“CHU CHIN CHOW."

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1921, Page 5

“CHU CHIN CHOW."

A POPULAR PLAY. B; 1 Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright London, July 22. • The phenomenal I. mdon run of “Chu i Chin Chow” ended to night after 2238 i performances. Sir Herbert Tree’s fai mows theatre has passed into the hands | of a new theatrical firm, Messrs. Gros- ■ smith and Malone; having very extensive interests in West End and provincial theatres. Mr. Malone, who re- | ceutly joined the firm in place of Mr. I Laurillard, was for a long time assoi dated as London representative of J. 'C. Williamson Mr. Oscar Asehe ret opens at the Theatre in the autumn j with “Mecca.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. T£E END CP A LONG RUN. London, June 2. London is undergoing numerous changes preparatory to ultimate renewal and improvement. Demolition looks sometimes ruthless, but the necessity for it is immediately apparent when the housebreakers get to work. Doubtless the numerous aching voids that now characterise the principal West End business thoroughfares will ultimately be covered by fine buildings. There are I other institutions, too, than those of 1 bricks and mortar, and one of the most famous of these will soon be no more. Almost on the completion of its fifth year that theatrical prodigy and sturdy perennial, “Chu Chin Chow,” is being withdrawn, and London will noi seem to be the same London without this romance. However, one effect of the coal deadlock has been to weaken the foundations of what seemed like a permanent institution, and now the days of “Chu Chin Chow” can be almost counted on the fingers of one hand. I) ; the public will feel its disappearance, what of the actors? Its author, Mr. Osear Asche, realises that it will be a big j wrench when “Chu Chin Chow” ends, i for his company have been playing con- • tinually during the last five .year-* ■ through air raids, the police strike, and < other things, and if it had not been j for the coal crisis there is no knowing how much longer it would have gone on It is perhaps interesting to note that His Majesty’s is the only theatre in London running a big show which has no't put up the price of its seats. By the time of its withdrawal it will have reached its 2200th performance and brought to the coffers of His Ma jesty’s Theatre a sum well over £700,000. During the period it has been before the public, something like 600 plays have been produced, and. apart from current attractions, gone the way of all things. It cost £5300 to produce —he would be bold who would give a guess at the present price of production. Mr. Asche and Miss Lily Brayton have, during the whole run, missed only about 100 performances, though they have never been both absent from the stage together. But there are two members of the company, Mr. John Lacey (Khuzaymah), and Mr. Julian Cfoss <omar’s father), who have never missed it performance. Nor has Edward Paul, who sits away up beyond the dome controlling the lights. There is still another who, during those 2169 performances, has never missed her cue, and she is a lady—-Sarah, in fact, one of the donkeys.