THE STAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 46

THE STAGE.

Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements and doings are invited. All communications to be addressed "Pasquin," Otago Witness Office. PRINCESS THEATRE. Fullers' Vaudeville Co., nightly. BURNS HALL. Antonia Dolores,—Easter Monday night and onwards. HIS. MAJESTY'S THEATRE. German Naval Surrender Pictures.—Matinee, Easter Saturday, and onwards. "The drama's laws th« drama's patrons tf Te > And those who live to please must pleas* t* lir«." rWEVTfiICAF AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By Pasqdim

Tuesday, April 22. Pairona of the theatre have been well catered for during the holidays. Walter George and his Sunshine players have made a welcome reappearance at the Princess Theatre; Mdlle. Antonia Dolores, the famous French soprano, is appearing at the Burns Hall; the German naval surrender pictures are being screened at His Majesty's, and there are, of course, the other popular picture houses. The interruption of the passenger steamer service between New Zealand and Australia owing to the influenza epidemic will probably have a material effect on proposed visits to the Dominion by companies now in Australia. The recrudescence of the epidemio in Australia will not only cause heavy losses to the various theatrical and vaudeville enterprises, but according to private advices there is actual distress amongst many_ of the lower-paid members of the profession. No work means no pay, and the lot of the chorus girl, for instance, whose employment through the outbreak had previously sustained a check, is particularly hard. The English Musical Comedy Company, headed by Minnie Love and Jack Cannot, has definitely disbanded, Minnie Love being spoken of as likely to join the New Comio Opera Company here. To make assurance doubly sure, the firm of J. C. Williamson (Ltd.) sent Dr M'Vitty, of Sydney, over to Wellington with the Royal Comio Opera Company, in order to be prepared for any eventuality on the voyage or whilst in quarantine. Mr George Storey, the popular comedian of the Walter George Revue Company, now apppearing at the Princess Theatre, is an importation from England, and while on the London stage ho has appeared, in addition to a large number of other plays, in " Our Miss Gibbs" (as Timothy), and also in "The Arcadians"; Taut the greater part of his time there was occupied in purveying comedy from the musical hall stage. He has, however, developed a very great liking for the theatre in Australia and New Zealand, and he told "Pasquin" the other night that he plays with special pleasure before the • highly-responsive audiences of this Dominion. In point of fact he only recently declined to take advantage of an •opportunity which was afforded him of returning- to England, preferring to renew his present contract, which is, of course, a highly lucrative one. Off the stage Mr Storey is a genial personality. Mr Ben. J. Fuller leaves Sydney shortly on a comprehensive tour of the United States, Great Britain, and the Continent in quest of star attractions for the circuit. American trade papers state that Herbert Brenon guaranteed Sir Johnston ForbesRobertson £lo,ooo_ to go to the United States to appear in the screen version of "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," Jerome K. Jerome's well-known play. An interesting letter from Signaller Tom Skeyhill in Melbourne Table Talk tells how, in the midst of his big success in America, his heart is always turning- homoward. "It is over a year since I left Australia, and yet my thoughts are always there. Yet I wish you could be in New York at our Australian meetings. It Would do your heart good to see Miss Amy Castles and her two sisters. Dolly and Eileen ; Mr Davis, of the Australian Press Association ; Mr Johnson, of the Australasian Films; Mrs Bermuth (Miss M'Gillicuddy); Andrew Higginson. and about half a dozen Anzacs, not to mention strays who happen to bo passing- through, all sitting round talking of old places and old times. Miss AmyCastles has done more for the Anzacs over here than anyone olse I know. Tier home is the best Australian dusr-ont in America. Sidney James, of the Royal Strollers, is appearing in the Majestic Theatre, Adelaide. The company includes Roy Redrrrnve. Phil Perceval, the vivacious Madeline R.o=;siter, Dorothy M'Bride (Dot Adelle). C. N. Norfcheote, Laurie and Lance Kennedy, etc. Mr Harry St. Maui*, who headed a companv in Dunedin many years ago, is in the United States. He has forsaken the stasro for journalism. One Sunday I was on the steamer which enrried the St. Maur Company from Melbourne to Geelons-, but I am not sure whether the famous novelist, the late Christie Murray, was with the company on that occasion. The next occasion on which I travelled with the company was

on the ChrLstchurch-Dnnedin express. On arrival in Dunedin it will be remembered by old playgoers something occurred to prevent one of the leading actors taking his part in a piece written by Murray. But Murray rose- to the occasion. and_ played the part himself at a moment's notice —and played it well. Mr Arthur Bourchier, who was divorced by Miss Violet Vanbrugh in 1917, was married to Miss Kyrle Bellew last Christmas Eve at Westminster. Mr Bourchier and his wife are at present acting in "Scandal" at tho London Strand Theatre under the management of Messrs Grossmith and Laurillard.

Details to hand from the United States show that Nat O. Goodwin died on January 31, at the Hotel Claridge. New York City, from a. general breakdown. His illness had dated from the previous Sunday, when ho was forced to leave the " Why Marry?" Company at Philadelphia. He went to New York expecting that a few days' rest would put him on his feet again, but his condition became rapidly worse, and his friends were told that he could live only a short time. With him at the time of his death were Miss Georgie Gardiner, of Bretton Hall, a former member of the "Why Marry ?" Company, who, it was said, was to have become the sixth Mrs Goodwin ; Mr Goodwin's aged housekecner, and Dr Melvin E. Wolk. The late Sir Charles Wvndham left an estate -valued at £197,000. Details as to bequests have not yet transpired. Josephine Gassman (well remembered on the Fuller Circuit), according to New York Dramatic Mirror, has just celebrated her twentieth anniversary with her picaninny act—a type of vaudeville turn which she originated. PRINCESS THEATRE, " The Princess Theatre was crowded to tho doors on Monday well before 8 o'clock, and a largo number had to ba turned away. The chief magnet of attraction was the reappearance of Walter George and his Sunshine players. The company aprjeared in a revue entitled " Venice." The piece was prettily and appropriately staged, and with a medley of songs, dances, and burlesque ran on a constant ripple of laughter to a striking finale. Gondoliers, English tourists, an English artist in love with an English girl On - the purely vaudeville side Mr Fred. Bluett made a striking success in his territorial song. He also contributed two other humorous songs in first-class style. Miss Nellie Kolle was recalled three times for her popular chorus songs, Rayor (tenor) and Brennen (soprano) were heard to advantage in a song s-cena, Raynor giving a fine rendering of " Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," and Sterling and Lova presented a clever musical comedy turn. MDLLE DOLORES. Few lovers of musio will have forgotten Mdlle. Antonia Dolores, who on more than one visit has delighted Dunedin audiences with her singing. The recitals of the past left an impression that is not likely to be effaced for many years to come. A community as fond of music as that of Dunedin is would therefore welcome yet another opportunity of hearing so gifted a vocalist, and but for the uninviting weather there 13 little doubt many more would have attended Mdlle. Dolores's first concert of tho season in the Burns Hall on the 21st. Mdlle's stage manner is as charming as ever. It is an asset not to be lightly regarded, even by an artiste as gifted as Mdlle is, and is the beet introduction obtainable at the outset. There is something very affable and engaging about the way Mdlle. approaches her audience; a something that places them on a good footing before she begins to sing. And when she sings the audience is at once completely captivated. It speaks volumes for Mdlle. Dolores that she can, practically unaided—her only assistance comes from Mr Harold Smith, a pianist of no mean ability—easily hold an audience for two hours as she did last night. Listening to her at her first concert no one could fail to be struck by her artistry in whatever class of musio she selected; whether it was grand opera or simple ballad, and the varying styles that lie between these two extremes.

GERMAN NAVY SURRENDER. A PAGEANT OF SEA POWER. A striking pageant 0 f sea power and a thrilling exemplification of the might of the British navy is the official film of the German naval surrender, which was shown at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday afternoon and evening by Messrs J. and N. Tait. Before the screening commenced the theatre was packed, upstairs and down, and the greatest enthusiasm was shown as the striking incidents unrolled themselves one by one before the eyes of the spectators. Among those present were the Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark) and the consuls of the Allied nations. The first scenes depicted the journey of President Wilson to the Peace Conference in the huge American battleship George Washington. The leviathan was seen ploughing majestically through the water, and views of her decks were presented showing the smart sailors engaged in the duties of seamanship. The flagship, with the various escorting men-of-war, formed an impressive spectacle. A glimpse of the magic and mystery of the East was given in the scenes taken in Cairo. _ The spectator could imagine himself sitting on the balcony of Shepheard's Hotel and watching the motley scenes that make street life in the Orient so picturesque and full of colour. To the many returned soldiers in the audience these views w r ere particularly interesting, reviving, as they did. memories of their experiences in the early days of the war, when Cairo held rich store of novelty and adventure for them. The return of a pilgrim from. Mecca was a characteristic scene, and the picture of a stately caravan crossing the desert brought to the nostrils of those present the smack of the East. The next scenes were thrilling in their appeal, representing, as they did, the surrender of "Tirpitz's tin fish" to the conquerors. In the grey dawn Britain's sea might was seen making its way out to sea, where, at the place appointed, the beaten Germans sullenly handed over the instruments of ruthlessness which had been baffled by British doggedness and tenacity. It was curious to see, forced out into the open, the long, lean, wicked-looking shapes which have for so skulked in the depths of the ocean, only darting forth occasionally to strike a swift, fatal blow at the helpless prey, and then sneak off again to their safe retreat beneath the sea. Perhaps the most striking feature of the surrender was _ the matter-of-factness with which it was received by the British officers and men. They

showed no evidence of jubilation, but, on the contrary, a careful avoidance of anything that might yive the impression that they were crowing over a defeated foe. The sporting spirit that is one of the finest traditions of the navy was exemplified in their behaviour, which wa3 purposely restrained, even to the point of stolidity. A flotilla of the surrendered submarines was seen at anchor in Harwich Harbour, and the audience could not restrain its applause at this visible token of the victory achieved by the Allied arms. Another thrilling sight was that of the 150 U boats being convoyed to port, headed by Admiral Tyrwhitt's squadron. The famous "mystery ships" were unmasked in a further series, and were seen out in the open sea, their lines almost completely hidden by the camouflage which assisted them to accomplish the splendid work which earned their renown. Evidence of the organisation which made the Allied victory possible was given in the pictures of the Channel ferry, where whole trains were seen being shunted on to broadbeamed boats and carried across to Prance, there to be run oif on to the French per. manent way and driven to the dumps behind the lines. Work in the great naval shipyards was depicted, where every man had his task and specialisation was brought to a pitch of efficiency that has probably never been equalled before. After seeing this, it was easier to realise how it was that Britain was able to keep up v?ith the toll of losses exacted by Tirpitz's barbarity. Panoramic pictures- of British crews _ were shown, and each man had the "victory smile" on his face which the long' vigil in the North Sea, through months and years of frost ind snow, of hurricane and blizzard, had not been able to obliterate. A further series showed the actual surrender of the German High Seas Fleet to Admiral Beatty in his flagship, Queen Elizabeth —"Big Lizzie" of the Dardanelles, which watched over New Zealand troops as they clunsi to the narrow strip of Anzao. Tho mighty array of huge ships was seen making its way to the Firth of Forth; and scenes on the decks, showing, among others, the King and the Prince of Wales and the principal Allied naval commanders, provoked the greatest enthusiasm. A feature of the entertainment was tha singing of Madame Marie _ Power, whose songs were of an appropriately patriotic cast. She sang "Rule, Britannia," "Land of Hope and Glory," and "The Ship That's Bound for Blighty" with the very greatest success, and enjoyable selections were rendered by a fine orchestra under the baton <jf Signor A. Truda.