AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2628, 9 October 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS MAJESTY’S. LOCAL FIXTURES. Rathe Pictures.—Nightly. October 13, 14. —People’s Biograph. Show Week.—Hugh Ward Comedy Co. Mr Barclay Gammon, the popular entertainer, back in London from his tour in Australasia, is appearing with some humorous songs at the piano at the Palace The.V*'" • Chung Ling Soo broke into speech the last night of his Adelaide season, just prior to his departure for Londo*. It has been said that his turn is a silent one because his Yankee accent is so pronounced. "Our Miss Gibbs,” of the London Gaiety Theatre, lias pleased the public to such purposes that Mr. George Edvvardes was able to announce to shareholders of the Company, in August, a dividend of 20 per cent, or 10 per cent more than the average. After writing off £IO,OOO depreciation, the net profit for the year amounted to £20,400. The Royal Comic Opera Company have in rehearsal at Melbourne, “The Catch of the Season,” first produced in 1905 by .Seymour Hicks. The part of the hero, originally played by the actor-manager, should suit Mr Andrew Higginson, and that of the Cinderellalike young person who effects his capture should receive justice from Miss Fanny Dango. Of Rose Musgrove, who visits Gisborne with the “Bachelor's Honeymoon” Coy. the Sydney “Bulletin”says:—Rose Musgrove and her new husband are doing a furious trial by motor. They want to own just the cutest thing that goes on wheels. The Garrick money seems to grow in heaps. Rose was at one time reputedly engaged to the Garrick brother—who is a social item of some poundage in Sydney. | Planter Garrick, who has married the | lady, met her in Colombo.

W. S. Percy gives an amusing account of how he had to study the part of the King of Cadonia in the train crossing front Melbourne to Sydney, and how his meuthings, mutterings and gesticulations placed him in the serious danger of arrest as a lunatic. But it was really a great performance. On the temporary retirement of Mr Bert Gilbert the principal comedy character in the musical play was handed over to Mr Edward Nable. Then, when the pro. tern. Duke hoisted signals of dis tress, the management telegraphed to Mr Percy, who was in Melbourne with tbe Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company.Mr Percy had not seen “The King of Cadonia,” and he did not know a line of the part or a bit of the "stage business.” In the train the comedian “swallowed” his lines, and be went on as the Duke in Her [Majesty’s after a few hours’ rehearsal. Mr Percy is now playing the part as if it had been written for him, according to the Sydney Press.

Miss. Gertrude Parker, the youthful and bright soubrette with the Scarlet Troubadours, has made rapid strides in her profession. She was born -in London, and until she was 16 years of age was in a convent school. She was taken to Australia, and from thence to South Africa, where her theatrical career started with Mr Leonard ltayne in drama, playing children's and soubrette parts. Then she joined Miss Kate Vaughan, and later became connected will Mr George Edwardes’ companies in London. Miss Parker has played Dudley in “San Toy," Miss Robinson in “The Shop Girl” (Kate Seymour’s part), Lisette in “The Duchess of Dantzic,” Rosa in “The Message Boy,” .Sophie in “The Country Girl,” Lilian Lee in “The Schoolgirl" (Miss Edna May’s part), Ada in "The Three Little [Maids” (Miss Ada Reeve’s part), Susan in “The Toreador,” Peggy in “The Cingalee,” and Angela in “Floradora,” so that her experience in musical comedy is decidedly varied.

“Old Pat Behan’’—that chorister whore bulky figure has been a familiar sight in the J. C. Williamson companies as long as anyone likes to remember — lias been talking humorously about himself to a Sydney interviewer. He confesses that as a hoy in Ireland the reverend fathers wanted to adopt him for liis voice, but he came to Australia instead. and was getting £2 a week in the Victorian railways when Emily Melville advertised for a tenor for the chorus, and lie got it at £3 10s. Then he was ill the chorus of “Aladdin.” the first pantomime “the firm" did, and later on was in grand opera with Annis Montague. One of his most amusing experiences was when he was assistant to Professor Hartley, a travelling dentist, who “practised” in a tent. Mr Behan used to sing outside the tent and drown the turmoil inside where the Professor was drawing teeth. Mr Behan, who acknowledges to 60, is a much-sought-after man for church music, and modestly admits to a repertoire of over 40 masses and 200 operas, English, Italian, and comic, to say nothing of pantomimes. A goodly record for any one man to hold.

Mr Hugh Ward, who brings the “Bachelor’s Honeymoon” Company to Gisborne for Show Week, has played altogether 400 parts, and has never been associated with anything but the highest traditions of his profession. He has appeared in the most famous theatres, and with the best companies in England, America, France, and Australia, and his name stands for the final polish on the shrine of histrionic art. For several years past Mr Ward has been his pwn manager. Idle financial success of his previous tour to Australasia induced Mr Ward to return to London to augment his company with the addition ot the best talent he could ]x)ssibly procure, and also to find new plays. Great should bo the interest displayed in the return, after a long tour of India and the Far East, of Hugh J. Ward’s company of comedians, as the company includes several fine old favorites. Miss Grace Palotta comes hack with eighteen months’ additional experience, which is said to have benefitted her greatly, for during that period she has played a remarkable variety of parts. Her popularity in India and China is reported to. nave., been extraordinary. Miss Rose/M*usgrove has had some useful vocal training during her absence of threJe years, and appeared with much success for a time at the Court Theatre, \London. Miss Celia Ghiloni is stated to be considerably improved by heu-—and Miss Ruby Baxter to • ha-pN, (loped into a first-class‘actress. jO, J-acrporne season is for foys*. soctiom n<} i 11 & Show Night, Tpeen' Road—W \ber.