SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1245, 26 February 1914, Page 37

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES

(Bv

“Lorgnette")

WELLINGTON, February 23. Amongst the passengers by the W’llochra.. which arrives from Sidney on Wednesday are the members of the Oeorge Wivoughby. Ltd.. “Aladdin’’ Pantomime The Dominion tour onens at the Opera House on Thursday. the 26th. The comnany numbers about 150 people, and includes such well-known artistes as Miss Grace Palotta. Carrie Moore. M’ss Mabel Batchelor. Mr. p fi —y c i p t n n. Mr. Edward Stanley, and Mr. Ernest Pitcher. As this is the first annual ’'ant n mime to be presented hr the flrm of George Willoughby, limited, n "fifing has been snared in the way of expense to make it a success, which has been proved bv enjoving a nine-weeks’ run at the Svdnev Adelnhi. The reason the pantomime h as been brought to New Zealand b Q fo~e being staged in Svdnev is that + he Melbourne Princess had been boohed for several months ahead for tbe Arm’s other attractions. With a view to obtaining all the latest novelties for the production Mr Cporge Willoughby engaged one o+' America’s leading musical comedv and pantomime producers, in the person of Mr. Lester Brown, to s + ag° “Aladdin,” and according to a Sydney critic he has “sure made good.” One of the principal sensations to be introduced is what is described as “The Pagtime Revue,” an originaUty of Mr. Brown’s, in which every member of the comnanv takes nart. Amongst the other novelties to be introduced will be Morris’ Wrestling Ponies and their Ethiopian wrestl’ng partner John Hedges: Vanlen+ine and Bell, wheel experts; Morris and Shand, animal impersonators and comedv acrobats: and also specialties bv Ting Tot, Marjorie, Henri Marcelle, and NeHie Fallon (America’s ragtime dancers).

Mr. Clement Mason, the head of the big Sydney film firm, is at present in Wellington on a business visit. It has been decided bv the Brennan Fuller management to control the New Zealand ci~cu.it from headquarters in future. S”ch being the case, Mr. William Douglas has reoe’ved instructions to proceed to Sydney, where he takes up a responsible position in the head office. M~. Doug 1 as’ manv friends wfl regret to hear of his departure, as he was greativ esteemed bv all with whom he came in contact during his residence in Wellington.

During the Wellington season of Wirth’s Circus and Menagerie three evening and one matinee performances were given, and the accommodation of the huge tent was taxed to its utmost capacity by audiences t'at were simply astounded at the many

marvellous and sensational feats introduced. It is truly a great evening’s entertainment, and well worth the money that is charged for admission.

Mr. Barrington Waters arrived from Dunedin on Friday, the 13th, to take up the position of manager of His Majesty’s Theatre l . Mr. Waters, T am glad to state, has fully recovered from his recent illness. I received a letter the other dav from Mr. Frank O’Sullivan, touring manager of the O’Connor Opera Com pany, in which he states that the North Island inland tour has been exceptionally good. A tour of th"* West Coast of the South Island will be opened at Grevmouth on the 23rd inst., after which Reefton, Hokitika Wes Wort, Nelson and Blenheim will be visited. At the time of writing it was not decided whether the company would return to Australia at thclose of the West Coast season or a comprehensive tour of the South Island would be undertaken. The George WiUoughbv Dramatic Company is playing a verv successful season at the Opera House just now The first production, “ The Beggar Girl’s Wedding,” ran for fi ve nights to splendid business. The second

production of the season, “No Mother to Guide Her,” was staged last Saturday night, and judging by the manner in which it was received by the large audience ought to prove another box-office winner. In the main the plot of “No Mother to Guide Her” is an old story with new variations. It centres on the trials and virtues of Nan, a London waif, and a love child, who, having been handed over as an infant by her parent to Burglar Bill Bunce, therefore had “no mother to guide her.” Reared in sinful surroundings, the child is well on the wiay to succumbing to her environment, when a young missionary, Rev. Tom Pelham, comes into her life and succeeds in cultivating the inherent virtues of the waif. The advent of Pelham brings in the add : ttonal characters of Millicent Saxby (his sweetheart), and Julia Patterson (who also loves him, and who, incidentally is Nan’s mother). Later, it is discovered that when Nan was an infant she was handed over to Bunce by her mother to be thrown in the Thames, but the burglar had secretly kept the child, and at the same time blackmailed the mother. Starting with this interesting hypothesis, the story is based on the trials of Nan in the hands of Bunce and his gang, the wiles of Julia Patterson to hide her past and to outrival Millicent

Saxby in the quest for the missionary’s love, and the ever-ready ability of Pelham to unravel difficulties and to come on to the scene at the l right moment.

As the central figure Nan, Miss Fanny Erris gave a very fine performance. In the part of the young missionary Mr. George Cross gave a faithful portrayal of the character. Miss Vera Rlamee scored an undoubted success as Millicent Saxby, whilst Miss Oriel Hotson played well as Ju’ia Patterson. Mr. Rutland Beckett played the character of Fefix Green, mesmerist, rogue and murderer, on the usual lines. The season will be brought to a close on Wednesday with a production of that good old money-maker “East Lynne.”