The New York Clipper (December 1914)

2 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. December 5 OUR LONDON LETTER, I1EKRY GEORGE HIDBEKT, SPECIAL CORDKSFOXDEIT. Clipper Baretn, t> South Bqaar* Gray's Inn, London, W. C. Nov. 14. TUB MLSIC HALL SITUATION. Before these line* reach you, It 1b prac- tically certain that the belligerents la the music hall war will have bowed to public opinion, or to the absence of public opinion. nan ■ no doubt that the feeling was one ol absolute indifference, at such a moment, to any light between the music hall managers and the music hall artists. "If you have any difference, aetlle It among yourselves" wan the idea. "If you -want to mint up the vari- ety houses because of your differences, well, we must look for our fun at the theatres; That waa the attitude. As a result, the vaudeville performers and the vaudeville managers bave come together. Xhcy saw turn It waa up to them to give a little, 00 each aide. At the mass meeting of the artists, on Sunday, this point was accentuated by many of the speakers. As 1 write, 1 do sot know; and yet 1 am sure, that the managers have taken this view, and that at this moment a now working agreement haa been made, la which each side concedes something of what It conceives to be Its rights! so that business may be carried on through tho war. .ipi'i'Loa of which Laurette Taylor, who haa developed quite a nice feeling toward we fcuigllsn—1 wonder If you will ever get her bueu—allowed me, with tears In her eyes tue otiicr day, a set of verses in an American iiuiht, charging healthy young Ungll&h actors with scurrying over to New York to get work, if they could, whereas they ought to be at the war. Mow, the t)nglluli actor has been no slouch at the war. Uow many have come to flew York, and what you hud tlicra worth I do not pretend to know, but there are certainly not less than a thousand pro- fessional people who have gone to the front, and of some we have had Btorles of brilliant work. Certainly the stage has not disgraced itself this time. llcrbei-t Itlackmore, the big agent, tells me that all the important pantomimes will be done this jear, just as usual, though the vaudeville and road pantomime companies ere fading away. Sir Herbert 1'ree will sandwich a few afternoon performances of "Drake" between tue performances of "Henry IV." "Cheer, Boys, Cheer," disappears from the Prince's Theatre to-night. But Florence Ulossop Harris and her husband, frank Col- lier, art holding out with afternoon perform- ances of Shakespeare. A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY. On Thursday, J. H. Mllburn celebrated his professional Jubilee and his golden wedding on the same day. lie was a well kuown Irish comedian and pantomime "dame." lie Is the father of the agent, Milburn, and Is related by marriage to the Moss manager, trunk Allen; alto to the Macdermott family. The "Ur'-at" Macdermott, most famous of our "lions" eoiclque, ran away with old Mllbum'a daughtor. FIGHT ON "THIS NEW SHYI.OCK." Thoro la a fight on now between Herman Schellauer, the writer of "The New Shy- look," and the Phillip Michael Faraday peo- ple, who are running it at the Lyric The uluy wag produced by Mlsa liornlman, ac Manchester. Miss Uornlmou Is n rich lady, with a Jove of the theatre. She discovered Stanley Houghton and gave "Ulnaie Wakes" lis chance. She ran 'The New Shylock" as a serious picture of Jewish life. Faraday saw it and very short of a play, brought It to town. 'lie wants to cut out, as Indelicate, some lines which ScherTauar regards as char- acteristic. The odd thing Is that Faraday Is a Jew, and Schellauer Is not. Faraday ■wants to emphasize the comical, or "l'otosi A Perhnutter" side of tho play. SchoSauer says no. The Authors Society says no. Miss liornlman agrees. And there's going to be a pretty good light Scheffauer Is a San Francisco architect who traveled a good deal, and settled down into London to write tor the highbrow re- views. Ills play has been printed and played all over Germany and UujbIii; but not in America, and not previously In England. You are to see it soon. It tells the story of a money lender, a "modern -Shylock," In the New York Ghetto, whoso daughter meets and loves a young chrlstlon. The old man, who has a second young wife, Is tensely Jewish ; but after a fierce struggle gives way to his daughter's desire, softened a good deal by the thought that his young wife la, tardily, to bear him a child, whom lie hopes may be a boy, and become a rabbi. Faraday lays hold of this situation, which he declares to be Indelicate. Schellauer says he has bis rights clearly defined in his agreement, and that ho will contest the point, in the interests of authors. I should say ho would win, but, at a great cost. With the collaboration of many kindred Institutions and some well known uctor-man- aRers, the (>. 1'. (Old Playgoers) Club is getting up a "Drake" dinner. The idea Is to testimonially Sir Herbert Tree for his patriotic exploitation of the play and also to augment the war fundB. Sylvanus Jones, a lino old Buckingham- shire farmer, of a Puritan belief and prac- tice. Is dead. His claim to your notlco U that ho was the father of Henry Arthur Jones and of Sylvanus Dauncey, tho mana- §er, whom painful Illness drove to iclf- c«truct!on. , . . Cecil Raleigh, of whose illness I apprised vou. Is dead. His rent troublo was a ran r ccroua affection of tho throat. Vet years I knew him as a terrible cigarette smoker, and—I wonder. Ho suffered a great deal toward the end, and refused to take nourish- ment. Cecil Raleigh was married twice; In the first Instance to the charming novell.it, now Madame AlbanesL In the second to th* lady who lately acted In America under his name. At the Kings way Theatre "Th* Great Adven- ran" cam* to an end on Saturday, with its 67S1 performance. Seymour Hicks and Gladys Oooper an again at th* Coliseum, playing their sketch, "The Bridal Suite." "A Milled Grill," on* of the beat of the casual revues on the road, is this week at th* London Failed lorn. Max Dearly will not come to America with the Laurellard-Grossmlth Company. He noslcs at the Ambateador'a Theatre Indefinitely. Matticsou Lang goes to His Majesty's for "Henry IV." so Frank Boyd Is now playing "Mr. Wo" at the Savoy. This extraordinary concoction is as popular as ever. Frederick Harrison will ahortly supersede "The Imposaibl* Woman," which la a failure, at the Haymarket, with a revival of 'The Flag Lieuten- ant" They have gone for the afternoon performance Ides with "The New Shylock." at Ue Lyric Theabe, only opening the house oa two evening* weekly. A seaaon of Belgian plays is contemplated at the Criterion Theatre, meanwhile closed. Ben Greet, who came over for a tollday. snd was riuaded by hli relations to make It a bag one. lending a hand with the "popular" perform- ances of Shakespeare at the Victoria Theatre, a big house Id the alums, now run by people who believe la the drama as a humanizing Influence. Mr. Greet told me the other day that the Shake- speare cult bad never beeu so strong In America as no* it is. E. S. Willard snd his wife hare presented Is the School or Dramatic Art, which Sir Herbert. Tree founded a valuable collection of theatrical books and prints, and aouvenlra of Mr. Wlllard's carter, Tom Gsilon, the novelist, la dead at forty- eight. His delicate frame could not withstand an attack of pleurisy. He wrote a good deal for the atage, but not with much success, save In the way or mualc Lull sketches, "The Devil's World" for instance. "Tatlerley," bla best known novel, wss dramatized, but only bad a brief career on the road. HAHHERSTEIN'g AGAIN CHANGES HANDS. nammerstetn's London Opera House, where Pastor Euatell, from the Estates, has lately been running a religious picture show, has again changed bunds, it Is said to hive been taken up by a wealthy syndicate, which proposes to call it the National Theatre, snd to open St Ohristmas with s tremendous pantomime. There Is nothing to prevent anybody calling any theatre "Na- tional," For years the proprietors at Druny Lane have clabced It as the ''National" thea<re on ac- count oT Ita historic asrorliUons. Bat really, there Is nothing "National" about it. Nor, do I suppose, there will be about Hammerstcln's Oners House. For a long time there has been s scheme to run a "National" theatre as a kind of Shake- speare, memorial and educational Institute. But its promoters have been so slow they cannot complain if their cherished title is taken away from them by a mere showman I ■ « So far three paatoaulnus are promised at the West Bad, for this, let us bone, happy Christmas Alfred Littleton, who la dead, was a well known Siure in the musical world. He was seventy-live, s directed the famous Arm of Kovello. He was as intimate of Gounod, Liaat and Verdi, to whom he paid »20,OOO for '•Bedamptlon." Fred Terry says he is a man of his word, snd does not give s blow for contracts. He car- ried through his road tour. In spite of the war, and kept sixty people In work. He will open at the Strand Theatre in January, and ran it (he, hopes) s year. He will produce 'Teg and the Prentice," a costume drama, by Ernest Hendrle. Shakespeare's "Tweltth Night" has just bees revived In Lelpslc, with an interpolated passage, suggesting that, already, England seemed to the poet to be all wrong; out he hoped for the best from Germany. Gerald Grlffen, of "Other People's Money," is s recent arrival 00 this side. Terry snd Lambert sail ror Australia again In the Spring, News comes from South Africa that John Tiller and his stranded dancing girls secured passages for home, and should arrive in a few days. Lorna and Toots Pounds, the clever Australian slaters, ssU for the State* again early la the New Year. Beth Tate haa Just reached town from Australia. Willie Solal mode op his mind quite quickly to cancel bla dates here, last week, and sailed for South America. Arthur Whlttaker, a well known manager (most recently for James Welch), formerly an actor, is dead. lie bore up against the growth of cancer with smsalng fortitude snd cheerfulness. Alfred Butt Is to try an Interesting experiment at the Paluee. Interpolated to the revue, "The Passing Show," is a melodramatic sketch, called "The Rajah's Buby," with Gaby Dealys for its heroine. On and after Monday, with little verbal alteration, it will be played as a farce. Helen Mar reports a success at Oape Town. Will Bishop has beeu called in to complete tb* "productlor." of the revue, "Business As Usual,'' at the Hippodrome. An allegorical sketch, called "The War Lord's Dream," la to done st the London Palladium next week, with 0. V. France as King William, and C. M. Haliard as King Death. The music is by James Olover. This yesr, the extravaganza annually performed by the Rats, will be done tor the war funds. It is entitled "Dick Whlttlngton and His Kat," and will employ "the ugliest beauty chorus ever seen." Nov. 21. THEATRE AND MUSIC HALL LICENSES. Some r em a rkab le Incidents characterized the session of the Theatres and Music Halls Committee of the London County Council for the consideration of applications for li- censes during the twelve months ensuing. It should be explained to yon that this com- mittee hears evidence and then reports to the entire body of the council, widen mostly accepts the recommendation of the committee, but is free to re-open a case from the be- ginning and take an independent course. So these decision* are not inevitably tlnai, but probably final: There were nearly six hundred applica- tions, mostly of a formal nature. Appcn- drodt, the great German rettaurantcur, who la naturaltied, for instance, got his music licenses all right, but sighed and said lie feared his business waa all overt Uhe council cut out, ruthlessly, all the German owned pbiure houses, which are many. It again refused the Hippodrome and the London Coliseum to sell drinks, and it again declined to give Oswald Stoll permission to go ahead with the new ha'l which, tor years, he has wanted to build at Fuibam. He has Henri Tozer, Interested in many suburban houses, op against him here. Toxer claims that there 1b no room for a new house—there never was; but, meanwhile there has been an awful slump. The loss, at nearly all the houses with which Tozer la connected la, lie says, "Invariable." Stoll urged his case In person. He says that walla In some Instances, the war has Injured vaude- ville bouses, in others, located where there is a business boom, due to the war, the vaude- ville houses were never more prosperous. As for his building scheme, Stoll says he is sure of a triumphant ending of the war, of peace with honor, and of the biggest tfame for vaudeville It has ever known. Still the com- mittee will not give him bis Folham bouse. The general feeling is that Stoll ought to bave his chance at JTulham, and that Tozer's opposition Is unfair. Sir Herbert Tree revived "Henry IV" on Saturday night, but thereafter reverted to the afternoon show idea at His Majesty's. The play Is chiefly remarkable for Its mar- tial note, and for some good battle pictures. Owen Nares is too effeminate a King Hal. Matthlson Lang 1b good as Hotspur. Tree plays Falstaff exceedingly well; but, of course, the burly knight is not so prominent herein as In "The Merry Wives." HEW HIPPODROME REVt'E. Albert do Courvllie promised that the new Hippodrome revue, "Jiuslness As Usual," should not be too warlike, but he has kept Ms word with reservations. Although he avoids lurid pictures of bloodshed and hos- pital life, such aa we have had, "Business As NOTICE HALF TOND PIOTURBi la the rea«- 1.a paces of TUB clipper wall »>• Inserted mt *!»•■• prleeai Front Paste Cnt H»« Doable Oslnson »lft*» Haggle Oslnssm • - ... .--:* ';• i • >,'*■'.*.•-&.; THURBBR AND THIRBER, In their up-to-date comedy act, with the original "Futurist Dance." Usual" Is war all the time. Opinion is di- vided as to the wisdom of this, although the show U allowed to be good enough, lor its humor it depends largely on Harry Tate, who figures as a fussy London citizen, unfit for real scldiering; but putting his suburban Lome Into a ridiculous state of defense, and fzpremlng important opinions on things in general. In short, to his many amusing sketches of public "characters," or public characters, Tate now adds a good one of the amateur strategist, of whom we are nowadays seeing a good deal. A series of tableau vlvants. based on the war cartoons of Punch, which have been so much admired, Is very effective. Among many other scenes we note a pastoral view of lovely France, before the booming of cannon tells of. the beginning of the war, good ones of recruiting, of a cavalry charge on the battlefield; finally, a gorgeous levee of the allies, which many Important personages attend. Morris Harvey, a somewbile FoUy, dainty little Unity More, handsome Violet Lorraine, and tuneful Henri Leonl, are nob- able members of the company. The book is by E. V. Lucas, who first thinly disguised himself aa IT. W. (Mark; and the music Is by Jimmy Glover, who has a genius for string- ing lines together and making them homo- geneous. A GltlM SKETCH. A grim, spectacular sketch suggested to Arthur Collins fcy a fantastic article in The Pall Hall Gazette, was done at the London Palladium, on Monday. It reveals Kaiser William in his tent, studying the war. To him appears King Death. Another novelty at tho London Palladium Is the "Girl and the Boat," this emanating from the famous Judge Family of animal trainers, employs a girl In a swimming tank, with a clever seal tor her companion. "POTASH & PERLMUTTER'S" LONG RUN. On Wednesday night "Potash 4 Perlmut- ter" was played at the Quecn'a Theatre for the two hundred and fiftieth time, and Ernest Collins, the business manager there, tells me be still sees no end of the run. Business fell off a while when the war began, but not so much aa to suggest to the mana- gers that they should reduce their salaries or their prices of admission. This has been dene at probably every other theatre In Lon- don. Everybody who Is anybody has been to see "Potash, & Perlmutter," except, strangely enough, the King. Chancellor of tho Exchequer Lloyd George has been three times, and once took Lord Chief Justice Isaacs. It was the last play Lord Roberts went to seo before his departure for France, and death there. It was the last piece Kitchener saw before the war. Prince Louis of Battenburg saw it three times. Just be- fore the war Laurillard and Groasmith were hunting around for another theatre. They thought they would run "Potash 4 Perlmut- ter" in two places at oncel Tbey could have ten theatres now. Harry TaTt Is s recent arrival from Australia. W. T. Hambley, some years editor of The Per- lamer, newspaper. Is dead. At the Palace, Bath, the other night. May Moore distinguished herself In a new character. She auctioned a number of battlefield relics for the Mayor's War Fund, his worship listening with wrapt attention to her patter. Will Collins is still hammering away with bis snggestion that managers should only book tnron&n "friendly," by which he means British agen'J. Fifty people have rushed into print, not one of them taking Oollln*' line exactly. Tbey mostly remind him that the London County Oonnc'I Is nowadays so careful is its enquiries before It licenses at, agency that Collins need not worry. Just who he is "getting at" I konw not. But everybody seems anxious to not In a word for O. Bauer, who waa naturalised twenty years ag), being an Austrian, snd who la trusted and «.«• teemed by managers and artists. Sir Herbert Tree's seicnd daughter. Felicity, Is now a nurse In a tcldlers' hospital at BInci- te* th. Charles Frohman'e Duke of York's stage man- ager, who is Lieutenant F. H. Saker, of the Con- naught Bangers, now, luu been wounded In war- fare. At a "special" performance of "Mllestoma" last week, an oU lady admitted her seventieth experience ot the play. Homo Secretary McKenns says he la unable to relax the rule which entolns darkness on London. It Is, he say*, the affair of the Admiralty, which Is responsible for tho defence ot the city against Zeppelins. Haddon Chambers drew Sir Herbert Tree's at- tention to the remarki by an American critic on the valor of tte English sctor. Sir Herbert .ermarks a long list cf distinguished players st the front, end strenuously denies thst the pro- fession haa shirked tho war—quite the contrary. Victoria Monks has Just returned to London, after a most successful visit to South Africa. After its ran with French revues the old Middlesex sterna to be giving Oswold Stoll some trouble again. He has tried shows of several kinds, snd now Is again addressing himself to a music ball program twice nightly. Oswald Stoll gave a big concert at the London Coliseum on Sunday In aid of the Prince of Wales' National Belief Fund. Seymour Hicks wondered where his kind of work could come In on a Sunday program. "Sell them!" said Stoll. So Hicks headed a band of braves with programs. "Our Boys" was revived st Its original home forty yean ago, the Vaudeville, last night, with that fine comedian, Arthur Williams, aa Perkva Mlddlewlch. It had a friendly reception, but it la truly old faahlooed. Dan Rolyate resigned bis part In "Mlsa Hock of Holland ' after a few performances. Florence Edgecombe Terry, the widow of Edward Terry, the actor, left elSo.OOO. mostly to her daughter, Florence Olossop Harris. She directed that her IkxIj should be embalmed, and laid be- side that ot her first huihand, Anguatii* Harris. Her relations with Tarry were not sympathetic toward the end of his life. AMERICA WILL NOT SEE MAX DEARLY. Max Dearly does not ac-ompany the Laurillard- GroRKrolth Company to America with the musical version of "l'luk Dominoes." for the reason that be Is a French reservist, and there Is Just a chance ha may be auimnonrd to the front. His government has licensed his absence to the extent of London, but will not do so to the extent of New York. Dearly ts rnncb disappointed, for he was anxious -o act la America. Meanwhile, he Is rehearalni a new piece for Inclusion in the Ambassador's program, "La Fllle Vlengardee," !a which Llttk? Betty Eilfour, the child actress, ■rbo has made such a hit. will appear. J. nattier Manners has bsd a play accepted by George Alexander, whose lack It may change. Mr. Manners waa a sot very Important momt>:r of the St James company fifteen years ago. Bat times have changed. Arthur Blnttead la dead. He was the editor of Torn Toptos/ otherwise a moat insidious and effective press agent, notably at the Amambra, and ror Michael Faraday's ventures. He first- became famous as a writer of atories for Th* BperHng Timet over the signature of "Tale- pltober." Among his colleagues was Cecil Ra- leigh, who predeceased him a few days. Bin- stead was s wonderful raconteur, and a ».., loyal friend. "■ Oaby Dealys switched round "The Ralstr. Ruby," Interpolated into "The Pasalasr Show from melodrama to wild farce on Mondar •• was an amusing, and on the whole, a successri experlnieat. —.«*■..!,. Entertainments at the military camps are i',. Ml*.excellent idea of the Actresses? siffra ■« A reminiscent writer aaya of Charles Hawlros that as a young amateur actor he "made a vers pretty girl, and sans like a nightingale." Ethel Levey haa left Wyndbam'o Theatre an-' been replaced in "Outcast" by Hilda Moore Charles Wilson, claiming to be the champ'm OrfoTtU U 'wee r k. < * thB WOrM " " tettand ■«■ Huutley Wright, now a .mart corporal ,n autfbnn having short leave. .J^-UHAX "5 *f &* "> Banister Uo<v- art's "Cinderella," at the Aidwycb. She w>i once a Tiller girl, and claims to have travel rartier through the world than any otuer actress! ^,. w,r . n ,^! ug ^ luck nere » nd there. The Wh-ti City, at Shepherds Bash, usually a white eienlTa^ throohsout the long Winter months, la thla re>- sT^^rTdSot*" * W " UJ reaU1 « » 3 ' 5W Bllallne Terriss is st the Oollseura this week with s rotation of songs simply. h A<5 ? ,i X * e ^'^ OD K^ er . tour o* *sl world, had a bad faU aboard snip in India, and hastened 1" London to ree her own medical man. He thinks an operation necessary. E. H. Bostock. of the faiioua showman famili- ft a, annually organised a great carnival, on tot h^caJf if off'S.'ye.,.** ^ ° UWW ** K ramlly pervades Aorth country music. His rather HOWARD RUSSELL DEAD. Howard Russell died at the age of ebruty^ne He had a moat Interesting career, dating back to Phelps and Sad.er's Wells. He wai with Chstterton at Drury Lane, supported Fecbter aud S* 1 ',? F . au S£ t aa £* ln - BouebeyV He wsa a not. We Uncle Tom. When Jefferson first played "K1d" here, Bussell was his Derrick. He acted a ei«1 deal with Dillon was with Mary Anderson ^1 the Lyjoiun, and with lotta here as Sampson teach 8 ' W " * " SU * 8 mA "afier and _JI; e "l" 1 " 1 Johnstons begin, at Swansea next week, a tour running over twenty-six weeks. SOME LOCATIONS FOR WEEK OF .1OV, 153. Some locations for Monday next are; Ethel Levey Hippodrome Brighton; Anna Dorothy, Empire,,' Mratford; Terry and Lambert. Empire. Stratro.-d; Musical Johnston*, Empire, Swansea; Friend and Downiog Palace, Oarllale; Cornelia and Edd:o £"&"' T^f^v"" tt,tcil « T™»1*. Empire, Edin: burgh; Elfle Fay. Palace, Chelsea: Leon an! tlorence Cody, Hippodrome, Boscombe; Jack Nor- vSE.'i.f'v?,' ^S?: K - Q - Knowles, London ESr'aSS W ? D ' '' aIa <*' B "«h: the Wink n*^',rf ,nplt *' Kenton; Scott and Whaley. Kb* to Bottca; Will H. Fox, Empire, Arthur Collins is distressed by the absence of ntwg about lis soldier son, wounded and missing. Kennedy Romford bas gone to the front; so Constance Cotber has loined Clara Butts' Concert Party, to alve recitations. I- TEXi\STAIX no, l towiuxr. Abxcb Hanson, first cornet and second violin with Joe BreUlnger's Band, en routs with the Harrison Theatre Co., closed with that attraction In Temple, Tet., where he will locate as s piano tuner. Iba QnoANoa, last Summer manager ot (lie alrdaTie at Sweetwater, Tex., now haa the privi- leges with the Harrison Theatre Co. Drmmo the engagement of the Elwla Strong Pliyers, at ChaJron, Neb., week of Oct. 10, Man- ager Strong had the misfortune to lose his new gi.000 Norwalk auto, which caught fire and was completely destroved. Whbbb are all the small onenlghtcrs that usually cover Texas like the proverbial fiea «n the dog's back? Oscar Graham, in "The Prodl- ?al Son," Is about the c-nly one encountered ." art This one really happened—A certain orchestra leader one time daring a scene that culled for a plaintiff, told his men to play "Melody in t. A new second fiddler nuked him what key tin/ were to play it In. More nickville Hilarity. Lvcll ALinsrz, scenic artist, with the nar-!- son Theatre Oo.. has <tut completed several seta of scenery, front curtain, elc, for the r»w o|k-u house that is to be opened st Gatesvllle. Tci . shortly. DusjNo the two weeks' engagement of the un:- risen Theatre Co., at Lampasas, Tex., the en- tire company were guests of Mr. and Mrs J. I ■ Curran, at a chile supper. "Dart," as J. P- '' familiarly called, la a member of this rompar. and his wife formerly was a well known leadii . woman at the head of their own attrae'lon. r-t years favorites In the South and West, and ma: > were the tales told of years gone by. when trc ■• Ins; was enough to try a man or woman, by th-- old favorites, the party not breaking up until I.-" "wee small hours." . .,„ Me. xsn Mas. Okas. Habbisoh, Mr. snd Mr-. Cheater Kspy, Lydell AlblcU and O. L. Bow:n were the Invited amesta at a bounteous dlnu" tendered them by Tax Oollector and Mrs. Sbar,'. at Georgetown, Tea:., Nov. 10. PR ICES ALWA YS THB SAME. HO WAR PRICES iOLD EVERYWHERE.