IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1246, 5 March 1914, Page 35

IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

Mr. Alaurice Ralph left for Wellington last night to make arrangements for ‘The Miracle” season in that city. Interest in a great picture such as this might easily be worked up, but when it means the playing of special music to synchronise with the actions of the story, and the securing of picked voices to sing the chants, one realises it is not the ordinary everyday picture.

Mr. A. W. Batiste is managing the New Zealand tour of George Willoughby’s Dramatic Company, and is busily engaged making preparations for “The Beggar Girl’s Wedding” at His Majesty’s on Monday next. Mr. Batiste was last here with the Margaret Cooper Company, and has had frequent trips to New Zealand with other distinguished artistes.

Air. J. Griffiths is in Auckland again in connection with the Paul Dufault concerts, and is having the glad hand extended him by his many friends.

A promising member of Messrs. Stevenson and Linley’s Royal Pantomime Company, now touring the Dominion, is Miss Millie Baker, whose portrait appears in this issue. Miss Baker is an Australian, dances well, has a good voice and winning personality, that should help her to make good with the public.

The Royal Artillery Band has finished up its Exhibition engagement and sails for London from Wellington this week. Mr. Scott Colville, who managed the Band’s Dominion tour, said the members enjoyed thei? trip immensely, although it took soma goiihg—nearly 3000 miles in 18 days and 21 concerts! Their concert in the Auckland Town Hall last Thursday was a tremendous success, the performers- being ovated by .the thous ands present.

The English grand opera season at Covent Garden is announced to commence on April 20. The principals will include Madame Melba, Signors Caruso, Scotti and Sammarco, Mr. John McCormack, and Madame Elsa Stralia. The latter is known to Australians as Miss Elsie Fischer, the South Australian soprano.

A Melbourne patron wrote to the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., as follows: — “I want a seat kept for me throughout the whole of the season of ‘Come Over Here.’ I saw the revue eight times in Sydney, and it has become a constant habit with me.”

The “wickedest” theatre in America is alleged to be the Princess Theatre, New York. Its atmosphere, it is said, is more distinctly Parisian than any other playhouse in America, for it stages the sort of superior shockers and thrillers that may be seen at the Paris Odeon and the Grand Guignol./

Fred Niblo has achieved his latest success in Australia in “Never Say Die,” a three-act comedy by Willie Collier and W. H. Post. Collier played the leading role in New York, and in London it was enacted by Charles who duplicated the New York success of the piece. Fred Niblo has a congenial role as Dionysius Woodberry. “Never Say Die” followed “Officer 666,” which achieved the solid run of eight weeks.

The Queen of Hearts, Miss Jam Curtis, in William Anderson’s “ The Land of Nod,’’ enjoys a big reputation •l|or song and dance. She is one of the famous Mathews Trio, whose piano and ragtime act is well known throughout America.