THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 46

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Pullers' Vaudeville Co.j nightly. "Tho drama’s law* tho drama’* patron* flvo, lid thoo* who lira to pleas* mast ploas* to lir®.*’

By Fasqdix Tuesday, January 14-, 1919. The five-night season of the J. O. Williamson picture ‘‘Hearts of the World” proved a tig success, His Majesty’s Theatre being crowded each evening, while the matinees were also largely attended. Round about £IOOO must have been taken at the doors during the brief season. The _ local management tried hard to have the picture shown another two nights; but the instruction- from Wellington were adamant, and Thursday night saw the final screening. It is interesting to record that owing to the hold-up of shipping in Australia a difficulty was experienced in getting the film across to the Dominion. A well-known New Zealand Government official, who was travelling over in the Fort Sydney, which was bound for Whakatane, North Island, agreed to ' take charge of the film. On arrival of the vessel it vyas quickly transported to Wellington, where Mr M‘Carty, on behalf of the J. O. W. firm, arranged for a special screening before the Government censor (Mr Jolitfe). The picture was passed just in time to enable Mr M'Carty to rush with the film to the wharf and catch the ferry steamer, with minutes only to spare. The picture was shown at Christchurch before being brought south. The Fisk Jubilee Singers had a successful opening at the Burns Hall on Saturday night. The season closed this (Tuesday) evening, and is being followed by a tour through the goldfields. Mr Ray Fuller, youngest son of Mr John Fuller, sen., succeeds Mr Brodie Mack (who has been transferred to the Opera House, Auckland), as manager of His Majesty’s Theatre, Wellington. Mr VV. S. Percy, of Pollard Company memory, wrote to Mr Victor Beck on October 19, giving news of himself that will give real pleasure to a multitude of theatre-goers who still remember the little comedian’s many shining performances with the Pollards. “ I had another offer,” he wrote, “ from the firm [presumably J- C. Williamson, Ltd.] last week to come out homo agaih; but I want to do something big in London before I do. and think I’ve got the chance at last. I have this week signed a fine contract to play in London at a big West End theatre as leading comedian in a musical version of the old farce ‘ Betsy.’ Of course, the piece will bo a lot altered and brought up to date, but’they tell me my part (Dawson) is even better than it was in ‘ Betsy.’ Max Pemberton is writing the piece, and the people came up to Manchester to see mo play in ‘ The Boy,’ and came round after the show and made me the offer. So, if the piece comes out a success, which we all hope it does, I will be a London star in a very short time, realising my lifelong wish. You are the first one I have written to with the news, for I look upon you as my oldest friend. I think you were the first person I ever knew that was connected with the theatre, and you took me behind the scenes _ for the first time.” In the course of his letter Mr Percy refers also to the managerial success of Mr Harry Cohen, of Dunedin, as under: ‘‘You would be very proud if you could see young Harry Oohen to-day, and I predict that New Zealand won’t see him again, unless it is for a trip, because in less than 10 years he will be a big London manager. He is with the right people, and one great thing —he is able to keep his head. ... I feel very proud of him; he is a good boy, as well as a very clever one.” Every year when the J. O. Williamson pantomime is going on in Melbourne the enthusiastic statistician in the office sets to work to enlighten playgoers as to what the making of a huge pantomime really means in figures. He has estimated that GOOD electric lights shine in the big production at His Majesty’s of “ Goody Two Shoes ”; that three miles and a-half of electric wiring form part of the electric equipment; that the number of times the chorus and ballet change their costumes are 15 at every performance ; that the total number of articles of dress on the costume side of the pantomime is 3200, including millinery and headdresses; that the timber used in the huge stage settings would extend a distance of four miles; that seven miles of canvas are used for the scenery, over which is spread 3owt of paint. The number of people employed in the pantomime totals 351. Charles Spencer Chaplin is the famous comedian’s full name, which he received from his parents when bom in London in 1890. He appeared on t}io stage with his patents when he was eight years old in ‘‘From Rags to Bitches.” He had minor parts with Charles Frohman’s companies in England for three years, and then was assigned to the role of Billy In “Sherlock

Holmes," with William Gillette in London. Ho went to the United States about 12 years ago with Frederick Karno's vaudeville sketch "A Night in an English Music Hall." Mack Sennett, of the Keystone Company, then engaged him for his firstl comedies. Charlie Chaplin rapidly became a favourite with the motion picture audiences, and his earning ability increased accordingly, until last spring it was said he was receiving £200,000 for the year, as the result of producing his comedies with his own monev.

Miss Anna, Held, the well-known actress, whoso death in New York was announced in the Witness some weeks ago, left a fortune of £50,000 and jewels said to be worth £40,000 to her daughter. Miss Held, who was 45 years of age, was born in London, and began her stage career in London. Portion of her large fortune was probably derived from her husband, Florenz Ziegfeld, who is famous in the United States as a theatrical entrepreneur. Miss Ethel Irving, whose artistic acting will long be remembered by those who saw her when in Dunedin some years ago, is reported to be- about to essay the name party in a London production of "La Tosca." One English critic remarks that she is probably the only English actress who could successfully essay the strenuous rolo, which, of course, will always be associated with the name of Sara Bernhardt.

Bennie Alexander, the clever little boy who played the role of the youngest brother in "Hearts of the World," the big Griffith picture shown in Duendin recently, was cast for an important child part in H. I. Garson's "The Hushed Hour," the film in which Blanche Sweet is about to make her re-entry in the films after a long absence. Those who saw Bennie Alexander, at the local screening of "Hearts- of the World " will agree that he is a wonderfully gifted child actor. ' The death is announced of Mr Charles William Taylor, a son of Mr Charles Taylor, the veteran actor of Taylor and Carrington fame. Mr Taylor, who was married to Miss Laura Roberts, died in New York of influenza.

By the death in London of Mr Frank Thornton the theatrical profession has ■ lost one of its notable members. Mr Thornton first made his appearance on the New Zealand stage many years ago, scoring pronounced succeses in "The Private Secretary" and "Charley's Aunt," plays with which his name had been identified in Britain. Mr Thornton's last visit to New Zealand was made about 10 years ago, when he acted in a revival of "The Private Secretary," and also introduced to Australian notice a most diverting comedy, "When Knights Were Bold." Mr Thornton was below the average in stature, and his quaint personality, no less than his technical equipment as an actor, contributed ot his success in the roles he essayed. The farewell concert given by Dame Nellie Melba at the Melbourne Town Hall on the night of December 17 was attended by considerably over 2000 people. Madame Melba sang nine songs (including one group of four ieems), concluding with Arditi's "Se Saran Rose." Yet even this did not complete her contributions. With the last notes of Arditi's bright little waltz, a flock of white fantail pigeons—in lieu of the white doves of peaces —was let loose in the hall. One settled on Melba's shoulder. She was deepy moved, and said to the audience, "I say not good-bye—but au revoir. I must go out now into the great world, but. like the bad penny, I'll come back again.' Someone called out, "Sing 'Home, sweet home.'" "I don't like singing 'Home, sweet home,'", said the diva; 'but ." She sat down at the piano and graciously gave one verse of it. "God save the King' was then sung, and after that the "Marseillaise," following which Melba came forward and called, "Three cheers for General Pau!" and thus many of the audience realised for the first time that the veteran general was amongst them. The cheers were very heartily given. A London cable announces the death of Sir Charles Wyndham, the well-known actor r manager, at the age of 81. Alter fighting in the American Civil war he adopted the stage as a profession (instead of medicine), first appearing in America with John Wilkes Booth. Sir Charles first trod the London boards in 1865. After the death of his first wife in 1916 Sir Charles Wyndham married Mary Moore, widow of James Albery, dramatist, she having been for years Wyndham's leading lady, and latterly joint manageress and proprietress of his theatres.

An interesting' statement regarding the earnings of theatrical people was- made in a Sydney divorce court recently, when Phil Smith, a comedian, was proceeded against for alimony. In. his affidavit Phil Smith denied that for the last six years he had received a salary of £4O per week. His present contract with Messrs J. O. Williamson (Ltd.), was at the rate of £4O per week for actual playing time, but the company did not pay him when he was travelling, and they had the right to put him of l for seven weeks a year without any cause whatever, nor was his salary paid during illness, strikes, epidemics, riots, or any other period during which the theatre might be closed. His gross earnings from October 1, 1916, to September 30, 1917, amounted to £1526, and from October 1, 1917, to September 30, 1918, to £1347. During the first part his nominal salary was £32 10s per week, and during the second part hia nominal salary was £35 per week. His business expenses for the salary of a dresser and theatrical requisites amounted to £2 per per week, and that amount was allowed to him as a deduction from his gross earnings by the Income Tax Commissioners.