Plays and Pictures.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 48, 9 February 1912, Page 7

Plays and Pictures.

Tho following sign appeared recently n a moving picture screen in Chicago: 'To-morrow: The Road to Rnin, 3000 eet; don't miss it." # * * Manager (to actor aim a "shop"): 'Could you do the landlord in The *ady of Lyons?' " Actor: "Well. I should think so. I've lone a good many." * * * The panto, pirouettcr of ample pro-. wnal attractions was furious. "What he blaze* am 1 stuck away here or?" she demanded of the'manager. 'If you didn't engage mc for the front ow, what did yon engage mc for r 1 "Behind," was the laconic response. « » * As at present constituted, the Hamilton, Piimmer, and Dojiiuston Company will stand comparison with the »est companies which hove been seen in Australia. A combination that includes Mrs. Brough, Beatrice Day, Lizette Parkes, Valentine Sidney. Harry Plmmer, Reynold." Denniston, A. E. Greeiuiway. Harry Sweeney, and George S. Titheradgo is fi hard one to teat. # * * Tho New Zealand toirr. which has been arranged for Allan Hamilton's Repertoire Company, is as follows:— Auckland, February 20; Gisborne. March 11 and 12; Napier, 14, 15. and 16; Hastings, 18; Wellington, 19 to 26; Cliristchurch, 28 tc April A ; Dunledin, Easter. * * * Two exceptionally clever entertainers in tho persons of Mr. Joseph Biascheck and Miss Mildred Wrighton are now touring the South Island. Their ■how is labelled "Society Snapshots," and as an entertainment it is the goods. Wheat they happen along your way, readers* do. not miss Joe and Milly. Th« Hon. William Pitt, the wellknown Melbourne architect, has been instructed to proceed with the preparation of plans and specifications of the new Opera House which is to be erected in Manners street, Wellington. Mr. Pitt is of the opinion that the new theatre will be. equal to anything in Australia for siae, comfort, and convenience, both before and behind the curtain. It will be built of brick, with a cement stucco facing, and will be as nearly earthquake-proof as it is possible to 'make it. 'Hie auditorium will bo designed to peat between 1800 and 2000 people (the present Opera House seats about 1M)) : and for ventilation purposes' a sliding roof will be provided in tbt dome.

The dcpnruue of Hilda Spongy for Australia to star in "Everywoman" attracted considerable attention ircm the American newspapers. Here's something from the New York "Journal": '■"Miss Spong trained in a school of acting where any particular aptitude for a certain line of work was not enough. She, like all the others, was obliged to do all things well. Though »he lias made her big suceessc- m serious roles, the is by nature, however. a comedienne. There is a champagne eparkle to her laugh, an cfletrvescont mellowness to her voice, and her nature is merry. She does not seem to have a care in the world, and is able to sco the right side of things- all the time. You always expect her to say bright, snappy things—such as playwrights write and never say—and she seldom disappoints you."

Lewis Waller, tho eminent London "romantic actor," as ho likes to bo etyled, who i» shortly to appear m 'Australia under the Williamson management, told a New York interviewer that he had "noticed a marked contrast between the attitude towards the theatre of your audiences and ours. In New York 'it is part of one's everyday We to go to the theatre. Americans regard the stage as one of their principal boutcos of amusement. In London, on the other hand, the head of a family about once a month says: 'Let's go to the theatre.,' and the ether members Toply, " Oh, no; let's play bridge.' I 'do not believe that the London bust* mess man, tired after a day's work at his desk, will go to see a gloomy play. That doesn't seem to be the case here in New York, where you have big audiences for all kinds of plays. And that disposition of London accounts for the great number of lifiltt, frothy comedies which continually hll our best theatres."

Drew and Alders, who have been a feature at pantomimes at Drury Lane, London, for years, have made a big hit in "Sinbad the Bailor " at Melbourne Hot Majesty's by their cleverness as Comedians, and the many attractive turns and bits of business they intro-

duco. Their auction scone is exceedingly funny, and keeps the audiences shrieking with laughter, but ono of tho cleverest of their introduced absurdities is tho "clothes-lino" trick. Wearing a dude outfit, Drew enters, and Alders, remarking on the inappropriateness of the other's clothing for a sailor on board ship, seizes his coat and pulls. Tho whole of the garments come away, eveu tho collar, cuffs, and hat are seen suspended on a line held in the other's hands, leaving Drew clad in an ordinary sailor costume. There is nothing to indicate anything unusual in the clothing of the comedian when he comes on, and the astounding change is all tho more attractive because it is quite unexpected. # # # Writes a correspondent: It would appear that there is a lot of money in Uhristichurch, judging by the "full houses" the various shows get. The Colosseum Picture House seems to be an exceedingly popular place. This building, previous to Fullers faking it, was a whito elephant. Didn't matter who took it, there seemed to be a Jonah attached te it. Then pictures came, Fullers took it, cleaned it up, and I reckon they found a gold mine amongst the rubbish. Tlenry Haywaxd has also buried the "bad spirit" that used'to haunt H.M. Theatre. Personally, I lean very much to this house on account of its seating accommodation. Wainoni Park is another line place of amusement, and this city certainly owes the Bickertoji Bro*. a debt of gratitude for keening this plac« ep*».