Variety (December 1916)

... ■ 81 PARIS NOTES The great event in November is the revival of Henry Bataille's "L'Ama- zone" at the Porte St.-Martin, with Mines. Rejane, Simone, MM. Antoine, L. Gauthier in the lead. It is the finest legitimate troupe brought together, ex- cepting at the Comedie Francaise, since the war commenced. Hertz and Coquelin, managers, have done the thing well. The same can be said of their revival of the old operetta, "La Roussotte," at the Ambigu-Comique. This work seems to have lost none of its interest, though in our days it is somewhat out of date. Jane Pierly plays the role created by Judic and shows plenty of ginger. Gas- ton Dubosc, Albert Brasseur, Collen, Maurice Jacquet hold parts, and to those who have resided in Paris the names will ring familiarly in the ears. The best variety show in town is still to be seen at the Alhambra, in spite of the difficulty in securing acts. M. Combes at the Empire (Etoile Palace) is also presenting excellent programs. The Casino de Paris is picking up, and may soon count once more as a recog- nized vaudeville house in this city. Splendid business at the Olympia, with a show that is somewhat indifferent. The operetta at the Folies Bergere is running nicely, but hardly with capac- ity excepting oa Sundays. The theatrical managers' syndicate of France has satisfactorily concluded arrangements with the two authors' so- cieties by which royalties will be col- lected on the total amount of receipts after payment of the 10 per cent, poor tax and not on the gross receipts, as hitherto. It is possible all places of amusement in Paris will close one full day each week during the coming winter. Tues- day is preferred by the majority * of managers. Many of the suburban con- cert halls and theatres have been play- ing only three days—Saturday, Sunday and Monday, making four shows—for some time past. It is also probable the cafes will be restricted somewhat to the same hours as now in force in England. The music halls of Nice and Monte Carlo are only playing two days weekly at present. Paris, Nov. 17. At the Grand Guignol M. C. Choisy has a choice program including a stage version of Rudyard Kipling's "The Mark of the Beast," by E. M. Lau- mann. A smart sketch, "Quelle Averse," amusingly teaches the moral lesson of never introducing your Dona to a friend and particularly not into your own home. "In-cxtremis" is a morbid piece of a consumptive who compels his wife to take his life when he perceives she has already been un- true to him. In a revengeful spirit he previously warns the police that he fears he is to be murdered. For those who want to shiver the Grand Guignol is still the resort par excellence. A new piece in four acts, "L'Attentat de la Maison Rouge," at the Little theatre Albert I, also savors of the Grand Guignol. A German hypnotizes the wife of his French partner and or- ders her to set fire to a munition fac- tory, but he is killed by his victim, who wakes from her unhealthy sleep at the TigfrT moment."" Ti is a good modern drama. A now play, entitled "Unc aime d'Ameriquc," will replace pictures at the Tliatrc Antoine. "L'Archiduc des Folies Bergere" is not an Austrian operetta, but a kind of revue musical comedy at the Rue de Richer, music by Louis Ganne, the main feature of which is the composer con- ducts personally the orchestra. The name has undergone changes, but all the titles in Gotha's almanac will not transmute this indifferent production. The title of Prince was not retained; it may have been misleading, for the picture man, Rigadan, who was playing at the Folies Bergere in the former revue and now has his own company at the Concert Mayol. Prince, by the way, remains at Mayol hall, where he has just signed a six months' contract with Manager De- freyne at $900 per week. Albert de Courville offered Prince 45,000 francs ($8,000) for one month at the London Hippodrome, but the French cinema actor was unable to accept While de Courville was here he fixed up 'vith the French revue writer, G. Arnould, to write the next Hippodrome production, in "collaboration" with himself. French revue writers appear to be- coming fashionable in London, due perhaps to P. L. Flers' reported suc- cess at the Palace. The name of Flers is whispered as the manager of the new vaudeville theatre Walter de Frece and A. Butt are having built in the Rue Mogador. No confirmation can be ob- tained and it is a doubtful deal. LONDON NOTES. London, Nov. 20. J. T. Grein, the well known critic and "higher drama" enthusiast, is inaugu- rating a London Repertory theatre in February; the season to extent over 12 weeks. Two matinees will be given weekly. This is to be a labor of loVe for the artists, as no one will receive more than $50 nor less than $10. The next Alhambra revue, when a successor to "The Bing Boys Are Here" is necessary, will have a very strong cast, including Wilkie Bard, Joe Coyne, Fred Emney, Alfred Lester and Violet Lorraine. Arthur Aldin Ltd., has secured the Prince of Wales theatre. "Hobson's Choice" is transferred there, and during the Xmas holidays a new children's play by Cecil Aldin—the artist and cre- ator of children's animal books—will be produced at matinees only. "Romance" at the Lyric has passed its 450th London performance and con- tinues to play to packed houses. Doris Keane is now thoroughly established as a London favorite. "My Life," the Theatrical, Literary and Bohemian Reminiscences of George R. Sims, the popular Dagonet of the "Referee," will be shortly published by Everleigh, Nash. G. P. Huntly has started his new va- riety career with a sketch, "Selling a Pup." Leslie Ifenson, the young comedian who in the last two productions at the Gaiety has proved himself an excep- tionally clever entertainer and a worthy successor to the late Teddie Payne, has written a revue successfully produced af Captain Basil Dean's model theatre at the camp at Oswestry, Nov. 12. George Lestocq, invalided out of the Army, has been appointed general stage manager for the Moss Empire;, COCHRAN OPENS ST. MARTIN'S. London, Nov. 29. Charles B. Cochran opened his new St Martin's theatre Nov. 23, with his musical extravaganza, "Houpla." The story of the o*eco is hardly strong enough to draw audiences to guinea stall ($5 orchestra seats). Gertie Millar, Ida Adams, George Graves and Nat D. Ayer scored. The house will hold 600 seated, but there is standing room for about 100 more. LICENSE REFUSED MIDDLESEX. . London, Nov. 29. The London County Council, by a vote of 30 to three, refused Oswald Stoll a dancing and music license for his Middlesex theatre, on the ground he permitted the appearance on that stage of "indecently clad" women in revues. Stoll is, however, holding a Lord Chamberlain's license, recently granted with a warning, and can present revues as stage plays, but no variety perform- ances. CANTEEN PLAY A GEM. London, Nov. 29. Andre Chariot opened his season at the Apollo Nov. 21 auspiciously with Gertrude Jennings' two-act canteen play, "Eggs and Pearls," which has proved a perfect gem. It was followed by a wordless play, "Pierrot's Christmas," full of tears and laughter. GALLERY ADVICE FOLLOWED. London, Nov. 29. Matheson Long's production of Ru- dolf Besier'a "romantic comedy," called "BuxelL" at the Strand, was withdrawn Nov. 25, after a very brief stay. On the opening night a voice in the gallery suggested a revival of "Mr. Wu" and the advice was followed Nov. 27. TWO "NAME" HEADLINERS. London, Nov. 29. The headliners at the London opera house this week are Sir George Alex- ander in "Howard and Son" and Mrs. Patrick Campbell in "The Law of the Sands." Drury Lane Dark Two Weeks. London, Nov. 29. Drury Lane closes Dec. 6, when the engagement of "The Best of Luck" comes to an end. The house will be given over for a fortnight to preparation of the pan- tonine, "Puss in Boots.' t» "P ft PV 100th in London. London, Nov. 29. "Potash and Perlmutter in Society" celebrated its 100th performance Nov. 2/^^heC3ueens_ajidMs^oing J VAN HOVEN Who is eating three "squares" a day, despite the high cost of eggs and hot meal. A few ahoft yCarlTagri"A" uoYme^OVt:? <«rg **» U ban- quet, but now the egg shampoo thing is a habit. Van Hoven is now writing; a book entitled "What I Know About the Gus Sun Time tad Installment Jewelers." ENGLISH FILM CENSORSHIP. London, Nov. 29. An official censorship of films from the Home Office will probably go into effect here about Jan, 1. A draft of the proposed ordinance has been sub- mitted by the Home Secretary which contains a clause no film shall he shown that is likely to be injurious to morality, encourage or iricite to crime, lead to disorder, or in anv way be of- fensive to public feeling. Also to be banned are offensive, representations of living persons. Every part of the premises to which the public are admitted must be so lighted as to make it possible to see clearly over the entire area. COSTER PUT PREPARING. London, Nov. 29. Curson and DuMaurier*s production of Dion Clayton Calthrop's 'The Old Country" at Wyndham'a was with- drawn Nov. 25. Dec. 6 a new four-act niece, "London Pride," goes on there. In it practical- ly all the characters belong to the cos- ter world, the star part played by Du- Maurier being among them. "COMMON 4LAT" ABROAD. London, Nov. 29. A. H. Woods, in association with Grossmith & Laurillard, has arranged to produce "Common Clay" in London, with Muriel Starr in the leading role. VMM N Miss Starr is to be first featured in the American production of "Gamblers All," under the direction of the Shu- berts, after which she will be at liberty to undertake the 'English engagement ONLY ONB CA3BY. Reports emanating from London say a "Jack Casey" is representing him- self there as the authorized foreign rep- resentative of Pat Casey. The Eng- lish "Casey" is offering acts work In America, but is unknown to Pat Casey, who disclaims any connection with any other Casey, either in America or abroad. JOS SLVIX'8 NEW ACT. ^ • London, Nov. 29. Joe Elvin produced Monday evening at the Empire a new sketch called "The Holy Friar." It is a very funny act S "MANHATTAN" REOPENING. London, Nov. 29. The road show of "Mr. Manhattan," after laying off for five weeks, reopens in Glasgow Christmas, playing twice nightly for that date, after which it lays 17 weeks in the legitimate house. red Duprez is playing the star part Coliseum's Musical Program. London, Nov. 29. Oswald Stoll still continues his policy at the Coliseum of a program plentifully sprinked with musical stars and this week presents Louisa Dale, vocalist; Melsa, violinist; Solomon, pianist. Soldiers' Leave Affecta Theatres. London, Nov. 29. There has been a slump in the legiti- mate theatres and variety houses in consequence of soldiers' leave having been stoped at the front and in camps. Dooley and Sales in London Revue. London, Nov. 29. J. Francis Dooley and Corinne Sales opened Monday at the Pavilion in "The Piccadilly Revue." It is the theatre where the American team first opened here and scored. Composer's Three Months' Vacation. London, Nov. 29. Herman Finck, for many years con- ductor at tire Palate, is taking .**hree months' holiday. He has been suffer- ing from overwork. Howard Talbot it substituting,