Variety (January 1914)

10 VARIETY WALLACK'S HAS COME BACK; MAUDE THERE UNTIL MAY 2 "arumpy" is Pulling Them to th# Downtown Theatre. Did Around $11,000 Last Week, (letting $3,600 Saturday. Cyril Maude's First Acting Done in America in 9 84 No more is any theatre a "dead one." Wallack's has come back. Looked upon as below Broadway's dead line for a theatrical winner, Cyril Maude with "Grumpy" is pulling all New York to the theatre across from Weber's (which lately returned to life also, but used a picture in the revival operation). "Grumpy" played to around $11,000 last week. It is expected this week will hit the $13,000 mark. Last Satur- day the box office held $1,819 for the matinee and $1,803 at night. Mr. Maude didn't create any excite- ment during his early days at the thea- tre in his repertoire of plays, until pre- senting the current attraction there. In view of his success "Grumpy's" stay at Wallack's has been extended to May 2. Although an English actor, Mr. Maude received his earliest stage ex- perience in America. He played from Denver to the coast during the sum- mer of '84, in a company which also contained John E. Kellerd. ABOUT "KITTY McKAY. " Springfield, Mass., Dec. 31. "Kitty McKay" came here from Providence and proved to be another light, but delightful Scotch comedy by Catherine Cushing, with Molly Mc- Intyre the bright star. It is in three acts and produced by William Elliott. Hardly up to "Bunty," but should go on nicely. Hartford, Conn., Dec. 31. "Kitty McKay" played at Parsons' Monday evening to a rather enthusi- astic audience, but the critics were divided in their opinion in regard to the new Catherine Cushing play. The first act was remolded since the Providence showing but still lacks a bit of snap. MAY ROBSON HOLDS UP SHOW. Boston, Dec. 31. "The Clever Woman," which opened at the Park to only a fair house, got across, but the credit was due to May Robson rather than to James Forbes, the author of this new comedy. Miss Robson is the show and on the other hand the show seemed to be all Miss Robson. The plot contains nothing new or dramatic. It deals with a Western financier who has become rich quickly, played by Burr Caruth. He takes his wife (May Robson) to New York where her experiences with breaking into society are funny solely through this actress's indefatigable energy and enthusiasm even in a part which would seem to contain no latent possibilities. The father wants his son (Paul Decker) to marry into society, but in- stead he marries the office stenographer with the connivance of his mother. The role of the stenographer was de- murely handled by Ann Macdonald. Kathryn Clarendon as the pros- pective bride made much of her role. The remainder of the cast carries minor roles. "The Clever Woman" will never be a big success, but may be able to hold out through the re- mainder of the season. FAVERSHAM'S FESTIVAL. Toronto, Dec. 31. William Faversham and an aggrega- tion of all-star players opened in a Shakesperian Festival Monday at the Royal Alexandra, playing "Romeo and Juliet" to capacity. Advance sale in- dicates big business during the two weeks of the company here. This week at the Princess Margaret Anglin is playing a Shakesperean repertoire, commencing Monday with "Twelfth Night." Next week the Prin- cess will have the Stratford-on-Avon Players, a return date. "OSGAR" SLAPSTIC COMEDY. Sandusky, O., Dec. 31. When Fred Schaefer conceived the idea of building the play which opened Christmas around the characters of Osgar and Adolph and the other bur- lesque personages presented in the Schaefer-Condo cartoons, he evidently did not aim for originality. There is nothing novel about Osgar and Adolph portrayed by Rice and Cady. Their stuff is burlesque comedy put through the refining process with a smack of the slapstick remaining. Other principals were H. S. Brum- mell, Charles R. Haigh, and Gypsy Lawrence. The attempts at fun lack pep. Blanche Betters, the prima don- na, is pleasing both in looks and voice, and Lou Russo, soubret, is clever. GARDEN SHOW COMPLETE. The new Winter Garden production has been completed in its cast, and will open Jan. 6 in Albany, at Harmanus Beeker Hall. Among the players will be Eugene and Willie Howard, Ralph Herz, Bernard Graville, Ward Brothers, Moon and Morris, May Boley and Lillian Lorraine. The title of the show is "The Whirl of the World." Harold Atteridge wrote the book, S. Romberg, the music. William J. Wilson staged it. The "Pleasure Seekers" leaves the Garden this Saturday night, the chorus going to Buffalo after the last per- formance, with the principals leaving Sunday night. 161 people will be car- ried on the road. Ed. L. Bloom con- tinues as manager for Marcus Loew. A special train of 14 cars will be re- quired to transport the troupe between stands. Six of these will be for scenery and baggage. Clay Smith has the former Georgie White role. IMPOSSIBLE BARBIE STORY. Springfield, Mass., Dec. 31. Monday night at the Court Square, Charles Frohman, again presented Maude Adams in a new J. M. Ba'rrie play, "The Legend of Leonora." Barrie has given us an impossible story in his latest effort and which, in spite of a masterful handling oi characters and dialog, and with some brilliant satire, would hardly be in accord with any humanism. The third (last) act is weak and is somewhat out of the picture. The star is better fitted as the im- possible Leonora than she has been for some time and seems to have dropped most of her former mannerisms. The supporting company is unusually good. But Barrie and Adams will draw in spite of any adverse criticisms. "MARRYING MONEY" LIKED. Syracuse, Dec. 31. The first night audience voted "Marrying Money" a success, a verdict that was sustained by the newspaper teviewers following its initial presenta- tion at the Empire last week. The piece is described as an American comedy, by Bertram Marburgh, a legitimate player and Alfonzo Pezet, in the diplomatic service at Washing- ton.' The story has to do with two young people who elope to a summer resort in Maine, each supposing the other to be wealthy. Both are penniless, but they discover love is more than wealth and their affair comes to a happy ter- mination, after three amusing acts. Nan Campbell made a good impres- sion in the principal role. The critics here acclaimed her a second Billie Burke. Others in the cast are William Roselle, Will Meding and James H. Bradbury, the last making a substantial hit as the grouchy father. The enterprise is backed by Gilbert Miller, son of Henry Miller, who staged it. He says he has arranged for a New York showing of the piece. "PEG" AT AUBURN PRISON. Auburn, N. Y., Dec. 31. Besides the two performances "Peg O' My Heart" ("E" Co.) will give at the Jefferson theatre New Year's day, the show will appear in Auburn Prison at 8.30 a. m. to entertain the convicts. It is the first time a legitimate at- traction has ever given a performance in the place. "YOUTH" OUT AGAIN. "The Elixir of Youth," the former John Cort production, started a new road career at Wilkesbarre, Pa., Christ- mas Day. The show failed to do very big on its following stands. "DON'T WEAKEN" ON 48TH ST. The new William A. Br.dy "Don't Weaken" production which '. ^ its premiere Monday in Wilmington, V v \, and played Trenton Tuesday night, is to be brought into New York right away. It's understood that it will come into the 48th Street theatre and that "To-Day" will move to another local house or take to the road. In the "Don't Weaken" cast are Wal- lace Worsley, Charles Lane, Charles Wingate, Earle Brown, Renee Kelly, Marion Lome, A. Hylton Allen, Jos- eph Brennan and Elanor Hines. SAVAGE HAS A HIT. Atlantic City, Dec. 31. When Henry W. Savage gave the American premiere to "Sari" at the Apollo Christmas night, there were none who could doubt the operetta was a sensational success abroad. It doesn't take a wise man to pre- dict that when "Sari" is seen in New York on Jan. 12, the metropolis will be treated to the finest thing of the sea- son, if not seasons. The music alone will insure that. Emerich Kalman has turned out a score that is really wonderful, and this remarkable composer is but 25 years old. The story fades into insignificance before the wealth of alluring melodies. The production is splendid, as is the Savage piece in general. The cast is good, though marred by changes nec- essary at the last minute. Mizzi Hajos was "Sari," the best thing she has done. Miss Hajos was not burdened with heavy numbers. Blanche Duffield was in beautiful voice. J. Hum- bird Duffy became conspicuous. The catchiest number is "Hazazaa" (pronounced "Hatz-zats-zaah"), sung by Miss Hajos and Charles Meakins, though it isn't the prettiest. At the opening night, 20 minutes be- fore the overture, Baron Berthold, who was to play the gypsy leader, one of the big roles, deserted, and it was up to Karl Stull to jump into the part. He did very well considering the con- ditions. Arthur Albro is to have the role. In Europe "Sari" was known as "Der Ziegeunerprimas," written by Julius Wilhelm and Fritz Grunbaum. The English version was done by C. C. S. Cushing and E. P. Heath. SHOWS IN FRISCO. San Francisco, Dec. 31. None of the theatres broke any rec- ords Christmas week, the usual slump coming, in fact, on the first "three days" preceding Christmas. The Gaiety show dropped a trifle un- der $8,000 last week, regarded as satis- factory, all things considered. Plans have formulated for strengthening be- fore the end of the week. The Gaby Deslys management claims $32,000 last week, while the total gross for thirteen performances at the Cort was a trifle under $25,000. The Deslys show was here eight days. The second week of "Mutt and Jeff" at the Savoy started off very lighu while there was little encouragement at the Columbia where May Irwin is play- ing. "Little Women" opened at the Cort Monday and was well received by a big audience. The newspapers unanimous- ly praised the company. GOING AHEAD WITH "DINGBAT." The Leffler-Bratton Co. has opened negotiations for a European comedy success which they plan to bring out nvixt season. The L-B Co. is not de- ferring its "Dingbat Family" produc- tion until next season, but propose to produce it about Jan. 19. The lyrics and music have been com- pleted and a number of people placed under contract. The report the show had been called off until next year had several of the company turning in their contracts.