SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1247, 12 March 1914, Page 40

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, March 9

There is still some dcubt as to when the New Grand Opera House will be opened. So far Mr. Bert Royle has received no information from headquarters what the opening attraction will be or when the theatre will be opened. My own opinion is that it will not be opened now before Eiaster, and the opening attraction will probably be William Anderson’s American company with “The Grafters.”.

The Wellington season of the George Willoughby pantomime ‘Aladdin” at the Opera House has been nothing short of phenomenal. Packed houses have witnessed each performance, and the enthusiasm with which this really excellent combination of artists are received at both night and matinee performances must be most gratifying to every one concerned in the production- To say that “Aladdin” is gorgeous is trite, and conveys but a small idea of the magnificence of the dresses and scenery. From the rise to the fall of the curtain the George Willoughby production most certainly stands out clearly as a remarkable production. Truly, “the old order changeth,' giving place to the new” in pantomime as in everything else, and the “story,” so dear to the hearts of the children, and even the old folks, of olden time, which used to be followed with such wrapt attention, is now of secondary importance, except in so far as it serves as a “peg” on which to hang all that is latest in vaudeville. Unquestionably Mr. George Willoughby has gathered together a company that for all-round excellence it would be well-nigh impossible to beat. , Every one in tho huge combination is a “trier,” and with such, a camaraderie existing it is easily understood how the production is the success it is. In a cast of characters which comprise “all stars” it is a difficult matter to particularise, each member being a thorough artist in nis or her own particular line. Special mention must, however, be made of the work done by Miss Carrie Moore, Miss Grace Palotta, Miss Mabel Batchelor, Miss Nellie Fallon Mr. Percy Clifton, Mr. Edward Stanley, Mr. J. P. O’Neill, Mr. Bert Barton, Morris and Shand, Tiny Tot Marjorie, Mr. Henri iMarcelle, and the Mullaneys It is not often I go to a show more than once, but must on this occasion plead guilty to having wandered into the Opera House no fewer than five times to see. the evening performances and twice to see the matinees of “Aladdin.” Nuf sed!

Mr. Alf. Linley goes to Sydney on Friday by the Ulimaroa in search of further attractions for the Dominion. At nine o’clock on Saturday morning, February 28th the box plans for the two Tango teas were opened at the Dresden. The rush to book, seats was so great that by the time twelve o’clock came round every seat in the dress-circle and front stalls, and wit' the exception of the three back rows in the ordinary sta’ls, was booked for both functions. Mr. Stan ey Grant, business manager, and Mr. Charles Knight, 'touring representar five state that in all their theatrical experience they never saw such clever and businesslike work done in any booking office as was done by Miss Goyder that morning. Absolutely without any assistance she did all the work, and. right throughout the three hours there was not one single complaint made. Messrs. Grant and Knight say they have to “hand it” to Miss Goyder as the champion booking expert in AustralasiaI made a tour of inspection of the various houses of amusement in the city and suburbs last Tuesday evening, and from conversations I had with the managers it is a safe bet to state that over ten thousand persons paid for admission to the the-

atres on that day. It works out as follows:—Opera House, Tango tea (afternoon), 1600; “Aladdin” pantomime (evening), 1546; Empress, 1500 odd; Peoples’ Palace 1500 odd; Brittania, 1100; Shortt’s, 1000 odd; His Majesty's, 1000 odd; The King’s, 800 odd. This gives in round numbers ■'o.ooo without counting the v ew Theatre and the two picture houses in N°wtown. Tt does not look as If monev was verv tight. espeMaTv amongst, tVe amusement-lov’ng public. Wellington is to have still another continuous picture theatre. A companv has just been formed entitled “Pictures. Limited,” wh’ch wil l take over the business premises of Messrs. Harry Feilder. Ltd., of Manners St. with the intention of erecting on the site an up-to-date picture theatreThe new theatre will have a frontage to Manners Street of 61 feet, with a depth of 170 feet, and will seat 1500 people on the ground floor and dresscircle. The plans, which have already been prepared bv Messrs. Hoggard and Prouse, provide for an attractive frontage with two shops and a comm°ndin or central entrance that will admit to a foyer 50 feet by 30 feet. Stairways will ascend from either side of the entrance to the staßs, rising to the lower part of the circle, and then bv another flight the upper part of the circle can be reached. A feature of the facade will be a recessed balconv, where dress-circle patrons will be able to take the air during the interval. Tin-uo chairs are to he provided throughout. Arrangements have been made for a continuous supplv of the very best and most up-to-date films from the factories of England, Amelrica and the Continent I had a long talk one evening last week with Mr. Stanley Grant, the business manager of the “Aladdin” Pantomime Comnanv. in the course bf which he informed me that the

firm of George Willoughby, Limited, had decided to give New Zealand a thorough “try out” during the present year, for no fewer than seven of its companies will visit us before the year is out. The firm has- also decided to appoint a resident general manager in New Zea’and with headquarters in Wellington, and it is prob abie that that astute manager, Mr. A- W. Batiste, will be installed in the position. Mr. Stanley Grant, on his return to Australia with the pantomime company, will proceed to Sydney to take up the duties of general manager in that city. Competition, even in the theatrical business, is al- - good, and it only now remains for New Zealand playgoers to stow their appreciation of the efforts of the George Willoughby firm to cater for their amusement by patronising their attractions in the most liberal man ner. '