A CROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11264, 3 February 1912, Page 2

A CROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

IBy Fra. Diavolo.] TOWN HALL BOOKINGS. Show Week—Belle Cromo Bellringers. Marches, 2(5— J. O. Williamson (Now Comic Opera Company). July IG— J. O. Williamson (pantomime, "Sinbad the Sailor.") July 530 —M. Marcus (Harry Rickards' Vaudeville Co.) August 13 -J. O. Williamson ("The Blue Bird '). December iJO—S. Grant (George Mariow). 1913. February 14— J. O. Williamson. May 13— J. O. Williamson. June IC)— J. C. Williamson. August 12— J. O. Williamson. FORESTERS' HALL. Thompson-Payne Pictures, permanent. The v most interesting piece of dramatic news (hiring the week is that Miss Ethel Irving is coming to New Zealand. The tour was arranged very hurriedly, and it is stated that only tlio four centres will be played. So far, the celebrated English actress lias only appeared in Sydney and Melbourne, and at the close of tho New Zealand tour she will return to London to rejoin Sir George Alexander. Miss Irving' s repertoire in the Dominion will consist of ''Lady Frederick" and "Tho Witness for tho Defence. " The Indian Dnrbar pit.euros so far shown at tlio Foresters' Hall have, been intensely interesting, and are splendid examples of the ciuamtographic art, giving a. very good idea of the magnificence of tho celebrations. "Hamlet" is drawing tremendous houses in Wellington. One critic says: "Irving is Hamlet." Could praise, go further? "The Double Event" and "The Fatal Wedding," two interesting photo plays, will bo seen at the Foresters' "Hall shortly. Ethel Irving ligured in an exciting scene on Sydney Harbour recently. A yacht containing 2(5 people capsized, and Miss Ethel Irving and a party of theatricals in a motor launch helped in the work of rescue. The women and children were picked up, and it looked as if some of the men, who were in diilicnlties, would be lost. However, ultimately the whole party was got on board. This is the third time Miss Irving lias taken part in a rescue under sensational circumstances on Sydney Harbour. "What started the riot at the performance of 'Hamlet' last night?" "Why, Hamlet held the skull and said,' 'Alas, poor Yorick. You are not the only deadnead in the house.' " "Parsers By" was presented for the first time in Australia at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on the 27th inst. The cast includes Miss Hilda Spong ami Mr Harcourt Beatty. "The Girl in the Train" has yiven place in Sydney to a revival of "The Cingaiee," with Miss Sybil Arundale, Miss Florence Young and Mr Will Percy in the principal roles. The Alien Doone Company will appear in the four principal towns of New Zealand only. The reason is that the elaborate scenery could not be monnted on any but the largest stages in tiie Dominion, and it is also very expensive to move about, and great care has to be taken in handling it. In New Y T ork City the other day a theatrical manager who wanted to hold a rehearsal on Sunday morning, found that there was literally "nothing doing" because his whole company had gone to church. Then he remembered that the actors of the company were all Scotch—three of them sons of Presbyterian ministers. The Theatre Royal, Hobart, extensively altered, was reopened recently with' a production of "The Merry Widow" by the O'Connor-Castles Comic Opera Company. The cast was Count Danillo, Mr D. B. O'Connor; Viscontc de Jolidou, Mr George Castles; Nisch, Mr Bert Nicholson; Sonia, Miss Eva Moore; Frou Frou, Miss Minnie Topping. The company comes to New Zealand this month. The death is announced in America of Miss Edith Crane, remembered in New Zealand as having played Trilby to Ruben Fax's Sveugali in 18%. 'She visited the Dominion again lin 15)00, playing in "The Only Way" with Mr* Tyrone Power. "i'is said that a permanent, picture show, under tlio management of a local authority, will shortly be opened in the Masterton Town Hall. The New Zealand public are to be afforded an opportunity of seeing Sarah Bernhardt in one of her most successful plays. The management of West's Pictures, Ltd., have received a cable from their London representative to the effect that the sole rights of "Camille," with Madame Bernhardt in the title role, have been secured for Australia. The film is described as a triumph of cinematographic art. A new Opera House is to be erected in Manners-street, Wellington. The building is expected to cost the Company about £20,000 The whole venture, when completed, will cost the directors about £50,000. The now theatre will seat between 1800 and 2000 peole, in comparison with 1;")()(), which is the seating capacity of the present- theatre.' It will be equal to the best Australian theatres, and will have a sliding roof for ventilation purposes. The "Speckled Band" Company will conclude their New Zealand tour at Palmerston North, and will leave for Sydney by the Moeraki on February Kith. * They will begin a season atTMelbourne on Saturday, the 2-lth. with "Alias Jimmy Valentine." To encourage the works of Sliakespearo the .). C. Williamson, Ltd., management offer prizes for the best essay and impression on the character of "Hamlet." The following prizes are being offered: —For students under sixteen years of age, first prize £2 2s, second £1 Is; for students over sixteen first prize £3 !3s, second £2 2s. Wellington will soon be in of 1C) places of amuscmet! At presentthere are West's and Star's (at Newtown), Fuller's (Rink and Theatre Royal), Bijou, The King's, The New, Shortt's, Opera House, Town Hall and Concert- Chamber, whilst His Majesty's and Adolphi are building, ami the now Opera House and two picture-houses are talked about. Napior amusement-seekers are having , a busy week-end. Barton's Circus, Brennan's Entertainers and Wirth's Circus, to say nothing of a couple of picture shows, arc at present attempting to draw profitable patronage in tho Hawke's Bay Centre. "Hamlet" will have a week's run in Wellington, and next week Mr H. B. Irving will present "The Lyons Mail," "Louis XL," and "The Bells." The latter will be remembered by old playgoers as a particularly strong study of a man's remorse.