ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9735, 23 July 1910, Page 2

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

fBY Fea Diavolo.l

TOWN HALL BOOKINGS. July 25—George Marlow. July 27—Taylor-Oarriugton. July 29—Madame Oarreno. August 531— J. (J. Williamson (pantomime, "Aladdin"). September B—Hugh J. Ward ("The Girl from Rector's"). September 14—Meyuell ami ClarJre. October (5— J. O. Williamson (Nellie Stewart). October 10—Fred Graham. November 25— J. O. Williamson ("The Brass Bottle"). January 12, 1911—Clarke and Meynell. January I(5— J. 0. Williamson (probably Comic Opera Co.) Wheu not otherwise required—West's Pictures. FORESTERS' HALL. . Thompsou-Payue Pictures, permaneut. [Local information Buitaolo for this column will bo gladly welcomed. Letters should be addressed "Fra Diavolo," care Times Office.] Mr Harry Roberts and Miss Beatrice Day conclude a very successful season in Wellington to-night. "Pete" ran for no fower than nine nights, "The Hypocrites" for seven, and the season is closing with a couple of performances of "The Caso of Rebellious Susan." The new principal boy of the "Aladdiu" Pantomime is a clever Australian, Miss Marie Eaton, who is gifted beyond most with a voice rarely heard iv pantomime, and whose natural abilities entitle her to rank high iv the profession. The principal comedian is Mr Harry Phydora, of "Mother Goose" fame. The New Zealand tour of the Grand Opera Company concluded in Christcliurch on Wednesday, and yesterday the Company returned to Australia, proceeding via Sydney to Melbourne, where a season will be played prior to disbanding in Adelaide some time in October. Miss Clarice Buckmanu (of the recently-disbanded Pollard Opera Company), a sister of Miss Rosiua Buckmauu, may shortly be given a chance under the J. C. Williamson management. Julius Knight's popularity with the fair sex was from the first most pronounced, and has been preserved unchanged right through his Australian career. He began that career with costume plays; it is fitting that he should end it with them, and "Henry of Navarre" is a drama after his own heart. The Sydney Theatre Royal on the occasiou of his last matinee was a unique sight. Matinee-goers are distinct from the ordinary typo of theatre-goers, and all the different kinds had assembled to bid farewell to their favourite. From above, the house looked like a flower garden, with all the variegated sorts of hats, bot.n in ami out of fashion, while here and there the bare head of a uiau showed up incongruously. Buffalo Bill is going to retire. He has announced that he will quit the i show business lor the quiet of his ranch in the North-west. Ho has, according to American iiles, commenced in New York the start of his farewell tour across the American Continent. For nearly tnirty years now Colonel Cody has travelled the world over with his show, and has made the name ot the American cowhoy synonymous with courage and dariug. Carter Pickford and his wife, who were iv Masteiton with the BroughFlemmiug Company, playing "Dr Wake's Patient," are at present in Paris. Mr Pickford has left the stage, and is doing well as a motor expert. Although Hurry Phydora, the popular "dame" of the* "Aladdin" pantomime, had not been in West Australia since the "Mother Gooso" Compauy visited it, he was well remembered on the present trip there, and many of the kiddies left notes for him at the stage door welcoming him back. One of them asked most affectionately after Priscilla fthe goose), and wanted to know if she still laid the golden eggs. Another was anxious to know whether the horse was still alive, and congratulated him on still retaining possession of one of his donkeys, while making tender inquiries for the other.

The final scenes of the animated pictnre version of Albert Edmund's (Bert Bailey and Edmund Duggau) great Australian success, "The Squatter's Daughter." have now been taken, and the picture will shortly begin its tour of Australia. This marks the most

important ciuematograph picture that has ever been taken in the Commonwealth, aud it ?'s the first Australian picture drama to have the dual advantages of being acted by wellknown people aud having local colour-

ing for the outduor sceues. The original cast has been engaged in the production, and a fine example of Australian art and industry is the result.

The Mastertou Amateurs are to be congratulated upon their presentation of "The Pirates of Penzauce," the whole performance reflecting the greatest credit upon alt concerned.

Miss Alice Pollard, the only daughter of Mr Tom Pollard, of comic opera fame, is doing exceedingly well in England. Miss Pollard was born in Auckland in 1885,aud was educated iv a convent in Melbourne and in Miss Merton's private schooi, Christchurch. Her first appearance on the stage in leading parts was with Pollard's Opera Company iv "The Belle of New York," when she played Violet Gray. Later she joined George Stepheusou's compauy, and then went to South Africa iv the Wheeler-Ed-wardes Companies, playing leading roles. She was the South African Merry Widow. Two years ago she went to England, and almost immediately took leading parts. She was Miss Gertie Millar's understudy iv "Our Mism Gibbs" in London, and made a great hit when she appeared iv the part.

There are rumours of another invader of London—this time from Australia. The talk is that Harry Rickards is bout on securing the control of a London music-hall (states an English paper). Rickards had been many years a popular " liou comique, " and had had a fling at management, too, before he went to Australia, upwards cf twenty years ago. He found nothing but undistinguished sing songs. Now, he owns a group of splendid theatres, imports artists from England and America by the gross, aud pays them salaries of ambassadors. Incidentally, he has amassad

a huge fortune. Lately, his Home visits have been more frequent, and

of louger duration. He bought a charming estate at Margate, meaning, ho declared, to spend full six months of leisure there each year. Should he plunge into the awful turmoil of English vaudeville, it will be interesting indeed to watch his progress.

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