Variety (February 1914)

VARIETY ENGLAND UMTING MUSIC HALL TURNS TO 45 MINU TES AT MOST Birmingham Starts It Off and Variety Artists' Federation May Agitate for Similar Legislation in Provincial Towns. Walter De Frece Expresses View V. A. F. Is Unwise to Interfere. (Special Cable to Varikty.) London, Feb. 11. The Connnittce of Licenses in Birm- ingham has limited music hall produc- tions to 45 minutes' duration. The Revue craze has caused the leg^itimate theatre management in Birmingham to start a crusade against these produc- tions, with the above result. The Variety Artists' Federation is starting active preparations for similar legislation in all the provincial towns. A peculiar situation in connection with the movement is that many of the ar- tists employed in the Revues are mem- bers of the V. A. F. who have bettered themselves by securing engagements ill the tabloids. Walter DcFreecc, on being inter- viewed, said he thought it unwise for the V. A. F. to interfere with this style of entertainment and adds that the Variety Controlling Co. would be given the support of the Moss Em- pires in case of V. A. F. interference with the policies of the productions. These two circuits could tic up nearly every provincial pantomime by refus- ing to give artists already booked per- mission to play in them. The V. A. F. attitude toward the Re- vues is due to crowding out many acts through the time consumed by the big productions. PAUL GUIDE RECOVERING. (Sptcial Cable to Vabibtv.) Paris, Feb. 11. The victim of the shooting affray at the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt Jan. 26 is now on the high road to recovery and will soon take his part in "Jeanne Dore." It appears Paul Guide had been living with the woman since he returned from the last tour with Mme. Bernhardt in America, but some weeks ago he announced his decision to leave her. She called on him at the theatre and, failing to effect a reconciliation, shot him at the stage door. It is expected the woman will be sen- tenced to a term of imprisonment but given the benefit of the first-offense law. MAASE RUNNING AGENCY. (Special Cable to VAmnTr.) London, Feb. 11. Leo Maase is continuing the business of Wolheim, Ltd., and denies the report of any financial embarrassment with the agency. Thirty thousand dollars is standing on the books, says Mr. Maase, as com- mission, due and to accrue. As a con- vincer his booking agency is doing business and is on a staple basis, Mr. Maase mentions the big shows booked through it, like the French Revue, ar- ranged to remain two years at the Middlesex, "Keep Smiling" at the Alhambra, the touring company of the saiiu' for 40 weeks, having l)cen placed through his agency at record money for that sort of entertainment, the .Mhambra Ballet on the Continent for 12 weeks, at $2,000 weekly, and other l>ig contracts, including that signed by Maase for Bonita and Lew Hearn under George Edwardes' direction for three years, the American couple now appearing at Edwardes' Gaiety. Mr. Maase claims the shareholders of the agency are perfectly satisfied, and business has never been better than at present. GENEE'S FAREWELL AT RSOO. (Special Cable to VABiBrr.) London, Feb. 11. .V tour announced as Adeline Genee's farewell will commence at the Coliseum (vaudeville), London, March 2, to con- tinue 20 weeks in this country. The dancer will receive $2,500 week- ly, with the booking for the engage- ment passing through the Leo Maase agency. ENGLISH LAW ON FEET. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Feb. 11. The English moving picture laws contain one ordinance directed against the producers that demands that in advertising or in any other way ex- ploiting the presentation or sale of reels the owner must place upon all literature or billing the exact number of feet of the picture. REVUE AT BERGERE. (Special Cable to Varibtv.) Paris, Feb. 11. Clement Bannell mounted a new show at the Folies Bergerc Feb. 8. It is named "La Revue dc I'Amour," by Quinel and Moreau. These men have also signed the present show at the Olympia. It was fairly well received by the audience at the premiere. There is nothing sensational offered and the revue is only a kind of make- shift until another is ready in March. The piece is well played by Nina Myral, Bert Angere, Mussedora, Pier- rette Monfrey (commere), Dcrlys, Hilda May, Darlys, Messrs. Carlus, Raimu, Duval, Magnard, Paul Clerc, A bridge over the footlights, like the former Olympia show, is used. The Gomez Spanish dancing trio were good; Monfra Hilda, not ap- pearing. ETHEL IRVING'S REVIVAL. (Special Cable to Varietv.) London, Feb. 11. Ethel Irving's revival of "The Tyr- iinny of Tears" at tlic Comedy is fairly successful. As usual Fred Kerr comes in for es- I ecial mention. """T?^rot^oimi3verTn5^n^ARI^ don't •dvertififi at all. ''TANGO" FINISHED. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Feb. 11. kichepin's "Tango" has been with- drawn at the .Athence and Bernard's "Triplepattc" again revived, awaiting the new farce by Georges Fcydeau and Kene Peter, due shortly. A new comedy by Paul (iavault, "Lc Mennequin," will be presented by Dc- val shortly at the Marigny. A new operetta, "La Fille dc Figaro." music by Xavier Leroux. book by Hughes Delorme and Maurice Henne- quin ^adapter of "Baby Mine") is due at the Apollo about the same time. ROYALE AGAIN CHANGES. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Feb. 11. The little theatre in the Rue Cau- martin has a new manager, Camille de Sainte-Croix, who formerly directed the Theatre Shakespeare. He started off by producing at the Comedie Royale a smart farce, "L'Amour a Bergame," which, however, will not entirely revive the fortunes of this tiny house. STANLEY'S COMING DELAYED. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Feb. 11. A. E. Stanley of the London Opera House, reported to have sailed for America several weeks ago, is due to leave for the States some time this week. SAILINGS. Reported through Paul Tausig & Son, 104 E. 14th street. New York. Feb. 17, Conway and Leland (Prince Fred. Wilhelm). Feb. 18, Francis Teret and York- shire (Oceanic). Feb. 18 (from X'ancouvcr for Aus- tralia) Mrs. Hcrzac and Co. (Niagara). San Francisco, Feb. 11. Feb. 10 (For Australia), Mr. and Mrs. Weston, Mr. and Mrs. Miles, Mr. and Mrs. Sol Bern, Allie and Herman H anion, Tom Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lastella, Lucein Lastella, J'mmy Rose, Jimmy Cunningham, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wray, Mr. and Mrs. A. Livermore, Mrs. Chub Sullivan. Three Misses Gibbons (Ventura). (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Feb. 11. Feb. 11. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Ritchie (Kr. Cecilic). Feb. 11, Three Leightons, McWaters and Tyson, Pauline Moran (New York). Paris, Feb. 3. Jan. 23 (For Soutii America), 7 \"orkshire Lassies, Djina, Alice Mony (Araguaya). Feb. 5 (For South America), O'Kabe Family. "MADAME'' DOES WELL. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Feb. 11. "Madame," a new comedy by Alfred Savoir and .\])el Termant, was pro- duced at the Theatre de la Porte Saint- Martin, Feb. 10. It is splendidly acted by Jeanne Granier, Monna Delza, Jeanne Provost, Felix Huguenet and Aignoret, and was well received. Madame undertakes to launch her daughters through a talented provin- cial preceptor, Pierre, wishing him to pose as her protector genius-husband. The good fellow consents and all re- side in Paris. Pierre succeeds and be- comes famous as a playwright, but finds the situation as Madame's pro- tege irksome. He seeks his liberty in spite of the family's reproaches and finally marries an actress. Madame, disappointed, returns to live in the provinces. CHANGING MANAGERS. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) Paris, Feb. 11. The report is out ,the Folies Ber- gere will have a new manager next September and that Dante (brother of -Anne Dancrey) will be appointed by Dumien to that position. A new revue is at this house nexi week. TAKING THE ALCAZAR. (Special Cable to Varietv.) Paris, Feb. 11. Buyssons and Pouget are taking the .\lcazar. ORCHESTRA COSTS SALARY. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Feb. 11. Elsie Fay has been awarded a judg- ment for her salary for the week she didn't play the Broadhead theatre be- cause the orchestra there wouldn't re- hearse her music. AMERICANS MAKE GOOD. (Special Cable to Varietv.) London, Feb. 11. George Edwardes presented "After the Girl" at the Gaiety, Feb. 7. It reg- istered a big success. The American members of the cast have caused much favorable comment. Clifton Crawford is hailed as a young- er edition of Joe Coyne. Lew Hearn, Bcnita and Muriel Hudson also come in for large praise. They fit in for the Gaiety show. BARKER GETS IT OVER. (Special Cable to Varietv.) London, Feb. 11. Granville Barker is again successful in his latest Sliakespt'arean revival a! the Savoy, "A Midpunimcr's Night Dream." ACT IN REVUE. (Special Cable to Varietv.) London, Feb. 11. Miller and Mack opened very suc- cessfully at the Hippodrome and are now in the Revue. HELPS WHITESIDE. ANYWAY (Special Cable to Varietv.) London, Feb. 11. Walker Whiteside made his London debut Feb. 7 at the Queens', appear- ing as Quixano in Zangwill's "The Melting Pot," and scored a personal triumph. The piece is loo American in theme for here, though splendidly acted. Whiteside, however, will profit by the recognition given him for his work. NIJINSKY AT PALACE. (Special Cable to Varietv.) London, Feb. 11. Nijinsky and a picked ballet will ap- pear at the Palace month of March.