GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1150, 25 April 1912, Page 18

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

'The Quaker Girl.” ‘‘The Quaker Girl” is now approaching the end of its allotted span in Sydney. The management has delayed the departure of the popular

musical comedy as long as possible, but it must make way on April 27 for the “Sinbad the Sailor” pantomime. This will mean a run of 15 weeks in Sydney for “The Quaker Girl.” 'Consistently packed houses have marked its stay in Sydney. Brisbane, Toowoomba, Newcastle, Adelaide, and Perth will see the dainty musical play before it will be presented in Melbourne. •' & ss , The Order of the Bath! Six months or so after “Kismet” had commenced its fateful career at the Garrick Theatre, London, the Censor conferred an order of the bath upon Oscar Asche —the order being that he must either drape the lady who goes swimming in the harem bath, or cut out that person altogether from the show. Mr Asche, to soothe the conscience of the Censor, supplied the lady with a quantity

of chiflon, and all was well. In discussing the matter, Mr Asche points out that “Kismet” had previously been witnessed by the King and Queen, who expressed themselves as delighted with the production. Their opinion of it was expressed in a practical manner when the Prince of Wales came along, with other Royal children, to see the play. Mr Asche says that he considers the Melbourne people too artistic and broad-minded to render it necessary for him to purchase some draping for the lady who goes into the bath. * • e « Didn’t Approve of the Stage. Tne monkey that figured in the Asciie-mayion proauction or 'Kismei” at ivieioourne Theatre Royal, which escaped pror to the proauction and aia a great deal of damage at the theatre appeared in the first production of the great Oriental spectacle, but is now no longer a “member of the company.” Breaking out of his cage he broke a quantity of crockery and defied the stage hands to capture him, pelting them with missies. It was not so much this escapade, however, that led to his summary dismissal. While being taken across the stage in the bazaar scene, he slapped the face of the small boy that carried him, and pulled his ears continuously. So he was taken to the “property’ room, placed in the dark as a punishment, and the next day was back in his cage at the Zoo, whence he had come. No doubt he had something interesting to tell his companions regarding the peculiarities of stage life and his experience thereof. $ * * * A Popular Repertoire. Mr William Anderson’s dramatic organisation, beaded by Miss Eugenie Duggan and Mr Roy Redgrave, are having a successful and pleasant tour in Queensland, and are expected to enjoy continuous prosperity during the period of their absence from Melbourne. The repertoire for Queensland and New South Wales’ seasons is: “The Gayest of the Gay,” “Camille,” “The W'orld Against Her,” “The Christian,” and “East Lynne.” * * ♦ « Oscar Asche’s Visit. Gieat preparations are being made by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., for the bigtour of Australia and New Zealand by the Asche-Brayton Company. This will involve an enormous amount of expense and labour, as the scenery, properties, and effects will have to be so adapted as to make them fit the stages of the various theatres without in any way altering the productions from the Melbourne and Sydney standard. Every detail of the productions will be on the same scale as in those centres, and the whole of the company will be toured. Mr Asche and Miss Brayton have never, yet been to New Zealand and are looking forward to their visit to the Dominion. On the completion of their season there, they intend to do a great deal of motoring in the North and South Island, see all the sights, and Mr Asche will indulge in his favourite pastime of trout fishing. Before leaving London, Mr Asche and Miss Brayton were asked by many of their friends to bring them on their return some Maori weapons and curios, and these Mr Asche will collect while in the Dominion.