AMUSEMENTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2676, 4 December 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

HIS- MAJESTY’S;

LOCAL FIXTURES.

Path© Pictures.—Nightly, r February 2, 3, 4, s—Scarlet Troubal dours. February 16, 17, 18- —Carter, Magician. It will be interesting to playgoers to learn that Mr Andrew Mack has forsaken the “legitimate” and is about to be starred in musical comedy in America. Miss Margaret Anglin is a-weary of being a Lady of 'Sorrows, and says that when she is through with the sobbing and emotional I-lelena Ritchies she will hie herself to the most frivolous farce comedy she can find. Mr Matheson Lang’s Australian tour is to open on May 20. either in Melbourne or Sydney, and probably in “Pete.” His wife (Miss Hutin Britton) and five or six other members of his company will accompany him to Australia. The repertory will also include “The Passing of the Third Floor Back,” but at the time Mr Lang is appearing in Jerome’s famous play, another company, headed by 'Mr H. It. Roberts, will, tour other parts of Australia in it. Venerable Howard Vernon and his young wife, who was Miss Vinia de / Loitte, were spoken in Paris by a cruis- ( ing Australian. The operatic craft told the cruiser that they were meditating a tour of India. Mention of Vernon’s name reminds of the success his son is making as the Rajah of Bhong in “The Country Girl.” If heredity and environment count for all the scientists say, young Vernon couldn’t miss success. He was born in a theatrical dressing-room in Japan in the old Shinto Theatre. Pa Vernon was playing Hamlet in a Japanese company at the time. Mr George Willoughby and Ins farcical comedy company will be leaving London shortly, with Mr Willoughbv in control. The principals have heen selected by Mr Weedon Grossmith, the comedian, and author of “The Night of the Party,” the opening production. Mr Grossmith himself is rehearsing the company in London at the present time, and not being able to visit Australia, at any rate for the present, on account of his English and American engagements, he is sending out his old friend George Whlloughby t<* take out the company and produce the play. The principal part will be enacted by a leading London comedian.

The immense success attained by the Oscar Asche-Lily Brayton Co is indicated by the fact that, in addition to the* ordinary performances, Skakesperian recitals without scenery have heen given by the company in Sydney and Melbourne with remarkable results. On each occasion of the recital, when “Julius Caesar” was presented, the Town Hall (in both Melbourne and Sydney) was packed, over 3000 people being present at each recital, two being given in Melbourne and two in Sydney, a total of over 12,000 attending the four performances. An additional recital will be given in both cities.

The engagements of the principals of the Hook or Holland Comic Opera Company terminate in February, and the only ones to be renewed will be those of Mr William Cromwell, Miss Essie Perrin, and Mr Victor Champmst, the conductor. Tile new people to arrive for the reorganisation of the company for the production at Easter of “The Arcadians” will include Miss Gilfain, a member of the George Edwardes companies; Mr Frank Lincoln, now touring in the English provinces in “The Catch of the Season” and “The Gay Gordons.” and Mr T. Walls, a comedian from the Empire.

Mr Clyde Meynell gave a Sydney “Daily Telegraph” reporter information of an important venture now being considered by the Clarke-Meynell-Gunn firm. Another partner, Mr Milon Bode—nvho, ft is stated, controls more theatres in the English provinces than any other manager —is coming to Australia shortly to discuss with tiie other principals a project for the opening of a theatre in London. Mr Bode, who directed last year two play-houses in Leicester, the Brighton Royal and others also in Wolverhampton, Chester, Reading, Huddersfield, Dalston, and elsewhere, is in partnership with Mr Edward Crompton, the well-known actor-manager,.so that- the business associations of the new venture will he extensive. Mr Bode will control the London side of the projected enterprise.

The production in, London of Mr Alfred Hill’s comic opera “A Moorish Maid,” which M. Cunningham Bridgeman is exploiting, does not appear likely to take place before next Easter, writes a London correspondent. It is understood that negotiations are m progress for one of the End thentres, and that the piece will be produced independently of any of the re-cognised-London managers. On October 15, in the White Saloon of the Savoy Hotel, Mr Bridgeman gave what was called a private recital of the “Moorish Maid,” to a company composed chiefly of New Zealanders' and people interested in the Dominion. The chief vocal burden. 'of course, fell on Madame Lilian Tree, who created the part of La Zara when the* “Moorish Maid” Avas produced in Auckland. Mudame Tree, who was also the orchestra for the occasion, was happily in splendid voice, and her familiarity with the instrumental part of Mr Hill’s, music enabled ber to render every assistance to her colleagues in the accompaniments, hut as no rehearsal had been held the reading by Mr Sam Walsh and singing by Mr Gwllm Wigley and Harry Thorton did not do justice to the opera or make an over-acceptable entertainment.

From the prices of admission into our ancient theatres in the time of ] Shakespeare (observes Malone) I conjecture that about £2O was a considerable receipt at the Blackfriars and Globe on any one day, and my conjecture is. somewhat confirmed by this evidonce: —In Sir Henry Herbert’s “Office Book” are the following curious notices on this subject under the year 1028: “The kinge’s company with a general consent and alacritye have given me the benefit of two dayes in the yeare, the one in summer, thothcr in winter, to bee taken out of the second© daye of a revived playe. att my owne choyse. The 'housekeepers have likewyse given their shares, their dayly charge only deducted, which comes to some £2 "5s this 25 May, .1623. The benefitt of the firste day, being,® very unseasonable one in respect of the weather, comes but unto £4 10/.