THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

Tho World's a theatre; tho Earth a stage.—Hcywood. (By Sylvius.) Society and tha Stage. In June "The Pelican," London, started what might be called a popularity competition. Headers were invited to name the smartest lady of the season. The first priao is a.diamond pendant. It wus announced that the poll would be declared on July 20. During the voting for the first and second week, some popular actress' ran the leaders of 'fashion a good race. Lady Westmoreland headed the list with 4U5 votes, the Duchess of llarlhorough coming second with 39? votes. • The fifth place was filled by Miss Kora ICerin, who had 307 votes in her favour. 31isB Ifcrin played in Sydney with-Dora Kignold in 1903, as-a member of Mr. George Musgrovo's Shakespearean Comedy Co. For Mario Lloyd, the music-hall artist, 200 votes were recorded. The lists included Miss Ituth Vincent, the opera singer, 58; Lady Castlereagh, 44; Miss Zona Dare, 43; Miss Evie Greene, 42; Miss May Beatty, 37; Lady Bat-hurst, 36; Lady Deerhurst, 36; Aliss Irene Vanhrugh, 36; Miss Marie Tempest, 30; Lady Con- ; , stance Stewart Richardson (the dancer), 27; Miss Mario Studholmo, 24; Miss Maud Hobson, 15; Miss Maxine Elliott. 14; Miss Isobel Jay, 14; Lady Cromartic, 13; Miss Florence Smithson (operatic artist), 13; Miss Carrio Moore, 12; Miss Phyllis Dare, 9; and Miss Hutin Britton (Mrs. Matheson Lang), 7> In tho list of ladies who received one vote each wo find the names of Madame Melba, Madame Ada Crossley, Miss Marie Lohr, Lady Jersey, the Duchess of . Newcastle, the Duchess of Portland, Miss Mary Moore, Miss , Gabrielle Hay, Miss Cecelia Loftus, and-M.ru. George Edwimles. & Miss Lizette Parkes. Theatregoers who have . sweet memories of "Peter Pan," the charming fantasy by J. -M. Barrie, ■ will bo pleased to learn that Miss' . Linette Parkes, who w.as so excellent in .tho'J name part, is returning to Now Zeitland next month. .Messrs. Harry Pliinmor and Reynolds Dcnniston, who are •to introduce Clyde Fitch's , beautiful play, "Lover's Lane," have secured tho brilliant young actress to play the loading part in. that play, Simplicity Johnson, a girl of fourteen. . It has been chiefly tho difficulty in finding exactly the right personality to fit the part which has prevented "Lover's Lane" being staged before, but in the highly successful "Peter Pan" they have, discovered the exact type. Miss Parkes should receive a warm, welcome back from her. many friends in New Zealand. New Glarlie-Meyneli Company.

So successful have the comic opera ventures of Clarku unci Meynell pl'oved that arrangements are being made for the formation of another complete company. . Mr. Clyde Meynell, who is at present iu London, is now selecting tho. members.. Meanwhile "The Arcadians" is in the midst of a season of prosperity at the Sydney Criterion ; but the conclusion of the Sydney season will see the depa rturo .for-England of Miss.Essie Perrin, one of the most popular members of the present company; while, later on, after the next Melbourne visit, Mr. William . Cromwell, :who has delighted audiences throughout Australia for more than two years by ,Ms genial humour, will say. farewell. to his adniirers in this part of tho'world, as he will alsii retrace his steps ,to, London. .

Opera Company in Melbourne. Tlio preliminary booking for thoGrand Opera Co. in . Melbourne dicated that that, city .was .not going to bo outdone by Sydney in showing its appreciation of music. When tho doors were , opened at Her Majesty's Theatro on Saturday night (July 30) there were very few seats that wore' not ■ reserved, with the exception .of /those in tho,.'amphitheatre ami pit, and later on when -the reserved seats began to fill up the whole house became a scene of animation and expectancy and hum and bustle "that is so encouraging to • theatrical artists. The appearance of Signor Hazou was tho signal for a ' loud burst of applause,- and as the orchestra broke out into the delicious strains of the Puccini masterpiece a hush ; fell upon tlie gathering, who throughout tho progress of tho opera, listonod with . rapt attention, to the exquisite numbers, breaking forth, ever and anon into enthusiastic hand-clapping. . Tlie singing, tho acting, the nwsic— everything connected with, .tho .opera' . indeed —were accorded tho warmest praise. / ■ ' Constitution of "The Firm." The shareholders of, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., just registered, are (says an Australian paper) seven in number —Mr. J. C. Williamson, Mr. George Tallis, Mr. Gustavo K-amaciotti '(at present acting in connection with the Theatrical Enterprise), Mr. Give Itamaciotti, bank clerk, Mr. Arthur W. V. Allen, solicitor, Mr. Alex. Lundie, law clerk, and Mr. Reginald C. Allen.Each of the shareholders holds ' one share. The nominal capital of tlie company is given as £180,000, divided into £1 sharee. ■ • Notes. ; Mr.' AVybert- Stamford, who has been taking si round-the-world -trip on behalf of J.- G. Williamson, returned to Melbourne this week oy.Jtho Otway. During his absence ho made himself thoroughly j acquainted with the' London production of-' 'the, great racing drama, "The Whip;". and his energies from now on will be -concentrated on the Australian presentation of that piece, which will shortly.ho'produced'-for the first time ■in-Australia at Her .Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne!

Williamson,. Tallis, aad Ramaciotti hay", intervened to try and knock out tho Australian Theatric.il Choristers' Association. The association has applied for' registration -under the Commonwealth Conciliation ar.d Arbitration Act, and the firm arrays a great many arguments to prove that the A.T,.C.A. is an unfit and improper body to receive such registration. The chief reason for this opposition is based or. the belief of Williamson, Tallis . and Ramaciotti that the said association will "prejudice .the best interests of choristers." This affectionate, parental regard should bo warmly appreciated by tlioir chorus, but Choruses, like bands, are proverbially ungrateful.— "Bulletin;" .". '.

"The.Breed oFtho Tro.shams," which was a success,in New Zealand and a failure in Sydney, was revived tho other day in London by Mr. Martin Harvey, anil proved a great success after "Kichard"lll."' As tho "Daily Chronicle" puts it, "to tell the ungarnishod truth, it would be useless to ilc'ny that this mere swashbucklering out of all comparison, i nioro to tho taste of the Lyceum's huge popularpriced audience than did 'Hichard 111. , The over-tender heart of that wonderful pit responded to 'lint' Moresby's self-sacrifices with a fervour of genuine emotion that Hichnrd could never have hoped to awake. They roared over his escapades. They thrilled over his lights anil deeds of derring-do. They cheered him at the finish till they could cheer no more." Mr. 11. Cr. Knowlcs, a London paper says, has determined to make New York his permanent residence. Ho.has arranged to build n theatre in that city, of which the site alone is,to cost £10,000. It is intended Vor kiiicmatoEruphio and .vaudeville purposes.