CATERING TO THE PUBLIC.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1250, 2 April 1914, Page 35

CATERING TO THE PUBLIC.

THE GEORGE WILLOUGHBY MOVEMENTS. With tango teas, matinees and a nightly performance of “ Aladdin,” Mr. Stanley Grant, business manager for George Willoughby, is having an arduous fortnight in Auckland. But success with a big “S” is meeting him at every turn, so he can afford to be sanguine over the firm’s future movements in New Zealand. Following hot-foot on “Aladdin,”, which finishes up on Saturday, come a dramatic company headed by Cyril Mackay' and Nellie Ferguson. They will play a three-weeks’ season here, opening in . “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” “Sounds familiar, doesn’t it!” said Mr- Grant. ‘ But it is an entirely new version, and will serve to introduce a jubilee quartette of coloured singers, and the Ragtime Picaninnies, amongst ether novelties. This will

be followed by an America dramatic company with ‘"The Rosary,” opening on August 31 for a six-nights’ season. Then comes a musical comedy company, also imported from America, with ,a series of pieces. They commence a tsree-weeks’ season in Auckland in September, opening with “The Tenderfoot.” Tours are already being book for 1915, and companies will follow each other in quick succession. “The ‘Aladdin’ pantomime is the first big venture of the new firm, and yon can see wb,at phenomenal success it has met with. “You’ve heard the old adage about spice and competition,” added Mr. Grant with a sapient smile. “Well, it holds good in the amusement line, too!” This will, in all probability, be MrGrant’s last visit to N. ew Zealand for some time, as at the conclusion of the pantomime tour he will take up managerial duties in Sydney.