STAGELAND

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 145, 25 July 1914, Page 2

STAGELAND

THEATEE ROYAL BOOKINGS. July 25 to 30—The Dandies. August 1 to B—"The Forty Thieves." August 10 to 15—Alexander Watson.

August 17 to 24 —J. C. Williamson Co. August 29 to September—Harry Lauder.

Said that the nursery tale of the "Forty Thieves," as told by the J, C. Williamson Pantomime Company, looms largely in the production, and the crowds of children who have attended the various matinees elsewhere appear to support the argument. To the grown people the pantomime is splendid spectacular vaudeville, with a number of astonishing ballets and specialty features. It is understood that the "Forty Thieves" has been arranged with the object of attracting both children and adults, the astounding vagaries of '' Quicksilver,'' the wonderful donkey, being an especial delight to the little folk. The comicalities and eccentricities of Mr Barry Lupino and Mr Edwin Brett, and the charm and cleverness of Misses Marie Eaton, WLnnie Volt, Dolly Harmer, and Dorothy Firmin, and the quaint acrobatics of the Three Eubes are thoroughly enjoyed. The music throughout is, we understand, of a very pleasing kind, and the ballets and spectacular effects, it is claimed, have never been surpassed.

Miss Nellie Stewart will be seen on the Sydney stage again next month. A special company has been organised to play ''Madame du Barry,'' and ''Sweet Nell'' is to take the leading; rotei "If the Boston Opera! \ C/>inpany comes to Australia," said Melba, in an interview at Fremantle, "you will be given a tremendous artistic treat. Thirty operas by a company numbering over*Esoo persons is the project. This company should be without parallel in the world."

It is alleged that Tittell Brune is.arranging with a London manager for the Australian" rights of several plays in which she has been appearing in England recently.

:■ It is strange that the ability of that excellent character-actor, James Athulwood, should be ailQwed to go to waste. It is years since he played, a .really decent part, and. now he takes a small part in the "JFortyThieves" pantomime! ■ ..'".'•' ,■■'; .'■ "' \ -"■ '. /".

Miss liia Bjoirworlth., the young Auefcv;: land violinist whi>se talents impelled a' number of her admirers to send her -to England for tuition,; is now studying under Mr New Symphony Orchestra; He is quite* satisfied, .with her : saysy she; is much above..the. ordinary; and reckons that she will be quite as good as Marie Hail., =' : ■•■?,. ; ■••:■■ '■ ?■< ■■■■■-■-.:-r',T- '■■:'",;-, ''^--^

Stated thatjthe freai of J.; C. V¥[ intends utilising two: of its' Sydney theatres'as picture theatres during the day.-." '• : ''-',.; ; ' , : ' v "''.''■■'■:\- ' '■. •* ■■'■-'■''

"Mike" Joseph, well known in this country as Anderson's business manager, is now publicity manager for the Freser Film Company (Sydney), and for the Imperial Salon de Luxe.

Margaret Anglin has had a big year in New York. She began with the Greek play "Electra" in September last, and her following series of successes included "As You Like It," "Antony and Cleopatra," and "The Taming of the Shrew.'' Finally, at the end of the season, this great actress electrified New York with her presentation of "Lady Windermere's Fan."

Arthur Styan, well known to Australian audiences, is now appearing in "The Argyle opened in Auckland last Monday night* Styan

originally came to Australia with Cartwright's English Cofriedy Company several years ago, and ho later played iniany parts in Bland Holt's, producj'tions. He'was last in New. Zealand with the Oscar Asche Company.

Although the revue "Come Over Here'' will not be seen in New Zealand, jDaisy Jerome, the V chief eomedienne, will come over, here soon under the Bren nan -Fuller management.

Wallace Brownlows for. many, years the baritone of Williamson's opera companies, reappears* at Sydney TiyOli this month.

Charles A. Millward, the leading maa in the Williamson production of ''The Argyle Case, rl has been giving "The Theatre" his recollections of Laurence Irving, who perished in the Empress of Ireland disaster. In the colonies we did not see this real "chip of the old block," though we did have the brother —H. B. Irving—a "pale wraith" of his father. Laurence Irving was generally regarded as one of the biggest actors on the English-speaking stage, and Mr Millward, who played with him, speaks with' enthusiasm of his histrionic and managerial qualities.

On a recent voyage on a well-known Atlantic liner a certain: Major Dawkins, of New York, was. entered upon the passenger, list. As the boat was crowded, the purser assigned the Major and a famous actor to the same stateroom. After the boat had been at sea about an hour the actor rushed up and complained to the captain: "I say, captain, this* is a bit thick, you know. I can't travel jn the same state-room with that' Major Dawkins." "Whyf Do you object to an army officer?" generally," answered the mum-* mer, "but this happens to..be_,the. Solvation Army, and that Major's other name is Muriel "Gladys:" -

Jerome K. .Jerome's new play,,"The Great Gamble.'' produced at the Hay-, market, London, last month, bears titles instead of names to the characters (as in "The Passing of the Third Floor Back"), and includes the' Business Man, the Minor. J?oet, the Triple Alii-, ance (a much-divorced woman), the Colonel, ahifeSomeone that Nbfco dy Saw. It all happens on the top Of a mountain, hi Germany, with a.statue .of Venus. in\a grove, German students singing in. the Woods, and' Cupid playing od<L musical phrases, on a reed. Judging by the half-hearted, kindly notices, the: new; piece is likely to prove a failure. It' ft v rms ; a ; disquisition on romantic love that rately >. wears .well, .with, several, pairs in illustration, and a farcical duel between the Colonel 'and the Business Man, brought-on by an elopement.

The "Forty Thieves' ' pantomime has two first-rate comedians, Mr "Barry Lupino, who plays Alißaba, and Mr Edwin Brett, who returns to the asian stage in another of his clever} studies as the Dame. Mr Lupino startles everybody at his entrance by leaping high into the air through the lid of a cardboard bbx lying on the floor. Mr Brett shares the : honours with Mr Lupino in one of .the most laughable scenes of the night, where the Dame's description r of herself as- a young and beautiful woman proves so grievous a strain on the truth that the ceiling tumbled about her ears. Also there are Miss Winnie Volt, from the Apollo Theatre, . London; : Miss Dollys Harmer, an English vaudeville.artist of reputation and Miss Gertie Latchford, from Drury Lane. Among'our own contingent are Miss Marie Eaton, who will appear as' Ahdallah; Miss Dorothy Firniin; Messrs William Hassan, J; B. Atholwood*, Charlie Albert, and Bupert Darrell. •.'....