IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1240, 22 January 1914, Page 35

IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

Mr. Alf. Linley, of the Stephen-son-Linley Royal Pantomime Company, arrived in Auckland last week after a record tour of the West Coast. Mr. Linley gave us evidence of Iris enterprise in the “Tiny Town” venture, -which he exploited with such success a couple of years ago. His association with “Little 80-Peep, coupled with Mr. George Stephenson, should leave no doubt as to the hallmark and claim to popularity of the pantomime.

Mr. W. A. Low, manager of the Royal Pantomime Company, is in town making arrangements for the opening of the “Little 80-Peep season in Auckland “It’s a real bright little show,” said Mr. Low. “Welldressed, good scenery, and graceful ballets, and plenty of comedy in it.”

Miss Kathleen Mack, who has been specially engaged for the tour of the Dominion of the Royal Pantomime Company, and who will make her first appearance in Auckland as principal boy in “Little 80-Peep,” was the winner of three beauty competitions in Great Britain. According to physical culture experts, she is one of the most perfectly developed women in England.

Miss Elsie Nicolas, who plays “BoPeep” in the pantomime with that title, which will be produced in Auckland on Saturday, F a dainty little lady with a charming personality. Her soprano voice is heard to advantage in the songs she sings which are her portion in “Little 80-Peep.” Some of her numbers are of the catchy order and were specially written for

her. Miss Kathleen Mack, principal boy in the pantomime “Little 80-Peep,” is known as a physical culture expert, a good swordswoman and a long-dis-tance swimmer. ;3he holds several records in the latter branch of athletics.

Victor Loydall, who has toured the Dominion with the Royal Pantomime Company, has been specially engaged to play the Scotch tramp in “Little 80-Peep,” to be staged here by the Royal Pantomime Company next Sa’urday night at His Majesty’s Theatre.

Bruce Drysdale, the Dame in “BoPeep,” is a comedian of a very high order. His work is clean, refreshing end funny.

A line is to hand from Mr. G. L. Petersen notifying Wirth’s Circus will be along shortly.. They ..play Auckland on March 21 for a short season only. The latest story told of Sir Herbert Tree is about a visit he paid with Lady Tree to the Tate Gallery. As they entered one of the rooms they were astonished to see a man embracing a girl. “They ought to call this place the ‘Tete-a-Tete’ Gallery!” remarked Sir Herbert. Mr. John McCormack left by the Niagara on Saturday for Vancouver. Mr. McCormack was accompanied by his wife and two children, who came over from Sydney to join him. Miss Madge Titheradge, Mr. Lewis * * xj: Miss Cora Terry, who plays Princess Dinazadiee in the pantomime “Little 80-Peep,” to be played here by the Royal Pantomime Company on Saturday, Is the possessor of a beautiful voice. On one occasion in Sydney she played a prominent part in Alfred Hill’s opera, “The Moorish Maid.” * * * * Waller’s leading lady, is very superstitious. There are some things, she declares, that bring her nothing but bad luck. One of these is a piebald horse. Should she see one, she goes straight home and refuses to undertake any further business that day. White horses, she says, are luck bringers. She knows this from practical experience. She has a fine white horse of her own in England, and it has won many prizes. * * * # The marriage took place in .Melbourne last week of Mr. Charles A Wenman, the J. C. Williamson Ltd. producer, with Miss Flossie Dickinson, the bright young Australian who has appeared with success in Clarke and Meynell and J. C. Williamson productions. Mr. Wenman and his wife were the recipients of good wishes and congratulations from members oL the profession in all parts of Australia, with whom they are exceedingly popular. * * > Madame Melba intends to return to Australia at an early date. She will probably arrive in Sydney in April. The visit of the diva is chiefly for the purpose of enjoying a very much needed rest in her native country. During the past couple of years she has had a most strenuous time both In fulfilling her operatic engagements and in long concert tours, entailing many thousands of miles in travel. * • » * >■ Mme. Tetrazzini is extremely nervous ■ when appearing before a large audience. “I have no talisman to bring me luck,” she says, “but you know most artistes like to meet a hunchback in the street; it is a sign of .good fortune. My talisman really is sugar and hot water, which I drink immediately before singing.” Miss Maud Allan, whose visit to Australia will be one of the events of 191-1, is said to be the least technically equipped dancer at present appearing before the world’s public. Beside Genee she is technically a novice, yet with all her indifference to the mere tricks of toe play which, nowadays pass for fine dancing, she is extraordinarily attractive in the special domain that she has made her own. As a pantomimist in some of her dances, expressive of vague dreams or summer fancies, she is alleged to be unsurpassed, and in the use of her hands and arms she is simply wonderful to behold. One eminent English critic was tremendously struck by her 'hand play recently in England, and in a fine notice used of d’Annunzio’s description of eminent Signora Duse by employing the expression, “the lady with the beautiful hands.” *** ' * Here are the superstitions of a few of the members of “The Land .of Nod” company, now appearing at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne. Miss Ruth Nevin, Miss Anna McNab, Miss Jane Curtis, and Mr. Don Mathews think it is unlucky for anyone to whistle in a dressingroom at a theatre, unless the person nearest the O-Ooi goes outside. Mr. . Tom Armstrong has a strong objection to occupying No. 1,3 dressing-room, and he always has a stipulation in his contracts that he will not be expected to use that ijooin. Edward J. Battreall considers that some misfortune will befall him if he remains in a theatre where “Home, Sweet Home” is being played. Miss Kitty Klein will not pass anyone on the stairs, leading to the dressing room.