Across the Footlights

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13887, 12 October 1918, Page 9

Across the Footlights

PLAYS AND PICTURES. (% "Era Diavolo.") Bookings. THEATRE ROYAL. October 25 J. C. Williamson. Vacant, dales—Pictures. KING'S THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. THE 13TH CHAIR. Rarely hjrvo New Zealand theatregoers had an opportunity of witnessing a drama so novel in conception, or so varied <Hn <l mystifying as "The 13th than',' which i 8 now being plaved throughout the Dominion by a tainted dramatic company, headed by thefamous American star actress, Miss -Vlargarot Wycherlr, wife of the author. Nothing quite like this clever production from the pen of Bayard Vciller has 1 kh'ii seen on modern stage, and judging by the sensation it has created it bids fair to rival "Within the Law" in its power to fascinate audiences. An atmosphere of mystciy and excitement is sustained through, out, and the climax is unexpected. Spiritualism plays a large part in the story, and it is in the role of Rosalie La Grange, a queer old medium, that Miss Wychorly achieves her greatest triumph.

-MURIEL STARR COMING. It is understood that after Miss Margaret Wycherloy and "The 13th Chair," the next J. C. Williamson attiaction for New Zealand will be the dramatic company, headed by Miss .Muriel Starr. The American actress will be seen in "The Rird of Paradise,'' "The Easiest AVay," and "The Man Who Came Rack." Messrs Louis Kimball and Frank Harvey are members of the company. Miss Starr was recently married to a wealthy Ameri. can. Those present at the ceremonv were Mrs Hugh Maclvor, mother of the bride, Mis s Norma Mitchell, her cousin, Mr George Barnum, who gavo her away, and Mr Jock Haskell, best man. There was a gathering of friends at the Australia, when Mr Hugh Ward proposed the health of the happy pair, and Mr Taylor Darbyshire also represented the firm. The bridegroom, Mr Johnston who comes from Chicago, represents Wrigley's, Ltd. At the Criterion Theatre that evening, after the performance of "The Man Who Came Hack," Mr Sydney Yates apj>eared on the stage from the stalls with a wedding bouquet of white flowers. Muriel Starr's comrades showered confetti upon her, and the orchestra played the Wedding March from "Athalie " Hearty applause rose from the body of the bouse, and Mr Yates presented Miss Starr with the American colours, saying: "May 1 hand this to you with the vM-erlasfing loving wishes" of your husband?" Miss Starr's nervous response was: "I really don't know what to say; you see. I've never been married Wore!'' DOROTHY CUMMINC'S LUCK. Miss Dorothy Gumming, the Australian girl who was here with Mr Cyril Maude, has been engaged to appear in New York under the Bolasco management at the theatre of that name, in Edward Knoblauch's latest play. Tiger." Mis s Fiances Starr is the leading lady, and Mr 0. P. Heggie —-another Australian-horn—the leading man. Miss Dorothy Cumming is to be the juvenile lead at a salary of £s(l per week. Australian girls appear to l)o doing well just how in the land of Stars and Stripes. lAX MLAREN'S INTENTIONS. Mr lan M'Laren, of "The 13th Chair" Company, stated when, in Wellington that he intended to tour New Zealand shortly, giving elocutionary recitals 'n the manner of Mr Alexander Watson. Mr M'Laren is a fine Shakespearean scholar, and a ripe actor in the big field. He has played Shakespeare all over England, is a good reciter of Kipling, and has a rare knowledge of the plays of the best of our modern dramatists—who are practically unknown in New Zealand— Yeats. Synge, Lady Gregory. Barker and G. B. Shaw. He has played with Miss Hornimnn's "Irish Players," and was associated at times with Miss Sara and her sister, Miss Mara O'Neill. Mr M'Laren says that Miss AJlgood (the irresistible Peg in "Peg o' My Heart") is seen to the best advantage in the roles of old Irish women Some of her impersonations in that lino were absolutely classics.

WELLINGTON AMATEURS. It is a curious coincidence that the four lady principals who are to figure in the coming performances of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera "The Gondoliers" by the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society all hail from the South Island, and three of the four were originally from Dunedin. The four ladies referred to are Miss Helen Gard'ncr (Gianetta), of Dunedin; Miss Bathie Howie Stuart (Tessa) late of Dunedin and at ono time a meml>er of the Pollard Opera Company; Mrs Dallas (the Duchess of Plaza* Toro), formerly Miss Mabel Esquilant, of Dunedin. and Mrs Walter Fuller (Casilda), formerly Miss Dolly Ctuneron, of Ciiiistehurch. The cast as a whole promises to be one of the very best ever arranged by the local society. Mr J'om Pollard has arrived in Wellington to direct the production. JOTTINGS. Miss Annie Turner left for Auckland last night, having been engaged as soloist at Mr Maughan Barnett's organ recital in the Town Hall to-night. This is a well-deserved compliment to .the popular Hamilton singer. The lighting at ihe Theatre Royal has been greatly improved, as was very much evidenced on Thursday night. .Mr Tombs has entirely removed the old system, and installed a new one, which makes the stage one of the best lighted in New Zealand. The Hamilton Amateur Operatic Society is making good progress with "La Ma«eotte." The practices continue to be we'd attended, and much enthusiasm is already displayed. Mr and Mrs Cyril Towsey, assisted by .Miss Winifred Mitchel (violinist) will give a recital in the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber on Monday night. The programme includes a work not previously performed in Auckland—Sonata for piano and vio'in in it flat major, by Hans Huber. The English Pierrots have returned to Australia. Next year they contemplate putting in the whole of the winter season in Wellington . Mis* Kthel Morrison is a prominent member of ■ Ihe 13th ('hair" Comnanv. She is he;tor known to many of us as ICttie Maginnity, n former Wellington amateur. Miss Maginnity went to Lmdoti some years ago, and quid;';, made good. She returned to Australia as :i m< ndior oi Williamson's C-'ilb; rt :w.i\ Sullivan Opera Company. Since th< n she has appeared in a variety of productions. ranging from musical comedy to tragedy and has succeeded in pleasing the oriticjs. She was last in \e,v Zealand with Miss Marie Tempe.vt. it's in the air! R"cent news free. Austrilia announced the marriage of Misses Muriel Starr and Kmilie Po liui (heads of two of Williamson's Dramatis- Communes). Now LizettPaike- fimvniie had with "The 13th (•],.,;,.-' (Vmparv) -»d o!.»dys Monerieff (of the Reval Comic Opera Company) are proudly displaying engagement rings.

'THE BANG BOYS" AT EUREKA. "The Bang Boys" paid a visit to Eureka on Wednesday evening, where they were greeted by a crowded house The programme rendered was varied and entertaining, a feature being the concerted numbers. Everything went with the swing and precision of a professional company, which, in viow of there having l>een only about a week's rehearsal, reflects great credit on the performers and the director, Mr •S. Tombs. The performers were Messrs Pom Watson, Wilson, Phil Maddock, Halliwell, Fraser Smith, Reg. Cook and Percy Cork. Mrs Tom Clarkin presented a cake, \vhieh was raffled during the cve.v'ng and realised £1 17s. Mr McClenmn presented a cheque for £2, which, v.ith the door receipts £2O 7s Cd, v:\Ve a total of £24 4s (id, which will be devoted to the Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association, less the few expenses connected with the show. A fine orchestra, under Mr R. Mcintosh, gave valuable assistance, and the special electric lighting effects by Mr A. Dunn added considerably to the effect. A very enjoyable dance was held at the conclusion of the performance.

HAMILTON THEATRE ROYAL. «' (To the Editor.) Sir, —Theatre patrons in Hamilton have been aeeustomed in the past to put up with considerable inconvenience in the matter of obtaining their tickets at the door. They have borne their trials in this respect with really Christian fortitude and without complaint, but surely, sir, the disgraceful exhibition, outside the ticket window at hist evening's performance calls for some comment. In other centres we see much larger crowds than last night's one walking in orderly fashion in their turn to the ticket window. Why is tins not done in Hamilton? As long as the management is content to put up with last evening's "scrum" tactics, just so long will they be forced on them. An iron rail has recently been erected in front of the ticket window, evidently with the intention of keeping order, and will no doubt serve it-* purpose when the public are compelled to enter at one end and leave at the other; but under present conditions the rail is more of an obstacle than anything else; in fact, the pielu'" 1 al the ticket, window reminded one of two cows trying to pet into Hie sue,!' bail from opposite mils. The position mi the occasion referred to was rendered the more acute by*reason nf the number id' juvenile patrons pn sent. These had to be proteose J in many cases by mothers who bad their hands lull in projecting themselves. Meanwhile the manager looks on in smug indifference without the slightest attempt a! evolving order oui of Ihe existing chaotic conditions. One can understand a set of exceptional circumstances giving rise io a disp.ay like last night's op,,', but one camioi overlook the fact thai last evening \va<the rule, not the exception. Mignt '< remind the directors of the company dial it is time to get up? Kverytme else is about and doing! Why to they slumber on? —I am, e!c, JOHN McK'IXNON. Hamilton, October 11, I'JIS.