BEFOGUED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 943, 2 April 1908, Page 17

BEFOGUED.

In one of these pea-soup London fogs which occurred recently, traffic was held up altogether in many districts. The singers and hosts of professionals starting out to appear at the music halls could not get through, and many a popular establishment had to put on a scratch entertainment. The fog was kept out of Covent Garden by specially arranged ventilators placed in the huge auditorium, so that those in the gallery who went to hear “La Gioconda” had an excellent view of the stage although they were so far away from it. These ventilators were also a boon to the singers, for their voices were not affected by the fog, and consequently there was no change in the east. In the case of the Aldwych theatre it was nearly a case of closing altogether. Mr Seymour Hicks had taken part of his company to Boscombe for a flying matinee there, and the arrangements were all complete for their return in ample time to play the sprightly musical piece in London the same evening. Unfortunately there was no allowance for fog and. when the players should have been at the Aldwych Theatre, they were fretting, on the line between Surbiton and Wimbledon.

A very serious consultation took place between Mr Hicks, his manager, and the guards of the train, with the result that telephone messages were despatched to the Aldwych theatre to keep . the curtain down for half an hour and to the authorities at Waterloo urging them to do their best to get the train through. When the train did get to-Waterloo, it : was an hour and a quarter late. The company were hustled into motor-cars and driven to the theatre at a fair pace,, despite the prevailing gloom. The curtain rung up on the performance of “The Gay Gordans” little more than half an hour late.

Mr George S. Titheredge, who comes to Australia shortly, is in a new play, “The Woman of Kronstadt,” now being produced at the Garrick Theatre, London. Miss Edyth Latimer a Sydney actress, is also in the cast.

All the dramatic critics of Lugano, Switzerland, have gone on strike. They refuse to attend the theatres unless they are given three tickets for the first performance of each new production. This seems a trifle greedy.

Hugh J. Ward and Grace Palotta, supported by an English and Australian company, will commence an eastern tour in Bombay next November —Calcutta, Rangoon, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. will follow. The direction of the tour is in the hands of Mr Allan Hamilton, who may join the company should his Australian arrangements permit. * * • *

It will be welcome news to all playgoers to learn that there is every prospect of any early visit from that most versatile actor, Mr Harry Roberts and complete compa*-- in the comedy “The Prince Chap,” with which he scored such an un-

doubted success at the Criterion Theatre, London, last year. Should all go well, Allan Hamilton hopes to make a definite announcement very shortly. « » « « The following are the attractions at the principal centres for Easter :—Auckland (His Majesty’s), Julius Knight Dramatic Company; Dunedin (His Majest—’s), Edwin Geach’s Dramatic Company; Christchurch (Theatre Royal), Pollard Opera Company; Wellington (Opera House), Sheridan Musical Comedy Company, and Invercargill, Chas. Blake’s Company. <l. sjs * * After a run of 316 performances, “Brewster’s Millions” was withdrawn at the Hicks Theatre, Oscar Strauss’ new opera, “The Waltz Dream” being placed on the boards, with Mr Arthur Williams in the important comedy character. :? *• * * Frank C. Bangs is perhaps the oldest actor on the American stage to-day in point of actual service. Bangs was one of the four great actors —Edwin Booth, Lawrence Barrett, . L. Davenport and Frank C. Bangs—who made the fame of Booth’s Theatre in New York with wonderful Shakespearian revivals, notably that of “Julius Caesar,” in which Booth appeared as Brutus, Burrett as Cassius, E. L. Davenport as Caesar, and Mr Bangs as Marc Antony.

Leslie Harris the entertainer, is at latest in New York. * * ♦ Auckland threatregoers are looking forward to the advent of Julius Knight and ‘-‘The Scarlet Pimpernel” with much interest. * * * * La Milo has insured her life for 000. * * * T Champion club-swinger, Tom Burrows, will shortly tour the Fuller circuit. a c « Mr Kaber Harrison is this week giving recitals at St. Andrews’ Hall, Symond Street. Mrs Harrison, Miss Batger, Miss Heywood and Mr Carter are assisting. *: . * ♦ Mr John Fuller, senr., left Sydney on the 21st March by the German liner Bremen bound for the Continent. a * • » The Corrick Family have been doing well in India and shortly leave for Burmah and Singapore. * * * 9 Norman Partridge, here with the last Shakesperian company, was at latest playing John Storm in “The Christian,” at Johannesburg. » • » 9 In a London newspaper competition El la Shields was voted the most popular “principal boy” with Carrie Moore a close second. * » » 9 Miss Marie Lowrey gave a concert on Thursd”— evening at the Choral Hall, but owing to it being badly advertised and also to the showery evening, the attendance was scanty. She was assisted by Mr Herbert Bloy. Mr J. C. Little, Mr J. Carter and the Unique Vocal Quartet (Messrs Abel Rowe, Bagnall, Farrow and Fogerty).

The death is reported in New York ol Mrs C. J. Stine (Miss Olive Evans). * * * * William Anderson has abandoned his trip to England and is visiting West Australia instead. From Worcester, South Africa, comes a postcard from Mr R. Tregaski reporting that the Steele-Payne bellringers have been doing splendid business all through. They expect to return to New Zealand next year. Mr Harry Sweeney has parted company with the “Blue Moon” Musical Comedy Company, and he joins the Julius KnightOla Humphries’ Dramatic Company. Mr Sweeney will be a member of the Company when it tours New Zealand in a few weeks’ time. His place in the Musical Comedy Company is being taken by Mr Castles, a brother of the Misses Dolly and Amy Castles. « « ♦ > “ The Prisoner of Zenda” is one of the pieces to be played ’by Julius Knight Company. It was a great success when first stage here. Dudley Clinton is now the Colonel Sapt, and of course our only Julius takes the role of the Englishman. One can hardly imagine Miss Humphrey as Flavia, but we shall see.

Queenie Williams, t’ne clever little girl who is appearing with Meynell and Gunn’s “Little Breadwinner” Dramatic Company in West Australia, made . her first appearance in “The Fatal Wedding” as the leader of the “Tin Can. Band,”.i in which she made a decided hit.. Her next appearance was in “The Rake’s Wife;” produced at the Criterion Theatre,. Sydney. Subsequently she appeared in the “Grey Kimona,” a Japanese Opera,, aind played the part of the American girl, Miss Comet Bright. In this, as in. her ■ other parts; she was decidedly successful. “The Little Breadwinner,” will be seen here later on.

Playgoers will learn with mucn regret of the death of Miss Joan Burnett, only daughter of Miss Jennie Lee, who came to Melbourne ciuite recently under engagement to Mr J. C. Williamson for the production of “Peter Pan.” Miss Burnett caught cold on the voyage out, and it rapidly developed into consumption, which ended fatally. In the heyday of her mother’s career Miss Burnett will be rremembered as a dark-haired little lassie, who went to school in Melbourne while her mother and father —the latter of whom played Inspector Bucket in “Jo” —were touring Australia. On returning to England, Miss Burnett, while yet in her teens, took up the stage as a profession, and was successful. One of her best parts was that of Jennie Geddes in “The Wedding Guest.” The feeling of regret for the young lady’s death under such sad circumstances will be coupledf with deep sympathy for her mother, who accompanied her on the tour.

A play we are likely to see here later on is “The Beloved Vagabond” produced bv Beerbohm Tree at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, last month. It is a dra-

matisation by W. J. Locke of his wellknown novel of the same name. * •» ® • Mr and Mrs H. Rickards, accompanied by Mr and Mrs E. Mass, children, maids, and Chauffeur, left for England oy the Asturias on Saturday (says the “Referee”). The party, who will be away for about seven months, will reside at “Westwood,” the Kentish estate purchased by Mr Rickards on his last visit to England. It is described as a picturesque old manor house and farm, famous for its orchards and the fine avenue of trees which leads up to its wide expanse of lawns.