THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

(Br Sylvius.)

The World's a theatre; tho Earth a stage.—Heywood. The Moving Plcturo Theatre. If there is any doubt that motion pictures will play an important part in tho future of theatrical entertainment it should bo dispelled (says a : New York paper of September 20) by the announcement that its latest convert is no less a personage than David Belasco. So enthusiastic is this producer that he has secured an important working interest in the Kinemacolor Company, investing in it a sum said to be in the neighbourhood, of .£150,000. • It is the intention of Belasco in future to devote a goodly portion of his personal attention to tlie production of stupendous picturo productions, which aro to be extensively advertised as the creations -of "America's foremost legitimate producer." At presont the Kinemacolor Company is in active negotiation with the management of a' large circuit of vaudeville houses.' Mr. George R. Sims, when interviewed in London last month, said :— "What of tho future—on what lines do I think the moving picture will develop? Who can say? One hardly dare forecast. But develop it will, and the progress will be rapid during the next year or , two. Even, now it i» only in procoss of evolution. Its possibilities aro unbounded; its uses only limited by the intelligence of those who have its development in their own hands. In the future I can 1 see the kinematograph theatre becoming larger and larger, and gradually attracting more and more people to its doors, as the standard of' the programmes improves—there is room at present for a good deal of improvement, by the way. The day of the talking film is at hand, when tho individuality of the artist will be preserved, and the speaking voice produced with perfect fidelity, minus the unpleasant;burr-r-r which is one of tho most noticeablo defect's of the talking machine of to-day. Film productions will become ' more perfect,more gorgeous; far more money will be spent upon them than at .present." Mr. Sims hinted that later on he might' possibly be among the writers for the picture theatre. "Better scenarios are wanted," remarked Mr. .Sim's; "but it will bo difficult to attract-\vriters of reputation till one can be film will .enjoy a longer life than it' does at- present. The average film is dead inside of three months. Once you have got the writers, it is up to them to adapt themselves to tho new conditions and requirements of the kinematograph. They may thoroughly understand the art of-the stage, but until they understand the art of the kinematograph they will do no good. Tour dramatist who would produce a successful film-play must forget' a good deal of what he already knows. It is entirely a question of adapting himself to the requirements of, the film-producer. It ought not to be a difficult matter for any practised to acquire the knack; but your scenario writer must always remember that the art of the kinematograph is an art in itself."

Harry Lauder in 1914. The announcement .by cablegram that Messrs. J. and N. Tait are bringing out Mr. Harry Lauder, the famous Scotch singing, comedian, will be - received-.with • unmixed pleasure. Who, . through- the medium of tho gramophone, has not neard that rich, unctious voice, thick with tho burr of the Scotsman, and posi-tively-treacly with humour? Who. 1 hasn't laughed and chortled with the in•visible'' singer through the infection the . comedian spreads when singing such songs as . "Stop yer. Ticklin', Jock," "I Lovo a. Lassie," "Tho Lass -o'. Killie-.. crankie," "The Snftest o' th' Family,". "Wo Pairted on the Shore," "I'm Foo tho Noo," and "My Bonnie Daisy." Lauder's laugh is one of tho most precious things in the world by reason of its magnetism. ■ It ; guggles, and spouts;, and croons, and, sighs,: and whimpers— and it is all laughter,' laughter in a hundred tones, oozing a thick humour from, every; .one. . '■■■ ■ Harry Lauder was born- at Portobello,. Scotland, in 1870. As;a lad he worked,ina flaxmill,. then for ton. years', he worked," in'-a 'coal'mine-"at Hamilton,, near"Glasgow (where Mr.. Dykes,'' ; father of Mr. James Dykes, of this city,'was accountant). In his leisure lie .studied music, and became- a popular amateur vocalist, of sacred as well as comic songs, at the Abstainers' Union's Saturday night concerts. Ono would not' credit! this from the tone of some of his big successes, which hardly smack of abstention. Strange'to say; he made'his" first big success, as a professional in tin, Irish character song in Belfast, entitled "Call Agen, Callaghan!" He made his big London success at the Pavilioii, London, and lias never since looked back. During two recent tours of the-United States he iscredited with having received the ' enormous Salary of 41000 per week. The Sydney "Sunday Times," which came to hand on Wednesday last, record-, ed' that Lauder was coming out to Mr.Hugh M'lntosh, of the Tivoli Theatres, at a. salary of 4800 per week, but there' is, evidently some mistake, 1 as tho cable message states definitely that the great laughter-maker is coming out under the management of J. and N. Tait. Miss Amy Murphy sang the part of Dorothy in the revival at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, during.last week, and will continue till the end of the season, there. Miss Florence Young, who originally sang the part, has gone to Melbourne for a short holiday and rest,. Miss Murphy originally, sang. the role with the Wellington Amateur Operatic Company (sec■ond production),

It Happens Every Day. • Amongst the audience at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne; one night' recently no one laughed with more appreciation at "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" than a well-known gentleman whose interests are largely connected with the promotion or large companies and. investment concerns to which the public are generally invited to contribute.. Ho enjoyed the show so, much,'apparently, that lie came again twice, during the: same . week. Mr. Fred Niblo was introduced to the company pro motor at afternoon tea at a city cafe, and was greatly amused at the gusto with which the playgoer referred to expressed his delight at the performance. "You were not offended?" hazarded Niblo.' "lo'u know, this play is pretty satirical regard, ing the company promoter." "Offended.' Not at all." was the-"reply. "Thereft nothing to be. offended at. It's all true It happens every day. There art universal covered ' carpet tack companies in every oity. but they don't always pan out so well. Oh, dear no. I was not offended. I enjoyed it thoroughly."

Puccini Again. The announcement recently made that Puccini had gone, or was going, to Spain in search of "local colour" for a light opera, bearing tho title "Anima Allegro,", is now supplemented by the information that he has decided not to set that particular libretto to music, and that similarly he has rejected another, based upon a Dutch subject, because of its lack, of dramatic interest. It is a fact well known to his friends that the composer of "Bohemo" is very critical regarding what may bo called the theatrical value of an operatic book, and the public, for its part, must often have-realised his keenness in this direction. It'is said that he has now reverted to his former collaborator, Luigi Illica, and that the two aro engaged upon a work "the nature of which is jealously kept a secret."

Notes. A postcard received Inst week by Mr.'' Alfred Hill from Miss Rosina Buckmann, who, singing with Mr. John M'Cormack in a concert tour of Ireland, was in Belfast when tho mail left, contains the interesting news that Mr. Hill's songs "Waiata. Poi" and "Waiata Maori" have, been included in the programmes, and have proved a great success, being received enthusiastically by crowded houses. Among tho good artists to appear at the Theatre Royal next week is Miss Bessie Slaughter, a gifted English contralto, who is said to be the fortunate possessor of a powerful contralto voice of good quolity, and a charming stago presence l -tho type of artist who is an upliift to any vaudeville company. Ilarcourt Beatty will appear in tho J. C. Williamson production of "Milestones," which is to be staged in Sydney, with Julius Knight in the star ' part.