THE STAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 46

THE STAGE.

Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements and doings are invited. All communications to bo addressed "Pasquin," Otago Witness Office.

PRINCESS THEATR7S. Fullers' Vaudeville Company HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. January 29 to February 2.—Marie Tempest Company. . . February 13 to 18.—Williamson's Musical Comedy Company. "Th« drama's laws the drama's patrons glTe, And those who live to please must please to lire."

TMJEATfiICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By PASQUIH. Tuesday, January 29. The event of the theatrical week is the appearance at His Majesty's Theatre of the famous comedy actress Miss Marie Tempest, who will appear to-night in ' Mrs Dot." A change will be made each evening as follows: Wednesday, "A Pair of Silk Stockings"; Thursday, "The Marriage of Kitty"; Fridav, "Good Gracious Annabolle"; Saturday, "Penelope." The company should have a successful season m Duncdin. Miss Marie Tempest is recognised as being in the forefront of British theatrical art, and the press notices of her various performances have been unanimous in sounding her praises. The Tom Haverly Musical Farce Company made a first change at the Princess Theatre last evening, the vehicle of the pen-making being entitled "The Man in Black." The company is proving a great attraction, and, in addition to a clever band of principals, there is a dashing bevy of chorus girls, who sing and dance with verve, and form a background, as it were; to the burlesque itself. New York has been having its share of theatrical failures of late. Mr E J. Tait, who is in the United States with the object of securing plays for the J. and N. Tait firm for production in Australia, mentions in a letter that in 74 clays he saw four failures at one theatre —the Criterion. One play lasted five nights, one 15 nights, one 12 nights, arid one three weeks. Mr Barry Lupino considers that Australia is a paradise for pantomime artists. Hero a production can average 10 weeks or more in the two provincial capitals, and can generally rely on a nine or 10 months' run, including a season in New Zealand. After the preliminary rehearsals an artist has little to do but learn an occasional new sonar or alter some patter. . In. England, which is regarded as the home of pantomime, a season never goes beyond five months—three months in London and two in the provinces. English papers announce the death from heart disease of Fred Billington, one of the most popular members of the famous D'Oyly Carto Comic Opera Company. Although not actually a Savoyard, Mr Billington could claim to have been longer identified with the Gilbert-Sullivan operas than any other actor. From 1379 down to a week or two before his death, when he was appearing with the D'Oyly Sarte Repertoire Company at Kennington, his association with the famous Savoy operas was continuous. Recent largo theatrical wills were those of Mr W. H. Kendal, who left estate valued at £66,251. Accepting the authority of "Who's Who in the Theatre," theso must take high rank among theatrical estates. J. A. Bailey, of circus fame, heads the list with £400.000. Then comes D'Oyly Carto with £240.817. followed by Eugene Tompkins (£225.230). Stefano Gatti (£139,796). Sir W. S. Gilbert (£111,971), and John L. Toole (£79.964). The last on Parker's list is Oscar Wilde, with £IOO. Neville Maskclyne, of Maskelyne and Devant, the well-known London entertainers, who died recently, left property valued at £5366, with net personality of £3684. The testator gives all his interest under an agreement of November 1. 1911, with his partner. Mr Devant, to his son Neville; the lease of St. George's Hall and his shares in Maskelyne and Devant to his two sons, Neville and Edwin Archibald; the furniture and personal effects to his son Neville. £SO and a pair of Dresden vases to his housekeeper, and the residue of the property between his two sons and his daughter. Messrs J. and N. Tait have just "received cabled advices from Mr E. J. Tait. who ia at present in New York, announcing the engagement of Mr Guv Bates Post, who is regarded in the United States as being the foremost male dramatic, star of the present clay. Mr Post's position in the theatrical world is a most distinguished one. He is at present plaving on Broadway in a strong dramatic story, entitled "The Masquerader " which is a dramatisation of the wellknown book "John Ohilcote. M.P.," and which will bo one of his pieces for Australia, Mr Post will probably bring with him several members of the company who are at present appearing with him at the Booth Theatre. Broadway, New York. Mr Guy Bates Post and his company are expected to commence their Australian tour, •which will be strictly limited to under five

months, at the Palaco Theatre, .Sydney, about April 6. It is understood that Nance O'Neill has signed up with J. 0. Williamson (Ltd.) for a tour of Australia. J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) have secured the control in Australia and Now Zealand of the productions and representation of the Goldwyn Pictures Corporations of America, one of the biggest producing factors in the moving-picturo industry in America. The artists who will be seen on tho screen under the management of the Goldwyn Corporation include Jane Cowl, who created the leading role in "Within the Law" ; Maxine Elliott, who visited Australia with Nat Goodwin some years ngo; Mao Marsh, who earned popularity and prominence by her performance in "Tho Birth of a Nation"; Madge Kennedy, who created the leading roles in America in such comedies as "Fair and Warmer" and "Baby Mine," and others. The Goldwyn Pictures include screen versions of Rex Beach's novels, including "Tho Silver Horde" and "The Auction Block." The deal between the Goldwyn Corporation and J. O. Williamson (Ltd.) is said to be one of tho biggest ever pulled off in the picture business in Australia. PRINCESS THEATRE. The Haverly Musical .Farce Company so firmly estaolished itself in public favour last week that its reappearance in " The Man in Black" on Monday was welcomed by a large and much-amused audience. Tom Haverly, as Dan Murphy, and J. P. O'Neill, in the character of Mike Casey, were even more diverting—if that were possible—than (when they convulsed people with laughter as " Tho Two Sports" all last week. They exhibited new phases of Irish farce in its extravagant aspect that showed the versatility of the two comedians to be unbounded. The kewpio kids flashed on and off the stage at frequent intervals during the performance of the Haverly farce, and by their agility and abandon added sparkle to the ensemble. Their dance of tho_ Allies was a specially effective contribution to the entertainment. The music incidental to the new farce is bright and tuneful. Amongst the newcomers Avere tho Harlems, who are accomplished acrobats that maintain their equilibrium in very difficult positions and accomplish all their feats with consummate cleanness and ease. Mr M'Kay and Miss Graham, vocalists, appeared under a special return engagement, and were cordially welcomed. Mr M Kay gave very successful renderings of "The Sergeant of the Line," "The Floral Dance," and, as an encore, the popular bass song "Drinking." James C. Bain (the - comique) and Little Verna (the promising young dancer) remain on the programme for a further term. The Kranks reappeared in their comic bicycle tricks.