Variety (May 1914)

VARIETY LONDON HOUSES ASK RIGHT TO OPE RATE SU NDAY SHOWS Movies and Music Halls Now Give Sabbath Performances in European Metropolis But Legitimate Playhouses Remain Dark. London Heretofore Devoid of Sun- day Amusements. Theatre Managers Demand Permission to Play Every Day. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. The legitimate theatrical managers are very much wrought up over the feature films and music halls now showing Sunday nights and are de- manding permission to open many dramatic attractions on the Sabbath. A number of dramas are being ex- hibited on the screen and the music halls all run "sacred concerts" on the seventh day of the week, besides many so-called "charity concerts." Producers of the legitimate attrac- tions feel that they are being discrim- inated against in this matter and while they have never before expressed themselves in favor of Sabbath per- formances, now seem to be a unit for giving their shows every night in the week. The matter has caused a considera- ble amount of discussion, both for and against the proposition, which is cer- tain to encounter bitter opposition on the part of the clergy. This Sunday playing here is believed to be establishing a precedent in oper- ating on the Sabbath, and in none of the outlying provinces have any Sun- day shows been permitted. As a re- sult of the new status big receipts are anticipated by the movies and halls. It has often been regretted particu- larly by tourists and the amusement- going public here that the theatres re- mained dark on the Sabbath. WORLD'S LONGEST DRAMA. (Special Cable to Variutt.) London, April 29. Charles B. Cochran has secured the rights to the world's longest drama, which, if played three hours daily, could consume three month's time. He will probably first produce it in Germany . "AFTER THE GIRL" FOR HERE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. Lee Shubert has secured the Ameri- can rights to "After the Girl," which is to be rearranged here for use in the States. Will Evans is now playing in the piece. GREAT FOR ELSIE JANIS. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. At the Palace, Elsie Janis is a tre- mendous draw in the new revue. It is the unanimous opinion of those in the business—and out of it also—that she is the cleverest woman ever brought here from America. AL WOODS COMING BACK. ( Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. A. H. Woods will produce "The (jirl from Rector's" in London in December, with Ethel Levey as the star. Woods may make a deal with Al- fred Butt for all future English pro- ductions. He (Woods) sails Sunday on the Imperator. Woods* has but a 5 per cent, interest in the gross of the English "Potash & Perlmutter" success, having sold out for a bonus of $1,500 and an advance royalty of $1,000. The authors receive 5 per cent, and Woods 5. NED WAYBURN LOCATING. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. Ned Wayburn is opening a London office for productions, both legitimate and vaudeville, conducting a general theatrical business. »• AUTHOR WITH PROMISE. (Special Cable to Variety.) Berlin, April 29. At Kuenstlertheater, Mueller Schlo- esser's comedy, "Schneider Wippel, was produced. The first two acts are good, but the last one is weak. The author shows promise for the future. POSTPONING REVUE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. The new Revue announced for the Alhambra, May 11, is not likely to be ready by that date. REVUE AT LEGITIMATE HOUSE. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, April 29. Deval and Richemond have arranged for a revue by Rip and Bousquet to be given at the Athenee Theatre for beginning of next season. PLEASES MUCH IN BERLIN. (Special Cable to Variety.) Berlin, April 29. The Deutsches Opernhaus brings as novelty for Berlin an opera comique by Bogumil Zepler, "Monsieur Bona- parte." The text is by Hans Bren- nert. The opera has three acts and was already successfully performed at Strassburg and Leipzig. It pleases much here. Temple Staging Empire Show. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. Edward Temple will produce the new Empire show. He is now on Alfred Butt's permanent staff. "Clever Ones" Amusing. (S)>ecial Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. Alfred Sutro's "Clever Ones," at Wyndham's, is an amusing light farce and was splendidly received. BOSTON OPERA IN PARIS. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, April 29. The American-English operatic sea-" son, under the direction of Henry RuS- sell and Higgins, was inaugurated at the Theatre des Champs Elysees April 25. The great enterprise of bringing to France the Boston opera company, with a chorus of 125, American stage hands and assistants, seems to be ap- preciated. It is too early to say if it will be a financial success, but it is certainly an artistic one. The orchestra is alone native, being that of the Concerts Monteux, conducted, however, by Moranzoni and Panizza. There was a big crowd of Americans at the first performance. A private press show was given the previous evening. The first work to inaugurate the Paris season was "L'Amour dei tre Re" ("The Love of Three Kings") by the young composer Montemezzi, book by Sem Benelli, formerly produced at the Scala, Milan. Verdi's "Otello" in the original text and Puccini's "Manon Lescaut" will follow. Montemezzi's work was fairly suc- cessful and ably rendered by MM. Marcoux, Cigada, Mmes. Edvina, Sharlow, who were heartily applauded. Director Russell has leased the theatre for 25 years. DILLINGHAM'S' JUGGLERS. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, April 29. The Breens, foreign jugglers, have been engaged by Charles B. Dilling- ham, of New York, to appear in a pro- duction he will put on next season. This is one of several foreign acts Mr. Dillingham has secured under con- tract for a reported show, that, from the variety of turns engaged, seems to have a circus* or vaudeville scene in it. Charles Dillingham returned to his desk for active resumption of business Tuesday, completely recovered from his recent illness. He sails May 9 on the Olympic for his annual trip abroad, combining busi- ness with his summer vacation. PUT ON WITHOUT FAITH. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, April 29. Mme. Rasimi presented April 23 at her now popular Ba-Ta-Clan, a new revue entitled "Y a d'jolies femmes," Celval and Charley being the authors. It is well mounted, but evidently a spring production for a short run. It met with a fair reception. Paris Alcazar Opened. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, April 29. The al fresco music hall, Alcazar d'Etc, on the Champs Elysees, was opened for the 1914 season April 24, under the management of E. Heros, present manager of the Scala music hall, with a cafe chantant program. SAILINGS. Reported through Paul Tausig & Son, 104 East 14th street, New York: April 23, Blank Family (Amerika); April 25, Brmmsons (Graf Walder- see); April 30, Seldoms (Pr Fr Whim); May 1, Curtis & Hebard (Philadel- phia); May 2, Four Readings (Oceanic); May 7, Frank Schaefer (Baltic); May 9, M. S. Bentham, Mr. and Mrs. Jules Hurtig, Billy Argall, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Lean, Doyle and Smith, Minnie Dupree, Cross and Josephine, Al Rover, Jim Diamond, Sybil Bren- nan, Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Lowe (Olympic); May 3, William Berol-Mentekel (Kronprinzessen Cecelie). (Special Cable to Variety. ) London, April 29. April 29, Bob Ferns, Joe Bissett (Olympic). i April 29, Marie Russell (Kr. Wlhm). May 2, A. H. Woods, Lou Hirsch (Imperator). Paris, April 21. April 10 (For South America), Car- ola Grazia, Rholando, Thurber and Thurber, Jane Lery; April 19 (For South America), Gabby Sonia. ALFRED BUTTS INTERVIEW. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 29. Alfred Butt, in an interview, states that he has abandoned the idea of taking over the London Opera House. He claims it would take two losing years to put the place on a sound financial basis, and that he intends to retire from theatricals in four years*. It is understood in other quarters that Oswald Stoll is negotiating for a lease of the opera house. Circus Schumann Deal Off. (Special Cable to Varibty.) Berlin, April 29. The Circus Schumann building will not be taken over by Professor Rein- hardt. The negotiations have been de- clared off. Hamburg Against "Justice.'' (Special Cable to Varibty.) Berlin, April 29. John GaleWorthy's drama, "Justice," was not liked by Hamburg audiences. PLEASING THE FASHIONABLE. (Special Cable to Varibty.) Paris, April 29. The Marigny reopened as a vaude- ville house April 25, under the man- agement of Jacques Charles, director of the Olympia. A revue by Andre Barde occupies the program. This production is well mounted, and splendidly played by Anna Dancrey, Irene Bordoni, Messrs. Gilbert Bataille, Fred. Pascal, Raimu, Gradel, Darles, Jackson's Troupes work well; Alice Detender dances prettily, as does Pretty Myrtill. The revue will please fashionable visitors. Robledillo opened at the Marigny April tf.