ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15894, 19 January 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

(By "Frm Diaoolo")

.PLAYS AND PICTURES.

THEATRE ROYAL. Nightly—Pictures. January if*. 21. —Pictures and the * Two Vagabonds. January 31. —B. .T. Gravestock (Ma-

dame Lydla Lipkovska). ♦February Concert to Mr H. Gladstone Hill. April 17.—J. C. Williamson. ("Sally"! NEW STRAND THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. FRANKTON'S OWN. Nightly Pictures.

Humphrey Bishop Co .on Monday. On Monday night the Humphrey Bishop Comedy, "andr Operatic Company will open a two" nights' season at the Theatre Royal... The company has just Closed a; successful month's season in-Auckland, where it became very popular, and the Hamilton season should be equally, successful. I was one of the crowded audience in Auckland on Saturday night, when the company gave its fourth change of programme. The show was bright and ' entertaining with much clever nonsense and some delightful vocal and instrumental music, and went with an exhilarating swing from beginning to end, rousing the audience to enthusiasm. It was much on the lines of that formerly presented ■by the Dandies, but with imany original touches, comprising clever , sketches, humorous and "straight" singing, grand opera selections, dancing, etc. A special feature is the, dressing and mounting, and the work of the orchestra (the latter under 'the leadership of Mr Humphrey Bishop. The' company includes Mr Humphrey Bishop, operatic vocalist and conductor, of the orchestra; Mr Edward Elliott, comedian and ventriloquist; Mr George Ross, comedian; Mr Robert .Roberts, Comedian and character actor; *MJss Louis» Meadow, soprano; Mr Harry Avondale, humorist at the piano and dancer; Mr Maurice Jaffey, Irish tenor; Mr Walter Kingsley, a singer with a magnificent baritone voice; Miss Marie Crowther, soubrette and dancer; Lalie Whyte, operatic soprano; Miss Mahana, Ney, piano comedienne; Will Tontoin, jazz drummer; Frank Egan, solo violinist; and a beauty chorus and orchestra.

Madame Lydla Lipkovska. Madame Lydia Lipkovska, the distinguished'Russian prima donna, will pvc a concert in Hamilton oh -Januarv 31st, under the direction" of Mr E. J. "Gravestock. Her concerts-in Aus- ,i tralia created the most; extraordinary enthusiasm, and the press and,public greeted the gifted perform.cris efforts with' high praise. - The Sydney Morning Herald says Madame Lipkovska is "the most exotic flower of all the bouquet of the world's'singers who have so far visited Australia.' The Russian soprano possesses a voice of the greatest pui"a feature of the concerts will be the'appearance of the. eminent singer in costumes of the period and nation of the music to be interpreted. Thus for old English songs, she will appear in a charming early Victorian costume. In French songs a wonderful "Pompadour" costume of the period. Russian new and old songs wijl see the famous singer in the national costumes of ancient and modern Russia. Supporting Madame Lipkovska wl.i be M. Alexander Sverjensky, a brilliant young, Russian pianist, who comes with a big reputation. Madame Lipkovska, the Russian soprano, made a vivid impression at her ope/iing concert in Auckland. One of the papers refers to her as "a coloratura soprano, who held the large audience in thrall ... an artist of the widest knowledge and unerring instinct."

Value of Chamber Music. One who has seriously tackled the subject of chamber music covers a far wider Held than if he limited his field to a study of solo music only, said Mr W. Arundel Orchard, director of the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney-, in the course of a lecture on tlifi opening of the summer school. Mr Orchard declared that chamber music widened the musical horizon and developed a proper sense of time; also the faculty of sight-reading. It encouraged an adjustment of tonal balance, which, he said, was a most important factor, for it developed the player into an accompanist.

A Chequered Romance Lord Northesk and the Countess Northesk, formerly Jessica Brown, the dancer, whose chequered romance received much prominence in the cable ncwa a little while ago, left New York fop London (says an American paper received by last mail.) It is Ihc trip postponed by them from week to week for several good reasons. Smooth as things may have socmen on the surface, it has leaked out that Mrs A. W. Starke, mother of the Countess, grew iired of paying bills for his lordship, although it. was denied that the trip was put off because of 8 lack of funds. The Lord and Countess Northesk lived with the Countess' mother. It was learned from Mrs Starke that Uie couple were starting on the flrsl Ifig of a tour of the world, but it whs not. learned wiio was financing the expedition. Buffalo society for a time after the wedding included .Jessica and her husband in the invitation lists, but the dancer refused to attend any of the functions saying thai as she wasn't good rnoufrh for them as s dancer, sin l certainly wasn't good enough for thorn as a countess.

Krelsler Coming,

Kreisler, the world-famed violinist, will tour Australia this year. He is said do be London's musical idol.

Caruso's Widow's Wedding. The marriage of Madame Caruso, widow of the famous singer, and Captain E. A. Ingram, a wealthy Scotsman, whose family is well known in Warwickshire, took place at Brompton Oratory (says the London Daily Mail). The ceremony, which was of a very quiet nature; wa3 performed by Father John Corbett, assisted by Father Brown. Mmo. Caruso was accompanied to the Oratory by Signor Preziosi, Counsellor of the Italian Embassy in London. The-best man was Commander Phillip Champion de Crespigny.

Australian Singer's Success. The British National Opera Company has engaged Clara Serena, the Australian contralto, to create the title role in Rutland Boughton's opera, "Alkestis," at Covcnt Garden. "Alkcstis" is translated from "Alcestis of Euripides," by Professor Gilbert Murray. Miss Serena is the ninth Australian to join the National Opera Company, t News of Favourite Singers. Wearing a chain of 15 gold nuggets thrown to her by miners of West Australia to show their appreciation of her singing, Miss Amy Evans (Mrs Fraser Grange) concert and operatic singer, arrived in New York on the Cedric (says an American paper received by the last mail). She also wore a large scar above her left eye, marking where one of the nuggets struck her. She claims to be as proud of the scar as of the chain. Her husband, the Scotch baritone, met her at the pier. Arbuckle Sued for Divorce. Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle was, according to the Billboard, sued for divorce by Mrs Minta E. (Durfee) Arbuckle, on grounds of desertion and failure to provide support. The parties were married in 1910, when "Fatly" was a struggling "extra" on the old Mack Sennett lot, Mrs Arbuckle, through her . attorney, states I|hat the unfortunate in San Francisco, in 1921, had nothing whatever to do with the present proceedings.

The Two Vagabonds at the Royal. The Two Vagabonds—Messrs Carlton Fay (pianist) and David Burt (violinist)—now at the Theatre Roval, are delightful entertainers. Not only are they gifted musicians (both have had much concert experience) but they introduce some bright and original'comedy into their turn, and their items range from classical to jazz. It is an unusual offering and assures the talented performers popularity. The Two Vagabonds have just closed a successful season at the Tivoli Theatre, Sydney.

Movie Salaries. ; The "Literary Digest" for December 1 last gives the salaries drawn each week by some of the "movie stars." They are as follows, the amounts being given in dollars: — Lewis Stone, 2D00; Rockcltffe Fellowes, 1000; J. Warren Kerrigan, 1500; Milton Sills, 2500; Richard Dix, 1250; Conrad Naglo, 1250; Jack Holt, 1500; Lon Chancy, 1750; Conwav Toarle, 2750; James Kirkwood, 2500; May McAvoy, 3000; Anna Q. Nllsson, 1500; Wallace Beery, 2500; Noah Beery, 1500; Mary Astor 750; Lila Leo, 1500; Betty Compson, 3500; Gloria Swanson, ,650*0; Barbara La Marr, 3500; Patsy Ruth Miller, 1500; Kenneth Harlan, 1000; Hope Hampion, 1000; George Walsh, 1500; House Peters, 2500; Florence Vidor, 2000; Tom Mix, 4000; Mabel Normand, 3000; Elliott Dexter, 2000; Elaine Ilammcrstein, 2500; .Larry Somon, 5000; Shirley Mason, 1500; Viola Dana, 2000; Al St John, 1000; Priscilla Dean, 3000; Norma Talmadge, 5000; Pauline Frederick, 5000; Dorothy Dalton, 7500; Richard Barthclmess, 2500; Lilian Gish, 5000; Mae Marsh, 1500; Walter Long, 1250; Wyndham Standing, 1500; Betty Blythe, 2500.

Nellie Bramley In Australia. Nellie Bramley's company was at the latest staging that bright comply. "Fair and Wanner." at the Theatre Royal .Adelaide. Like its predecessors the play was nicely staged and well acted. Nellie Bramley added another succors, whilst ethers who performed capably were Arthur Cornell (good), George Hewlett, Sylvia Nair, Ethel Bash ford, Guy Hastings, John Galway and William McClowan, The Expressive Moustache. "It's all in the moustache," says Raymond Griffith Gold-win leading man. "Raise a moustache Hint travels horizontally across the lip jus!, above the, mouth and you ran "play leads. A touch of wax on Die end's, twist a bit, and you can play nothing hut villains. Turn down the corners and become a comedian. Use it Tor eyebrows, loupes, goalees, nr sideboards —and become a character man."

Seymour Hicks In Australia. Seymour Hicks, aocording to the Melbourne Herald, is due to ar>.' v e in Melbourne about the end of February, and will open, under Hugh Ward's management in "the Man in\ Dress Clothes," at the Princess Theatre.

Marilyn Miller's 3500 Dollars. A contract calling for a flat weekly salary of 3500 dollars has been received by Marilyn Miller (Mrs Jack Pickford). It replaced her former agreement of 10 per cent of the gross of "Sally" with a guarantee (against it) of 1500 dollars weekly. Edward Elliott—An Old Friend. When the Humphrey Bishop Company comes to Hamilton on Monday many local people will greet an old friend in the person of Edward Elliott, comedian and ventriloquist. It is about ten years since,Mr Elliott was last in New Zealand, and during that time he has travelled extensively through England, America, the East, and Australia, but he and his talking doll, "Sunshine Jarnes," are very pleasantly remembered, and it will be good to renew acquaintance with them.

Mr Elliott, besides being a humorist and ventriloquist, has written several of the clever burlesque sketches which are introduced so effectively into the performance. His original and topical hits are always very popular.

Footllght Flashes. The "Cabaret Girl" Company left Auckland yesterday for Sydney. Mr Temple While, the well-known musician of Wellington, is spending a holiday in Waikato. Mr Oscar Asche confesses that his birthday is on June 6th and that he will be fifty-one next time. The forthcoming revival of "Tutankhamen" by the Auckland Operatic Society will be for five nights. Mr and Mrs W. R. Fox, formerly of Hamilton, are spending a holiday with relatives in Adelaide, South Australia.

"Charley's Aunt," "The Private Secretary," "Peter Pan,' and "The Blue Bird," were revived in London for the Christmas season.

Mr Harry Roberts, popular actor, is making a remarkable recovery in the Sydney hospital, where, up to last week, he had been almost at death's door with heart trouble. "Snowy" Baker, Australian athlete and actor, featured on the bill at the Mainstreet, Chicago, U.S.A., received columns of publicity on the sporting pages of the dailies. Mr Robert Pollard, representing the Stanley McKay Pantomime Company, was in Hamilton this week. A tour of the Dominion is contemplated by this entertaining company. The Lqng ,Tack Sam troupe o.f Chinese acrobats, Illusionists, etc., one of the most elaborate acts ever brought to Australia by Mr Harry Musgrove, will appear in Hamilton shortly.

Mr Lawrence Grossmith, the English comedian, will open at Wellington to-night in "Quarantine." During the season "Ambrose Applejolin's Adventure," aO-d "The Silver Fox, will be revived. At Gilbert Miller's revival of "Peter Pan" .'this year, Gladys Cooper was the Petev, Franklin Dyall played Captain Hook, George Shelton (the original) Smee, SI el la Patrick Campbell Mrs Darling, and Lila Maravan Wendy.

In March the Ghristchurch public will see "Our Miss Gibbs" performed by the Chrislehui'cli Operatic Society' and produced by Mr T. E. Foster. Arrangements for his school of acting in Ghristchurch will bo started immediately.

Leo White and Clay Smith are to appear at the Alhamhra Theatre, London, probably this month. They have been in the English capital ever since their return to England, hoping that they would be able to secure a suitable house for their musical comedies. After a successful run with "A Southern Maid," the Williamson Comic Opera Company is appearing in Sydney in a revival of "The Merry Widow," with Gladys Moncrieff in the title role and Andrew Iligginson in his origii'oil I'ole of Prince itanllio "Sybil" will probably be the next production.