THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 158, 23 March 1918, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

Royal Comics Next Week, "The lied Widow," in which the J. 0. Williamson Comiu Opera Company is to open hero 011 Saturday next, has a Russian setting in the days before tlio war, when Nihilists plotted against the Tsar. ■Vnnu Varvara (Florence Young) is a woman nihilist, and ; the play revolves- round her scheming to get to Petrograd, which she docs with the aid of a passport in-' the name of Mr. and Mrs. Gisero Hannibal Buiis. Mr. Phil Smith js Hannibal Butts, a corset maker, and the complications which arise from his being accompanied by a lady who, is not his wife give the irrepressiblo comedian full scope for his effervescent humour. The play is spoken: of as being especially tuneful, merry and bright. It has also the reputation of being ono of the most expensively costumed pieces ever produced by the big linn.

A Hall Caino Play. At Easter the Fuller management promise to stage in Sydney at the Grand Opora House. Hall .Same's novel, "The Woman Thou Gavest. Me." When the Manxman first published his book it had a warm reception. Librarians took tho book to tho asli-bin with a pair of tongs. From. various pulpits it was applauded, from an equal number of others it was condemned. Wellmeajiing people wrote to the Press, and advised people not to read it, and so, of course, everybody did read it, and Hall Caine, what with collecting royalties and putting, money-.-in to"'the bank, scarcely had time to do anything else. Tho version to be staged under the Fuller direction is said to .keep pretty close to tho text of the book, and the play is to liavo a strong cast.

Aria Reeve Tour. Mr. Maurice Jlalph, the advance representative of tho Ada Reeve London Vaudoville Company, which commeuees ii tour of New Zealand in Christohurch at Easter, supplies additional particulars as to'the personnel of the new> company. Besides Mr. Talleur Andrews, iho .English tenor, Miss. Reeve wijl introduce to the Dominion the Noyocs, described aB "thrills oil skates" (from the leading vaudeville theatres of jNew York and London); Rogoro, a mimic of musical 'instruments; and Miss Peggy P.eate, the talented faoubrettc, who was last liere with the Tivoli Follies. In - addition- to these'the company still retains Kennedy Allen, humourist; Barry Jacobs, tho .singing ■ conductor; and Mr. Aston; Jarry ami Georgie de Lara,., comedy sketch artists. Tho company will play in Mastorton on April 19; Wanganui, April 20 to 22; Hawora, April' 23; Palmerston North, April 24; Hastings, April 25; Napier, April 26 and 27 ; Gisborne, April 30 and May 1; Auckland, May 3 to 11; Hamilton, May 13; Itotorua; May 1-1; and 'Wellington,' May 18 to 28. . . .

The noatty Sisters. "It seems only tho other day," said a well-known theatrical identity, "since Mrs. Beatty told me in tho hotel next the Theatre Royal, in Christcirarcli, that some man had asked her to allow her two littlo girls to go oh the stage." "Wlio. was he?" he had asked. "A Mr. Torn Pollard. Do vdu Imow him?" "Oh, yes —he's all right; Has a matron to look after' the girls, and they have school lessons every day. Oh, yes, Pollard's all Tight!" "Well." said Mrs. Beatty, "what do you think?" _ "Oh, let them go—they're clever little girls, why not give them a chance? Bettor than keeping them here in tho, hotel!" . .Mrs. B.catty. .thought: over. the matter, and after consulting her husband it was decided that Maud and May Beatty should go with tho Pollard Company. Maud could, read then, but little May was just.in her four-letter wurds, and three-syllable words gave her a terrible time, so. she. had to be-taught her part orally, and the meaning of the hig words had to be explained to her. She was quick and clever, tlfough, and once she was taught a word or a phrase she never forgot it. She developed into a very bright 'oubrette, whilst Maud became tho romantic, deep-voiced love'r in light opera. May is now Mrs. Edward Lauri, and very comfortably situated in England. Maud has. just returned to Australia under engagement to J. 0. Williamson, Ltd. ■

"Katinka." "Katinka," a now musical play by the authors of the eminently successful "You'ro in Love" ana "High Jinks," with music hy Maurice -Friml, also responsible for, the harmonious cadences of the same highly-popular playe, will ho presented during . the. coming season of the • • Royal : Comic Opera Co. "Katinka," which will receive its Australasian premiere on»the occasion mentioned,'is spoken of as being just an exceptionally fine sample of one of those all-gay, all-melodious, musical comedies, in which,, the fun is rampant and the music of an entirely popular nature.

Notes. Mr. Fred Collier, the Melbourne baritone, who is to give a song recital at the Concert Chamber on Wednesday nest, is the husb'and of Miss Elsie Trowcek, the talented soprano, who sang the role of "Marguerite" in "Faust" with tho Choral Union hero in 1916. Tho Allan Wilkie Company, which '.s to stage "Seven Days' Leave," amongst other plays, will commenco a New Zealand tour in Auckland at Easter. The play mentioned has been performed about 600 times in.London, and was recentlj l produced l ; y Mr. Hugh J. Ward,' for J. C. Williamson, Ltd.. m Now York. Tho English Pierrots, exactly as constituted hero last year, nro at present appearing at the Playhouse, Sydiey. At the conclusion rf their Sydney season they will come to Wellington for a long season. During its Easter season in Wellington the Royal Comic Opera Company will play "Tho Red Widow," "Mr. Manhattan," and "Katinka," the lastnamed musical comedy for the first timo in Australasia. . The personnel of the company will include Misses Florence Young, Gladys MoncriefF, Florrie Allen, Grace Levers, Violet Yorke, Rer;. Roberts, John Ralston, and Phil Smith.