ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14584, 5 February 1921, Page 12 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

(Br Fra Dlavolo.)

PLAYS AND PICTURES,

THEATRE ROYAL. Nightly—Pictures. March I—J. C. Williamson (“Irene.’ ) April 11 (pencilled). —J. C. Williamson (pantomime). KING’S THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. THE STRAND. Nightly—Pictures. February 16—Roberto Romafll (Lafferty). ••Irene.” There will be widespread satisfaction at the announcement that “Irene” has been definitely booked for Hamilton —on March Ist. “Irene” is still a reigning attraction In London and New York, and the Australasian tour has so far proved a record success, the musical comedy being acclaimed everywhere as the finest yet produced. Miss Dorothy South has won all hearts in the title role, and she is well supported by Mr Chester Clute (principal comedian), Robert Jewett (the lover), Thomas PauncefOrte, Vera and Billy Mersden (dancers), and others. “Irene" will probably draw a record audience to the Theatre Royal. “Our Miss Gibbs”—Up-to-data. There will be general rejoicing at the news that we are again to see “Our Miss Gibbs,” the melodious musical comedy which was so successfully produced by the Hamilton Operatic Society eome time ago—this time on behalf of the firemen’s relief fund, a very worthy object. I understand that the entertainment is to be more in the nature of a revue, in which all the popular features of “Our Miss Gibbs" will be retained, and other effective numbers will be introduced. It should be very enjoyable, and will doubtless attract a large audience to the Theatre Royal. We have the most pleasant recollections of “Our Miss Gibbs, and it will b 6 a Joy to hear again the sweet melodies and see the spectacular features. A meeting will be held on Tuesday right to make arrangements. Tribute to Hamilton. Mr Lowell Patton, pianist, who made many friends at Chautauqua last week by his fine playing and likeable personality wrote me this week as follows: — “We visited the Waitomo Caves on cur way to Te Kuiti. We more than enjoyed ourselves, and will never forget the scenes, which were far beyond my powers to describe. . . . We are sure enjoying New Zealand, and may I say I have never met a more hospitable people In all my travels. I hope to return some day. . . 1 Intend to tour Portugal and Spain next season, and then on through the Mediterranean countries We have found wonderfully attentive audiences, and what a Joy it is always to meet your people. I Particularly enjoyed Hamilton, and have a ‘star’ place for it in my diary. Nobepto Romani’s Concert. It Is a matter for congratulation that Hamilton is to be afforded an opportunity of hearing the cx-Hamil-tonian basso, Roberto Romani ( Lafferty) after his success in Australia. Mr Romani sang at seven concerts with the New South Wales State Orchestra —a faeft which speaks for Itself —and received excellent press notices. In Wellington he has just closed a fortbight's engagement at the King's Theatre, where I recently had the pleasure of hearing him. Mr Roman! will have the assistance of several supporting artists at his local concert, which will eventuate in the Town Hall on February 16th. A Popular Tonor. Much disappointment was expressed •t Chautauqua last Saturday that Mr Fenwick Newell, the lyric tenor, was able to sing only two numbers. Mr Newell, in conversation with me, said that the disappointment was mutual, fbf audiences had been so kind the previous year that he had looked forward to singing to them again, and had geCufed a number of new songs for the-tour prior to his departure from NfevV York. However the rough passage from the States and over-use of bis voice at Auckland had developed throat trouble, and in singing at all he .was disobeying doctor’s orders. Mr Newell said that the Chautauqua tbUr would finish in March, and the party would probably have a few days’ freedom before catching the boat at Auckland for Vancouver. If so he would endeavour to give a concert In Hamilton. A (Visitor’s Impressions. “This is God's country right enough,” enthused Mr George Tully, leading man of the 'Man from Toronto” Company, in an interview. “There s Cne thing you beat us hollow in, went on the actor, “and that’s your theatres In the smaller towns. Napier and Hastings, for instance. They’re veryfine, and delightfully run. But there s •something I can t help noticing. A theatre is renovated and refurnished, painted and decorated on the newest lines, and everything made up to date for the public’s approval. But the dressing rooms seem to be left out ot the regenerating scheme. No one ' thinks of the poor unfortunate actors.” Mr Tully couldn't enthuse enough about the hospitality received by the company during their stay in New Zealand. “You can have your railways, lie adds after a few whimsical reminiscences, “but your scenery—my word, It’s greatl” Miss Dorothy South, Quite one of the most charmingladies that have visited New Zealand is Miss Dorothy South, the leading lady in Messrs J- and N. Tail’s talented “Irene." She is a dainty little lady, very vivacious, with a charming manner, and full o’f witticism, and anyone listening to her talking and watching her is quite carried away with her charm. She was born in Tennessee, but nearly all her life has been spent in New York, where she first played lead in "Princess Pat” on tour, afterwards returning to New York for a season in “Gloriana.” The next fall found her again in New York playing at the Globe theatre in “Apple Blossoms.” This the first lime she has been either to Australia or New Zealand, she Is perfectly enchanted with this country, and is delighted with the beauty of the rugged hills around Wellington. She is essentially an out-door woman, being passionately fond of riding, golf, and tennis, in fact anything she thoroughly enjoys that lakes her

out of doors. While in Melbourne recently she flew twice with Lieut. Matthews, and describing the wonderful feeling that it gave her of flying :'nto space, and how infinitesimal' the larpro buildings grew, and gradually to find them nothing but little tiny specks, marie her realise the. greatness and wonders ot flying. She was also the passenger with Lieut. Matthews when he flew and won the silver cup in the tlyin* Derby, when there were about sixteen competitors. She was presented witli a little Pomeranian puppy as <'i mascot, which she intends/to take back

with her to New York in memory of this great event.

Miss South expects to leave Melbourne either in July or August, when she will first go to England, then to Paris, and Switzerland. Miss South's sweet personality must win her many friends on this tour, in her private life as well as the hundreds nightly that see her in such a charming role as "Irene." Footllght Flashes.

Miss Grace Palotta, the former popular ■comedienne, who has been living in retirement in Australia for some years, is said to be leaving for America shortly to try her luck in pictures.

It was stated by Mr A. E. Webb on Saturday night that the first Chautauqua sent to New Zealand\md Australia resulted in a loss of £17.000, while last year a profit of £869 was made. Miss Ola Humphrey, who came to New Zealand with ihe original "Squaw Mart" Company, and afterwards gained notoriety by her marriage with and divorce from an Egyptian prince, is now iii Australia. She is now married to Captain Broadwood. Alexander Watson, peer amongst reciters, will visit New Zealand about July under the Carlyle Smythe direction. Mr Watson's last visit to the Dominion was in 1918, but the outbreak of influenza curtailed his tour and he only appeared in the south. The Hamilton Theatre Royal has been "pencilled" for April 4th for the pantomime. At Chautauqua last week, Captain Dinsmore Upton stated, "on his word of honour," that the performers at Chautauqua in New Zealand were being paid only half what they would receive in America. They came because they loved Chautauqua, and realised its value as a nation-builder. He made a strong appeal for the guarantee for next year to be made, so that New Zealand would continue to reap the benefit of Chautauqua. The appeal was successful.

Ferry the Frog, who created something of a sensation in vaudeville circle-s in New Zealand several years ago, has returned to Australia under engagement to Messrs Ben and John Fuller, and is playing in that firm's pantomime "Bluebeard," in Sydney. Ferry the Frog will accompany the panto to New Zealand later in the season. „ , It is said that "Ch" Chin Chow, despite the costly nature of the production will be brought to New Zealand. A Hamillonian who lias just returned from Australia expressed the view that the picture programmes presented in Hamilton compare more than favourablv with those he saw on "the other side." He further said that he had come across no more comfortable theatre than the Hamilton Theatre Royal. . "The Lilac Domino," a musical comedv with Miss Rene Maxwell and Mr Jamieson Dodds in the leading roles, will be seen in New Zealand shortly. It was a prodigious performance which Miss Ruby Page Ferguson gave at Chautauqua last week, when, unaided, she essayed two complete plays, •'Green Stockings," and "The Violin Maker of Cremona." They were delightfully rendered, and stamped Miss Ferguson as an unusually gifted player. - Miss Marie Tempest and her talented associates arc meeting with much success in their inland tour. It is to be hoped that Hamillonians will be given an opportunity of seeing Ihe fine combination. The "Man from Toronto" Comedy Company concluded its Australian tour at Auckland on Tuesday night. The principals afterwards left for Wellington to join the steamer for England, as they are due to open in London shortly.

Mr Lints, who is well-known in Hamilton, has organised a musical revue, "Surprise Packet," with which he is touring New Zealand. Chautauqua is to be extended to England during the coming summer. Sincere regret is expressed by old playgoers at the news of the death of Mr George Darrell, a noted actor, and his name will be kept e\er green in dramatic circles. Deceased was in New Zealand in the early seventies, when he made his debut as an actor, and became notable as an author and manager. He wrote the play, "Sunny South," which was well received in New Zealand some years ago.