STALLS GOSSIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1916, Page 10

STALLS GOSSIP.

MUSIC, MIMES AND MOVIES. The .Melbourne theatres, with the exception of Her Majesty's and tho Royal, were open for their usual performances 011 Christmas night, and, despite counter attractions in seasonable concerts, tliey were all packed. Sybil Arumkle, who no* so long ago was imported l;v the J.C.W. firm to'play principal boy in one of its pantos, is now playing lead in a now X-'n<_-iiF!i revue entitled ''AH Women.'' From call boy to stage manageress not a male person is employed in the production.

The announcement is made that Edna May (Mrs Oscar l.ewishon), the musical comedy actress, has been engaged at a fabulous salary by the Yitagraph Company, of America. Edna May was born at Syracuse, New York, and made lier first appearance 011 any stage at lier native town at a very early age as Willie Allen in "Dora." She made several successes in opera in America, and was engaged by George Musgrove to appear as Violet Gray in the "Belle of Now York" at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, England, in ISrtS. This was lier first appearance in London, and she took the towii by storm.

A ,inpukr young actress who Ims just returned from touring the provinces (says London Opinion) tolls a good story about her efforts at recruiting meeting's in some of the towns she visited. Her eloquence always proved so irresistible that almost before the last words of a speech had left her lips at least two would-be recruits invariably rushed forward with damatic effect. True, they were only the baggage man of her comjpany and his assistant, both medically unfit, but- as their example was often followed by several eligibles, the fair conspirator insists that the ruse was wore than justified.

The three Fullers recently met in Sydney—Ben J., John, sen., and John, Jun. One of the little things they did was to make W. J. Douglas, for the past two years general manager at the National (Sydney), and who prior to that was for a long time with the firm in New Zealand, a gift of 100(J shares in the firm's picture business. As these shares are valued at £1 5s each, this meant a bonus to W. .1. llouglas of £1250. The present was wholly in appreciation of the good work he had been quietly rendering the firm, and he received it without the least feeling that he had done anything to earn it, or any hint having been dropped io him that lie was to be rewarded in this handsome manner.

When in America, Mrs. Arthur Mead, the Christchurch soprano, saw Madame Pavlova and Miss Felice Lyne in Auger's old opera, "The Dumb Girl of Portici," She states as her personal opinion that Pavlova is a wonderful dancer and a very beautiful woman, but Mrs. Mead was nevertheless "bored"- to death. "Did she talk too much as the Dumb Girl J" asked an interviewer. "That's exactly it—she talked too much with her arm's and legs. At times they screamed at you! She was so posy the whole time," said Mrs. Mead. The returned New Zealander was extremely disappointed with Felice Dyne the night she heard her, and does not consider her one of the elect. Mrs. Mead saw Paul Dufault in New ; York, and was assured by him that lie intended to visit Australia and New I Zealand next year.

Says "Van Eek" in the Bulletin: Uncle Sam is drawing a bead on picture pirates. One was lately arrested in New York on a charge of violating the criminal section of the copyright law. It appears that he sold outright in three months £3OOO worth of counterfeit Chaplin Alms. They were copies of copyright productions. This particular pirate worked a swindle made easy by New York methods of hiring out pictures. He would get a film on a one-day basis, copy it, and sell the result. So'long ns manufacturers permitted their goods to he handled on such a quijjk-hinch basis the forger lived in Easy Street. But the quantity of film he handled at last caused supicion, and his career was brought to a sudden end. For all we know Australia may he the dumping' ground )f many duplicated films; in fact, judged by some of the films I have «ecn fciuce I lauded back home, I am sure of it.

Percy Grainger's "Mock Morris Dance" is having quite a vogue in America, about 15,000 copies having been disposed of there in three months. Altogether the Australian composer-pianist is making great headway in the States. His orchestral, choral, and chamber works, songs, and piano pieces are conspicuous on programmes and announcements from cities as far away as New York, Boston Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Washington. They have been taken up not merely by the great choral and orchestral organisations and leading virtuosi, but also,by all sorts and sizes of smaller soeities, and by local musicians. In addition to the "Mock Morris Dance" there has been a great run on "Shepherd's Hey," and the more recent "Irish Tune from County Derry," "Molly on the Shoe," "I'm Sventeen Come Sunday,' and "Willow, Willow." Oiling the past year the European demand for Percy Grainger's compositions has been more than doubled, so it is said, despite the war. This is due not merely to admiration for the young Australian's works in Great Britain, but also largely to their increasing appreciation in such countries as Holland, Spain, Denmark, and Norway, where they seem to have been sensationally successful.

Professional jealousy led to a fight between two notable actresses behind the scenes and subsequently on the stage of the Romeo Theatre, Madrid, on the night of November 0. "La Argentinitn," ail artist who has distinguished herself in imitations of other well-known performers, was giving an imitation of Raqttel Mcller, another favourite actress, who happened at that moment to be among the audience. Taking umbrage at the imitation, Senorita Mcller, leaving her seat, proceeded behind the scenes anil dealt "La. Argentinita" a violent blow in the face. The actress returned blow for blow,, and the curtain being raised at that moment the unusual spectacle of two famous artists buffeting each other on the stage was witnessed by the astonished audience, who, at first imagining the scene formed part of the performance, applauded vociferously. When, however, "La Argentinita" fell heavily to the stage and blood was soon to be trickling down her cheeks, the enthusiasm gave place to loud cries of indignation. The next moment the curtain was lowered, and the theatre cleared forcibly by the police. "La Argentinita,'' who had fainted, was carried off the stage, and her aggressor was arrested, Both had suffered considerable personal inJury.

Mr. Alfred Hill, the well-known musical composer, formerly of Wellington, has been appointed professor of harmony and composition to the New South Wales Conservatoire of Music.

Twice torpedoed. Tliat was the fate of ••(('Flaherty, V.C.," the new play written by Bernard Shaw for the SlmIjerts producing house in America. The first script went 011 the Arabic, and was sunk. Shaw rewrote the play. The. second time, it was in a mailbag on the Hesperian, which also went down to the attack of a German submarine. On the third the copy got through.

J. Williamson, Ltd., have a big bunch of new productions for display during (he year. In drama, there are "A House of Glass," "Common Clay," ''On Trial," "The Dummy," "The Outcast," "The Story of the Rosary," and "The Easiest Way." Comedies include ''A Vllll House," "The Boomerang," "It Pays to Advertise," "Baby Mine" and "Hit the Trail Holiday." Amongst musical plays are: "To-night's the Night," "Betty," "The Girl from Utah," and "Tho C'inenm Star." The year will be. one of the busiest periods from the producing point of view the J. C. Williamson firm lias yet initiated.

Madame Sarah Bernhardt made her first appearance in public since she had her leg amputated at her own theatre in Paris on November 0, and received a most enthusiastic greeting from a crowded house. Attired as "a nun, she played the principal part in a recital of Mr. Eugene Mora nil's poem, "Lor Cathedrals," in aid of the hospitals. This allegory describes the cathedrals of France praying in the solitude of night for those fighting at the front. The cathedral of Strasburg joins them, tells of the martyrdom of their sister cathedral of l?heiins, and prophesies victory and punishment. * * »

A link with the last century has been snapped by the death, at the advanced age of 82, of the esteemed old actress, Mrs. Emma Trehearn, wife of that equally-respected actor professionally known as Brandon Ellis. Her professional career began in 1854, when she appeared in Bristol as Emily Scott. Shortly afterwards she married Mr. F.llis, and the young couple started upon joint engagements, Miss Scott as singing and dancing soubrette and Mr. Ellis as leading actor. She played in very many parts in the metropolitan and provincial theatres, including a long season in the Bath Theatre wln.c it was leased by her husband. Mr. Ellis was eventually compelled to retire from ilie stage by a severe attack of rheumatic .fever, and some years ago his wife also withdrew from the profession.

It is interesting to hear that the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., have secured the rights of the Triangle films, which consist of the productions by David' Warlc Griffith, Mack Sennett and Thomas 11. Ince. Griffith is the greatest of the American producers. He it was who made the American biograph films the best in the early days, and it is easy to trace in such artists as Mary Pickford, Dorothy and Lilian Gish, Mae Marsh and Blanche Sweet the imprint of his method. Henry B. Walthall was a discovery by Griffith's. Sennett made the Keystone farces what they are, and Ince is one of a family of brothers who are prominent in America as producers. There are many Mary Pickford and 'Marguerite Clarke films held by the Supplies Company, and also the big spectacle, "Cabiria." In addition there will be released for use in New Zealand shortly ''"Divorced," in which Miss Tittcl Brunc plays the lead.

Prominent among.st the specialties in "Mother Goose," the J.C.W. Christmas production ill Melbourne, is the acrobatic novelty presented bv Ross and Falls, known in the "business" as a "bump act." The two artists make up their turn by acrobatic humping and falling down all over the stage, mixing with it a great deal of comedy. In America Boss and Falls are popularly known as the ".shock absorbers." For about. 1!) years they have been bumping. In a street in Oincii.iatti they saw a large sign over the doorway of a building, inviting the public to enter and consult Professor So-and-So, the "world's greatest phrenologist," who guaranteed marvellous revelations as to business and character of those who sought his advice. ,: \Vo Ment inside," said Mr. Ross, and found that the 'world's greatest phrenologist' was a lean, hungry-looking individin 1 with a head like a grinning skull. Wei!, !ju\■•.' he -aid, 'have you come te uet \our iiitiup-- read?' Thi* appealed to u- mi strongly thai, we shrieked with laughter. , Fancy getting the bumps read we had accumulated for nineteen years! iU explained to the phrenologist, who didn't know the joke, that the operation wouhl lake too long, so we made ourselves scarce as quickly as possible."