Variety (December 1916)

%*S J\. JD JLr Hr w London, Dec. 15. The new revue, "The Bing Girls," which George Grossmith & Laurillard are providing for Oswald Stoll to pre- sent at the end of January, when George Robey transfers his services to Albert de Courville for the new Hip- podrome revue, has something of a plot. The idea was suggested to the authors, George Grossmith and Fred Thompson, by Guy de Maupassant's "Le Rosier de Madame Hussan." The two principal Bing sisters will be play- ed by Violet Loraine and Wilkie Bard, while Joseph Coyne has been provided with a good part, and the music is by Nat D. Ayer. Leonard Boyne will join the cast of "The Widow's Might" at the Haymar- ket. This will be Boyne's first appear- ance at this historic theatre, but he will probably remain there to play lead in several successive productions. At the Strand theatre, Jan. 17, Gross- mith & Laurillard, in conjunction with Matheson Lang, will present the Amer- ican drama, "Under Cover." The* pro- duction of tjjis play was first an- nounced over a year ago, but the hold- ers of the English rights, Grossmith tic Laurillard, preferred a waiting policy. The book of Andre Chariot's new revue, "See-Saw," at the Comedy thea- tre, is contributed by Arthur Elliott, Herbert C. Sargent and Arthur Wei- gall, with R. Claude Carton, the well known playwright, as editor in chief, Arthur Weigafi is the distinguished Egyptologist and author of "The Life and Times of Cleopatra" and naturally "See Saw" contains an Egyptian scene in which Phyllis Monkman will shine as a dancer. The strong cast includes John Humphries, Jack Hulbert, Billy Bass, Arthur Hatherton, Eileen Moly- neux, Betty Blake, Malornia Longfel- low, Ruby Miller and Phyllis Monk- man. J. *L. Sacks, the South African man- ager, who in conjunction with Andre Chariot, is running the Lauder revue, has taken offices at 107 Shaftesbury avenue. After the war many variety houses will undergo alteration and enlarge- ment The Empire Company has se- cured neighboring property and will be greatly enlarged and improved. The Alhambra Pavilion and Oxford will also be in the builders' hands as soon as the necessary labor can be obtained at the conclusion of the war. Arthur Prince, who joined the R. F. A. more than a year ago, has re- cently returned to London on short leave. In France he has figured in nu- merous entertainments behind the fir- ing line. Gus Elen's recent return to the var- iety stage was so pronounced that Charles Gulliver has booked him for three years. He is topping the bill at the Palladium this week. Minnie Duncan (wife and partner of Arthur Godfrey) has met with a nasty accident, having slipped from a step- ladder and injured herself internally. She has been ordered a complet erest for a few weeks. by means of music hall performances and collections in Islington and St Pancras. W. W. Kelly has arranged with the Harrison-Frewin Opera Company for a twelve weeks' season of grand opera at the Shakespeare, Liverpool, com- mencing on Boxing? Day. Frank and Raymond Purcella en- gaged for the forthcoming Lyceum pantomime. Dr. Walford Bodie, who lost all his properties and effects on the torpedoed Batavia, has got together fresh appar- atus and opens this week at the Pal- ace Bath. IN PARIS. Paris, Dec. 17. The question of artists' salaries for the closed-day is still the theme of lively discussion in theatrical circles of Paris. Following the proposals re- ported in last number of Vartjbtt; which did not include the musicians, it has now been decided that the or- chestra men shall not be paid. The musicians' syndicate has systematically fought the managers for years past, is the contention of the theatrical direc- tors, never having voluntarily offered a concession. Since the war tariff has been in vogue the musicians, acting on orders from their syndicate, have been most exacting as to time, claiming ex- tra remuneration on every occasion shows have terminated a little late, and even for a few minutes. In view of this stand in the past several managers have categorically refused to pay for the closed-day and all have united in contending the musicians (who are paid by the day) have no claim for such salary. The Olympia, Casino de Paris and the picture nouses giving daily matinees will make no conces- sion; the Alhambra, Folies Bergere, Concert Mayol, and a few other es- tablishments have, as a special favor, not to be considered a right, offered to give an indemnity. This special favor, agreed as such and not to be used as a precedent, will be stopped if the mu- sicians make any further claims for in- creased salary or unreasonable over- time. The musicians in the past have always claimed and received a quarter of an hour overtime if a show finished over five minutes late, 11 p. m. being the advertised hour at present. This indemnity is to be decided by each manager, according to his own ideas, and will not be controlled by the Syn- dicate of Directors. It will be in most cases half salary for the night. To sat- isfy the demands of the musicians at certain picture houses, and avoid a threatened strike, it has been arranged to hold Tuesday afternoons a rehearsal of the show for the forthcoming weeTc, with full orchestra, for which the men will be paid. Tuesday is the day of the week that all cinemas must be shut, according to the new police orders, and a complete show being given, whether private or public, would seem to be in contradiction to the purposes for which the authorities have had to close all places of amusement in Paris for 24 hours each week. Paul Franck has taken the little the- atre Chateau d'Eaii, and opened with small-time vaudeville, Dec. 15. Walson and Waring sailed Dec. 9 for Gilda Darty, a Parisian actress, has a tour in South Africa. sailed for New York. Herbert Raymond, manager of the Royal Hippodrome, Eastbourne, has joined the Koyai i'lyiug Corps. Four thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars have been raised for St. Dunstan's Hostel for Blinded Soldiers Emile Verhaeren, Belgian poet and playwright^ was accidentallv kjlled in France, i\ov! 2,5. *rfe attempted to K.oarH a. train .wbiJe ir -motion, "xrd fell, being crushed to death. The body will be buried in Paris until such time it can be taken to Belgium. LAUDER SHOW BIG HIT. London, Dec. 27. Andre Chariot's big revue, "Three Cheers," headed by ttarry Lauder and Ethel Levev. -scored a great big suc- cess at the Shaftesbury, when it opened Dec. II. Miris Levey and Mr; Lauder were rapturously received. Among the others who scored are Blanche Tom- lin, Ivy Schilling and Fred. Leslie. The book is excellent and in Harry Grattan's best style, while Herman Darewski's music was splendid. LYCEUM'S MOTHER GOOSE. London, Dec. 27. At the Lyceum, Dec. 23, the old- fashioned pantomime, "Mother Goose," was well presented and wcl! played by a competent company. WYUE & TATE PANTO. London, Dec 27. At the Palladium, Dec. 26, Messrs. Wylie & Tate produced a pantomime entitled "The House That Jack Built," featuring Nora Delany and Leslie Styles. WAR FILM SHOWN. London, Dec. 27. "The Battle of the Ancre," a feature film, was shown to the trade at the Scala theatre, Dec. 22. It is the best war film shown here, depicting the famous "tanks" in action. It will be released Jan. 15. "LYONS MAIL" NLMED. London, Dec. 27. The Ideal Film Corporation gave a private showing of their photoplay production of "The Lyons Mail" at the Shaftesbury Pavilion Dec. 21, with a strong cast including H. B. Irving and Nancy Price. ETHEL LEVEY MARRIES. London. Dec. 27. Ethel Levey was married to Claude Graham-White, the aviator, Dec. 21. DAILY HOLIDAY MATINEES. London, Dec. 27. Daily matinees are being given Christmas week at the Alhambra, Pal- ace, Empire, Coliseum, Hippodrome, Oxford and Pavilion. THREE-ACT MUSICAL PLAY. London, Dec. 27. Robert Courtneidge produced a new three-act musical play at the Lyceum, Edinburgh, Dec. 23, written by Max Pemberton and A. M. Thompson, mu- sic by Nat D. Ayer and Arthur Wood. DALY'S CO. Ii: MANCHESTER. London, Dec. 27. Daly's Theatre Company produced "Maid of the Mountains" Dec. 23 at the Prince's, Man heater, where it re- mains for six weeks, then coming into London. ANNUAL LONDON REVIVALS. London, Dec. 27. The annual London revivals for the holidays include "Hindle Wakes" at the Court; "Peter Pan" at the New theatre; "A Kiss for Ginderella" at the Kiugsway, n Alice in;" Wonderland" ' at the Savoy; "Where the Rainbow Ends" at the Globe; "The Belle of New York" at the Strand. LODON 0. H. PANTO. London, Dec. 27. The London Opera House reopened Dec. 23 with a splendid pantomime that should change the fortunes of that ill-fated structure. Ella Retford scored a veritable triumph, while the come- dians, Fred. Emney, the Brothers Eg- bert and Tom Fo/ are excellent. DRURY LANE'S PANTO. London, Dec. 27. The Drury Lane pantomime, "Puss in Boots," opened Dec. 26. h is a gorgeous affair, eaual to the best tra- ditions of that historical edifice. A strong cast includes Robert Hale, Will Evans, Stanley Lupino, Madge Tithe- radge, Florence Smithson, Nancy Buckland and Lennie Deane, all of them splendid. YOUNG ENGLAND SCORES. London, Dec. 27. "Young England," a hVht opera, book by Basil Hood, music by G. H. Clut- sam. had its London premiere at Daly's Dec. 23, under the direction of Robert Courtneidge. It is an undoubt- ed success. DEVANT'S MATINEES. London, Dec 27. David Devant, .the magician, assist- ed by the Brownies, a troupe of sing- ers, opened a season of matinees at the Ambassadors, Dec. 21. IN BERLIN. Berlin, Dec. 10. The Metropole is getting the best play here with Gardas Fuerstin with Fritzi Massary. The latter expects to go over to America, date uncertain. Director Anton Loelgen is building a new theatre in Hanover. He also has a first class variety house in Magde- burg. His wife died last August in Carlbad. INSURANCE SCHEME. Lynchburg, Va., Dec. 27. The American Playgoers' Protective Association, Bluefield, West Va., offers a new insurance plan to theatre own- ers, by which they will write a policy covering injury to patrons arising from anything from panic to tornado, up to $1,000. The policy is underwritten by the Consolidated Casualty Co. of Louis- ville. The Association proposes to fur- nish theatre owners with an inspection service. Scenery Out London, Dec. 27. Contemplated railroad restrictions, to continue until the war is over, make it appear that it will be impossible for touring theatrical companies to carry any scenery. It is also proposed that Sunday trav- eling will be cut out altogether, except by special permit, and then one can carry only light hand baggage. "Little Rich Girl" for Xmaa. London, 5>ec. 19. Grace Horniman is producing "The Poor Little Rich Girl" in Manchester for the Christmas season. Leonard Boynee Haymarkefa I,jad.^ London. Dec. 19. At ihe Haymarket, Leonard Boyne assumed the leading male role Dec. 16, replacing Paul Arthur in "The Widow's Might."