THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 52

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasquih. Monday, December 17. Thanks bo, tho extended drought at His Majesty's Theatre is to be broken at last, and again, thanks be, by an attraction which is a decided novelty to Dunedin, the "Look Who's Here" Company, which is grand opera, revue, musical comedy, burlesque drama, farce, and all else beautifidly blended. Mr J. L. Cathro, tho touring manager, arrives this- week (if he does not arrive before this issue is printed) to make the opening arrangements, which opening is set down for Boxing Night. From an official source I learn that Cyril Maude, the famous English actor, and his supporting company will open for a season of six nights at His Majesty's on January 7. Mr Charles Berkeley advises that the first four nights of the season will bo devoted to " Grumpy," and the last two nights to " General John Regan" and caste. An old favourite with vaudeville-lovers in Dunedin of a few years ago is this week appearing at the Princess with his daughter. Jim Bain, "the lion comique," was known to everyone in vaudeville and out of it, and his return to> Dunedin after a long absence will be accepted as an occasion by his old admirers to renew acquaintance over the footlights. His daughter, Verna, who is making her first appearance here, is welcome not alone for her own sake, but that also of her father.

♦A theatrical event of great importance will take place at His Majesty's Theatre presently, when the firm of J. C Williamson will present Mr Cyril Maude, the worldrenowned actor, in his phenomenal characterisation of "Grumpy." Many famous stars have been introduced to New Zealand audiences, but never has there been a greater celebrity. Mr Maude's fame in London and New York has been reflected in this part of the world, for his success in Australia was S-emarkable. The company comprises a brilliant aggregation of artists, including Miss Betty Murray and Mr Herbert Ranson, who will bo making their first appearances; Miss Dorothy Cumming, just back from a successful American tour; Messrs Edwin Lester, Frank Elliot, Robert Ayrton, Stephen Scanlon, F. Gattenby Bell, H. H. Wallace, Stella Paytcr, and Harry Sweeney.

Mr Duncan Neven, who was through here with the spectacular film " Intolerance," has been told off to dotho advance work for the Marie Tempest tour of New Zealand which is due to open at Wellington on Boxing Night. Miss Mabel Morgan, the well-known Australian "principal boy" of "Mother Goose" pantomime, who has returned to Australia after an extended tour of America, was at latest appearing with a number of other Australian beauty actresses in a sketch, "The Beauty Shop," at Melbourne Tivoli.

In re the "Intolerance" tour, Mr Ncven, the manager, writes:—." Up to the end of November the people with this film—it has been a wonderful success wherever it has been shown—have travelled 3349 miles over the New Zealand railways, 2118 miles by water, and they have motored just over 203 miles, principally on the West Coast of the South Island, while they have coached 24 miles, also in the South Island. It is an astonishing record when one glances through.the touring-list and finds that the picture in a country like New Zealand has been shown in 97 different towns, and this in less than six months. I don't think the average New Zealander ever realises that such a large number of towns could bo played by a big touring attraction." The Ideal Trio playing in "Look Who's Hero," opening at His Majesty's on Boxing Night, have on occasions to rehearse in all sorts of places whilst on tour. Quite recently the only available spot was the lounge of the hotel in which they were staying. Things were quiet in the hotel, so they decided to risk it. After a while an elderly lady strayed in, and, seating herself, heard the rehearsal through. When she left she placed a shilling on the tablo, evidently under the impression that the music was supplied by the hotel. The trio decided to break the coin in three and use ifc as a mascot.

Messrs Ben and John Fuller's pantomime

cast for “Robinson Crusoo of Rainbow Island” promises to bo particularly strong, with Nellie Kollo as principal boy and N/dlio Fallon as principal girl. The comedians will' include Victor Prince as Crusoe. Walter Cornoch as Mrs Crusoe, Billy Watson as Archibald Crusoo, and Yaude and Verne as Friday and Saturday. Maud Funning will be the Cannibal Queen, Lou Vernon the Demon, and Olive Sinclair the Fairy Queen. A number of talented artists have been engaged for the “ Aladdin ” pantomime, in the production of which at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, at Christmas Messrs J. and N. Tait and Messrs Bailey and Grant are collaborating. Miss Winifred La France, a young Australian artist, who has made a name for herself in vaudeville in the United States, will appear as principal boy, and others who will figure prominently arc Mr Barry Lupino (who is also producer), Mr Bert Bailey (Widow Twankey), Miss Olive Godwin (principal girl), Miss Fayette Perry, Miss Daisy Rivotte, Mr Fred Macdonald, and Mr Andrew HigginSon. > The Captain .J. Hunter-Watts recently mentioned ‘in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig is a brother of Frediswyde HunterWatts, the heroine of “Seven Daysj Leave,” which the Fullers will send to Now Zealand shortly. The day Miss Hunter-Watts first appeared in the submarine play she ■ received a letter from her brother in which he says that since 1914 he had only once returned from Franco to England, and in which occurred the words “No one but a soldier can properly appreciate those, words ‘Seven days’ leave.’ ” A theatre without footlights is the latest innovation, and' a large theatre in Philadelphia is to be the first to adopt the idea. All the stage illumination will come from above, being as nearly as possible a reproduction of ordinary sunlight. The system employed demands a long steel bridge, of cantilever construction and 10ft wide, which is thrown all the way across the proscenium arch directly behind the curtain. On the bridge will be stationed 80 electricians, each handling _ two lamps, pointed downward and manipulated much as a soldier might aim a machine gun. The rays of light completely envelope the characters on the stage below, and explore t'very corner of the stage. It is just as though an enormous sun were above the players. The effect is described as the most natural lighting ever seen in a theatre. Not only as an actor, but also as a manager, has Mr Cyril Maude, the great exponent of the immortal “Grumpy,” held a prominent place in the theatrical profession in London. The creator of “Grumpy” has played under his own managcmcnt_ in London during the past 15 years, conducting his own theatre, the Playhouse. History can produce many examples of physical misfortunes turned to good account, but the name of Charlie Chaplin as an addition to the list comes as a surprise. Pain, a writer on kinema stars tells us, was the foundation for his drollery. It seems that Charlie’s feet hurt; -the arch is broken and the soles are tender. In consequence he walks with a flat-footed mince, and in order that serious attention may not bo paid to his infirmity he wears boots many sizes too ‘large. On this exaggerated peculiarity much of his fame has been founded. WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS. Bx Petsu Paw. December 14. Dear “Pasquin,”—J. and N. Tait’s “New Henrietta” Company entered its season on Wednesday evening. It is to bo regretted that this clever company was not better patronised. Mind you, the houses weio good, but not what the company deserved. 'They should have been packed. We cannot expect the big managers to send their companies to us unless we give them sum- ■ cient patronage. . . , TT Marie Tempest on Boxing Night. Her name alone should be sufficient to draw the public in their hundreds. Duncan Neven is to do the advance work for this star, and Mr M'Carty, who was treasurer for the k ‘ Intolerance ” tour, will act in the same capacity with the company. Duncan Neven claims records for the “Intolerance” tour. He says the film has been shown in 94 towns to date. It has travelled 3369 miles bv rail, 2118 by steamer, 203 by motor, -and 24 by coach, and is still on the move. ■Our big theatre is to house a moving picture. The star film, “A Daughter of the Gods,” with Annette Kellerman as the daughter, is down for presentation on Saturday. . Johnson’s Revue Company is still the big attraction at His Majesty's. New artistes include Ernest Pitcher, Marie Bucher, and Reo and Helraar. PRINCESS THEATRE. Stanhope’s final revue, “Roley-Poley,” and the last appearances of Miss Ruth Budd. the Creole Fashion Plate, Maclean and Lee, the Molinaris, and the Klentos were the responsible for the very largo and enthusiastic audiences at the Princess Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening. For this week, in addition to the now revue, no fewer than six new artists are announced. Little Verna will be one of the principal newcomers. This phenomenal child dancer is generally known as the “juvenile Genee.” and by general acclaim is one of the most remarkable of the classical and ballet dancers in vaudeville—young as sho is. With her will appear Mr James C. Bain, a very well-known character comedian, who last appeared here in the halcyon days of Dix vaudeville. Other popular newcomers should bo Maud Courtney, the American comedienne, and Mr C.. both of whom appeared many years ago at the King s Theatre, and were a sensational success. Merton and Rydon, sketch artists: and Mies Lilian Teeoe, soprano, are the other reinforcements.