IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1247, 12 March 1914, Page 39

IN PERSONAL TOUCH.

Mr. G. L. Petersen has been spending a few days in Auckland on his annual visit, easing the way for Wirth. Bros.’ circus. Mr. Petersen has been identified with this well-known organisation for the past fifteen years, and is as popular with New Zealanders as the circus itself. After renewing acquaintances with a host of friends here Mr. Petersen left by the Niagara for Sydney.

Mr. A. W. Batiste has received word from Mr. E. J. Carroll, an Australian entrepreneur (closely identified with

foremost firms in the States, but Whose principal diversified interests are centred in, and who practically contro’s the picture business of Queensland), that he has elaborated an extensive and ambitious scheme for production of novel attractions of English, Continental and American repute, negotiations being completed upon a recent visit abroad-

Mr. Carroll intends invading the Dominion in quick succession withThe Great Leroy, r Talma and Bosco Show —26 people and 50 solid tons of scenery and effects; by special arrangement, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Graham Moffatt’s Scotch Players, in “ Bunty Pulls the Strings,” which played 500 consecutive nights at the Haymarket, London, and now running to enormous business in America: Harrington Reynold’s American Company in “The Rosary,” comedy-drama in four acts, by Edward E. Rose, in conjunction with George Willoughby, Ltd.; William Morris’ English Company, in ‘‘The Blindness of Virtue,” four-act play by Cosmo Hamilton; and Victor and Chas. Hugo’s American Dog and Pony Show, comedy, novelty, sensation and spectacle. Particulars concerning the initial venture will shortly be announced.

Maud Allan (says a writer in the s"Lone Hand”) is not strictly beautiful, but she is very graceful, and has the most expressive hands on the tEhglish stage- When she moves her -arms in the dance, you think of Gibbons, flames or running streams.

Miss Olga Nethersole is a suffragst. “Brain is sexless,” she says . “There is no such thing as a man's brain and a woman’s brain. It’s just brain.”

A “Charley’s Aunt” Club has been founded in England. Membership is confined to actors and actresses who have appeared in .the farce.

Plays that stir the conscience of a country are not written between chats in a Broadway restaurant. — David Belasco.

Miss Daisy Jerome, a London artist, is making a big hit with Australian audiences in “Come Over Here.”

Another well-known theatrical representative has passed to- the great majority in James E. Moore, brother of Miss Maggie Moore, his death occurring in Sydney last month. Mr. Moore came to Melbourne with his sister in 1874 and for years was business manager for Williamson, Garner and Musgrove. He also managed companies taken out by Maggie Moore. He had a large circle of friends in New Zealand who will regret his death.

Referring to “Joseph and His Brethren,” Melbourne “Punch” says: ■ —The great temptation scene is cleverly handled by author, actor and actress, for it is highly rea’istic without overstepping, the border-line of propriety. Such of the temptation as is staged has full Biblical warrant, and consequently should not shock the sensibilities of even a Sunday School teacher. Mr. Malcolm Tearle (Joseph), and Miss Ethel Warwick (Potiphar’s wife), like the author, give effect to -the realism without offence to the audience.

The Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society, never idle for long (writes our correspondent), has secured Winter Show dates at His Majesty’s from Messrs. Fuller and Sons. The Society is raying £l5O for the privilege, which is a fair amount for an amateur society to stand before the expenses of the production itself are incurred. The favourite opera “Paul Jones,” which has not been done here since the old Pollards staged it years ago, with Maud Beatty as the picturesque buccaneer and Charlie Albert as the Insect, was seriously contemplated for production, but has been held over in the meantime and “A Country Girl” substituted.