SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1314, 1 July 1915, Page 41

SOUTHERN STAGE NOTES

(By

“Lorgnette.”)

WELLINGTON, June 28.

It has been definitely decided that Mr. Graham Moffat, and his company of Scottish players will open their Dominion tour with “The Scrape o’ t—e Pen” at Auckland. The dates booked for the four centres are: — Auckland, July 19-28; Well.ngton, August 21-28; Dunedin, September 312; Christchurch, September 15-22. “The Scrape o’ the Pen” is said to be equally as good a play as “Bunty Pulls the Strings.” In fact, several people have written me from Sydney saying that it is an infinitely sweeter play, and that the new members of the company have been selected in such a way that the parts allotted them fit them like the proverbial glove.

This week’s programme at His Majesty’s Theatre is an exceptionally good one, and business is first-class. Amongst the performer appearing are the Musical Goolmans, Victor the Great, Maud and Gill, Edwards and Parker, the Three Ruddles, and Eileen Fleury.

The most important dates booked for the Grand Opera House during the next two months are: —The Cherniavskys, 7th, Bth and 10th July; J. C. Williamson, 13th to 24th July (pencilled); Allen Doone, July 26th to August 10th; J. C. Williamson, August

12th to 20th (pencilled); “The Scrape o’ the Pen,” August 21st to 28th. The only big attraction booked so far for the month of September is “The Man Who Stayed at Home.” Mr. Bert Royle, the New Zealand representative of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has generously offered his residence, “Peter Pan,” at Day’s Bay, at the disposal of the Defence authorities for tile accommodation of the returning wounded soldiers. “Peter Pan” is situated in one of the prettiest spots of the Bay, and has accommodation for eight soldiers and a nurse. The picture houses are only doingfair business just now. All attention seems to be focussed on the entertainments in aid of the wounded soldiers and their dependents. After a most successful tour of the Dominion the members of “The Glad Eye” Company sailed for Sydney by

the Ulimaroa last Thursday. Mr. Haydn Beck,, the young Wanganui violinist, returned to the Dominion by the Remuera last Monday. It is quite possible that he will tour New Zealand in the near future.