New York Clipper (Mar 1923)

2 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER March 14, 1923 FOMMieSM NEWS ORINKWATER^ NEW PLAY SCORES London. March 12.—"Oliver Crom- well." the new play by John Drinkwater, aothor of "Abraham Lincoln" and "Mary Stuart," was produced at the Royal The- atre, Brighton, and stored a success on its opening:, which seems to prophesy that Hie play wUl be a sensation when it comes to London. The play is in eight scenes, most of them historical. In fact, if one is looldnK for romance and sentinient, he will be disappointed in "Oliver CromwelL" But; if - one ^joys tiie reproduction of historical facts, m a manner both tense and thorongfaly inter- esting, then he will End pleasnre to the extreme nl the pl&}f- ' '. 1 ' 'Drinkwater lias given lis a Cromwell with plcn^ of good traits and no bad ones. Henry Ainlcy, who appears in the role, gives us a CromwcU which should live in history as one of the most brilliant im- personations of the present ag^ We see him first in a charming domestic scene in Cromwell's home, at Ely. about the year of 1639, when he was defending the rif^ts of the people threatened by adventurers who had drained the Great Level and snp- porting them in their protest against the payment of ship-money. The next scene shows him in St. Stephen's Chapel, West- minster, in Novtnrijcr, 1641,' with a year's interval, brinRn^.jis to the first battle of the Great RebeUion at Edgehill. Here we find a wee Int of romance brou^t in and which contains the' only love mterest in the entire production, although not vital to the play, being the betrothal of Henry Treton to Bridget CromwelL The outstanding event of the entire production comes with the scene follow- mg the battle of Naseby, when Cromwell faces King Charles and pleads lone and earnestly to the king to stop his fllegal acts and grn justice to the people. His entreaties fall on deaf ears, and Cromwell is roused to anger after the King abruptly remarlcs, "The argument is ended." '^All argument is ended," he retorts as he leaves- Charlf^, The next scene is the ex- ecution of Charla, and is practically the end of the historical jrartion of the play. The rest of it concerns the affairs of Brid- get and Ireion. and Cromwell is seen here as tfie Lord Protector. Next to Alnley's portrayal of Cromwell, shone Irene Roolc in the character of Mrs. Cro mw ell. Others who rendered excellent snmort vrere William J. Rea, Mary OVarrdl. Clare Harris, Milton Rosmer and Hareourt Williams. MOSS EMPIRES mC LOSERS LdtisoM, March IZ—The Moss Empires, Ltd, Will not declare any dividend on or- dinaiy capital- tfaSs year, as a result of a net Idas of £12.485 being sustained by the company during the year of 1922. The resiuta of this loss can be estimated by the fact tiat at the cod of 1921 a proht of i64,3I0 was made and a diridend of lO per cent was declared. WMi a balance broaght forward from 1921 there is a credit of £39^17 to the profit and loss account, of which £17,637 IS to go to the preferred stock share- holders. "SAN TOY" AUTHOR DIES London. March 12.—Mr. Edward Mor- ton, author of the comic opera, "San Toy." died last wedc .-it his home. 5 Russell Mansions, BIoonisbur>-. London. Mr. Morton was for mniiy years connected with the Referer. the'English theatrical paper, and wrote under the name of "Mor- dred." His estate was in the neiphbor- hood of 120 pound.*:. RENEE KELLY IN NEW PLAY LoHDOK. March 12.—Miss Renec Kelly, who scored such a great success in "Daddy Long Legs." a few years ago. is appearing in a new little playlet entitled "Likes and Dislikes.' by Edwin Borke. at the Brigh- ton Hip p o dr o ine . Her initial appearance in London -will be at the Coliseum. "FASHION SHOW" IN THEATRES London, March 12.—The "1923 Fashion Show" is being utilized as aii extra fea- ture at the Palladium and Alhambra this week. While these shows have been done for years in America, they are compara- tively new here and naturally aroused considerable interest among the theatre patrons. The show has beui woven into a musical extravaganza in four scenesj with special music by Herman Darewski and has been staged by Philip Moss. The gowns, furs and other effects^,have been loaned by the leading modistes of London and many of the girls appearing in the ensembles and fashion parades are some of the best known manikins. The style flash is attracting any number of feminine patrons at both theatres. CHAPLIN SKETCH SHELVED London, March 12.—^"Humming Birds," the sketch in which Charlie Chaplin played his first stage part, and which has been played in tibe English music halls (or the past twelve years, practically without a lay-off, was finally withdrawn last week. The scene was set in an old-time music hall and Oiaplin plaj-ed the role of a druken dude who S3,t :n a bo.x and flirted with the female performers and made himself objectionable in other ^vays. It was his fine characterization in the r.ole that first attracted attention to him. O'NEU. PLAYS FOR LONDON .London, March 12.—C B. Cochran is now one of the busiest theatrical produc- ers in London, especially so with his forth- coming presentations of American dra- matic successes, to be done in association with Arthur Hopkins, of New York. Included in his new productions will be Pauline Lord in "Anna Christie," "The Hairy Ape" and "Emperor Jones," with Charles Gilpin, the negro tragedian. The three plays mentioned above are by Eugene CNeil BOY A HIT IN TEIMPEST SHOW London. March 12.—Although "Good Gradous, Annabelle," proved a terriSc frost for Marie Tempest, it led to the discovery of a boy actor which Wilfred Cotton be- lieves partly compensates for the disa^ pointment of the productiotL The- "find" is Charlie Rider, a fourteen-year-old youth, who looks nearer ten. The boy made his ddnit in a minor role of "Annabelle" and did sufficiently well to be awarded a three- year contract by the manager. WHICH IS THE BETTER London, March IZ—brighter London," which opens soon at the Ldndoo Hippo- drome, will have as a special atlractioa Paul WUteman's Orchestra. Mr. WyUe, the producer of the show, stated that tiie orchestra is the best ever heard in Eng- land, which has raised the wrath of Mr. Momy of "The Savoy Havana Orchestra," who claims that his combination is the greatest The verdict of the Londoners will be given shortly. 'TROP" SWORD HOLDS UP ACT London. March 12.—G. S. Melvin. the Scotch comedian, came near missing his opening at the Belfast Hippodrome last vreek and all on account of a "prop" sword he uses in his act. While crossing to Ireland he was held up on the steamer by the authorities, who refused to permit him to proceed with the sword. Upon finally relinquishing the sword he was permitted to continue upon his journey. GREEN TO DO "GIVE AND TAKE" London, March 12.—Mr. Harry Green, recently returned from the United States, has brought over with him an American play, "Give and Take." which he intends to produce in London on sonic future date. SHAKESPEARE IN PARIS Pjuus, March 12.—The three outstanding hits of the present theatrical season here, a season meagre in its financial successes, arc "The Merdiant of Venice," "A Midsummer Night's iDream" and "Twelfth Night" The first two are in the repertoire ot the Odcon theatre players and those -wishing to see them must make their bookings weeks in advance. M. Firmin Gemicr plays the part of Shylock in an original and blood-curdling manner, the production as a whole being marvelously different "A Midstqmmer Night's Dream" has hccn Gallicized in the translation and is made both beautiful, in the settings, and costum- ing and uproariously funny in the lines. "Twelfth Night" is being presented at the .Vieux Colombier, a production of striking beauty despite the fact that there is tnit one scene and that the compniiy licm is not receiving the benefit of a state sub- sidy as is the Odcpn. "LOVE IN PAWN" OPENS London, Match 12.—"Love in Pawn" is the title of a new play by Roy Homiman, which was produced by Lewis Sloden at the Opera House, Southport, and which will come into . London shortly. Arthur Wontner, Fewliass Llewellyn, F. Kinsey Peile, Morris Rubin, Story Gofton, Wini- fred Izard, Florence Harwood, 'Vane Featherstone and Doris Lloyd. The play deals with the dilemma of a young Jewish moneylender, who is con- fronted by the problem of having to choose between his love for a fortune and a Jewish girl. -He cannot have both. It proved to be well acted and interesting. YOUNG ACTRESSES SCORE London. Marcji 12.—Contrary to the opinion of those people who twrn^nn the fact that there are no actresses now in comparison to the days of old, three young women of the stage who have made a hit in the West End recently have created jopnsiderable comment They are Miss Audrey Carton, at the.Wyndham's; Miss Frances Carson, at the Royalty, and Miss Winifred MacCkrthy. who has just taken up the part of Miss Peggy Rush in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" at the Queen's. PLAN TO BAN U. S. BANDS London, Mar. IZ—^The American jazz invasion has grown to such proportions that die British Musicians' Union is bring- ing pressure to bear through labor mem- bos in Parliameat to enact legislation that will serve as a bar to the importation of dance orchestras from the States. There is a good deal of unemployment among musicians here and the Ministor of Labor has made a ruling that except in excep- tional circumstances Jazz bands must have a personnel that is at least 50 per cent British. LESUE STUART IN ACT London, March 12.—Leslie Stuart, well known as the writer of "Florodora" and several niunbers which made the late Eu- gene Stratton famous, returned to the staK, opening at the Palladium. He is contributing a number of his old compositions which arc being sung by Harry Ban^t and accompanied by the composer at the piano. The offering re- ceives a good reception at every perform- ance, but it is doubtful whether he would be a success in vaudeville in general. SHOWS FOR AFRICA London, March 12.—Two companies are scheduled to sail to South .Africa next month, the first being a musical comedy organization which will sail on .April 6 and will play "Whirled Into Happiness" and "The -Golden Moth" on the African continent The other company is headed by Percy Hutchinson and will sail on .April 8. They will include in their reper- toire "Bull-Dog Drummond," "Nightie Night" and "The Luck of the Navy." DAREWSKI EXAMINED London March IZ—The public exami- nation of Herman Darewsid in the Loodon Bankruptcy Court was continued last week. The amended statement revealed liabilities of 64,659 pounds of which 40,- 832 were expected to rank, and assets of 338 pounds. While being examined Da- rewski stated that in June, 1919, he ac- quired the freehold land in Tyler's avenue, Southend, where he built the Arcadia, which cost him between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds. Later the New Pavilion, South- end, was registered and acquired. In Oc- tober, 1919, the building was practically rebuilt and he provided about 2,000 pounds towards the cost In May,- 1920,- he obtained a license from the Southend Corporation to erect a concert hall known as the Happy Valley. The hall was not opened until the summer of 1921 and it was a failure because it had missed the summer season. The corporation eventu- ally became the owners of this property. Darewski stated that had he not been made bankrupt he could have paid every- body 20 shillings on the pound and con- cluded by saying: "I shall still do so." He further stated that he lost a lot of money on the dances he was rumiing at the Piccadilly Hotel because he was one of the pioneers of the scheme, and people had not yet taken to the idea, although it is now a paying proposition. On the Official Receiver mention of Ws expendi- tures and s^le of living Darewski stated that his business demanded of him to live in style. "THE DANCERS" WELL PLAYED London, March 12,—"The Dancers," the new play produced here by Sir Gerald du Marier at the Wyndham'a Theatre, is only saved by the excellence of the act- ing. "The play is of the type that can l>c encoutered in any cheap novelette. It deals with the life of an old Etonian, who, having been financially broken in the war. is now running a successful cabaret bar in Canada. He is a bit of a moralist and speaks of the evil effects of modem danc- ing upon home life. Meanwhile the girl whom he had sworn to love in his school- days is afflicted with llie dance germ in London, having grown into the type of woman whose sole existence is composed of dandn^ and taking hopi She has been guilty of mdiscretions witfi a -boy of nine- teen. As she is bemoaning her troubles a cable arrives from her friend in Canada informing her that a railway accident has wiped out the lives between himself and the family title and fortune. She feels dis- posed to play a trick upon him and marry him, and thus lose her trouble, but when she puts herself to the test she finds she loves him too well, killnig herself a feiiv minutes before the wedding. In the last act he marries the dancer who made his Canadian cabaret a success. The fine work of Miss Audrey Carton as the English girl retrieves the play. TRIX SISTERS OPEN CABARET Pasis, March 12.—The Trix Sisters. Josephine and Helen, two American girls who have faeoome great favorites here and in England, have opened the Trix Blue Room, in the Place Pigalle, where they are having great success. The major portion of the entertainment is given by them- selves, and they are supported by the Blue Boy's Orchestra. Flora Lea and Mile. Simmone Mirat. "TRESPASSES" STARTS London, March 12.—"Trespasses." a new play by Edward Percy, had its pre- miere at the Royal, Brighton, last week. The cast includes Doris Lytton, Ethel Griffies, Jane Graham, Lyn Harding. Fran- cis Listen, Reginald Denham, Sebastian . Smith. George Mallett and George Good- win. The play is sdieduled for a London presentation shortly.