Variety (February 1912)

VARIETY SHUBERTS' BERLIN HIPPODROME HAS BAR UCH FIR M BEHIND IT Bruno Baruch Reported on Boat Coming Over With Lee Shubert. Important Berlin Theatrical Out- fitters 9 Connection Give Doubted Berlin Hippodrome Story Substantiality. (Special Cable to Variety.) Berlin, Jan. 31. When Lee Shubert arrives In Amer- ica early in February he is expected to make definite announcement con- cerning the proposed building of a new Hippodrome in this city. When he was here recently he held a long conference with the Hugo Ba- ruch ft Co. firm and plans were con- summated toward the culmination of the new building scheme. If built, the productions here will be outfitted and equipped by the Ba- ruchB, whom, it believed, have in- terested Berlin capital In the Shubert enterprise. The Baruchs have been behind sev- eral successful schemes here. They were the first to start the Ice Palaces, which proved a big success. After a Hippodrome production has made good here, it will later be sent to the New York Hippodrome, the Shuberts saving some thousands on the Berlin transfer of equipment. The winter circuses in Berlin are not looked upon to make much differ- ence with the proposed Shubert Hip. The report of the Baruch firm, with its Influential connections being be- hind Shubert in the local Hippodrome proposition places an altogether dif- ferent complexion on the enterprise. The story about the city is that the Baruchs will practically control the Berlin Hippodrome, if erected. The capital necessary to float the venture may be partly found in New York. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. Lee Shubert will sail for home Feb. 6, unless something happens to change his plans. While little credence was given to the story sent out from Berlin dur- ing the visit of Mr. Shubert over here, that the Shuberts will build a Hip- podrome in the German capitol, it seems upon good authority Mr. Shu- bert Interested one of two German concerns in the plan to an extent where they are under the impression the New York theatrical men may put the Hippodrome scheme through. The German people mentioned in connection are "wise" in the show bus- iness, and the report has tent color at least to the sincerity of Mr. Shubert's Intention for Germany. Beyond that however no one seriously accepts the idea of any American showman obtain- ing a foothold In Berlin. When Lee Shubert arrives here next week, Bruno Baruch is expected to land with him, as the latter has made known his intention of visiting New York on pleasure and business. Their Joint sailing Is significant. REINHARDT*S LATEST. (Special Cable to Variety,.) Vienna, Jan. 31. Max Reinhardt, who produced "Sumurun," has acquired the rights to the German parody operetta en- titled "The Petroleumkonlg" ("The Oil King"), produced here over 200 times, and will put the piece on in Ger- man at the Berlin Kammerspiele. "The Oil King" is a parody on a modern operetta and shows how some authors can write a libretto around nothing. Konrad Scherber, the composer, is a well known manager himself. SOPRANO FAINTS ON STAGE. London, Jan. 31. (Special Cable to Variety.) At the initial performance of the Italian Operatic Company in "Pag- liacci" at the Coliseum Monday, the soprano, Gina Tandi, became hysteri- cal and fanlted on the stage. The tenor, Gilmo Pegoraro, with rare pres- ence of mind, "bluffed" the show through. "SISTER ACT" DOES FAIRLY. (.Special Cable to Variety) London, Jan. 31. Irene Jernion and Nancy Walker opened at the Pavilion Monday with a "comedy and straight" turn that was fairly well received. GWENN GETS THEATRE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. Hilda Trevelyan and Edmund Gwenn have become partners in the management of the West End theatre. Gwenn is considered one of the best character actors on the English stage. "GOTTENHERG GIRLS" OFF. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Jan. 31. The Clgale is not producing "The Girls of Gottenberg" as announced. CAN'T GET DAISY DORMER. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Jan. 31. Sergere is negotiating with Daisy Dormer for March, but the engage- ment is improbable because of the opening date of the Ambassadeurs. DJELI AT ALHAMBRA. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Jan. 31. Sahary DJeli has been engaged for the Alhambra, commencing Feb. 16. SHUBERT SIGNS IMPERSONATOR. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Jan. 31. Clara Flaurens, an impersonator, has been signed by Lee Shubert for the New York Winter Garden, open- ing Feb. 12. CENSORS STOP PLAY. (Special Cable to Varudty.) Vienna, Jan. 31. The censors have ruled that there must be no further performances of the poetic drama, "Todt und Tuefel" ("Death and Devil") by Frank Wende- kind, claiming the piece is too im- moral. "Death and Devil" deals with the "white slave" traffic. It tells how the president of the woman's league fighting the evil becomes enamored of one of the "dealers." Wedekind, who wrote "Spring's Awakening" and other pieces. In- censed at the way the censors have acted throughout Germany, has an- nounced he will pass up Germany as a place of residence and live here- after in London. Wedeklnd's "Spring's Awakening" will very likely be produced in Eng- lish at the new theatre in London which a number of literary and the- atrical men, including Bernard Shaw, expect to build there along the same lines as the Berlin Kammerspiele. Wedekind will play the principal role in the dramatic offering himself. ENGAGES OTERO. (Special Cable to Variety,.) London, Jan. 31. It is almost a certainty La Belle Otero will be engaged by Lee Shubert for New York, probably at the Win- ter Garden. The Spanish dancer is now appear- ing at the Etoile Palace, Paris. BAND OF 60 WOMEN. (Special Cable to Variety.) ' London, Jan. 31. The Orchestra Femina, a band of fifty women under the conductorship of Siegfried Wertheim, of Queens Hall Symphony Orchestra, will shortly be seen here in vaudeville. GABY DENIES MARRIAGE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. Gaby Deslys denies she has married Harry Pilcer. The young American dancer, however, admits he is engaged to marry her. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Jan. 31. Gaby Deslys has arrived here and emphatically denies any marriag to Harry Pilcer. LA VINE OPENS BIG. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. General Ed. Lavine opened big at the Palace Monday. ♦'QUAKER GIRL** AT OLYMPIA. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Jan. 31. Vernon Castle is rehearsing with the Revue at the Olympla, scheduled for showing March 1. The Olympic will produce "The Quaker Girl" in October with perhaps Joseph Coyne. HIT IN AUSTRALIA. (Special Cable to Variety,) Sydney, Jan. 31. 9 Terry and Lambert opened here Monday night and scored an excep- tional hit. WOODS* INTERNATIONAL PIECE. (Special Cable to Vakibtt.) Leipsic, Jan. 31. "The Lila Domino" ("The Purple Domino"), which A. H. Woods, the American manager, has secured the American rights for from Andreas Dippel and will produce next season In English, is the new production at the Leipsic Municipal theatre. The book is by Emerich von Gatti and Beta Jenbach; music by Charles Cuvillier. Cuvillier is the first French com- poser who has written music for a German libretto. The operetta is also announced for an early production in Vienna. "TURANDOT" IN NEW YORK. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. Lee Shubert has arranged to pro- duce "Turandot" in New York, either this spring or early next season. STAGE MANAGER WOMACK DEAD. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. George Wo mack, a New Yorker, stage manager for years at the Oxford Music Hall, died to-day. He suffered with tuberculosis. FLORENCE ST. JOHN DIES. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 31. Florence St. John, a well-known comic opera singer and actress, died yesterday, aged 58 years. Twenty years ago she was one of the most popular light opera women in Eng- land. She made her first American appearance in 1889 as a member of George Edwardes Gaiety Company at the Knickerbocker theatre in "Faust Up To Date." STEINER RETAKES PARK. (Special Cable to Variety.) Vienna, Jan. 31. Gabor Steiner has taken the "Ven- ice-in-Vienna" open-air amusement place over from the creditors, sign- ing a three years' lease. Steiner founded the place. It has not proved a money-maker since he relinquished its control. BERLIN'S PRODUCER'S THEATRE. (Special Cable to Variety.) Berlin, Jan. 31. A change of policy has been out- lined for the Neus Operetten theatre next fall, when Rudolf Lothar, the Berlin producer, assumes control of the playhouse, the musical comedy and operetta idea changing to that of comedy. Among the first of the new come- dies here will be "The Lottery Man." "Eve," which Marc Klaw has se- cured for America, is now running at the Neus Operetten theatre. Hans Bartsch, who recently re- turned from a trip to Berlin and Vienna, confirmed the report that "The Lottery Man" had been named as one of the first comedies to be pro- duced at the Berlin theatre next fall. Bartsch placed the piece on hie visit abroad. Mr. Bartsch says G. Palfy, the pres- ent manager there, will leave at the expiration of the summer season.