MIMES AND HUMMERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10305, 9 November 1911, Page 2

MIMES AND HUMMERS.

(By TTTE LIMELIGHT MAN.) We will be introduced to the " Woman in tho Case " on November 28, at tho Theatre Royal. i. * " Rip Van Winkle," or rather a. new version of the drama, is being successfully produced in London at present by Cyril Maude.

Included in the Quinlan Opera Company is John Harrison, who was in these parts with Madiuno Ada Crossley not long ago.

The combination being sent through the dominion under the Itickards banner will be here on December IG. George Portus is in control of it.

George R. Sims has developed into pantomime, and the panto at Drury Lane this year -will be " Hop o'' My Thumb," by Sims and Arthur Collins.

Conway Winglield, who went to America in July, has written out to say that lie has been engaged by Liebler and Co. to play Dandy, tho principal part in "The Dawn of To-morrow " in New York.

Andrew MaeCunn has written the ballet music for " Sin bad the Sailor " and a dance for Mdlle Talieur in " Tho Girl in the Train/'' the music of which is-by Leo Fall, the composer of "Tho Dollar Princess."

Miss Cliff Palmer had another opportunity with the "Gay Gordons" while, in tho south. Miss Finnis was indisposed and Miss Palmer went on at short notice to play her part in the Scottish opera. Sho was verv suect-.vj-lul.

Miss Rene Sandeman, one of the J. C*. Williamson show girls, 'who has been to Christchiirch lately, is at present lying at Manly Hospital in a critical condition. She was in a motor smash that ended fatally for one of her companions, and she was seriously hurt.

To the imoriginality of melodramatists there seems no end. The authors of "The Whip" have concocted another dramatic sensation and have called it "The Hope." It has a horse race in it. too. These authors jointly are the Nat Goulds of the melodrama stage.

"Our Miss Gibbs" will conclude her tour of the dominion in Invercargill on November 20. She- has been very successful in Christchiirch, but tlio dominion shall look forward to something better in "Tho Quaker Girl," with Miss Blanche Browne playing with Frank Lincoln.

I hear a rumour that " The Chocolate Soldier" is not to be sent through tho dominion with tho company now playing in Australia, but that tho " Gay Gordons " combination will form tho basis on which principals will be placed to produce the Strauss opera in New Zealand. It is a very vague rumour, but if there is an ounce of truth in it Now Zealand will bo able to again raise its voico about ill-treatment.

Tho wild reception given to the "Gay Gordons" in Dunedin was a complete surprise to the members of the company, and tho energy of the advance agent was commented upon both by the visitors to and tho residents of Dunedin. It affected the season, though, for tlio Scotchmen did not forgot. I wonder if anyone ever thinks of the effect somo Press agents hav-e. "Our Miss Gibbs" has been boomed by Press agents, and tho result has been that the play could not live up to reputation. There aro scores of instances of-tho same kind.

Thero is a peculiar piece of incrinsistcncy in "An Indian's Appreciation," a Lubin film shown at the Colosseum this week. • One section deals with the arrival of Edith at her uncle's ranch. Uncle goeth to meet her, journeying in a stage coach d.iven by a man with a fine black moustache. Uncle is clean shaved. Edith arrives and Moustache meets lier on the station. She recognises him and falls into his arms. Moustache reciprocates and then fades out of the picture—Clean Shaved taking up his duties as uncle evidently without any knowledge of the station incident. I didn't think Edith was a " girl like that."

A benefit is being arranged by amateurs in Melbourne for Johnny Wallace, who has reached seventy years. Johnny Wallace began stage managerial life with Soldeno in " Genevieve in Brabant," and he afterwards toured America and Australia with them. Ho was at the Shaftesbury for the .London production of "Tho Scarlet Feather," Miss Nellie Stewart's ill-fated venture, and "Tho 80110 of New York" with Miss Edna May in the title role. In Australia of recent years Johnny Wallace has done a great deal of work with amateurs. Ho was with tho Wren National Opera Company, a venturo that deserved better principals and bettor support than it received.

It is suspected that Tom Graves will join the " Sinbad" pantomime company. This will mean a great strengthening in the comedy department of tho production, although Graves, being an uncertain study, will find it taxing. Few peoplo know that Tom Graves has been playing his "Gay Gordons" part for a considerable time, and yet ho is not certain of it. He is a bundle of nerves and adverse criticism affects him greatly. This uncertainty was apparent if one watched carefully when ho was singing a song; he frequently mixed up his second and third verses. Howover, he will play a good comedy part in " Sinbad," and with Walls should make a lot of good humour.

The Wellington competitions have closed, and Christchiirch has not conic out with many laurel wreaths, although in comparison to the number of competitors from here the. record is very good. The dissatisfaction concerning tlio competing professionals found a vent in. Wellington, aiul tho excuse mado was that it was not expected that professionals would compete with amateurs, and that one or two professionals were not known. That is no excuse, but the hopeful part is that it is solemnly promised that steps will be taken to prevent teachers competing against pupils. I notice that Miss Thelma Brown acquitted herself creditably in Wellington. She has great ability and will improve with years.

On Saturday the "Swiss Express," a panto-drama., will run for the first time in Australia, starting in .Melbourne. The production is by G. Marlow under arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Limited. Tho cast will include J. Oliver Russell and Billie Moran as James and' John, eccentric servants; Robert Wliyte, jun., as Dr Gondimar Gull, a quack, on his honeymoon ; Haydn Scott, as Bob Rollingstone, in lore with Virginia. Virginia, tlm bride, Connie Emerald; George L'\ Storey, as Dudley Green, on the track of the quack ; Morgan Brown as Rhino, landlord of the Black Bear inn; Neville Nash, as Septimus Squeeze; Uarwood Cooper, as Jack Gadabout and Admiral Bombshell; Cecil Barrett, as the Gendarme ; Stephen Aslicr, as Mons. Mandertout; Cluirles Lacvillc, as the Cafe Waiter; Etty Gage, as Miss Do Booth; Edith Jelferies, as .Mrs Septimus Squeeze ; Mollio Geary, as Joanctte; Margery Lee, May Edwards and Ruby do Morley, as Lizett.e, Floretto, and Annette. Tho stage manager of the company is Mr liar wood Cooper, and Mr John A. Hewitt is general manager.