Variety (April 1919)

mm" '■ f ;■* 1 '-"V 3P mm mi " I'J m H-.- ll-i LONDON MANAGER DECLARES AGAI NST ACT ORS' SOCIETY R. H. Cochrane Vows He Will Retire From Theatricals Before Engaging Members of Actors' Association. Trouble Looked For. Manager Successfully Revives "Cyrano de Bergerac." London, April 2. R. H. Cochrane, who recently ad- monished the critics for not fully recognizing Madge Titheradge's talents and later quarreled with the ticket, agencies, has now publicly declared he will never engage any member of the Actors' Association for the casts of his attractions, saying he would prefer to retire from the show business. This action was taken by Cochrane in consequence of the Association's remonstrance against the manager's nine weeks' rehearsals of his produc- tion of "Cyrano de Bergerac" without payment to the artists — numbering nearly 100. The association has called a meet- ing to, take action on the matter. It will probably lead to trouble, as the executive committee of the thespian organization, with which the vaude- ville artists, musicians and stage hands are affiliated, will, recommend that no member of the association shall appear in a cast not entirely composed of members of the organization. The Actors' Association recently passed a resolution demanding a mini- mum wage of $15 a week and full pay during rehearsals, which was submitted to the Managers' Association and con- ceded by it. It is generally believed here that Cochrane may find it expedient to recede from the stand he has taken in the matter. Cochrane's revival' of "Cyrano de Bergerac" is a great success and a splendid production. Robert Loraine's reappearance as the irresistible Gascon was enthusi- astically received. Stella Campbell, Gerald Lawrence and Ben Field also scored. BATTLE BULLDOG IN SKETCH. London, April 2. At the Lewisham Hippodrome Den- ton Spencer's sketch, "The Coffee Pot," was successfully presented for the first time in London, with Lieutenant Burrie and Bess Desborough. A leading feature is a bulldog that went through the battle -of Jutland with Burrie. ROCK AND WHITE AT $1,500. London, April 2. William Rock and Frances White are now on the water nearing these shores to open March 26 for Sir Alfred Butt in a new revue over here. They receive $1,500 a week during their 10-week contract, and received transportation to this side. MOLIERE IN A NEW FRAME. Paris, April 2. F. Gemier is devoted to 'the classics, and, following Shakespeare, he is now giving Moliere at the Theatre Antoine. The run of "Bourgeois Gentilhomme" is attracting, the Comedie Francaise and Odeon apparently having reverted to modern comedy as their specialty. Tommy Gray Coming Home. London, April 2. Tommy Gray sailed today for New York. Before leaving London he asked that Johnny O'Connor, of Variety; in New York, be requested to warn all Times square bartenders. Mr. Gray, who took part in the writ- ing of the new Hippodrome show, "Joy Bells," says it's the best revue .ever seen here. MISTINGUETT COMING. Paris, April 2. It is reported that Mile. Mistinguett, after her present engagement at the Casino de Paris, will visit the United States. The dancer Maurice will be seen in the new production at the Casino. $175,000 ADVANCE SALE. London, April 2. The Hippodrome has arranged for a $175,000 deal with the Libraries (ticket agencies) for seats for their new pro- duction, "Joy Bells." "BLUE BIRD" IN BELGIUM. Brussels, April 2. Maurice Maeterlinck's "Oiseau Bleu" is being presented at the Theatre de la Monnaie here. HOLBORN FEATURES. London, April 2. The Holborn Empire features this week are Harry Weldon, Whit Cun- liffe, Van Hoven and Marie Kendall. At Finsbury Park Empire Fred Kitchen, just returned from Paris, is featuring his successful revue "Hotch Potch." "OH, JOY" MOVES. London, April 2. "Oh, Joy," moved from the Kingsway to the Apollo, has caught on at its new home. Extra matinees are announced for Fridays. GEORGE LEONAS DIES. London, April 2. George Leonas, of the Musical Leonas, and for 20 years in variety, has died, leaving a widow, two sons and one daughter. Woods Has "A* You Were." London, April 2. A. H. Woods has secured the rights to "As You Were," a hit in London at present. He is planning an early pre- sentation in this country. Jack Hughes, who went abroad with the manager, has made arrangements to return to this country on the Mau- retania. "Bourgeois Gentilhomme" Running. Paris, April 2. F. Gemier has produced at the Thea- tre Antoine the famous comedy of Moliere, "Bourgeois Gentilhomme," hitherto in the repertoire of the Co- medie Francaise and Odeon. It is well played bv MM. Gemier. Arquilliere. Leriche. Rollan, St.-Mars Vanel, Mmes. Celiat, Jeannine Henry, Valet. Charles Carson's Widow Dies. London, April 2. Mrs. Carson, widow of Charles Car- son, founder of The Stage, a local the- atrical weekly, died March 21 at Brighton. She was formerly a- popular actress, and after her retirement from professional life devoted her energies toward the betterment of distressed professionals. Woods Sailing April 12. London, April 2. A. H. Woods sails for home April 12. 17 CURTAIN CALLS AT FINISH. London, April 2. The Russian Ballet concluded its sea- son at the Coliseum amid scenes of great enthusiasm, receiving 17 curtain calls. , After a brief tour the- organization returns to the Alhambra for three months, opening April 28. The variety turns at the Coliseum include Harry Tate in "Selling a Motor," Clarice Mayne, Florence Smith- son, Beattie and Babs, Great Rameses, Gresham Singers. "VICTORY" WELL STAGED. London, April 2. At the Globe March 26 was pre- sented MacDonald Hasting's adapta- tion of Conrad's "Victory." It is a prettily staged, melodramatic play, presenting Marie Lohr in a new style of character, well supported by Gayer Mackey, Sam Livesey, George Elton and Murray Carrington. DID A GREAT "SINGLE." London, April 2. Conrad, who reappears at the Coli- seum, Portsmouth, was awarded the military medal for capturing four Germans and a machine gun single- handed. Y. M. C. A. House for Troops. Paris, April 2. The Y. M, C. A. is taking the Opera Champs Elysees for three months to entertain the troops, with Captain Hunter as director Albert de Courville is reported as negotiating to take the same theatre. Tom Cable Reappearing. London, April 2. Tom Cable, Scottish comedian, demobilized, reappeared at Leeds. During service he played as principal comedian with the Cavalier Concert Party in France. Volterra After Russian Ballets. Paris, April 2. Volterra is reported to be engaging Russian ballets for the Apollo, com- mencing in September. He proposes to build a cabaret adjoining the The- atre Rejane to produce Rip's revues. Clement May in Dickens' Act. London, April 2. Clement May, protean actor, made a successful London debut at Totten- ham in Dickens' characters. Shubert Expected in Paris. Paris, April 2. J. J. Shubert is due in Paris at this cabling. He has been in London. Gulliver Reinstating Service Men. London, April 2. Charles Gulliver has reinstated over 100 of his former employes, recently demobilized, in his circuit of variety theatres, and is negotiating with an additional 50, whose places were kept open for them. "Sleeping Partners" Revival. London, April 2. Charles Cochran has revived "Sleep- ing Partners" at St. Martin's, with Seymour Hicks in his original part, supported by Fred Kerr and Lydia Bil- brook. All are excellent. "Liberty Bells" on Tour. Paris, April 2. The 33rd Division "Liberty Bells" players who proved such a success in Paris have left for a month's tour in the South of France, under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus. Edmund See's New Comedy. Paris, April 2. The ,ne\v comedy by Edmund See. "Maitier d'Amant" ("Profession of Love"), will be presented at the little Theatre Michel next season, with Sig- noret-in the leading role. V. A. F. WARNS AMERICANS. A warning to American artists is published this week in this issue of VARiBTn It was issued by the Variety . Artists' Federation of England. The chairman of the V. A. F. t Fred Russell, authorized its publication. The warning in brief is advice to Americans against • accepting engage- ments on speculation in England. It informs artists over here not to travel to the other side without a contract from some English management for the full time the American may expect to remain on the other side.' The advertisement states that there are now 5,000 acts in England with places for but 2,000. According to advices from London the warning against the threatened in- vasion of American acts is the out- come of the presence there of Willie Edelsten with a list of some 50 Ameri- can turns anxious to go to England, which list has been submitted to the leading proprietors of English circuits. Early this month the V. A. F. addressed a letter to the Director of Employment Exchanges of the Board of Trade of England, asking the board of trade to revert to a letter sent by the V. A. F. on OctoSer 2,1916, request- ing the Board of Trade not to grant general permission to music hall artists belonging to other countries to enter the United Kingdom. The Board's reply, dated October 14, 1916, stated that "before permission is granted that they shall be satisfied that the services demanded cannot be rendered by persons who are already in this country." The executive committee of the V. A. F. called attention to the above reply in its official organ, "The Performer," and asked that "before allowing the importation of alien per- formers you will take steps to satisfy yourself that the services demanded cannot be rendered by persons already in the country." "CAESAR'S WIFE" IS GOOD DRAMA. London, April 2. Somerset Maugham's "Caesar's Wife," presented at the Royalty March 27, is a capital domestic drama dealing with the eternal triangle, and skilfully treated. It proved a triumph for Fay Cbmp- ton and Aubrey Smith, who are well supported by Helen Haye, Eva Moore and George Ralph. FRENCH MUSICIANS DUE. Paris, April. 2. Rene Maupre and Duvarnay, of the Odeon Theatre here, will accompany a French troupe, for the most part demobilized soldiers, which will leave for New York the end of April. Dumont, of the Concert Colonne, 19 at the head, with Pierre Juvenet as director of the tour. "Uncle Ned" Shown in Provinces. London, April 2. "Uncle Ned," with Henry Ainley in the name part, was reported success- fully produced at the Lyceum, Sheffield, March 25. • "Swank" Produced at Belfast. London, April 2. "Swank," by Arthur Shirley, was presented at the Cromley-Challehger, Belfast, March 24, and registered a marked success, it is said. "King's Jesters" Are an Act. London, April 2. "The King's Jesters," just arrived from France, all former variety artists, are making their first appearance at the Victoria Palace this week. English Agent Returns Home. Horace Reeves, of F. & H. Reeves & Lamport, agents of London, who has been in New York for several weeks in search of attractions, sailed for home last Saturday on the Baltic. He stated his trip was a most sat- isfactory one. . > .