THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 28, 27 October 1917, Page 13

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

"Turn to the Right" Turns Up. (< Alter many trials and tribulations the "Turn to the Bight" Company, the second comedy company to bo sent to Now Zealand by the. J. and N. Tnit iirm, has left Sydney, uad will arrive in Auckland in tiiiio to open there on Saturday next. The new tour is as follows:—Auckland. October 27 lo November (1; Wanganui, November 8; Hastings or Napier, November 9; Paimerston, .Saturday, November 10; Wellington, Monday, November 12 to November 17; Cliristcliurcb, November 20 to November 27; Dunedin, November 29 to December 5; Timaru, December G; 'Wellington (return witii "The New Henrietta"), .December Sto 12. Thence back lo Sydney.

New English Actr-esg, Margaret Calvert, the new English actress, to bo seen with the "Turn to the Right" Company shortly, was the daughter of a captain in tho mercantile marine and an K.N.R., wiio brought out Lord Cardigan's yacht to Sydney many years ago. Sho herself studied music and singing at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and soon after beginning her stngo career married a well-known actor, the late Alexander Calvert. Miss Calvert iv is greatly admired throughout the United Kingdom for her charming portrayal of Mereia in tho "Sign of the Cross," so that, with Miss Lizette Parkes, the present company has two competent Mercias. Miss Calvert played with tte Ben Greet Company for over two years. .When the . war broko out she was paying ono of her periodical visits to the States, and was thero engaged by Messrs. J. atul N. Tait. At that time she was appearing in the NewYork production of "The Yellow Jacket," and before that played a part in a revival of 0. B. Shaw's fascinating play, "Major Barbara," ab tho Playhouse. Her marriage made her a member of ono of tho oldest and most respected English theatrical families. It was founded by Charles Calvert, the actor-manager, for whom the Prince of Wales Theatre, Manchester, w.ns built. There, with his wife, he directed great Shakespearean revivals for many years, until he died in 1ST!). He is .survived to this day by his widow, who is now 82 years old. Mrs. Charles Calvert, supported Miss Marie Tempest in "Penelope" at the Comedy Theatre as recently as 190!), and made her final appearance before retirement as Mrs. Quickly in the "Merry Wives of Windsor," willi Miss Ellen -Terry and Mrs. Kendall iu (ho emd, as laio. as 1911. Tho Calvcrts placed fivo sons and .two daughters 'on .the stage. Two of tho tions were formerly known in Australia. William Calvert and his wife, Clara Cowper, appeared in "The Pointsman" in Sydney away back in IS9O, the l'ormjr in character parts, and the latter as lead, Cecil George Calvert joined the Rignoid Company the same year, and remained with ■ it as assistant stage manager, under James W. Haziitt, until 1896, after which ho was with Mr. Alfred Dampier for some rears.

A Duo of Originators: At an "at homo" given bvtlie president of the "Charlpy's Aunt" Club (Mr. Matt. C'ar.r) lo the members, several members of the profession were there, and snme excellent stories were told and reminiscences interchanged. Mr. Robert Thomas (proprietor of the English Pierrots) happened to notice an old postcard (in the club Avail in which he figured. It induced him to relate the fact that he and his brother were the first to originate the al fresco show in .Australia.—ab St. Kilda in lflO.i, and the coming summer would be the first the Pierrots would have snent away from that pitch. This brought Paul Stanhope to his feet to claim that lie hart been the real and onlv originator of the revue fn Australia.. Mr. Albert Russell (alias Mr. iBletsoo) corroborated tiiat. because when, be returned from America with

"potted musical comedies." otherwise revues, he found himself forestalled by Mr. Stanhope. The "Charley's Aunt" OUh threatens to become a' home away from home to the professional. Any of them are sure of a good hearing' far their latest story, and the new president is a splendid Bohemian and patriot. "The Merry Widow." General delight will be manifested by playgoers at the news that "The Merry Widdw" is to bo revived by the Royal Comic Opera Company during its present season. On this occasion Miss Minnie Love will bo the gay widow, 3Tr. Leslie 1 Holland will frisk round as the smitten. Prince Danilo, and Miss Flo. Young will be seen once more as Natalie, and Mr. Phil Smith will frolic in the comedy role. The surprise announcement is that Miss Love is to play the widow. '\Vc have known, this actress in the past, as an interesting comedienne and pantomime "boy," but the Viennese opera calls* for a. cultured singer, and an actress who can summon up the glamour of romance lo some purpose. Miss Love's work lias always been admired in New Zealand, and it will be with no ordinary interest that her performance in this difficult role will ho regarded. Mr. Lealie Holland, 100, has not toyed with romance except in its most flippant aspect, and coming after the debonnalr Andrew Higginson comparisons will bo made.

Money in Pictures. Interesting tc all in the picture business: A re-seal has been granted by the State Registrar of probates of the will of the late Jfr. Thomas James AVest, kinematogruph proprietor, which was granted by the High Court of Justice, England, to Emily Sarah Dunkley, or West, widow of the deceased, and Norman Percival Hart, the executors and trustees named in the will." The testator, who died at Gidea Park, Essex, England, oh November .'lO, 101(j, bequeathed .certain shares in AVest's, Ltd., and Olympia, Ltd., to his son (Thomas James), his three grandsons,: three sisters, and a niece, and the income of the residuary estate to his widW for life; after her death the trustees to pay .Ijis daughter, Margaret Adelaide Dnnkley, or AVest, not more than ;Cl7o a year out of' the income, the balance to bo paid to Ins daughter, AVinnifred Beatrice Dttnkley'i or AVest. After the deatli o£ AViu.nifrod Beatrice Dunkley, the estate is to be luild in trust for her children; and in the event of her dying without issue, the residuary estate passes to his three grandsons in etjual shaves. The net value of the, New South AValcs estate was sworn at ,£2G,4BG. of which .£19,912 consisted of stores in AVest's, Ltd., and Olympia, Ltd.; the gross value of Hie English estate was estiinated at ■£35,787 17s. 2d. |

English Pierrots. ~ It is with genuine regret that AVellingtoti lias said good-bye to the 'English Pierrots, who are now off to their summer habitat in tho Exhibition Gardens, Adelaide. No company giving entertaininents on such lines has appealed more to the public of the city as the Pierrots, who have played hero for eleven .weeks during the winter to very satisfactory business—a. return tho show amply merited. It is good to know that they will be located for two months at the Concert Chamber next winter.

Singers in Vaudeville, Good vocalisui was rarely met wi(h 'in the dark ages of Australian vaudetrille. A decade ago the public taste tended 'toward the slapstick comedy form of entertainment. The remarkable chaugp m the public's musical appetite is viow ovideiiced by the number of capable vocalists at present employed by itlie Fullci" firm and the popularity they enjoy. Amongst those at present. in Now Zealand are Messrs. Malcolm M'Eachecn, Percy M'liay, Val Newman, and George M'G'oll, all basso iirofuiidos of note; Mr. Warren Hastings, .tenor; Sir. George Taylor, baritone; and those popular male singers, tho Grafterd' Quartet. Heccnt appearances in New Zealand have been, made by Miss Margaret Jewell and Miss\ Dora Obermau, distinguished* sopranos, both of whom enjoyed lengthy \ seasons and won great favour.

Sir .Tames Barrio's first piny was written while lie was employed on the "Daily Journal," Nottingham, for Minnie Palmer of "My Sweetheart" fame—on approval. It seems to have been still-born as a play, (hough published in the Christmas supplement of the ".Daily Journal." and then printed in pamphlet form. Had it ever been produced, the curtain would have risen lo discover the heroine, seated oa (ho mantel piece. Minnie liked to display Tier Blockings,