Greenroom Gossip

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1497, 2 January 1919, Page 27

Greenroom Gossip

A good laugh is provided by Mr. Walter W. Ellis’ new three-act farce, “A Week End,” at the Kingsway, London (writes our correspondent). Mr. Ellis is well-known as the author of that funny “Little Bit of Fluff.” In “A Week End” there are the two naughty married men, who, unknown to each other, bring their equally naughty sweethearts to the house of Professor Carino, well knowing that amiable gentleman will be away. There is a porter who falls in love with one of the girls, thinking she is a married woman and “unattainable.” She’s nothing of the kind, and, indeed,'makes all the running—and a very hot pace, too. One of the men has pretended to be a secret service man, an idea the other wicked ’un also uses. Then there is the real secret service man who is on the track of the wrong woman, and there are the two wives of the erring hubbies who; of course, turn up at the wrong time, as does the professor. Mix the whole together and stir well from 8 to 10.30 and everyone enjoys themselves.

Mrs. Eddie Burns (Miss Le Clerc), whose husband died here during the epidemic, intends returning with her baby to her parents in South Africa. She will leave on the first boat for Sydney.

“Hearts of the World” is really world history in the making and will, in addition to its dramatic qualities, be treasured as a rare document of the present struggle to make the world safe for democracy.

Few actresses of emotional drama have made such an impression upon New Zealand audiences as Miss Muriel Starr, who leaped into prominence and favour immediately upon her debut here. Miss Starr should have a great reception and a warm welcome upon her re-appearance, especially as she comes with a new piece, a drama of love and life in the South Sea Islands, written by Richard Walton Tully, and entitled “The Bird of Paradise,.” The star will play the character of Luana, a Hawaiian girl, a part that will give full scope for her rare emotional abilities, and a part in which she has already played with great success throughout America and Australia. A novel feature of the production will

be the appearance in the play of the Hawaiian Hula-Hula dancers, whose incorporation in the cast will give realism and atmosphere to the piece. A very fine cast has been engaged to support Miss Starr in the drama. It includes Maggie Moore, Marion Marcus Clarke, Norma Mitchell, and Bertha Ballenger; while the male roles will be filled by Frank Harvey, Louis Kimball, Edwin Lester, J. B. Atholwood, and many other wellknown artists.

A photograph showing David Wark Griffith, the motion picture director, and two pf the monks . in a little French village <in Picardy, is perhaps one of the most interesting pictures thus far to reach the United States from the devastated regions of France. Little did Mr. Griffith or his two companions know when this photograph was taken nearly, two years ago that this very spot on which they stood would to-day be the centre of interest in the world war. From day to day the public is learning of the heroic efforts of our troops in giving assistance to the British and French soldiers in this very section of France, which has. been the centre of the great arena in. which terrific fighting has taken place. In the little village of Ham, too, there has been encounter after encounter within but a few short weeks. This section also was visited by Mr. Grif

fith and his band of players'in their work of securing scenes for “Hearts of the World.”

Lina Cavalieri, the famous beauty and star of grand opera, made her third screen appearance in the film “A Woman of Impulse,” released in September. In thjs photoplay, adapted by Eve Unsell from the stage play by Louis K. Anspacher, which was. produced with success in 1909, much of the story of Mme. Cavalieri’s own career is said to have been reproduced.

It has just been nineteen months since David Wark Griffith first set foot on French soil to begin the taking of the 120,000 feet of film that he secured for his latest screen triumph. The entire province of Picardy was visited again and again in the various tours of the Griffith party, and the blood-soaked ground of the village of Ham is the exact locale where many of the most important scenes were enacted for “Hearts of the World.” Lillian and Dorothy Gish, great favourites among the movie “fans,” and Robert Harron, another player for the films, accompanied Mr. Griffith on all these tours.

A cable message to the Australian papers states that Miss Madge Titheradge, the well-known actress, formerly of Australia, has been granted restitution of conjugal rights by the English courts against her husband, Mr. Charles Quartermaine, an actor. Miss Titheradge, whose father was so popular in Australia for many years, visited Australia in 1913 with the late Mr. Lewis Waller’s company. Mr. Quartermaine was a member of the same company. They were married shortly after their return to London.

“Nobody’s Widow” was revived in Sydney by the Williamson Company, headed by Miss. Muriel Starr. The play was the third revival of the season, the other two being “Within the Law” and “Bought and .Paid For.”

Twenty-three performances given in 17 American cities of Mr. J. Hartley Manners’ play, “Out There,” enriched the American Red Cross Fund by £136,000.. When staged in Melbourne “Out There” was a failure, being withdrawn after a very brief run. In the light of the experience in Melbourne the play was not staged when the company went to Sydney.

Miss Muriel Starr had an interesting time in Hawaii when on her way to Australia, she spent some time amongst the islanders to ■ study the

hula-hula and other dances and ceremonies performed by the Hawaiians. A native chief, by arrangement with the American authorities, took her in hand, and the princess and family honoured her as their guest. “I was never’more surprised in my life,” says Miss Starr, “at the sumptuous hospitality they accorded me, the refinement and charm of their manner, of living, and the affection and sentiment that characterised the family circle. In America, where I appeared as Luana in ‘The Bird of Paradise,’ I was taught the native dances by the producer, but I wanted to-see the real thing in Hawaii, and took the opportunity.”

“Friendly Enemies,” the comedy drama which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., are to stage in Adelaide shortly for the first time in Australia, received a fine advertisement from President Wilson at the first night performance in New York, when he publicly said that “I hope that the spirit of this beautiful play will make itself felt all round the world.”

A new act, as far as Australia is concerned, has been engaged by the Fullers. Realising that thousands of Anzacs in France have been delighted with the efforts of various French entertainers from the music halls, they have imported a little bit of France to Australia. The act that will be given over their circuit is that of Mlle. Rieuse and M. Georges Roger. The former is a delightful dancer and an inimitable parodist of the Salome and various oriental styles. Both sing delightful French songs in French, though the man offers some humorous broken English efforts. In all probability the two French performers will figure on the opening programme at Fuller’s new theatre in Castlereagh Street, Sydney, now rapidly nearing completion.

Among the big specialities in “The Babes in th e Wood,” Fullers’ pantomime which opened in Sydney during the Christmas holidays, is the illuminated windmill, with its living freight of feminine beauty. Another spectacle is the finale. “Australia’s Glory,” a huge and beautiful tribute to the boys who fought. This touches entirely new ground, and has been originated and designed by Rege Robins. Mrs. Edwards, who has originated many beautiful costumes for the Fullers, is responsible for the • wardrobe.

M. B. Figman, the American comedian, and his leading lady, Lolita Robertson (Mrs. Figman), are in Melbourne preparing for their season of “Nothing But the Truth,” at the Theatre Royal, under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management. To be with them are Mat Barnes and Pirie Bush in the parts they enacted with Mr. Figman and Miss Robertson in America. Barnes is a “fat-man comedian,” and Bush is the slender young Australian who made a hit as a member of Fred Niblo’s company. In “Nothing But the Truth” he will be seen in a typical “boob” part.