AN IMPORTANT MOVE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1576, 8 July 1920, Page 34

AN IMPORTANT MOVE.

THEATRICAL AMALGAMATION

J. C. WILLIAMSON AND J. AND N TAIT.

Considerable interest has been aroused in the report from Melbourne that the theatrical firms of J. C. Williamson and J. and N. Tait have amalgamated. There have been rumours in the air before about the probability of a combine between

these two large factors in the Australasian world of entertainment, whose names have ever been a guarantee of worth. Grand opera, musical plays, pantomime, drama and comedy have been presented under the Williamson banner. while concert stars and instrumentalists of the world were the Taits’ special domain until the last few years, when they extended their activities and decided to enter the theatrical field proper. J. C. Williamson, Ltd.’s, interests in New Zealand consist of leases of the theatres in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and only recently when Mr. John Tait was in Auckland he purchased a site in Queen Street for a theatre for his firm. Now that these master forces have joined issue in one grand scheme, playgoers will watch with interest future developments.

Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, city organist, will conduct the production of “The Geisha,” to be given by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society about September.

Miss Wish Wynne, incomparable artist, will appear at the Opera House shortly, giving character studies and impersonations that have made her name in England and America. New Zealanders are looking forward with the keenest pleasure to welcoming her again.

A London cable states that Madame Clara Butt made her first appearance in opera on June 30, taking the name part in Gluck’s “Orphee” at Covent Garden. Mme. Butt had a wonderful reception, and was slightly nervous. She studied the role under lean De Reszke in the South of France. Sir Thomas Beecham conducted. The

newspapers consider that Mme. Butt’s voice was never heard before in such a glorious setting.

Mr. J. D. O’Hara was delighted with his New Zealand tour. The biggest event in his estimation was the honour he had in meeting the Prince of Wales at a football match in Wellington. where he was sitting some six feet away from the Prince. Mr. O’Hara was informed by an A.D.C. that the Prince wished to meet him. The Prince regretted that his official duties prevented him from seeing a performance of “Lightnin’.” and hoped he might manage to see Lightnin’ Bill in “Three Wise Fools” during his stay in Sydney.

The marriage took place on Wednesday, June 23, at the Presbyterian Church. Levin, of Miss Violet M. Harris (daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. M. Bawden-Harris. of Levin, Wellington) and Mr. Kingston Hewitt (youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Hewitt, of Kingston-on-Hull, England), stage director of the Allan Wilkie Company. After the performance of the company at Palmerston North Opera House that evening, the members of the company partook of supper in honour of the bride and bridegroom, who were the recipients of a presentation in the form of a handsome travelling clock, and Mr. Hewitt also received a valuable diamond scarf pin from Mr. and Mrs. Allan Wilkie.