THE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 9

THE THEATRE.

fßr SylticsJ The World's a tfteatre; the Earth a stage.—Heywood. From the West. Writing from Perth, Mr. Richard Stou-art, of J. 0. Williamson's management staff, says:—"Wo aro having a remarkably good timo with the GilbertSullivan Opera Company; in fact, 1 never remember doing such wonderful business in the Wost before, but it has been the same ever since I have been with this attraction. Its return seasons in Sydney and Melbourne exceeded all expectations, and the return at Adelaide was enormous. Business is at a standstill in Perth, and as you probably know, there is a deficit on the year's working of £1,000,000. . . . Miss Gladys Moncrief has 'made good' at Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and here. I told the directors in Melbourne that they would get a surprise when sho opened in 'lolanthe,' but they could not see it. I noticed, however, that after the first week they 'starred' her name in all tho. papers. She has certainly improved since you saw her in New' Zea- | land, and through all her success she keeps her head. . . . I am off to South Africa in June to take up the I directorship there. Mr. Ashton is returning about the same time. Of course I am taking all my family, but I must say I regret the change in one way, for I shall be prevented from saying 'goodbye 1 to all my splendid friends in New Zealand, and if possible I wish you would please express my regrets. We are playing here for three weelts, -when we leave for Sydney to play an eight weeks' season, and during their stay there will revive "Ma Mie Rosette" and "Tho Chocolate Soldier." Kindest regards to all friends." Tango Halls Closed In Paris. For nearly seven long months Franco has listened heart wrung to her brave children's undaunted battle cry answering the ceaseless roar of many cannons, while others who erst-while sang and marched so valiantly sleep so deep no cound can wake them more, wrapped in eternal silence far from enemies. When nations and empires are striving to find stepping stones to higher things through the crimsoned rivers and fields of carnage it comes with a shock to those who count in life's bivouac that the Parisian Prefecture of Police should have had to issue an order prohibiting the reopening of establishments intending to give anew the "Thes Tango.'-' At Montmartre, under the of "dancing lessons," the tango in its most disorderly, one might say disreputable, form, again was in full swing, and Paris, the thinking, feeling, sensitive Paris, cried out upon the shame of it at a time like this, and in accord with the Minist-re de rinterieur decide firmly that the "thes ransant," "theß tango," etc., are to be closed. Williamson's Gompanlas' Movements. The J. C. Williamson companies are getting ready for the process of "changing over," which means the placing of new attractions in the principal cit-ios and some big travelling, as they say in tho States. The "Cinderella" pantomime opens in Brisbane on May 24, and then jumps to New Zealand, commencing tho Dominion tour at Wellington on June 9. Tho Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company has proved such a phenomenal success that it is to be brought back to Sydney to reopen in "The Gondoliers" on May 22. "Bought and Paid For," at Sydney Criterion, is to bo followed on May 22 by "Under Cover," a thrilling play of Customs frauds. The sensation spy play, "Tho Man Who Stayed at Home," is to be transferred from Sydney Theatre Royal to tho Theatre Royal, Melbourne, on •June 5, and tho enormous amount of interest being taken in its production indicates a season as successful as that which the Sydney run achieved. "High Jinks" and "The Girl'in tho Taxi" go to Adelaide, to open on May- 22, with Perth to follow, Her Majesty's, Melbourne, being occupied on May 22 with the Royal Comic Opera Company in tho first Australian presentation of "Tho Marriage Market." Notes. Paul Stanhope, Fritzee de Guy, and the male quartet, now appearing in the rovue company at His Majesty's Theatre, were members of "The Grafters" Company which froze solid at tho Grand Opera House a year ago last Easter. "Fun on the Farm" is about 300 per cent, better fun than any of the American farces submitted in Wellington by "Tho Grafters." Incidentally there is a wide gap in quality botween the jumble "This is tho Life" and tho gambol "Fun on a Farm." Paul Stanhopp himself is a capable laughter-maker of the old-time "Thin Mick and Fat Dan" type that used to populate tho variety shows of- a quarter of a century ago, only that it is "Thin Mick" on his own, and, in this case, "out on his own."

This will be the cast of "The Marriage Market' 'at Melbourno Her Majasety's to-night Jack Fleetwood, known as "Slippery Jack," Derek Hudson ; Senator Abe Gilroy, Robert Whyto, jun.; Bald-faced Sandy, the sheriff of Mendocino Bluff, Harry Burgess; HiTi, a Chinese, Archer Glynn; the captain of the Mariposa, Jack Ralston;. Lord Hurlingham, Leslie Holland; Blinker, his valet, Phil Smith; Mariposa Gilroy, Ethel Cadnian; a middy, Maggie Dickinson; Emma, Mariposa's maid, Addie Lennard; Dolly, Ethel Bennetto; Pansy, Eileen Shettle; Poachi, Hilda Ba.rry; Dora, Eileen Dawn.; Dolores, Nellie Payne; a Mexican woman, Mrs. Geo. Lauri; Kitty Ivoni, Thelma Raye.

The other day the mail brought 'J. C. . Williamson, Limited, a pictorial souvenir of the 365 th performance of "Potash and Parlmutter" at tho Queen's Theatre, London. The play is based on tho humorous "Yiddish" stories of Montague Glass, who dramatised it with tho collaboration of Charles Klein. The latter, who wrote "The Third Degreib," "Tho Lion and tho Mouse," and otjher plays woll known to Australian atndiences, went down with the Lusitair.ia. "Potash and Perlmutter" will bo staged in Melbourne early in July hy J. C. Williamson, Ltd.