“BIG TIME ” VAUDEVILLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17345, 27 September 1924, Page 19

“BIG TIME ” VAUDEVILLE.

J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANIES. WORLD FAMED ARTISTS COMING. Mr K. A. Shepard, formerly of Musgrove’s Theatrical Proprietary, Ltd., and now associated with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in their vaudeville tours of New Zealand, is in Christchurch on a flying visit in connection with the coming appearances of the firm s latest enterprises. In conversation with a reporter yesterday, Mr Shepard said that one of tho biggest theatrical deals of modern times took place when J. C. Williamson, Ltd., purchased straight out the whole of tho shares of Musgrove’s 1 heatrical Proprietary, .Ltd., thereby taking over complete control of the almost worldfamous Rickard’s ’I ivoli Circuit. At tho same time they assumed control of all the contracts of vaudeville acts from all corners of the world, which had l>een entered into by the Musgrove Proprietary, and this, added to the fact that the firm itself had definitely embarked in vaudeville, gives the J. C. Williamson firm complete control of v.hat is professionally known as “big time” vaudeville. A BOOKING RECORD. Tho first company to come to New Zealand opened in Auckland and the Wellington season commences to-night at the Grand Opera House. Two weeks later they will appear at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch. Northern cities have said that they are without exception the finest all-round company of vaudeville entertainers who have ever toured the Dominion. The business done in Auckland was of such 'an extraordinary nature that the visits to overland towns had to be cancelled to permit of the Auckland season being extended and even during the extension tho entire house was booked out for every performance, establishing a hooking record for Auckland. A WONDERFUL CHARACTER AC TOR. Number One Company, «s it is called -there are to he a series of companies is headed by the world-famous English character actor, Mr Bransby Williams, whose name is a household word throughout Great Britain on account of liis wonderful reproductions of the characters from tho works of Charles Dickons. This artist is reputed to clothe the. characters with such reality as to make them appear to live on the stage. Mr Bransby Williams, on the social side, is a founder of Rotary in London and he as a Special Commissioner from Hie Loudon Club io the Rotary clubs of the world. He is 'also ;i foundation member of the London Savage Club and holds a very high rank in the Masonic craft. A GREAT COMPANY. Supporting Air Bransby M iHiatus are many noted vaudeville people from inmouss theatres *rn t he old world. I hey include the groat Hadje Kadir troupe of Arabs, whose sensational work is proving an absolute revelation to Dominion audiences. They come direct from the Now York Hippodrome. Then there are Mademoiselle Landry and Monsier Julls, two of the most famous Continental dancers who have over left Paris. This couple come from the Follies Bergeres, Paris, and so wonderful is their performance that on their return to Australia the Williamson firm are contemplating building a special production around thorn. Anna and Louis are a remarkable pair of Continental musical clowns. W. U. Robinson is a Continental entertainer who works on most unusual lines. Ward and Long are noted English musical coniedv artists. Arthur Lucan and Kitty M’Shnne are two high grade performers from Dublin, the former being one of England’s foremost pantomime dames, and his winsome partner, the possessor of a delightful Irish brogue, is also a wellknown principal hoy from leading English pantomime. They appear in a riotously funny sketch entitled “ Come Over.” Castles and Torzillo provide a bright musical a«t. George Castles, who is a member of the well-known Castles family, is a tenor soloist. Torzillo is probably the finest harpist New* Zealand has been privileged to lien r. The entire stage lighting equipment of the company, which is on a. particularly lavish scale, and well up to the best .1. C. Williamson standard, lias been brought from Sydney. Mr Harry Muller, an old Palmerston North boy, who has been associated with theatrical matters in Australia for the past twelve years, is travelling

with the company in the interests of J. ' . Williamson, Ltd. The musical director is Mr Harry Jacobs, well known to New Zealand a udiences. AT REGULAR INTERVALS. In pursuance of their policy to serve New Zealand theatres with highclass vaudeville at regular intervals, the second company of entertainers will commence a season in Auckland on ()*•- tol or 4. That company will ho headlined by an artist universally recognised as England’s most famous “boy” --Hetty King, who will bo well re-' membered by all New Zealanders who have been in London of late years. In parting, Mr Shepard mentioned that the Robert Greig and Beatrice Holloway Company would open a season in Wellington on Saturday week, m a repertoire of plays made famous by Fred. Niblo. They will be seen in Christchurch in duo course.