FLOODS AND FIRES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 529, 5 December 1928, Page 6

FLOODS AND FIRES

COMEDIANS’ MISFORTUNES EDGELEY AND DAWE RETURN Misfortune overtook Clem Da we and Eric Edgeley on their last visit to Auckland. They were enjoying a comfortable and successful season when the old Fuller’s Opera House was destroyed by fire. The two comedians and their company then moved to Wellington, only to -be flooded out of another theatre there. This misfortune, however, was only a temporary affair. Edgeley and Dawe and their Midnight Frolics” Company arrived by the Maunganui this morning for a return season in New Zealand under the J. O Williamson banner. Clem Dawe started life on the English stage as a lad in the ■'Eight Lancashire Lads.” Charles Chaplin, the famous screen comedian, also began in this organisation, little dreaming of -the success which was to follow. During the recent shipping strike in Australia Edgeley and Dawe had some curious experiences. When they arrived at Brisbane no one would unload their luggage, so the men of the company turned porters. carriers and motormen, unloaded their o’wn luggage and drove it to the theatre. Later they gave a concert for the strikers, who started the evening by vigorously singing ‘‘The Red Flag.” Later they settled down and gave the company a good hearing. Mr. Dawe said this morning that there was rather a slump in the theatrical world in Sydney. lie is of opinion that too many theatres are being built. ______