THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 46

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasqttik Tuesday, January 7... " Pasquin " heartily reciprocates the season's greetings conveyed in Christmas cards from Misses Nellie and Elsie Black (North Sydney), Mr G. L. Petersen (Melbourne), and the Quealys (4; New York). A photograph of a sturdy-looking boy is included in the Quealys' card over the printed description: "Our New York kid." The family of the Quealys has evidently been added to since Harry and his wife appeared at the Princess some years ago. The Fisk Jubilee Singers will appear at the Burns Hall on Saturday evening next. Since its visit here last autumn this wellknown organisation has appeared in_ considerably over 100'towns in the Dominion. A tour of the goldfields will follow the appearance in Dunedin. The retirement of the ex-Gisbornite >> Mr W. Barrington Miller, from the position of general manager of Union Theatres (Ltd.), of Australia, has created an element of curiosity in the minds of the_ public generally, and the shareholders particularly, as to the management of that concern. Incorporating the interests of West's, Spencer's, J. D. Williams, and Amalgamated Pictures (Ltd.), with a total capital- of £500,000, it was realised at the outset that the management of the firm would be too much for one man, and a Board of Control was appointed, consisting of Messrs W. Barrington Miller, Edwin Geach, Henry Gee, Harry Musgrove, and W- A. Gibson, whose joint efforts have been entirely responsible for the efficient management and success of Union Theatres (Ltd.). Behind them is the Board of Directors, whose personnel includes Messrs John Williamson, H. Y. Russell, F. J. M'Donald, and Arthur A. C. Cocks, M.L.A. With the exception of Mr Miller, these gentlemen will continue the operations of Union Theatres (Ltd.), and no new appointment will be made to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Miller's resignation. American photo-play journals state that Charles Chaplin was married on October 23 to Mildred L. Harris, a charming young artist, who is rtarred in Universal films. The marriage was kept secret for a time. The ban on the theatres and places of amusement in Philadelphia, caused by the influenza epidemic was lifted on October 30. It was estimated that the loss entailed by the enforced closing amounted to about £IOO,OOO. Stranded members of profession were oared for by managers during the epidemic, and lunches and food for others was served from the stage of many theatres. Charles Lecocq, the composer of "Girofle, Girofla" (written in 1874.) and other wellknown musical works, died in Paris recently at the advanced age of 86 years. Harold Lookwood, the leading player of the Metro Company, died from influenza as his apartments in the Hotel Woodward, New York City, on October 19. Lockwood was 30 years of age, and a native of Brooklyn. He was accounted the best example of the successful motion-picture star, not having had any but the very briefest experience of stage work outside the pictures. Julian L'Estrange, whose name is knoWn wherever moving pictures are shown, was claimed by the epidemic. He died at his home in New York on October 22. L'Estrange's best work, was in " Thais," with- Mary Garden, and he frequently appeared in Metro leads with Emily Stevens. Ho was also an accomplished actor, and was appearing with his wife, Constance Collier, in " The Ideal Husband,' when struck with the malady. Julian L'Estrange was only 38 years old. It is not generally known (says a Sydney exchange) that Madge Titherage has a sister, Frances, on the stage, who has been somewhat eclipsed by the superior effulgence of Madge. But during the absence of the latter on a summer holiday Frances has been playing her leading role in "By Pigeon Post," at the London Garrick, and acquitting herself very creditably, too. She is the second.of the four daughters of the late G. S. Titherage. Dion, a son, is also on the stage, so that G. S. may be said to have founded a theatrical family akin to the Torrys, the Farrens, and the Comptons.

A now act, as far as Australasia is concerned, lias been engaged by the Fullers. Realising that thousands of Anzacs in France have been delighted with the efforts of various French entertainers from the musio halls, they have imported a little bit of France to Australia. The act that will bo given over their circuit is that, of Mile. Rieuse and M. Georges Roger. The former 13 a delightful dancer and an inimitable parodist or the Salomo and Various Oriental

styles. Both sing delightful French songs in French, though the man offers some humorous broken English efforts. News has been received iri~ Sydney of the death in Africa of two performers, both well known to Fuller patrons—Ben Gold, of Harris and Gold, the piano entertainers, and Carlton Chase, who was for some years identified with the Bert Le Blanc Travesty stars, and who originally came to Australia with the Grafters Company. Miss Yates, who appeared with Sydney Yates in a dancing act in "So Long, Letty," has issued -a writ for £IOOO damages each, against J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) and Sydney Yates for alleged breach of contract. Sydney is having its full quota of theatrical court cases (says an Australian paper). Lilian Tuokcr, formerly of the Taits, has been suing for libel, Daisy Yates is suing J. C. Williamson's firm for £IOOO, Eva Kelland is suino- the Tivoli Circuit, and Ben and John Fuller are defendants in an action brought by Sir Hall ' Caine regarding "The Woman Thou Gavest Me." To Mr Gregan M'Mahon, the director of J. and N. Tait's new repertory company for the production of literary drama, Sydney owes much. He has battled for years (says the Sydney' Sun) to win recognition for and appreciation of good drama in Australia._ He is very patient. Witness the following:—Actor Jimmy Atholwood had a dog; an old circus trick dog that used to listen to Jimmy's views of Hamlet without answering back —such a patient bearing had it. < The faithful hound one- day accompanied his master on a visit to Gregan M'Mahon, and, while the tragedian was' talking with Mac the dog started browsing on some plays that were lying around! When torn from his repast, Fido had practically consumed a masterpiece, and Atholwood was terribly distressed. "Heavens. Mac," he exclaimed, "the dog has swallowed your play!" "Well," replied M'Mahon, "he's done what no audience would do." "Billie" Carleton, the actress whose tragic death at her flat _ in the Strand, London, resulted in sensational details relative to her private life being disclosed at a coronial inquiry, had made rapid progress in her profession. For some time prior to her death she had been appearing at the 'Haymarket Theatre as leading woman to Denis Eadie, and was a popular favourite, with London theatregoers. Miss Carleton is said to have been born in America; but her stage career began as a chorus girl in Mr George Edwardes's company at the London Gaiety Theatre. Her beauty and vivacity soon attracted attention, and later she went to the Adelphi to play a small part in "The Dancing Mistress," and also acted as understudy to Gertie Miller. Subsequently she appeared with Grossmith and Laurillard at the Alhambra in the revue "8d a Mile." Seymour Hicks was another well-known actor with whom Miss Carleton was associated. She was one of the most attractive young women on the English stage from the show viewpoint, and her success in revue and light comedy was meteoric. Off stage Miss Carleton was inordinately fond of the diversions afforded by the Bohemian night clubs of London, and among the habitues of these resorts she was a conspicuous favourite. That the salaries of the principal players absorb the greater part of the profits of the moving-picture business was declared to be a fact by William A. Brady and Waiter W. Irwin, representing the picture industry, before the United States Senate Finance Committee. It was stated that the rentals of films bring to the producers something like 70,000,000 dollars (£14,000.000) a year, and that salaries run from £7OOO a year up. The witnesses appeared to protest against the proposed increase from 10 to 20 per cent, in the tax on admissions and an additional tax of 10 per oent. on rentals in the new War Revenue Bill. Mr Brady said that the taxes would amount to 2,000,000 dollars (£400,000) a year more than the companies were making, and would force many theatres out of business. WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS. Br Pktkb Paw. January 2. Dear "Pasquin,"—Ben Fuller, managing director of the Fuller Firm, has been, advised from Sydney of the successful opening of the Fuller pantomime "Babes in the Wbod" at the Opera House. The takings on Boxing Night constituted a record for any attraction the Fullers have yet handled. Cappelli, the great Italian tenor, will be the head liner at His Majesty's next week, the Fullers having engaged this accom plished vocalist for bervices in the four centres. Cappelli was an enormous draw at the film's Auckland house. Business has been erormous at the local house during the holidays, the Fullers having practically the whole field to themselves. Besides the picture shows, cur other attraction has been Professor. Anderson, a hypnotist, who has been showing at the Grand Opera House. John Hopkins and ''The Scarlet Troubadours" v*€re touring the Marlborough district during the holidays. About 10 years ago the Fullers purchased a section of land in Invercargill, with the intention at a later date of erecting a picture theatre upon it. As Invercargill now has three picture houses and a municipal theatre, the Fullers think the town is well enough catered for, and last week, Mr Ben Fuller informs me, they disposed of the land. Mr Borneo Gardiner, who was prominent in entertaining circles here a few yoars ago, returned from England last week. Mr Gardiner made great progress on the vaudeville stage at Home in a monologue turn. He left ' England owing to the illness of his mother, but. unfortunately, did not arrive until after she had passed away. Mr Gardiner intends returning to England, where he has numerous engagements awaiting hirm PRINCESS THEATRE. That the present list of performers is popular at the Prinqess Theatre was evidenced on Monday by the fact that every seat was occupied lon,g before the rise of the curtain. Although no new artists appeared, a fresh programme was given, and was well received throughout. Those who were looking forward to seeing Miss Ethel Vaughan in her entertaining turns were again disappointed, as this young lady, it will be learnt with regret, has suffered a relapse in her illness, necessitating an operation. Boy Bonham, the juvenile contortionist, evoked well-deserved applause, performing his remarkable < feats with an ease and grace of motion which to the casual observer rather minimises his achievements. Nellie Kolle, easily the mostapplauded performer of tho eveninjj, added,

if possible, to her popularity with several catchy songs, and was successful in persuading the audience to join heartily in her choruses. Jones and Raines appeared with renewed brightness, and, with a number of new topical jokes, earned a good share of applause. The lady performer is a clever pianist, while her partner, having improved his appearance with a flowing moustache, provided a lot of amusement. The new revue presented by the popular Haverly Company was bright and highly entertaining. Casey and Murphy shine right throughout the farce, and in the final scene, attired as two gladiators, engaged in a death struggle, the result of the machinations of the beauteous Mrs Finn, they present a spectacle that will give the moat dour a hearty laugh. Generally, the programme is a good one, and is bound to have a successful run. "HEARTS OF THE WORLD." A FINE PICTURE. Clever hands and clever heads have been engaged in the production of " Hearts of the World," the great picture that has created something in the nature of a furore wherever it has been shown. The master mind in the production has been that of D. W. Griffith, but he has only been one of many who has brought about a result that amounts to a revelation in the moving picture world. The conception is no doubt Mr Griffith's, but the picture has had to cepend on the ability, and even genius, of others who have taken a full share and an active part in the production. The effort has been a joint one, and all share equally in the magnificent result attained. There can be no question about " Hearts of the World" being all it has been represented. The battle scenes are most realistic—they could scarcely be otherwise, as they were taken on the spot—and are on a stupendous scale, it is not a question of hundreds of men, nor even thousands of men. There are legions of them, both Germans and Allies. The spectator does not see one tank go into action. He sees something like 30. And as to artillery, battery on battery is in action in front of him, every gun firing with the greatest rapidity. Howitzers and long French 75's are frequently on the screen. Great masses of cavalry pass quickly before the eye, fairly frequently, unhappily, in retreat j for a great many of the scenes convey the impression that they belong to the earlier stages of the war rather than the closing ones, and to a time when the Allies were outnumbered and unprepared. Almost every device put into practice in the recent war is depicted, such as the liberation of the deadly suffocating gas, and the means taken to render it ineffective; the free use of liquid gas, shot out towards the enemy; bombing, grenade throwing, aeroplaning, ballooning. Many wonderful and dreadful engines of war are also seen in operation. The most thrilling sight of all is the rushing- of trenches, and the fierce but shortlived hand-to-hand combats that ensue. The, tumbling down of walls and complete wrecking of houses are mere circumstances compared with other things witnessed. No one could see " Hearts of the World" without getting an idea of at least some of the horrors of war. All this is, however, not continuous. There is a story —and a very cleverly and interestingly written one—in which love, pathos, and humour are skilfully blended; the love portion being supplied by the "boy" and the "girl" (Robert Harron and Lillian Gish respectively), the pathos arising from scenes of sorrow, spoliation, and death; and the humour eventuating from the little brother of the " boy," a chubby little chap, who becomes furiously jealous of the "girl." The "boy" —his big brother—is his hero, and he regards the "girl" as an interloper. Much amusement is also provided by the "Little Disturber" (Dorothy Gish) a very lively girl of the dancing-hall class, who makes violent love to the "Boy" and by M. Cuckoo (Robert Anderson), one-time gardener. lihen a soldier, who is completely enslaved by the charms of the "Disturber." These three lift the gloom from the picture and present a happier phase of matters. The characters named are only - a few of those presented. There are a pair of German soldiers (von Strohm and a. sergeant) included to represent hatred and brutality, which" they do to perfection. The story has a very exciting, but a very happy ending) and the acting of all the artists engaged is of the highest standard. "Hearts of the World" was screened at His Majesty's Theatre for the first time on Saturday night, drew a crowded house.