WONDERFUL ACTIVITY IN THE VAUDEVILLE BUSINESS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1352, 23 March 1916, Page 36

WONDERFUL ACTIVITY IN THE VAUDEVILLE BUSINESS.

WHAT MR. BEN. FULLER SAW IN AMERICA.

“I wanted a winter and went to America. I got it, and do not want another for 30 years; in fact, I will never grumble about hot weather any more.”

Thus Mr. Ben. J. Fuller, governing director of the Fuller Vaudeville Circuit, expressed himself when interviewed by the Sydney “Evening News” on his return to Australia last month. He said he had no idea that the winter could be so cool, and explained that for days at a time the thermometer was from eight to 12 degrees below zero. Mr. Fuller went to America on a business and holiday tour. He had a good time, both ways, and by the end of June will have no less than 100 new vaudeville acts to present to Fuller patrons. Mr. Fuller was surprised to find how the news had travelled in America about Australia and New Zealand as a theatrical field.

“I was at home at once,” he said, “and, of course, it was a good thing from my point of view. Returnee artists to the States were loud in their praise of Australasia.” The Australian entrepreneur was struck by the wonderful activity in the vaudeville business. It was booming, he said; in fact, so was every branch of the theatrical enterprises, while the pictures held great sway. Actors were leading the strenuous life, and as a compensating set off men receiving high salaries. He secured some of the latest comedies, and novel acts, in addition to the vaudeville turns.

“NOT THE KAISER’S FRIENDS.”

Speaking of matters generally, Mr. Fuller remarked: “Everybody seems to be at work in the United States. The country is prosperous all the way through. It is, indeed, a wonderful place. One thing which pleased me more than another was to find how strong was the pro-Ally sentiment. There are, of course, a few isolated centres where the Germans prevail —in Chicago, for instance, where the majority of the people are Teuton, or of Teuton origin; but as a whole the nation is on our side. On the stage, for example, reference to the Allies —and particularly to the French —is enthusiastically cheered. Whenever the monarchs or rulers were depicted on the screen, the Allies came in for the greatest cheering. The Kaiser finds no friends among the audiences at the American play houses.” Mr. Fuller travelled 26,000 miles, and says that while he benefitted by reason of the knowledge gained he has come home again more than ever impressed with the greatness of Australia.

“I would just like to add, even if it is a business reference,” concluded Mr. Fuller, “that our representative in America, Mr. Murphy, a young * Australian, is doing fine work in more ways than one.”

Mr. E. W. Morrison, ’ who took a prominent part in “Within the Law” and has since returned to America, is coming out again to act as stage director for J. and N. Tait.

“The Belle of New York,” which has not been seen in Melbourne for some years, is now having a successful revival at Her Majesty’s. The cast includes Leslie Holland as Ichabod Bronson, Reginald Roberts as Harry Bronson, Phil Smith as the Polite Mugg, Claude Bantock as Doc Sniffkins, Arthur Lissant as Kenneth Mugg, Charles Albert as Blinky Bill, Alfred Andrew and P. Gordon as the Portuguese Twins, Dick Shortland as Mons, Fricot, Ethel Cadman as Violet Gray, Nellie Payne as Mamie Clancy, Minnie Love as Fifi Fricot, and Florence Young as Cora Angelique.

While on tour in New Zealand, the Royal Comic Opera Company were kept busy preparing a repertoire that took in 12 pieces which are now ready for production at any time.

When Miss Florence Young returned to Melbourne for the season of the Royal Comics, commencing with “Gipsy Love,” she received a graceful compliment from a number of gallery girls, who met her at the station. Attached to a large basket of flowers was a card bearing the legend: “To Florence — Young as ever! Welcome back.” Needless to add, the popular artist was delighted with the tribute.

“Under Fire,” the great war play, has repeated in Sydney the success it achieved at Mel b o urii e Theatre Royal, and is drawing packed houses. Last week, Mr. Hugh J. Ward arranged a special matinee performance for the " soldiers, which proved a most interesting occasion. So great a success is “Under Fire” that it will not be necessary

to add another play to make a repertoire for the company, the war drama forming its sole production for tour.

Mr. Arthur Martin, publicity manager for the Tivoli Theatre, sends a line intimating that the Tivoli Fol lies will be over in New Zealand shortly.

Mr. Frederic Shipman, who will manage the forthcoming Paul Dufault tour, states that the great tenor will sail from San Francisco direct for New Zealand by the Moana on March 29. Mr. Dufault will inaugurate his New Zealand tour in Dunedin, Easter week. Two months will be spent in the Dominion, after which the Australian tour will open in Sydney. The personnel of the company will be the same as on the previous tour, with the exception of Miss Florence Scapini, who will be violinist. The other assisting artists are Miss Pauline Bindley (soprano), and Mr. Harold Whittle (pianist).