THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By Sylvius.)

"Tannhauser" in English. That enterprising and whole-souled music enthusiast and conductor, Sir Thus. Beecham, produced "Tannhauser" in English in London during March. Of tlio porl'ormors, tho "Westminster Gazette'' said"Especially good was Mr. Frank Mullings in tho title-part, 111 which his clarion tones and virilo methods stood him once again in excellent stead; Mine. Rtfsina Buckman sang and actcd admirably also as Elizabeth; no le.« cmild bo said of Miss Gladys Aucrum (an unfamiliar name) in the always thankless part of Venus (who for once in a wily scaled something less than ISst. on this occasion).' Mr. Norman Allin was tiie Landgrave, and Mr. Frederic Austin Wolfram; while tho orchestra, under Sir Thomas himself, was at ils be-st throughout."

Carl Rosa Jubilee, It has been decided by Mr. Alfred van Noordon and Mrs. Eosa that tho occasion of tho jubilee of the, Koyal Can Kosa Opera Company shall be marked in the first place by the establishment <K two scholarships, the lirst a Carl Rosa scliv'V arship of the Koyal Academy of' Music, in memory of Carl Rosa; tho second a AYalter van Noordcn scholarship at the Koyal College of Music in memory of Walter vail Noordcn. The objeut of these scholarships is to. encourage youthful British-born musicians to compose operatic works, the scholarship to be awarded in each case for a com position ill operatic form, chosen either by the school or ail individual, the age-limit of the competitors to be not less than eighteen years. Negotiations are also in progress for the establishment of a Carl Rosa cot in a throat hospital, and it is further hoped to honour tho event by a gala performance of past and present artists in aid of a war charity lo lie decided upon. It is not generally known that quite a large number of the original members of tho company are alive and well, including Miss Rose llerspe, who inado her first appearance with Ihe Carl Eosa Company in America in ISO!*.

Rasputin Dramatised. The "copyright performance" of "Rasputin" in Sydney on Wednesday week was (says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph") an ovent in ileself. The announcement sent many a theatrical memory harking back to tile bad old da;.s, when such affairs were absolutely necessary in the interests of the authors of a play. Then it was that a play lliat looked like 1k:ing a success was, within a week or so of the opening night, duplicated by a rival management, against which practice there could lie 110 legal redress uii•less certain preliminary precautions hail been taken. Of course, this happened more at Home than - here in Australia. Thero the makers of plays hud to contend not merely with rivals in their own country, but with the representatives of American managements. Even plays that had been safeguarded in England wore pirated wholesale in America, with consequent financial loss to their owners as regards the sale of their "American lights," or the subsequent production of the pieces in that country under an English management. To buttress their copyright, authors and owners therefore usually repaired to some out-of-the way town in the provinces, where they si aged in mugh and ready lanliion the play in question. While on the surface il was a perfectly buna llde show, and was legally recognised as such for the purposes of the Act, as a matter of fact nil audience was about the last thing desired. If anyone did manage to pay. the exorbitant price of admission, it was as much as his life was worth to be seen taking a note of the lines or business. Nor did he have much opportunity of gelling away with valuable information. if lie heard one line in ten he was lucky. The stage carpenters, the scene-shifters, and the cleaners saw lo that. The sanio procedure has been followed in Australia on occasion, but Wednesday's performance was really a welladvanced rehearsal. The spectators were all "interested parties," and paid whatever the amusement tax may be upon tho sum of nothing. One offered lo pay in raw apples, but was admitted "oil the nod," as the cashier could not workout I he. necessary tax percentage to tho third place .of pips.. .For all that, it was certainly worth something to havo assisted at an event of a certain significance in the local history of the stage.

Notes. Tho big J. C. Williamson revue, "Tho IJing Hoys are Ilcre," which is at present smashing all records at Her Majesty's, Melbourne, is to. be sent on tour with its original company. The ono production only will bo taken, just as is done with a J. C. Williamson pantomime. Adelaide will seo tho gorgeous spectacle after Melbourne, when a visit to Brisbane will follow prior to a tour of New Zealaud. Tho English Pierrots played in Sydney for tho first limo this year, and though Mr. Rob Thomas says that they did not mako a mint of money at the out-of-the-way Playhouse, he was satisfied that they made good, and, properly placed aa to is theatre, will do well there in tho future. Miss Ada Reeve iias consented to sing a budget of her most popular songs at the big theatrical matinee, to be given at His Majesty's Tucaive on Wednesday afternoon next. In response to a telegraphed request Jlis.i Reeve said:—'"Delighted to do anything to assist.." Tho programmo will also include numbers by Miss Elsa Laiigk'.v, Miss Billie Wilson, and Mr Leslie Austin, of the English Pierrots, and tlios? amazing star gymnasts "Delnioro and Leo" will provide "thrills in the air." Hiss Estello Beero's dancing pupils ore to give several graceful dances