Variety (May 1918)

CABLES London, April IS. Mainly through the efforts of Alfred Butt the time for the closing of the theatres was forced up to 10:30 instead of 9:30, as at first proposed. The change has not met with general ap- proval, and numerous objections have appeared in the press. Many argue the earlier hour—8:30—would allow the- atre-goers, even those in the suburbs, to leave their homes by daylight and an hour later would see them all com- fortably seated in the theatres, before air-raid warnings are given. The prin- cipal objection to the later time is from persons who have been caught at the theatres during one of these raids and compelled to take shelter until 2' and 3 o'clock in the morning, and then having difficulty in getting home, as no trains are then running. London theatres enjoyed unpre- cedented prosperity until shortly before Easter, when the new moon began to thin the audiences, followed by the big push in France, which com- pleted the slump. The fact that Ber- nard Hishin, who had been vainly looking for a house to produce "The Knife," had three theatres offered him during Holy Week illustrates the situa- tion. But the chief things to mitigate against good business is the almost complete absence of khaki in London, all soldiers having hurried back to France, and no leave is likely to be granted for some time. Managers, however, arc not discouraged, as they know from experience the wonderful buoyancy of the public, and good news from the front always packs places of amusement. A souvenir of "Shakespeare Day" is a beautifully printed report of last year's birthday gathering of {he Shakespeare Association, at which the American Ambassador was elected president and presented with a Shakespeare folio. Rcgine Flory> will present a new ballet at a charity matinee, written by Malvina Longfellow, with music by John Ansell, the musical director of the Alhambra. The clever author of "Pigeon Post," Austin Page, is really Arthur Obcr- mer, a wealthy patron of London theatres. One of the most talked of spy stories of the war is Douglas Valentine's "The Man With the Club Foot." It has been dramatized. The novel has been through many editions, and has been adapted for the stage by the author and his wife, Alice Crawford, the actress. The play has been secured by Grossmith & Laurillard. Miss Craw- ford will play the leading female role. "Bubbly" having closed at ' the Comedy, Andres Chariot's next produc- tion at this house, about the end of May, will be written by J. Hastings Turner, the author of "Bubbly," with music by Philip Braham and Ivor Novcllo. Ethel Levey will be the lead- ing woman. Charles Cuvillier, since the success of "The Lilac Domino" at the Empire, has been inundated with offers from man- agers. Alfred Butt and Charles B. Cochran have arranged for Cuvillier to compose music for future productions. WALTER DICKSON DEAD. London, M;iy 1 Walter Dickson, for many years managing director of the Empire, is dead. Sir Henry Tozcr. Chairman of the United Theatres of Varieties (Syndi- cate Halls) and Member of the West- minster Borough Council, died April 26, aged 67. MARIE LOHRIN NEW FARCE. / London, May 1. Marie Lohr is rehearsing in Robert Hichcn's "Their Own Devices," an ex- travaganza. Allan Aynesworth and Lottie Vcnnc are also in the cast. MAJOR FABER A PRISONER. London, May 1. Major Leslie Faber, recently report- ed missing, is alive and unwounded, but a prisoner in Germany. GABY DESLYS ILL. London, May 1. Gaby Deslys is at her home in Mar- seilles ill, but not seriously so. She will rest until autumn. BOURCHIER CHANGES PLAYS. London, May 1. Arthur Bourchier leaves "The Better 'Ole" cast in September, appearing in Walter Hackett's "The Sure Shield," an adaptation of "La Veille Darmer," a naval drama. JOSE COLLINS' LONG CONTRACT. London, May 1. Jose Collins has been engaged by the George Edwardes* executors to star at Daly's for three years at a progressive salary, rising to $1,250 a week. STOLL FILM CO. ORGANIZED. London, May 1. Oswald Stoll has organized the new Stoll Film Co. to manufacture and deal in films and own cinema theatres. Capital stock $500,000. Jeffrey Berrerd will be manager. "HOTCH POTCH" COMES TO YORK. London, May 1. "The Thirteenth Chair" at the Duke of York's will be withdrawn shortly and will be succeeded by Albert De- Courville and Wal Pink's touring re- vue, "Hotch Potch," with augmented features. Fred Kitchen and Nora De- laney have the leading parts. BUTT GETS LEASE ON NEW. London, May il. Alfred Butt has secured a lease of the New theatre, which has for years been under the proprietorship of Sir Charles Wyndham and Mary Moore and is at present under the manage- ment of Dion Boucicault. EDWARDES* ESTATE PROFITS. London, May 1. Robert Evett's profit for the George Edwardes' Estate for the first three months of the present year is $90,000. "Man Who Came Back" for Strand. London, May 1. "The Man Who Came Back" is to be produced at the Strand shortly by the Melvilles. New Piece for Haymarket. London, May 1. Mcss'rs. Vcdrennc & Eadic has secured the production rights to "The Irresistible Duke," a comedy by Ernest Denny, for presentation at the Hay- market. Dennis Eadie will play the leading role. "The Better 'Ole" Filmed. London, May 1. At the Alhambra, Welsh Pearson & Co, a new firm, presented for a pri- vate showing the first film adaptation of "The Hcttcr 'Ole" and have made a splendid start. The film is full of humor and pathos, wittily subtitled and was rapturously received. CHURCHMAN PLAYS ANTONIO. London, May 1. The Old Vic is presenting a number of Shakespearean plays. Arthur Bour- chier gave an interesting performance of Shylockj with the Rev. E. Gordon, Vicar of St. Johns, playing Antonio. Gordon appealed in the same role with Bourchier in their Oxford University days. An American school children's reply to the English children's greetings on Shakespeare's birthday through Dr. Page, was ready in every school throughout the kingdom and created wild enthusiasm. LLOYD GEORGE FILMED. London, May 1. The Ideal Film Renting Co. has made a feature picture, entitled "The Man Who Saved the Empire." It is founded on the life story of David Lloyd George, and the scenario was prepared by Sir Sidney Law. The picture shows the most human and dramatic moments in the prime minister's life. WAR VETERANS IN CAST. London, May 1. "The Arcadian" musical comedy company appearing at Wimbledon, in- cludes eight discharged soldiers, three nurses who were in the Serbian re- treat and two nurses previously in charge of hospitals in France. JOE COYNE'S SALARY. London, May 1. Joe Coyne is receiving a salary of $1250 for his engagement in "Going Up" at the Gaiety, which will be pro- duced May 21. New Dress for Chu Chin Chow. London, May 1. Oscar Asche is introducing new scenes, songs and dances in his suc- cessful presentation of "Chu Chin Chow" at His Majesty's. Grossmith Back at Coliseum. London, May~l. After a week's absence Weedon Grossmith reappears at the Coliseum in "Stopping the Breach," one of the few good sketches at this house. The bill includes Little Tich, Great Wieland, Peter Bernard. Features at Vic. Palace. London, May 1. Among the features at the Victoria Palace this week are Maidie Scott, Mile. Margo, Billy Merson, Hartley's Wonders. "Peg* Gets Hearty Reception. London, May 1. "Peg o' My Heart" was revived at the St. James April 25 and met with a hearty reception, many former mem- bers of the original English cast re- appearing. Moya Mannering in the name part secured an ovation. Harvey Acquires Maeterlinck's Play. London, May 1. Martin Harvey has acquired the English rights to Maeterlinck's latest play^'The Burgomaster of Stelmonde" and will take it on tour in the autumn. De Maurier Wants Commission. London, May 1. Gerald DuMaurier, actor-manager, has applied for a commission in the Irish Guards. His father was French and his mother English. New Review at Vaudeville. London, May 1. At the Vaudeville, "Cheep" is fol- lowed by new revue "tabs," written by Harry Grattan. French Actor Looking for Sketch. Guy Faviere, the French actor, who was in the Bernhardt company for several seasons, is looking for a sketch to go into vaudeville. Faviere was with George Arliss last year, and played the part of Talley- rand in "Hamilton." IN PARIS. Paris, April 15. The Comedie Francaise is reviving "Les Fausses Confidences" of Mari- vaux, and "Notre Jeunesse" by Alfred Capus. "La Folle Nuit" will be revived at the Theatre Edouard VII when "La Petite Bonne d'Abraham" is with- drawn this month. Oscar Dufrenne is reviving the oper- etta "Le Manage de Peoeta" at the Concert Mayol, to follow the revue. Miles. Merindol and Poumeyrac, with Mansuelle, will hold the leads. All the vaudeville houses remain open, including the Cirque Medrano and picture houses. Matinees are given daily, the restriction of the au- thorities being now cancelled and the number of performances per week no longer curtailed to nine. In spite of the bad weather and the fear of air raids good audiences are to be found at the music halls. Some of the legiti- mate houses remain closed at present, but the State theatres are playing as usual. Antoine Queyriaux, a song writer, died April 3. G. Caye, and Tinet, both French song writers, have also just died, the latter a victim of recent bombardment. Dertonn, a French clown, pased away at Bordeaux. SPANISH DANCERS AT PALACE. , The Spanish dancers who compose the major portion of "The Land of Joy" lately closing, will appear in vaudeville May 13, at the Palace, New York, for two weeks. H. B. Marinelli booked the dancers as an act. Between 30 and 40 will ap- pear, with the turn running about half an hour. Eulogio Velasco, one of the brothers who brought the troupe over here, will stage the act. The principals include Maria Marco, Luisa Puchol, Carmen Lopez, Doloretes, Manzantinita, Antonio Bilbao and Mauel Villa. Julian Benlock will con- duct the orchestra. Lose Monto is stage manager. The scenery has been designed by Tarazona. CANCELLATION FOLLOWED. Through appearing at the Winter Garden (Shuberts) Sunday night last, Kramer and Morton were immediately canceled for the Royal this week, where they were to have appeared, booked through the United Booking Offices. Last week the team played the Al- hambra, another U. B. O. house. Their Winter Garden engagement was for but a single evening, they being a part of the show appearing there. BLANCHE RING'S DILEMMA. Chicago, May 1 A* request to cancel her Orpheum Circuit route has been made by Blanche Ring, who wishes to remain in the east until her son, who may be ordered across at any time, leaves with his regiment. Miss Ring was given the full Or- pheum Circuit, opening at St. Paul. WHITING AND BURT MARRIED. Chicago, May 1. George Whiting and Sadie Burt were married in this city. They are the vaudeville team of Whiting and Burt. Each recently secured a divorce. COMPLIMENT TO RENAULT. Chicago, May 1. Francis Renault, the female imper- sonator, has his picture in feminine dress in "The Red Book" for this month, among "Beautiful Women."