IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1146, 28 March 1912, Page 16

IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

JM<r John Farrell is in town making arrangements for the appearance of “Everywoman” at His Majesty’s ict.n Easter Monday.

Mr Richard Stewart, who recently journeyed to Australia in charge of “ The Chocolate Soldier ” Company, will return to ,New Zealand as manager for the “Everywoman” tour.

Miss Hilda Spong, who will take the leading role in “Everywoman” which is to be staged for the first time on Easter Monday, had rather an exciting experience in Sydney recently.; She was awakened during the “early hours” by hearing a noise in the drawing-room. She quickly put on her dressing gown to search for the reason, and came upon two burglars. Miss Spong never for a moment lost her presence of mind, as whilst calling for help she secured her revolver and actually fired five shots at the would-be robbers as they decamped.

William Desmond, who recently made such a success in the role of “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” will support Miss Hilda Spong in “Everywoman.”

Mr Andrew Maccunn, musical director of “The Quaker Girl,” leaves Sydney next month for a holiday visit to London. He will disembark from the Osterley at Naples, to motor across Europe to Paris. He expects to be away about six months.

Oscar Asche and Lily Brayton have arrived in Melbourne. The rehearsals of “Kismet” will commence immediately.

Mrs. J. C. Williamson was welcomed home at a reception held at the Hotel Australia, the Lady Mayoress and Mrs Hugh Ward assisting to receive the guests.

So important a factor is stage lighting in the production of “The Blue Bird,” that the J. C. Williamson management has undertaken an outlay of just upon £lOOO in improving the electric installation at the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, where Maeterlinck’s fairy play will have its Australian premiere on April 6.

Mr George Marlow and Miss Ethel Buckley (Mrs Marlow) leave for England next month on a six months’ visit. They intend Ao look out for new attractions in England, Europe and America.

The Walter Baker-Francis Ross Dramatic Organisation, ■ which has won great popularity in Sydney, will open a two months’ season at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, on Easter ‘Saturday, under the direction of Mr William Anderson. They will present a selected repertoire of pieces, including some entirely new dramas.

Thus Andrew Carnegie on the theatre: The theatre has come to stay and it evolves" upon us all to avail ourselves of its tremendous power for ©ood. The best way for good people to aid and improve the theatre is to patronise it.

Mr Julius Knight has been engaged as leading man for the Repertory Theatre, Manchester, England.

“Mr Oscar Asch.e (says the London i‘. Times”) now stands in the very front rank of stage managers and play producers. We have had, indeed,, an

uneasy suspicion tor son).e time past that in certain respects of stagemounting we were drifting behind Germany. This is no longer the case. We stand as ever at the head.”

A week or so ago the management of J. C. Williamson Ltd., wrote to the mothers of Three Sydney children,of whose ability much is known, asking them tb bring the youngsters in next morning for the “Blue Bird” production. The three mothers evidently passed the word around, for next ■paorning the lane besidje the Theatre /Royal was crowded with women and children. ,

There will be some strange features about the Asche-Brayton production of “Kismet” at Melbourne Theatre Royal, that will appeal to lovers of the picturesque, novel, and bizarre. Prior to thje. rise of the curtain, a story teller in the Old Eastern fashion, will make his appearance and outline to the 'audience the story of Hajj, the Beggar, and his beautiful daughter, Marsinah, who dwelt in Baghdad a thousand years.

“Driving-_a .Girl to Destruction” will replace “The Luck of Roaring Camp” on Monday evening, and will hold the boards at His Majesty’s until the present popular Marlow season concludes on Thursday next.

The enterprising firm of Messrs George Marlow, Ltd., have recently secured the Australasian rights of the three remarkable Drury Lane successes that have created such a sensation in the Old Country, namely, “Sins of Society,” “The Hope,” and ‘‘The Marriages of Mayfair.” These, will probably make up the repertoire of the next company the firm of Marlow’s will send through New Zealand.

Mr Stanley Grant, who managed the New Zealand tour of the Allen Doone Company, was the recipient of a very handsome travelling case from Mr Allen Doone on the eve of the popular Irish a<ctor’s departure for Australia. The presentation was given as a token of Mr Doone’s appreciation of Mr Grant’s managerial abilities and personal goodwill. Mi’

Albert Myers, who acted as treasurer for the company, was also presented by Mr Doone.. with a solid gold match box.

General regret will be expressed in Auckland at the death of Mr Jesse Worrall, which occurred on Tuesday evening. Mr Worrall was one of the original members of the Orphans’ and Savage Clubs, besides being associated with the Liedertafel and Choral Society. . ..