ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15272, 23 June 1923, Page 14 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

(By “Fra Diavofo”)

\ PLAYS AND PICTURES. ______ j ——• TOWN HALL. Dramatic Company. THEATRE ROYALNightly—Pictures. July %—Hamilton Choral Society Con- , * cert. July 12—Jean Gerardy (’cellist). July 18—J. C. Williamson (Oscar ~ ;j Asche). : % NEW STRAND THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. ALEXANDRA HALL. July 3—“Joyland.” FRANKTON’S OWN THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. “Scandal” To-night. “Scandal,” which was produced at the Town Hall last night, under the management of Mr Harry I. Cohen, by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd:, will be repeated to-night. The Company is headed by Miss Doris Duane and Mr Eric Harrison, two English artists. Eric Harrison’s Varied Career. Mr Eric Jlarrison, now in Hamilton as leading man with “ Scandal,” has had a particularly interesting and varied career, his experiences includ-ing-several years on the stage and in the ’“movies',” also distinguished war service. v Mr Harrison has appeared in the following London productions: “Roxana,” with Doris Keane at the Lyric Theatre; “Ziz-Zag,” at the Hippodrome; “Three Weeks,” at the Strand Theatre; "The Boy,” at the Adclphi 'Theatre; and "The Maid of the Mountains,” at Daly’s Theatre. Since leaving England three years ago he has played in South Africa, India, Burmah, Cevlon, the Malay States, China, Japan and Manila, and appeared with Emilie Polini in “The Lie,” in Sydney. Mr Harrison’s “movie” experience has' been wide, and includes appearances id several pictures which have been seen in Hamilton. In America he played lead in “The Honeymoon,” •with-Constance Talmadge; “Rose of the World,” with Elsie Ferguson; “The Sales Lady,” and “The Feud Girl,” with Hazel Dawn. lie also appeared as leading man in the following British screen productions: “Westward 'Ho,” “The Key of the World,” “Quinney’s,” •"Father O’Flynn,” and “Faith, Hope and Charity”; and produced “Carnitval,” “Love and the Whirlwind,” “Many a Slip,” “Mrs Thompson,” and '‘ln 'Emergency Colours” (the latter ‘being made in Australia. , Mr Harrison served for four years in the British Army, going out to (France as a motor-cycle despatch rider with . the ' original Expeditionary Force in 1914. He was awarded a commission in the Royal Air Force, and received the D.C.M. and M.C., the former as a despatch rider on the Retreat from Mons, and the latter for bombing operations over Germany. At the conclusion of the present tour of "Scandal” it is quite probable that Mr Harrison will come out here again with his own company, playing a pdrt that he played in England some 350 times.

Being-a keen golfer Mr Harrison is looking forward to playing over the Hamilton Links, which ho says he has heard spoken of as one of the finest courses in New Zealand. Oscar Asche.

According to present arrangements, Mr Oscar Asche opens his New Zealand season in Auckland on June 27, probably with “Cairo.” Mr Asche had a phenomenal season iif Perth with “Cairo” and “Chu iChin Chow,” and is now drawing big audiences in Sydney with the latter. ■“Cairo” is one of the most vivid memories of my recent visit to Australia, mainly on account of its wonderful lighting effects and the fascinating Eastern “atmosphere.” «‘H!m and Her’s Twins!” It happened at a Hamilton picture last week. (Five kiddies presented themselves at the door, and the boy in charge handed four tickets to the doorkeeper. “But there are five of you; where ifj the other ticket?” ,-„asked the doorkeeper. “Oh,” said the boy, pointing to two of the party, “Him and hcr’s twins!” They got in. Choral Society. 'Considerable interest is being displayed in the Choral concert, to be given on July 2nd. Mr Gladstone Hill and his enthusiastic band have been hard at work on an excellent and ambitious programme. Included in the numbers to be presented are two choral fantasias on Wagner’s grand operas,'"Tannhauser” and “Lohengrin.”

Gladys MoncrlefT’s Latest Role. Gladys Moncrieff will have another Jose Collins role when "Sybil” is staged. “Sibil,” like “A Southern Maid,” is a comic opera with a strong dramatic and emotional appeal, in addition to plenty of sparkling comedy. There is a romantic love story running through the three acts, and at times the situations and music are reminiscent of grand opera.

Piss Amy Castles. Miss Amy Castles has definitely arranged to open her New Zealand tour in Auckland on Saturday next, June 30. Miss. Amy Castles has with her her sister, Miss 'Eileen Castles, lyric soprano, and Mr Albert Torzillo, who, as a harpist, won fame among his comrades with the A.I.F. in France, , and; has since been touring successfully in Australia. Mr Chas. Tuckwell is the solo pianist.

4 ‘6aliy's” Records. The J. C. Williamson musical comedy “Sally’ bas established a remarkable series of records in Sydney. The season opened on Saturday, January i, and over 200 performances have ■been given. “Sally” holds every record in connection with Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, having been played to nearly 400,000 people. The ‘previous record was held by “The Maid of the Mountains.” which ran for sixteen ■weeks. Miss Josio Melville, who became a star by her splendid performance on the first night of "Sally,” is one of the most popular actresses in Australia, and has signed no fewer than 3000 photographs for her admirers. Another record has been established by the sale of over 6000 copies of the vocal score of the play.

Jean Gerardy, ’Cellist. Jean Gerardy, the famous ’cellist, will commence his New Zealand tour at Auckland on July 4. A Melbourne critic recently' wrote: “The first throbbing note that came from Jean Gerardy’s ’cello last night had an ecstasy in it that has not been heard from any player of any instrument within memory here in Melbourne. It

was gorgeous as melted gold, and It will shimmer In the thoughts of all who heard it as long as musical recollection lasts with them.” The ’cellist will be supported by an American pianist of note In Mr George Stewart MoManus, and a young Sydney contralto, Miss Essie Ackland.

From Park Benches to Affluence. Glenn Hunter, who a few years ago, as a stage-struck youth, found his path W stage fame so difficult that he was compelled to sleep on park benches and in railway stations, is now, in his early twenties, playing the lead in the biggest New York success of the season, “Merton of the Movies.” and is the star of the Film Guild productions. He also has just signed a contract securing 100,000 dollars a year for five years to appear in Famous Players—Lasky screen productions. Miss Ella Shields’ Divorce.

■Mrs Ella Hargreaves, known on the variety stage as Miss Ella Shields, petitioned for the dissolution of her marriage, alleging the cruelty, desertion, and adultery of her husband, Mr William Joseph 'Hargreaves, who did not defend (says a London paper just received) . Mr F. T. Barrington-Ward, K.C., for Mrs Hargreaves, said he had to ask the discretion of>the court in her favour, as she had been guilty of misconduct. The marriage was on December 5, 1906, Mrs Hargreaves having been previously married and having obtained a divorce decree. From the time of her marriage with Mr Hargreaves until he left her in 1916 she led a life of terror, her husband acting towards her like a brute. The cruelty was continuous, and eventually, as she refused to give him more money, he deserted her. He disappeared altogether - for a considerable time, and in August, 1917, Mrs Hargreaves, who had led a perfectly virtuous life up to that time, met a Gol. Christie, who was stationed close to where she was then living, at Croydon. He forced his attentions upon her, and on her giving way the association continued for two months. Then Mrs Hargreaves broke off all association with the colonel.

Mrs Hargreaves said her husband abused her, beat her, and kept her out of her home; and she was often too tired to go to work at night.

Sir Henry Duke: What was the nature of the physical violence? —He would try to choke me. He bruised my face so that I could not appear before the public. Do you mean he hit you in the face? —Yes; and he spat at me. On an occasion in June, 1915, said Mrs Hargreaves, she was at tea with a friend and her husband returned and accused her of signing a contract unknown to him. He threw a tea-tray and the contents at her. At dinner the same night there was another scene, and he slapped her face and tried to choke her. t,

Sir Henry Duke: Had he been maintaining himself through the marriage? —No. 1

How had he been maintained?—By my work. As to ber own misconduct with Col. Christie, Mrs Hargreaves said that she attributed the lapse to the state of iier health at the time and to being all alone.

Sir Henry Duke granted Mrs Hargreaves a decree nisi, saying that he had no hesitation in exercising the discretion of the court In her favour. New York Plays and Prices.

Writing to the Sydney Theatre, Mr E. J. Tait gives a resume „of New York shows, with significant' details of the price schedules. How would they suit colonial pockets? Here are a few of his notes; —Hale Hamilton and Arthur Byron in “The Twist.” Fair play. Price per seat, 12s 6d. “Sally” (Marilyn Miller and Leon Erroll). Great. Price per seat, 19s. “So This is London.” Good. Price per seat, 12s 6d. “Springtime of Youth." Musical comedy. Fair. Price per seat, 14s 9d. Russian opera, Chaliapin in “Boris Goudino.” Great. Price per seat, 30s. •‘Caroline.’ Musical comedy. Excellent. Price per scat, 14s 9d. “Good Morning, Dearie.” Musical comedy. Excellent. Price per seat, 14s 9d.

Sale of Mrs Rickards’ Diamonds. Diamonds and other jewellery of the late Mrs Harry Rickards were auctioned in Sydney. Some of the best sales were: Long diamond chain (110 diamonds), £460; pair of diamond earrings (six diamonds in each), £425; diamond pendant (six diamonds), £205;. diamond three-stone trefoil ring, ' all platinum, £150; diamond miniature and pearl, £9O; single stone diamond and platinum bracelet, £77; diamond bangle, £6O.

First Night Scene. There was a sequel yesterday to the scene at the first night of the new revue "The Rainbow” at the Empire Theatre, Leicester Square, N on Tuesday night, when Jack Edge, the comedian, at the fall of the curtain, complained to the audience that he had not been given “a chance’ in the play (says the London Daily Mail of receit date). Sir Alfred Butt, managing director of the theatre, announced that Mr Edge would not be allowed to continue in the cast.

Mr Edge told a reporter that he really stepped forward as a,. joke. “But,” he added, “I suppose I forgot myself. 1 was rather upset about the death of my friend, Mr Myer Goodman (who died in mysterious circumstances at the Charing Cross Hospital early on Tuesday morning), and that and other things, I suppose, caused me to say too much. I have offered my apologies to Sir Alfred Butt, but I am afraid it is too late."

A Producer’s Bankruptcy. Producing plays and assisting the fickle public to enjoy itself isn’t the money-making business most people consider it to be. Here is a list of the losses incurred toy Philip Townsend, London theatrical producer, which eventually landed him in the London Bankruptcy Court: £25,000 in E. Lews Waller Tours, Ltd; £2OOO in E. Lewis Waller, Ltd.; £3500 in “Love Flowers”; £6926 in “Her Son,” “A Mixed Marriage,” and “If Four Walls Told"; £IOOO in “Mary” and “The Gipsy Princess”; £2750 in "Ring Up” and “By All Means, Darling”; £ISOO in “Just Fancy.”

Novel Idea at Community Sing,

Sir Harry Lauder’s gospel, that singing makes one cheery and is a firr-t-rate dispeller of the blues, is the basic principle of community singing, says a Wellington paper. It is a fact that few audiences look and, feel so happy in the aggregate as those who attend these weekly “sings” at the Town Hall. The last was no exception to the rule. It was a genuine surprise “sing," the surprise consisting in the conduct of the “sing” by not one, but no fewer than seven

leaders, each trying his utmost to make the audience sing better than the preceding leaders had done. It was a merry competition, with a time limit for each man. Eaoh leader was only allowed eight minutes, and no matter what was doing when his time wis up, his suocessor at once rushed on to *.ne platform and claimed the attention of the audience. On one or two occasions leaders wished to complete the song that was being sung, but such action was punishable by puftfng into operation the Order of the Extinguisher, a huge candle snuffer, which effectively silenced all protests. 'lt was all admirable fooling, which the audienoe hugely enjoyed. The participating leaders were Messrs G. W. Hughes, C. Proctor, M. I. Mays, C. T. Webb, G. M. Silver, H. E. Wilson, and W. J. Mason. Painful Music. The celebrated Hungarian composer M. Bela Bartok, was recently the guest of the British Musio Society at their ooncert, and the inspirations of his fierce muse, whioh he and Miss d’Aranyi played, afforded a new shudder even to the wise and impc»turbable people of that special audience.

There were new piano pieces and a new violin sonata, as well as the sonata (No. i) which first flashed across the musical sky last year. M. Bartok’s contributions to musio are a new violence and a new cry of pain. Cries of pain or else violence would probably also be evoked from most audiences by this strange musio, but last night everyone was too sophisticated for that (says a London paper).

But assuredly it was not nonsense. Its poetry was barbaric, but It pretty certainly was real poetry. M, Bartok,' a gentle-looking but alert little man, grey-haired and distinguished, uses the piano in ways of his own —often as though it were a sort of kettle-drum. Miss d’Aranyi was marvellously good. • Scene at Drury Lane.

Playgoers at Drury Lane on Jyne 20 were treated to an unrehearsed anti-climax as dramatio as it was unexpected. It was the last performance of “Ned Keane of Old Drury,” which had run a very short while, after succeeding “Angelo,” which also had a run of only three weeks. At the end of the play Mr A. J. Saintsbuhy, who was playing the name-part, spoke to the audience, and said that he regretted that the piece was being withdrawn. Cries of protest came from all parts of the house, asking that the' play bo kept at Drury Lane. 1 \ There were several minutes of exclamations of enthusiasm and approval of the play when it was seen ' that someone had risen frofft the stalls and was heard trying to make himself heard above the noise. > At last he secured a hearing, and speaking with a Scottish accent, said: “I have seen every production at ] Drury Lane for years, and I came from Scotland to see the last night of the show. I cannot understand why it is j coming off. I am a Scotsman, and if • the directors let the play continue for j two or three weeks, I will see that they do not suffer any financial loss.” Tremendous cheering broke out, and Mr Saintsbury rushed to the wings and brought on the members | of the company, amid unprecedented The whole theatre sang "For He’s 1 a 'Jolly Good Fellow” in honour of the j Scotchman, who reluctantly gave his name as Samuel Greenless, the retired head of the well-known whisky firm. ; His generous offer has been accepted by the management. Heifetz in New York. Heifetz, who delighted New Zealand audiences but a short while ago, was the star of stars at the Metropolitan Theatre,'New York, quite recently, playing the Mendelssohn concerto and a group of short piecep. When Heifetz was near the end of his last piece (an air from “Eugene Onegin") one of his strings broke. He borrowed the instrument of the leader of the violins' and finished his piece. When he handed it back, the owner beamed with joy and pressed it to his bosom, proud to think it had been played on by a Heifetz 1 _ Footllght Flashes. rt I understand that Fox’s Orchestra will journey to Auckland shortly to assist the Auckland Male Choir in a concert. Dan Leno was once asked whether he was superstitious. '"I think,” he said, “it’s unlucky to be run over by a steam-roller!” The Wellington Amateur Operatic Society’s production of “The Toreador” will commence next week. Mr T. E. Foster is acting as producer. Signor Cesaroni, who will be well remembered by music-lovers, has been engaged by the New York Mozart Association to sing in "The Magic Flute" and “Don Giovanni.” The old “Beggar's Opera,” which has achieved phenomenal success in London, will be produced by the Williamson firm shortly, with Miss Kathleen Hilliard as Polly Peacham. On several nights during Sir Harry Lauder’s Christchurch season the crowds were so great that patrons had to be accommodated on the stage. Sir Harry promises another “farewell" tour of New Zealand in 1925, when he says he will visit the smaller towns as well as the centres. Jan Caryll (Thomas O’Carroil), a New "caland artist, who has for the last two years been appearing successfully in the principal theatres of England and Scotland, is at present in Paris, viewing the latest novelties in revue production before beginning the Scarborough season (says an English paper). . ~ Miss Maie Baird, who was m Hamilton with Lee White in “Bran Pie,” is now doing'a quaint Maori dance in the revue “Back Again” in Sydney. It has pleased the critics greatly. When Miss White returns to London Miss Baird will accompany her.® “I am sure England will love her,” says Miss White. The successful run of "The O Brien Girl” in Melbourne was brought to a close on June 9. No fewer than 202 performances were given. Having seen the show on a recent visit to ] Australia I can quite understand its | success, which I am sure wjll be re- ' peated in other centres. “The O’Brien Girl’s" successor is “Tangerine.” A .letter from Rarotonga from Messrs Harold Nelson Slmw and Frank Hopkinson, the Canadian entertainers, ■ who made many friends in Hamilton. . indicates that after a few days’ mali de-mer, they were settling down lo a pleasant trip home on the Tahiti. Tin. passengers were all very friendly, am. arrangements had been made to carry t out a comprehensive social and spoils i programme. : Asked wily she was leaving I In' , stage, Miss Maud Fane said: “lien i are two reasons (pointing.to her iw 1 young children), and the third is no s husband is waiting for me on our farm t in Eng Hand. I have always had a - passion for the English country-side, ■ so I am off with the “motley” for ■ good; and amid the green meadows of ’ Surrey, we shall lead the simple couni try life.”