The New York Clipper (February 1920)

12 T H E NEW TOR K C LIP P E R February 4-, 1920 FOREIGN NEWS NEW REGULATIONS GOVERNING STAGE CHILDREN DRAWN UP Bill Provides for Their Care and Welfare in Every Respect. Local Education Authorities Given Power of l Jcensing and Not Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. London , Eng., Jan. 3L—The new licens- ing recommendation which has been brought before parliament, places the power of licensing child actors in the hands of the Education Board in each city and tows, subject, however, to national regulations. The Society for the Prevention of Cru- elty to Children, which formerly had aU the power to license child .performers, has no power at all under the hew regulations, T%» new laws prescribe that all chil- dren who appear on tee stage must do so with their parent's consent and that such must be filed in writing with the boards in each place visited. It also provides that if the board in a certain city should de- cide that the childdren in any show are not getting proper treatment, they can demand that the laws be lived up to, or revoke the license. " . . Among other things, photos of child per- formers must be filed with each board and must have been taken within the past six months. Doctors certificates must accom- pany each request for a license and photos of children for whom license is requested. If a board believes that a child is not in the proper physical condition to do the work assigned to it, it may order re-ex- amination by it's own appointed physician. Matinees cannot be given on week days, .all stage children being compelled to at- ' tend school regularly. If. however, the lo- cal Board of Education should decide that children in a production are well enough advanced in their studies, he may allow matinees on week days. No child can be seen in any performance that requires ifs services before the hour of 6 P. M. on any day except Saturday and Sunday. It must also be proven to the local authorities that the child is in proper custody and that the theatre it is going to work in is in fit condition for the child to work in. The earnings of. child performers will not be allowed to accrue to the benefit of its parents or employers, but must be ac- counted for to the local education author- ities. These ntjaajaasj must be deposited, in part, in savings banks, and kept till the' children become of age, or until their par- ents are given authority to draw the money for them. . Children must leave the theatre within fifteen minutes of the end and in no case later than one hour after their performance. Adequate holidays must also be given to all children. .This newly recommended law is being made by a committee appointed by the President of the National Board of Edu- cation, and will be presented by that board to the Parliament. . WANT NEW BOX PASSED . London, Eng., Jan. 31.—The agitation started some time ago by the Bishop of London and the several actor associations, has resulted in the drafting of a bill and its presentation before the House of Com- mons, through which it is hoped to elimi- nate the licensing eviL The bill, while ad- mitted to the House of Commons, is still open to additions and members of The Variety Artists Federation, The Actors Association, and the various unions, have been asked to send in suggestions and amendments. The bill provides that every manager, agent or employer, of theatrical talent of any kind, be it tircus, side show, cabaret, musical, dramatic variety, or concert, shall be properly licensed by a Licensing Au- thority, to be appointed by the Labor Ministry, in this case, the London county council, which authority shall have power to repeal licenses when it is found that the holder has not lived up to the law. Fines and punishment are provided for in case of breaking of the -law. All corporations engaged in the amusement business, in any branch whatsoever, must secure an annual license from this authority, under the pro- visions of this bin. BUTT HOUSES PROSPEROUS London, Eng., Jan. 28.—The past year has been a very prosperous one for Sir Alfred Butt and his shareholders, the divi- dends paid during that time being: Palace Theatre, 20 per cent; Empire, 15 per cent; . Gaiety, 15 per cent; Drury Lane, 15 per cent; Victoria Palace, 25 per cent; Adelphi, 25 per cent, and the Glasgow Alhambra, 40 per cent. This is ail free from income tax. MoscovrrcH may go over London, Eng., Jan. 28.—Maurice Moe- covitch will be compelled to leave the cast of "The Merchant of Venice" in February, and Mr. Fagan, manager of the Court Theatre, has decided to take the'play off until he is able to return in April, when he will be seen in Gegel's comedy, "The Inspector General." It is said that Mos- covitch may go to America in the Fall. LA BELLE OTERA RETIRES Paris, France, Jan. 29.—La, Belle Otera, the idol of Paris and considered the most beautiful dancer on the continent, has re- tired from the stage for good. She has an income of 910,000, on which she win live. CHARLOT HAS NEW SCRIPT London, Eng., Jan. 28.—Another new play will be staged in February by Andre Chariot. It is a musical piece by Ronald Jeans, with music by Charles Gulliver. The cast will include Phyliss Monkma, Jack Buchanan, Ralph Lynn and Gilbert Chflds. MAY TAKE OVER ANOTHER London, Ens-, Jan. 28.—Gilbert Miller is considering taking "Sylvia's Lovers,'' a musical play now at the Ambassador's Theatre, to New York in the near future. "TEA FOR THREE*' READY; London, Eng., Jan. V&. —Frederick Har- rison will present the American success "Tea for Three" at the Haymarket Theatre, on February 3. The cast includes A. B. Mathews, Fay Compton and Stanley Logan. DESCHANEL LIKES THEATRE Paris, France, Jan. 30.—Hon. Paul Descbanel, the new president of France, is one of the best friends the theatre has, being an excellent dancer, fond of amuse- ments and favorably inclined toward jass and pep. He was and, in fact, still is con- sidered the Beau Brummel of France. BERNHARDT RETURNS Lyons, France, Jan. 29.—Sarah Bern- hardt returned to the stage last week in the drama "Rossini," in the role of Madame Rossini, reclining in bed throughout the act. She was required to speak only a few lines. REVIVED AFTER 45 YEARS London, Eng., Jan. 3L-—After a period of forty-five years, IVoyly Carte's revival of "The Pirates of Pensance" and Trial by Jury," came as a treat to the real old timers of theatre. NEW FARCE PERPLEXING London, Eng., Jan. 31.—"Hiss Happy Home," a newly produced farce, has met with advene criticism. The play, by H. V. Willoughby, is > bodge podge of ancient farcical tricks, most of which have bean used since the time of Shakespeare, ec-. cording to the critics. It deals with the adventures of a Per- sian poet in breaking ng two happy homes, for all of which damage he is not in the least bit responsible. The cast includes Kenneth Kent, Susie Vaughan, Helen Have, Mary-Forbes, John Widens, David Miller, Cathryn Young, Frank Anion, Leonard Shepherd, Ben 'Webster. Guy F. Bragdon, is the producer. ■ KLARK AND URBAN OPEN Barbados, B. W. L, Jan. 30.—The Klark and Urban Dramatic Company opens here today for a run of eleven days, pre- senting c high class repertoire ~of Broad- way successes. SCALA HAS NEW. MANAGER Paris, France, Janl 31.—M. Marcel Simon has acquired the Seals Theatre and wfll manage the house, now undergoing re-decorating, as the home of farce. He will have a permanent company there and will open with a revival of "Le Coup De Jarnac.". NEW FRENCH OPERETTA T London, Eng., Jan. 31.—London is to be treated soon to a new French operetta en- titled "The Sunshine of The World," by Gladys Unger, K. Ardasher, and Charles Cuvillier, which will be produced by Wil- liam J. Wilson. In the cast will be Clara Symona, Miss Bysford, Verita Vivian, Vivian-Shayle Gardner, George Clarke, Martin Iredale and Randle Ayrton. WANTED TO HONOR CHAPLIN London, Eng., Jan. 31.—What is, per- haps, the most unique honor ever bestowed upon an actor, was given to Chsrlig Chap- lin, motion picture star, when citizens of Willesden got together a fund to erect a tablet in front of the house where he was born. It so happens, however, that Chap- lin was born in Camberwell; therefore the movement .is off. AMERICAN FOR 'TADDY" London, Eng.. an. 31.—''Peggy O'NeU, the American actress who was brought over here by Albert Countreidge, win be seen in "Paddy—The Next Best Thing," when it is produced at the Queen's Theatre, Manchester. The play is taken from the novel by Gertrude Page and was drama- tized by W. Gayer Mackay and Robert Ord. "WHIRLIGIG" HAS NEW ACT London. Eng., Jan. 31.—A new piece of business has been added to "The Whirli- gig." This is a skit called "The Problem Solved," in which a gentleman burglar breaks in upon the peace of a home and surprises the matron by a peculiar request, which the audience takes as cause for un- checked laughter. . CONSTANCE COLLIER READY London, Eng., Jan. 3L—Constance Col- lier, who is to present here a production of "Peter Iobetson," in February, at The Savoy, in which venture she will be asso- ciated with Gilbert Miller, will, after the run of the piece, return to acting Shake- spearian roles. In the cast of Peter Ibbet- son are, Basil Eathbone, Jessie Batem&n, Olive Noble, Bethel Oarrington, Clifford Heatherley, and William BurchflL GABY HAS RELAPSE Pabis, Feb. L—Gaby Dedys, who re- cently underwent an operation, has suf- fered another relapse and must undergo Btill another operation. Her present condition is considered serious. NEW KALMAN OPERA OPENS Vienna, Jan. 31.—(via Geneva) Bme- rich Kalman's new operetta was produced last night at the Strauss Theatre for the first time with great success. It abounds in tuneful melodies. CHICAGO NEWS BURCHILL HAS MOVED Tommy BurcMIl, formerly of the West- ern Vaudeville Managers' Association and at present connected with the Marcus Loew Western Agency as booking man- ager of the Ackerman Harris Circuit, is now housed in new offices in the Masonic Temple Building. The offices formerly used in the North American Building by James C. Matthews, have been closed and all bookings are being handled from the Masonic Temple address. ELKS LEASE AUDITORIUM The Chicago B. P. O. Elks Lodge has leased the Auditorium from July 6 to 10, and will be converted into an immense lodge room for the National Convention of the organization. The Elks confront tie problem of seating more delegates than the Republican or Democratic conventions. The first session of the Grand Lodge win be held on July 6. FORCED OUT BY n.lNF.SS Tessie Lorraine went into the east of "Civilian Clothes" last week on an hour's notice, to do the part played by Dorothy Dickinson. Miss Dickinson was taken sud- denly ffl, and was immediately removed to her room at the Hotel Sherman. LEAVING CHICAGO OPERA CO. Signor Vittorio Arimondi has decided to resign from the Chicago Grand OpeTa As- sociation and, further, will not continue with the company on its post-season tour. "During the last five years, under the direction of Mr. Campanini, I have been a favorite and leading member of the com- pany. Since His death my artistic honor has been greatly offended, and my position in the company has become unbearable," said the operatic star. . OPENS WOMEN'S SMOKING ROOM The first smoking room for.women to make its appearance in.a Chicago play- house was opened last week by J. J. Rosen- thal, manager of the Woods. The room has been fitted out. with ruga, leather chairs, lounges and boxes of cigarettes, and was made necessary, Rosenthal says, be- cause he found women patrons were tak- ing a "pull" at cigarettes'while standing about the lobby. THURSTON FOLLOWS COURTLEIGH "Thurston, The Magician," will come into the Oly mpic Theatre on Feb. IS, re- placing William Courtleigh in "Civilian Clothes," which will then take to the road. 1 — NEW DE RECAT ACT OPENS "The Handicap," a new miniature musi- cal com edy produced by EmUe de Rasas, is being given its first showing at Mc- VickerS Theatre this week, where it is headlining.. Hal Davis is being featured. ORR STARTING REHEARSALS Harvey D. Orr will start rehearsals on a new musical show, entitled "She Took a Chance," next month, and will give it a try-out in the spring. "Come Along, Mary," one of his shows, is being nego- tiated for, and may go to England. FORMING NEW TWO ACT Donald Bernard and Dorothy Le Maire are forming a new vaudeville act which they will shortly introduce to the West. They plan to open here and leave for &e East for a prospective routing on one of the Eastern circuits. JOLSON DOING GREAT- -, Al. Jolson, in "Sinbad," at the Audi- torium, is playing to tremendous business. The engagement is said to be one of the most-successful encountered by the com- pany in its existence.