Variety (December 1912)

VARIETY 17 PARIS By E. O. IENDREW 66 Bis Ru« St. DidUr Paris, Nov. 26. Louis Beriere has been fined $1,158 by the French Society of Authors, as an "angel." It is alleged he financed Lucien Mayrargue to produce his play, Tante Aglais," at the Comedie Royale, Paris, last month, in which Mme. Re- jane appeared. Mayrargue asserts Beriere only guaranteed a certain gate money and did not bear the expense of the production; the latter, on the other hand, says he did pay, but it was to settle the claims of the players whose salaries were not forthcoming from the management. Beriere meek- ly accepts the decision of the Authors' society, and will pay the fine rather than be suspended. A panic was caused in a theatre at Roubaix, France, last week, when an elephant figuring in Jules Verne's "Round the World in Eighty Days" fell through the stage. When the an- imal reached the recess below he began to trumpet. The audience immediately made a rush for the doors. The local 6re brigade got the elephant from its sad position, and the stage being re- paired next day the performances have been continued to crowded houses. The police have forbidden, for the time being at least, the mid-air motor race, announced for the Coliseum. A new Chinese troupe, to be known as the Shanghai, will make its debut at the Alhambra in the near future, as a trial act. There are eight mem- bers under the control of a former general in the Chinese regular army. The troupe is making its first foreign trip. The large picture house to be known as the Palace Rochechouart now be- ing built for Nauhoff, owner of the Majestic Cinema, etc., will open about Dec. IS. Moving picture theatres are still springing up all over the city, in most unexpected spots, the latest im- portant one being the Raspail Palace, on the boulevard by that name. A varied program is expected at the Alhambra. The current one (Nov. 16 to 30) has General LaVine, Egbert Bros., Horton & La Triska, Kremo Family, Vera Nixon and Pelissier (lo- cal songster) remain over from the preceding fortnightly list. Among the newcomers is W. Mann's giant horse, which is the usual haute ccole with a fine Percheron. Mann, who belongs to the German circus family, Althoff, has a novel act in its-way. The Quaint Q's are four harmonious humorists, who amuse their audience by rapping each other over the knuckles while glee singing. They make quite good at this house, although in a strange land. Scali and Scali, eccentrics, do not have the same happy results, albeit their work is good—if not absolutely orig- inal—and raises laughter upstairs. Scali, senior, wears rather a worried look, not improving the gaiety of the num- ber. Maskelyne & Devant's "Haunted* Window" as a feature is somewhat dis- appointing. The public fai! to appre- ciate the mystery, some even classing it as black magic (oh, ye shades of Sleethl). Miss Ionia, a Parisian, is at present in Vienna with a "Haunted Window"; one was built for the last revue at the Marigny by De Vere, be- ing ultimately put in at Luna Park, where it was all the summer. The mystry as a big feature at the Paris Alhambra is consequently hardly a novelty here, in spite of it being pre- sented by Maskelyne's people. It has been decided that the Inter- national Regatta of Europe, for 1913, will be held at Havre, France, from July 20 to 26. As frequently referred to in these columns, the theatres in France pay a tax of 10 per cent, on their gross tak- ings for the poor. The casinos, where gambling is authorized, also pay a tax on the stakes recorded, for the same Public Assistance administration. The French government now proposes to increase the rate for casinos, the State and the Municipality sharing the re- ceipts. Thus the new tax proposed will be, for instance, 10 per cent, for the State and 15 per cent, for the Municipality on the gross annual ic- ceipts on all gambling at authorized casinos, up to $96,000. From that sum to $580,000 the rate will be 20 per cent, for the state and 12 per cent, for the municipality; from that sum of the gross receipts up to $965,000, 30 per cent, and 9 per cent, respectively; on all amounts over the foregoing, 40 per cent, for the State and 5 per cent, for the municipality in which the casino is located. It is proposed that a part of the money derived from this gam- bling tax shall be devoted to encourag- ing physical education and sport, and not all handed to the Board of Chari- ties as in the past. Monte Carlo will not be affected by this tax, Monaco be- ing a principality and not under the control of the French government so. far as concerns the Casino. Jacques Charles presented his only review this season at the Olympia, Nov. 21. Signed by Rip and Bousquet, noted for their irony and wit, it goes without saying that this new produc- tion contains a heap of fun, and that more scope is given to local topics than usually found in similar shows at large theatres. Not that scenic ef- fects are lacking; the mounting of the "Revue de l'Annee" is creditable. It is difficult Jo successfully present at big houses a topical review. The perform- ers must be in close touch with their audience for such work. On the other hand, elaborate sets are required to allay the barren effect of a big stage playing this kind of entertainment the whole evening, and it is only in the smaller theatres that a revue made up of witty dialogue is in its proper frame. Even then it should not exceed an hour. Due credit must therefore be given to all concerned at the Olympia for the adequate manner in which the present show, embracing both categories of re- vue, has been staged. Although not so gorgeous as some seen in this city, it contains material for both eyes and ears. Apart from the local subjects there are some pretty scenes which will please. The ballet of trump cards, wherein the Jackson Girls as kings, queens and jacks, dance before a sim- ple cloth of green baize is fine; the punchinelli of various nations, con- cluding with a farandole, form a series of delightful sets, which will please young and old. An episode of 1793, with the revolutionary crowd at Ver- sailles, is effective. Paris, under the influence of the cubists, is a timely thrust at the apishness of the present generation in matters of art. Prom- inent folks are brought into view in many clever skits, but the authors have not been spiteful, and the only people who kick are those who think they should not have been omit- ted. This revue is perhaps not the best Rip and Bousquet have written, but is a big success, and will assuredly score its 100 performances. A revue by Rip and Bousquet will be mounted at the Theatre Femina, in April next, for which Regine Flory, Pomponette and Edmee Favart are en- gaged. AN IMPRESSION BY A l.'i-YEAR OLD AS WYNN HOLCOMB. Sn\ OF WILLARD HOLCOMB, FORMER DRAMATIC EDITOR < >F THE WASHINGTON POST, SEES A MODEL pesppL-tfwiiy dfdlcat^d by Variety to nlmost any official of the 1'intt-d Rooking - »Mi- ■ •-.