the work that was entailed in the erection of a new fibrous plaster coiling and dome was obtained, as well as a glimpse of the decorations and colour-schemes which have been artistically carried out. In other parts ot the theatre equally extensive alterations and improvements have been made. The theatre has been panelled throughout in mahogany, extra seating accommodation has been provided in the dress circle,_ special entrances and exits have been provided for, a system of heating has been installed, an overhanging verandah running practically the full length of the building is in course of erection; but most important of all is that the theatre is being re-seated throughout with the latest in comfort and luxury that can be devised. While the comfort of patrons has been well ■ thought after that of the actors has not been forgotten, provision having been made for good dressing room accommodation behind the scenes. The improvements and alterations are costing the proprietors, Messrs Fuller and Sons, 6omo*ching in the region of £SOOO, but when His Majesty's is completed it will be one of the most comfortable theatres in New Zealand. The pleasure of opening the remodelled theatre has been secured by ths Royal Strollers, who make their bow to a Dunedin audience on Friday night, the 18th in st. The return of Julius Knight with the "Under Fire" Company, which opens a four nights' season at the Princess on Thursday is an event which playgoers of Dunedin will look forward to. with a deal of pleasure. Julius Knight is a favourite in this city, and his appcarnacc in the leading role of the war-drama will create an interest born of past Julius Knight triumphs. The Wellington season of this company concluded on Monday, and on Tuesday the members left direct for Dunedin, -where they are duo to arrive on Wednesday. The season is a brief one, but wo are assured that it will ' bo specially thrilling. Mr Scott Colville, who has been busy arranging for the opening of the Dunedin senson of the Roval Strollers at His Majesty's on tho 19th yist., was unable to remain for the "first night," and left for the north on Wednesday. Ho will arrange for a one night visit in Oamaru for the Strollers, and then proceed north to make the path smooth up tho New Plymouth line. The New Zealand tour of the Strollers has been extended, and opportunity will be

taken to visit several of the smaller towns not arranged for in the original itinerary. The temporary cessation of vaudeville at tho Princess this week, in order to allow preparation for the Dunedin season ot J. C. Williamson's "Under Fire" war-drama, has had the effect of ''resting" one or two acts for a week. Borne acts, however, were placed in Christehurch. amongst others the mystifying Brooks and his 20,000d0l trunk. Vaudeville resumes at the Princess on the 23rd hist., and on June 5 there will be a general exodus of ''variety" to His Majesty's, which is to be tho home of vaudeville in Dunedin for some time. Mr Tom Pollard arrived in Dunedin last week to coach principals and chorus for the forthcoming production of "Les Cloches de Corncville." Mr Pollard will put the final touches on the caste, which, by the way, includes Dunodin's most talented amateurs, and will remain to produce and stage manage the opera at His Majesty's during Show Week. Mr J. B. Atholwocd, who will be seen at the Princess this week as the Belgian innkeeper in "Under Fire," has in his time been cast as an old man in so many character parts that the public generally regard him as a Methuselah. He isn't really s,;ch an ancient, but he is one of those men who, from, his very boyhood in tho profession, has been known as "Old Jimmy." Tho Williamson pantomime, "Mother Goose," which has been running in Melbourne and Sydney since Christmas time, is to commence its tour of New Zealand in Wellington instead of Auckland this year. contrary to precedent Tho opening date will either bo June 20 or 27. The Waddington picture firm in Sydney has amalgamated with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., so far as pictures are concerned. Mr Hugh Wilson, late manager of the Queen's, Dunedin, is to be general manager for the new firm. Mr Leo. D. Chateau, general manager for Branscombe's "Dandies" Companies, will come to New Zealand with the "Pink" Company. Mr W. Low has arrived in town to arrange for the screening of the JohnsonWillard fight pictures at the King's Theatre on May 25, 26. 27. This film has been a big draw everywhere it has been shown, and is sure to prove an attr, etion in Dunedin. J. Hartley Manners, author of "Peg o' My Heart," which will bo seen in New Zealand shortly, has achieved his great success after many years of effort as a popular playwright. lie wrote several plays before ho conceived the brilliant idea of writing a sweet, heart-throb comedy, with an IrishAmerican heroine. Several of his earlier efforts answer all the demands of technique, construction, and story-interost; but, with the possible exception of "Tho House Next Door," which had a fairly properous career," they somehow failed to win extensive public support. And Mr Manners ought to know what the public wants, for ho has had valuable experience as an actor and producer. Jt is not generally known that ho visited Australia several years ago as a member of tho second Cart-wright Company. He made an excellent impression in a repertoire which included the more recent Lewis Waller success, "A Marriage of Convenience." Commander Arbuthnot, of H.M.S. Arethusa, which was sunk by a mine in the North Sea, is married to Evie Green, the well-known comic opera star, and sister of Frank Green, here last with the Tivoli Follies. Harry Sweeney, the brilliant young juvenile" actor, last seen with "The Glad Eye " Company ,_ will appear as Feldwebel, a Gorman captain, in " Under Fire." Miss Vera Pearce, the queen of the Tivoli Follies, was recently in Sydney competing for the beauty prize at the White City. Miss Poarco was successful, beating 750 competitors. She rejoined the Follies when the companj' opened a season in Adelaide. The Follies are due to begin a six weeks' season in Sydney on May 20, after which the members sail for a second tour of New Zealand. Playgoers and picture-lovers are looking forward with keen interest to tho innovation to be introduced by J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, shortly, when the world-famous production of "The Birth of a Nation" will be screened. The greatest of all picture-makers, D. W. Griffith, produced "The Birth of a Nation." Eight months w r ere occupied in taking it, after six months' preparation. D. W. Griffiths made his reputation by this picture, which represents a capital outlay of over £IOO.OOO. In it are used 18,000 men and 3000 horses. In America it has run for over 12 months, the prices of admission being those charged at regular theatrical attractions, the highest-priced seats being Bs. Australian playgoers are to see Plale Hamilton in his famous representation of Gct-Rich-Quick Wallingford—the role he created in both London and New York. Ever since he arrived in Australia the eternal question addressed to Mr Hamilton has been, " When are you going to do Wallingford?" J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) have arranged to present Mr Hamilton in his original role before the end of his season at Melbourne Theatre Royal, and following " The Boomerang " (the delightful comedy all Melbourne is flocking to sec) " Get-Rich-Quick Wallin<?ford " will bo staged. Myrtle Tannehill will, of course, play FannyJasper, tho typiste. A New York telegram states that Charlie Chaplin began work at Los Angeles for tho Mutual Film Corporation. His contract, under the heading of " war risks," stipulates that as he is a British subject "he will not leave tho United States (and run the risk of compulsion in Britain) within the life of tho contract without the permission of the corporation (i.e., company)." The contract ensures him a salary of £134,000. Thirty thousand pounds was paid on tho signing of the document. The film company has insured his life for £50,000. Miss Mary Pickford's new engagement is to cost tho company £30,000 a year. For.merly Miss Pickford's services commanded a very much higher price than those of Chaplin; tho reverse is now tho case. There are two other salaries in America of over £20,000 a year, these being those paid to Theda Bara and William Farnham. Miss " Billio " Burke was paid £BOOO for one production; Miss Paulino Fredericks receives weekly £3OO, Miss Annette Kellorman (a Victorian) £250, Miss Marguerite Clark £2OO, Mr Robert Manteer £2OO. There are many others who rcccivo from £IOO to £2OO, the ordinary star being paid less than £SO a week. Few men would contemplate with satisfaction the idea of voluntarily resigning the earning of £IOOO a week in order to join tho army. Yet that is what Mr Vernon Castle,

! the young musical-play dancer —the most popular artist in New York—is about to do (says the London Chronicle). Mr Vornon Caetle and his wife are two of the bestpaid artists in America—as dancing partners they jointly earn £IOOO a week,—and now he has decided to leave the stage and to come Home and join the Royal Flying Corps. He is the marvellous artist of whom a New York dramatic critic, after ho had seen him dance, wrote: "lie would be a verv difficult man to bury!" Reports received by the Chief Secretary of New South Wales (Mr Black) show that there are 113 picture shows in Sydney and suburbs immediately adjacent. Ihe average weekly attendance is 426,910. Taking the average admission at sixpence, the attendance given means that £10,672 15s is spent eaoh week in this form of amusement in arid around the New South Wales capital. THE ROYAL STROLLERS. We have had many visits from costume comedv companies of various styles, but it is claimed for the Royal Strohcrs, who commence a season at His Majesty's Theatre under the direction of J. and N. Tait on Friday evening, that they are quite different from other companies, not only in tnc class of entertainment which they present. but in the staging, lighting, and costuming there is a distinct note of originality and charm. The Strollers adopt a " Robin Hood" costume which is most effective, and the pretty woodland setting lends itself to the creating of an atmosphere fresh and fr. grant. Many years have been spent by Mr Sydney James in gathering round him artists most suited to the class of entertainment which he has specialised in, and his determination that everything delivered across the footlights is absolutely free of clouble entendre or vulgarisms. The versatility of the Strollers is exemplified in the contributions of Miss Rossiter, Miss Lew : s, Miss Milne, Messrs Graystonc and Frost. Those artists, and, of course, Mr James, are not only funmakcrs but accomplished vocalists and instrumentalists of high repute, who are equally at home in items grave or gay. In burlesque the Strollers aro in their element, and it is said they have many clever sketches to choose from, one of the best being "Our Picture Palace," which will be included in the opening programme. During the Duncdin season frequent changes of programmes will be presented, and -patrons will have the opportun:ty of hearing and seeing the Strollers' best and most popular items. The box plan is at the Bristol, and already a large number of seats have been booked, and a successful opening is assured.