Variety (June 1915)

CABLES LONDON'S BOX OFFICES FEELING EFFECTS OF WAR Theatrical Business Suffering Sharp Decline in English Metropolis. Twenty Plays Closed in May. Two Lead- ing Halls Doing Much Less Than Capacity. Alfred Butt Ending Palace Show. London, Jui:e 2. Local theatrical conditions are be- ginning to show the effect" of the war on the box offices, 20 plays having fin- ished West End runs during May, with small chances of any early improve- ment in conditions. It is quite likely that several others will close shortly. No legitimate show is doing big busi- ness at all over here at the present time. "Peg O' My Heart" did $5,750 last week, and "On Trial," which start- ed of! like a record-breaker, gathering the unanimous support of the local press, never connected at all. Probably the best business among the local legit plays is being done by "Quinneyt" at the Haymarket. In the music halls, the Empire and Hippodrome are leading, with big re- ceipts, but are not playing anywhere near capacity nor do they seem to be threatened with any immediate rush of business—this despite the fact that both houses hold big hits. The Alhambra, opening Thursday with Gaby in the cast, will undoubtedly lift the receipts there to some extent. Alfred Butt has agreed to release Elsie Janis, at her request, June 19, despite a contract calling for the run of the piece. This is because of the Palace show failing to draw and is an- other convincing sign of the decline in local conditions. That decline re- ceived its greatest impetus with the Lusitania disaster. THE WAR AT HOME. Doc Steiner brought the European war to Broadway last week, immedi- ately after Italy had declared herself against the German association of war- ring nations. The Doctor selected Sully, the Bar- bel*,; f 6/ o Jiis enemy-mark. Acting as stnlry with a d*ad-line in front of the Palace theatre building, Doc notified all prospective appljc^n^ for a Sully shave that Ger^afiy .wduPd be offended if tfWv' gjpt duded "jap in an Italian's shop.' -V Sully's busirtedte dropped off that day. Mr. Sullivan could hear the Palace building elevators running on schedule, but they never stopped at the third floor. Sully investigated. One of his best customers, then two hours over- due for a hair-cut, was still missing. Sully found him in another barbery, with a pair of scissors manipulated by a German reducing the hairy growth on the top of his head. Seeing a friendly policeman Sully implored him to enter the shop and ask the steady cus why he had forsaken Sully's. Then Mr. Sullivan found out about Doc Stcincr's embargo. Rushing back to his tonsorial em- porium, Sully ground a new razor's edge down to its finest point, picked up a tooth brush and started on the trail for Doc. Sully admitted he was going to have a tough time interviewing the Doctor. Sully's route was from Pabst's on 5Vth street, to the Ehrich House on 38th street, then the Hof-Brau on 30th street, and Luchow's on 14th street. Asked what he nanted to do with the tooth brush, Sully said he intended holding Doc up with the razor and torturing him through a threat of making him use the brush, until Doc agreed to withdraw his blacklist on the shop. Sully claims he's neutral and in proof offers as evidence that he has ac- cepted American money from a Ger- man for an Italian shave. WELL.WRITTEN, ONLY. London, June 2. "The Laughter of Fools" opened at the Prince of Wales' May 29. While the story is well written, the piece does not carry the essential elements to make it a success. GABY BOOKING AHEAD. London, June 2. Gaby Deslys has signed to play a legitimate role at Shaftsbury next October, this in ic.dition to her Alham- bra engagement of eight weeks and six-week tour over the Moss time. Grand Guignol Co. Moving. London, June 2. The Grand Guignol Co., coming in- tact from Paris, will open at the Coronet theatre, London, June 14. SAILINGS. San Francisco, June 2. June 8 (for Australia) Balancing Stevens, Montambo and Wells, Her- bert Brooks, Alsace and Lorraine, Kip and Kippy (Sonoma). Arriving at San Francisco May 26, from Australia, were Brinkman and Steele Sisters, William Harrigan, Jimmy Coffee, "Young" Abe Attell. JACK JOHNSON WHINING. London, June 2. Jack Johnson, here with the Havana fight films, showing Willard relieving him of his title, is about town en- deavoring to create the impression the scrap was a framed affair and that he "laid down" to the Kansas cowboy. The big smoke is not meeting with much success, for the pictures, plainly showing the agony and pain that ac- companied the knockout, belie any such idea. One American newspaper corre- spondent, however, has taken sufficient stock in Johnson's endeavors to try and get the ex-champ to stand for an exclusive story to that effect. NEW PINERO PLAY. London, June 2. Sir George Alexander will produce a new Pinero play at the St. James, Sept. 1. HAWTREY'S NEXT SKETCH. London, June 2. Charles Hawtrey has been engaged to appear at the Coliseum July 5, when he will present a new sketch, entitled "The Haunted Husband." It is by May Pemberton. SKETCH GETS OVER London, June 2. At the Coliseum, a sketch, entitled "The Call," went over big this week. Deputized for Vesta Tilley. London, June 2. While Vesta Tilley was out of the Coliseum, London, bill through a sprained ankle, Alfred Lester deputized for her. He is also appearing in "The Arcadians." IN PARIS. Paris, May 20. The estate of the late Harry Fragson will go to the State, in England, no heirs having been traced. Fragson, whose correct name was Philip Leon Victor Pott, was killed by his father in Paris, Dec. 30, 1913. He died inte- state and the value of his estate in Eng- land, $5,400, reverts to the British Crown. The French Government will inherit the bulk of Fragson's fortune. Mme. Rasimi has won her case against her landlord, Habrekorn. She contended that rent for the Ba-Ta- Clan music hall was not due during the time the house was closed, on ac- count of the war, and that there should be a reduction while open. In the same way Baretta has obtained judgment against Oiler for the rent claimed at the Olympia. He has a temporary lease on percentage and Oiler claimed on the gross receipts. Baretta con- tended the percentage should not in- clude the amount of the French gov- ernment poor tax which he has to pay, and in this the court concurred. A revue is being produced at the Olympia, to supplant vaudeville. New acts are unobtainable in Paris at pres- ent. However, the Folies Bergere is now presenting a variety program, un- der the management of Maurice de Marsan. The al fresco Ambassadeurs is opea with pictures. The Theatre Rejane will revive a cinema show, giving war views. The Casino de Paris is a pic- ture house again. Pictures seem to constitute the only profitable form of entertainment in Paris at present. The revue at the Marigny is going nicely, although there are no crowds to see it. Norman French, Paul Ardot, Nelly Palmer and Nina Myral form a fine quartet. The Alhambra closes May 25 for the season, until Sept. 1. Max Morel, manager of the Grand Guignol, is arranging ta take over the Theatre des Varietes. Antoine, formerly of the Odeon, may be found in charge of the Gaite theatre next season. EPIC DRAMA TOO STRONG. London, June 2. "Armageddon," the first epic drama dealing with the current war in Europe, was shown at the New the- atre this week. It seems a bit too strong for the "highbrow" angle to make a successful bid for popular appeal. Uecaust* "t the trcm«.n<l<>us success register** act was held over for a two-month engagement. The only Japanese singing and dancing act in 1 lie only Japanese singing Direction, II. B. Marinclli. 1 by SUMIKO at the Winter Garten, Berlin, the America. FROHMAN'S ENGLISH MEMORIAL. London, June 2. Haddon Chambers, Edna May, Paul- ine Chase and Sir J. M. Barrie, have formed as a committee to take charge of the erection of a drinking fountain at Marlow, Buckinghamshire, as a memorial to Charles Frohman. Iff yeu don't advertise la VARIETY, don't advertiee.