Variety (January 1914)

VARIETY AMERICAN PLAYS WANTED THROUGH CRAZE FOR REVUES Ned Wayburn'* Big Hit at the Hippodrome, With Home Made Article Falling Down, Will Create Demand for American Shows. Oxford and Palladium Put on Failures. "Wine, Woman and Song" Going Over (Special Cable to Variet*.) London, Dec. 31. The craze for revues has resolved it- self into a survival of the fittest. Only the pood shows are winning patron- age. The Oxford and Palladium shows opening this week were a disappoint- ment. With Ned Wayburn's piece at the Hippodrome holding up, there is a de- cided interest manifested in American shows, and many such importations are bound to be produced here now. Carl Hooper has the English rights to "Wine, Woman and Song." He will probably show it with Nat Carr in the principal role. last Olympia revue) and Angele Gril, supported by the Gaite troupe, Deli* moges, Marie Thery, Alexis Boyer and Dousset, have the important roles. The piece has to do with the tales of Ferrault, showing in a series of tab- leaux scenes from "Cinderella/' "Hop O' My Thumb" and the like. It sug- gests very much the English Christ- mas panto, minus the topical features. URBAN COMING OVER. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Dec. 31. Charles Urban will sail for New York in time to be there by Jan. IS. WAYBURN PUTS IT OVER. (Special Cable to Variety".) London, Dec. 31. Ned Wayburn, without his name mentioned on the program or in the reviews of the new show, "Hello Tango," at the Hippodrome, retrieved himself Tuesday of last week when he put the piece over to a success, gained materially by the Wayburn numbers. A dancing chorus led by six American girls got special mention. George Monroe and Harry Fisher, American comedians and principals among the men in the performance, walked out after the opening, prac- tically quitting before the performance ended. They did not do anything at all in the comedy line, and were dis- satisfied during rehearsals. Shirley Kellogg became popular. She had five songs to sing. Ethel Levey was welcomed back, but doesn't show tc the form displayed by her at this house before. Harry Tate is funny when working with his own people. Frank Carter is doing big with num- bers. Isabelle D'Armond is a certain favorite if given the proper chance. Julia James displayed no reason for being in the fast company. Gerald Kirby tried to sing American songs, but couldn't get away with it. A call was demanded for Wayburn ai the conclusion, but he refused to take it. Messrs. Monroe and Fisher had con- tracts for 12 weeks with Albert de Courville for the Hippodrome revue. These were canceled when the come- dians "walked out." "VERBOTENE STADT" GOOD. (Special Cable to Variety) Berlin, Dec. 31. Monti's Operetten theatre mounted Dec. 23 the operette, "Die Verbotene Stadt," by Bruno Granichspaedten. It was well received, the music being de- clared especially good. The action takes place in China. An- ton Frank from Hamburg, Willy Strehl from Vienna and Emmy Nicklass- Kempner from Munich were especially engaged for the piece. OXFORD REVUE DISAPPOINTS. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Dec. 31. The new revue at the Oxford is a disappointing production. Its come- dians are poor and the numbers are without sprightliness. BERLIN LIKES "FREDDY." (Special Cable to Variety.) Berlin, Dec. 31. "Freddy and Teddy," an operette from the English, with music by Digley Latouche, was favorably received at the Nollendorf. Espinosa, from the Shaftsbury, Lon- don, staged the dances, which con- tributed in a large measure to the success of the piece. OAITK SHOW A IMNTO. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Dec. 31. Isola I'.ros presented Saturday night at the Gaitc. "Lcs Contes de Perrault," n musical work by Arthur Bernede and Paul de Cliouclens. music by Felix Font drainr. It was nicely received. The Fremli critics, however, express • lisapiwiintnu-m at the manner in which the talcs have heen distorted. Yvonne Printemps (remarked in the POIRIER CO. REORGANIZED. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Dec. 31. The "angels" who have been financ- ing Leon Poirier in his Comedie Des Champs Elysees were called to- gether this week at a special meeting to decide the future destinies of that enterprise. They decided upon reorganization. A new company was formed. Pend- ing the settlement of its affairs, the theatre will remain open. The Socicte Leon Poirier will be liquidated. GERMAN PANTO PLEASES. (Special Cable to Variet/.) Berlin, Dec. 31. At the Circus Schumann the new pantomime. "The Derby Winner." is pleasing. A TANGO ROMANCE. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Dec. 31. Deval produced last night at the Athenee theatre "Le Tango," the work of M. and Mme. Richepin. The very topical subject has to do with the part played by the Tango in the love affairs of a young prince. He weds for considerations of state, and leads a gay, platonic life in travel with his royal wife. The couple at length learn love while dancing the tango. Eve Lavalliere has the role of the Prince and does fairly with its trav- esty. Mile. Spindly, as the princess, dances well but acts poorly. Two other houses announced the play two weeks ago and it was awaited with interest. It pleased fairly well. "Coeur de Lilas," by Tristan Ber- nard and C. H. Hirsh, will follow. RED MILL PIECE AVERAGE. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Dec. 31. Fabert presented Dec. 24 at the Moulin Rouge a new revue, "Fais Voir dis," the work of F. Rivers and Andre Dahl. It is up to the level of the many similar productions at the famous Red Mill during the past two years. COOL TOWARD MLLE. PLORY. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Dec. 31. The Palace audience Monday re- ceived coolly Regine Flory, a Parisian dancer, in a musical comedetta. She introduces novel dances. 'TROTTERS" DO WELL. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Berlin, Dec. 31. Weber and Wilson, American danc- ers, went well on their opening at the Palast Monday, with trotting and tango steps. The telephone sketch imported by A. G. Cines, is a laughing hit. "HOCHZETF* MEDIOCRE. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Berlin, Dec. 31. Gavault & Beers' comedy, "Anatole's Hochzeit," at the Trianon, is only mediocre. BIG CIRCUS SCORES. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Dec. 31. Charles Cochran's winter circus at the Olympia is a tremendous affair. It is drawing big business. The Wonder Zoo is a startler. The circus display went big. COMEDIANS FAIL. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Dec. 31. "I Do Like Your Eyes," the new- comer to the Palladium, done by Po- luski's comedians, failed. OLD PLAY APPEALS. (Special Cable to Variet v.) Berlin, Dec. 31. George Buechner's "Wozzeck" with its tragedy and comedy is an interest- ing attraction at the Lessing theatre. Leone and Lena were well received. Although Buechner died 100 years ago and his works are of another gen- eration, they still exert a strong appeal to modern tastes. SAILINGS. Reported through Paul Tausig & Son, 104 East 14th street, New York: Dec. 27, Bobby Pandur and Bro. (Chicago); Jan. 1, Norton and Earl, Edwin Joy Ponner and Olympia Girls (Cedric); Dec. 30, Alfred Witsenhausen (Rot- terdam). (Special Cable to Variet*. ) London, Dec. 31. Dec. 27, Geo. W. Monroe, Harry Fisher, James Grant (Carmania). Jan. 3 (For South Africa), Bill Fields, Olive Armadale, Harry Grey, King and Carson. Dec. 24, Anna Chandler, Ray Chand- ler (New York); Dec. 27, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Niblo, Eugene and C. Damond (Carmania); Dec. 27 (For South Africa), Jackson Family, Guest and Newlyn, Russell Carr, Vera Rochdale, Belle and Austin. Paris, Dec. 20. Sailings on the Lamornaix from La Palice for South America Dec. 12 were Les Rosens, Ko-Ten-Ichi Troupe, Isa- belle de Santa Cruz, Callimore Troupe. "TANGO" ROAD SHOW. (Special Cable to Variet ».> London, Dec. 31. A special road company is being or- ganized to play "Hello, Tango," the new Hippodrome revue in the Moss Empire houses in the provinces. It will be ready in about a month. GIAMPIETRO DEAD. (Special Cable to Variet r.) Berlin, Dec. 31. Josef Giampietro, a well-known actor associated with the Metropol, died sud- denly this week of heart disease. PANTOMIMES REVIVED. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Dec. 31. At the Drury Lane "The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast" is in revival, a big success as usual. At the Lyceum "Babes in the Woods" is also success- ful. REVIVAL PLEASES. (Special Cable to Variet..) Berlin, Dec. 31. At the Kammerspiele the revival of Recque's "Pariserin" was well received. JULIAN ALFRED MARRIES. (Special Cable to Variet r.) London, Dec. 31. Julian Alfred and May Thompson were married a week ago today. GIDEON IN BANKRUPTCY. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Dec. 31. Melville Gideon, the American song writer, has gone into bankruptcy, ow- ing around $13,000, with no assets. r DOC COOK FLOPS AGAIN. (Special Cable to Variet/.) London, Dec. 31. London was colder to Old Doctor Cook at the Palladium Mondaj tliar. the North Pole he tried to locate The somewhat meagre audience "went after" the Doc f who left the hall Tuesday to keep travelling.