THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 928, 19 December 1907, Page 16

THE STAGE

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

; WEST’S PICTURES. A jstill further change was made on Saturday night with the pictures now being shown at His Majesty’s by Mr. T. J.- West. Some of them are very fine, more,especially the views of real life. Possibly the best is that of the French Colonial Exhibition, which is vividly brought before the spectator). Screamingly funny is the film shoeing a herd of elephants shooting the shute. “ A great motor race on the. 'Dieppe Circuit” is shown from start to finish, and the extreme danger experienced in taking some of the sharp curves in the road is well brought out. The motorist ought not to have missed seeing this film, which is a,, particularly good one. Views taken in Yellowstone Park, America’s Rotorua, show many geysers and falls; “ The Wood Industry of Canada”! is very completely shown, the whole process being given from the timei of felling the tree, although, of course, it is hardly necessary to go as far as Canada to witness the operations in this industry. “Life on an Ostrich Farm” gives a good idea of tie habits of these quaint-looking birds. “ The Children’s Reformatory” is a powerful study showing how children should not be brought up. 1 Among the dramatic pictures are “The Blacksmith’s Revenge” and “ The Highwayman.” Among many amusing views the best are “ The Express Sculptor,” showing some quick and clever modelling in clay ,“ The Enchanted Glasses,” “ Chasing the Moth,” in which much crockery comes to grief, and “ The Dodgers Dodged,” in which two men are chased by more or less headless policemen. The advantage of the Ju-Jitus style of wrestling is also well brought out, showing as it does, two girls followecl through London by pursesnatchers, and the way they finally turn the tables on their pursuers. Altogether the series proves most interesting. Last night there was another complete change, when a well-diversified list of subjects was shown. As usual, De (jlroen’s band supplied all the incidental music, their fine playing being much admired. The season is rapidly drawing to a close, so that those who have not as yet • visited West’s should lose no time in doing SO. . -

OPERA HOUSE.

- FULLER’S ENTERTAINERS. It 'is during the Christmas season that amusement is most sought after, and, judging by the strong combination of artists engaged by Messrs. Fuller to appear at the Opera House throughout the holidays, the people’s wants will be extremely well catered for in this respect. The artists at present appearing, at the Opera House give their farewell performances in Auckland to-morrow (Friday) bight, and pn the following night (Saturday) an entirely new company takes possession. Among those billed to make theiif first appearance on Saturday evening are Davy’s Marionettes, Pastor and Merle, American eccentric comedy acrobats; the Seyffer Twins, who are described as the quaintest juvenile double ever seen in AuckRud Peterson, descriptive and character vocalist; and R. H. Collins, American tenor robusto. The following ■will also reappear:—The Klaers, monkey and dog trainers; Hammon and ' Wyatt, Sandow girls; Master Norman Mudford, Auckland’s favourite boy singer. Thus it will be seen that the attractions offered at this popular place of amusement during the Christmas and New Year holidays will provide a bright and original entertainment, which will no doubt be witnessed by bumper houses. Salmon (Harry) and Chester (Ida) are this week seen at their best in a dramatic playlet entitled “ The Light-house-keeper’s Daughter,” a story of love and passion which appeals

strongly to the audience. As David Farleigh, the lighthouse-keeper, Mr. Salmon is a decided success and fulfils the role of the old salt with realistic effects. Madame Blanche Carelli sings several excellent numbers, in which she displays her delightful soprano voice to splendid advantage. Her rendering of “ Life’s Lullaby” is a particularly pretty item, and gains no end of applause. Opera House patrons thoroughly appreciate the musical turn given by the Cromes, whose selections on sleigh and hand-bells, mandolines, xylophones and violin are played in an enchanting manner. Freddy Garnet, the original dummy clown, causes much amusement with his comical antics, but his performance is hardly attractive enough to take on to any great extent. Miss Gertie Everett sang several coster songs, none of which, however, succeeded in making a popular hit. The Stagpooles (Alec, Madge and Ted) will assuredly be missed by all those who have derived enjoyment from witnessing the many humorous sketches that this clever trio of comedy acrobats have presented each week during their successful stay in Auckland. This week they appeared in their intensely funny sketch. “ Turkish Bath,” which kept the audi-

ence bubbling over with merriment. Ted Stagpoole is one of the most popular artists that has ever appeared at the Opera House, and his “snake,” “ brewery,” and “ throw-me-about” exhibitions meet with a great reception. The Marlowe Sisters have become established favourites, and the dainty little serios deserve the distinction. “ Riding on Top of a Car” and “ Lady Bird” are two of the songs with which they make a good impression. Mr. Bob Lloyd is right in his element with his comic ditties, and receives numerous encores. Miss Nellie Maher gives a display of dancing, which is full of grace and cleverness. Mr. Arthur George makes a favourable hit with “ Colorado,” and is able to show his baritone voice to equal advantage in other numbers. A novel film shown by the biograph this week is “ Liquid Electricity.”

THE POLLARD OPERA COMPANY.

Aucklanders are looking forward with much interest to the opening of the Pollard Opera Company on Boxing night in “ Bluebell in which has quite caught the public"' fancy in the South. Writing of this, company “ Sylvius” has the following in the “ Dominion Bluebell in

Fairyland,” as delineated by the Pollard Opera Company, is a delightful show. There is something so; bright and spontaneous in the acting, dancing, and movement of the youngsters that carries its own particular l charm right to the heart of the audience, and in particular to those who have budding stars in their own back yard. Mr. Tom Pollard has trained his children night up to the racing minute, and his experience with the stage child is not one of yesterday. It is interesting to recall another Pollard Juvenile Company that gave a deal of pleasure in this country some sixteen or seventeen years ago—it does not do to be precise as to date. It relied mostly on Gilbert and Sullivan for its repertoire, playing such operas as “ The Pirates of Penzance,” “ Pinafore,” “ Patience,” and “The Mikado.” interleaved with “ The Little Duke,” “Mascotte,” “Erminie,” and' “Tambour Major.” The companyi was richer in talent, I think, than the present combination, but after so long a spell of years the judgment may be * held up to criticism, for the mere reason that one’s standard of criticism is apt to harden with increasing years, and the ever-increasing run ofj companies that have to pass under the critic’s pencil. A brilliant little per-

former was Miss Lily Everett, whose Nanki Poo in “ The Mikado,” Frederic in “Pirates ” and Beltina in “ Mascotte,” were extraordinarily clever performances, considering' the extreme, youth’ of the young lady. Then there was raven-haired. Edie Zeigler, whose... Yum Yum. was a. sweet, performance. . Beryl Mackay, Flo Russell (a good Katisha), and Lily Stephens ; (a pathetic soprano), are all remembered, while Alf. Stephens, Harry Quealy, and Willy .Percy were the clever , boy comedians —each with a.distinct method. Later came the era of the Beatty Sisters. (May and Maud). Cissy Sandford, and Marion Mitchell (the two latter are comfortably married . people in Auckland), and after that the .company merged into an adult stage with Gertie Campion Connie Buttle, Dave O’Connor and Charlie Carter (now with MoodyManners in England) striving for limelight degrees. To trace the history of the confpany one is taken to South Africa, where fortune was .fickle, for on one occasion the theatre .was burned to the ground with the bulk of the company’s wardrobe and scenery. After a varied experience a reorganised Pollard Company toured Australia with indifferent success that finally spelt disbandment. Some time afterwards Mr. Tom Pollard returned to New Zealand, and was appointed director of entertainments at the New Zealand Exhibition. After the big show closed down he organised the present company—and there you are.

My- . Christchurch correspondent writes; — “Macinahon’s Pictures” are attracting local playgoers in large numbers nightly just now, and certainly the show is deserving of liberal patronage, for it is “ one of the best” —of its kind. Indeed, the pictures have never been excelled, and it is doubtful whether they have ever been equalled. They are as steady as the proverbial rock, and as sharp and clear as those shown by a first-class magic lantern. The principal feature of the programme consists of the views illustrating Rolf Boldrewood’s “Robbery Under Arms,” and most dramatic these pictures are. All the stirring incidents of the famous novel are thrown upon the screen; and the spectators get a’ most realistic idea of the doings ofStarlight” and Co. But there are lots of other pictures besides those dealing with the bushrangers. The comic views are especially good, and everybody is laughing over “ Her First Bike Ride,” apd “ The Inexperienced Chauffeur.” Miss Lorraine Tansley's illustrated songs, too, are always well received and altogether our old friend, Mr. Chas. Macmahon, may be said, in mining parlance, to have “ struck it rich” with his “ pictures.” . . . Fuller’s Entertainers are as entertaining as ever, with the natural result that the Opera House is crowded all the time. The return visit of Miss Priscilla Verne and Tom Armstrong is much appreciated. Then there is Ethel Brady, who sings ballads very pleasingly, and Sterling and Dunbar are most successful in their “Dutch specialty.” The Boxing night bill will be a very strong one, I hear. More ®f this anon. . . Allan Hamilton’s Co. opens on Boxing night at the old T.R. . . . We are promised another visit from West’s Pictures early in the New Year. *** » ■ Some most exciting episodes occurred in connection with the inevitable extra concert which Madame Clara Butt gave in Perth on the conclusion of her season there. (write the Messrs. Tait). Her visit was such a short one, and her departure so irrevocably fixed for the sailing day of the incoming mail steamer that only the briefest notice could be given, and even this was curtailed by the fact that the Omrah made a quick passage from Colombo and got in several hours ahead of schedule time. It thus happened that the public only had a few hours’ notice of the event. Nevertheless, they responded in truly magnificent fashion. Between the opening of the box plan on the, morning of the concert and mid-day, fully 1500 seats were booked, and the audience that evening was the largest ever seen in Perth, quite 4000 people assembling in Her Majesty’s Theatre. The great auditorium was literally packed to suffocation and no less than 800 were seated on the stage. So great was the crush that the management was wholly-unable to steady the. rush... They simply poured in, quite content with the few inches of standing room, if they could get no more, and heedless of all appeals from the authorities ,to. obey, the municipal regulations against overcrowding. .The natural result was a summons against Messrs. J. and N. Tait. The

case was heard after the. management and concert party had left the State, and evidence went to. show that, while hundreds of people were turned away, others insisted on entering and cheerfully. paid the half-guinea which the management asked for standing room, trusting that the tariff would be prohibitive. The same state of affairs somewhat modified had prevailed at the preceding concert, and a maximum penalty of £2O was imposed for each case. The whole season was as a matter of fact of a phenomenally enthusiastic character.

In view ,of the fact that her youngsters have been installed there during her quick trips to the different Aus-; tralian capitals, Madame Clara Butt has come to look upon Sydney already as her home under the Southern Cross, and has set her heart upon spending Christmas there in as hear an approach to the “ good old English fashion” as climatic circumstances will allow. Consequently Messrs. J. and N. Tait have been persuaded to postpone her Tasmanian visit until later, and as soon as ever her concert in Sale on December 13 is over, she will hurry back to her •beautiful home at Woolahra to rejoin her family and to become for a few days Mrs. Kennerley Rumford again. Just before she leaves for New Zealand, however, she will give another extra concert in Sydney, the date for it being fixed' on .December 28th, and her departure for Auckland direct will be made two or three"days later.

West’s Pictures are now run by a company, Mr.. T. J. West being the principal partner, -seven others being associated with him in the business, which has now assumed very large dimensions. There are four companies now moving around, all controlled by the West Proprietary. The West Brescian combination is in Tasmania and arrives in New Zealand in February, opening at Greyinouth and then touring the Dominion.

The latest move made by Mr. West and his partners has been in the direction of securing buildings in Melbourne and Sydney for something ap- . preaching permanency. Thus the Glacier!um (the old Skating Rink renovated, and enlarged), capable of 'seating-4000 people has been secured in Sydney for five months, and will be opened straight away. In Mel.'bpiurhe Wirth’s Circus (the Hippodrome) has been taken for nine months and will be opened during Christmas week.

Mr. Hayward, who was associated with Mr. West, as one of the partners in the. business, has stepped out and intends, we believe, bringing out Maskelyne and Cook from the Egyptian Hall, London, to the colonies. The venture is a big one, but should be attended with ■ satisfactory financial results.

Before leaving London, Mr. Frank Thornton was tendered a send-off dinner at the Savage Club. During the proceedings it was announced that

“ When Knights were Bold” would be the main attraction of the Australian tour, although “ The Private , Secretary,” “Charley’s Aunt” and “Facing the Music” would also be included in the repertoire. The menu card bore on its front cover a picture of Mr. Thornton in the full armour of the character.

Barnum and Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth” was on October 22nd sold for £BO,OOO to the American showmen, Ringling Bros. The Ringlings are enterprising men; there are seven of them, and they started out originally on a farm, working up from a very small beginning, until now they own several large circuses and travelling shows.

The leading man in the melodrama had drunk not wisely, but too well, and his heroics had that ruddy glow that roused at least one man in the audience to enthusiasm.

“By jingo, he is a real star, isn’t he?” he ejaculated.

“Star! Star be blowed!” cried his next-stall neighbour. “He’s the moon, the rare, radiant moon itself —the fuller he gets the brighter he glows.”

Those who know him say that Dan Barry is one of the richest men in the profession in Australia (says the “ Referee.”) Dan stared in the show business with £3OOO left him by his father (Mr. Atkinson), a one-time prominent barrister, and has been making money ever sinec.

Mr. John Fuller, jun., got back from his round-the-world tour on Sunday, and looks very fit after his jaunt.

A. correspondent writes the “ Referee” from New York stating : it is reported there that Bernhardt will make a tour of the world next spring, and will include Australia in her itinerary.

Maud Hildyard will be the Christmas attraction at the Theatre Royal, Adelaide, where she will appear in her repertoire, commencing on Boxing Night in “ A Beautiful Fiend.”

A petition signed by 2649 teachers of .music in Victoria against the “ excessive increase in the import duty on pianos and all materials for their repairs” was presented to the Federal House of Representatives in Melbourne recently. The petitioners stated that fully seven-eighths of the pianos used by the musical profession teachers and the general public of Victoria were i mported from abroad, and the proposed increase would, therefore, be a severe tax by increasing the price of pianos and would tend to lessen the individuality, taste, and liberal education in the musical profession by so narrowly restricting the choice of instruments. It is estimated that there were 5000 teachers of music in Victoria, of whom over 2500 are registered under Act of Parliament. Allowing, at a verv small estimate, that each teacher has at least twelve pupils no fewer than 60,000 people are actively engaged in musical study. “Footlight” is devoutly thankful to Providence that he doesn’t live in Victoria.

Robert Noble, who severed his connection with the Sheridan Comedy Company at the end of the West Australian tour last February, is now touring the English provinces with Martin Harvey. The New Zealander was playing juvenile lead in the “ Breed of the Treshams,” and when the last mail left had been engaged to create a leading part in a-new piece. ‘ The Shoes of Destiny,” shortly to be produced at Coventry.

The Dunedin “ Star’s” critic thus lets himself go on the subject of “ A Moorish Maid:” —Many who had the privilege of witnessing the performance at His Majesty-s Theatre last night will be prepared already to go beyond the region of “ I think,” and agree with us that even on a first hearing the merits of Mr. Alfred Hill’s works are so c’ear as to warrant an out and-out verdict mat “ A Moorish Maid” -stands on a plane of its own above all the romantic comic. operas that have been previously produced in New Zealand, not excepting the celebrated and familiar pieces of Offenbach, Audran, and Lecocq. Whereas works like “ The Grand Duchess,” “La Mascotte,” and “ Girofle-Girofla” depend very largely upon words, situations, and scenery, the great charm and the force of “A Moorish Maid” come from the strength and the colour of the music itself, Mr. Hill’s composition in this respect fol’owing .'■he lead set by Coleridge-Taylor, Edgar, and in a minor degree other modern composers who have learned from Wagner and made the music the very life-blood of their creations, thus taking a step much in advance of the older ideas. We sincerely and joyfully compliment .Mr. Hill. As before remarked in these, columns, he has never published anything, puerile or unworthy, or anything, that is likely to be ephemeral; and now we have from his fertile brain an opera that will live and bring renown to himself and to New Zealand if it gets its due by being given a fair hearing in the capitals of the world. We take it that nothing better in the way of chorus work has ever been, heard in I’ght opera here than the opening item of the second act. It is a noble composition.

The memorial fountain to the late Robert Brough, erected at Sydney Hospital, was unveiled by Premier Wade the other day, in the presence of a great gathering of citizens, players, and politicians there on the invitation of Sir Arthur Renwick. The fountain bears the simple inscription, “In Memory of Robert Brough.” Its basin was relieved by a fine collection of pond lilies, and it was otherwise decorated with flowers. After Six’ Arthur Renwick and the Hon. C. G. Wade had spoken in high praise of the late actor-manager, Mr. Ramaciotti returned thanks on behalf of Mrs. Brough, who was present, accompanied by her sisters the M’ssrs Bess’e Major and Emma Temple.

The £5 5s offered in Sydney by Mr, J. C. Williamson for the best suggestion as to spending. ; £250 000 in 12 months, a la Brewster, has been donated to the Children’s Hospital, not one of the 200 suggestions forwarded conforming to the conditions, which were those that, governed Monty Brewster in his mbnev-speh ding career.

Alfred Woods writes from Queenstown, Cape Colony“ We are returning to Johannesburg for the Christmas season, opening there with a new piay of Miss Williamson’s entitled “ The Woman Pays.” We produced it for the first time on any stage last’ week in East London, and it created quite a dramatic sensation. I expect to finish over here in time to return to Sydney for Easter. I am really longing for dear old Sydney. I think after my five years’ travel it’s the best of the lot.”

At Christmas Mr. E. Geach will stage at Newcastle -three new melodramas, “ The Modern Adventuress,” “The Power of the- Cross,” and “ Lured to London.” This company Will tour Queensland, and will eventually open at the Criterion, Sydney. Mr. Geach is also once again interested in “West’s Pictures and the Brescians ” which opened at Hobart on last Wednesday for a two months’ tour of Tasmania, followed by New Zealand.

A theatre, is being constructed at Wimbledon in the shape of a halfopened fan. The width at the stage boxes is slightly over 60 feet, but at the rear of the pit the width is over 90 feet.

May Chevalier, who was with Cuyler Hastings out here, is appearing in a cur-tain-raiser, “The Nelson Touch” at the London Haymarket Theatre.

Miss Rose Musgrove’s engagement in “Barry Doyle’s Cure ’ at the London Court Theatre, only lasted three weeks, the piece being a failure.

Miss Maud Thornton . was to have left London on December 7 for her engagement in South Africa, during which she is to play the name part in “The Merry Widow,” “See See’” and the Gertie Millar par.s in “The Girls of Gottenberg” and “The New Aladdin.”

Nance O’Neil has decided to return p the field of vaudeville, in which sha made her first New York success. She had intended making a tour this season, using “H’s House in Orde",” but ~ has changed her mind, and, supported by McKee Rankin, wi.l do a condensed version of “Leah the Forsaken.” She will commence at Pittsburgh.

Another romance ofr the footlights (says Melbourne “Table Talk”) is shattered by the plain and authentic contradiction of Mr. ...Juslius Knight’s rumoured marriage to Miss Elbert Orton. It was currently reported that the ceremony had taken place at Adelaide, but Mr. Knight can cla : m an alibi, for he was certainly not at the altar on the day of the allegel ceremony.

Herbert Flemming has decided that “The Mummy and the Humming Bird” will replace “O ivia” as the opening product’on of his Melbourne season which commences on Boxing Night. A tour of New Zealand will precede the season in Sydney.

Mr. Whitney, an American theatrical manager, is about to conduct in London a campaign against the 10s seat and ccmpulsory evening dress in the stalls. He has ’eased the Shaftesbury Theatre, and announces a maximum charge of 5s and non-compulsory wearing of evening c.othes. Interviewed on his intentions, M-. Whitney observes : “This is the only city in the civilised world where theatregoers are made uncomfortable. In New York, Paris, Berlin or Vienna, a man can go to the very best theatres in tweeds, and none will pay the slightest attention to him. The ironclad rule .

evening dress keeps many people away. A business man may wish to see a play or comic opera, but rather than hurry home, dress, dine, and hurry back again, he often foregoes the pleasure.”

America’s oldest actress Mrs. Annie Yeamans, retired from the stage on November 19, the date being that of her seventy-second birthday. She made her debut when only ten years of age at Sydney as Little Julie in “A Father’s Daughter.” She is a native of the Isle of Man, and comes from a professional family named Griffiths. Her husband wa s a circus clown.

THE CENSORSHIP OF PLAYS.

English literary men are going strongly for the abolition of the office of Censor. This letter was addressed to the press concerning the matter. Just read the signatures:— “The Prime Minister -has consented to receive during next month a deputation from the following dramatic authors on the subject af the censorship of-plays. In the .meantime, they desire to enter a formal, protest against this office, which was instituted for. political, and not for the so-called moral ends to which it is perverted; an office autocratic in procedure; opposed to the spirit of the Constitution, contrary- to common justice, and to common sense.. They protest against the power lodged in the hands of a single official—who judges without a public hearing, and against whose dictum there is no appeal—to cast a slur on the good name and destroy the means of livelihood of any member of an honourable calling. They assert that the censorship has not been exercised in the interests of morality, but has tended to lower the dramatic tone by appearing to relieve the public of the duty of moral judgment. They ask to be freed from the menace hanging over every dramatist, of having his work and the proceeds of his work destroyed at a pen’s stroke by the arbitrary action of a single official neither responsible to Parliament nor amendable to law. They ask that their art be placed on the same footing as every other art. They ask that they themselves be placed in the position enjoyed under the law by every other

citizen. ;To these ends they claim that the licensing of plays shall be abolished. The public is already. sufficiently assured against managerial misconduct by the present yearly licensing of theatres, which remains untouched by the measure of justice here demanded. —George Bancroft, H. Granville Barker, J. M. Barrie, Florence Bell, Laurence Binyon, Gilbert Cannon, Cornyns Carr, R. C. Carton, Egerton. Castle, Haddon Chambers, Joseph Conrad, W. L. Courtney, John Davidson, Hubert H. Davies, H. V. Esmond, Frederick Fenn, John alsworthy, Edward Garnett, W. S. Gilbert, Cosmo Gordon-Lennox, St. John Hankin, Robert Harcourt, Thomas Hardy, Anthony Hope, Laurence Housman, Maurice Hewlett, Henry Hamilton, Basil Hood, Frederick Harrison, E. W. Hornung, Roy Horniman, W. H. Hudson, Ford Maddox Hueffer, Laurence Irving, Henry James, Henry Arthur Jones, W. W. Jacobs, W. J. Locke, John Masefield, Robert Marshall, A. E. W. Mason W. S. Maugham, Maarten Maartens, Desmond MacCarthy x Justin Huntly McCarthy, T. Sturge Moore, Arthur Morrison, George Meredith, Gilbert Murray, John Pollock, A. W, Pinero, H. M. Haull, (Mrs) De la Pasture, Gilbert Parker, D. March Phillipps, Cecil Raleigh, Elizabeth Robins, Morley Roberts, Ernest Rhys, G. Bernard Shaw, A. Sutro, A. C. Swinburne, Arthur Symons, J. M. Synge, Edward Thomas, H. A. Vachell, H. G. Wells, Margaret Woods, Anthony Wharton, W. B. Yeats, I Zangwill.

HARRY RICKARD’S NEW TURNS.

Mr. Harry Rickards has been holding forth to a “Melbourne Sporting News” scribe as follows “Now, what am I going to tell you—that I paid the steamship companies about in fares this year for passages of artists, and that it will be considerably more in 1908? —Why? Well, because the contracts are all for shorter periods. I fijid the Australian public wants frequent changes; consequently, where I used to engage people for 12 or 26 weeks, it is now 12 or 14 —16 at the very most. “But it’s a difficult task to get artists for any period • they’re booked up for years ahead, and only for the kindness of Sir Edward Moss and Mr. Oswald Stoll, of Moss-Stoil fame, the former an old friend of mine for 35 years, of Frank Allen, their head manager, and Frank Glenister, of the London Pavilion, the difficulties would have been still greater. These gentlemen were exceedingly kind iln abridging contracts and suspending engagements in order to allow artists to come to Australia.

“One of the best engagements I’vfl made id with" Edwin Bbyde. This'is aperformer who commands a salary of £lOO a week, and when I tell you he ran for six months, without, a break, at the Pavilion, you can . understand he is worth getting. .He is a singing comedian—and a Son of that clever old artist, J. W. Rowley. “Other artists I have booked, and who will be arriving and showing for a long time ahead, are the Eugenes, gymnasts; Martin Hendeson, a blind musician, the best concertina player I ever heardthe three Cunirds, song and dance artists; the brothers Artois, bar performers; Alma Gray, whom you will no doubt remember well; and the sisters Klos, two beautiful young ladies who do a turn in calisthenics. “Matters at home are much the same, although the influx of American and Continental artists into England is much smaller. Then, again, managers have made the turns shorter; now only the big stars do than two songs. I saw Little Tich —he’s still the daddy of them all. Is the top liner wherever he appears. I also saw Marie Lloyd before she went to America; she is a thousand per cent, better than when I last heard her. She and Alec Hurley will come to me next year for a short seasonu.

Mr. T. J. West has leased the Olympia building, over Prince’s Bridge, Melbourne, from Wirth Bros., and runs moving there on December 21.

A case of interest to managers, principals and chorus alike was recently decided in London by the Court of Appeal, when it set aside the verdict for given by a King’s Bench jury for Miss Ethel Newman, against Messrs. Gatti, the proprietors of the Vaudeville Theatre, and entered judgment for the defendants. Miss Newman had been Miss Edna May’s understudy in the title role of “The Belle of Mayfair,” and when Miss May threw uup the part Miss Newman took her place for a fortnight. At the end of that time she informed that Miss Phyllis Dare was to take ihe principal part. Plaintiff refused to go on as understudy, contending that she bad a right to play the principal part during the run of the piece, and brought her action with the result stated above. Lord Justice Vaughan Williams, in giving judgment, said he declined to give to the word “understudy” anything but the accepted meaning attached to it—namely, to play the part in the absence of the principal when called upon to do so by the management. Plaintiff was not entitled to any damages.

The plot of Mr. August Siede’s new opera,-“Safia,”-- is based on an ancieht Venetian law, which aimed at preserving the purity of the Libra d’oro bjf ■ bidding intermarriage with any but the nobility , and' the wealthy ‘ merchant class (says “Melbourne Punch”). A marriage, which does not conform with the law, takes place, and is consequently secret; Like all things secret, trouble takes place —jealousy/ the theme of the work. The opera offers scope for fine scenic mounting. There are three acts, with a prelude. The work is of a lyric-dramatic nature, the orchestra haying a good deal to do in elucidating the working out the dramatic material. The story is natural, but intensely absorbing, and compels attention. The themes upon which the orchestral structure is built are fitting in a high degree.

What is described as the first real success of the London season was recently produced at the Apollo Theatre, and is by Roy Horniman. “The Education of Elizabeth”. is the title of it, and the story tells of a. chorus girl, beloved by a wealthy youth,. who sends her to a bigschool for a year. From being a bright, happy girl, the year turns the lady into a drab prude, to the young man’s disgust and sorrow. They quarrel, but eventually the girl gets sense again, and all ends happily. Miss Florence Lloyd has made a great success in the title role.

“Miss Hook of Holland,” which will be Meynell and Gunn’s Easter attraction at Melbourne Royal, has passed its 300th perforamnce at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, where it shows no signs of waning popularity. It is pronounced to be quite the best musical piece since the popular “Geisha.”

Margaret Anglin, who has arranged with J. C. Williamson to visit Australia early next year, with a complete company, will begin rehearsing her repertoire for the Australian season in New York in March, leaving about a month later.