Variety (April 1911)

VARIETY 15 London, March 21. "The Mad Pierrot," the new Al- hambra Ballet, was produced last week and serves to Introduce to Lon- don an American danseuse In Bessie Clayton who scored a most pronounced success In the title role. The new divertisement Is rather thin in plot, but Is replete with beautiful dresses, and scenery, quite up to Alliambra traditions, whilst Miss Clayton is a fantastic toe dancer of a very high order, and was the recipient of a well merited ovation. The piece should be in for quite a long run. All roads led to Leicester Square last Thursday afternoon and the Em- pire was at the utmost capacity. Close upon $9,000 was the total amount sub- scribed, and a magnificent program was submitted, the following amongst others appearing during the afternoon: Dudley Hardy, Rene Bull, Cecil Aldin, John Hassall, G. P. Huntley, Harry Gratton, Barry Lupino, Harry Lauder, Connie Ediss, Phyllis Dare, Maurice Farkoa, Edmund Payne, Parren Sou- tar, Geo. Grossmith, Jr., M'dlle Kyasht, etc. Special features of the program were the "Pre-Historic Music Hall," and the company of "The Chocolate Soldier." It was the testimonial matinee to the late and very popular Henry Hitchin, manager of the Em- pire for many years. London Theatres of Varieties was mulcted Saturday last to the tune of $800 for producing stage plays at the London Palladium without a license, the plays in question being "The Forum Scene" from "Julius Caesar," played by Lewis Waller, and "Car- men" by the Beecham Opera Com- pany. Adele Ritchie, the well-known American musical comedy star, has been engaged by Alfred Butt to open at the Palace (London), Easter. George All, the animal impersona- tor, after a phenomenal pantomime success in Glasgow, opened at the Pal- ladium last week in "Papa's Day Off," creating an excellent impression. Carlton, the card manipulator, open- ed at the Palace Monday, and has also arranged to produce his new il- lusion "The Inquisition" at the Bir- mingham Hippodrome, April 3. Cecilia Loft us has had to forego her engagement last week at the Coli- seum, owing to a severe cold. Jen Latona and Osca Mara deputized. Sir Charles Wyndham cabled one hundred guineas ($">2"») from Gib- raltar for a stall for the Hitchin ma- tinee. Harry Lauder made his first ap- pearance in a hall this year at the Tivoli last week and had a great re- ception, lie Is singing three new songs: "The Scotch Errand Boy," "Just Like Beln* at Hame" and "Roamln' in the Gloamin'." Frank MacNnghtcn, managing direc- tor of the Macnaghten circuit, has ar- ranged to take over the Albert the- atre, Btlghouse, and will run pictures LONDON NOTES VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE S GREEN STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE. JAMEH \\. TATK, Representative TOM CASK, c.^nepondent Mall for Americans and Europeans In Europe. If addressed cure VARIETY as above will be promptly forwurded. and a vaudeville show from May 1 to August 14. the matter will end here remains to be seen. Evelyn Millard, the famous West End actress, opened at the Palace on Monday in "Madame Butterfly." Carl Hertz, the illusionist, has con- cluded his successful engagement at the Empire Saturday and opened at the King's theatre, Edinburgh, Mon- day, where he produced a new illusion named "The Harem Skirt." Follow- ing the Edinburgh engagement, Mr. Hertz goes on tour for several weeks with his own combination. "Die N'ihilistiii," a highly sensational "CI rand Cuignol" drama, was produced at the London Pavilion last week and was well received. Herr Spontelll, who played the hunchback In "Sumurun," Is assisted by Mile. Saint Oretta, a clever mimetic actress, who scored a fine personal success. The Grand Order of Water Rats has this year arranged for a fancy dress John Wainwright, a very highly es- teemed member of the theatrical pro- fession, died last week in Manchester. The deceased, who was 73 years of age, leaves two sons and two daugh- ters. :*«»•' ROYAL HIPPODROME J100LETOM&SPELLMYEH Tniewatt a*mksrsM£*/( wares | ."TEXAS WOOING * ' w How managers In England bill MIDDLRTON AND SPELLMKYEK The above photo was tak»n In Liverpool, wh. it tln-y w. to held over a a.concl work. MIDDLETON AND SPELLMEYEK will return to EijkIhihI n.-xt year, going from there to Africa and Australia. a«nd costume ball, In lieu of the cus- tomary evening dress function. The dance will take place at the Trocadero (Balmoral Rooms) April 4. Heeley and Meeley sail for the Pnitcd States April 29. Arthur Hempel, one of the variety agents whose license was refused re- cently by the London County Council, and who appealed against the decision, has decided not to proceed with the appeal. The Clarke Fumily left for America Saturday. It. ii. Knowles is back in town after a successful visit in South Africa. Me says the variety world there is much improved since his last visit and things all round are much better. Marie Lloyd made 1 a big hit out there. so Mr. Knowles informs us. and he had to follow her. It. (1. has gone t<> Paris for a fortnight's holiday with his wife, preparatory to opening a* Liverpool April .'}. Frank Parker, the stage manager at the Palladium (late of the Hippo- drome), has been replaced by the llol- born Umpire's stage manau-r t W. Whitmore), consequent, we are :.■:■•<. n to understand, upon his r«-fusa! ' ; '-■> to Lewisham to superintend Ar- cadia," which ho originally helped to produce at the Palladium Whether Happy Fanny Fields has been com- pelled to cancel her trip to America for the time being through a sudden nervous breakdown of a rather seri- ous nature, and it. will probably be some little lime before she can resume work. Edmund Lockwood, tho much re- spected actor and manager, died at Heme Hill last week after a long and painful illness. The deceased was a P. M. of the Yoriek and Eccentric Lodges, and was also a very prominent member of the Touring Managers' As- sociation. Horace <;oldin started out in a new rule last week when he produced at the Theatre Royal, Chatham, a dra- matic and illusionary play, entitled Tho Tiyer or the Pretender," in >vhich tioldn takes a prominent, part. The pl;r. is beautifully staged, and there an -ome excellent electrical and magical effects. The piece was very well received and has been booked up to .luly at nearly all the principal towns in England. Itoland lliirlcigh has been booked by Ernest Edelsten for South Africa, un- der the management of Fred Moulllot. He sails per the S.S. Kinfaun's Castle. March L'"> and opens at Cape Town April 17. Seymour Hicks revived "The Hamp- ton Club" Monday at the Hippodrome, and next Monday produces "The Win- ner," a sporting sketch. Herbert Darn ley has engaged Annie Hughes to sustain the title role in his sketch, "Meg o' the Alley." Tom (Uixc. BAKUCH "HOHKNKAVAIjIKIt." Richard Baruch. head of the Hugo IVaruch company of costumers and scenic makers, who landed for the first time In this country four weeks ago and is now enjoying a pleasure jaunt on the Pacific Coast, will return to New York Easter Monday (April 17). Accompanied by the Baruch representatives in the New York of- fices he will leave for Berlin where a special conference of the Baruch Brothers will be held regarding the proposed announcement of an import- ant move on the part of that foreign firm. The Baruch company landed the contract to furnish the costumes and scenery for the new American produc- tion of Richard Strauss' work, "Ito- senkavalier," which will be ready for stage presentation sometime before next October. F. C. Whitney, who paid $62,. r i00 advance roya'ties on the piece on both sides, will produce the play during Coronation Week in Lon- don. The Baruch Brothers will also furnish the costumes and scenery for tho London production. NOMA PAYES and JACK NORWORT11 In •■Little Mibs l-'lx-lt."