PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 43, 26 January 1916, Page 6

PERSONAL.

An Australian theatrical writer says: Charlie Fanning, one of the finest comedians Australia has ever produced, since lie combined all the qualities that make the ideal colored entertainer, has taken his last call in South Africa, whither he went with his

wife (Georgie Devoe) and her daughter (Charlbtta) not so very long ago.

' Unlike the variety performer of to- ' day. Fanning could adapt himself to , any of the requirements of the musichall stage. A capital clog dancer, al- ; though he did little of it in a recent years, a clever mimic, and a raconteur, I who could tell stories in a quaintly original manner, no manager was ever jcornered because ol\ the indisposition 'of a member of his troupe whilst tho-j genial Charles was about. Years ago, when the Alhainbra Theatre, like the average brick-block newspaper, was struggling to keep going, Fanning, I who had made good as the end-man of an amateur minstrel company, came I along and was given a chance. "What jhe did to the old place,'' said a friend I to the writer, "it seems a shame to j tell, for he got little out of it t'.eyond ! his salary,.which was a long way from I what is being paid to less enthusiastic : performers to-day." Charlie became an : institution in Sydney.' He for long ''years enjoyed a reputation in his smaller circle equal only to that of the English white-eyed Kaffir. Many old Sydneyites \viii remember a good joke played off on Charlie nearly a quarter of a century ago. One evening he had distinguished himself more than usual, and a group of jockey friends who had previously visited Paddy's Market across the street, showed their appreciation of njs good humor by passing him over th e footlights several nunciies of bright green vegetables, "i'nanks, boys," was the laconic acknowledgment, "but you might have sent some corned-beef with this. ' Fatal reminder. During the interval the lads hied them to another stall, and purchasing a huge smoking round of beef wrapped it carefully in newspaper and returned to tiie.auuitonuni. Unarles '•went better than ever" in Ids next turn, and as ne was taking ms call one ot tlie horse-restrainers, looking like a miniature undertaker, solemnly approached the stage and Handed up ine "boiled offering." It was hot, and as Uiiarlie was unprepared for the feast he dropped it from his : half-biack hands on to tne stage, from wn'ere it slid on to the p.aao keyboard. The audience tiiougiit it part of tiie evening's business and voted Fanning "a trick." Kecuiting threatens 1. 6;Jji.uJ: deplete the ranks of the theatrical profession in Australia. .No fewer than II artists enlisted during the week, and the male side, of quite a powerful dramatic company could be formed with the actors now in active rehearsal for the great European tragedy, at -Liverpool. Many of Branseonibe\s Dandies artists are obeying the "call" for which there U no "difference intime of clocks" allowance. "Billy" Low, erstwhile in advance of the Red Dandies, has enlisted in New Zealand. ltannal Carlisle (now Sergeant Carlisle) is en route for "somewhere at the front." Dan Cerise, the property master with the "Greens," went into camp on the 3rd, Mr Arthur Mack, the comedian, will leave the Garden Theatre Company at the end of the month, and proceed to Adelaide, his native city, there to enlist about the middle of March. Mr Arthur Riscoe. the quaint comedian with the Scarlet Dandies at Brisbane, shed his baggy pants and the brimlcss billycock for the more serious khaki garb. Mr Philip Hardman, the touring musical director of the firm, goes to Birmingham to take farewell of his people prior to going on active service. Mr J Brennan, the clever character comedian with the "Pinks," leaves early next month.

A sturdy-looking returned soldier, who was for over 18 weeks at Gallipoli with the Main xper.itionn.y Force lias aga>.i '-signed or." for active service says the "New Zealand Times"). The soldier is Private Richard Henry Smith, of Canterbury, who was deputy-bandmaster of the 2nd South Canterbury Band, and who was a bugler with the Forces. He contracted jaundice in the trendies, and left the Peninsula on September 1. and wa s invalided home. -He returned his medical poperg to til© Buckle Street recruiting office on Friday, and. although they were marked bv the examining doctor as "fit for home service." Smith announced that he was determined to go on active service again, and jhat '•home service is no good to me." In fort be demands to be sent back to bis regiment, still at the'front Private Smith's son, Corporal H, H. Smith is now in camp at Trenthnm with one of the reinforcement drafts, while bis brother, Albert Sidney Smith, is a regimental butcher at tinMay Morn Camp.