"UP THE POLE."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13656, 27 July 1908, Page 3

"UP THE POLE."

COMEDIAN'S SOFT JOB

Mr. Fred Karno, a well-known comedian, brought an action recently in the King's Bench Division against Mr John Bradbourna for breach of contract. Mr. Bradbourne was the.'"star" in a -sketch sometimes called "Up the Pole," and at other times "The 'liagedy of Errors." Mr. Dickens, in opening the case, stated that the plaintiff entered into a contract ui.'h Moss's Empires, Limited, fi.-r the performance of ihe sketch for five weeks in the provinces, op-iiing at Manchester. He was to receive £9O a week,, and agreed to pay defendant £2O a weak. The contract, was cancelled after it had been performed four, weeks, and then the arrangement for /lie London production was entered into, 'lhe plaintiff was to receive £7O for a week at the Holborn Empire, and for the London at Shoreditch £SO. Before the performance at the Holborn the defendant wrote the plaintiff that he presumed he would be paid double salary. He hoped plaintiff woold not think he (defendant) was trying to bounce him on account of short notice. He added, "Onhall, one salary. Two halls, two salaries. Sack if you desire it." (Loud laugli.ei.) A rehersal was held at Holborn, when the defendant was> told thatl it was the custom to play at two halls in London on lhe provincial prices. Defendant! te.egraphed plaintiff that he could no undertake to play at Shoreditch, to which plaintiff replied that he would have to play at both houses. Defendant did not accept the conditions, and he did not play at Holborn. Mr. W. Gibbons, of the Holborn Empire, wrote to the plaintiff that he was astonisehd to find that none of nho performers were consersant with their parts. He had received many complaints from the audience on this account, it had done him a great injuiy besides tending to lower the plaintiff's reputation. In these circumstances he could nob see his way to pay. more than £SO. As the defendant did nottake-the''star" part, ail the performers had to be "shoved tip," and the baggage man was even', pressed in to make up. (Laughter.) . Plaintiff gave evidence, and said his

sketches included "The. Mumming Birds," and "The Football Match." As to the title of his sketch, "The Tragedy of Errors," it was called "Dp the Pole" in soma localities as being a more attractive title. (Laughter). He had looked fur a profitable rim on the piece,, and had arranged for a number of maiiageis to see it. at Holborn.

Mr. Bawlinson (crossG-examining) : Performing in a sketch of this kind is very hard work?— No. I should think it was a soft job. (Laughter.) Witness added that' the performances were given twice, nightly at each hall. Air Kawlinsnn : And you call that a soft job! (Laughter)* Witness: That si a job 25 of my men do. They do it when they corns to town, and are doing it to-night. Mr Rawilson (cross-examining) : rerthe Pole" at Shoreditch and "The Tragedy of Errors" at the Holborn?—lt was orignally submitted as "Up'the Pole," but he thought it too vulgar, and the '.l/itle was altered to "The Tragedy of Errors."'. He thought, however, thai! "Ug the Pole" would be very suitable for' Shoreditch. (Laughter.)