GREENROOM GOSSIP.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1482, 19 September 1918, Page 27

GREENROOM GOSSIP.

Percy Grainger, pianist, and one time of Australia, is now a full-fledged citizen of the United States of America. Mr. Graingei* took out his first papers quite a while ago, and his enlistment in the United States Army permitted him to complete his citizenship without waiting the usual length of time. According to an American paper, Mrs. Rose Grainger, his mother, will also shortly become an American citizen.

J. and N. Tait have arranged to take over the Melbourne Repertory Theatre, and undertake a considerable extension of its activities, embracing Sydney, Melbourne and other cities at matinees and evening performances whenever their theatres can be made available. They feel that there is a growing class of theatregoers who are interested in the works of the socalled intellectual school, and it will be their best endeavour to cater for these audiences by staging carefullycast productions of the plays by Shaw, Galsworthy, Ibsen, d’Annunzio, Strindberg and other playwrights at prices sufficiently popular to cover expenses. The casts will be selected from J. and N. Tait’s permanent companies, but there will be openings for suitable amateurs who prove, on trial, to have the requisite ability. The aim of the firm is to foster dramatic talent, and give the Repertory movement the support it needs. Mr. Gregan McMahon has been retained to generally supervise the productions.

Dave M. Williams, who will be remembered as advance agent for various theatrical companies in New Zealand, has had over three years at the front as stretcher-bearer with No. 2 Field Ambulance. In a chatty little note, dated June, he writes: “I have been with the unit constantly since its formation, and have played various parts on the sands of Egypt, the hills of Gallipoli, arid, later on, through the highways and byways of France and devastated Belgium. I think that the public, and especially

the players in this world-wide wardrama, will all welcome a change of costume and scenery, for, in my opinion, the piece has outgrown its popularity, and a real soldier’s life out here is entirely different to the heroic soldiers one used to see in Marlow dramas of the pre-war days. In real warfare there is not the glitter and glamour of the footlights, etc., or any ‘fat’ lines to speak, nor even an orchestra to work up a dramatic situation or grand finale. However, this life has its compensations, as I have had the opportunity of visiting London and Paris on leave, and, of course, did the rounds of the theatres. While in Paris I took the opportunity of visiting Gaumonts and Pathe Freres movie manufacturing establishments, and spent an interesting day. The Dandies’ motto, “Always merry and bright,’ holds good here, and I don’t min ( ] admitting that I would sooner be ‘advance’ of a show in Australasia than be in the ‘advance’ over here. Kind regards to all and prosperity to all shows on the road.”

For the first time in its history the J. C. Williamson firm will have musical comedy running simultaneously at two of its Melbourne theatres. While “Oh! Oh! Delphine,” is being played by the Royal Comic Opera Company at Her Majesty’s, the New Musical Comedy Company will be appearing at the Theatre Royal in “Oh! Boy.” As both productions are of a different type, each will make a separate appeal to its especial following. For this production the New Musical Comedy Company has been augmented by the inclusion of George Willoughby, who appears as Judge Daniel Carter; Gracie Lavers, a charming little artist, who plays Lou Ellen Carter; Maud Beatty, who appears as Mrs. Carter. Old favourites in the cast are Fred. Maguire, William Greene, Field Fisher, Freddie Wallace. Alfred Frith, Cecil Bradley, Dorothy Purdell, Flossie Lusk, Maude Fane, and Connie Ediss. The play will be produced by Harry B. Burcher and Jack Maskell.

“I am confident that ‘Peg O’ my Heart’ would be a success anywhere where English is understood,” said Miss Sara Allgood (Peg) to one interviewer. “It is not so much that the play is technically great, but it is such a blessed relief from the problem plays;from the type of com-edy-drama that dissects every act and word of the sinning woman; from the frilly, frothy stuff of musical comedy; and from the awful mediocre matter of much modern melodrama. I find new delights in its every performance. It is kaleidoscopic; open to so many variationsof light and shade; a new laugh here, a fresh tear there.” This charming comedy will be revived in Auckland at the end of the month.