Variety (October 1914)

VARIETY 13 LONDON VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE It CHARING CROSS ROAD (CABLE "JESSFREE, LONDON.") JOSHUA LOWE, In Charge Mail for Americans and Europeans in Europe, if addressed care VARIETY, as above, will be promptly forwarded. WITH THE WOMEN London, Oct. 16. Although London has been operating under half lights at night for some time past the Secretary of State for the Home Department, under regula- tions for the defence of the realm, has issued additional strictures on the sub- ject and the town will be still further subdued in the matter of illumination. From now on, all sky signs, illuminated lettering and powerful lights of all de- scriptions used for outside advertising or for illumination of shop fronts must be entirely extinguished. The effect is anything but conducive to the gaiety of the city and this, added to the clos- ing of all saloons at 11 o'clock, gives one small opportunity for late festivi- ties. The early closing regulations ap- ply to the numerous supper clubs which have sprung up in the past two or three years so that now it is impossible to secure liquid refreshment anywhere but in the legitimate clubs and one's own domicile after the stipulated closing hour. It is no uncommon sight to see a bevy of visitors to a music hall turned out of the bars promptly at 11 o'clock with the show still in progress. Two signs constantly appear before one's view throughout the United King- dom at the present time, to the exclu- sion of almost all others. One reads "A call to Arms. Your King and your Country need you" and the other is "Funds urgently needed." At one of the suburban parks, which maintains a public tennis court, there were a number of young chaps engaged in tennis when a grizzled old war vet- eran, much the worse for alcoholic in- dulgence passed. He stood for a mo- ment and watched the chaps, when sud- denly his stentorian voice was heard crying: "Change your racket for a rifle." It was a rather impressive mo- ment. Everyone stopped and the youths dropped their tennis rackets, rolled down their sleeves, donned their coats and slipped away more or less shamefacedly. It is a rather remarka- ble thing though, that the English chap- pies have enlisted with such uniform- ity. It is safe to say that you could traverse London from one end to the other and not find a single monocled gentleman of eligible ape who is not wearing the uniform. Chappell & Co., the English music publishers, conducting a large concert agency in connection with their busi- ness, have issued a notice that they will not be in a position to offer artists dates who sing at charity concerts "got up by irresponsible people to advertise themselves." This is construed by some to mean that they prefer that the ar- tists shall not give their services for any of the numerous relief funds, ex- cepting those that they may organize, or which will interfere with their reg- ular business. It has called forth a large amount of adverse criticism for the concern. A number of the German people who have become citizens of England have been compelled to register as alien ene- mies and are proscribed from travelling further than five miles from their dom- iciles. At a recent jury trial counsel for the defendant objected to a German serving as a juryman in his case on the ground that he might be unduly preju- diced. The new production "Business as Usual," at the Hippodrome, shortly due, has been secured for America. For this reason all the musical num- bers will be of native origin. The book is by Albert de Courville and F. W. Mark (the latter being Lucas, the well-known writer for Punch). The music is by James Glover. At one of the west end halls last week, out of twelve turns, eleven came on singing patriotic songs. The clos- ing number was an acrobat and the audience felt that, at last, they would escape another outburst. But at the close of his performance he waved a huge Union Jack. All the old Boer war jokes are being brought up to date and gags that were told a few years ago about Buller, De Wet, etc., slightly altered and the names of French, Jelicoe and the Kaiser substituted. George Robey entered the Cavour the other day with an envelope ad- dressed to the Crown Prince of Ger- many and directed from an English firm. It had been returned to sender hearing the endorsement from the English Post Office as follows: "Ndt known, return to sender." Robey is keeping it as a souvenir of the present European upheaval. A story they are telling is about an Trish regiment secreted in ambush in France and waiting for some Germans to pass. The enemy, according to in- formation, is due in about 20 minutes. With gun in hand the Celts wait pa- tiently for over two hours and then when they fail to put in an appearance the Captain, unable to control himself any longer, finally jumps up and yells to his men: "I hope nothing has hap- pened to them." Bert FcMman, the London music publisher, is said to be the financial sponsor behind Goldston's Magical Parlour which is being opened on Green street, Leicester Square. At the Eltinge theatre "Innocent" has Pauline Frederick. A better selec- tion couldn't have been made. Miss Frederick is superb in her role. The part calls for much dressing. Miss Frederick's house gown of white satin with pink bodice was enveloped on a mantel of fine white lace (act three). In act four Miss Frederick appears in a cloak of tan brocade with martin col- lar and cuffs. An evening gown un- derneath was wonderful. The founda- tion was Nile green over which was a robe of emerald green in chenille dots outlined with brilliants. The bodice was merely diamond straps. Another gown was of three flounces of gold lace. The waist in straight lines was in blue and gold design, laced at the sides with gold cord and tassels. A flat black hat, edged in feathers, was worn with this dress. Miss Mone at the Broadway Kos« Gardens, is wearing a stunning danc- ing frock. The straight waist of gold cloth has a skirt of red accordion plaitings. A gold and red cap, with much fringe is employed, adding to the striking costume. "Under Cover" at the Cort is very interesting, but it doesn't become so until the first act is nearly ended. The play calls for well-dressed women, and with Lucille Watson in the cast one expects good clothes. Miss Wat- son lived up to expectations. The one evening gown worn by her was very beautiful, black satin combined with jet and tulle. Lola Fisher looked sweetly girlish in a pink and gold frock. Lily Cahill in the first act wore a good-looking tailored dress of black broadcloth with pointed flounces and patent belt. An evening dress follow- ing Grecian lines was of white satin with girdle of gold. Miss Cahill dia considerable work in a neglige of white and pale blue. Rae Selwyn looked very pretty in a striking costume of coral cloth. Bert Baker and "The Bon Ton Girls" at the Bastable, Syracuse, the first half of this week, had good looking girls, and they played to an entire gum-chew- ing audience. That's about all they have to do in Syracuse after supper, chew gum or go to the theatre, and the Bastable bunch does both. I sup- pose in these hard times, the Syracus- ans are cutting off the dessert for the evening meal, substituting the penny- in-the-slot luxury. The first part of the Baker show is a quarrel between two married couples. It wasn't funny and made almost as much noise as the gum chewers. Midgie Miller was the single bright spot in it. She was a picture in blue tights and white jersey. Mr. Baker is so prominent in the perform- ance he must confess to himself the show is suffering from too much Baker. For the opening chorus the girls wore shirt waist costumes of different colors with hats and parasols of the same shades. Miss Miller first entered in a grey taffeta with jacket trimmed in black and white stripes, with a pink belt. She is a pretty blonde, some- what resembling Mary Pickford. Mer- cedes Alvin, a brunette, was unusual in a black and white checked tailor made. For her specialty Miss Alvin wore a striking dress. The skirt was figured satin in purple, yellow and green. The bodice was plain purple. Miss Alvin encountered some trouble through a few "Johns" seated down front, but she handled them properly. It's just as well, too, for any "John" in Syracuse who was ever wealthy enough to buy a regular meal has gone broke, leav- ing only the beer-and-pipe college boys to pose around. Lucille Manion, rath- er stout, wore a blue crepe de chine tor her first. She changed to a flow- ered dress of three flounces, and then to green and white. One tight number was well dressed. The girls look nice in evening clothes, made along up-to- date lines. Miss Manion's evening gown of black with white bodice was very becoming. A soubret dress of black velvet with diamond top was worn by Miss Miller, and Miss Alvin also had a smart appearance in a coral skirted dress with white waist and black belt. During the action of the show a rapid transformation is executed, the scene going from a dive to a ballroom. "The Bon Tons" did fairly in Syra- cuse. "LADY LUXURY" CHANGES HANDS. It is understood along Broadway that when "Lady Luxury" is finally produced in New York it will be un- der a management other than the one originally sponsoring the production. The piece is at present in rehearsal after having been recasted. Fred C. Whitney was the first man- ager. The piece opened in Detroit several weeks ago and later went to His Majesty's theatre, Montreal, for two weeks. All the reports from the road that reached New York regard- ing the production seemed to indicate that it was a big hit. Several of the theatres in New York were mentioned as likely to house the attraction. Suddenly it was reported that the show would close and come to New York to be recasted. Two weeks ago the company came in and since it has been rehearsing under the direction of Ben Teal. Early this week came rumors of trouble in the ranks of those behind the production and that the monied men were dissat- isfied. On top of this there came a report the rights of the piece were to be taken by another manager, and that it would be brought into New York shortly. All efforts to obtain any informa- tion at the Whitney office proved fruitless. The authoress, Rida John- son Young, could not be reached at her hotel. Charles B. Dillingham is the man- ager most mentioned as the one likely to steer the destinies of the produc- tion when it is finally launched again.