Variety (October 1911)

VARIETY 15 PARIS BY EDWABD O. KENDREW Paris, Oct. 3. The American Skating Rink, Rue Saint Didier, reopens Oct. 6, under the management of A. P. Demers. This fashionable resort is the only rink re- maining of all the enterprises launched during the skating craze two years ago in Paris. Magic City remains open until Oct. 16, but J. Calvin Brown proposes to keep the skating and dancing rooms going through the winter if business justifies the ex- pense. Luna Park has had its worst season this year since its creation. It also closes this month. The "Quaker Girl" is being trans- lated into French and will probably be produced at the Moulin Rouge this winter. Paul Ferrler and Chas. Quinel will sing the French version. The syndicate of French directors has now definitely decided to make a charge of 6 per cent, on receipts of benefit performances held in their theatres or for the services of artists under engagement with them. La Cigale music hall, Paris, is not the only establishment to have trouble wtih the musicians. The bandsmen at the Palais de Cristal, Marseilles, struck last week, taking with them the music parts of the different artists on the bill. They, ask an increase of salary, on account of the high cost of living. The musicians at many of the Parisian vaudeville theatres have been given an increase during the past month, the Alhambra, Folies Bergere and Olympic raising the pay without any fuss. The Bhow one evening was accompanied by a piano. An operette by Maurice Ordonneau, music by E. Toulmouche, entitled "La Marquise de Chicago," and intended for touring purposes, was successfully produced at the theatre of Enghien- les Bains casino Sept. 26. The new operette "Mic I," by C. A. Carpentier, music by Willy Bedstone, was given by Manager Fursy at the Paris Scala Sept. 28. A virtuous young king, Mic First of Marollle, is proof to all the artificial love of Suzy the actress, especially placed in his path by his ministers. The story is amus- ing, though trivial, and the score tune- ful. It is well played by an excellent troupe of music hall artists, among whom are Edmee Favart, Dufleuve, Oabin, and Geo. Flandre. A new comer, Jacques de Feraudy, son of the actor at the Comedie Francalse, made his debut on this occasion. Mme. Kousnetzoff had some trouble with the Russian government officials on her return to the St. Petersburg opera, because she did not appear in time to fulfil her engagements. She is permanently attached to the St. Petersburg opera as one of the prin- cipal danseuBes. The management decided to suspend her salary, which reaches the sum of 28,000 roubles. It has also been decided, it is alleged, that no foreign artiste will be allowed to sing in future at the Russian opera houses under the control of the Government. The actor Gorby, playing the part of Pickwick (instead of Charvay) at the Athenee Theatre, Paris, in order to appropriately dress for the part, is wearing a false embonpoint. This con- sists of an inflated rubber bag, fitted specially in the vest, and is found to be much lighter and cooler than pad- ding. ARRESTS FOR CHILDREN. Kansas City, Oct. 11. W. J. Morgan, deputy police in- spector, threatened to close "The Piper" last week because they em- ployed children in the show, but on account of it being Carnival Week, no warrants were issued. Judge Porterfleld has announced that hereafter he will issue warrants for the managers of all houses where children under age are permitted to appear. $00,000 AS A BALM. Baltimore, Oct. 11. Evelyn Cole, erstwhile "village maiden" in the chorus of sundry met- ropolitan musical comedies, has en- tered suit for breach of promise against Frank Brown, Jr., a local society man, with theatrical aspira- tions. Miss Cole claims to have met Mr. Brown for the first time last summer. She seeks $50,000 as balm for a dent- ed heart. "GREAT NAME" MOVES. "The Great Name" will close its brief New York run at the Lyric this Saturday night, moving to the 39th street theatre on monday. It will be succeeded there by Fritzl Scheff In "The Duchess." "The Great Name" received a severe "panning" by the New York critics. The night after the opening, $150 was said to be an extravagant estimate of the box office receipts. T. Dan'el Frawley, who has charge of the casting of all the Henry \V. Savage productions, will play the ro'e in "The Million" originally assigned to Frank Keenan. AUTHOR REHEARSING COMPANY. Rupert Hughes' "Teas Of The Storm Country" (rehearsed by himself), opens Oct. 26 at Paterson, N. J. Emma Bunting who played in stock all sum- mer at Atlanta, will be starred. The piece goes in the Stair & Hav- lln houses at dollar prices. The show is mostly routed in the east. With Miss Bunting will be George Whltaker, Dave Walters, Tom Hamil- ton, Daniel Lawlor, John W. Renine, Raymond Bond, Louise Blakely, Oane Hamlin, Anna C. Turner, Ethel Huntley. WOMAN IN VARIETY By THE SHIRT I like Gaby Deslys. She is beautiful and sweet and charming, and the one bright spot in the Winter Garden s'iow. I should think the Shuberts would have placed her In a musical comedy rather than make a music hall act of her. To me none of the French- women who have come to America for musical comedy can touch Gaby, for looks, voice or anything else. If Gaby was afraid the American women at the Garden would outshine her in clothes, her fears were unfounded. No one can hold a candle to her. She wears her clothes as only a French woman can. Her entrance Is made in a green brocade cloak, heavily trimmed in er- mine and gold lace. A cap is of pearls, from the top of which shoots a huge pink aigrette. Throwing aside the cloak a pink satin slip is shown trimmed in black lace embroidered in sapphires. The famous rope of pearls is worn, also several exquisite pearl rings. A dancing frock of white chif- fon, dotted in silver spangles and in- laid with black velvet bow-knots, was very dainty. For a head dress a huge black velvet bow is worn. Gaby goes to bed in an absurd little affair of white and green chiffon. Dorothy Jardon, in her dance with Mr. Smith at the Winter Garden, re- ceived more than she bargained for at the Tuesday matinee. Mr. Smith drop- ped her—and she dropped her dress. It wasn't a pretty spectacle. Lydla Barry looked nice in a wine-colored spangled dress trimmed in gold. Miss Barry has grown very -thin. Miss Donegan (Reynolds and Done- Kan) was charming in a costume of white with yellow under dressing. Her hair is very frowsy, but vastly becom- ing. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. This story I heard is sad and funny. Some few years ago a loving couple stopped loving, when a divorce came between them. The wife re- married, and the former family went along their respective ways. This sea- son, however, they were in the same city when the ex-wife met her ex- husband at a birthday party to cele- brate another disappearing year of the young woman's life arrived. Stranger still, the ex-mates were stopping at the one hotel. He came to the party, by invitation. Her present husband was not there, engaged elsewhere. The party was a lively one, and broke up late. During the evening while the good cheer was rampant, the ex-wife oozed cordiality until she at last in- formed her ex-husband that though she might have a husband on hand, and he another lady-love, yet despite all the courts and divorce charters, she and he still belonged to each other in the sight of the Almighty. The story is that the ex hus lingered not to argue. He is evidently one of those few who appreciate the liberty that ar- rives but seldom for a married man. Rushing to his room, he left his late spouse to think it over in the early grey of the morning aft. Both parties are professionals, and quite apt, I understand, to meet often this season. News from the second husband is be- ing anxiously awaited by those who knew of the love revival. The Shuberts have at last costumed a production worthy of Broadway. The enormous chorus of "The Kiss Waltz" (Casino) are as good looking a gathering as has been seen here in a long time. No one color predomi- nates. Although in groups the dresses may be of the same model, no two are alike In coloring. The most strik- ing gown worn by a chorster was a skirt of black, embroidered In silver, the bodice of white extending over the hips, ending in two long panels In the back. The most vulgar gown was an emerald green made perfectly plain with a silver flg leaf. Of the princi- pals Elsa Ryan, (who is the image of Mrs. Al H. Woods) was the best gowned. In the first act Miss Ryan wears a rainbow dress that was very attractive. Changing to a black and white Miss Ryan does wonders with It, by winding the panels around her body, making a long skirt short. In the next act a stunning gown of wide black and white stripes was becoming. Flora Zabelle looked rather heavy l n a furniture brocade. In the second act Miss Zabelle was more fortunate ln her choice. The dress first worn by Adele Rowland was pretty in its odd- ne»H. Of violet chiffon, it had a navy blue high girdle with a panel (at the back) of coral. Julian Eltinge ("The Fascinating Widow"—Liberty) haB met his water- loo at last. The show girls as brides- maids cause Mr. Eltinge (as the bride) to look almost ordinary. As the widow (in the first act), Mr. Eltinge looked his best and "showed up" the women. The dress, a simple black with white lace collar and cufTs, fitted to perfec- tion. The gold gown Mr. Eltinge wore at the Friars benefit was much hand- somer than the silver gown he now wears. But this one Is worthy. The silver Is one pale green. The brides- maids in their green frocks received applause as they entered. These same girls look lovely In purple bathing suits. Natalie Alt is a pretty girl who is making a mistake wearing the bandeaux and feather. Her two even- ing dresses were very pretty. I wouldn't be at all surprised if a ten-year-old secret soon comes out. It concerns a marriage that long ago. The parties were a very prominent theatrical manager, and an actress, just as prominent. The surprise will be more complete, I understand, when it becomes known the union brought a child.