Variety (December 1918)

.-■■■ If;; ." ■-"■';■ "■ : • • C A B L E S IN PARIS Paris, Nov. 8. The English troupe at the Theatre Albert I has presented the original version of "The Man Who Stayed at Home," with Mary Jerrold in the role of Frauline Schroeder, -which she cre- ated at the Royalty Theatre, London. The part of Kit is held by Oswald Marshall. This piece was a success in French when played by Max Dearly at the Bouffes. "Le Scandale," the comedy of Henry Battille, has 'been filmed in France by Baroncelli, and will be released shortly. The theatres in the south of Franca closed through the grippe epidemic are to reopen about Nov. IS, excepting in file Department of the Var. The Duke of Genoa, in the name of the King of Italy, has authorized an Italian picture company to reproduce all his literary works for moving pic- tures. A new operetta, "Pif-Pif," is to be created at the Bouffes Parisiens, end of November. The Theatre Michel is rehearsing a comedy by Edmond See, "Saison d'Amour," in which Jeanne Granier will appear. * The Abri is to offer shortly an operetta to be entitled "Au Beguin des Dames.". At the Theatre Antoine, M. Gemier will present a comedy, "Le Traite d'Auteuil," by Verneuil, in which the author will have a role. It is reported a German company has obtained the right (from whom is not stated) to adapt for pictures the works of the late Count Tolstoi. It is not known if the heirs are to secure a royalty, which Tolstoi refused to ac- cept during hif lifetime. He considered his thoughts, once published, belonged to mankind. When the present regime in Germany has been radically changed the works of Tolstoi may have big success. At present his democratic doctrines are just being realized. Arlequin's Theatre Gai is the name of a small establishment opening at 42 Rue de Douai, Paris. The big fea- ture is a bar with a jazz band, but there is also a second-class revue, "Fichtre," with Davrigny, Maurice Poggi, Anny Coker and Mona Palva. The latter is the dancer of the place. The deaths are reported of Roger Tertre, director of the Alcazar, Cher- bourg (France); Mine. W. Jourden (born Cecile Ferry), aged 40 years; Smrwcll, French comedian, at Aix-les- Bains; Mine. Marie Vidal, mother of Octave A. Noel, secretary of Pepiniere, Paris; Laurence Jerrold, Paris cor- respondent of London "Daily Tele- graph." . "L'AIGLON" MATINEE BIG SUCCESS. Marie Lohr's matinee at the Globe Nov. 19, when she presented "L'Aiglon," was a great success, Lady Wyndham leading the program sellers. Miss Lohr hopes to revive the play for a run later. "GAY PARIS" REVIVED. Paris, Nov. 27. Trebor and Beretta reopened the Marigny Nov. 16, reviving Monjardin's revue, "Fay Paris," poorly. Louis LeMarchand is the producer, • wifl i Eliiebrth Tlricrii l.non Bngttt Kuroki and Mesdames Darbelle and Cornillia in the cast. PHI-PHI IS RISQUE. Paris, Nov. 27. At the Bouffes Parisiene, Nov. 15, "Phi-Phi," an operetta in three acts, was produced nicely. It is an amus- ing risque operetta, travestying an- cient Greece. Music, by Christini, is ordinary, but Urban, the comedian, is good. The title is a nickname signify- ing Phydias, a Greek sculptor. KNIGHTING GEORGE ROBEY? London, Nov. 27. The King and Queen last week at- tended a performance at the Alhambra, their first visit to the^ theatre since the war, as a special compliment to George Robey for his wonderful war work. . Robey will probably receive a knight- hood. LONDON'S CONTINUAL JOY; London, Nov. 27. Theatrical business is literally over- flowing and enthusiasm is supreme. Our comedians are creating tumultuous applause by reference to passing events. A number of houses created records, and the enthusiasm continued in the streets. The utmost good humor prevails. AMERICANS AT ALHAMBRA. Paris, Nov. 27. Jerome and Carson, Bert Coleman, Sergeant Brennan, Fred. Lamp and Roy Dove opened at the Alhambra Nov. 22. "BETTER'OLE" OFF. London,' Nov. 27. Charles Cochran has withdrawn 'The Better 'Ole" from the Oxford Nov. 23, after a run of 1,800 performances. PRODUCING CO. FORMED. London, Nov. 27. The Lyric Hammersmith Co. has been formed, headed by Arnold Bennett, dramatist, and Nigel Playfair, man- ager, to present high class productions, commencing about Christmas with a children's play followed by a revival Of "As You Like It." DUFRENNE TAKES THEATRES. Paris, Nov. 27. Oscar Dufrenne has taken the Ara- bassadeurs and Alcazar for the next summer season, the latter being trans- formed into a skating and dancing re- sort. FUND FOR ACROBATS. London, Nov. 27. R. Smith, a gymnast, formerly of the Latelle Brothers, has bequeathed $6,- 250 to the Birmingham Hospital to found a bed for gymnasts and acrobats. HELEN ASHLEIGH MARRIES. London, Nov. 27. Helen Ashleigh, formerly of the Martini Trio, has been married to Cap- tain Sidney Cross. PEACE BALL. London, Nov.-27. The Music Hall Ladies' Guild pro- pose holding a peace ball. "U. S." IS NEW SHOW. London, Nov.'27. The new show to. be presented at the Ambassadors' is entitled "U. S." CLARENCE CORRI DIES. London, Nov. 27. Clarence Corri, musical conductor "ihd'conip^errdted'Nbv; 13:' ~' ; Reviving "Peter Pan" at Xmaa. London, Nov. 27. A new edition of "Peter Pan" will be revived at Christmas, with Faith Celli leading. _..,; LONDON NOTES. London, Nov. 11. Some idea of the war boom in thea- tres may be gathered from the fact that Grossmith, Laurillard and Arthur Bourchier have secured a lease of the Strand at a rental of £300 ($1,500) per week, and Gina Palerme has agreed to take the Duke of York's after the run of "The Man from Toronto" for a term at £350 a week plus a percentage on the gross receipts. The Strand was opened in 1905 and has always been unlucky. It was let some years ago to the late Louis Meyer at £70 per week including the bars, program and cloak room right, which are generally let separately. These rights alone prac- tically covered the rent. There has never been such a demand for theatres, and many responsible managers are looking for houses to present new productions; many are likely to burn their fingers after peace is declared, as the abnormal prosperity cannot con- tinue. Arthur Collins presents "The Babes in the Wood"' pantomime at Drury Lane this Christmas. It was at one time expected that "Shanghai" would run right through, but its attractions are waning and it will come off early in December. The babes will be played by Stanley Lupino and Will Evans, while Florence Smithson and Marie Blanche will be the leading ladies. ^Coupons" Following Tabs." London, Nov. 27. "Tabs" will be withdrawn from the -Vaudeville Theatre about Dec. 15, and followed by Andre Chariot's produc- tion of "Coupons," featuring Nelson Keys. Tableau in "Chu Chin Chow." London, Nov. 27. A tableau has been introduced in "Chu Chin Chow" at His Majesty's representing the allied powers, with Lily Brayton as Great Britain. Cast of "Jolly Jack Tar." London, Nov. 27. The cast selected by Cochran for "Jolly Jack Tar" for presentation at Princess includes May Beatty, Maudie Dunham, Albert Bruno, Charles Rock, Sam Live sty, Ambrose Manning. Welter Howard Writing Melodrama. London, Nov. 27. Walter Howard is writing a melo- drama for Albert DeCourville. LEAVING FOR FRANCE. Among the first sailings of profes- sionals for their homes abroad will be Saturday (Nov. 30) on the "Archam- bault," the French steamer. On it will be George Maarck and his people, Mr. and Mrs. Clerget, and Odeo Aubert, all French. Mr. Maarck is taking away with him the Maarck lions. Mile. Clerget lately appeared at the Palace, New York, for a week. M. Aubert came to New York from Russia. He does a turn of imitating a pig, but did not appear here. While on this side the variety artists were under the direction of H. B. Mari- nelli. "MORE BETTER 'OLES." The Coburns are casting a couple of more of "The Better 'Ole" shows. One will first be sent to Canada and the other to Chicago, while the original company continues to run at the Cort, New York. ' Keightley Went* to Go Home. Cyril Keightley, who gave up his part in "The Big Chance" the night of the dress rehearsal, wants to return to London as soon as the necessary permission from the port authorities can be obtained. BOOKING ABROAD FOR SPRING. Agents with English booking con- nections and other "time" abroad have started giving contracts for foreign appearances, acting on cabled re- quests for material. Passport restric- tions still in force prevent the im- mediate supplying of the heavy demand for American turns, but agents are se- curing them for appearances in the spring and summer, when it is ex- pected transportation regulations will have been modified. It is predicted that the coming summer will see aa unprecedented influx of American acts to England and France. Agents are looking forward to plans to establish American theatres in France, because of the number of doughboys and civilians who are ex- pected to be in that country for some time to come. All-American or all- English bills may be attempted in cities of Northern France until all of the British and Yankee troops are with- drawn. One act to receive London contract* for next summer is Al Shayne, the. "singing beauty," who has six weeks at $350 weekly, with an optional clause. FOREIGN PLAYS STILL HELD OUT. The foreign play field is still con- fined to those pieces available before America declared war. The signing of the armistice and the quitting of Austria-Hungary have not served to- clear up the vagueness concerning what new foreign plays will eventually be- come available, although it is known many new plays were produced in the Central Empires during hostilities. After the stoppage of communica- tions upon America's entry into the struggle, three Hungarian shows met with success on Broadway. They are "A Tailor-Made Man," "Maytime" and "T for 3," all having been adaptations from. Hungarian scripts. -. *■ - ■ - ■ ■ .*. ■ STARS ALERT FOR PLAYS. There appears to be plenty of big stars, but no plays available in which to display their talent. Unable to pro-' cure just the proper vehicle, Henry Miller has revived "Daddy Longlegs/* but is reported as still being .in the market for something new. Maxintr Elliott, who has been doing consider- able producing in later years, also mak- ing several pictures, is returning to the stage when finding a suitable play. William Faversham, since "Freedom"" was shelved at the Century, is also on the lookout for a new production. Blanche Bates and Holbrook Blinn in "Getting Together" are understood te be on the alert for a new play. Both have offers for other productions, and also have a vaudeville proposition. May Irwin is considering a piece she may produce around the holidays. Grace George and Ann Murdock are away from the footlights through lack of plays. LONDON SEEKS FAILURE. One of the conspicuous failures of the present New York season, "A Very Good Young Man," which Arthur Hop- kins produced at the Plymouth theatre for several weeks to steadily diminish- ing business, is evidently very much wanted in London. Hopkins has had no less than three offers for the English rights to the play. LIEUT. GITZ-RICE BOOKED. Lieut. Gitz-Rice will appear at the Palace, New York, next week in a vaudeville act. The Lieutenant wrote the song numbers in "Getting Togeth- er," the British Recruiting Mission propaganda play, and appeared among--;---- the principals. Holbrook Blinn and Blanche Bates, also of the "Getting Together" cast, have received proposals from Harry J. Fitzgerald, the agent, to enter vaudeville. The show has closed its season. i