THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 122, 9 February 1918, Page 2

THE THEATRE

(By "Sylvius.") Cerman Artists Banned. Recent musical news from America shows that the United States will now cease to be the happy hunting ground of German and Austrian artists as it was. during the first three years of the war. Fritz Kreisaler, one of the greatest'violinists, was wounded on tho Austrian side of tho llussian front, after which for some time he resumed touring in America with unabated success. At the end of November, however, there was trouble, and the violinist at once voluntarily cancelled 80,000 dollars' worth of engagements, at the same time promising to fulfil all charity contracts without compensation. Kreissler's wife is an American, and he himself is personally popular, that he will be allowed to devote himself to serious composition in Now York. Julia Gulp, a famous singer scheduled for an American tour, will not fulfil the engagement in view of the fact that her husband is one of the personal military chauffeurs of the Gorman Emperor. On November 22 Madame Melba mado her farewell appearance in Chicago in "La Bohemo," in which performance a marvellous success is attributed to Signor Crimi as R-odolfo. Two days later Madame Melba, who had been travelling incessantly, was heavily struck by falling 6cenery at Fort North, Texas, and was replaced in the cast hy Anna Fitziu as Marguerite. This artist was declared, b.y' her ravishing appearance, and the mixture of poetry and realism in her art, backed by a fine voice, to present the best rendering amongst young singers heard for eight years. Muratore, the French tenor, and Eaklanoff (Mephisto) were in the cast. However, as regards sopranos, Madame Galli-Curci's supremo art is consistently lauded; and no doubt the Chicago Opera Company includes several great artists.. Miss Clare Kummer. Angry. Miss Clare Kummer is the. lady who wrote the very charming "Good Gracious, Annabclle," in which Miss Marie Tempest so delighted us all a little while ago. She is a dramatist and writer of comedies of exceptional originality and "punch." She is a great talker and a great worker. But her last play, "The Roscuing Angel," in which Miss Billio Burke is starring in New York (or was), has not pleased some of tho best critics, and she is wroth about it. "Take the first act," she Eaid, "in which the critics said there was no action. No action I Why, an entire family was ruined and a marriage engagement broken off—isn't that enough for any first act? And the third act, which was also severely criticised, is the best act in tho play, in my opinion. I realise that the critics are better qualified to decide upon tho merits and demerits of a play than I. am, but it hurts me that people should como into the thoatro and say unkind things about characters I have worked upon so much that they have become life members of my own family. The feeling I havo when these friends of mine are criticised is the same feeling I would have if peoplo wero unkind to those in my real family circle." _ Miss Kummer also took occasion to reply to a criticism of "A Successful Calamity," in which William Gillette is acting at the Plymouth Theatre. Early in the season, by the way, all three of her plays wero on roadway at the same time, for "Good Gracious, Annabelle," was spending a week at the uptown Standard Theatre. "The criticism has been made that the husband, after deceiving his family into spending a quiet evening at home, illogically went off to a. prize, fight with his butler," Miss Kummer wsb-re-minded. "What could bo more natural?" she replied. "His purpose was not to spend tho evening with his family. He wanted them all at home. Tt govo liira a comfortable feeling to know where they all were at one time. Then he obeyed a perfectly natural impulse to run to a prize-fight." The Pasßi'on for Flight. Of the three hundred people who take part in the J. C. Williamson "Dick Whittiugton" pantomime at Melbourne Her Majesty's, none enjoy their share in the production more than the children who "fly" in the gorgeous butterfly packet, which is one of the most artistic features of tho pantomime. At every performance, when- the children's turn comes to go aloft, the youngsters are followed by tho envious glances of the other juveniles, eager to participate in the exhilarating delights of flying. There was keen competition amongst the children for the position of fliers, and should one of them drop out at any time, j there will be a score ready to step into the position. Skating through the air oh the end of air invisible wire, the little "butterflies" present a most dainty spectacle. New Plays in New York.? "Tiger Rose;" a drama with ultrarealistic effects, written by Willard Mack, is one of the reigning successes —amongst many failures—of the current New York theatrical season. It is a wild sort of Rex Beach-cum-service story, full of atmosphere and punch. "The Rescuing Angel," -by Clare Kummer (author of "Good Gracious, Annabelle'.!) was a failure... "Furs and j Frills" also, went to cold storage after a few nights' suspended animation; and "The Claim" did not long survive tho. opening night. "Eve's Daughter," starring Grace George, a play described as an antiquated bit of stage carpenter? on amusing lines, may survive. Lionel Atwin, in New Zealand with "The Whip," is the.leading man. "The Baron .Mystery," played in England by H. B. Irving, was described as mildly interesting on old-fashioned lines.' The credit for the best performances was given to G. W. and A. E. Anson (father and son). "Anthony in Wonderland," a fantasy, with Henry Miller in the name part, did not catch the public. A drama that we may see later is "The Torches," by Henry Bafcaille, a translation from the French. "Tho Love Drive," a comedy by Sydney Rosenfeld is given a reasonable chance of life. The cast includes Fred. Niblo, Albert Gran, and Hilda Spong, all well known in New Zealand. "The Old Country," by Dion Galthrop, only lasted a few nights. "Broken Threads," by Ernest Wilkes, was still. running when the mail left. Cyril Keightley is the leading man and was said to bo very effective as the luck-stricken hero. "On With the Dance," hy Michael Morton (who wrote "The Yellow Ticket") was being given a reasonable nliance to survive the flood. "Romance and Arabella" was an uncompromising failure. "Rambler Rose" is the pretty title of an attractive musical comedy in which tho charming Julia _ Sandor?on was appearing. "Lombardi, Ltd.," i comedy-drama, "Leave it to Jane," i comedy, and "Jack o' Lantern" were Soing strong at latest advices. Tho, iiumour of Fred Stone has made the latter comedy. Motes. Tt is probable that Mr. Allen Doone vill return to Australia in April. His Mew York venture was not a success. "Tho Easiest Way" was produced in Melbourne on Saturday last with Mu--iel Starr, Louis Kimball and Frank Harvey in the loading roles. Maggie Uoo<-p mid J. B. Atholwnod wore also I n the cast. . . I Mr, Jospnh Mensem, n Lnncnsliire ni- ' .rate merchant, and the proprietor of lie .Shnl'teslnirv Theatre, London, has wroliased His Msiiosty's Theatre in [,nndnn for £105.000." Messrs. Gros- \ itnith and Laurillard will be his ten- I

ants after tlio run of Mr. Oscar Asche's "Chu Chin Chow" in His Majesty's Theatre is concluded. It .is just possible that the "Mi-. Manhattan" Company will be reorganised for an Easter tour of the Dominion. This musical comedy was not; a success in Melbourne, but that was not the fault of the piece, which had u Rood run in New York and London with Mr. Raymond Hitchcock in the. name part. Mr. Percy Grainger, who is now & saxaphone player in the American Army, but who is otherwise known as Australia's gifted pianist and composer, lias now been granted six months' furlough to enable him to keep certain engagements during the present American season.