ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10270, 24 June 1911, Page 3

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS.

TOWN HALL BOOKINGS. June 24.—Jock Willis Caledonians. Jimo 28.—Masterton Boxing Club. Juno 29. —"Sweet Lavender." June 30. —No-License meeting. July 4. —Geo. Marlow. July 5. —Branscombe Singers. July 6. —Hospital Ball. July 7. Children's Fancy Dress Ball. July 11 to 14.—Competitions Society. July 22. J. C. Williamson. August 4, 5. —Nicola, the great musician. August 16. J. C. Williamson. August 30, 31.—Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society. / September 6.—Florence Baines.

The JockWillis Caledonians, who appear in the Town Hall to-night, will be remembered as having visited Masterton some months ago, when they created a most favourable impression. The Masterton Amateurs haVe "Sweet Lavender" well in hand, and promise to furnish theatre-goers with a capital entertainment on Thursday evening next. The object of the gathering should appeal to the public. The decision of the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees to instal electric in the Town Hall has been applauded by theatre-gqers. ) "The Firm" will appear in Master- ( ton again on July 22nd. It is to be hoped J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will treat us with something a little in advance of what they gave us last. At the beginning of this year the first regular season of Grand Opera was inaugurated in Chicago. The venture was backed by subscriptions, and in all about £IOO,OOO was behind it. The stage manager was Andreas Dippel, the famous entrepeneur, and all the circumstances surrounding the scheme were most favourable. Naturally enough the very cream of the, world's musical talent available at the time was secured, and it is simply a proof of the enterprise of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., that the three leading J singers at Chicago-p-Madame Melba, { Madame Cisneros and John McCor-' mack —will head the forthcoming Melba-.grand opera season in Australia. Of course, the conditions governing such ,a .venture are far less oner- : ous in a centre like Chicago than right away in an isolated Continent like Australia, which of course reflects all the greater credit upon Mr Williamson for securing such leading stars for his opera. Mr Claude McKay, of the J. C. ' Williamson staff, is now conducting Mr H. B. Irving and his English company to Sydney. Mr McKay made a very quick'trip from Sydney to the West last week, and an even quicker journey back, after welcoming the new arrivals at Fremantle. A special train was awaiting them at Adelaide when the Oraova reached that port, and from there they went straightway to-Sydney, where they are to begin their Australian tour. So pleased was Mr Williamson with } Mr W. S. Percy's performance at Blatz, in "The Balkan Princess," that he asfced him to postpone his projected departure for Europe until the spring. Mr Percy has consented to do this, and in the meantime with the other comedians, Mr Bert Gilbert and Mr Langford Kirkby, is making the comedy element in the now musical comedy very strong. Other artists included in the piece, which is playing to enthusiastic audiences at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, are Miss Florence Young, Miss Lottie Sargent, Miss Olive Goodwin, Mr Frank Green, and Mr Pat Bathurst. j Mr William Desmond, of the Katherine Grey company, had a tussel with some roughs one.afternoon recently in : Adelaide, which was a very excellent proof of his claim to be known as an athlete as well as an actor. He was walking along with a friend when he came upon three men who were very ' roughly handling a fourth. In a trice, Mr Desmond was in the centre of the skirmish, and in a very short time one of the men was tumbled over in the gutter, a second was "put to sleep," to use the sporting phrase, and the third man made off as fast as he could go. By the time the first man rose to his feet, Mr Desmond was ready for him, and with his trim, athletic figure, he looked so formidable an opponent that the rough had to content himself with empty threats of vengeance while he shuffled off in ■ the wake of his comrade, who had fled in the earlier stage of the contest. "Our Miss Gibbs" is showing no* signs of losing favour with the playgoing public of Melbourne.. Each evening Her Majesty's Theatre was I filled with large audiences, who follow with the keenest appreciation the progress of the record-breaking musical comedy, with its many bright and sparkling numbers. A special tableau suggestive of the greatness of the British Empire is being prepared by Mr Jack Gordon for "Jack and the Beanstalk." The picture is being shown in the pantomime during the Coronation celebrations. Mr John McCormack, the leading Irish tenor, who will be included in the Melba Grand Opera Company, was vborn at Athlone, where his parents still- reside. He was originally intendI ed for the priesthood, and received a Ugood education. But very early he developed a wonderfully sweet voice and ' became quite famous in his own locality. Since then his voice has been trained, and has achieved a great reputation in London and elsewhere.