Variety (September 1916)

T* CABLES IN LONDON London, August 18. The Hudson Trio, one of the best musical turns, have broken up. Elgar Hudson, who recently married an officer home from the front, has joined Mad- ame Golda, who frequently deputized for Olga Hudson. This new combina- tion, known as the "Golda Quartet," is "a capital turn. The old firm continuing under the style of Olga, Elgar and Eli Hudson presented a new act at the Vic- toria Palace last week. Eugene Stratton, who is recovering from a serious illness, is anxious to get into harness again, but it is doubtful if the much-talked-of minstrel show with Eugene as the "star" will materialize. Strange to relate, although the role of Mr. Manhattan in the musical play of that name was written round Raymond Hitchcock and few could see a suc- cessor in the part, we have now seen three Mr. Manhattans and all excellent in their individual ways. Robert Em- met Keane is making a great success in the role at the Prince of Wales, while the performance of Fred Duprez at the dress rehearsal before starting on tour made one forget both his predecessors. Mary Garden, the well known opera singer, is taking a holiday in the High- lands of Scotland and living the open- air life. An ardent horsewoman, she spends most of her time in the saddle. She will be heard again at the Paris Opera House shortly. Sir Thomas Beecham's season of grand opera at the Aldwych, which re- cently came to a close with a brilliant performance of Mozart's "II Seraglio," has proved a success. In spite of war- time difficulties, an English opera com- pany has given a season of thirty-six weeks of opera straight off, which is a record. Sir Thomas intends to con- tinue in the autumn. A season of promenade concerts will be given at the Queen's Hall, commenc- ing on Aug. 26, under the direction of Sir Henry Wood. Many important art- ists have been engaged and a long list of novelties promised. Sept. 12 is the date fixed by Mr. Frederick Harrison for the production of "Mr. Jubilee Drax" at the Haymar- ket theatre. It is the work of Walter Hackett and Horace Annesley Vachell and is a play of adventure in four acts. As Albert De Courvillc failed to exer- cise his option to continue his tenancy of Drury Lane theatre with "Razzle Dazzle" at a rent of $3,500 per week, Arthur Collins has decided to produce a drama early in September. The play selected was written by the late Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamiton two years ago for production during the autumn season of 1914, but in consequence of the war its production was postponed until more settled times. The cast of the new Hippodrome revue, "Flying Colors," will include Harry Tate, Bertram Walles, Dorothy Waring and Gaby Deslys, with J. W. Wilson, who has recently returned from Spain in search of local color, as pro- ducer. One of the most attractive fea- tures of "Flying Colors" will be a scene illustrating one of Captain Bairns- father's most famous cartoons of the war, in which Corporal B. Macdonald Hastings will collaborate. Sir Frank and Lady Benson left re- cently for France to take over a rest camp near Belford for French soldiers. McKAY REPORTED KILLED. A report reached New York this week that Jock McKay, the Scotch comedian, was killed in a recent battle between English and German troops. McKay joined the colors some time ago and no word had been received from him up to the time of his reported death. TERRY FILM SHOWN. London, Aug. 30. The Ideal Film Co. gave a private showing of Ellen Terry in "Her Great- est Performance" Aug. 25. It has fine dramatic qualities and is to be adapted for the legitimate stage. The film is to be released Jan. 22. "ROMANCE" GOING WELL. London, Aug. 50. Doris Keane and Owen Nares have returned to the cast of "Romance" at the Lyric after an extended holiday. Business continues good with the piece. •THE ROTTERS" SHIFTED. London, Aug. 30. "The Rotters" is now at the Strand, transferred from the Garrick on Mon- day, and is doing nicely. VAN HOVEN. It was six years ago this summer I landed in New York with forty bucks. I paid six weeks' room rent in advance and every morning I had coffee and—, for lunch, some buttermilk and sandwiches, and supper I had five cents* worth of bananas, and dear friends, I got thin all over. I certainly put on the old tear number in that little room many and many a night, and now it gives me the jims to think of it. Eight weeks on forty bucks, and you know a buck at its best isn't anything wonderful. WISE VAN HOVEN. London, Aug. 30. About two months ago Van Hoven was booked at a suburban hail for $600, with an option for a return date at the same price. The remainder of the bill was very bad, and when the management wanted him back Van in- sisted the rest of the program should cost not less than $1,400. The house agreed, but on arriving he found a very inferior show once more. Van declined to go on unless his contract was altered to read $750, and finally got it. BASIL HALLAM KILLED. London, Aug. 30. Capt Basil Hallam, London's popu- lar juvenile, has been killed at the front He joined the flying corps and was in a captive balloon when it broke away, nearing the enemy's lines. * He at- tempted to descend in a parachute, which failed to open. Basil Hallam was the best-known singing juvenile in London. While successful in a greater or lesser de- gree for a number of years, his biggest stride to popularity was his rendition of the "Gilbert, the Filbert" song. He played opposite to Elsie Janis at the Palace during her long run there, at which time it was strongly rumored they would marry. "RAZZLE DAZZLE" MOVES. London, Aug. 30. "Razzle Dazzle," moved from the Drury Lane to the Empire, haa proved a pronounced success at the latter place. Albert de Courville haa a contract for the Empire for twelve weeks, with an option of nine months, which will prob- ably be taken up. KNOWLESILL London, Aug. 30. R. G. Knowles is ill with laryngitis and was unable to open at the Palla- dium Monday. His affliction was con- tracted in Liverpool when he was en- tertaining wounded soldiers. BOURCHIBR PLAYING. London, Aug. 30. Arthur Bourchier has commenced his tour of Moss Empires, opening at Leeds with a condensed version of "The Arm of the Law," supported by Miss Kyrle Bellew. GRAVES WOUNDED. London, Aug. 30. George Graves received a gunshot wound in the face while shooting with Sir Thomas Dewar in Scotland, but was not seriously injured. "HIGH JINKS" A HIT. London, Aug. 30. "High Jinks" was produced at the Adelphi Aug. 24, and its success is cer- tain. It is a good story, has brilliant music and is well mounted with a strong cast. PROMENADE CONCERTS LIKED, London, Aug. 30. A season of promenade concerts opened at Queen's Hall Aug. 24 to a packed house. B* tun to got VAFIETY of Sopt. 22. HARRY MOUNTTORD. STROLLERS NOT DIVIDED. Chicago, Aug. 30. Despite stories to the contrary, there is no danger of any factional differences in the Strollers that in any way will disrupt its membership. The Strollers have had a little internal dissension through the officials laying down the law on Henry Meyers, who has been inactive for a long time, and forbidding certain members from playing politics for obvious reasons on the floor of the club. But the Strollers as a wliole have entered denial that there is any likeli- hood of the club splitting into two fac- tions. The Vartjbtt representative at this point interviewed Robert B. Sher- man, president, who declared that the Strollers were in splendid shape, was having harmony at its meetings and that the club was planning for an active winter season. Several Strollers have remarked that the recent Meyers epi- sode is a closed chapter as far as titer are concerned. Anyway, they declare^ there is no truth in the report that the Strollers is divided into factions. FURNISHING VARIETY CLUE. The organizers of the recently formed Variety Club, a society established by several of the more prominent members of the Comedy Club, have furnished up the two floors leased from Mark Arons at the Palace Annex building, utilizing the furniture that once adorned the club rooms of the Comedy Club. The fur- niture was in storage, but was released by James J. Morton and Gus Dreyer, who are supervising the preliminary work of establishing the Variety Club. The charter of the new club has been procured and during the next few days arrangements will be made to enroll a limited number of members, after which an election of officers will be held. CLAYTON'S DANCER INJURED. Angelus Aarogonus, the Spanish dancer imported by Bessie Clayton for her new routine, will not appear with the act for the next several weeks, having sustained a broken leg Sunday night while going through a final re- hearsal. The act was scheduled to play the Majestic, Chicago, this week, but owing to the accident was forced to cancel. Another dancer will be en- gaged for the part pending the recovery or Aarogonus. FISHER OUT OF CASTLES. Clifford C. Fisher has sold out his in- terest in Castles in the Air on top of the 44th Street theatre. This occurred almost simultaneously with his ac- quisition of the entire stock of Mont- martre, in which he has heretofore held 51 per cent. He will devote his entire time to the Montmartre enterprise. The Shuberts will personally conduct the Castles in the Air show and have appointed Edward Temple to direct the forthcoming production, which will be a burlesque on "Carmen." ENGLISH SHOW FAILS. "A Little Bit of Fluff" is due to blow back to Britain as suddenly as it ap- peared. The show won weak notices upon its Saturday night opening, and on Monday tickets were placed with the cut rate agencies.