ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16712, 30 January 1926, Page 16 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

HAYS AND PICTURES.

THEATRE ROYAL.

February 16 to 19 — Charlie Chaplin in

"The Gold Rush." February 23 to -25^— Harold Lloyd in

"Why Worry?" March 10— J. C. Williamson Nightly. —Pictures.

, STRANb THEATRE Nightly—Pictures.

■ : / v ' FRANKTON'S OWN, Nightly—Pictures.

Wirth's Circus Coming. Wirth's Circus will appear in" Hamilton on Saturday, February 27. \ \ The combination is said to be stronger than ever for this tour. Departure of Mr Cade. Another of Hamilton's vocalists and teachers left this week, Mr Alfred Cade departing to take up his residence in Wellington. - Mr .'Cade will be missed, for he is a gifted singer and his singing always gave great pleasure to his hearers. He was also a successful teacher, many of 'his pupils gaining honours in the vocal and elocutionary competitions. "■"■ ', Mr Cade's fronds will wish him success in his. new sphere.

Dame Clara Butt.

••". Dame Clara Butt's concert season / in Auckland was very successful. For her final concert on Monday night Dame Clara sang "Abide With Mef ''Softly Awakes My Heart" (from "Samson and Delilah"), "Land of Hope and- Glory," "Nebbie" (Rcspighi), . "Stornellatrice" (Respighi), "La Procession" (Cesar Franck), "The Beautiful Land of Nod" (F. H.- Cowen), "The Little Bird" (Franco Leoni), "Ships of My Dreams" (W. Wilkinson Stephenson), with Mr Kennerley Rumford (duet), "Dear Love of Mine" (Goring Thomas), and (of course!) "Keys of Heaven." • ; ,

Coming Williamson Productions. "The Seventh t Heaven," which achieved a highly prosperous run ou Broadway a couple of seasons ago. will be produced.in Sydney shortly,by: j. C. Williamson, Ltd. -.A New York artist, Miss Remy Garpen, has been engaged for the leading role, Diane. The characters ; of- "The. Seventh Heaven" arehumble'work-people of Paris, whose quiet'domestic life is rent asunder by the shdderi:;alarm of :war; and the story engagingly'makes; --its way to the desired happy ending.-- - : "White Cargo" will be produced, in Australia and New Zealand- shortly.' The principals, who will come, from America, include Helen Stransky as Tondeleyo, and Leon Gordon," tho author, as Langford. . This play has been decried on account of its theme ,and praised for its virility. -■-. '

Pat Hahna's Diggers. Pat Hanna's Diggers are the only company specially selected and brought from Australia by the Exhibition authorities,-and it says much for their success that they have to return in March. This combination's remarkable record of 488 nights in Cremorne Theatre, Brisbane, has. been further-enhanced by the success 'which has attended them everywhere* The combination includes Joe Valli, Bert Gilbert, G. P. Hanna, Stan Lawson, Brian Lawrance, Jim Foran, Jock , Donald, Roy Brinsden, Vera Carew, iza Crossley, Jessie Hanna, Rosette Powell, Thelma Pittard, Wynne Thomson, Kathleen Lawrance, Olive Baker, Gwen Lewis, Myra Bennett, Vera Ri.v, i the 'Diggers' Superb Ballet, and a full concert orchestra.

Impressed by the Maoris. ■ Mr A;'E. Y. Benham, the well-known singer, writing this week says:—"The Maoris gave the company an entertainment; at Whakarewarewa (Roto-' nia)'which took my breath away. Their wonderful voices, and harmonising, such as I have never heard Before. And then their dances —all too wonderful for my poor pen to describe!" Mr Benham mentions that the McKay Pantomime Company, is drawing capacity houses.

Pavlova Due Shortly.

Madame Pavlova, the world-famed dancer, will Open her Australian tour at Melbourne on March 13. The visit of Pavlova will be one of the artistic events of the year. "Lilac Time" In Melbourne. Of "Lilac Time," which is founded on tti'e life of the musician Schubert, a Melbourne writer says:—As Lili Mis* Harriet Bennet, a beautiful young Californian singer, made her first appearance in Australia, and received on her first entrance the hearty welcome, which 'it is our pleasant custom to give to a newcomer. Her fine singing soon called forth fresh thunders of applause. A double encore was demanded for the solo, "Cupid and I," in which voice and flute repeat each other, as in "Lo Here, the Gentle Lark," and were almost indistinguishable. Miss Benne't has charm as well as beauty of face and voice, and her acting, though necessarily restrained in this part, is never colourless. 'Hen voice is a full, sweet soprano of grand opera quality, and the fullness of ho high notes is very marked. Mr Jolh> Ralston gives a notable study of th<? gentle, lovable Schubert, and sings finely. His pure, clear baritone voice is particularly suited to the Schubert songs. Mr Claude Flemming, in the part of Baron von Schober, is, as always, manly and charming, and doe.? full justice to some fine songs, ;.,in eluding the famous Serenade. MirfS Byrl Walkley surprised and pleased the audience with, her vivacious acting as, the fiery e ltalian singer, Marini. Welcomes and encores carried the performance on until 11.30 on the opening night. One felt definitely in th" first half hour that this light open: was to be a great success.

"The Farmer's Wife" In Sydney. Sydney is still laughing over the rich humour provided by that clever comedy, "The Farmer's Wife." It is really full of laughs, and what more does one want? A' play differing in type from anything previously seen, it is one that, once seen, can never he forgotten. Townsend Whitling, in the role of the farmer, Doris Johnstone. in the title role, Susan Richmond, as the most cornic of spinsters, and Edwin Brett, as Churdles Ash, the village wit. are only three of the imported artists in this most excellent show. Renee Kelly In Melbourne,

Miss Renee Kelly, who is, pleasing playgoers in Melbourne with "Polly with a Past," has a repertoire including "Frederick Lonsdale's latest play, "The Last of Mrs Cheney," "Brown Sugar" "The Mask and the Face," ''The Naughty Wife," and (a far cry this from Mr Lonsdale) Ibsen's "The Doll's House." Miss Kelly was the original Judy in -"Daddy Lonslegs'-'-ia London, ..

(By "Fra Diavolq*")

American Invasion of London

Undress on New York Stage.

Galli-Curci In America.

Frank Harvey Staying in Australia. Frank Harvey, who is appearing in Sydney in "Monsieur Beaucaire," docs not intend to return to England. "I really feel that I am an Australian," Mr Harvey said, "and when I retire from the stage I shall live on my farm." - Frank Harvey's father was a playwright, and he himself has written several plays and sketches. "Wary Rosa" In London. ________

Barrie's "Mary Rose" was revived, in place of "The Man with a Load of Mischief," at the Haymark'et, London, on January 21. The,cast includes Miss Fay Compton, Mr Leon. Quartermaine, Miss Hilda Trcvelyan, Mr Frank Collier, Mr Reginald Bach, Mr .Norman Forbes, and Miss Jean Cadcll.

The Shuberls, the brothers Jacob and Lee, who control 68 American theatres, began active operations in London this month. One by one, His Majesty's, the >V Jn ter Garden, the Apollo, the Gaiety, the Adelphi, and the Shaftesbury theatres have come under their direction; and although they disclaim any intention to "Americanise" the London stage, they have already arranged to produce live American plays in. London. Famous Pianist's Vow.

• M. V, de Pachmann, the 17-ycar-old pianist, notified 1 Sir Dan Godfrey, th-i director of. the Bournemouth Winter Gardens,'..that he could not accede ta ,a request, that lie should open his con • -cert there • with Chopin's Funeral ■ March, as a tribute to the memory of Queen Alexandra.

M. Paghmann's agents told a reporter that the pianist's decision was la consequence of a vow he made after the death of King Edward never to play the march again, so great was his grief at the passing of a Sovereign who had been very kind to him. M. Pachmann was anxious, however, that his attitude should not be taken as disrespectful to the memory of a gracious Queen.

The American stage is employing hundreds of English actors and actresses, but Mr Andre Chariot, who has just returned from producing his "Chariot's Revue" in New York, says that, apart from this, the theatre there is now more comparable with that of Paris.than of London. "You see undress and situations that would not be tolerated here in our lifetime. There is one musical piece which has its programme girls dressed as revue girls might be dressed in London, and with show girls who sit at tables in the auditorium and entertain patrons of the theatre. In the intervals, there is public dancing in the house."

Madame Galli-Curci at her recital in Symphony Hall, New York, last month, was assisted by Horner Samuels, pianist, and Manuel Berenguer, flautist. The famous diva sang these numbers: "Dch piu a me" (old Italian), Bononcini; "Se tu m'ami," Pergolese; "Romania," from "Dinorah," Meyerbeer; "Lo! Here the Gentle Lark," Bishop; "Dein blaues Auge," Brahms; "Bolero," Delibcs; "'fes yeux," Rabcy; "Una voce poco fa," from "Barber of Seville," Rossini; "Elegy," Palmgren; "Golllwogg's Cakewalk," Debussy; "The Sleep that Flits.on Baby's Eyes," Carpenter; "The Brownie," Lconi; "The Garden Wind," Fenner; "Theme and Variations," Mozart-Adam.

"Kangaroo Fiat." The Australian play, "Kangaroo Flat," enjoyed a successful opening night at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne. The audience was kept in roars■ of laughter at the rollicking comedy, and seemed equally pleased at the story proper, which is melodrama on somewhat conventional lines. The whole effect of the play is good and the Australian atmosphere well suggested. Mr Tal Ordell, the author (remembered as "Ginger Mick" in "The Sentimental BJoke"), supplies much of the humour with one of his true-10-life character studies—in this case as a farm hand. Miss Maggie Jaryis is winsome as Nell Manson; Mr C R. Stanford as the old farmer, "Dad" Manson, most amusing; and Mr Ravydon Blandfdrd and' Mr Carl Lawson very good as the drover hero and the villain respectively. The stage settings include a fine view of Sydney Harbour.

Too Much Limelight For Actors. Charles B. Cochran writes in a London paper:— ; Not long ago I became the subject of much good-humoured banter because I said that I sought io avoid publicity. Coming from a showman such a statement must have'seemed paradoxical, but it is none the less true. For there are some kinds of publicity in which I most firmly disbelieve, and one is the kind which sacrifices the illusion of the theatre for the sake of personal popularity. In the good old days of showmanship the artist prided himself or herself upon being a person apart, a desirable and unknowable mystery. Alast nowadays the average artist is like the woman of Oscar Wilde's aphorism—".a Sphinx without a secret." The public is regaled with all the details of the famous actress's toilet —how- she owes her figure to A 's corsets, her complexion to B 's face cream, and the allurement of her coiffure to Electrolysis, Ltd. Now this sort of publicity may b? very useful to the firms purveying these enduring charms, but can it in any way advantage the playhouse or the reputation of the player? I question very much whether any youngsters hang about stage doors nowadays in anticipation of gazing reverently upon artists in I lie lies!;. Some enthusiasts I know wait after first nights to discuss and criticise with their favourites the Jailer's performances, to get autograph hooks signed, and so forth. Bui, such doings would have been regarded once as an incredible liberty .verging on license-

When I was but a little boy I remember seing Tree in a provincial town and following him, otv,at such a respectful distance, for three-quarter* of an hour until he went into a bathing machine. Afterwards I- bought the bathing dress which he had worn for a shilling from tho van proprietor. But nowadays any Tom, Dick, and Harr\ can fraternise, more or less, with numerous artists and acquire that familiarity which, if it does not breel contempt, certainly stifles illusion. Augustin Daly, who knew the artistic and financial value-of illusion as well as any man, actually had it in his contracts that his artists were debarred from walking down Broadway or .frequenting any popular restaurant. This may seem harsh, but I would like to lock my artists up as soon as they leave the stage, and I am sure that the artists' reputations would be enormously enhanced. The artists, the managements, and their Press-agents, have nourished an evil which threat - ens to consume their most precious stock-in-trade, their aloofness and their mystery.

Mamie Watson in England. .. When the last mail left London Miss Mamie Watson (who was "The O'Brien Girl" out here) had replaced Miss Dorothy Dickson in "Chariot's Revue."

Coming to this country (says the London Era), Miss Watson was "discovered" by Mr Francis Laidler, who engaged her for panto, at the Princess, Bradford. She has, played with Seymour Hicks in "Broadway Jones"'and "The Bridal Suite," and in "Gabriclle" on tour.

Farewell to Muriel Starr. Miss Muriel Starr made her last Sydney appearance for the time being as Mary Turner in "Within Ihe Law." The Criterion Theatre was packed with admirers. At the close of the performance she was enthusiastically called before the curtain, and in a few words expressed her appreciation of the kindness extended to her by local playgoers during her stay in the city. "I am not leaving for America just yet, and before I do 1 hope to see you all again," she said. "I am taking a rest for a little while." Many pretty floral tributes were presented. "Monsieur Beaucairo" in Sydney. The revival of "Monsieur Beaucaire" in Sydney, with Mr Frank Harvey in the title role, closed last night. Also in the cast were Miss Mary Hinton (Hon. Mrs Pitt Rivers) as Lady Mary Carlisle, Mayne Lynton as the Duke of Winterset, Sydney Stirling as Beau Nash, Kay Souper as Captain Badger, Kenneth Brampton as Major Molyneux, Frederick Hughes, as Lord Townbrake, Ronald Ward as Mr Rakell, Herbert Leigh as the Marquis do Mirepoix, as well as Raymond Lawrence, J. B. Atholwood, John Fernsidc, Emma Temple, Rosamund McMillan, Daphne Deane, and iMattie Browne. To-night the company will be seen in "The Pelican."

"The Gold Rush" in the Pulpit,

It is very seldom that we hear a picture spoken of, from the pulpit, but to preach the whole sermon on a picture, and a comedy at that, is certainly an unique experience and hardly credible, but this is exactly what happened in Christchurch, wlym the Rev. J. K. Archer (Mayor of C'hristchurch) de-* livered a sermon on "Gold and its Evils." taking as his basis Charlie Chaplin's new film. "The Gold Rush." The Rev. Archer said he was greatly impressed by the picture, which he had viewed during the' week, and which, no douht. the majority of his congregation had also seen. "No doubt," lie said. "Charlie Chaplin produced the picture to make money, but as I watched it I wondered if he had any serious purpose in making it. The picture suggests some lessons for thoughtful men and women."

Footlight Flashes.

Guy Bates Post will open in Wellington to-night in "The Masquerader." It is likely that an Orphans' Club will be formed in Chrislchurch tin's year. The Sherson Twins, formerly of Hamilton, sang at the Hippodrome Theatre, Auckland, this week. \ Seats have been booked for "Rose Marie" at Drury Lane, London, as far ahead as June 19 this year. The Williamson Musical Comedy Company, after a successful season in Wellington, will open at Christchurch to-night in "Leave It To Jane." John Longstaff's portrait of Maurice Moscovilch was awarded the Archibald Prize of £4OO for the best portrait during 1925 (says a Sydney paper). In the cast of "Lilac Time," in Melbourne, are a father and daughter—• Mr John Ralston and Miss Mascotte Ralston, who received her pretty name because her father was playing in "La Mascotte" when she was born.

One of the most successful playwrights in America. His work is intensely modern.

A performance of "II Trovatoro' 1 was given at the Exhibition at Duncdin this week, with 400 voices. The soloists were: Misses Kate Campion, Mina Caldow, and Meda Paine, Messrs Arthur Jordan, Leslie McCallum and Harrison Cook.

"There •is a possibility—a hope—that Miss Lily Elsie (ttie original "Merry Widow") may be persuaded to come back to the stage in a play by Mr Frederick Lonsdale in which I shall have a part," Mr Godfrey Tearle said in London recently. Nothing is fixed so far —the play is not even finished —and in any case the production cannot take place for months to come.

That popular revue artist, Mr Con Moroni, is back in New Zealand, at Christchurch, after an absence of some two years, with a new and altogether delightful show. Con Moreni has a strong cast of supporting principals, including Dan Weldon, Marry Moreni, Les Austin, Alex Macallister, Cyril James, Rosie Bowie, Dolly Varni, Violet Lester and a bullet. "A Message from Mars" has been revived in Sydney, at the Majestic Theatre. Frank Neil appears as Horace Parker (the selfish man), Victor Fitzhcrbert us the Messenger, Jefferson Talte as the Tramp, Maurice Tuohy as Arthur Dicey, and Miss Eileen Alexander (the New Zealand girl) us Minnie. At llampstead (England) registry rjlicc the marriage took place of Mr

John Amadio, the New Zealand flautist, and Miss Florence Austral, the Australian opera singer (states an exchange. The day after the marriage the bride and bridegroom left for New York by the Majestic to spend their honeymoon.

Mr Gordon Goldswain. the English violinist who was in Hamilton last year, has been broadcasting a good deal with the San Francisco Y.M.C.A. Orchestra, of which he was leadersoloist.

Miss K. Woods, who left Wanganui on Monday to take up a position in Wellington, was farewcllcd on Thursday by members of tho Wanganui Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society, of which she has been a prominent member. Mr Louis Cohen, president of the society, presented. Miss Woods with a clock as a tribute from members. Picture Paragraphs. A correspondent asks me the age of Conway Tearlc. He is 45. Belly Bronson, who was "Peter Pan," plays the Madonna in "Ben Hur." Because of his fine work in "Bright Lights," Charles Ray has been signed on a long term 'contract by MetroGoldwyn. Pola Negri is a real countess—at least, she was once, for she was married for a whole year to Count Eugene Domska.

Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle is directing a series of comedies under an assumed name—a very thin disguise. At first he called himself Will B. Good; now "Mr Woodhead."

Charlie Chaplin is soon to start another comedy to be based upon the life of a dandy of the boulevards. He still thinks he may do his comedy on the suicide club at some future time. How screen tastes have shifted! Audiences once thrilled over Thcda Bara as a dangerous siren. Now they arc going to laugh over her as a burlesque vamp. She has signed to do two-reel comedies for Hal Roach. How times have changed! Eric Yon Strohcim has been signed by Famous-Players to work in the capacity of director and actor for their organisation. His contract, though I have not learned the dtails of it, is probably for one year with an option attached for lengthening it.

Constance Bennett, the screen actress, and Philip Morgan Plant, heir to millions, were married at Greenwich, Connecticut, on November 8. Mr Plant, who is the adopted son of the late Commodore Morton F. Plant, will eventually inherit 15,000,000 dollars. There is something in Lloyd Hamilton that needs open spaces for his soul. So lie told his wife, anyhow. He told her he couldn't be married any more because lie wanted to be free and untrammelled and unrestrained. So the lady was awarded a divorce. ' Mary Pickford's next is titled "Scraps." After she lias finished that and after Douglas Fairbanks, lias completed "The Black ' Pirate," they contemplate co-starring in a picture, some of the scenes of which will probably be shot in the various cities they intend to visit on their next trip abroad.

John Barrymorc is making three pictures for Warner Brothers —"Don Juan," "The Sea Beast" and "Paolo and Franccsca." D. W. Griffith's next is lo be from the Marie Corelli novel, "The Sorrows of Satan." After she finishes "The Scarlet Letter," Lillian Gish will go to the Ufa studios in Germany to appear in the spectacular version of "Faust." Ufa has already begun work on the massive sets for the picture, and Lillian's arrival will be the cause of an international celebration. Emil Jannings will play the Devil. Lester Cuneo, Western star in independent features, committed suicide in his Hollywood home on November 1 by shooting himself through the head. Mrs Gunco was ahout to start an action for divorce, and the actor is believed lo have brooded over the collapse of his marriage. Besides his wife, two children survive the player.

The biggest picture theatre in the world is to be built, within the next year, at Fiftieth Street and Seventh Avenue, New York City. It will cost 7,000,000 dollars. It is to he named The Roxy, the name by which its manager, S. L. Rothafe], is known to his friends and to the thousands x of radio fans who stand by every week to hear him and his "gang." . It, has often been suggested that Mr Coolidge, President of America, is a man without a recreation; that he, unlike previous Presidents, allows himself no sport or other activity beyond those imposed by the duties of his position. This is an error. The President has as his one recreation the moving pictures, and lo it he is devoted with the qaiet intensity of his nature.

Mrs Charlotte Shelby, mother of Mary Miles Minlcr, will have to turn over to the judge.an answer to the suit brought against her by her daughter. Mary charges thai her mother reoeived 250,000 dollars as the result of Mary's work with the old American Film Company, and 960,000 dollars from the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. / Mary asks that her mother give an accounting. That should not he difficult. , A fashionable apartment, a few years at the Monlmartc, and a year's accumulation of telephone calls at five cents per bark would cover the bill! Mrs Sidney Drew died recently. Twenty friends, atLended her funeral in a Los Angeles church. The busy film colony was 100 occupied with itself to do more than notice and pass on. Yet the Drews did a great ileal to put pictures where they are to-day. When subtlety and humanness were at a premium on the screen, they dared to make shrewdly humorous little domestic comedies. Then Sidney Drew died. Mrs Drew, who had created the little comedies, struggled to go on alone. With llobart Henley she made "The Gay Old Dog." It was a grim and poignant story of empty bachelorhood. It failed. They said it was "ahead of its time." Mrs Drew slipped from view. Pictures came and went. Screendom forgot.