THE STAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19815, 5 December 1919, Page 4

THE STAGE.

* NOTES AND COMMENTS, (By THE LIMELIGHT MAN-') AYirth’s Circus ami Animal Show is hooked to leave Melbourne for Mew Zealand next week. The. three Fisher?, who have been engaged hy Air Hen Fuller for his Australian and Mew Zealand circuits, present a. spectacular act a long the. most novel lines, the trio appearing as alligators in a phosphorescent swamp. A hard, implacable fate appears to doc the artistic footsteps of All?* Muriel Starr. Twelve months ago this popular aefre-s proposed a tour of the Dominion tinder the .1. ('. Williamsort management. Siio was stopped Sydney side hv (he epidemic in Now Zealand. Later on In the year she was again detained hy the waterside workers’ (Sydney) strike, and again set back some months ago hv the seamen’s strike (Sydney). Now the unfortunate lady is litttig up hy the West Australian (Perth) railway strike. She should, all things being well, bare, opened in Auckland on November 17. Latest developments by cable propose to open the season in Auckland on 'December 1. with “The Man Who Came. Back." Giving to the enforced curl,ailment, of tho original season only two plays will ho presented, the other being " The Bird of Paradise.” 'Jim J. C, Williamson Grand Opera Company, consisting of twenlydive, principals, a chorus of fifty, and an orchestra of forty, and representing Conlinent.il, American and Australian talent, commence their New Zealand tour at Auckland on December);” The fares and freight to New Zealand involve a sum of ToOOO. The linn intend to develop the enterprise into n permanent institution, playing eight months of each rear in Australia anil three months in New Zealand. The special engagement? for the production are. Arr.v (.’astlos, Ralph Mi role (from the Metropolitan Opera, New York), Walter Wheatley, Raymond Loder. Carl Former, Alfredo Valenti and Mileen Castles. Gustave fjlapoffski is musical director. .Stage life lias a wonderful fascination for playgoers, and interesting glimpses of n certain phase of theatrical business in New York are given m “ The Easiest Way.” in which Muriel Starr is to appear during her first tour of New Zealand. Of the three woman characters in the piece, two are actresses. -Miss Starr has a role of remarkable drama lie. interest. A whole life story is Hummed up in the character of Laura Murdock, who has not scrupled to adopt any measure? in order to win her way on tiio stage through (lie good graces ol the managements or influential outsiders. She is a girl who lias learnt her lesson of life in the hitter school' of experience, and has come to the stage when she regards men as creatures of evil, who should be dealt with on her own terms, when she meets the- “right man.” How her past rise? up against her when happiness is at. last within her reach forms a story abounding in characterisation, tense interest, and powerful dramatic action, “The Easiest AY ay ” stands a? one of I lie most, successful drama* on the American stage. Mass Bella. Perman, who will produce tho ballets in Beni and John Fuller’s Christinas pantomime “ Cinderella ’’ in Sydney, is one of the famous dancing family who introduced the cakewalk into Australia. With her brother* and sisters she was brought from London by George Mosgrove to provide the feature act in '• Aladdin.’’ the last Australian pantomime in which Miss Nellie Stewart appeared as principal, boy. 'The illness of Kate Bishop reminds mo of George Rignold’s “Faust” in tho early nineties (writes a “ Bulletin ” correspondent). Marguerite (Mis? Bishop) was too nervous to go up with the angels, so a girl having similar I natures was Ibr Marguerite of the ascension scene. The chorus in thgpflics used to sing. “ Non is ilm wcarv heart, at rest," Angels hear thee to the blest,” The slag” represented tile city of Noremhiirg. and the city descended hern;:) th the since a? tho angels ascended into the cloud*. One night ju?t as the city had almost disappeared, the large black 1 heat re cat walked quietly cross the housetops, and in some cases through thin air. The angels giggled. and the deceased Marguerite, had lo cover her taco with her hands, while George stood in. the wings asking the angels what the Vet another Australian actress. Miss T.onia Anihlel'. has won success in the 1 niterl iStates. Miss Ambler secured the part of Robotte in the Now York production of “Daddies.” and is now playing the role in Chicago. Miss Ambler is a granddaughter of Frederick Iliseocks, of the Federal Minstrels. a popular institution in the eighties. Her mother was favourably known in dramatic nieces under flip George Rignold direction as Annie Livingstone. The late Mr Hiscoc.ks was in partnership with the late Al. Dayman. who subsequently became a leading theatrical manager in Amenra, and died a nii'lionairo. Miss Ambler carried with her a letter Lorn her mut her lo I layman, which was presented to his- heir and brother. David, who at the time was producer for Belaseo in New York. ■Australian melodrama fsays the VelImuruc “ Leader “) is being given an opportunity at the Princes? " Theai re. where#" My .Mate,” a production the authorship of which is attributed to Mr Mdiinmd Duggan, is being; presented. Mr Duggan is not exactly'' a noviep'in this kind of play, and, without, attaining any high degree of literary turrit, his knowledge of stage requirement? enable^ him to construct an actable play. The story is of two mates. Imth sclertor.r. who quarrel because’ they love toe same girl. Bur when one is in f mil hie the other comes quickly to Ins assistance There is plenty of sitnalicn and episode, and filing? are kept moving, until th,. happy ending is 'Ocnred. Roy Redgrave and Robert "inaii are ilm two mates, and Kugonic Duggan i? Hie heroine. George Sharratl puts some comedy uiio Hie part of a slocKricler. and the hlacktracker is capably done hy George Gilbert. There are many olb-'r eharael.-rs, all of whom Jo ; heir In tic best to make the pl ;lv go. 1 Amv (.a-He? got her introduction io ” l.a Bolieine ’ this way (writos a " Bulletin ' correspiindent): Tim teno: ol tiny company suddenly became ill ol lish-poboning. Ho was sweellieartim, with the young Italian prima domm, who had boon imported to sing Minu, and as he couldn't, appear he commanded his girl not fo appear either Amy was persuaded to sing (he part- ai verv brief notice, and she got lliromd: with hardly a mistake. Still, to have lac music of a popular modern opera in mind is noi an a Monishing aecnmplishmciit. AA hy, there was handsome veteran tenor Bert hold, imported hv George Musgmve to sing Lohengrin and I annhanser. who was said in know Kb) principal tenor parts in,, grand opl'-a,. mod. of them in two or three languages. - Tin could be rung up in the morning to play any of the UK) pa,-)? a|. night, and if ho didn't, happen to know- it in Ihe language of Ihe other performers he would tine it in a foreign tongue. Miss Afaud Beatty, who ha? played everything from principal contralto in ■ac Gdbert-Snllivan series to principal bay av Drury Lane, and leading lady in Anieiiean society comedies, is eon*'l,l i’E, VU'Cseni engagement with '\ißian.?on management, with J.V* V|o '',' ol ) J' :1 ugmg her conditions in ilc- I lie Sydimv '■ Morning Herald ” (c|ls Ilm slow. 1Ui0v.y,,,, tl - , ..-trolin from Nov, York m 51 '-sid fVe£rw£| Jriwiejy, Sii-Al*’ 1

Sydney George Kibble on board the! Sonoma, and now that all his affairs aro lift order a t bis station near Buenos Ayres, a marriage bag been arranged. Air Kibble, though bom in Sydney, belongs to a well-known (jnociu-hyid family, but about twenty years ago be settled mi an “ estauci.i. ” in the Argentine Bepnblio, and gradually made a, reputation for his breed of prists nut tie. He, fought through the Boer AAar. Again ho embarked with a "'bole shipload of stout-hearted British patriots for France, against the Gormans. was serenely wounded, but came out. at the right end after a. year’s rest. .Miss Beatty is leaving from Melbourne on the steamer Van (,'loou on November 2f). for Valparaiso, there to be married about twenty-four days later. fu Sydney (ho actress-singer's handsome presence. stylish gowning and dignified manners have given in Forest; to rather colourless grande (lame parts, but in Melbourne she nlaycd Adda, hontaine in High .link?., ' and proved that it could he made successful when the original coarseness was eliminated. AUhs Beatty, who has had a particularly happy time with the company, adds ibat her sister A lay has a. leading pnru on lour in a rovno named “Tlorlgo Podge. ' Ala.y Beatty's marriage irii K the late Kdwin'd Lanrt was happy, and they filled mnny important eitgagemeule together, a? during their "Australasian tour, Mrs T/anii is comforted in her bereavement bv her little girl. "They'll tell you that the local girl gels no chance in Australia.’’ raid Miss Beatty to interviewer the oilier day. " AA'p.ll, 1 think inv own career baa disproved that; and 1 would also like to add that Maude Beatty, recently with tlm fj. AVjlli r.mson firm in Australia . wa.s sufficient passport for me when I sought an engagement abroad.' 1 M. S. Percy is appearing at Mm 1 bd f> of York’s Theatre, London, in '"Hie Girl for the Boy.'’ a musical play adapted from the French, “ La Petite thocolatiere.’’ by Howard Parr and Bernard Boit, with lyrics bv Perry Green bank. A critic, says of Mr Percy’. “It is always a delight, to see hjm on the stage.’’ Facts relating to a remarkable "amusement boom” which is being experienced in London and Xew York were Inrnisbed to a. Melbourne paper by Mr (L Highland, just returned from a business t rip abroad in connection, with a. search for new plays for •!. (.', Williamson. Ltd. Mr Highland states that in both cities the. prices of admittance to theatres and picture shows have been raised, hut night after night amnsmnent houses, including 10T firstclass theatres in New York, are packed to the doors. “A seat in tho stalls in any of the leading Xew York theatres now costs four or tire dollars,’’ lie said. “ while a, gallery seat,, which before the war was obtainable at fifty cents—about 2s—now costs just twice ns much. Stall seats in the, leading London theatres used to cost 10s 6d each, but the price is now from LTs to los. The increases were rendered necessary by the, tremendous increase in the cost of production. Hie prices of everything required in a large production have risen, while performers—stars and members of (he choruj and orchesfa -are receiving higher wages,, and authors ami composers aro demanding larger lees. How long the present boom is likely to lasi it is difficult to *a. v : Air Highland considers that proliibition has been responsible for a great increase in tbe attendances at theatres in the United States. "The working man who used to spend money in the saloons,” he says, “ is now buying land, building his own house, taking his wife and family m the. theatre, and in many instances owns a Ford motor-car. You can take it from nte that, despite anything you may hear to the contrary, TO per rent of the people in the. United .States are ‘tickled to death' with prohibition, and it has come to stay-” Miss Lillian Bussell, the popular American comedy star, was the recipient. recently of one of the most unique of many presents she has received during her stage career. Site was standing hj. 1 . 1 Ihe steps of her hotel at Atlantic f ity (b.S.A.) when a Iriend came up and introduced a grey-haired man,’ " hose, name is Schuyler, told Miss Bns><•ll he had been an admirer of her art lor many years, and would like to show lin appreciation bv making her a little gift. ‘‘lt is worth £2100.” he added. ‘■’(liat will be lovely,” replied Miss Bussell, graciously. ’“I think vonTl like it.” said Air Schuyler; "it is the most beautiful and costly article in my establishment, and f am real proud of it. .My desire js Jlhat it should go to cue whose artistic temperament will recognise fine craftsmanship,” with much more to the same effect. ‘‘ Please tell me what it is,” hogged Afiss Bussell. all happy expectation. “It’s a, gold-trimmed coffin, ’’ replied Mr Schuyler, who is Philadelphia’s leading undertaker. The Carl Bosa Opera. Company which has been considerably increased in size to play a month or more in cadi of the large, provincial towns of Ftigland. talks of extending its operations. In a projected tour a year will he spent working through Australia, America and South Africa. Them arc three full Carl Bosa companies at present. TTTF; A CTO 11.S' STB IK IT A\ Idle the strike of the players 1 ;' started and sustained by the Actors’ Kquiiy Association, had to have its ending, for which the theatre-going public is grate--lii 1 mid cares not which side won thei dispute, this much is certain, that the break between players and managers caused by the walkout of (he actors, is nut going to be easily repaired (says a New A ork paper). In strictly industrial disputes, when an agreement, is reached, ail hands forget, their grievances and hnckh; down to work to make up fop lost time. It- is hardly likely that any such happy result will obtain in the ease, of the strike among the theatrical folks. The tight between the Actors’ Kqnity Association and the managers was admittedly a bitter mie, in which neither side passed up any opportunity to gain an advantage. The strike was a hard blow to the managers since il was brought- about just at a. time when a, season that gave promise of proving one of the most successful in the history ol ilie stage in New York had Jiist gotten under way. Then, too. the strike spirit, spread to oilier large, cities with the same disaster to the plans and hopes of the managers. I'hore is not the slightest, doubt that as a result of the desert,ion of the player.-, at a time when (here was no chance for the managers to meet the re.-nllant chaotic condition!- their walkout caused in the theatrical world, the managers feci a well-defined chagrin that will not he soon obliterated. Of course it is Inmllv likely that in retaliation they will boycott the leading spirits in the revolt- against them through failure to offer engagements, tor alter all the public is the one to he pleased in amusement- enterprise,-, and the public will demand and obtain the opportunity to sec their favourites of the stage, regardless of what may he the business relations between producers and players. However, it is a. pretty safe wager that the public will, in stellar roles in. casts, see those that, in ot-lmr days played less important parts but who. when the revolt came, remained loyal to the producers ami stood by the terms of their contracts. -fust how tlm public wiß accept anvil n plan will depend altogether upon the quality of enter!,atnment provided- If entertainment of merit, is provided the public will he satisfied and give productions their generous support,. It is admitted that certain actors and actresses have their following, hut- it must also hn admitted that ihe public is especially concerned with the entertainment provided for it. and if this entertainment, js np to (h<-> siandard. the public will leave In Iho vdayers and manager--, llm t ask of f-el.tdl'lg their rUffei'cncei aixd of wtisfviug gvuOgcsj _ „ ,