Greenroom Gossip.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1071, 15 September 1910, Page 17

Greenroom Gossip.

“ SWEET NELL.’ Miss Nellie S .ewart has received a new costume comedy from Paul Kester, the author of “ Sweet Nell of Old Drury.” The American playwright, in a note accompanying his work, states that he designed the piece specially to suit the Australian actress, whom he kept in view all the time he was writing it. The play deals with an interesting and picturesque period in English history. ••• ■ •' MacMiHOJf’S PICTURES. Messrs. MacMahon Bros, have secured dates for their picture show, which will probably include a fine pic-

torial representation of “ The Squatter’s Daughter,” specially obtained from Mr. William Anderson. The season will open at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, on November 28, extending to December 3. Hamilton will be visi ed on December 5, Paeroa, Waihi, New Plymouth, Stratford, Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Hastings, Nipier, being visited in succession, while a season of six nights will be held at Christchurch (19 to 24), and Dune lin (26 to 31 December). • - » THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES IN mid-oce : It . The idea-of theatrical performances in mid-channel, which was lately put into force between America and London, dates back to the reign of Charles I. Tn that merry monarch’s time, there was a large floating house of entertainment known as the Folly, which was moored in the centre of the Thames, onposite old Somerset House. The FoTy, which was really a theatre on a barge, contained a music hall, dancing saloon, private boxes for drinking and smoking, and had a specially selected and large orchestra.

ATT OLD AUCKLAND BOY’S SUCCESS. Mr. Walter Kirby and Madame Mary Conly, who are now singing in Melbourne, have received handsome recognition in England and Eurone. Mr. Kirby has Jmen specially successful, and has had' the honour of appearing

before the lace King Edward, the present King George, and the Emperor William of Germany. He has to return to England in January, to enter upon contracts in Italy and America, luauame Conly has been equally well received in the British Isles. Her oratorio work particularly gained her such popularity and distinction that she was offered and accepted 92 . engagements during the last concert season in England. She also goes back to London next year to enter upon tours in the English provinces and the United States. * « • • THE MASLOW ENTERPRISER. “The Bad Girl of the Family” is playing to enormous audiences in Adelaide, hundreds being unable to gain admission nightly. Judging by the booking, which constitutes a record for melodrama in Adelaide, it looks as iiidugn the sensationaL bedroom drama will see Mr. George Marlow’s season out. Mr. Marlow has further strengthened his company by securing the services of Mr. Frank Reis, for many years stage manager with Mr. William Anderson. • « •' « A NEW FIRM. Mr. Harry Plinimer, who, (says the Sydney “Daily Telegraph”) is making

his first venture in management in joining Messrs. Allan Hamilton and .Reynolds Denniston, in the new company which is to play “Lovers’ Lane,” is a well-known Australian actor. Born in Wellington (N.Z.), after leaving school he went to sea for thiee years before he adopted a stage vaieer, on coming to Sydney just 20 veais ago, where his first engagement was in supporting Miss Ada Ward in ‘ East Lynne” at the Old Opera nouse in King Street, and in a piece called “Bright Hopes” at the old Melbourne Opera House. xnen at the Royal Standard Theatre in Sydney he supported H. C. Sydney and Miss Alice Norton in “The Mystery of a Hansom Cab” and “Henry Dunbar.” Next he became a member of the Taylor-Carrington Company, and then joined Mr. Bland Holt for 12 months. At the end of this engagement he was se-ured for the company supporting Miss Myra Kemble and Mr. Edward Sass in the New Zealand tour. Nearly three years’ experience was gained with Mr. George Rignold at Her Majesty’s 'Theatre, Sydney, and Mr. Plimmer was then engaged by the late Mr. Robert Brough to play the G. S. Titheradge parts in “India and the East.” On his return to Australia he enlisted under the J. C. Williamson management, and has remained ever since, except during his visit to America, where he received an engagement on the day he landed to play Cavaradossi in the Sardou

play, "La Tosca” Mr. Reynolds Denniston is also a New Zealander, who hails from Dunedin, and has had considerable experience in. dramatic work in playing prominent roles with the Julius Knight Company.,-.iHe is nephew of Mr. Justice Denniston, of the New Zealand Supreme Court Bench. The Company is to play.. “Lovers’ Lane” and “The Passing of the Third floor Back” in Auckland next month. * r r' ‘ " 2”' -C: < ..'/J • ■■ • “ THE WINNING TICKET.” It would appear that William Anderson and Temple Harrison have rim the gamut of sensationalism in their Australian sporting drama,. “The Winning Ticket,” now being produced at the King s Theatre, Melbourne. From a wedding breakfast at a country farm to a race for the Melbourne Cup the Story pursues its breathless course, taking in on its way such novelties as a raid on a two-up school a street .fight with the police, and a great river scene, in which a tank of enormous proportions plays an important part, together with a swing bridge and a train. The produS excels anything yet done by this enterpnsing and up-to-date mjnaTement. The racing machines used in the production are said to have cost some hundreds of pounds to make. ive horses take part in the race, and these five were in training for weeks. ey were chosen out of 75 horses that were brought for Mr. Anderson to select from. * * * 9 harry roberts-beatrice day company. While on the way back to Sydney, the Harry Roberts-Beatrice Day Company played for a few nights in Hobart and Launceston. The business manager was summoned in Hobart for overcrowding the theatre. . But for the difficulty in “ getting dates” the New Zealand tour would have been extended. At every place visited by him Mi. Roberts was asked to come again. If he does not arrange shortly for another tour with the Clarke and Meynell management, Mr. Roberts will get a company of his own together. The formation of a company by the representative Australian actor would mean the return of Maggie Moore (Mrs. Roberts) to the footlights. As there was no part for her in “ Pete” or “ The Hypocrites” Mrs. Roberts did not go to New Zealand. * ♦ « » ANOTHER IRON IN THE EIRE. Mr. Allan Hamilton has another iron in the fire. The dramatic company in whicn he is associated with Mr. Max Maxwell opened a season of melodrama at the Palace Theatre with “A Woman’s Revenge” on Saturday, 10th September. This company is likely to make a long stay at the Palace. Miss Beatrice Holloway, Miss Muriel Dale, Miss Nellie Strong, and Miss Mabel Russell are included in Mr. Maxwell’s support. CLEVER AUSTRALIANS. Two clever Australian girls—Lizette Parkes and Queenie Williams—• are to play important parts—one in “ Lovers’ Lane” and the other in “ A Woman’s Revenge.” It is only the other day that the young ladies were known as “ Baby Parkes” and “ Baby Williams.” « W Mk « “ THE BAD GIRL OF THE FAMILY.” This drama will catch you in Auckland next March (writes Mr. D. Neven from Sydney.) “It is booming here with two companies on the road. Mounted police were requistioned in Perth to control the crowds for four successive evenings.” ■> « « * MUST NOT MARRY. Insurance against actors marrying is the latest from America. According to the “New York Dramatic Mirror,” Messrs. Cohan and Harris are applying to Lloyd’s for a £lO,OOO policy against the possibility of Mr. John Barrymore, the “matinee idol,” who is appearing in “The Fortune Hunter” in America, getting married. “For the purpose of obtaining the insurance,” says the “Dramatic Mirror,” “Mr. Barrymore has made affidavits declaring he is not at present engaged and that he iff not contemplating matrimony.” * * • « ■WANTS TO BE AN ACTOR I Verbatim'copy of a letter recently received by the J. C- Williamson management:——“Excuse me writing to you but I want you to take me in hand as I want to be an actor, and I think I. will be a very intelligent pupil. P.S. —If you can’t take me on let me know how.’