Greenroom Gossip.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1101, 18 May 1911, Page 17

Greenroom Gossip.

“ Why Men Love Women.” Mr. Walter Howard’s latest melodrama, “ Why men love women” is proving a big draw in the South. Invercargill, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch, Wellington arid Palmerston North has in turn been visited, and crowds have been attracted in each place to see the play with the peculiar title. It was first of all intended that the Company should conclude their New Zealand tour at Wellington, and fulfil some Australian bookings. However, the latter have r.ow ■been postponed, and the Company vill open in Auckland on June 3, after a visit to the Waika o and the gold-

fields (Hamilton, May 29 and 30, Cambridge May 31. Waihi, June 1 and 2). The tour has been a huge success, the public being quick :to recognise that “Why men love women” as presented by Mr. Allan Hamilton’s Company, is a fine melodrama, with a fine production. « » v « A Busy ProgrammeMr. Leo. D. Chateau, who piloted the company over from Australia fresh from Melbourne and Sydney successes finishes his engagement with them in Auckland, after seeing them well towards the end of their triumphal tour, and returns to Wellington to produce Somerset Maughan’s play “Mrs. Dot” for the Wellington amateurs (the Mountebank Club) in the Opera House, on June 7,8, and 9. Thence he proceeds to Dunedin to pick up Messrs’. Clark and Meynell’s “Arcadians” Company which commences a tour of the Dominion centres on June 26. Mr. Chateau passed through Auckland yesterday and has left for Hamilton. a e « w The Seyffer Twins. A much appreciated item at the Opera House just now, is that given by the Seyffer twins. This makes their second tour on the Fuller .circuit, as no doubt patrons of the above theatre will remember their appearance here some three and a half years

ago. They have also toured the Brennen’s chain of theatres, and likewise played with the following organisations throughout Queensland, Meynell and Gunns, No. 2 Company, Fatal Wedding Company; the No. 1 Company in Sydney; Bland Holt, William Anderson, McKinson and Kearns’ Vaudeville Company, Ralph Clay’s Comedians, and also with Harry James- J’hese clever little twins are but fourteen years of age, and are noted for their versatility. They are not only possessed of good voices, out are exceptionally clever little dancers, their skipping rope, clog, ballet, buck dancing and other specialities, winning for them much applause on the big vaudeville bill at the Opera House last week. The twins have a neat stage appearance, and there is no reason why their theatrical career should not prove a big success. * * * * Thundrebolt Mr. Fred Elton, of the Elton Comedy Co., writes me from Wellington that they have just arrived from Sydney by the “Moeraki,” with the greatest of all dramatic pictures “Thunderbolt.” The exciting career of the bushranger gives scope for some fine emotional picture photography, and sensational scenes depicting the principal incidents in his life, are realistically portrayed. Mr. Elton has 20,-

000 feet of star films, including a splendid scenic one “Lovely Launceston.” A comprehensive tour of New Zealand is to be undertaken, the dates not ye: being available. Mr. Fred Elton can be assured of a hearty reception. * * * * A Popular Manager. On his departure for New Zealand to manage the New Zealand tour of ,William Anderson’s new dramatic company which Mr. Harry Roberts and Miss Beatrice Day are heading, Mr. Michael Joseph was the recipient of a handsome travelling bag from the front staff of the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, and also of a very nice present from Mr. William Anderson in recognition of his valuable services during the number of years he has been associated with that management. Twenty-two years with one firm is a testimony that speaks for itself. * * * 9 The New Ward Company. Mr. Reginald Wykeham, stage manager for Mr- Ward and a capable actor, and Mr. W. A. Low, Mr; Ward’s manager, will continue to tour the Hugh Ward Comedy Company much on the same lines as it has been run in ' the past. They will be without the services of Miss Grace Palotta and Mr. Ward, but their places are to be filled, with competent artists,

capable of maintaining the high traditions of this bright little company. The company will continue to produce “Seven Days,” “A Bachelor’s Honeymoon,” and “The Girl from Rectors,” in Australia, and will add new farces to the repertoire as occasion dictates. ' ft ft........ ..ft ft • - An Australian Record. The play “Our Miss . Gibbs” has concluded at the Theatre Royal Sydney after a run of 230 performances ■ —an Australian, record. Altogether 389,720 persons paid for admission during the season. “Our Miss Gibbs” establishes a new record for’ Australia. In London, of course, a piece may run for more than a year—indeed, “Our Miss Gibbs” was in its third year when it came to the end of its tether —but in Australia, nearly eight months, the term of this piece in Sydney, represents quite a unique career (remarks a Sydney contemporary). The first run of any consequence in this country was established in Melbourne by “Tambour Major,” 101 performances, about 29 years ago, when this opera was produced by the company brought from England by Mr. George MusgroveThe company included Miss Pattie Laverne, Miss Jessie Grey, Miss Minnie Hope, and Messrs. Johnny Wallace, H. R. Harwood, Fred Mervyn, Hallewell, Albert Brennir, and George Dean. This record stood for a considerable period, and then “Florodora,” produced by the J. C. Williamson management, ran for a week longer in Melbourne, the burlesque on grand opera in which Mr. George Lauri and Miss Carrie Moore figured as “The P’r’apses” drawing the town. The longest run in Sydney was achieved by the “Merry Widow,” but now “Our Miss Gibbs,” another Williamson winner, has come along and demolished all other records and incidentally added to the popularity of the Royal Comic Company. * * * * We Want Thrills! Mr. George Marlow, in a recent interview, stated that he believed Australian writers had more brains than their English cousins, but Australians wanted to keep too closely to everyday life in writing dramas, while the Englishman used his imagination a little more. Thus the latter made things more improbable and so made an appeal in an indirect way to human nature- What audiences want he added, is thrill, and thrill splashed with virtue, sensation, briny ocean and gunpowder. * • • B Two American Stars. A star act at Messrs- Fuller’s Vaudeville is that given by Harris and Vernon, two extremely clever Americans. Their dialogues and playlets are quite original and evoke unbounded merriment, which culminates in rounds of applause when this talented couple give an exhibition of their terpsichorean abilities. Their agility is simply astounding, and they are undoubtedly the cleverest and most skilful dancers that have been seen on the Fuller circuit. Mr. Fuller is to be congratulated on securing such artists. Harris and Vernon go South at the end of this week so Southerners are in for a special treat. « « w. Good Bye to Grace Palotta. Miss Grace Palotta, the well-known actress, having received a cablegram stating that her mother, who lives in Vienna, is seriously ill, has severed her connection with Mr. Hugh Ward’s Comedy Company, and left for Vienna by the quickest route via America. “ Lucky Durham.” Wilson Barrett’s latest play “Lucky Durham” is said to afford exceptional opportunities for Mr. H. R. Roberts and Miss Beatrice Day, Australian papers speaking most highly of their work, Mr. Roberts as Lucky Durham, and Miss Day as Lady Mountfallon. Our frontispiece of this issue is devoted to a charming study of Miss Day. **’ V » Miss Katherine Grey. Miss Katherine Grey’s season at the Melbourne Princess’s Theatre will close on May 25. A visit to Adelaide follows, and Miss Grey leaves for America on July 3. • • • * Miss Ethel Warwick. Since she returned to England, Miss Ethel Warwick, who was out here some little time ago with, the J. C. Williamson Dramatic Company, is at present appearing in a London revival of “The Prisoner of Zendai,” in the part of Antoinette de Mauban, and has created a most favourable impression.