ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16152, 29 November 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

w PLAYS AND PICTURES. THEATRE BOTAL. * December 15—Choral Society '(“The Messiah Nightly—Pictures. TOWN HALL. December 2, 3—Southwell School (“The Yeoman of the Guard"). December 9.—Miss Rimmer’s Recital. Dee. 10, 12—Madame Sagasser. December 13—Mr A, R. Wynyard’s Recital. NEW STRAND THEATRE. Nightly—Picture*.' FRANXTON’S OWN. Nightly pictures. Imprswlnns from New York. An American friend, writing from Newport by the last mail, says:— Have Just returned from a wonderful week in “Lll Old New York,” dur>v- tng which I attended the first night of live new plays, saw “Rain” again on the sixth night, saw “White Cargo” and “Fata Morgana" at matinees, besides four new musical comedies. Was I busy? Figure it out for yourself! The new plays were:— . “Hassan,” a poetical costume drama of the Orient, the first hit of the new - season. Nothing much in drama, but well acted and spectacular. The producers were undoubtedly encouraged by the tremendous success of “The Miracle.” The public seems to enjoy these things, just now, so I believe "Hassan” is here to stay. “The Mask and the Face,” a complete failure, that may be closed any minute. Badly acted and staged, and with a time-worn theme. I can’t imagine how it found its way to Broad- “ Dancing Mothers” Is from the i Hungarian. The theme: the mothers who become “flappers” to teach their daughters a lesson. Weak, but well acted by Ina Claire and others. “Old Man Minnik,” a character study of small town life. 0. P. Heggie. (who was in Australia in the Hawtrey production of “A Message from Mars”) is one of our best "old man” actors, and makes this rural comedy a thing Of worth. “Izzy,” an uproarious comedy. A Jewish youth who Is determined to \ become a motion picture produoer. Cut along the lines of "Merton of the Movies,” but original enough to stand on Its own merit. . ... - • Of course I couldn’t see'all the new plays, and they are still opening at the rate of three every night, so I guess I’ll have to make another trip this week! The musical shows are the same ones of last year and the year before, only the titled* are different, and some of them have charming music. Billie Burke Is in musical comedy this season, and she is as delightful as ever In “Anie," a musical version of one of her legitimate plays, “Good Gracious, Annabelle.” ‘‘Chocolate Dandies,” a negro show, is pleasing blase Broadway, and couldn’t Tie otherwise, as it is one of...the'best' in '.town. . The others I saW Were’ “Top Hole;”- good music and a golf plot, and of course the “Ziegfeld Follies,” as dazzling and ..-s spectacular as ever. And Will Rogers, whom you have seen in the movies, is x in it too.

As you see, I did not have time for movies, but I did see the pre-view of Von Stroheim’s “Creed”—ta 20 reels! This picture is great, but as they will have to cut It to at : Jeast nine reels before it will be shown I wonder if it will be half as good when it’s ready. Wasn’t I fortunate to see the whole picture? The Mollle Bramley Company.

The success of the Nellie Bramley Company was gratifying, and should encourage touting companies to place Hamilton “on "the map” again. The company will stay in New Zealand until March next, spending.the Christmas season at Greymouth. At the conclusion of the Dominion tour a long season will be commenced at Sydney, where Miss Bramley is a great favourite, having been leading lady at one of the- theatres for no less than five years. Mr Russell hopes to arrange a return season in Hamilton in the New Year. If it can be arranged the company will probably play “Sunday,” “A Little Bit of Fluff,” and “Paddy-the-Next-Best Thing.” x" Neill* Bramley Co. at Raglan.

The members of the Nellie Bramley Company, with a few friends, spent a ■ very happy time at Raglan on Sunday. The party consisted of Mr and Mrs William Russell (Miss Bramley) and several members of their company, Mr and Mrs P. W. Maddock. Mr and Mrs Ferg Mason, Mr Walter Gray, Mr Taylor (of Dominion Motors), and this scribe. The scenery, especially the beautiful New Zealand bush, on the way out was much admired by the visitors, who were equally enthusiastic regarding Ocean Beach. Lunch at the hotel and an al> fresco afternoon tea on the bush-clad hills above the ! beach were much enjoyed. The day passed all too quickly, and it was with regret that the party motored back to town. r

“The Yeomen of the Guard." Hamilton playgoerj are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to renew acquaintance With the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and the production of “The Yeomen of the Guard” at the Town Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday is one to attract large audiences. Of course there will be the novelty of boys playing girls' parts, for all the characters will be taken by the boys of the Southwell School, but apart from that the opera should attract playgoers by reason of Its delightful music and interesting dialogue.

Madam* Ethel Bagasser. Hamilton is to be favoured with a visit on December 10 and 12 by Madame Ethel Sagasser, the Norwegian soprano, who created such enthusiasm during her recent tour of Australia. Mr Thorold Waters, editor of Australian Musical News, reporting Madame Sagasser’s concert in Melbourne, said: “The singer gave the city a surprise. Her voice is a soprano of lyrical beauty and bird-like expressiveness. It is a voice fresh and sure, and capable of conveying unusual delight." Madame Sagasser will be supported by Miss Doris Yaldwyn (pianist) and Mr Allen Fitz-Allen (elocutionist) .• Stainless. A tense moment in “La Tosca.” The heroine snatches a glittering knife from the supper table, and buries it in the wicked Scarpia’s bosom. Dave gasps at the star!? reality of it, then pausing for a second glance at the weapon, whispers 1 hoarsely to Sarah: “Funny, there ain’t no bl-iood on the knife!”

“Shhhhh 1” she warns him, “can’t y’ see it’s a stainless?”

(By ~Ptm Otmamia")

r «Daa May Beatty !n Hamilton. The presence of Miss May Beatty in Hamilton this week revived many memories. Who does not remember her as one of the outstanding members of the Pollard Opera Company, when she was associated with her sister Maud, Marion Mitchell, Gertie Campion, Will Percy, Aif and Lily Stephens, Charles Albert, Harry Quealey, and others? Then followed a distinguished stage career in Australia, and later in London, with her husband, Mr Edward Lauri. Some yc&rs ago Mr Lauri died. Miss Beatty returned to Australia two years ago under engagement to Hugh J. Ward, and made her appearance in “The O’Brien Girl,” appearing later in “Tangerine” and "Little Nelly Kelly.” Her role in “The O’Brien Girl” gives her great scope as a comedienne. Her duet and dance (or rather "chase”) with Mr Mark Daly. “The Whichness of the Whatncss," is one of the funniest (and perhaps one of the silliest 1) things I have seen on the stage. The night I saw it in Melbourne it was encored again and again. Miss Beatty’s daughter Hinemoa (“Bunny”) is in Australia.

Hamilton Pianist In Sydney. The many Hamilton friends of Miss Beryl Higgott, the brilliant young pianist who left for Sydney at the beginning of the year, will be pleased to hear that she is making excellent progress at the Conservatorium. ‘ The work is hard, with practice,- lessons, lectures, attendance at-chamber concerts, etc., but Miss Higgott finds it all of absorbing interest. On several days of the week she attends from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., and on the other days from 9 a.m. to 1.

Gladys MoncrlefT Welcomed Home. Gladys Moncrieff made her reappearance in Melbourne, after her holiday tour abroad, in “The Maid of the Mountain's,” with other revivals to follow. She will come to New Zealand for the Christmas season.

To say that Miss Moncrieff reoeived a warm welcome back is putting it mildly. As early as eight o’clock on Saturday morning patrons of the gallery were waiting to enter the theatre, and when the doors were opened a little after eleven o’clock the gallery was nearly half-full. When the Aus-. tralian artist made her first appearance on the stage she received an ovation.

Williamson, Ltd., In London. Three plays that have already been successful in. the United States are soon to be presented in London by a new combination, just formed in New York, called “The World Play Corporation” (says the London Times). At the head of this are Sir George Tallis, of the Australian firm of J. G. Williamson, Ltd., and the New York managers, Mr Charles Dillingham and Mr John Golden. The pieces to be given in London are “Lightnin’,” “Turn to the Right,” and “The Seventh Heaven.” The company will also produce plays in South Africa, Australia, the Straits Settlements, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the Far East.

Prologue to “Thd' Sea Hawk.” An elaborate prologue has been arranged for the presentation of “The 'Sea Hawk,” one of the really big pictures of the year, at the National Theatre, Auckland. Mr Fred Baker, of Hamilton, has been engaged to impersonate the Sea Hawk, and will sing a song with the same title. He will be assisted by Miss Verna Bain (the well-known dancer) and 25 men not less than six feet in height and 20 girls. The prologue will probably be presented in Hamilton later.

Masses, Not Classes, Like Opera. “It is the masses, not the classes, that appreciate grand opera in Auckland,” -said the manager of the MelbaWilliamson Grand Opera Singers, now in Auckland. “That is the only conclusion that can be drawn from the experience of the present season. The people whom we know as regular patrons of the stalls and the dress circle have not attended these concerts. The success of the season has depended on the gallery and the back stalls, which have been filled night after night by the same people.”

The manager remarked that he had been associated too long with the theatre to be mistaken. “The people who book the more expensive seats for other classes of entertainment, those whom visiting managers have come to regard as patrons of dramatic art, have been conspicuous by their absence. The enthusiasm of ihe audiences has been memorable; there is no doubt that there are many people who appreciate and welcome the opportunity to hear grand opera music, but they do not come from all classes of Auckland society. “In view of such evidence of the lack of musical appreciation in Auckland, one cannot regard with much enthusiasm the prospect of bringing a complete grand opera company to New Zealand.” Mrs Brough and Dion Boucicault. The appearance of Mrs Robert Brough with the Vanbrugh-Boucicault Company in “Aren’t Wc All?” at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, brings into associalion again the two names which meant much in the development of (lie stage in Australia—Brough and Boucicault. “It is a strange kindness of fate that circumstances should bring me on the same stage ns Dot Boucicault again.” said Mrs Brough. “It is a real delight io me to join such dear friends and associates again as Irene Vanbrugh and Dion (t. The

st time we were noting together was : London In 1917, when the air raids ere at their worst, and we often had o announce the postponement of performances. I took parts in ‘Trelawley of the Wells’ and ‘The Land of Promise.’ No need for me to speak of Mr Boucicault’s acting. I have not known anybody to excel him in getting the last ounce of weight out of his part, the last nuance of meaning and of action out of every word of the author. His acting skill is something to amaze and delight." Marie Ney In London.

Miss Marie Ney, the Wellington girl, is sharing the principal -women's parts at the Old Vic, London, with Miss Olivia Burleigh. The season opened last month with “Othello," and the repertoire will include “A Midsummer Night’s Dream," “Richard II.," and the Chester Nativity play. New plays are produced every three weeks. The leading man of the company is Mr lon Swinley. Amateur Activities. The Napier Operatic Sooiety commenced a five nights’ eeason of “Florodoro" on Tuesday night. At the annual meeting of the Hawera Operatio Society the balancesheet showed the total receipts during the year to amount to £642 Is 3d, leaving a cash balance in the bank, after all expenses were met, of £175 12s 4d. Besides this the society had assets to the value of £244 2s 44. “Wlldflowsr.” “Wildflower," a musical comedy which has had a very successful run in America, will succeed “The Cousin from Nowhere” at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, to-night. Miss Marie Burke, a London artist, Is cast as Nina, an Italian peasant girl, full of the fire and temperament of her country, Around her a very real plot revolves. Herbert Browne is the hero. Others in the oast will inolude Gus Bluett, Marie Le Varre, Marjorie Daw, add Fred Mackay.

Dal Monte In America. Toti Dal Monte (who became a public idol during the recent Melba grand opera season in Australia), in her debut in America, created a sensation as Lucia, in Chicago. The critics declare that she challenges comparison with the greatest living coloraturas. The Chicago Tribune critic says: “Despite memories of Melba, Tetrazzini and Galli-Curci, I recalled no mad scene like Dal Monte’s. She neither sought to divert attention by getting insane nor endeavoured to dazzle vocally, but her contrasts of timing and phrasing and her control of voice were superb.”

Famoua Actor* Arrive. Maurice Moscovltsoh, the famous Russian actor, arrived In Melbourne last week. Among the plays to be presented are “The Great Lover,” “Wliat Money Can’t Buy,” “The Outsider,” “Trilby," and “The Merchant of Venice.” /

Guy Bates Post, who also arrived in Australia last week, said to an interviewer: “My visit to this country again is a great surprise to me. I was in the midst of a sumptuous presentation of ‘Faust’ in New York when Sir George Tallis called on me. ‘Why not come out to Australia and do It for us?’ I was naturally staggered, but he talked me over." Mr Post hopes to produce “The Climax," “The Green Goddess,” and “The Nigger,” with a revival of “The Masquerader.”

■‘Betty” In Bydney. A new and attractive musioal comedy was produced on Saturday night at Her Majesty's, Sydney. This is “Betty,” a show which had a very long run at Daly’s Theatre, London. Alfred Frith is seen as a lively member of the aristocracy, while Cecil Kellaway, Hugh Steyne,! Field Fisher and other comedians help with the fun. Edith Drayson plays Betty, a kitohen-maid, married to an Earl, and taken in hand for a course of improvement by a few' of her husband’s friends. Winnie Collins, Maggie, Jarvis and other favourites are also in the cast, while Cunningham and Clements again dance. A Memorable Farewell. When the curtain was run down on the final ensemble of “The O'Brien Girl” the audience, which filled the theatre, was loth to allow the players to depart (says a Sydney paper). Time and again the curtain had to be raised and lowered to permit of the company bowing acknowledgments and receiving floral tributes. The house was a network of coloured streamers, and the stage and performers were loaded down with bouquets, boxes of sweets, and strange-looking brown paper parIt was a memorable farewell. In response to insistent hand-clap-ping, Mark Daly made a speech on behalf of the management. When he announced that the company would be back at Easter to produce “Tangerine,” the salvo of applause from the gallery girls was deafening. The OBrien Girl herself, Mamie Watson, shyly faced a battery of hand-clapping and said, “Thank you.” I The company will come to New Zealand at Christmas, opening at Wellington. I Imitation or Creation? j William Stack, the English ShakeI spearean actor, has been assuring Australians that the man who says they have no culture simply knows nothing about them. lie praises their love of music and art, and then proceeds: | “But what of the theatre? What, in- | deed? It is hero a thriving, vigorous j enterprise, at least on the imitative : side. The importations from Lon- : don and New York are mounted with creditable emulation of these two great centres of theatrical production, , and I have seen at least one piece here j that surpassed in all-round excellence

its London original. And even In the short time and limited scope of my observations I find the outoropping of movements which indicate that the Australian theatre must soon and surely pass from Imitation to Initiative and original creation.”

Oscar Asohe In Litigation. In the Practice Court, Melbourne, Mr Justice Schutt made an order directing that the action by Oscar Asehe against J. C. Williamson, Ltd., should be stayed with a view to allowing the matter to go to arbitration. Mr Asche, it will be remembered, issued a writ in connection with his recent tour of Australia, when he staged various productions -under the Williamson management. The application for the stay was made by the defendant and opposed by the plaintiff. Galli-Curci In London. The debut of Mme. AmeHta GalliCurci at the Albert Hall (says the London Era) was something of a sensation. America’s greatest soprano received a wonderful ovation, and for two hours nearly 8000 people sat entranced under the spell of her crystalolear voice. The transition from records to realism was reflected in a sort of hushed excitement which was only given the leash when the singer finished—and then it knew no bounds. Glassio selections from Italian opera, ballads, plantation ditties, and old English melodies were all within the scope of her ravishing voice—and she sang in five languages. The dramatic denouement, In response to almost frantic recalls, came when she sat down at the piano and, accompanying herself, sang “Home, Sweet Home.” An Australian-made Picture. Another step forward in Australian motion picture production has been made by Beaumont Smith in his latest release, “Hello, Marmaduke.” In addition to telling a good story, this picture abounds in excellent settings and unusual incidents. The sinking of the Australia has been well woven into one of these, and the preparations for the sinking are shown in detail. Claude Dampier, “The Perfect Ass,” wellknown to theatre-goers; Mayne Linton, another stage star; Connie Graham, Lucille Lisle, and Fernand Butler are amongst the featured players.

Footllght Flashes. Kenneth Harlan and Marie Prevpst, screen stars, were recently married. Maggie Dickenson, the Australian dancer, with . her husband, Mr Syd. Culver, are still “headliners” at the London music halls.

Mione Stewart, daughter of Mr “Dick” Stewart, has an excellent part In “Broadway Jones” at the Grand Opera House, Sydney. Henri Verbrugghen, conductor of the Minneapolis Orchestra, returned to America from Europe by the Berengarla on September 19. The No. 3 Company of Williamson Entertainers, headed by Harry Weldon, the English comedian, will commence an Auckland season to-night.

St. Leon’s Circus, which made such an excellent impression here a few years ago, will probably tour New Zealand again in the near future. Pat Hanna’s Diggers celebrated their anniversary at the Cremorne Gardens, Brisbane, recently. Stan Lawson and Joe Valli are with this show. Mr Renn Millar, so well-known in costume comedy in New Zealand a few years ago, is with Huxham’s Serenades at the Palais Theatre, Manly, Sydney. Mr Charles Healey, manager of De Luxe Films of U.S.A., was in Hamilton this week to make arrangements for the screening of “East Lynne” at the New Strand Theatre.

Mrs Wilga Watson recently obtained an order/in Sydney for restitution of conjugal rights against her husband, Sidney Coverdale Watson, known on the stage as Sidney Stirling. Mr Seymour Hicks is producing “Broadway Jones" in Sydney. He is said to be not as well placed in this typically American farce as in the other plays in his repertoire. Marguerite D 'Alvarez was due to leave England on November 1, by the Mauretania for the States, where she was to begin a “heavy season of concerts" on November 18, in New York. M. Bratza, the young Serbian violinist, was, when the last mail left, spending a few days in Adelaide prior to his departure for England. Musiclovers regretted the cancellation of his New Zealand tour.

Irene Vanbrugh and Dion Boncicault are to produce A. A. Milne’s “The Truth About Blayds," also “The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith” and “Trelawney of the Wells,” during their present Melbourne season.

A group of the Slstine Chapel Choir Soloists, led by Eugenio Teronl, are now fulfilling a thirty weeks’ tour of the United States. An Australian season by singers from the same choir is said to be projected for next April. It Is said that the £2OO per week paid to Miss Ada Reeve to appear at Sydney picture theatres Is the highest yet paid to any artist acting in a similar capacity, and her appearance at the pictures marks a new era In the movie industry.

Supporting Dorothy Brunton In “Tons of Money” in Melbourne are Misses Maidie Field, Mary Gannon, Lottie Sargent and Elsie Parkes Messrs Charles Heslop, Andrew Higginson, Compton Coutts. Jack Kirby, Leslie Pearce. George Willoughby, and Oliver McLennan.

Sydney is to have at least one pantomime at Christmas —“The Bunyip.” This time it is to be done by the Fullers at the Hippodrome. '‘The Bunyip” is Australian all through—book, music, and settings. It is to be based on an all-Australian pantomime produced most successfully in Sydney some years ago.