Variety (December 1915)

CABLES STOLL PURCHASES CONTROL OF ALHAMBRA, FORESTALLING BUTT Takes Possession in January, Thus Removing Possibility of Op- position to His Twice Daily Policy at the Coliseum. Char- lot Will Probably Remain as Manager and Con- tinue Present Style of Entertainment. London, Dec. 1. Oswald Stoll has purchased a con- trolling interest in the Alhair.bra, from January, paying $6.25 for $5.00 shares and offering to purchase all other hold- ings in the music hall at the same price. Director Purcfoy is dissatisfied with this situation and has sent a circular letter to all shareholders requesting them not to sell. An informal meet- ing was held Nov. 30 and the next general meeting will be convened Dec. 6. The above-par price for a controlling interest in the Alhambra, which hasn't earned very large profits for years, was a surprise to many not familiar with the situation, but was a foregone con- clusion to those on the inside. Last summer Variety published % cabled report that Albert Butt was negotiating for the control of the Alhambra and expected to take over its direction Jan. 1., establishing there a policy of two shows daily (matinee and night), similar to the Coliseum, which is within a stone's throw from the Coliseum. Mr. Butt had even gone so far as to have his architect look over the interior with a view to remodeling it to increasing its seating capacity and was undoubtedly sanguine of his suc- cess in securing the control of the en- terprise. At that time he spoke very highly of its present managing direc- tor, Andre Chariot, and said to Varietv's London representative *th£t in the event he>Tot)K over tKe'$ioupe*4ie would be dclighfell *to retain. Chariot's services. •'*. '•..*■ When asked last July to* copnxm the report of his withdrawal from the A3- hambra on Jan. 1 next, Mr. Chariot merely smiled wisely and asked that nothing be quoted as coming from him. It is now a reasonable hazard his di- rection of the house will not be inter- fered with by Stoll, whose object in purchasing control is merely to shut out any competition with his style of entertainment in the neighborhood oi Trafalgar square. StolPs Coliseum having declared a 25 per cent, dividend to its shareholders last year, when show business was reported bad in London. BERNHARDT'S FINAL PLAY. Paris, Nov. 15. Sarah Bernhardt has reappeared at her own Paris theatre, after two years' absence from the stage, during which time she had a leg amputated. It \s doubtful if tjie great actress has ever had more enthusiastic and sympathetic receptions. The work chosen for her final theat- rical role was "Les Cathedrals/' a one- act play in verse by Eugene Morand. It is not a very clever effort, and Bern- hardt has not added any laurels to her superb career by her latest creation. She has, however, displayed a huge energy. Perhaps it would have been better if rhe had left us still under the impression of her more brilliant days. The story of the play is told by six nuns representing cathedrals whic.i have been under the German fire dur- ing the present war. Sarah is the spirit of Strassburg, seated in the cen- tre of the stage on a stone chair, no trace of her recent operation being vis- ible. On the fall of the curtain she rose, bowed and sat down again. The stage was covered by flowers thrown from all parts of the house. The pro- gram comprises two other short pieces: "L'Impromptu du Paquetage" a little gem about the war by Maurice Donney (already seen at a benefit matinee) played by Jeanne Granier, and "L'En- fant Vainquer" by an Alsacian poet, M. Schwaebel, also dealing with pres- ent events. The present show at the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt will attract for a time, as many will be anxious to see the great actress once more. On its merits it would have but a short career. If youaon*^3vertis«ln don't advertise. VAN HOVEN In last week's VARIETY I read where a couple of artists were panning each other, both from the stage and in the paper. Dear brothers, come over to London and stand in the Strand and see that big snake-like Zep- pelin dropping those big balls of death. See men, women and children being killed and wounded like children's toys. Then realize the big, beautiful things in this world and be grate- ful. You say why don't I come home? Well, if I stay here the Zeppelins might miss me and if I come home the submarines might hit me. Frank Raymond Theodore Arthur Van Hoven, Born Feb. 5, 1890, Sioux City, la. GENE HODGKINS ILL St Louis, Dec. 1. While laying off here last week, be- fore starting an Orpheum Circuit tour at Omaha this we j£flfc ne Hodgkins was removed WednAjVfrom his hotel to the City HosplfcT Sunday his father arrived here from Louisville and took his son home. The hospital physicians reported Hodgkins temporarily deranged while under their care, and his present con- dition is thought to be a breakdown, brought on in part through the recent separation of his wife and former dancing partner, Irene Hammond. Miss Hammond left for London shortly after her marriage and following her de- parture Hodgkins was much depressed. SHOWS IN PARIS. Paris, Nov. 20. Renaissance, "Puce a l'Oreille;" Apollo, "Concarde de Mimi Pinson;" Opera Comique, "Li Faut l'Avoir" (revue); Caupucines, "Paris Quand Meme" (revue); Varietes, "Ceux de Chez Nous;" Vaudeville, "Belle Ad- venture;" Gymnase, "A La Francaise" (revue); Porte St. Martin, "Cyrano de Bergerac;" Ambigu, "Demoiselle de Magasin;" Cluny, "Arsene Lupin;" Bouffes, "The Man Who Stayed at Home;" Gaite, "Coup de Fouet/ »» «i 'RUSSIA, 1915." BIG. London, Dec. 1. At the Coliseum this week there is presented "Russia, 1915," a dramatiza- tion of Tschaikowsky's "1812." It is a splendid spectacle and a great suc- cess, combining grand opera, ballet and pantomime, with typical pictures of Russian life. Charles Hawtrey was also seen there in a new sketcfi, "Q.," by MacDonald Hastings, also successful. CHARLOrS REVUE SCORES. London, Dec. 1. Andre Chariot's production of Harry Grattan's revue at the Playhouse, en- titled "Samples," was presented Nov. 30 and is voted a brilliant success. Effective scenery and catchy music help along the bright dialog. Ida Rene (who replaced Hilda Tre- velyan oh short notice), Melville Gideon and Bert Coote score strongly. The attraction had an enthusiastic reception at its premiere. WITHDRAWING "QUINNEY'S." London, Dec. 1. "Quinneys" will be withdrawn from Ihe Haymarket Dec. 8, and will be suc- ceeded the following evening by a new play by Horace Annesley Vachell. NO PRESS MATTER. London, Dec. 1. "Kick In" will close at the Vaude- ville shortly. The piece was killed by lack of press work. It will be followed by a revue under the management of Herbert Jay. EXPO'S ATTENDANT; San Francisco r» 1. The eross attendance at t 1 !\, <>si- tion, up to date, registers or 18.000.- 000. SAILINGS. London, Dec. 1. Nov. 24, Ceballos and Desmond (Adriatic); Nov. 27, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp (St Louis); Nov. 27, Laurette Taylor and J. Hartley Manners (New Amsterdam). HILDA SPONG SKETCH. A sketch has been selected for Hilda Spong, who will appear in it at the Palace, New York, within a couple of weeks. The sketch's title is "Pals," written by Charles Sumner (who wrote "The Natural Law") and Charles Col- lins (dramatic critic of the Chicago Evening Post). Arthur Forrest will be Miss Spong's principal support. Arnold Daly is attending to the stag- ing of the playlet, which is booked by the Marinelli Agency. Hal Davis and Inez Macauley some seasons ago played a sketch in vaude- ville called "Pals." TANGUAY PACKS 'EM IN. Milwaukee, Dec. 1. Eva Tanguay reopened her vaude- ville tour here this week, headlining the Majestic program. Needless to say the cyclonic comedienne was welcomed with a capacity attendance and by yes- terday the advance sale for the balance of the week was a record for this city. It is possible Miss Tanguay will be held over for another week, or if not, she will return here shortly for another engagement Miss Tanguay opened at the Majes- tic, Chicago, two weeks ago, and while she managed to work throughout the week, was forced to rest last week be- cause of a relapse of her throat trouble. LEGITS DONT WANT IT. London, Dec. 1. The society of West End legitimate managers who have secured a conces- sion from the Lord Chamberlain to allow smoking in all the theatres during the war, is made up of theatrical men interested in revues. 4 The theatres playing legitimate at- tractions will not avail themselves of the privilege, but the revue producers can now place their attractions in theatres permitting smoking, without having to secure a license from the Councy Council, the license compelling the using of not less than five turns, a revue counting as one. BARD'S REVUE SUPERIOR. London, Dec. 1. Wilkie Bard's own revue, "The Whirl of the Town," was shown at the Pal- ladium this week. It is well dressed and superior to the average touring revue. It is in six scenes. Bard is ably assisted by Charles Hart, Fred- Barnes, Joan Hay and Daisy Wood. POLAIRE GOES HOME. London, Dec. 1. Mile. Polaire has resigned from the revue at the Garrick and returned to Pnris. Butt on Another Board. London, Dec. 1. Ylfred Butt has joined the Board of J sectors of the Adelphia Theatre Co.