CONCERNING “ THE BLUE MOON.”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 933, 23 January 1908, Page 17

CONCERNING “ THE BLUE MOON.”

Sti’i they come. Mr J. C. Williamson will occupy His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening at the conclusion of “ Brewster’s Millions ” with his new musical comedy company, who will stage, during a three weeks season, the following musical comedies —“ The Bue Moon,” “ Lady Madcap,” “ Litt e Michus,” and “ Three Little Maids.” Mr J. C. Williamson’s new musical comedy company is one of the largest attractions he has yet sent to New Zealand and numbers about 100 people all told. The caste of “ The Blue Moon ” includes the full strength of the company. The old favourites are Miss Celia Ghiloni, Miss Alma Barber, Mr Harry Sweeney, Mr Eddie Nable and Mr Pat. Bathurst. The new faces include Messrs Victor Gouriet, Myles Clifton, Haro d Parkes, Reginald Kenneth, J. Hogue, Chas. Beethem and Misses Daisy Wallace, Jessica Deane, Amy and Dulcie Murphy. Mr Henry; Bracy, well known in connection with Mr J. C. Williamson’s attractions will supervise the stage, and Mr Alfred Moulton conducts the orchestra. The locale of “The B'ue Moon” is set in the silken East, in Oriental Burmah where as Kipling sings— By the old Mulmein Pagoda Looking eastward to the sea There’s a Burmah girl a sitting, And I know she thinks of me. And the artists have put in such good work with brush and pencil that one can a most fancy feeling a breath of flowers and spices, and hearing “ the tinkling temp e bells ” which seem to call back to the dreamy Orient all those who have once sojourned ’neath its waving palms and bright blue skies. The story of “The Blue Moon ’ concerns itself with the stealing of a baby girl by the low comedy man ; her arrival at womanhood; mutual and desperate love between her. and a dashing young officer, an Indian Jam. loving her too, but nobly relinquishing his claim in favour of the officer; flirtations by young people, alternated. with fits, of “al is over between us ” attended by rapid reconciliation; the action throughout embroidened with beautiful and novel colour combinations, quaint and admirable dancing, and exquisite scenery. A special feature of the forthcoming productions by the musical comedy company is the excel ent chorus and ballet work done by the members of the combination.

The Royal Comic Opera Company is to have another addition to its ranks in the person of Mr Edward Sherras, a baritone of wide experience with the George Edwardes companies in England and South Africa who is on board the incoming Orient liner the Orotava. $ :K * * One of the chief reasons which took Mr J. C. Williamson to New York last month was his purpose of fixing up matters in connection with “The Red Mill ” the copyright of which he acquired some time ago for Australasia, and of which it is intended to make one of the leading

attractions out here this year. He found the musical comedy still going very strongly, not only in New York, but also elsewhere, ha.f-a-dozen companies being engaged playing it on the roads. It would appear that the piece’s combination of exceptionally tuneful numbers, a picturesquely quaint Dutch setting and a plentitude of comedy, had established it as a lasting favourite.

A week or two ago a rumour reached Australia from one of the smaler theatrical papers that Miss Margaret Anglin had decided not to visit the Commonwealth under the J. C. Williamson management this year. This is not so. Powerful managerial influence was certainly brought to bear upon Miss Anglin to induce her to abandon her projected trip, but though several very tempting offers were made to her, she refused them all, and is already engaged on the preliminary preparations for her tour of Australasia which will commence at the end of June next.

It is reported that Miss Carrie Moore, the Australian actress who made such a success in the O’d Country, is shortly to be married to Mr William Proctor, of Manchester, and that afterwards the stage wi l know her no longer.

Madame Clara Butt, Mr. Kennerley Rumford and the remainder of the 1 comcompany left for the South on Friday.

Mr. Hazlitt is here with the “Brewster’s Millions” comapny. It must be a good many years since I first saw him with Mr. George Rignold at His Majesty’s, but he looks not a day older.

After leaving Auckland the “Brewster’s Millions” company will be at New Plymouth on the 27th inst., Stratford 28 h, Hawera 29th, Wanganui 30th, Palmerston North . 31st,- Dannevirke Febru ary Ist, Hastings 3rd, Napier 4th, Masterton 3th; The Wellington season opens on he 6th inst.

Mr Mathieson, in advance of “ Brewster’s Mil ions ” left for the south on Friday last.

Mr Walter Monk reached Auckland on Thursday, to make arrangements for the appearance of “ The Blue Moon ” Company.

The iN.Z. “Times” says in its dramatic news that one of the items which met with an enthusiastic reception at the Theatre Royal was that given by the Musical Cromes, who were recalled several times for their novel vocal and instrumental act, in which they gave an exposition of hand-bell ringing.

Mr ; Mabee, the popular manager of His Majesty’s' Theatre . for .Mr Bailey, intends taking a long holiday. We all have our hobbies and that of Mr Mabee is trotting. He is going to see whether he cannot turn out a Ribbonwood to astonish them at Alexandra Park.

Miss Annie Laurie, a well-known Home vocalist and dancer, was-married, jri November 13, to. Carslake, the Australian jockey.