CLEMENT MAY, ENTERTAINER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1380, 5 October 1916, Page 34

CLEMENT MAY, ENTERTAINER.

Mr. Clement May, who familiarised vaudeville audiences with Charles Dickens’ famous characters three years ago, has travelled far since then. He has toured Ceylon and India, revealing his talents as a society entertainer, raconteur, and Dickens artist. He was considered the finest entertainer India had seen for years, and his Dickens characters were criticised as equal to the highest traditions of England’s greatest exponents, while special mention was made of his transitions from humour to pathos. Of the grandeur and pomp of the East, its wonders and its traditions, Mr. May says words fail to do justice. It is a revelation, a country of surprises. On his return to Australia Mr. May did a season of society entertaining at the Athenaeum Hall, Melbourne, and was specially engaged to appear at Government House in Dickens’ works. At Adelaide and Broken fHill he broke the record for this style of entertainment. He also appeared with Peter Dawson, the famous singer, giving O. Henry stories during his Melbourne season, and making a highly favourable impression with his introduction of the work of the noted American short-story writer. It is Mr. May’s intention to present O. Henry stories with others to New Zealand audiences at a future date.

According to the New York “Dramatic Mirror,” “negotiations have been begun by the J. C. Williamson Company, Ltd., for the rights to present ‘The Ziegfeld Follies of 1916’ in Australia, New Zealand, and Soutn Africa.” During the absence in the United States of Mr. W. Douglas, general manager of the Fuller circuit, Mr. D’Arcey Perry is acting in his stead. * sfs * * J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have secured the Australasian and South African rights to “Mr. Manhattan,” now a big success at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London.

Miss Stella Cazalla, who in private life was Mrs. Ernest Lashbrooke, died recently. Miss Cazalla made her first visit to New Zealand with the Wyke-ham-Noble Company in 1912. She took the part of “Milk” in “The Blue Bird,” and her latest visit was with the ‘’Humpty-Dumpty” pantomime.