ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 16 (Supplement)

ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

; ! ; (By "Fra Diaaalo") ;!,

PLAYS AND PICTURES. THEATRE ROYAL. Nightly™ Pictures. ,l:ne 9, 10.—Musgrove Celebrity. Vaudeville. NEW STRAND THEATRE. Nightly —Pictures. FRANKTON'S OWN. Nightly Pictures. «fen Latona at The Gtrand. I wonder if many Hamilton people realise the standing of some of the artists appearing at/ the Strand Theatre. Jen Latona, now at the theatre, uas for years been a "headliner " in London, as anyone who lakes an. interest in the theatre knows. fi'iusgrove Ceiebrity Vaudeville. The Musgrove Celebrity Vaudeville Company, which has been doing excollent business, at Wellington lor some weeks, 'will open at His Majesty's Theatre. Auckland, to-night. The company includes: Miss Rente 1-iiano, an American comedienne with an international reputation; Signer Romano Rasponi, the fine baritone formerly .of the Sistinc Choir; Carr Lynn, the animal mimic from Loudon; The Tivol.i Trio, melody maids; La Belie, daring lapezist; the Alton Sisters, on the silver wire; Donald Stuart,' the "high and mighty" magician; and ClaJre Solly, brilliant contralto. After the Auckland season the company will come to Hamilton. New Zealander in New York. Mr William Valentine, the New Zealander, who left the cast of "Sally" in Sydney to go abroad, is do-, jng very well in America, where he is appearing in musical comedy. The company has just closed a record run in Chicago, and will open in New York in August. Gladys IWoncrlefY's Wedding. Thousands of people thronged St. James' Church and its immediate vicinity for the welding of the popular actress, Miss, Gladys Lilian Moncrieff, to Mr Thomas Henry (Tom) Moore, also a stage favourite with Australian audiences. The bride is the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs R. 15. Moncrieff, of Yamba Lodge, Hose Bay, Sydney, and the bridegroom (he eldest son of the late Samuel Moore and Mrs Louise Moore, of Toorak, Melbourne. Dean Talbot, of St. Andrew's Cathedral, performed the marriage ceremony, and Mr L. G. Moncrieff (brother of the bride) gave her away. The church had been charmingly decorated with white flowers and palms. .Misses Charice Hardwickc, Thelma Korster-Jones, Ruth l-ligham, and Dorothy Taylor (Melbourne), were bridesmaids. Mi' Robert Chisholm was best man, :mi Mr Edmund Sherras groomsman. "For her big moment," says the Bulletin, "Gladys trailed a wedding rown of ivory georgette, luscious with chenille embroideries and l:-opical, with trails of orange ■.blossom. A wash, of georgette and Mechlin lace, whereon- true lovers' knots and rosebuds were all a-glow, was borne by the little- pages. The whole was mis Led over by a tulle veil that cascaded from a coronet of Mechlin lace and pearls—very effective on the dark head of the principal lady." The bridesmaids presented a picture, of flashing pinks and blues and nuiive and violet.. .... .The bridegroom gave ids bride a diamond circlet, and scattered among Hie bridesmaids diamond and sapphire rings, gold wristlet watches, and si rings of pearls. , Mr and Mrs Tom Moore left Sydney by Hie Maunganui on a wedding-tour of Lurope and America. Oscar Asche in "The Skin Game." The daily press criticisms of Oscar Wyhe's production of Galsworthy's "Skin Game," 1 have been very nattering, the .Melbourne "Evening Sun" remarking that "this is a great play, ajid Oscar Aschc's role was characterised by really good acting-" Big Theatrical Lawsuit Pending. A writ lias been issued by Fink, Best and Miller, solicitors, Sydney, on behalf of J. G. Williamson, Ltd., against Solomon Green and George Bernard Dickenson, in the Supreme Court, to enforce an agreement for the sale of the Tivoii Theatre circuit to the plaintiffs. • The plaintiff's claim is for:—

back to drama.;: Playgoers demand something with a story running through it, and expect in the development of lhe.t story well-written dialogue. The, time when'a. comedian could''appear an the hoards and sing about an umbrella and send his audience away satisfied is Hearing its end. Smart melodrama, not the weak stuff that is periodically given, but, well-constructed stories of human interest, with the backing of ingenious stagecraft, is also coming back again, and that means that in the long run the playwright will be giving something of educational value to the younger generation, as well as providing a better form of entertainment. But whatever is presented, there must in'future be the story to begin with." Mr Dicks was interested to hear, through Ihe cable news, that Germany was once more taking to English plays. "It is to be hoped," he added, "that, some better actors than previously interpreted them are presenting these plays. Germany has put up with some, terrible actors; indeed, J should not be surprised to hear it contended some day that actors caused the war. The Germans probably know more of Shakespeare than any other nation in the world, but if you saw some of the players interpreting the tragedies and comedies of the immortal bard you would pity them."

Theatrical Divorce, Cass. Ronald Squire, English actor, was granted a divorce from his wife, Muriel Martin Harvey, an actress who appeared in Australia las! year in the stage version of "if Winter Comes." Garry Marsh (who appeared as Mark Sabre in "If Winter Comes" in Australia and New Zealand} was cited as co-respondent. "Sally's" Moxt. Miss Josie Melville ("Sally'') will next be seen, in "Good Morning, Dearie," 'which will probably open at Sydney. Mr Dan Agar will bo the chief comedian. Percy Le Fro recently left London to appear in this production. "Mixed" Reception to Lee White. Lee While and Clay Smith cabled Australia from London recently as follows: "Opened Queen's Theatre, new show entitled 'Come In.' Tremendous success. M.aie Baird and Archie, Thompson good, Billie Lockwood great." English critics thought differently. Here is a sample: Tlvbugh the Australian, Billie Lockwood, scored a personal success in Lee White's revue. -1:0010 In," at the Queen's Theatre, the show was a failure. "I've. Been Slung" was the injudicious title of one song, and the galleryites immediately chorused "So Have We!" Miss While added fuel to the fire by asserting that the galleryite opposition had been organised by her theatrical rivals. '

Lee White insists that the hostile reception accorded the revue, "Come in,-"' was organised, and Clay Smith says that the. production had been given unmerited condemnation. There hail been difficulties in rehearsing owing to influenza,"but the show possessed the smartest chorus in London. They were busy in brightening the dull spots, and they were, slid hopeful of success, because they were hoi capitalists, and were taking all Lhe risk themselves, and had no backing. Lee While was so rushed in remodelling the shew thai she could only say that no Australian audience would have given them such a reception. Bricklayer for Opera.

Mr Reginald Sewell, of Sutton, Hull, who is joining the Carl Rosa Opera Company, has been working regularly as a bricklayer in the employ of his father, a builder and contractor. He has been in the Sutlon Primitive Methodist choir since his childhood and has appeared locally as a tenor soloist. "Rain" In Australia. The biggesl success of recent years in Now York is "Rain," a dramatisation of Somerset .Maugham's dramatic and flaring story, with Jeanne Engcls as the woman of (lie streets. Mr Hugh Ward recently obtained tin.' Australian rights, and Barbara Hol'l'o, the well-known English actress, who was unable bo appear with Seymour Hicks owing to an attack of typhoid, is studying Jeanne Engel's role. "Rain" will be produced next month. "Lilac Time." Mr Jack Ralston has returned to Australia from America for "Lilac Time." Mr Ralston, who was last in New Zealand with the Gilbert anil Sullivan Opera company, will be remembered as an old Pollardian. Others in the cast are Misses Eve Lynn and Byrl Walkeley, Messrs Claude Flernming, Arthur Stirgant, Robert Chisholm, Blake Adams, and Herbert Browne. Charles Hackett and BratzaCharles Hackett (tenor) and 13rat/.a (violinist) have had a. wonderful season in Sydney. In Charles Hackett, Sydney finds a tenor whose luscious voice impeccably produced, strangely resembles the, well loved tones-of John Mac Cormack (says a Sydney paper;. More robust in tone, its timbre still preserves that golden mellow quality which induced ail Australian music lovers to ac-claim the Irish tenor. Young, good looking, well groomed, and alert, Charles Racket!.,* with iiis heaveu-scnl gift of song, displays remarkable breath controC and a wealth of lender intleclion. Willi a vocal range unusually large, and versatility which is undoubted, Mr Haekelt's songs cannot fail to reach the heart of the simplest person in fb.e land. Of Bratza, the youthful violinist, who supported the, famous' tenor, it may safely be said, that he is one, of , Urn world's best. His tone, while 1 scarcely so sonorous as that of Heifetz, has a peculiar sweetness all its own, and he combines witli a wonderfully nimble and dexterous technique, an intensely temperamental style. He is. without doubt, a remarkable violinist. These artists wilt .come to New Zealand at I he end of July. Ths Pantomime "Aladdin." Jt is the general opinion that "Aladdin" is the brightest and.most spectacular pantomime which has ever come this way under the J. C. Williamson banner (says the N.Z. Times). bmv were crowded audiences < on ShM: day uflenioon and evening, when [)!>■ gorgeous production called up exclamations of deligjil on all sides. Miss Ada. Becve, as "Aladdin," scored fresh triumphs. She is the most flashing "boy'' imaginable, and her charming personality is irresistible. Her duets with Miss Charteris and Mr

"A. specific performance of a contract between plaintiffs and defendants on March 20 last. "B. Damages on account of loss of profits, and "C. Damages for breach of eontract." We understand that the plaintiffs assert that the agreement was made with Green and Dickerson for the sale of 120,000 shares in the company Known as Musgrove's Tlvoli Theatres, Ltd. This is the majority interest in this company, Mr Harry Musgrove being the proprietor of the remaining interest. The Tivoli Theatre Company controls Rickarci's Tivoli Theatres in Sydney and Melbourne. —"Evening News." Seymour Hicks Speaks. "And you ask me what prompted rne to visit Australia?" said Seymour Hicks, the London actor-manager, to a Sydney pressman. "What l have been asking myself ever since I arrived, a.nd particularly at this moment, is why 1 did not come sooner. There always ha? beer, a great moving round in the profession in England, and because there has never been a proper understanding of Ibis part of Great Britain, 13,000 miles away, why the natural thing was for stars to drift to Paris or America, or even the larger provincial cities. In recent years many actors of note have returned from this fine country so much impressed with the people and the place that one could not well resist their exhortation to 'go and see for yourself.' 1 remember saying' to one of liiese new-found friends of -yours: 'But suppose they do not take to me,' and what has since appeared to me to be the obvious reply was ventured: 'Go and sec for yourself;' And now that I have had some experience J can appreciate their viewpoint—it has been worth while." The visitor had something to say of interest regarding English productions. •"There has been a marked rhc • '•' in theatrical productions in the om land since the. War," he said. "During hostilities those who remained at home demanded thin, light entertainment, and in this way revue had a considerable, vogue. The younger people were attracted by revue, which seems now to have served its time, and the pendulum is swinging

Tom Payne made great hits on Saturday night. Mr Tom Payne, as the Widow Twankey, and Mr George Welsh, as Ahanazar, are comedians of the very front rank, whose acting is natural and whose, jokes are new. The pantomime is gorgeously mounted, and one dazzling scene succeeds another., .Nothing more beautiful has been seen here than "The Willow Pattern Garden," "Aladdin's Palace." "Interior of the Cave." and "Rouge el Blanc." No one should miss seeing the Three Nilos, who give an amazing performance, which is quite off the beaten track. Miss Amery is one of the mosl beautiful dancers who have ever appeared here, and the gorgeous frocking throughout is a theme, of admiration. Many sparkling ballets are provided, and Lhe wiioie show is a whirl of delight from rise to fall of curtain.

Irene Vanbrugh-Dion Boucicault

Opening in Sydney on December '22 with "His House in Order," the Vanbrugh-Boucicault company established itself as lhe most accomplished and entertaining combination of artists to appear in Australia for many years. Since then Hie company has enjoyed a remarkably successful season, and has crowned all its previous efforts with the present superb interpretation of Frederick Lonsdale's comedy, "Aren't We All?" which is preceded by another pleasing entertainment —Sir James Barrie's one-act 'drama, "The Will." The company will sail from Sydney for New Zealand, on June 5, opening at Auckland. ■

Muriel Starr in "IVladame X." The following is the cast in the revival of "Madame X" in Sydney:— Georgia. Harvey, Bose (a housekeeper for Louis Floriot) ; Leslie Victor, l)\\ Chesncl; G. Kay Sotiper, Louis Floriot; Muriel Starr, Jacqueline; Harvey Adams, Noel; Frank Harvey, Laroque; Fred. Coape, Victor; Jack Cannot. Perissard; John Fernside, Merivel; Ailsa Graharne, Marie: Rosai inonde M'Millan, Helene; Reginald j Long, Raymond Floriot: Felix Bland, the Clerk of Court; James B. Atholwood, the President of Court; Lion Wheeler, Fontaine; Raymond Lawrence, Valmorin; Arthur Albert, Foreman of the Jury. London Artists for Australia. Australians who imagine they do not get very good theatre fare will be surprised to learn that practically every first-rate music hall star in London has been booked to visit Australia during the year. Hetty King, the greatest male impersonator, Albert Whclan, Max Darcwski, the famous composer, and Scott and Whaley, who were ttie originators of most of lhe "coloured man" comedy, are, all sailing within the next few months. They are all people gelling two hundred or more pounds a week. Robert Greig and Beatrice Holloway. Robert Greig and his wife, Beatrice Holloway, are playing in Perth in "It Pays to Advertise," ''Snxon Keys to Baidpatc," and "Baby Mine." Nearly all the members of their company are known to Dominion theatre-goers. Eileen Alexander was through here wilh "The Sentimental Bloke," Herbert Lee with Kmelie Polini, Harold Moran with Muriel Starr, and Richard Webster with .Marie Tempest. IVtiss Ethel Osborn. At her re-appearance in Sydney with the Royal Apollo Club after her New Zealand lour, Miss Ethel Osborn scored an immense success, Hie critics describing her as "a genuine artistic vocal sensation," "a new st-ar soprano," and "one of the. foremost sopranos Australia has produced." Miss Osborn, who has resumed her studies with Mr Roland Foster at Hie N.S.W. Slab'. Conscrvatorium, hopes to visit New Zealand again in 1925. Footlight Flashes.

Pharus the Egyptian is now in Christehurch. Air Hugh Ward will sail from Sydney for America on June .Mb, in search of theatrical attractions. .Mr Seymour Ricks, the Condon actor-manager, is now in Sydney with "The .Mail in Dress Clothes." The Wellington Royal Choral Union will produce Weber's "Der Frelschuiz" at Wellington to-night. The Hamilton Choral Society's first production for the 192 i season will be "Elijah," probably followed by ".Maritana:" "Is the new hoarder an actor?" "Why?" "Haven't you noticed how he ducks bis head when asked if lie'll have an o.ggl" The Nellie Bramlcy Dramatic Com-' pany will commence a return season of Xew Zealand at Wellington on June -21st. The Wanganui Amateur Dramatic Society will stage the musical comedy "The Gay Parisienne" souk; lime in September. .Mr Theo. Trezise, of Wellington, will aid; as producer. The Sydney season of the Melba Grand Opera Company will open on June 7lh. with a gala performance of "La Bohcme." The cast will be headed by Dame Nellie Melba and Signor Nino Picraluga. Roseoe ("Fatty") Arbuckle is now a producer of motion pictures. Evidently his sense of humour remains unimpaired. This is revealed in the pseudonym he is stated to have taken—Will B. Good. The Humphrey Bishop Company has returned to the North Island after a successful tour of the South, and is now in the Hawke's Bay district. Ii is gratifying lo learn that a return season in Hamilton is contemplated. .Mr Den Barnes, of Wellington, has been engaged by the Royal Christchurch Musical'Society to sing the baritone solos in the "Ancient Mariner," which will be performed in .Christehurch on June 17 and .1911 is interesting to note that of the Sistine Choir Soloists who toured New Zealand last year, four are back in- the Dominion. Signers Rasponi, Pasinati, and Sarin are members of various Musgrove Celebrity Vaudeville ; companies, while Signor Gonstanlini is teaching singing in Auckland. Jose Collins (the original "Maid of the Mountains") is now appearing in Condon as Nell, in "Our Nell," the latest musical comedy written round the life of Nell Gwynne. Others in the cast include Arthur Wontner, Robert Michaelis, Spencer Trevor, Reginald Bach, Amy Augarde, Faith Bevan, and Muriel Pope.

Ploie Allen, who was last through. New Zealand with "The Cabaret Girl," bad a. wonderful success when the show opened in .Melbourne. As a result the lino of J. C. Williamson has smiled on her. In future Miss Allen will play only humorous parts, and when a suitable part cannot be found for her, she will be on leave on full

The pantomime "Aladdin" had a pleasant circumstance lo attend its presentation al the Opera House, Wellington, on Monday night*— the visit of Miss Gladys, Monerieff, who, with her .bridegroom, Tom Moore, was passing through to America and England by the Maunganui; Miss Moncrieff was given an ovation when her presence was made known.