THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 52

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

ZJy PASQUUS. Tuesday, September 4. The departure of Miss Marguerite Le Roy and the male members of the Roylo trio of dancers, together with Rose and Dell, who are now appearing under the Fuller management in Christchurch, left a big gap in the bill at the Princess, which, however, has been moro than filled by the presence of several new stars, chief of whom is Madame Lorenze, a trapeze artist of the highest flight, whose work has neverbeen surpassed in Dunedin, and who must rank with the world's best.

Dunedin, as a show town, has lost nothing by its patronage of "Very Good Eddie," which concluded its brief but bright season at His Majesty's last evening. The house was packed nearly to its holding capacity, and the management, though Worried at the prospect of being held up in New Zealand, was delighted. A cheerful person is a pleased theatrical manager these times of high freights, amusement taxes, and holdups. Of the "Very Good Eddie" people, I found, when I went round last night, that Barry Lupino had scarcely recovered from a complication of ailments following on an accident in Melbourne, when he fell while doing his sensational stair dance (wo did not see it here); Andrew Higgmson was nursing a cold that wouldn't be nursed; John Beck, the comedian, was threatened; Fayette Perry, warm from the north, was shivering 'in the wings; Lilian Tucker was caressing the steam heater in her dressing room; and Emily Fitzroy, scorning such delights, lived over again the joys of a New Zealand tour in midwinter. Frank Greene and Lionel Walsh, the stage manager, seemed to be the only ones who had escaped the cold snap of the week-end. All, however, were delighted with the New Zealand tour. The new members, whoso first trip it was. were particularly charmed. "Do you know Jerry Patrick, of this city?" anxiously asked Miss Lilian Tucker as she fondled an electric bulb for warmth last night. "Yes," I replied, remembering Alex. Jerome Patrick, who made his debut in amateur opera in Dunedin some years ago, and has since done good work on tho stage in America. "Well," said Miss Tucker enthusiastically, "I'm glad to meet someone who knows him, and as this is his native town, I would like you to tell the people of Dunedin that to-day Jerry Patrick is one of America's leading actors, and is right at the top in New York. He has played with all the big stars in the States, and when I left New York, a few months ago. had signed a contract under Belasco's management. They think no end of him in New York, and his work is excellent." 1 had previously referred to Jerome Patrick's success in America, but here is first-hand news from ono in the profession who saw him on the stage in New York recently, and who is enthusiastic over the success of the young Dunedin actor. Tho only other Dunedin actor whom I can recall who made a name in America is Harry Jewett, who has almost passed from memory. The very good members of the "Very Good Eddio" Company are quite unperturbed at the prospect of their enforced stay in New Zealand owing to the steamer traffic being upset by the conditions in Australia; but, truth to toll, they would rather it hadn't happened, pleasant as New Zealand is for a holiday. Ono member did say he would like to be back in "dear old Sydney, just to seo what it was like." At this writing there is no prospect of the "Very Good Eddies" seeing_ Sydney for some days, and in the meantime tho members will settle in Christchurch and Wellington to await tho departure of a ship. What are the members of the "Very Good Eddie" Company going to do after tho curtain falls on the last performance in New Zealand at Timaru to-night? The majority of tho company had made no plans, fully expecting to get away. An engagement on tho Fuller circuit was suggested. "As for me," said the ex-Prince Danilo, "I am looking forward to a few day? over tho Sumner hills," and he smilingly recalled tho shooting party in Dunedin during < "Tho Merry Widow" season, when ho mistook the genial owner of the motor oar for the hired chauffeur. The next overseas attraction for Dunedin is on the lap of the gods—who for this part are the strikers in Sydney and Melbourne. The Incomparable Ada Reeve is booked as the next attraotion, and in tho ordinary course of events we could have looked forward to seeing and hearing the celobrated English comedienno this month}

but events are not ordinary, and the opening in Wellington had to be postponed. Latest news is reassuring. It is to tiie effect tl'.ut Ada Reeve and Company will leave- Sydney in time to open In Auckland instead ot V. eliington on 10.

The strike in Australia is certain to seriously interfere with existing arrangements made lor attractions for New Zealand, and it may be that, unless steamer communication is opened up shortly, the tour ot the Royal Comic Opera Company, due this month, may be deferred. Such attractions as Marie Tempest and Co., Cyril Maude and Co., and the New Musical Comedy Company, due at Christmas, may safely bo regarded in the meantime; but immediate concerns are uncertain.

Mr John Faneli, touring manager in New Zealand for J. C. Williamson companies, is in Wellington "marking time" until steamer communication is resumed between Australia and New Zealand. Johnny is _ employing the enforced holiday by "writing to the papers" on the effects of the proposed amusement tax, and incidentally tells a few truths concerning the cost of touring a big company through New Zealand these war times. J. F. scouts the popular idea that managers are making a lot of money in New Zealand. In the first place he points out that rail and boat prices between Sydney and New Zealand and Auckland and the Bluff necessitate the expenditure of £2OOO, freight about £BOO, printing and advertising a trifle of £IOOO, theatres and such like extravagances £I2OO, sundries another £IOOO, and on top of all this there is a sum of £6OOO odd for the leading lady and the low comedian, also the chorus lady and the ballet, dancer. The salary list is something of a stagger. A 10 weeks' tour of New Zealand, according to Johnny Farrell, who should know, costs the firm in good round figures £12,000. AlO weeks' tour on this computation means that the theatres throughout New Zealand have to be filled to the tune of over £IOOO a week before the firm start to make a penny profit. No wonder John Farrell and Co. sometimes sheds a tear when he thinks of Dunedin —£1000 a week means a losing season.

In his enthusiasm for eloquent figures John Farrell nearly lost sight of his subject; but in order to point a moral and adorn his tale he mentions that two out of five J. C. Williamson attractions, recently touring the Dominion, lost between them over £2COO. He thinks this fact should interest members of_ Parliament when the amusement tax is being discussed. Why does J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) send attractions to New Zealand when "there is no money in it"? is a natural question. And John makes answer: "Because companies cannot remain continuously in Sydney and Melbourne all the year round; so, even if a certain loss is assured, _ every attraction presented in Australia is sent to New Zealand." Much more says the Williamson touring manager; but there you have it.