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Observer, Volume XXXVII, Issue 44, 7 July 1917, Page 9

There is a Gilbert and Sullivan complexion about some of the music in "the White Chrysanthemum" at the King's Theatre, Melbourne;, and • one or tAvo neAvspaper critics have moted the fact Avith approving references in their critiques. One critic recently declared that tAvo of the greatest song successes in J. and N. Tait's attraction, "The House We've Gome to Search" and- "Three Had Boys" Avere especially reminiscent of Gilbert and Sullivan. These joyous numbers, Avherein Mcisris BristoAve, Dr:na.ghey and Pope reveal an ~ amazing capacity for grotesque humour were not Avritten and composed by Gilbert and Sullivan, as may be guessed, nor are they the work of the original authors ■/} of the "book." r- ® <$ @> Barry Lupino, the producer and "N! chief comedian in "Very Good -—Eddie," comes of the oldest Engli-h -v theatrical family. Ho lias himself -' appeared in six Drury Lane pantomimes, and his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him were practically bred and born in. the theatre. His brother Avas appearing in "Puss in Tscav Boots" at the Drury Lane pantomime liast mail left. As a matter of fact, the management of the great old chartered theatre believe it to bo unlucky not to have a Lupino in the cast of a pantominr\ c© <® ® Cyril Maude brings one snappy story from England which has a bearing on current events. A recruiting sergeant hailed a muscular village lalxnirer. "See 'ere, my lad," he said, ingratiatingly, "are you in good 'ealth?" "I are," replied the vout'h. "Are you married ' "I aren't." " 'Aye you anyone dependent upon you?" "I aiiit." "Then your King and country need you. Why don't you enlist " "What," he said in amazement, "me enlist, with that bloom in Avar goin' on!" ®' ® © "Very Good Eddie," the neAV <-. musi<\al play to be introduced by r the Tait management, is based on ■J the farce, "Overnight," by Philip 7 Bartholomew and Guy Bolton, AA-liich l_ had a big run in America. The, f lyrics are by S. Greene, and! the j— music by Jerome Kern. % &> ® A. Brandon-Cremer is a busy man just noAV, Avhat Avith his two shows in the Dominion, and his interests "theatrical" in Adelaide amd Brisbane; it is a pity that the public cannot see him in some of his excellent comedy roles. Bran-don-Cremer should go on the stage again because he always is a great success.

The public knoAvs Frank Reis (of the A. Brandon-Cremer Dramptio Co.) as an actor, but artists Avith a knoAvledge of the back of the curtain admire him for his wholeheartedness as a producer. Mr Reis knoAvs perfectly Avell Avhat he wants, and "he gets what he wants perfectly" was how one summed him up." Mr Reis' gift for producing has full play at the King's. ffi> -ft ® That make-believe French Count, and recipient of innumerable Chaplin kicks, punches and squarings— Leo White by name—is now doing; funniv stunts ' for Fox, having deserted the Chaplin colours for more remunerative employment. There is Avide scope for more pay among plays and players, and the salaries of some of the artists would" make you sit up and take notice! ® © B& "Siioav White," the most fascinating and beloved of all Grimm's fairy tales, is showing at the Paramount, Avith Marguerite Clark as the heroine. For tAvo years she played "Show White" at the Little Theatre under the direction of Wintbrop Ames. The child and the adult will rejoice in "SnoAV White." © ®> @> An incident that happened at a Sydney theatre, recently. A policeman, going his rounds after the theatres Avere closed, noticed an old gentleman sitting on the front step Avith a large bouquet in his hand. The officer, touching the old gentleman on the shoulder, said: "What are you doing here?" "You see I have been here five nights Avaiting to get in to see Mary Pickford' in 'Hulda from Holland," and as there seems little chance of getting into the theatre I have decided to take her home."