The New York Clipper (July 1919)

July 9, 1919 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 23 LONDON F&mm€N MMW^ MANAGERS FROWN UPON DEMO BILIZED PERFORMERS Comparatively Few Actor-Soldiers Have Been Booked at Old Salary—Many Are Offered Half Former Pay When Their Identify It Known—Others Are Refused Bookings London, Eng., July 4.—There is much discussion at the present time as to whether the demobilized performer is getting a fair chance in the profession he left tp do his duty for his country. While it is true that Gulliver and one or two other managers have been quick to give the returned soldier-performer work, without an attempt to cut his salary, there are many others who have not. It is also true that, in the aggregate, thanks to the right feeling of managers, quite a number of soldier-performers have been fortunate enough to make a.new Btart in their chosen profession. But it is a sad commentary on the British managers' patriotism that there are many perform- ers who have returned from the conflict thoroughly fit to resume where they left off, who are still idle. Some demobilized performers say that many managers express doubt about giv- ing them bookings; while other managers come out flat-footedly and say they have no use for tbem at all. Still other man- agers refuse to book ex-soldier performers except at greatly cut salaries. < The feeling among some managers seems to be that performers back from the war are so anxious to get to work again that they will accept any salary, and the money that has been offered in some cases is absurdly low. To give an idea of the feeling of the average manager toward the soldier per- former, a case in, point is where a man- ager recently saw an act performed and wanted it for his house. He told the agent who booked the act that he would be willing to give $100 a week for it. Later, - when the manager learned that the two men who comprised the act were demobilized performers, he said he would not give more than $60 for it, because they were ex-soldiers. It seems a pity that this should be so. Variety did much for the entertainment, comfort and benefit of Britain's fighting forces during the war, and no true Briton should allow it to be said of him that he neglected one of the men who helped to make it possible for him to live in peace and continue in business. The performer who served his country should receive today just as much salary for his work on the stage as he did before he went to fight for his flag. Provided, of course, his ability as an entertainer is just as good. OXFORD STILL SHOWS DRAMA London, England, July 1.—With the production of "A Temporary Gentleman" at the Oxford, that house is continued in the dramatic ranks. It started with "The Better 'Ole," which was presented there because no dramatic house in London was available at the time. Then came "In the Night Watch." It is not outside the bounds of possibility that the house will continue to give drama and never go back to variety. "A Temporary Gentleman" is a three-act comedy by H. F. Maltby and is presented by Herbert Jay and Frank Littler. DEST1NN MAKES RE-APPEARANCE London, England, June 30.—Emmy Destinn, after an absence of Ave years, made her grand opera reappearance under the name of Mme. Destinnova, in the title role of "Aida." She was enthusiastically received. She will revisit the United States in the Fall to sing at the Metro- politan Opera House, New York. "TILLY" NEARLY READY LONDON, England, July 1.—"Tilly of BloomBbury," Grossmith and Laurillard's next forthcoming production, is to be pre- sented early this month at the Apollo. Arthur Bourchier has been signed to play the role which the late Weedon Grossmith was originally engaged. COLLIER PLAY BREAKS RECORD Sydney, Australia, June L—"Nothing But the Truth," William Collier's success- ful American play, started at the Criterion Theatre with the biggest and most enthu- siastic audience ever accorded a comedy on the Australian stage. M. B. Figman, who is seen in the role originated by Collier, made three previous attempts to bring the play here. The first two were prevented by the "flu," and the third, owing to a jumble in the bookings caused by the same epidemic, resulted in an engagement of three nights only. But these showings, although given at a time when theatregoers • had not recovered from their "flu" scare, were sufficient to whet their appetites, and the result has been that "Nothing Bnt the Truth" has re- ceived the most thorough "mouth to mouth" advertising of any play that has ever been given here. Figman is ably supported by Lolita Robertson, Nellie Wil- son, Lucie Carter, Primrose Caryl], Emma Temple, Eunice Vert, Mac M. Barnes, Leslie Victor, Kenneth Brampton and E. P. Bush. The play is still going strong and should continue at the Criterion for weeks to come. TEDDIE GERARD RETURNING London, England, July L—Teddie Ger- ard has been engaged to appear in Guitry's "L'DJusioniste" in New York and will soon return to the States to fill the en- gagement, at present Miss Gerard is ap- pearing in "As Ton Were," at the London Pavilion, having taken the place of Mile. Delysia in that revue. SYDNEY LUCES "BETTER "OLE" Sydney, Australia, June l s —Sydney has emphatically placed its stamp of ap- proval on "The Better 'Ole," produced last week at the Tivoli. If the business of the first week, together with the enthusiasm shown by the audiences, is any criterion, "The Better 'Ole" will have a long run in this city. DUBLIN SHOW RAIDED London, England, June 30.—The r>ub- lin police raided Arthur Sinclair's "Duty" company recently while playing in St. Mary's Hall, Mayo. The head constable, who conducted the raid, objected to the play, which has been presented in other parts of Ireland with success. In Cork there was some talk of prohibiting the performance, but when the authorities saw it they permitted it to go on. At Kilkenny the police forbade the use of police uni- forms on the stage, but at Mayo they con- fiscated some of the wardrobe of the com- pany members and the show was given in civilian dress, with the police wearing top hats to distinguish them from the others. "JEST" TOO GLOOMY FOR LONDON London, England, July 2.—In spite of the report that Grossmith and Laurillard had secured "The Jest" for local produc- tion, that firm announces that their Ameri- can representative says the play is too "gloomy and gruesome for England." SWEDISH DANCER APPEARS LONDON, England, June 29.—Mile. Jenny Hasselqvist, the much-heralded Swedish prima ballerina from the Royal Opera" House, Stockholm, is making her first appearance in this country at the London Coliseum, That she is talented there is no question, but she affects an excess of nrm wriggling in some of her dances that rather detracts than adds to the beauty of her work. She also appears without the aid of elaborate scenery and attendant coryphees, which is a big handicap, for she lacks suf- ficient magnetism to "go it alone." Un- questionably, if she bad the above aids, her success would have been far greater than it is. MAY DE SOUSA SCORES Sydney, Australia, May 20.—One of the outstanding features of Her Majesty's suc- cessful production, "Goody Two Shoes," is the hit scored by May de Sousa, who, as principal boy, has captured all by her acting and remarkable singing. She has made one of the biggest successes ever made by an American. Fred Walton's success is second only to that of Miss de Sousa, and his Toy Sol- dier, with which Americans are familiar, is voted as one of the best things ever seen on our stage. ASCHE WRITING ANOTHER PLAY London, England, July 2.—In spite of the fact that Oscar Asche has only just finished "Mecca" and a play he tentatively calls "All Aboard" or "All Abroad," he has started writing a big musical drama, the heart interest of which will center around a love story of the days of the eccentric Marquis of Waterford. He ex- pects this work to be finished in time for a late Autumn production. SYDNEY THEATRES DRAWING BIG Sydney, Australia, June 1.—After seven weeks of theatrical drought, the Sydney theatres started on Saturday „night with bumper business which continues un- abated. The fact is the people were show hungry and just as soon as the danger of the "flu" had passed the theatres began to reap the benefit. This applies alike to the dramatic, the variety' and the motion picture theatres. QUITS OLD DRURY JULY 11 London, England, Jnne SO.—Robert Loraine has but two more weeks to stay with his "Cyrano de Bergerac" at Drury Lane, as he mnst vacate to permit Sir Thomas Beecham to come in with lis light opera company. Loraine contem- plates moving the play to another London theatre for a few weeks and then going on tour. PUBLISH BELASCO PLAY STORY London, England. July 2.—"The Girl of the Golden West," David Belasco's suc- cessful American play of California, which furnished the book for Puccini's opera of the same title, has been novelized and printed in book form by the Messrs. Jar- rolds. TWO "SCANDAL" CO.'S TO TOUR London, England, July I.—Arthur Bourchier is sending out two companies of "Scandal" for provincial tours. The first started last week and the second opens on July 21. One tours North, the other South. DAREWSKI TO ASSIST LOAN London, England, July 4.—Herman Karen-ski has received official appointment to assist in the exploitation of the Victory Loan in the theatres, music halls, cinema theatres and the music trade. LONDON TO SEE KOUNS SISTERS London, England, June 29.—Nellie and Sara Kouns, two young American vocal- ists, are presently making their first ap- pearance in London at the Coliseum. "IN CHANCERY" MUSICALIZED London. England, July 1.—By arrange- ment with Sir Arthur Pinero, Fred Thompson has bad a musicalized version made of "In Chancery," and, in its new form, this old Edward Terry success will follow "The Boy" (Pinero'a "The Magis- trate" with music) at the Adelphl as soon as the latter is withdrawn. "In Chanc- ery'' has been renamed "Who's Hooper," and the music is by Clifford Grey. Inci- dentally, the withdrawal of "The Boy" seems remote. The play is nesrlng its 800th performance and is still going strong. SING IN BULL FIGHT ARENA Mexico City, July 4.—The Teatro El Toro, at one time one of the leading bull fight arenas in this country, has been turned into a home of grand opera, as a sequence of the decree of President Car- ranxa that bull fights are banned in Mexico. The Teatro El Toro is rich in the lore of the bull fight and the most famous toreadors of the world have at one time or another appeared in this arena. LONDON TO SEE "NOBODY'S BOY" London, - England, July 1.—Messrs. Sacks and Butt are preparing to give "Nobody's Boy" a production at the Gar- rick Theatre. They have come to an ar- rangement with Percy Hutchinson by which the American play will follow "The Luck of the Nav»" as soon as the latter work runs itself out. Frank Lalor has been engaged for a leading role. GILBERT MILLER RECOVERED London, England, July 1.—Gilbert Miller has returned to London, practically recovered from the effects of his recent accident. He is about to begin prepara- tions for tlie production of "The Depths," the first offering be and Henry Ainley will present in the Autumn at the St James. HENRY AINLEY RESTING London, England, June 30.—Henry Ainley closed, his tour of "Uncle Ned" last week in Blackpool and has gone on a holiday at bis home in Kent prior to his association with Gilbert Miller as co- manager and actor at the St. James Theatre. HAWTREY BACK IN CAST London, England, June 30.—Charles Haw trey-has recovered from his recent ill- ness and is back in the cast of "The Naughty Wife" at the Playhouse. The play continues to do good business. It passed its 550th performance last Friday. STARTS 22D TOUR AUG. 4 London. England, July 2.—"Are You a Mason" will start on August 4 its twenty- second annual tour under the manage- ment of Charles H. Williams. TRAGEDY DEFIES THE HEAT "John Ferguson" was moved on Monday night from the Garrick to the Fulton The- atre. It will remain there for a summer run. Originally the play was intended for a week's run at the Garrick, where it was put on by the Theatre Guild and, de- spite the fact that it is a tragedy and without much humor, has been making money for a considerable time. REMODEL 44TH STREET THEATRE The Forty-fourth Street Theatre has been completely remodeled for the Shubert "Gaieties of 1010," which opened there Monday night. It is planned to have a tea garden adjacent to the lobby, and to have dancing there also. (TkU is net a Fact Powitii