STAGE FROM THE STALLS

Southland Times, Issue 17736, 22 August 1914, Page 14

STAGE FROM THE STALLS

MUNICH? AL THEATRE BOOKINGS. August 26, 27 —Harry Lauder. September 9 —T.M.C-A. Sept. 10, 11 —Beaumont Smith. Sept. 25, 26 J. C, Williamson (pencilled). Oct. 15, 16. 17— J. C. Williamson (pencilled) . Oct. 27 and 28— E. J. Carroll (pencilled). Nov. 11 to 14— G. Willoughby, Ltd., “The Tenderfoot.” Nov. 16, 17—Julius Knight. Nov. 20, 21 —J. C. Williamson (pencilled). December 9, 10 —Linley’s Pantomime.1915. January 23, 24—J- C. Williamson (pencilled). April 16, 17 Beaumont Smith, "The Glad Eye.” In -Dunedin Williamson’s pantomime company with “The Forty Thieves” di»l very poor business. The poor houses are attributed to economy on the part of the public in view of possible effects of the war. , The Stephenson-Linley “Blue Beard Pantomime Company propose playing show dates at Invercargill, and Carnival dates on the West Coast. Air Hugh J- Ward has brought back with him from his tour abroad enough theatrical material to keep tlie J. LWilliamson theatres supplied with attractions for two years. “The Marriage Market” reached. its four-hundredth performance in London last month. The run looks like equalling that of “The Merry Widow,” which holds Mr Edwarde’s record at Daly s. which is to follow it. “The Belle of New York” is being reproduced at the Lyceum Theatre, London. and seems to have settled down into the same pleasant run of success that characterised the original production at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Of all the later forms of American musical comedy this special specimen has stood the test of time more completely than any other competitor. Film-makers have struck a new lead. Thev make a movie of a wedding ceremony with all the attendant entertainments including the rice-throwing, etc. The bride buys a reel. In after years, the picture on the screen, and dreams thep icture on the screen, anil dreams it all over again. Statistics in the building department show that more than £1.775.600 was invested in new amusement building enterprises in Greater New A ork during 1912. This total includes: Manhattan, £1 •’61.200: Brooklyn. £313,000. and the Bronx £196.400. The total for places of amusement in 1?12 was £2,071.400. The decrease for the year just past is largely accounted for by fewer operations in the Bronx. The 1912 that borough were £417.200. as against £196,400 for 1913. ’lt is to be hoped that the war will not upset the visit of the Little Theatre Companv to New Zealand. Its repertory contains plays which in ordinary circumstances we are not likely to see here, and among them are “His House In Order,” “Fanny’s First Flay.” and “The Man on the Box.” The most important comic opera production in Melbourne since “The Mercy "Widow" will be "Gipsy Love,” to which plav it is the legitimate successor. As a matter of fact. Lehar is said to have excelled himself in the music of “Gipsy Love.” which has all the passion and brilliancy that one looks for in the famous composer’s work, hut is even more melodious than that of The Merry Widow.” Sir James M. Barrie has decided to enter the musical comedy field, and is the author of the lyrics and book of a “revue” which is slated for a London production shortly. Haddon Chambers and Bernard Shaw are said to he considering this field, and the possibilities seem endless when the highbrows descend to the frivolities of musical comedy. What will the tired business man doi and what will become of the critical bewailing over the futility of musical comedv books? Mr George Mussrrove’s company will offer at the Sydney Royal on 29th August “Madame du Barry.” The play is founded on the life of this all-powerful mistress of Louis Quinze. In Belasco s play she will be shown to be a woman of ardent temperament and- violent im r pulse, of whom both sides of the shield might be telling some of the truth. Apart from its historical value, the story Is one of strong human passions, and makes the direct appeal which the people love, and the settings taken from the Court of Versailles in a period of splendour make it a costume play of high attraction. Miss Nellie Stewart will take the name-part. Air John Farrell, business manager on the New Zealand tour for “The Forty Thieves” pantomime, did not proceed to Hobart with the company which sailed from Dunedin on Sunday by the Flimaroa but remained to join "The Argylo Case" Company in the capacity of touring manager. Prior to "The Forty Thieves” departure, the members of that gorgeous band presented Mr Farrell with a travelling bag. while Mr Barry Lupino presented him with a jewel case containing a set of gold sleeve-links and studs. Mr Farrell left Dunedin for Christchurch on Monday morning. At the conclusion of the New Zealand tour of "The Argyle Case” Company Mr Farrell will proceed to Auckland to do the advance work for Julius Knight. This, of course, like all else, is on the lap of the war gods. Amongst other new London productions is "The Sin of David.” which Mr H. B. Irving has announced for the Savoy. This drama, which is in blank verse, by Stephen Phillips, was produced by Mr Irving in Johannesburg during his South African tour. It was. it is understood under the ban of the censor; but the recent ruling which permits the production of Biblical plays, has now given an opportunity for its performance in London Shortly after his successful London production of "Grumpy.’ Cyril Maude gave a reception at the Ritz Hotel in London, at which were gathered six hundred theatrical celebrities, including practically every English actor and actress of prominence now in London. “The Chorus Lady.” with Miss Muriel Starr in the title role, will be played at the Sydney Criterion Theatre shortly. It is in four acls i f sporting and theatrical life. For two years it was a boom in New Vork. Sarah Bernhardt will begin her farewell American tour in October. Among fcther things, she promises to appear as Shylock in the trial scene of "The Merchant of Venice.” Her repertory will include "Jane Dore.” "Lucretia Borgia.” ‘■Resurrection.” "Phedre." ’’ Camille,” “Madame X," "Le Mort de Tintagile.” A Night Before Christmas." and “The Death of Cleopatra." Advice has been received that, owing to a re-arrangement of his affairs in America, Mr Harold Baker, the em.nent pianist, will have to return to that country sooner than he anticipated. Consequently his tour in New Zealand has had to he curtailed to appearances in Auckland and Wellington. During an operatic performance in America some Italians in one of the boxes caused great annoyance to t.ie rest of the audience by laughing white the prima donna sang an impassioned love song. When an official went to the box and remonstrated, the Italians explained that the prima donna was not in realitv singing a love song at all, hut was "warning the tenor not to turn round for certain reasons. She was singing of course, in Italian—to the music "of the love song: “Do not turn-r-n round’ Do not tur-r-n round: Vour - trou-ou-ou-sers are torn, arc torn!” _ “There is only one law for persons who appear before the public—man or woman They must have their body absolutely under control, from tho nape of "the neck to Hie tips of the toes. The bead will take care of itself. The poise of the body, the way you stand, tho position of vour limbs are absoultely essential for what is called 'ease-’ You must first of all have your feet firmly on the ground and your chest expanded. This gives carriage. The, same training for the platform is necessary for the stage. The great Lemperti used to say: ’Sing. sing, for heaven’s sake, with your legs.’ And so I would paraphrase by saying; Read, read, for heaven’s sake, read with your legs.’ " According to private letters received In Sydney, the Quinlan Opera Company will begin rehearsing in London early in Peutemher for its next tour. The present plans are that it will undertake a 11 ;j tv e e is s’ season in England—-six in London, and seven in the provinces—before sailing for South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The repertory will include "Parsifal” fin which opera Miss Edna Thornton will appear as Kundry). “Romeo and Juliet.” “The Huguenots.” and “Un Ealie in Maschera.” Miss Jeanne Brola and Mr Maurice d’Oisiy will, like Miss Edna Thornton, return with the company, and It lg probable that the artists will also Include again Mr Robert Parker. Mr \V. J. Samuel, and Mr Groham Marr. Furthermore, it is T*y likely that oc thix occasion Miss >r

ness Nicholis, who won so much favour in the Wakneriau roles oh the first Quinlan tour, will be one of the principals. The proposed production of an act of "The Beggar's Opera” at the Xilttle . Theatre. Landon, as originally played In 1728 at Rich’s Theatre in Lincoln’s Inn Fields reminds one how. It made Rich gay. and Gay rich, for Rich netted £4OOO artd Gay over. £7OO by the “opera.” It also made enemies. The sequel, "Polly,” for Instance, was baned on the ground that the spectacle of the highwayman in the “opera’ had encouraged crime. This objection. too, was raised again when Garrick staged the play in 1773, as the character of Misheath, declared Sir John Fielding, the Westminster magistrate, inspired apprentices to highway robbery. One of Harry Lauder’s innumerable amusing stories concerns his connection with an aged Scotch pastor, xvho had charge of his (Lauder’s) spiritual education in the long ago. ' Lauder was a boy at the time, and though he was not less tractable than other boys, he couldn’t get on with the “pairson” at all. The latter on his part never abated one jot In his contempt for his pupil, and- sp one Sunday when all but Lauder were doing the clergyman the honour of, snoring loudly through his sermon, the boy was held up to contumely in this wipe:— "Ye imps o’ th’ evil one, profanin’ the kirk wi’ your ungodly snoring. Asleep, asleep, whiles ■.l am preachln* tae ye. Why even that fule boy Lauder is better than ye. He keeps awake.” ■ This was too much for Scotland's future comedian, so he stood up angrily, and said: "Aye, and if I had’na been a fule, 1 would hae been asleep too.” •A, London correspondent states that one of the brightest and most captivating members of the J. C. Williamson Company that has come out to produce "The Girl in the Taxi” in Australia and New Zealand is Miss Gwen Hughes, who made her first appearance in “The-Ar-cadians.” at Blackpool, three years ago. Since then Miss Hughes has glided rapidiv forward, and has played not inconspicuous roles in "La Mousme,” "Princess Caprice,” "Oh! Oh! Delphine!” "The Pearl Girl.” and the latest of Mr Robert Courtneidge’s successes at the Shaftesbury. "The Cinema Star.” Indeed, It was with reluctance that' Mr Courtenidge released her from her engagement and permitted her to accept the Antipodean engagement. Miss Hughes was the understudy of nearly all principal %>arts in the musical comedies just enumerated, and on frequent occasions was called upon to assume the leading role, an ordeal from which, thanks to her sweet soprano voice, graceful dancing, and engaging manner, she emerged trimphantly. Her hobbies are music, tennis, motoring, swimming and boating—especially boating. To have one’s British soldier-husband suspected of being a German reservist is urprising; but to see him on the point of being arrested is positively alarming (writes "Pasquin"). Such was the experience of Miss Winnie Volt, principal boy of “The Forty Thieves” pantomime, on her arrival at Dunedin on Tuesdav last. Miss Volt was engaged in London to conic out to Australia for six months under the Williamson management. Her husband. Captain Saker, having six months’ leave of absence, elected to accompany her. After appearing in the revue “Come Over Here” in Sydney and Melbourne, Miss Volt was engaged to take. Miss Jennie Lonnen’s place in “The-Forty Thieves" pantomime for the New Zealand tour. Captain Saker accompanied his wife to New Zealand. All went well until war broke out. The gallant captain, anxious to rejoin his regiment, immediately .applied for a passage by the first steamer. With a view to obviating any unpleasantness should the steamer be stuck up—say, by a German cruiser—Captain Saker asked the booking clerk to make his passage out in the name of “Mr Slater." Suspicion appears to have been attached to this act. and the police department was advised to look out for a Captain “Slater.” suspected of being a German officer leaving to rejoin Ivfs regiment, and who was travelling with “The Forty Thieves” Pantomime Company. The Defence Department was also communicated with, and here Major McDonald, who had travelled out from -England with Captain Saker and his wife six months previously, was able to throw some light on the German ‘suspect.” To make certain, Major_McDonald said he would be on the station with the police when the train arrived. The train with the principals of the pantomime company duly pulled up. and the first to step out on the platform was Captain Saker. Major McDonald immediately recognised his old friend and brother officer. Gripping Captain Saker by the hand, the Major proceeded to tell the captain that he was suspected of being a German army officer. and, indicating a man in blue a few paces off, said that, lie was just in time to save him from being arrested. Surprised, the captain turned to his wife (Miss Winnie Volt), on whose face there was a look of genuine alarm. Explanations followed, and there was a general laugh. The police officer, seeing how matters stood, and realising how near lie had been to arresting a British army captain. strolled majestically through the crowd and disappeared. Captain Saker accompanies his wife as far as Melbourne, and there catches a P. and D, steamer for London, where lie hopes to rejoin his regiment.