Across the Footlights

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14254, 3 January 1920, Page 3

Across the Footlights

PILAY9 AMD PICTURES. (By Fra Plar*l*). THEATRE ROYAL. January 6—Kiwi Pierrots. January B—N.S.W. State Orchestra. Nightly—Pictures. KING’S THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. EVKRYRnnvc Jftßfefly:— tv..-. Next -week the Kiwis, who have just completed a successful season in Auckland, will appear in Hamilton, and are likely to receive a warm welcome form their former soldier comrades as well as the general public. The Kiwis are a talented band of entertainers, and please by reason of the excellence of their programmes. N.S.W. State Orchestra— The greatest event in Hamilton’s musical history will take place next week, when the New South Wales State Orchestra will give a concert. The importance of this event cannot be over-emphasised, for the visit of this great orchestra is likely to have far-reaching effects in the fostering of a love of the best in music. The orchestra will number about 80 players, and there will also be several soloists of much artistic merit. Henri Verrbrugghen is recognised as cue Of the world’s greatest conductors. It is to be hoped that Hamilton people will rise to the occasion and crowd the Theatre Royal to its utmost capacity. Grand Opera— It has been my pleasure during the past week to hear and see the Williamson Grand Opera Company in Wellington. “Faust” was the opera produced on the night of my visit, and I am hoping to hear one or two more of the classics before returning to the hub of the Waikato. Miss Amy Castles was the Marguerite, and sang delightfully, besides acting surprisingly well. Mr Ralph Errolle was Faust, Mr Alfredo Valenti Mephistopheles, Mr Cecil Formes Valentine, Miss Vera Bedford Martha, and Miss Thelma Carter Siebel. The operas are well produced and have the support of a strong orchestra under the control of M. Slapoffski. In “Tales of Hoffman” Eileen Castles made her first appearance, it is gratifying to find that Wellington music lovers are supporting the grand opera company well, and the season promises to be very successful. The Holidays In Wellington— It is a far cry from grand opera to vaudeville, but during my slay in Wellington I put in a pleasant evening at Fuller’s handsome theatre. The programme was very enjoyable, Including several turns of much merit, and closing with an amusing revue by the Walter George Sunshine Players. Despite the fact that Fuller’s have raised the' prices all round, they are doing tremendous business. The picture theatres, too, are reaping a great harvest from the holiday crowds which fill tha city to overflowing. Williamson Comic Opera— The second production of the Williamson Musical Comedy Company in Auckland was “Going Up,” which is proving very popular. The season will close with a revival of “High Jinks.” Jottings— News has been received of the marriage of Daisy Jerome, the “live-wire" comedienne, who came over here to J. G. Williamson, Ltd., some years ago, and, transferring to the Fullers, played twice over their "time.” Daisy took marriage as she took her stage work —on the jump. The whole affair, from the meeting of the couple to the tying of the knot, occupied 48 hours. It was the railway strike that brought them together. Daisy was filling an engagement in the Palace, Southampton, at the end of September, and Commander La Touche (the happy man) could not get Ins boat—the Roy .1 Indian transport Uunerin — clear of the port owing to the strike. They met, fell in love, and were married in two days, and half an hour later the commander sailed for Bombay. The bride remains in the Old Country for the time being. The Wellington Post pays the following tribute to the Lyric Quartette (Auckland) who are singing with the Chautauqua: “Once again its members scored an undoubted success. Singing without accompaniment and in perfect harmony, th«y did what numberless quartettes in the past have failed to .j 0 they showed that human voices blended properly can "produce a fa? more musical effect than the mosi, tuneful combination of instruments.” The J. G. Williamson Christmas attractions in Australia were as follows': —The pantomime extravaganza, "The Sleeping. Beauty,” at Her Majesty’s, 'Melbourne; the Royal Comic Opera Company in "Theodore and Co.” at the Theatre Royal,. Melbourne; “The Bing Bovs on Broadway,” at Her Majesty’s. Sydney; at Sydney Criterion, John D. O'Hara in "Lightning.” In New Zealand the firm had the Muriel Starr Co., the Grand Opera Go., and the New English Musical Comedy. Go. (at present in Auckland). Mr Maurice Ralph, after a lengthy stay in New Zealand, representing J. and N. Tail interests, has left for Australia. It is probable that Mr Ralph will return about the end of January with another big Tait attraction, “Daddies,” a delightful play with a child interest. _. , ~ The New South Wales State Orchestra left Sydney on December 3i, and will arrive in Auckland to-morrovv. "Peg O’ My Heart" is being revived at the Sydney Palace, following the end of the "Old Lady 31” season, which revealed Sara Allgood in her true metier, of character comedienne. This will be the fourth revival of the comedy in Sydney. Michael, the dog in "Peg o’ My Heart,” is the most consistent performer in the cast. He has never missed a performance, and has played more times than any of the other artists. .