ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 17 (Supplement)

ACROSS the FOOTLIGHTS

(By “Fra Diavolo ”) ] I

PLAYS AND PICTURES. f ■ THEATRE ROYAL. To-night—Denis Kehoc Players, in " The Intruder." June ii—Don Cossack Choir. June 12—" Dick Whittington" (Girl Guides.) June 21 to 25—Hamilton Operatic Society ("A Runaway Girl"). Nightly.—Pictures. STRAND THEATRE. Nightly—Pir.Jures. FRANKTO.VS OWN. \ightly—Pictures. •The Intruder" To-night. The Denis Kehoe Players, who give a far better performance Ui.'Ai many companies that come with a greater flourish of trumpets, will re-appear in Hamilton to-night, presenting "The Intruder'" at the Theatre Royal.

Pavlova the Wonderful. What can one say of Pavlova? One needs the imagination of a poet lo do her justice. “The poetry of motion" is a hackneyed phrase, but Pavlova fully realises it. My evening at His Majesty's, Auckland, on Saturday, was one of unending delight. After seeing Pavlova and her dancing partner Novikoff and the members of the ballet one realises how great an art dancing may be. Every movement meant something. The dressing and settings were beautiful. For the Snowflake Ballet there was a winter scene, with tree branches laden with snow, snow falling, and Pavlova, Novikoff and the members of the ballet in white, glistening with diamonds, it was all wondrously beautiful. A grand opera orchestra of over 20 players was under the control of a master musician and conductor, M. Lucicn Wurmscr.

A Satisfying Programme. Saturday’s programme included two one-act ballets “Snowflakes," to music by Tschnikovsky, from "Nutcracker," with Anna Pavlova as Queen of Snowflakes. Laurent Novikoff as Prince of Iceland, and full ballet; and “The Magic Fluie," In music, by Deign, with Thursa Rogers (the Wellington girl) and M. Pianowski leading the dancers.

Mr Kehoe and his company are experienced players who have been before the public of Australia and New Zealand for some years. Most of them were with Allan Doone for a considerable lime. The present company came to New Zealand nearly a year ago with “Mother Machree," “Gounly Clare." “Tom Moore." and other plays, and it says much for their popularity that they can play return seasons at frequent intervals. The company is headed by Miss Frances Kayher and Mr Denis Kehoe, and includes Misses Gwen Dorise and Miriam Osborne, Messrs Ronald Riley, Bernard Bceby, and J. Vincent White. Hamilton and Art. Under' the above heading a correspondent, “Hakim Singh,” wrote to our columns tiiis week deploring Hamilton’s apparent lack of interest in art, and regretting that no effort was made to secure a visit from Anna Pavlova, justly described as “incomparable.”

Then there came the following divertissements: Gopack, Lillie Russian Dance (Set-off.. Messrs Algeranoff, Zalewski. Domoslavski. Robert, Lascelles (an Englishman;•. imiinoff, and Sergeff; Rondino (Beethovrn-Kreislrr), Anna Pavlova; Row and Arrow (Tsrliaiknwsky). Laurent Novikoff; Anitra's Dance (Grieg), Mdite. U'Arcy; Gavotte Pavlova (l.ineke). Anna Pavlova and M. Yarzinski: Pastorale (Strauss), Mdlle. Slunrl and M. Pnlinolf; Pizziraln (Prigo:, Mdlle. Rogers, Eikinglon, Mather. Nichols, and Grofton; Christinas (Tsrliaiknwsky , Anna Pavlova, Laurent Novikoff, Zalenski, Yarzinski, Pianowski, and Domoslavski.

In the first place, it would have been better perhaps had "Hakim Singh” thrown out the suggestion of approaching Pavlova’s management with a guarantee at the time the tour was being arranged; it is rather late in the day now to rcgTet that nothing was done in this direction. Why did not "Hakim Singh,” as a professed lover of art, make the suggestion earlier? But I douDt if such a suggestion would have borne fruit. Had Pavlova come to Hamilton it would have been necessary io lose the following night, owing to ihc inconvenient train service. And it is plainly apparent, that such an expensive attraction must not be allowed lo lose a Diglit on the tour if it can be avoided. There are 60 people with the Company, including a grand opera orchestra of over 20 players. There is another aspect—a serious one. Rightly or wrongly—l’m afraid rightly!—Hamilton hqs gained the reputation of being a poor show town, and it has been passed over by attractions which visit towns half its size. If support was assured, a guarantee would not be necessary; for instance, Pavlova is visiting Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings and Napier without a guarantee. Other attractions arc visiting practically every town in New Zealand except Hamilton. “Hakim Singh” states that local playgoers prefer musical comedy; but judging by the poor attendance at the last musical comedy season, this is not correct. It seems that Hamillon theatre-goers are satisfied with Hie picture fare that is given them, and have no taste for anything better, be It music, dancing, musical comedy, or anything else. It’s a sad slate of affairs that a town of nearly' 14,000 people can rarely find an audience to fill the Theatre Royal for anything outstanding, cither musical or theatrical. This is more serious than appears on the surface, for lack of artistic appreciation must reflect itself upon the life of the individual, the community.

The Williamson Pantomime. "The New Aladdin,” the .1. C. Williamson 1026 pantomime, will open at Auckland next week. The company is headed by Bruce Green, described as one of England’s leading comedians and pantomime dames; Gus Bluett, a clever Australian who has come to the front rank of comedians; Fioic Allen, another versatile Australian artist; Roma Phillips, a charming singer; William A. Ilassan, the well-known animal impersonator; Dave Loffman, a line baritone; Reg. Roberts, a wellknown, musical comedy comedian; Grafton Williams, character actor; Leslie Donahoy, the diminutive comedian: The El Radiants, in a unique electrical novelty; the, twelve Williamson Girls, in a novelty act.

Mario Tempest’s Caustic Wit, Marie Tempest is not quite so popular off Ihe stage, as on it. She has a witty imagination and does not always think twice before she says the thought that has come into her mind. She thus occasionally offends thinskinned acquaintances. Personally I enjoy her epigrams, but then- I have been fortunate enough to escape their barbs, says - a theatrical critic in a London paper.

What Is the remedy? Fostering a love of the theatre would be one good plan. Accredited theatrical companies should be encouraged to visit tho town, and gradually, I am sure, as people realised Die pleasure to bo derived from good theatrical and musical entertainments, audiences would grow, and Hie reproach that Hamilton is a poor show town would be removed.

Irene Ainsloy Recitals. Before, a large attendance Madame Irene Ainslcy gave fhn concluding performance of her delightful series of grand opera scenes (says an Auckland paper). .The distinguished contralto appealed with marked success in Hie seven operatic srenes from famous works, and received enthusiastic demands for encores after her splendid singing and acting. Valuable and distinctive work was also displayed by the assisting performers.

This opens up a big question. Hamilton badly needs a municipal theatre. Our City Fathers’ duties do not ond with providing good roads and other material advantages; they should, if possible, encourage the development of the aesthetic sense. The present Theatre Royal is not always available for touring companies. That is perhaps unavoidable, for it is run .by a company which enters into picture contracts months ahead. Tlie system of lotting the theatre "on terms” also tcnd3 to keep companies away, for if a full house is recorded the visiting management justly feels that by giving 20, 30, 40, or 50 per cent, of the proceeds it has paid a rent out of all proportion. Anyway, the Theatre Royal, owing to its lack of facilities for handling scenery, everything having to be carried from Victoria Street through the theatre to the stage, is unsuitable for big productions, and I have heard of cases where the stage crew of a company refused lo como to Hamilton when the management desired to do so.

Wellington Competitions. The ninth annual festival of the Wellington Competitions Society will take place from August 21 to September 11. Included in the large number of valuable prizes will be a diamond ring for the winner of the ladies' vocal section, and nine scholarships will also be awarded.

The judges will be: Vocal, Mr E. Bennett North, of Sydney; instrumental, Mr W. Paget. Gale, of Dunedin; elocution. Mr John Hopkins, of Melbourne; dancing, Miss Madeline Yyner, of Christchurch, and Mr J. G. Fulton, of Wellington. Sybil Thorndike’3 Tour.,

Miss Sybil Thorndike's season with “Saint Joan" at the Lyceum, London, closed on May 8. Miss Thorndike, who ir considered Britain’s greatest tragedienne, will take a short holiday before putting into rehearsal “Granite,” Miss Glemence Dane’s new play, which is to be produced in a small London theatre. After “Granite” she goes on tour with “Saint Joan" and “Henry VIII.,” coming back to London to do an autumn production of “Macbeth."

It is time Hamilton had a Municipal Theatre. I know that the poll lor a Town Ilall some time ago was turned down by the ratepayers; but that, I am sure, was because the proposal was to erect the building on an out-of-the-way site in Ward Street. Now that there is 3 suggestion to erect municipal offices just off Victoria Street, why not include a Town Hall in Hie scheme? It is badly wanted. And by its ereriion Hamilton might lose its unenviable reputation as a bad show town, and the people be given an opportunity of fostering a love of music and the. theatre, with incalculable results to 'themselves and the community. First Tost Match Song. “The Midnight Follies" in London have got In first with a song about the test matches, an idiotically funny efforl sung by Mr Cyril Hilr.hard (who was out here with Williamson musical comedy for some years). Armed with a broken old bat and a sort of Harry Tate moustache, lie tells how he thought lie would take up the since, how they picked him to play at Lord’s, and how—there being 2000 runs required to win—he went on batting till Christmas, when an Australian, anxious to get back home to ids wife, in despair said: "You’re, a better man than I am, Gunga Hobbs.” There is no doubt an avalanche of cricket in store from the revue and musical play stage.

With the Amateurs. The Eltham Musical Society has chosen the tuneful opera, “ Dorothy," for production. Speaking of “ Floradora," a Southern paper says that the Christchurch Operatic Society excelled itself in its week’s production of this popular musical comedy. The singing was a big feature of the piece. Success at 60. Six of the most, successful plays running in West End (London) theatres just, now are the. work of new authors, and now comes Mr T. C. Murray with "Autumn Fire." Mr Murray is a GO-ycar-o!d Dublin schoolmaster, and his play, brought. )o 1.1 1 e Little Theatre, lias won a string of praise.

“Every moment lives,” wrote the dramatic critic of the Daily Mail. Mr Murray saw the first night of ids play, bid. went luck to Ireland I lie next day. "I have been given only Iwo days’ leave —without pay,” be explained. He has had other plays done at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, but “Autumn Fire" is his llrsl big success.

The Don Cossacks Choir. A notable musical event will be the series of concerts lo be given in New Zealand by the Don Cossacks Choir, commencing at Auckland on June 15. The singers have voices of an exceptional character and unusually wide range, and have been carefully selected from among the Cossacks of the Don, Hie province famed for its beautiful voices. A French composer gives enthusiastic testimony lo the vocal technique of the members of the choir, whom lie heard in Yie.nna last year. “Church music," lie says, "is superior to any cither kind of music in Russia, because it alone is typical, and is not an imitation of the music, of other nations, at any rate as far as the execution is concerned. But what gives their performance the sense of peculiar strangeness is the character of the bass voices, which extend from low A, three lines beneath the bass stave, to middle C, and produce am incredible effect by doubling the ordinary basses at intervals of an octave below them. Tlie first time I heard this splendid choir 1 was stirred with such emotion as I had never felt before. From the very first bars of the piece I began to shed tears. Then when the music quickened and the thundering voices launched the whole artillery of their lungs I found rnyseif trembling and covered wiLli a cold sweat.” Mario Tempest in London. “Miss Marie Tempest can give a trite remark a fund of humour; she can give u note of tragedy lo a platitude and she can cry like a soul in pain," says a London paper in its notice of "The Cat’s Cradle." “Mr Graham Browne, for once not obliged to play the kindly husband in morning coat and spats, bad a chance to show bow good an actor he really is." An Indelible Impression. In “Rondino,” danced to Krcfsler's variations on a the me by Beethoven, Anna Pavlova was a radiant figure in a sweeping mauve frock, becoming curls rind a magnificent plume fan. Of all Ihr indelible impressions she has left in Hie mind, these who have seen her will lie sure lo remember Iho climax lo Ibis stalely dance, when she collapses on the stage, a heap of white and rnauve fluff, half hidden behind the expanse of her fan,

The Optimists Coming,

The Optimists, who were so successful at the Strand Theatre, Auckland, last week that they were held over for another week, and closed last night, will appear in Hamilton on June IS and 10.

The Optimists arc headed by Sam Stern, the well-known Jewish comedian, who was for years on the. Fuller circuit. He specialises in Yiddish comedy and dramatic monologues. Others in the company arc Veta Gilbert, soprano; Marie Francis, eomedic,nne and dancer; Mr Stan HudsonAir th, light comedian; Mr Arthur Burns, English comedian and character actor; Mr Arthur Carlisle, tenor; and others. “Abie’s Irish R 030” in Australia. “Abie’s Irish Rose,” the American comedy success which is in its fifth year in New York, is lo be produced in Australia shortly, slated Mr Hugh J. Ward on his return to Sydney. The company Mr- Ward had selected while in America is shortly to leave for Australia. “Abie's Irish Rose" is, in the opinion of Mr Ward, one of tho greatest comedy successes he has witnessed. At the present time there are no fewer than seven touring companies playing it. Mr Ward anticipates that the new play will prove just as great a success as “No, No, Nanette,” which is enjoying such a prosperous run at the St. James Theatre. “Abie’s Irish Rose” is to have its premiere in Melbourne, replacing “The Nervous - Wreck,” tiic amusing comedy at the Palace Theatre. A Sound Actor. Mr Ronald Riley, who will appear in Hamillon to-night with the Denis Kehoe Players, has visited New, Zealand on many occasions, arid ran always bo depended on for good, sound work. For some years he was a member of the popular Allan Doone combination. Air Riley's stuttering Enelisiman in the-Erst Kehoe produriinn. “Mother Mac! roe," was one of those <’l ever characterisations which linger in the memory. Anti-British Propaganda. “Why should Australians be asked still to tolerate the anti-British propaganda touch of making Hie only British character an ass and a sneak?” says an Australian paper in referring to the new American comedy success, “The Best People,” in Melbourne. “White Cargo” Coming. “While Cargo," Hie daring and much-discussed play of life in the South Seas, with Hie author, Mr Leon Gordon, in the principal .role, will come lo New Zealand this month. Tlie only female character, that of "Tondalcyii," a half-rush', is taken by Miss Helen Siranski. Pavlova and "The Swan." Madame Pavlova was asked if she had nliered her Swan Dance since she .ret ji-ppe.-iro.il in it. Her answer was ■ mphalie. “The Swan Dance" was composed by Fokin, mail re de ballet, and.must never be changed," she said. "Urn arlist has respect for Hie things tiial are done. Like a book—once it i.- writ ten, it is finished. Teachers who change the dance—it docs not belong to I hem. They lake what they can from I lie idea, but have no knowledge of Ihc dance. The Swan Dance, as amateurs do it, is not my Swan Dance. (Siic smiled.) It was done for me by Fokin, and it. needs long study. Teachers always take popular dances and think of Ihc profit. Belter in work and do something themselves." The Most Popular Ballad. “Home, Sweet Home," is still the most popular ballad among Britons. More than twiec as many votes were cast in the Royal Free Hospital £IO,OOO ballot for this song than for any other of the famous ballads. “Annie Laurie” and “Auld Lang Syne” were the next two favourites. Miss E. M. Larkcn, a woman of independent means, living in a flat in Nevern Square, London,' lias won £SOOO, the Erst prize, by putting the 14 ballads iu the most correct order. The second prize of £2OOO has been won by Miss M. A. Wild, of Stamford Road, Waterhcad. Oldham. Miss Eva Davies, of Gcnluce Road, Blackhcath, wins £IOOO for third host. The Royal Free Hospital gets about £SOOO out of the ballot. Order of popularity of the 14 ballads selected proved on analysis to be as follows: 1. “Home, Sweet, Home.” 2. “Annie Laurie.” 3. ‘Auld Lang Sync.” 4. 'Killarney." 5. “Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.” 6. ‘Alice, Where Art Thou?” 7. “Tlie Last Rose of Summer.” 8. "Sally in Our Alley.” (I. “Kathleen Mavournccn." 10. "Hearts of Oak.” It. ‘The Minstrel Boy.” 12. ‘Men of Harlech.” 13. “Come Into the Garden, Maud.’ 14. “Tom Bowling.” Miss Larken is secretary of the Cheltenham branch of the Charily Organisation Society. She is a keen motorist, and holds French and British medals for Red Cross work. "Tho Best Peoplo” In Australia. This play was produced in Melbourne last week by a new company imported from American. A Melbourne paper says:—“The Best People" is an amusing comedy, but its undeniable interest lies in the fact that it deals with a very real .problem of to-day, and does it in a very real manner, that is to say in plain everyday language, and with not too much use of conventional dramatic situations. Tho character drawing is good, and the dialogue refreshingly natural. One feels ihe play to be true lo life. These actors have been carefully selected for the types they portray; the cast is perfect for the play. Mr Harold Salter, as Bronson Lennox, stands out as particularly likeable and natural; Miss Florence Roberts, as Mrs Lennox, and Miss Helen Audiffrcd, her spoiled daughter, are most convincing; Mr Robert Adams plays the terse Henry in capital style; and Miss Marion Sicrly is very winsome as Alice. Miss Marion Lord is extremely amusing an Millie, a common chorus girl, but many of her lines are so rapidly spoken that they arc inaudible, and a few others might better have been omitted.

Tho Pavlova Tour. The Pavlova season in Auckland will finish to-night with a special gala performance. The great dancers will appear at Wanganui on Monday night, then at Palmerston North, Hastings and Napier, opening at Wellington on Saturday next. Afterwards they will go to the South Island.

An Audience of 11,000. When John McCormack, worldfamous Irish tenor, sang at the Exposition Auditorium, San Francisco, it is estimated that over 11,000 persons were present, easily tlie largest audience ever gathered lo hear any single artist.

Mr McCormack left 'Frisco on April 3rd for Shanghai, a concert tour of China and Japan having been arranged.

Hamilton Operatic Society. “A Runaway Girl," which will be produced by the Hamilton Operatic Society this month, should be tho society's biggest success. The music is melodious and “catchy,” the dialogue humorous with touches of sentiment, and the situations interesting and diverting. Tiie principals are doing particularly well at the rehearsals. The chorus, too, is working hard, and should give an excellent account of itself. .Scenery is being specially painted for the production, and the costumes have been imported from Sydney, so there is nothing lacking to make “A Runaway Girl" an outstanding success. Strong Man In Heaven! “A physical culture model butting into heaven" describes the entrance of Novikoff into “Dionysus." He certainly looks more like a stage strong man than partner to a fairy, says an Australian writer. Dances In “ A Runaway Girl.” The ballets and specialty dances promise to be a special feature of “A Runaway Girl” when the popular musical comedy is produced by the Hamilton Operatic Society. They were originated by Mrs Tabor-Gregory, who is doing excellent work in training tho dancers. Among the ballets arc: Military, Confetti, Goblin, Ticaninni, Sabot, Carnival and others.

Backhaus Duo Shortly. William Backhaus. the great, pianist, who is to tour Australia arid New Zealand, under the direction of Mr E. .1. Grnyestork. will open in Sydney on Saturday, .July 3.

“Daddy Longlegs,” Revived In Sydnoy. "Polly with a Past,” having had a successful run, Sydney playgoers are now seeing Miss lienee. Kelly in her favourite role of Judy Abbot, in "Daddy Longlegs," which she originated. Mr Hylton Allen, the. producer of Ihe original presentation, appears as Daddy Longlegs, and the cast includes such favourite as Antony Holies, Jackson Willcox, Margaret Darner, Beatrice Day, Pii'ic Bush, Beaumont Collins, Jack Dunn. Pat. Wilson, Phyllis Best, Reginald Wykeham, Dorothy Fane, Eva Rowland, Nellie, Morlyne, Dorothy Marlcr, and others.

Singers' Movements. Mr Maurice D'Oisly is going to South Africa in July to examine for Hie University of South Africa. When this work is completed he will make a few concert appearances before returning to England. According to present arrangements Madame Kosina Burkinan (the New Zealand soprano) will not accompany her husband, as she is somewhat fully booked up for concerts in (he. Mother Country throughout July, August and September.

A Short Tour—Then Retirement. Although London (says the Daily Mail) is not to see Mr Cyril Maude, the actor, who is 64 years of age, in Mr Michael Arlen's play, “These Charming People,” playgoers will be given an opportunity of seeing him for the last time on the English stage in a play by Mr David Bclase.o, “The Relurn of Mr Grimm,” which is to he produced in the late autumn. This play was a big American success some years ago, and provides for Mr Maude a part which lie likes belter than any he has ever played during his 43 years of theatrical life.

To a rcporler Mr Maude said: —• “There is nothing more pathetic in the world than a hanger-on lo fame which was acquired a long lime ago. 1 do not believe in working to the biitcr end. It, is belter to quit at ihe top. ’ At the end of ihe run or Mr BclascoV play Mr Maude will retire to

the 300-years-old thatched cottage, wilh its old-world garden, on t.ho, Devonshire coast which he acquired two years ago. | Mr Maude has a high opinion of the ! quality of acting to-day. There are | no giants like Wyndham, Irving and ; Tree, he says, but the general stand- ! nrd of young English actors and : actresses is very high. { Mr Maude is pleasanily remerni tiered in New Zealand for his fine per- ! formance as “Grumpy” some years ; ago. I Filth on American Stego. Mr Cyril Maude stated that there was a tremendous lot of filth to-day on the American stage, owing to the i fact that there was no censor. He con--1 sidered the censor in England was a safeguard of the morality of the stage, i The. control of plays in America was ; under the direction of the police, and : as there were all types of police, there : was naturally the possibility of a great • deal of graft, lie did not think, he j said, there was any prosper!, of the I English public approving of plays of I tile type produced in America, although plays in England were of a different character from wluit lie would have exported a generation or so ago. Front Ihe point of view of Ihe actor lie was convinced that such plays as are being produced in America are wrong, and he preferred the type of plays popular in England. Footliglit Flashes. j Miss Muriel Starr is having a sucj eossful season at Hobart at the bead of her own company. Mr \Y. Hussell-Wood broadcast from (he Auckland radio station one night ; last week. j The next production of the Auckland Little Theatre Society will be ” The. Dover Hoad,” by A. A. Milne. The, Williamson pantomime, “ The New Aladdin,” will not come lo Hamilton. It will open in Auckland next week.

It is said that George Robey, the well-known English comedian, is contemplating a tour of Australia and New Zeaiand. Miss Maud Rimmer, of Hamilton, is arranging a concert to be given at Tc Awamulu on behalf of the Plunket Society. The next Williamson attraction for New Zealand will probably be “ Lilac Time,” the comic opera founded on the life of Schubert, the composer. The Covcnt Garden opera season opened in London on May 10, with a performance of Mozart’s “ Marriage of Figaro.” Despite the strike, there was a crowded house.

Messrs Barrie Marschel and P. \V. Maddock, formerly of Hamilton, will visit Sydney this month to attend a conference of the Goldwyn-jViaycr Picture Company.

Johnnie Walker, who played the leading role in “Over the Hill,” has been selected by James Cruzc to act the part of Stephen Decatur in his production “Old Ironsides." “It is very much to be hoped that before long Gladys Moncrieff will be engaged lo sing a part worth singing in a play that is worthy of being produced,” says a London paper. The Gilbert and Sullivan revival in Melbourne is once again proving the perennial drawing power of these delightful operas. “The Mikado” is proving just as popular as the previous productions.

Wanganui next week will be called upon to support Pavlova, the pantomime “The New Aladdin,” and the Williamson vaudeville company. Rather a big proposition in these times of financial stringency. Toti Dal Monte, the Italian soprano, who won many admirers during the grand opera season last year, is meeting with great success on her concert tour of Australia. She will commence a Sydney season to-night.*)

In cities of Australia and New Zealand, or on the way to them, it is claimed that there are now 14 Williamson companies, presenting light opera, comedy, drama, musical comedy, ballet revue and concert work.

“Empire Tueaires, Limited.” which has just been succesfully floated with a capital of £120,000, will start in a few weeks to c-cct the largest playhouse in Australia. The location is opposite the Central Railway Siilion in Sydney.

Among Mr Sam Stern’s diverting Yiddish character sketches with The Optimists are “ Marie," “ I Want a Man,” “ Ilaliano,” and “ Cohen Telephones His Tailor." He is also heard in a dramatic monologue, “ The Ilellgate of Soissons.” “Romola,” the picture version of George Eliot's well-known siory, was screened for the first time “South of the. Line” at the Majestic Theatre, Auckland, last night. The featured, players are. Lilian and Dorothy Gish and Ronald Colman.

For ihe final performance of “Give and Take " in Wellington on Monday night, ari interesting change was made in the east of characters. The. part of John Bauer, usually played by Mr Harry Green, was taken by Mr Edward de Tisne, while the latter’s part, of Albert Kruger was played by Mr Green. There arc fortunes still being made out. of plays in London West-end.

“ Mo, No Nanette,” which was presented al Ihe Palace more than a year afro, had atlrarted up to March 20, G.'il.Sii.'t persons, and the bookings run well into June. The actual la killers at. tho Palace Tiieal.ro for this production approximate £210,000. Tho Inuring companies of Nanetie” have broken aJI records at every provincial theatre.