ENGLISH THEATRICAL SLUMP

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 285, 26 August 1921, Page 9

ENGLISH THEATRICAL SLUMP

VIEWS OF MR. W. S. PERCY ? v / ONLY A PASSING PHA3B Some three weeks ago a cable message was received reporting a phenomenal • slump in the' theatrical business in London. Air. W. S. Percy, the well-known comedian, who arrived by the Rimutaka, said that when he left London six weeks ago there was/a tendency that way. Ila fancied that uncertain conditions had been brought about by circumstances that few in the business seemed very clear about. Of course, in the first instance, the falling-oil 1 in business, not only in London but in the, provinces, was largely brought about by the coal, strike, which was a frightfully serious thing for millions of people, for it threw hundreds of thousands out of work, and brought many to the verge, of starvation. That, and the fact that transport was not reliable, made theatre going out of the question for many. In addition to that managerial changes , were in the air. It was currently reported that Grossmith and (Edward) Laurillard, who had acquired the control of many theatres/ had. split, and that Lgurillard was joining forces with JKlaw (of Klaw and Erlanger) in theatre management in England. Recently Sir Alfred Bluitft (under Xwhoso management Mr. Percy played for u considerable time) had disposed of a good many of ,< his theatre interests,, and was marking time. Those changes among tho bigger managements n'aturally caused oj good deal of uneasiness in the profession, coming ■ ’ at a time when business was at a low ebb through the big strike. People would understand tho position better if he were allowed to "explain that it is during August that the companies are sent out on tours'of the .provinces, mostly companies attached to London managements, which would play London successes. This was really the big end of the theatrical business of England. Thousands of actors and actresses werp employed in these touring companies, and these were really the companies which made the money. Comparatively little money was made in thq West End theatres, most of which were small, and very expensive to run, except when a big success was achieved,, as in tho case of "Chu Chin Chow” or "The Maid of the Mountains,” but the London season put the brand on a piece, and it was that which was its .biggest advertisement in the provinces. With business poor, and managements at odds, August would bo a very anxious month for many In tho business. So Mr. Percy was inclined to think that the "theatrical ) slump” might refer not altogether to the business being done, but to people in tho business being "on the rocks.” In his opinion, however, it was only a ■ passing phase, due -to a real bad time. It would not last, as English people were great theatre-goers, pretty well all tho year round. Mr. Percy brings the news that as soon as she reached London Miss Maggie Dickenson, the Australian dancer, was ''snapped up for the London .production of tho musical comedy "Alary,” and mado an immediata snccess. What with Ivy Shilling, Fred. Leslie, and others, Australia was achieving quite a name as a producer of excellent dancers —an all-Australian ballet might yet supplant the Russian dancers in London favour.