THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3154, 4 August 1917, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.);

"Very Good Eddie." On Wednesdaj' next we are fo see Taits's New Musical Comedy Company in the American comedy, "Very Good Eddie," which conies to Wellington with l a capital reputation as a smart and musically-attractive farce-comedy, with the hall-mark of Broadway stamped all over it. It is the story of a meek, good, modest, little man who loses his tall', strong bride among the baggage, and is borne away up the Hudson Eiver alone. However, there happens to Iμ a little brido on board who has mislaid her husky husband, and, put into an embarrassing situation by circumstances over which they have no coiitrol, they arrange to pretend to be lmsband and wife until their lawful partners turn up. Things happen at the Rip Van Winkle Hotel, and there is the merriest mix-up until finally the lost ones arrive on the scene and things straighten out. With Mr. Barry Lupino as the littlo husband that floats away from his Amazonian bride, there are no dull moments, and he is assisted by such clever performers as Hiss Lilian Tucker, Miss Fayette Perry, Ur. George Whitehead, Mr. Andrew Higginson, Mr. Frank Greene, Mr. John Beck, Mr. Alt. Bristowe, and a particularly attractive ballet and chorus. The dressing and scenery are said to be special features of "Very Good Eddie." Practical Patriotism. Concluding a leading article on practical patriotism, the "Grey Eiver Argus" of .Monday'last says:—"Greymouth has in the past given money very creditably to patriotic funds, though there seems td , be an inclination to stop giving on the part of some. Let any who are becoming weary iu well-doing take a lesson from one of their best-known citizens, Mr. T. Pollard. Whether it is the spirit of the profession with.which that gentleman's name has been connected all .over tje Southern Hemisphere that inspired him to make his generous offer we cannot say, but at the beginning of the war he. made a promise that each month ho would give one night to. a picture benefit to raise money to heip tho patriotic funds. That promise has been 1 aithfully . kept, and to-night at the Opera , House Mr. Pollard will give his 36th benefit. We do not know what the total returns have been, but they must have been very large. Mr. Pollard's action stands alono in the Dominion, a fact which makes his effort the more praiseworthy. We wish that all other picture managers would.act similarly/and that they would show by their.action an appreciation of their liavins escaued taxation." Australian Gossip. A reliable correspondent .writes me that Cyril Maude, in "Grumpy," has made a big hit at the Theatre fiToyal, Melbourne, tho biggest box-office success that the theatre has' known for over two jjtears. "It is understood,"' he sayu. "that ho will revive 'Beauty an 3 the Barge' (W. W. Jacobs) during the Melbourne season. He was tho original Captain Barley, the part played here by, the late ' Bob Brough. Artistically, Marie Tempest is breaking , all records in Sydney. She is particularly finepolished to tho last degree. Graham Browne is also a most excellent actor. ~ The stage settings are,the best I have ever seen in my life. 'Penelope' fo me was delightful—smart West-End sort of comedy,; brilliant, but perhaps, a little thin for the crown. 'Turn to 1 the Might' is enjoyable, very well acted, and decently produced. The men are -rery good. The play touches the emotions curiously—one laughs and cries simultaneously. . Really, the' .moral is all wrong. It is tho glorification of three young 'crooks.'- After enjoying the show very mnch, . and one thinks it calmly over, one gradually realises that one's 'leg has been pulled/ ■ And Ada Keeve—'Age cannot wither, nor custom stale her infinite variety.' She' is an enormous draw, and I liked her better than ever. They are exhibiting a. picture here called'On Record,' with Winter Hall in it. His last letters have been very pessimistic. There. is a terrific slump in picture''manufacture at Los Angeles. I imagine that in a big country liko America, the war scare will soon die down."

"La Mascottc," i Saturday, September 22, has bfen fixed as tho 'opening date of the .Wellington Amateur Operatio Society's season of "La Mascotte." Seven performances in all are to "Bo given. Mr. Tom Pollard will arrive in Wellington at tho end of tlie month to take the production iu hand, and in the meantime the picturesque dresses—a. feature of tho opera which is supposed to take place in Northern Italy in mediaeval times, are being designed by Hiss Sinclair, from a colour scheme prepared by Mrs. .Tames Hannah. Audran's sparkling work has tot been, heard in New Zealand for many years, and will be altogether now to the. risißg generation of theatre-goers.. Notes. Miss Ada Reeve has two brothers .now lying wounded, but not dangerously so, in France, Since she heard of their (lisaster an added pathos has capt iiito her emotional songs—at least so it seems to me. I know that I (says "Suzanne" in "The Mirror") was trembling on tho margin of tears tho other day when , she sang of what looked out from a woinan'a eyes—the ■ Daughter-, of Eve who peered out; the Devil who leered wit; and tho Mother of God who shono Forth\. She mothered the mythical babe of the : last verse with such infinite sweetness and tenderness that all my heart went out to the songstress with the voice of gold and tho magnetic presence. Hiss Dorothy Brimton sails for the Homeland this mouth. The news has cast a spell of gloom over regular tlie-atre-goers in Sydney and Melbourne, and New Zealand shares ii> the-feeling. Jliss Brunton will appear in London in "So Long, Lotty" and "Canary Cottage" under the Williamson management. ! Florence Young plays the title role in "Tho Bed Widow," the comic opera to be staged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd, at Melbourne Her Majesty's on August i. It is a "real comic opera part," and gives Miss Young full scope for her vocal talfrut, as well as bein<; a fine acting part well suited to her distinctive personality, :