THEATRICAL DEAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1537, 5 September 1912, Page 4

THEATRICAL DEAL.

RICKARDS'S CIRCUIT BOUGHT.' Tho vaudeville and theatrical, enterprises carried on in Australia and New Siealaud by tho lato Mr. Harry Richards, together with all contract*, engagements, and copyrights connected therewith, have been purchased by Mr. Hugh D. Jl'ln-J , tosh, tho well-known/boxing promoter, for l a sum well into six'figures (says tho Sydney "Herald" on Saturday last). This huge theatrical transfer includes a 30 years' leaso of tho Tivoli Theatre and hotel, Sydney; a i'i years' leaso of tho Melbourne Opera House, and a 19 years' lease of tho Adelaide Tivoli Theatre. Contracts have also been made for theatrical seasons in other' Australian capitals, and in New Zealand. Among the star ongagemonts ore contracts for visits to Australia of Mr. Harry Lauder, the Scotch comedian, and Miss Cissio Loftus. Tho founder, of tho transferred business, tho lato Mr. Harry Rickards, arrived in Australia in tho seventies, and after various theatrical speculations became tho lessee of tho Garrick Theatro in 1893. This building was renamed tho Tivoli. During his occupation of tho theatre, Mr. Rickards built, up a successful and remunerative entertainment business, with a circuit extending to the <jther States, and with occasional tours in i New Zealand.' His death occurred in landau on October 13 of lust year. By his will ho appointed his widow and Sir. J. C. Lecte, and Mr. Fred Aydon, trustees of his estate, tho value of tho New South Wales portion of which was sworn at £131,999 3s. lid. 110 made bequests of ,£20,000 to his widow, XH.OOO to each of his daughters, and several other handsome gifts to other beneficiaries. Included in tho terms of tho will was a direction that the Tivoli Theatro should not bo sold until the death of the last survivor of his widow aud daughters, it being his desiro that tho property should bo kept intaot as a provision for his widow. He, however, directed his executors to take prompt stops to disposo of or wind-up tho theatrical business, in which he was engaged at tho time of bin death. It is in pursuance of this clause that tho sale of the business to Mr. M'lntosh has taken place. It is understood that Mrs. Rickards. who was tho principal beneficiary under her husband's will, will in future reside in England. It was well known during her husband's lifetime that ho valued her judgment highly in all his business trans"VhTiirst negotiations by Mr. MTntosh for tho purchase were opened a day or two after tho Bums-Johnson fight; but though renowed from time to tunc, they were not completed before Mr. Kickardss death. Subsequently an offer was nindo which the trustees accepted. Mr. M'lntosh has had experience with the vando. viilo business in London, and tho provinces, aud some of tho artists now sirring in Australia were on his Lnglish circuit. Ho contemplates making practically no change in the management, and will take over actual possession on September 14.