GREENROOM GOSSIP

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1490, 14 November 1918, Page 27

GREENROOM GOSSIP

Cyril Maude, speaking of liis recent visit to America, says: “I went over several of the wonderful military camps in America. They are really marvellously organised, and so are the naval ones. At San Diego, in California, the exhibition buildings are used for the accommodation of thousands of young soldiers. It is rather astonishing to see ordinary sailors sitting in the hotel diningrooms and entertaining friends, and driving luxurious cars. Every class is represented among them, though, and the millionaire class very much so.”

“Business Before Pleasure,” which is still booming at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, makes a double appeal in that it is of interest not only by its appeal to ordinary playgoers but also to picture patrons. The film producing business is presented in all its varied phases, and takes the audience into life “behind the screen” as well as in the more practical sphere of making movies in the studio and on “location.” What makes it all the more interesting is the fact that not only are the pictures being produced, but the results are shown on the screen. It is not surprising, therefore, that picture patrons as well as ordinary playgoers are rolling up in force to see “Business Before Pleasure.”

Harry Lauder will definitely retire after the conclusion of his farewell tour of Australia, which commences at Easter, 1919, under the J. and N. Tait management. Much speculation has been excited as to how he will spend his leisure after he leaves the stage, and it was recently stated that he would enter politics for one of the Scottish constituencies. But Lauder has mentioned privately that he will retire to his large estate near Glasgow and pursue agriculture according to the latest scientific principles. With this and golf and an occasional trip to England and the Continent he hopes to derive the pleasure of perfect contentment.

The wonderful representation of the Niagara Falls is arousing the amazement of the audience at the J. C. Williamson revue, “Hello, Everybody,” at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne. Most realistic is the onrush of the water over the falls, the roar of the mighty cataract, and the clouds of spray that arise. It makes a wonderful spectacle and is a revelation in stage mechanism.

All the local Sydney papers pay handsome tributes to Emelie Polini’s fine acting in the J. and N. Tait production of “Eyes of Youth” at the Palace Theatre, Sydney. Miss Polini plays the part of Gina Ashling, and exhibits great dramatic force and feeling throughout a long and trying impersonation. The role is really a test of her versatility, for she has to appear as an opera singer, a school teacher, and a married woman of fashion, investing each with a different character, temperament and personality. That she succeeds in making each one distinct from the other without losing their innate relationship—for the three women are only phases of the one woman changed according to the cricumstances of her social condition —reveals her as the actress of commanding talent.

“Eyes of Youth,” which J. and N. Tait are now producing with great success at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, is one of the best cast plays that has ever been presented on the stage in Australia. The firm has spared no expense to secure an adequate representation. Excellent character actors like George Bryant and Gregan McMahon appear only a few minutes, /but their assistance means that a small part becomes a photograph with every detail carefully finished. The play is full of these small but vital roles, practically the longest part being that of the Italian impresario, Paolo Salvo, who attempts to secure Gina Ashling for an operatic training. This fiery Italian is played by Cyril Mackay, and he gives an especially vivid exhibition of the excitable Latin temperament affected by the most violent emotions. His work in the piece is said to reach a very high standard of acting.

A daughter of Ivan Caryll, the famous composer of musical comedies, will appear in the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., pantomime “Goody Two Shoes,” at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne, which is to be produced by Charles A. Wenman.