ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11246, 13 January 1912, Page 2

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

IBy Fra Diavolo.] TOWN HALL BOOKINGS

Janunrv 22— J. C. Williamson ("The

Speckled Band.") January 25, 26—Brennan Vaudeville

Company. Show Week—Belle Crome Bellringers. March 25, 2(5— J. C. Williamson (New Comic Opora Company). July I(5— J. O. Williamson (pantomime, "Sinbad the Sailor.' , ) July 30—M. Marcus (Harry Rickards' Vaudeville Co.) August 13 -J. C. Williamson ("The Blue Bird '). December BO—S. Grant (George Marlow). 1913. February 14— J. C. Williamson. May 13— J. C. Williamson. June 16— J. C. Williamson. August 12— J. C. Williamson. FORESTERS' HALL. Thompson-Payne Pictures, permanent. Playgoers will be sorry to learn that 'The Chocolate Soldier" is not to be seen in Mastertou. It is also probable that Mr H. B. Irving will not visit our town. This is disappointing news. Next week wo are to have a retnrn visit from Barton's Circus, the bright and clever show which created such a favourable impression here last year. The combination lias been considerably strengthened, and is now one of the strongest "on tho road. " In all probability tho circus will be located on the site in Queen street South opposite Mr O'Leary's blacksmith shop. There is said to be something wonderfully fascinating about "The Speckled Band," the latest Sherlock Holmes play, which is to be produced in Masterton on the 22nd iiist. Not only has the author caught the exact spirit of his own theme, bat lie also presents at least eleven distinctly striking characters, which will be portrayed by what is probably the strongest combination of dramatic, artists that could be selected for this class of pla} r , including William Desmond (the brilliant young American actor, who will be making his farewell appearance in Australasia), Miss Dorothy Dix (a new leading lady from the Lyric Theatre, London, her first appearance in New Zealand), Mr J. B. Atholwood (Australia's prince of character actors), Mr George Bryaut (the American actor, who made such a distinct success with the Katherine Grey Company), Mr Winter Hall, Mr Boyd li-wiu, Mr Leslie Victor, Miss Susie Vaughan. Miss Alma Phillips, Mr T. W. Lloyd, Mr George Chalmers, and Mr Gaston Mervale (who is said to have caused quite a sensation in dramatic circles by his remarkable performance of Dr Rylott, which is said to hold its audience spell-bound).

The bear which recently mauled a trainer in Christchurch has been presented by the Messrs Wirth to Newtown Zoo.

Mr H. B. Irving, who is now meeting with much success in the north with "Hamlet" and other plays, lias some interesting tilings to say about the drama. The best school for an actor is, lie said, an audience. Dramatic schools could teach them gesture and geneial technique, but there was nothing like the public gaze to quicken a performer's best instincts. "My father used to say," remarked Mr'lrving, "when people talked to him about schools of dramatic art, 'I have kept a school for 30 years at tho Lyceum,' and there was sound truth in what he said."

"Tho Chocolate Soldier," which js said to be comic opera, not frivolous musical comedy, is still drawing big houses in Wellington. Miss Amy Murphy, as Nadina, has pleased the critics, her singing (especially of the line waltz song, "My Hero'" ) being much praised. Tho other principals are also said to be well suited iv their respective parts

Wirtli's Circus, which comes to us shortly, is headed by the seven Fiyiug Jordans in their thrilling trapeze act. Other members of the combination lire The Bastiens, Acrobatic liiders: Sisters Adelia, on Single Silver Thread; La Van Artois, Aerial Bars: Harry Barge's Company, Motor-car Comedy Act; Foy and Kitchen, Trampoline Experts; Hartleys, Gymnasts and Leapers; Tacks, Upsidedown Phenomena; Herr and Fraulein Schmidt, Animal Trainers; Le Quips and Tony, French Auguste and Clown. The menagerie is said to be very complete. Concerning the financial result of the Melba opera season just concluded in Australia. Mr Hugh Ward said: "Well, the financial result is that, while there will not be a great profit, luckily there will be no loss, and this means' that we shall make another effort in this direction some day. I hope Madame Melba may be induced at some future period to come again

under the same auspices." A most important piece of dramatic news is that Mr G. S. Titheradge is about, to emerge from his retirement, and once more give Australian audiences the beneiit of his art as an actor. He lias been engaged for a long contract by the Hamilton-Plininier-Denniston Company. Mr Titheradge's first appearance under the new management will be made at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, when be will resume the role of Lord Illingwertli in Oscar Wilde's play, "A Woman of No Importance."

In the two J. C. Williamson shows in Melbourne— "Every woman" and "Smbad the Sailor' , —the number of people employed totals no less than

Mr John McCormack's concert in Wellington last, night was a huge success, the popular Irish tenor receiving an ovation. Miss Rosina tSuckmauu, too. was in good voice, and her items (including the Jewel Song from "Faust") were much applauded. It is not generally known bow careful the Wellington City Fathers are of their children. Before the City Council authorities wonld issue a license to Messrs Wirth Bros, to show in Wellington, they insisted on making it conditional on the part of the circus proprietors to take out an accident insurance pocily of £1000, to cover any accident that may arise to any of the public within the precincts of the circus.

Miss Muriel Bennett, a Wellington soprano, who has sung in Mastertou, has been offered, and has accepted, an engagement from J. and N. Tait to tour with the Hnddersfield Bellringers. "The Girl in the Train" has been running for nine weeks in Sydney, and is expected to "bold the boards" until Easter. Miss Florence Young, Miss Sybil Arundale, Mr Will Percy and Mr Jack Cannot aro the principal fnumakers. To-night "Our Miss Gibbs" will give place at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, to "The Quaker Girl," with Miss Blanche Browne in the title role. Brenuan's Vaudeville Entertainers, who come to Masterfcon this month, will open a Wellington season next week. The combination, which has dono good business in the South, includes Prince Ohailie, the almost human orang-outang. This animal is said to do everything but talk.