Variety (October 1911)

8 VARIETY NEW SHOWS STARTING OUT AVERAGE UP FAIRLY WELL 4* The Enchantress," "Miss Dudelsack," "Don" and ••Three Romeos" Among Plays Reported. Washington, Oct. 11. •The Enchantress" by "Fred de Gressac," Harry B. Smith and Victor Herbert, was produced by Joseph M. Gaites for the first time on any stage at the National theatre here, with Kitty Gordon in the title role. The story has to do with a youthful prince of a mythical kingdom, about to ascend the throne. Conspirators plot to deprive him of his right to rule by arranging with an opera singer to win his love and persuade him to marry her, thereby depriving him of his right to the throne, having married one beneath him In rank. The singer really falls in love with the prince and thwarts the plans of the villains. The opera has been given a most lavish production, under the stage direction of Frederick Latham. The cast includes Arthur Forrest, Nellie McCoy, Venita Fitzhugh, Hattle Ar- nold, Harold Forde, Ralph Riggs, Earl Dunbar, Harrison Brockbank, Gilbert Clayton. At present the piece lacks comedy, but constant application up to the time of Its New York premiere, Oct. 19, should place it in line for a big success. New Orleans, Oct. 11. "Take My Advice," the play in which William Collier is appearing at the Dauphine, proves to be an adap- tation by James Montgomery and Collier, of Nat C. Goodwin's old com- edy, "A Native Son." The story is of a conventional New Yorker with little business experience who inherits several fruit farms in California, and is robbed by his trusted employees. The last act finis him in charge of his affairs working his way up again. The love story is intertwined. All three acts are laid in California and but one setting is used. Mr. Collier lifts the play up, extracting much laughter. The last act requires some tinkering, as the finish appears to be altogether too abrupt. The show is drawing well. An affidavit was filed Monday against Henry Greenwall, manager of the Dauphine theatre, for permitting William Collier, Jr., age ten years, to appear upon the stage of that play- house. The youngster has a part in his father's play, "Take My Advice." The usual fine for one infraction of this law is twenty-five dollars. Col- lier, Sr., says his boy will play nine performances, costing him $226, and that it will be well worth it. Hartford, Conn., Oct. 11. The premier performance of "Miss Dudelsack" occurred at Parsons last night with Lulu Glaser in the title role. The piece, presented by Werba & Luescher, is staged pretentiously, and was received with satisfaction by a large audience. The comedy roles were in the hands of Jock McKay and Joseph W. Her- bert. Both did creditably. Miss Glaser appears to be suited admirably to the title part and was in good voice. The song hit is "Oh, You, You Darling/' occupying much the same place in the piece that "Every Little Movement" does in "Mme. Sherry." The show looks like a winner. Its initial presentation was exceedingly well done. Indianapolis, Oct. 11. A small but appreciative audience greeted "Don" at the Shubert-Muratt Monday. It is a splendid play, and beautifully acted, though Jessie Glen- denning of the cast is weak. The other players are William Courtenay, Mrs. Harriet Dillenbaugh, John Clutow, Zeffle Tilbury, Blanche Yurka, Alfred Fisher, Reginald Bar- low. The show leaves Indianapolis to- day. Syracuse. N. Y., Oct. 11. Fellner & Dreyfus are presenting "The Three Romeos" at the Empire for the first half of this week. The show opened last week at Washing- ton. Though aimed for New York, it is unlikely the production will be placed there by Klaw & Erlanger until the latter portion of the show has been fixed up. The piece is routed across the state, and may be headed for Chi- cago instead. "The Three Romeos" is a musical comedy, book and lyrics by R. H. Burnside; music by Raymond Hubbell. The story deals with a complicated love affair. The plot is little beyond that usually found in light shows of this character. However, it gives an opportunity for an elegant stage set- ting, which, with beautifully gowned women, places a stamp of approval upon the production. To offset that though, after an ex- ceedingly clever first act, the show slides back. The second and third acts are very slow. Two very pretty songs are "Looking for a Girl" and "The Lily of the Rose." Georgia Caine, William Danforth and Fred Walton are capital through- out the performance. CARLE COMING EAST. Denver, Oct. 11. Richard Carle is booked here for week, Oct. 23. "Jumping Jupiter" has played its Pacific Coast time and is now headed for a southern trip. Carle's show returns east some time in February. GLASER-HERZ DIVORCE. Chicago, Oct. 11. Lulu Glaser and Ralph C. Herz have arrived at the parting of the ways. If the courts are kind to the comedi- enne, there will be an early severance of their marital relations. The initial step toward a dissolution was taken last Saturday, when Louis M. Cahn, attorney for Mrs. Herz, filed a bill for divorce for his client in the Su- preme Court of Illinois. Charges of cruelty, violence and the use of profane and abusive language are specified in the complaint. The particulars set forth that the couple were married in New York City May 23, 1907, and have been separ- ated since November 10, 1910. A previous suit for divorce was insti- tuted by Mrs. Herz in New York last April, while her husband was starring there in "Dr. De Luxe." The specific charge then was misconduct. The defendant is represented here by Attorney George A. Trude who has filed an appearance. It is stated the comedian-husband will enter no de- fense to the suit. $300 APART IN RECEIPTS. Philadelphia, Oct. 11. With everything in favor of "The Spring Maid," the show ran but $300 ahead in gross takings last week of the new production, "Gypsy Love." SILK STOCKING SOUVENIRS. Chicago, Oct. 11. Purple silk stockings will be the souvenirs at the 46th matinee of "The Deep Purple" at McVicker's, Oct. 14. The show leaves the house Oct. 28. FAY TEMPLETON'S NEW SHOW. Within a fortnight Fay Templeton begins rehearsals of a new play called "A Man and Three Wives," under the direction of the Shuberts. ETHEL BARRY MORE AT HOME. Chicago, Oct. 11. Ethel Barrymore, accompanied by her husband Russell Grlswold Colt, Jr., left here yesterday on the flyer for their home in New York City, where the former will take a necessary rest following an illness which developed last week while playing in South Bend, Ind. It is understood that Miss Barry- more's engagements ahead have been cancelled indefinitely. ROSS SHOW SELECTED. Frazee & Lederer have contracted to produce a new show for Thomas W. Ross next March. It is by James Montgomery and entitled "Jimmy Junior." "An Everyday Man" is doing a good business in Milwaukee this week. The piece will be continued on the road until time for rehearsals for the new vehicle, If business warrants. Just as soon as it develops signs of anemia, it will be shelved. Eddie Leslie says he was not book- ed for Loew's Seventh Avenue this week. MISS MURRAY'S FINAL. Elizabeth Murray will once more quit the cast of "Mme. Sherry" (this time for good, so she says), and re- turns to vaudeville for a short period. Later in the season she is to be starred by A. H. Woods. OPPOSITION MINSTREL RECEIPTS. Memphis, Oct. 11. The Al. G. Field and Evans min- strels had their closest bookings last week. The Evans organization played the Lyceum Oct. 1-3 to four perform- ances (including Sunday), and got about $2,100, with admissions running to $1.50. The Field troupe followed in the same house Oct. 4-6 for three shows at the dollar scale, and brought nearly $2,000 to the box office. Field's popularity down here is standing him in good stead during this blackface skirmish. BILLY KERSANDS COMING BACK. Chicago, Oct. 11. Billy KerBands, the old time mins- trel man, whose name is still a house- hold word south of the Mason and Dixon line, is in Chicago and reported to be ■>'. the lookout for vaudeville dates around the Levee Amusement palaces on South State street. Kersands has made several for- tunes, but very little of the money ever reached his own pockets. Nine- teen years ago he headed a blackface organization and toured the south under the management of Richards ft Pringle. He was billed both In pic- torial and type as the one individual whose mouth was large enough to completely envelop five soda crackers and a cup and saucer of regulation size. Later on he shifted to the man- agement of Roscoe & Holland. It may be truthfully Bald that in those days Kersands was the only performer of his race with a national reputation of any proportion as the one he enjoyed. A short time after- ward he made a trip to England and after singing before Queen Victoria was presented a diamond studded cross by that ruler. Kersands Is not as wealthy as he might be, and though having passed his heyday, is making a game endeavor to come back. Ker- sands and company are appearing this week at the Palace, at Forty- seventh street and Ashland avenue. Mrs. Kersands is the chief part of the "company." HI HENRY'S CORNET FEATURED. Hi Henry's Minstrels is going out again. A company of thirty-five people will open the last of the month at Red Bank, N J., with bookings ar- ranged for eastern territory. The management denies the report that HI Henry is dead, saying he is too old to travel with the organiza- tion, but that his famous cornet will be on the car. BUILDING FOR RAY. Ray Cox has expressed herself to Lew Fields as being dissatisfied with the part assigned her in "The Never Homes." Mr. Fields agreed with her and has given orders to ha.ve it built up to give the comedienne more scope for the exercise of her talents. DE ANGELIS GOING SOUTH. New Orleans, Oct. 11. Jefferson DeAngells in "The Ladies' Lion" Is due at the Tulane next week. Two weeks of one night stands will be played between New Orleans and Rich- mond.