STAGE STARS COMING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 149, 13 March 1918, Page 7

STAGE STARS COMING

SECURED BY HUGH J. WARD

SIR JOHNSTONE FORBES-ROBERT-SON MENTIONED. Mr. Hugh J. Ward, of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has returned to Sydney from a lengthy visit to Now York, in ihe course of au interview he made several important announcements of interest to theatre-goers; "One thing tho war spirit of America has done to'tho theatre, is," said Sir. Ward, "that it has banished the crook play into outer darkness. The last of this category to succeed was 'Cheating Cheaters,' and that only got ~hy on account of its being treated •from the comedy standpoint. "As proved the case in Australia, 'tho New York public only could be attracted by bright musical productions. ■They wanted to be amused solely, to go to the theatre to laugh. Their emotions are boing sufficiently exercised by the war.' Drama, unless bearing on the war, therefore, is almost in tho "discard. "When in New York I produced ! 'Seven Days' Leave' at the Park Theatre. We had it Americanised, and one :<of the scenes set upon an American •'cruiser. The play is a big success, and .will run a year. . . .' 'High Jinks' is still running in England, and wo liavo interests in South Africa: "Indeed, every play purchased by me secured to J. C. Williamson and Co. the j'ights for Australia, New Zealand, and ■South Africa. "We have engaged for Australia Margaret Wycherley, the original Of tlie 'Thirteenth Chair.' Miss Wycherley is the wife of the author. Bayard iVeiller, who also wrote 'Within the •Law.' For tho 'Thirteenth Chair' a supporting company is being organised. "Then*! ongaged the original 'Potash and Perlmutter' of London, Luke and 'Adams, two admirable Hebraic come'dians. They will play in 'Business Beiforo Pleasure,' which shows Abo and. iMawruss in the picture business. Tho name two comedians are also booked "by...us for the farce with music, 'The Sigh Cost of Loving.' Musical Pieces. "In musical pieces we have first of fell 'Oh, Boy,' which I saw in New York two years ago. It was still running .when I left. Also I purchased the rights of 'Katinka.' by tho authors and jcomposers of 'Higli Jinks' and 'You're in Love.' My pet purchase, however, 5s 'Going Up,' a musical comedy dealing with aviation, full of up-to-date ifun and sparkling music. It was hitting on all the cylinders of success ,when I loft New York. 'Maytime,' the Shubert Bros.' biggest success of the season, 'What Next?' from the same, •management (Morosco) as 'So Long iLetty' and 'Canary Cottage,'and other pieces, which I hope will please the (Australian public. I also have with me (tho script and music of 'Hitchey-koo,' in which Raymond Hitchcock made a iig hit in New York, and from the (Klaw and Erlanger management 'The 'Riviera Girl,' 'Springtime,' 'Oh, Oh, iDelphine,' and 'Madame and Her Godson.' The last-mentioned musical comedy had not been produced when I left •Now York! The music is by Ivan Caryll, and Dorothy Brunton was engaged to appear in it. Miss Brunton was rehearsing for the attraction when 1 left New Yoik. Prior to joining the company this little Australian appeared for two weeks in /Follow the Girl' at Philadelphia., She'was specially engaged for the two weeks season only, ibeing under contract with Klaw and OErlanger for tho New York production of 'Madame and Her Godson.' Miss Brunton made a splendid personal success with her first; American opportunity. Sir Johnstone Forbes-Robertson's Visit.

"In drama I have 'The' Man Who Camo Back,' •with a two years New (York run to its credit; 'A Scrap of Paper,' by A. S. Roach; but frankly thero was nothing else offering in the legitimate field that I would have cared to submit to Australian playgoers. I ihsive several comedies, notably 'The Tailor-made Man' and 'Parlour," Bedroom, and Bath,' both of which I think jvill appeal to the sense of humour of Australians.

"At a dinner of actors I had a long chat with' Sir Johnstone Forbes-Rob-ertson, the outcome of' which will, I feel sure, result in the famous actor .visiting Australia under our management. I also had a telephone message •when in San Francisco the other day from Fred Niblo, who was at Los Angeles, and lie • will be out here soon with us again. He has just married Enid Bennett, who, as you. know, has become a noted picturc star in- America.

"Before leaving New York I fixed

up definite options in all the productions of Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger, the Shubert Bros., Mr. Oliver Morosco, Messrs. Selwyn and Co., Mr. Al. Woods, Messrs. Cohan and Harris, the Harriss Estate, the Charles Frohman Corporation, and Mr. Arthur Hammerstoin. We will thus have first pick of all their plays for Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. "And, by the way, I purchased the rights of 'Chu Chin Chow,' originally Oscar Asche's production in London. Tho spectacular play also proved a big success in America."