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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1486, 17 October 1918, Page 33

The power of the plot in “The Thirteenth Chair” is not exhausted in the first act. The tide of interest rises rapidly during a skilfully devised second act, and reaches its utmost heights in the subtle cleverness of act three, which is a model of the playwright’s craftsmanship. It would not be fair to divulge the denouement, for it is in the speculative aspect, keeping the audience on tenterhooks from first to last, that the appeal of the drama exists. » * * * Mr. Scott Colville is back again in Auckland after a tour through New Zealand with Cappelli, the Italian tenor. Sir Alfred Butt has purchased the rights of “The Cinderella Man,” to be produced in London. As Harry Lauder is definitely retiring from the stage, he is now entering upon a farewell tour of the world, which commences in the United States, and will subsequently include Australia. J. and N. Tait, who are directing his farewell tour of the Commonwealth, expect him to open in Sydney or Melbourne about Easter, 1919, and, as before, they are arranging to support him with a first-class vaudeville company, which will include two or three international stars.

“I ask you, sir, would you take your daughter to see a play like that?” “And I answer you, madam, No; the chances are ten to one that she has already seen it.” » * * * It is reported that Mr. Hugh D. McIntosh, who went to London a few months ago, has secured some rare treats for the Tivoli Theatres. * ♦ SR * “Eyes of Youth,” J. and N. Tait’s latest attraction, visualises the present and the future in a series of swiftly-gliding scenes. The story deals principally with the soul of a young girl, and shows in the most

ingenious fashion the effect of certain influences on her career. Each one of the scenes, which reveals episodes in the life of the heroine, is fraught with drama of the most powerful kind. Indeed, two of them are really poignant in their tragedy, and are regarded as flashlights on certain phases of modern life. * ♦ * * The New Zealand friends of Miss Mildred Carlton, well-known as a member of the Tom Pollard Juvenile Opera Company, and late of the Royal Dramatic Company, will regret to hear of her bereavement, in the loss of her husband, Lieutenant Percy F. Reed, M.C., 12th Battalion, A.1.F., a New Zealand boy, and the only son

of Mr. Frank Reed, Chief Inspector of New Zealand Mines. It is officially i eported that Lieutenant Reed was killed in action on 24th April, 1918. ♦ • ♦ - Actor: “You would make no mistake in engaging me. I come from a family of actors all noted for their finish.” Manager: “I don’t doubt it. I can see yours now.” * * * A Press cable from London announces the death, at the age of 70, of Sir Hubert Hastings Parry, 5.V.0., ,M.A„ Mus. Doc., D.C.L., LL.D., J.P., who was director of the Royal College of Music.

Pitts Samborn, an American critic, says: “Good music is really the music you like. Good singing is the singing you like. Good fiddling is the 'fiddling you like. There is nothing esoteric about the thing. The rule in all its simplicity holds as good for the stately lady in the parterre box as for the humble bootblack behind the rail.”