GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1146, 28 March 1912, Page 17

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

Scenes in “Everywoman.” “Everywoman” is as costly as a pantomime to stage. There is a cast of extraordinary length, crowds of men and pretty girls and most expensive Crocking. A * * A Costly Production. For the production of “The Blue Bird,” the J. C. Williamson Easter attraction in 'Sydney at the Criterion Theatre, the firm have the advantage of the ideas of the various producers of the play, as staged in London, New

York, and other centres. The ,London version, however, will be tike one adopted. It is interesting to note that the scenery for,this was designed by Joseph Harker, the painter of the Asche-Braytori scenery, whose work will, on the same night (April 6), be seen in Melbourne in “Kismet.” To have produced “The Blue Bird” direct from the script—that is creating everything in its entirety to make up the play—would have entailed an expenditure of over £lO,OOO. As it is, over £5OOO will be spent before the curtain goes up. * * * V The English Pierrots. Amongst the many attractions which will be introduced to the Dominion during the present year, : will be the original English Pierrots, who made marked impression on the music loving public of Wellington during the run of the Industrial Exhibition there last year. This brilliant company of nine performers have been in eixstence for the past eight years, giving regular seasons at the Pavilion, St. Kilda, Victoria, where the name of English Pierrots has become a household word. The com'bination are under the direction of Messrs W. and H. Thomas and Maynard Dakin. Mr Dakin is the comedian of the company, with which he has been associated for many years, and comes with a great reputa-

tion from the most famous halls of England, and has also been an entertainer of long standing in the English concert world. He is the possessor of many original musical numbers and novelties, which are only performed by the English Pierrots, whose programes includes: monologues, pianoforte recitals, musical sketches, instrumental novelties —all entirely new to New Zealand. * Jansen, the Magician. Artemus Ward once announced in big type., that he had appeared “'before all the crowned heads of Europe” and then added in microscopic type—- ' even thought of appearing.” Jansen, the famous transformist, has a wide circle of royal acquaintances, though like a true American, he doesn’t give himself airs about it. “While in Pekin (he told a reporter) I played to the boy Emperor of China. Just like any other child ,he was tickled to death when I presented him with two tiny rabbits, which a moment before, I had taken from a mandarin’s pocket. Our season in the Orient was very successful, but we are glad to reach New Zealand, which, as far as I can see, is just like the United States.” During his world’s tour he was requested to call at the palace of the

Queen of Spain in Madrid, and give a performance. That day a valuable piece of jewellery was stolen from the palace, and the Queen was greatly annoyed. For one trick Jansen invited someone from the audience to assist him, and an attendant of the Queen volunteered. In taking a live aove from her pocket, a diamond ring fell to the floor, and was recognised i s the property of the Queen, who was amazed at the unexpected recovery of the article. Jansen is to appear at Auckland in April.