THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3024, 10 March 1917, Page 13

THE THEATRE

[By Sylvius.] "Turn to the Right." Tho success of tho J. and N. Tait comedy-drama, '"Turn to tho Right," at tho King's Theatre, Melbourno, was presaged by its American triumph. Tho piece has been an enormous "hit" in Now York, where, according to tho latest advices, it was running neck-and-neck with a musical comedy for tho popularity prize. "Turn to the Eighty had registered ICO performances in New York by December 30, and it was expected that it would run for somo months to eomo. New York tickot speculators, who are the most reliable guides concerning tho "best sellers" in theatrical attractions, describe "Turn to tho Right" as tho srrcatost nionev-maker seen for years. Ordinary 2-dollar seats were recently sellinn; f or 4.50 dollars and higher, and the best stalls obtainable at those prices woro fifteen rows back in tho auditorium. "The Harp of Life." "Tho Harp of Life" is tho title of tho latest play from the pen of J. Hartley Manners, who wrote "Reg o' My Heart," and is consequently the latest medium for his wife, Miss Laurotte Taylor. Two-thirds oj the play is a tender, discriminating, and discerning dramatisation of tho homo and the glorification of motherhood. Tho ultimate third is a glorification of somothing less agreeable. So good aro parts of the play that Ohanning Pollock said that they rank not much under Sir J. M. Barrio's "Alice-Sit-by-tho-Fire," but the final scenes are built up on a fake basis, and aro consequently unconvincing and disillusionising. It all comes of. the introduction into the play of Mrs. Vorona, a lady of loose character, who has been much talked of during the good acts. "The House or Class." What promises to prove an exceptionally fine dramatic treat is the coming of Miss/ Florence Rockwell, Mr. Frank Harvey, and a specially selected dramatic company, under the direction of J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. Miss Rockwell is an emotional actress of recognised position, arid one of the fortunate few who have been successful both on tho legitimate stage and the kinema screen. Miss Rockwell will be seen here first in Max Marcin's powerful play, "The House of Glass," in which she will sustain the big acting part of Margaret Case, tho playing of which suooeeded in keeping tho Caiidler Street Theatre, in New York, full for over 18 months. "The House of Glass" will be played for the first four nights, and will be followed by W. Somerset Maugham's line play, "The Land of Promise" and George Broadhurst's groat drama, "The Law of the Land." The company that will support the principals includes Messrs. Boyd Irwin, Arthur Styan, Arthur Grecnaway, Leslie Victor Charles Brown, Leonard! Stephons, William Lockhart, and Misses Gertrudo Boswell, Stella Payter, Maggie Knight, lloso Rooney, Arthur Scanlon. Another Veiller Success. Bayard Veiller, wro wrote "Within tho Law" and sold liis interest to Wm. Urady for a palry 10,000 dollars, whilst others who 'handled the play mado fabulous fortunes, has written his second real success. His first play made half a million dollars for people with faith in the play. Bayard estimated his faith in his own plaj , . at 10,000 dollars—just that. Since then ho has written "When All Has Been. Said," "Tho Fight," and "Back Home," but none of them caught, and: it was thought that ho was a one-play man. The lato Wm. Harris, son., told Veillor what "they" said. It was after "Back Homo" wilted, and in handing Bayard a thousand-dollar bill ho told him to go away, and write a real success. The manager's faith in him was such that ho went away the same night and commenced to writo a play, which has been hailed 1 as a decided success. Tho play is entitled "Tho Thirteenth Chair," in which there is spiritualism and thrill and susr>ense. One critic says: "For unflagging interest,, for baffling mystery, for suspense, and surprise and melodrama fashioned after a new pattern, let me commend vou to 'The Thirteenth Chair.' Here is visible proof that the lightning does striko twice in the same place. It is a work .void of climaxes, becauso the whole play is one long continued, climax. Nothing half so absorbing is to be seen in\Ne\v York." The Actors' Association. The Actors' Association, of Australasia, is now a Hrnily-establislicd body that is doing good work in the direction of safeguarding the interests of players in a rational manner. The association is not a union, but it is the outcome of unionism. About five years ago a union was formed by a .number of actors who • wero hardly front-rankers, and who begau operations by a cheap imitation of somo other ill-advised bodies that could bo mentioned. To scotch that movement, tho actors formed an association, and in a very short time tho union officials, having got slightly mixed in their finances, ran on tho rocks and became defunct. The association, however, hold on its course, and has become gradually stronger; An attempt was made a little time ago to use the funds as a. basis of a new union (an idea held by Mr. Walter Baker), but that was defeated. Since then Mr. Julius Knight has been president, and Mr. AValter Bentley secretary, and tho council includes several well-known players, including Miss Dorothy Bruntnn, Miss Celia Ghiloni, and Miss Malyon, and Miss Emma Temple. The association has a working agreement with managements (outside vaudeville and pantomime), which has ameliorated their lot in respect to extra matinees and lost time when travelling, 'and generally the best of feeling prevails between employer and employee. It is understood that Mr. Harry Pliniiner is to bo appointed president in succession to Mr. Julius Knight, who has gone to America. Notes. "Tho House That Jack Built" pantomime has now been miming eleven weeks at His Majesty's Thcatro, Melbourne. "Tho Bunyip," Fuller's Australian pantomime, is still running in Sydnoy. it is to bo produced in Mcbourno at Master, so that wo aro not likely to go bunyipping until the middle of tho year at the earliest. Louiso Beaudot, who appeared as the nasty plotting- aunt in the picture "The Law Decides, is the same person who was leading woman for Heir Bandmann, the Gorman tragodian, who toured New Zealand in the 'soventies. Miss Boaudet was then very young, veiT pretty, and very talented. "Six Who Pass While the Lentils Boil" is tho queer title of a very charm- ! ing children's play that has achieved J great popularity in America. ! Avery Hopwood, writer of "Fair and J Warmor" (now running in Sydnoy), I has written another comedy, entitled "Our Litfie Wife," which has not impressed New York as having the elements of success. j During her present tour of America ! Madame Sarah Bernhardt is confining herself to fragments of some of her big plays, and to somo little ones which tho critics agree aro unworthy of her gonius. One critic states that Bernhardt, now 71, seems to be not over 45. She still thrills and amazes. The usual "first-night" speech by the producer had an interesting variation at the initial performance of "Fair and .Warmer" at the Criterion TboatrOj

Sydney. At the close of the clever performance by tho J. C. Williamson Now Oomecly Company, the producer, Mr. Georgo A. Highland, was called upon by the audience to make a speech. "Can I send a cable to-night 10 say that 'Fair and Warmer' is a success?" he asked, "Yes," roared enthusiasts from all parts of the house. And so tho verdict was recorded.

A syndicate of four, headed by Miss Vera Remeo : and Mr. CHvo Faruhani, Jiavo formed a stock company in Brisbane, and havo taken over tho local Tivoli Theatre from Mr. M'lntosh. The opening production by tho new com--pauy with "llomeo and Juliet," which proved an excellent financial draw. "Tho Last Appeal" (which is the companion play to "The Rosary") is the current attraction, with "Two Orphans," "Sign of tho Cross," and "Madam X" to follow in the order indicated —the last two pieces by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd. William Fullbrook, the clover acter who gives a fine display of his versatility in "The House that Jack Built," at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, is a man of many parts. In the big J. C. Williamson pantomime Mr. Fullbrook represents the following distinct characters: —The constable at the Cross Roads (with song and dance), the starving man, the old actor, the nieddlcsomo neighbour in "building a. chicken house," one of the comic quartet, and tho old colonel in tho duel scene. Each of these parts is played with finish and skill, and, in tho case of liis performance as the old actor, with an amount of dramatic ability which have drawn considerable attention to Mr. Fullbrook. The actor's early career eminently adopted him for the playing of many parts.