LOOKING FOR NOVELTIES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2205, 18 July 1914, Page 6

LOOKING FOR NOVELTIES

.FOR THE AUSTRALASIAN STAGE. Among-the passengersbookedthrough to Sydney by the Willochra from ,Sau .Francisco were Mr. C, H. Wonman, the well-known producer for J. C. Williamson, -Ltd.,' and his .wife' (nee Miss Flossie Dickenson),, who have been on a .>sjxteei£, weeks' lightning-;tour' •to Eng. "land atid America. ''The primary object of Mr. Wenman's trip to the Old Country, was to secure a successor-to "Forty Thieves," which will he seen here next week (and, which, hy- the way, was originally produced by Mr. \Voilman). - Mr. Wenman has concluded arrangements for a first-rate edition of "Cinderella, 1 ! which proved a big success last Christmas, under, the management of Howard and Wyndhanv, and which is calculated' to provide the "firm" with' an elaborate scenerio. (the basis of all pantomimes) on which to build up its glittering glories. The cast of characters for the next .pantomime (to be produced in Melbourne at Christmas) was also arranged 'by Mr. Wenman at Home. Barry Luoino (now with the "Forty Thieves") will be the' principal' comedian,' with clever John' M'Cardell (of George Edwardes' Company), and Arthur Stigant (who will appear as the dame) as runners-up. The Prince Charming will be Miss Minnie Love (now playing pantomime with the "firm", in South Africa, and Cinderella will be .played by Miss .Dolly Castles (sister of Miss Amy Castles), who was last in "Wellington with the Williamson Opera Company which played - "Veroniaue" and "The Liitie Michns," six or seven years ago. Mr. Weinman spent nearly the whole of his time seeing the jatest attractions in his own particular line, Ho speaks glowingly of the virtues of "The Girl in the Taxi," which will be produced, by a new company shortly after be returns to Sydney. This company, which wilf arrive in Sydney next week, will include the celebrated comedian Mr. Workman, whoso performances at the Savoy Theatre in London did much to make the recent revivals of the .Gilbert and Sullivan operas such a success. Other musical pieces he saw were: "Tile Pearl Girl," "'After the Girl," "The Glad Eye," and n<nny revues and "musical farces both in America and England. He states that composers of musical comedy are in-good supply, and are writing'some really excellent music, but the complaint is that thoy cannot secure good "books" (librettos), and many of tlie recently-produced comedies have failed, or partly failed, from that want'. A musical comedy must have a good ''book," as well'as dainty, catchy music to win approval—one without the other means failure. Mr. Wenman has the greatest respect for the manner which tho drama is presented in America, but be noticed that the.same attention to detail in regard to musical performances was not apparent —anvthing or anybody seemed to rlo in the lishter musical comedies, whilst suitability of personality was (femnnd«d in the dramatic business. H» thought that G n nrge' Cohan's comedy "The Seven Keys to Haldnate" was-one of the cleverest lie had ever seep—cleverer because of the constant flow of surprises that. Eiwonp +n wtici'pite the option. The ereat Yiddisher play "Potash and Perlniutter" was also an enormous snccess. and a great character play, where tho wars—homo a«rl business—of ' tii« big citv .Tpws #vc understood. Mr. and Mrs. Wenman left fct Sydney Inst equina. ■