Variety (August 1924)

y-.-,'.- CABLE 8 St. Martih ADDRESS, VARIETY, LONDON I? n D 17 I H N TUii's PUce, Trafalgar Square T U II li 1 ^ « > VARIETY'S .LONDON OFFICE , , , , 2096-3199 Recent Wednesday, August 6, 1934 ENGLAND'S HIGHEST ART MATRE HAS NEVER YET MADE A BEAN SHAW rN ORIGINAL /. '/ "Katja, the Dancer," Must Suffer for 18 Weeks Out- side of London—New Play by Galsworthy at Haymarket London, July 28, I The Birmingham Repertory, i^hich has been closed since the new year, will be reopened by Barry Jackson In the fall. This has been made possible by the publip subscribing $15,000 in advance for seats. By many t!he Birmingham Reper- tory theatre has been adjudged the highest art theatre in England, though during the dozen years of its existence It has never put a bean into the pockets of the pro- prietors. • :.'.-■• GERMAN SYSTEM OF FINANCE IN LONDON English Company Doing Plays In Paris, Aug. 5. A company of British players : known as the Charles Macdona troupe Is being formed to give Belrnai-d Sh'aW til the original at the Theatre Albert I. this Ynonth, Com- mencing *lth "PyginaUon." Shaw's repertoire will follow if proper patronage Is shown. The troupe Includes Tom Mow- bray (the dustman in "Pygmalion), Howlson Culft (Dubedate in "The Doctor's Dilemma"), Philip Godfrey (role of Walpole), George S. Wray (Prof. Higgins), Florence Jackson (Eliza), Valerie Richards (part of Ann in "Man and Superman"), Bes- sie Rlgnold (Mrs. Gilbey in "Fanny's First Play"). James White's new musical play by Jean Gilbert, entitled "Katja, the Dancer," will endure the test of an 18 weeks' provincial tour before reaching London. The death Is announced from heart disease at the age of 67. of (Continued on page 4) JAMS SONG WAS , COPYRIGHTED American Artiste Agreed I Not to Perform "Flore D'Amore" \ — ^ .... London, Aug. i. Elsie Janls agreed to suspend her performance of "Flore D'Amore" as a Song and d:ince, followlrig the out- come of an action brought against her in the High Court by Cecile Sartbris of J^aris. Mile. Sartoris alleged a copyright on the number.' Mist Janis said she had had no intention of infringing upon any one's rights and would not again use tho'number pending the trial of the action. The Janis show closed Saturday at the Queea'8. It will be followed there by an unnamed play as yet by Walter Hackett. Basil Dean will produce it, with J. H. Roberts n« Marion Lome (Mrs. Hackett) in the cast. England Expects German Film Inrush With Tariff Raising London, Aug. B. Picture production output in this country has never been lower than it Is today. The StoU company seeme to be the Only concerri going out for a number of feat\ires; Gau- mont is making one picture at a time; Ideal doing nothing, and only a few independents are working. With the raising of the McKenna tariff there is certain to be a big inrush of German films. Alreatty Teuton firms are making arraiige- ments to open offices here. A German financier called Schlo«s is in this country and in co-opera- tion with an Englishman is making efforts to establish a concern on the same lines as one he is running in Germ'&ny and Auetrla. Schloss is elusive and refuses to speak about his plans, but from leakage it can be gathered his concern lands pro- ducers the capital for their pic- tured on eha^ing terms. It then rfents the features to exhibitors, who giVe bills falling due when the pic- tures ar'e shown. The banking end of the concern discounts the bills. Th^' ezhibltdii' hae to pay up on de- mand or get a renewal of the bill, which Is granted on bank rates of interest. By these means the concern is winning at both ends; the pictures are on sharing terms and ihtereet ,is coming in from the bill renewals. It looks'very easy tb the ordinary exhibitor and' British showmen are likely to fall for It without rcaliz- ihg they are paying' Interest while still owing the capital inetea'd of merely owing the capital as an ordi- nary business debt. "THE MARLBOROUGH" LEW CODY COURTING NORA BAYES; ACCIDENT! Returning from Brighton Sun- day Night They Skidde(^ Miss Bayes Not Hurt Much . London, Aug. 5. Returning' from Brighton Sunday evening in the rain, the automobile containing Nora Bayes and Lew Cody skidded and overturned, slightly Injuring the occupants. Miss Bayes suffered abrasions to one of her* arms and Coifly'ii scalp W(i8 lacerated, but the chauffeur .was the most seriously afflicted, breaking two ribs. Cody has been paying assiduous court to Miss Bayes over here. CHILD EMPLOTMENT IH PA£IS Paris, Aug. 5. The local police is calling at- tention to regulations, little ob- served, relative to the employment of children In public amusements. A child iinder 13 cannot be em- ployed without special police au- thorization. This is readily granted for those' not under nine, provided for not more than 15 perfqlrmahces per month aild juistiflCation by man- ager that child remains at schbol. The real name of the child must not appear on any of the adver- tising matter. 'ENTEE KTKT" STABTDIG OUT London, Aug. S. A musical version of the farce "Enter Klki," produced at the Playhouse, will be sent on tour this month. After visiting the pro- vincial and suburban houses it will probably come to the 'West End. The cast Includes Ella Retford, Marie Blanche, John Humphries, Alec Fraser. Play of Persons Long Time Dead Ivondon, Aug. 5. Fred Terry and Julia Neilson, who continue to tour in costume drama, are coming, out in a new play by F. F. W. Ryan, "The Marl- borough." The subject mattef concerns the famous Duke, his wife and Queen Anne, all dead a long, long time.- ASTAIRES RETURNING I-ondon, Aug. 5'. Following their rngaKemcnt with "Stop Flirting," the Astalres s.ail for New York to open in a new play by Guy Bolton, the music of which has been specially written by George Gershwin. The new pl.iy will be produced by Alex A. Aarona, responsible for the Astalres intro- duction to England, where they have created a record success. Eight West Enders Dark London, Aug. 15. Despite the boom Wembley was hoped to bring about, eight 'West End houses are r.ow dark. These are His Majesty's, Covent Garden, LONDON'S LARGE THEATRES 1898 ist. jDDK WILLIAM MORRIS ' AOENCl, INC. yatann BMic., 1<93 Ilroailway, New Torh I^ckawanna (940-1 rVMft CMm** iMAaitlM Lh4m ti l^li^ London, July 28. The larger legit theatres of London have an uncertain future. There are two factors responsible for this. Firstly, the greatly in- creased cbst of running and production, which Is felt doubly and trebly in a houi^ like Drury Lane, which requires acres of. canvas to fill thb stage and a hnge crew to handle the otuff. Secondly, th6' decline of spectacular drama and large scale melodrama. People are more satisfied to see this form of entertainment through' the medium of the movies, where, geherally speaking, prices are less and the seat's more comfortable. ; The four largest theatres devoted to the legitimate are Drury Lane, the Lyceum, Prince's and His Majesty's. All these houses have a keen problem before them—how to keep alive. In the last Ave years Drury I^ne has only had two succfesses, "The Garden of Allah" and "Decameron Nipht.s," against several costly failures. In an attempt to restore the, ancient glories of the house, Basil Dean, the producer-de-luxe of London, 'was called in. The result was "London Life," the worst failure of all. The theatre Is now closed while th,e directors decide jwhat is to be done to find, the kind of play that will jKiy in this historic playhouse. Fortune in Lyceum The Lyceum in the old days secured a fortune for Its owners, the Melville. brothers (Walter and Fred), with popular melodrama at popular prices. But that commodity seems dead, for recently drama after drama has taken money from their bank account Instead of adding to it. Thoy have now changed the policy of their' house, going over to musical comedy, a revival of "The Merry Widow"' bei'ng the first effort in this lino. ; Prince'.s is a theatre with no policy. The one thing that always pays there Is the season of the rVOyly Carte Opera Company. When this rmiHhcR tlicrc is aii undetermined futuce before Frinee's. i His M.'uesty's, pnoc the .Iheatric.il home of Sir Herbert Tree and the most fashionable of Londorj's 'theatres, has had more failures than succc.xsca since the (Ive-year run of "Chu Chfn Chow*'" Nobody is anxiovis to run playn there, and lit may be >given' oVer to feaitui'e films, temporarily or p6rmancntly. . ' ; • ' These large theatres are becoming more and morc< t.-lboo. Per- haps the ideal houses fOr size are of 1,800 capadlty. Bxpensea ore less and sufllcicnt money can bo held whea <h* ho^sc* is^ full lo further the filling of'the mahahemfnt's coffers. The incolmings dl smaller theatrr.M, like tVie Anibas.sador's, when absolutely chocker-< block only give a small margin over outgoings. Like the big thea- tres, they are equally unprorttablfc propositions, except that they require a lesser bank balance to finance. The Lake Hopatcong Trio, other- wise known as, left to right: Joe Cook, Dave Chasen and Frank Van Hoven. Mr. Cook win star this coming season in BJarl Carroll's "Vanities." Dave Chasen will also be in the cast, and Frank Van Hoven doesn't know what he-will do. The "Vanities" had a chat with his agent; Rufus Le Maire thought he'd flt in the new Winter Garden show. Both the big circuits in Australia thought 1,600 a, lot of money, but for him and Jean Middleton they would consider 1,250, flrst-class fares over and back. Then this Van Hoven tellow has a three-year contract in England, and an independent agent oiTered him and Jean Middleton 40 grand weeks at a lot oj sugar. At present be is working, as is she, foi^ the little agent, Mr. Sdward 8. Keller. Lots of people said Van Hoven was crazy boosting Dave Chasen. Look'ait Dave today, and only start- ing. ■ FRANK VAN HOVEN p. S.—I hold a record for picking acts that will be a riot in England. I pick. Knox and Inman. I am with my old pal, Chinko, the boy Juggler, this week, who topped all the bills over here a few years ago and still goln^ big. Bronson and Renee owe me a letter, as does Prince Ludwig. Get after that big stiff. Bill, make him write. Joe Plynn, you should have your book by now. Jim Manning, I miss you, but DaVfe, the ten-center, I misd the most. . .' . . Give my best to Jack's SftTidwich shop, where the only eandwtch you can get is the one you bring in with you- . 1 ^ "ODD SPOr BAII London, Aug. 5. A friendly first night audience gave Andre Chariot's '^The Odd Spot," the new revue at the Vaude- ville theatre, a nice reception but the show isn't there. i The book is bad and the music wretched. Binnle ,Hale and Jack Deverefl in leads are wasted. "The Odd Spot" is the term over here for booze. It was thought with the city full o' Americana tfiat might be an added attraction. . This new show got a pubUcity break vh^n Edward Dolly, wro staged K, married Velma Deane of the company. The papers used it for a leading news story, through stating the marriage had occurre4 after an acquaintance of three days;. That was near enough for publicity purposes but the marriage had been considerable delayed through the bride's illnera. . Madge Stuart, among the most p^ular Ettglish screen players, had bibn announced to make a stage appearance in "The Odd Spot," but Mies Stuart was not mentioned in the cabled report above.. DRURY'S AUTUMN DRAMA London, Aug. 5. The new autumn drama at Drury Lane will be Written by Arthur Shirley and Ian Hay. Basil Dean will produce and Henry Alnley will play the leading part. Theatre-Antoine Open With Farce Paris, July 28. Rlvtrs wUl run a short summer season at the Antolne, giving this Week "Lrt Femme de mow ami," a farce which had a good run some year«i aM.- ' ' LEADS LONDOirS NIGHT UFEI — ' 'i/ Strand Losing Prestige—«. Cecil and Savoy Hotels i Slipping London, July 28. For the moment cabaret life in Lohd6n has almost come to a standi still. The Cafe de Paris is closln.. the "Metropole Follies" are movlnf to Os'tendfor August, the Queens Hall Roof 1* already closed, an4 the' Grafton is probably doing tli| same until the winter months wia back the night-life loviers from the moors, seaside and riirer. Standing out from the>est is the Piccadilly Hotel, one of the young, est cjibaret exploiters, tJut one ^ the most enterprising. This estab* lis'hment, far from following tke general "warm weather panic," 'i» carryln gon and is moreover find- ing itself in a. position to raise its price*.' Originally- it made a bid fgr jpopularity by a, cut prjco of 15 shillings and six penc;e, but in the future the' ilgure will b« a guinea. A rise^ in 8ca,le ftt this tim« ia something like a record and a high cmopUment to the show as most niann^esixents Invarialh^V try. to tempt a'laggard public t^ reducing. On top. of this the management is doubling its entertainment al- lowance and a new show is being put on tonight. The truth about the Piccadilly success *ls that the hotel is gradually becoming the hub of London's night life and the meeting place of artistic and Bo- hemian .America. '' Strand Lost Position I'he Strand has for the past 10 years lost its position in the the- atrical and artistlp London. One can walk Its length and breadth without meeting a fanihlar' face. Its great hotels, C^cll 'and Savoy, are losin'g ground and popularity with the professions. Evferythhig is migrating west' ward'i Leicester Square 'a*d Pic- cadilly are l>ecomini; ' more taai more 'the rendexvbuf -of all classes of players, and the Piccadilly in particular is rapidly becoming the acknowledged headquarters of Lon* don's night life and gaiety.- THIEVES AROUND ^ Grace Kenny Loses Vanity Case Ifl Casting Office ^ Evidence that the ]lght-flngere'4i gentry are active again in the cast''* ing offices in the Broadway distri(^ was brought home last week whea a series of petty thefts were re* ported to the police. Probably the heaviest loser wad Grace. Kenny, prima donna,, who lost an expensive vanity ease containing $40 la cash and other effects. Th4' case was stolen in Leslie Morosco'# office in the Gaiety theatre building. The actress had been summoned t4 the office for a prospective engagAM ment. She placed the bag on ttul desk'of tbe reception room and for'', got to take It 'with her when callea into' the private office. In eonferencd with Moroeco less than lOminuteili when she returned for the bag A was gone. ,. '.^ : :% PLACmia MUSICAL "PEG" London, Aug. 5. To. place "Peg o' My Dreams" Ifc its musical form in a London West End theatre appears to be the malfi motive for Arthur Klein's visit here. "TK J .^- SAUINOS ^■ Aug. 5 (London to New York), Maurice Goodman (Leviathan). Aug. 5 (New York to London) Changing Pollock and Mrs. Pollock (Anna Marble) and daughter, SarW Sothern (Aquitania). " Aug. .6 (London to New Y(vl<>t^ Gertrude Hoffman (Leviathan). ' Aug. 5 (London to New York)/' Marcus Loew, L«e Shu'jert, Billy Gaxton» Martin Broone. (Levia- ihan)* ' • • TBIiRrUONF. KMMOOTT MZO THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS JOHN Tir.LBR Prealdent MAl^T nsAT) 8«cretary iJkMi OF AMERICA, Inc. TEMPORARV ADDHtSS 225 West 69th Street ^ ^EW, YORl^ Director* MAnr KEAD , ItBNBI TOUD Attorney NATHAN BUllKAN ^^l^^jggmiiyig^