MIMES AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1919, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC

(M "ORPHBDS.")

THE SHOWS.

His Majesty's—Vaudeville. Tlio Kins's Theatre—Pictures.Artcraft Theatre—Pictures. Our Theatre—riotures. New Theatre—l'ictures. Empress Theatre—Pictures. Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. People's Picture Talaee—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Everybody's Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures. Tarainount Tlicat. .-Pictures.

Mr. Scott Colville has rejoined The Dandies, who are at present opening up new ground along the Main Trunk railway. It is the intention of the Dandies to cover every playable portion of the Dominion. Mr. Colville has completed negotiations for a return visit of those two fine musicians—Nicrovitch (pianist) and I'iastro (violinist)—who were here in 1916. Mr. Colville expects these artists to arrive in July.

In the course of a lecture in London on the' future of aviation, Mr. Claude 'Grahame-White stated that Sir Alfred Butt had ordered a four-seater aeroplane, which bo hoped would enable him to be present at a matinee at one of his London theatres and to attend a performance at a Paris theatre the same night. Possibly later he would take his companies "from London to Paris bj atroplane. Messrs J. and N. Tait have discovered a fine singer whose light has been concealed under a bushel at Dunedin. The singer referred to is Madame Marie Power, a fine dramatic contralto, who has a two octavo range, is alive with vocal vitality, and has the dramatic temperament. Madamo Power lias been engaged to tour New Zealand with the German Naval Surrender pictures.' Later on it is iladame Power's intention to proceed to Australia, and then, if the gods are kind, lo England. Miss Ellen 'ferry, whose reappearance in London was lately recorded in the cable news, celebrated' her theatrical jubilee in 1906. She was born in February, 1848, at Coventry, and mado her first appearance on 28 April, 1856, as Mamilius in the "Winter's Tale," at the Princess's Theatre, London, then under the management of Mr. Charles Kean. •At least- three earlier generations of the Terrys bad been on the stage, and the family tradition is still being carried on. Miss Ellen Terry's mother played the Queen to Macready's Hamlet at the ago of eighteen, and Miss Terry has related that 'Mac-ready had a liki,^ for her mother .as an • actress "because she wouldn't-, stick'her. hair all over with pins."- Though' a failing memory interfered with Miss Terry's impersonations in the course .of her. "talks" and other appearances in Australia and New Zealand a few yeaxs ago, the power and charm for which she has long been famous.'we; c still visible. Like other-lead-ing ariressw, Miss Terry has received piles of letters from strangers, including somt very, quaint ones. "Madam," said one,- "I 'am a. gentleman, although a clergyman's son. Will you lend me £8?" ■■;■•■

The farewell tour of Sir Harry Lauder. commenced:in'-Melbourne on 10th May, and from the reports it is easy to judge that the'results bid fair to even exceed those achieved in 1914. The Melbourne. .Age ' says ;—"The audience, which in* .eluded-prominent members of. the Scottish, societies in Melbourne, crowded the house. '.. ' ■ For a time the comedian gave himself wholly.up to comedy. His own/rich' laughter, his ■ chuckles ovct the joyous eccentdicities of his characters .were.as.'irresistible, as of old. His every character: stood defined and cleai"; if in ,felling--a'-story' he recounted a dialogue between a couple of. eccentrics, his characterisation of the two was us definite as if the pair faced each other, on the stage. Tho queer comical voice, the laughter, the play of features, and the odd gait were employed for sketches and songs of the best Lauder type—'l'm Going to Marry 'Arry,' 'The- Waggle o! the Kilts,' 'We a' Gang the Same Way,' 'Roa-min' in the GloaminV and 'I Love to be a sailor.' Boundless enthusiasm was manifested throughout the evening." Sir Harry Lauder's' New Zealand season will commence in August.

Because the service of the theatre during the war has proved conclusively that the United States is now ' ready to consider it as a real social force in community life, the New York Drama League feels that the time is now ripe to extend its purposes into wider fields than have ever been entered heretofore. With this object in view, at the sixth annual meeting of'the New York Centre of the Drama League of America, held last month, the local chapter changed its name- to the New York Drama League, and amended its constitution to include in its object: "To further the recognition of the theatre as a social institution, and to encourage the allied arts of the theatre." In order to undertake its larger purpose (says a Boston paper... the league plans to double its offices to include a reading library of well selected plays and books on the drama for the uee of all interested in the subject,' and to enlarge the bookshop. The entertainment .work of many wartime organisations has resulted in aronsing unusual interest in plays, it was stated at the league headquarters, and many requests aro being made, for plays suitable for community performances given by welfare workers for the employees in various industries. The league is its' crested in furthering the movement to establish' theatres in all community houses, for the benefit of the returning soldiers. The league hopes to become a clearing home for dramatic information and plans to offer advice to all who want to know about plays suitable .for certain purposes, authors, royalties, scenery, decorations, etc. Another purpose of the league is to establish a lecture forum, offering constructive lectures ;on the drama, stagecraft, etc., one of whose aims will be to present classics for children.

J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have sectirtd the Australian rights of London's newest musical comedy si'occss, " Yes, Uncle," a musical comedy, adapted from the French, which has been packing the Shaftesbury Theatre. It- will be played in Australia by the J. C. Williamson New English Comedy Company, which is now having such a successful run. with "Going Ui>" at Her Majesty's, Melbourne. '

Mr. Charles Taylor, or.c of the oidest members of the theatrical profession in Australia, passed peacefully away after a short illness on 16th May."' Mr Taylor, whilst engaged directing a performance at Fullers' Palace Theatre, Melbourne, a few weeks ago sustained a paralytic stroke, and despite medical care tuccumbed. He was born in London in 1851, and came to Australia in 1859 with bis father and mother. Pie adopted the theatrical profession at the age of 18 under the then well-known theatrical entrepreneurs Coppin. Stewart, and Harwood. Afterwards the well-known combination of Taylor-Carrington was formed, and toured Australia and the East for many ye-am. Latterly Mr. Taylor and Miss Carrington have been associated with various managements, including George Mario w, William Anderson, and Ben and John Fuller. There is hardly a member of the theatrical profession to whom the late "Charlie" Taylor was not known personally, and the übws of his dwiiiee wUI be received with much rjgrct.