Variety (March 1921)

VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 26 HANWAY ST., OXFORD ST., W. I. CABLES ■ Friday, March 4, 1021 5U<C NT LOSSES IN LONDON HUGE, SACKS' BOOKS REVEAL ».f> t >..» ' Producer' Decltirfel' Royultta v 'H&vo *AU*B««r>>Raul> but He Will Have to Recoup About 12,000 Pounds from Road Companies. London, March 2. J. Ij. Sacks today acknowledged that there had been trouble over the royalties on "Irene," but declared they have all been paid now and the entire matter adjusted. He denied that money taken in with "Irene" had been used for buying the Eng- lish rights to/"*Mary" or other shows, asserting ev*»ry Sacks production is put out as a separate venture. He added that "Mary" would be pro- duced about the middle of April at either the Queen's or Empire. At the request of Variety, the ac- counts of "Irene" were produced by Mr. Sacks at his offices. These showed the gross takings on the show during its run at the Empire were 111.160 pounds, while the ex- penses were 111,512 pounds, a net loss of 352 pounds. The production cost, with renewals, 1,830 pounds, and the royalties for London at 10 per cent, amounted to 11.113 pounds. On tours, to date, they amount, roughly, to 2,000 pounds. Sacks estimates his net London losses at 12,000 pounds, but he ex- pects this to come back to him from the touring companies. RAID REHEARSAL OF PLAY BY McSWINEY SACKS STILL HOPEFUL. Negotiating for Retention of Em pire, Now Up for Sale. London, March 2. J. L. Sacks announces he is still negotiating for retention of the Em- pire and Queens, which have been put up at public auction through failure of the Allans to exercise their option. The Allan deal Is doll nit < ly off, and Sacks has hopes of buying the two theatres at private sale. Jt is also learned from inside sources that the deal whereby the Palace Music Hall was to change hands is through. No official an- nouncement has been r.ade, but it is known the present owners have ask- I for estimates on reseating, new lighting equipment and other improvements. The Lauder engagement still is holding strong at the Palace. Armed Men Seize Newspaper Photographer's Camera. London, March 2. The "war in Ireland," which re- cently touched the theatre when a Dublin audience was searched for arms, has again laid its hand on the drama. During rehearsals of a rev- olutionary play written by the late Mayor McSwiney, of Cork, a band of armed men entered the Abbey, in Dublin. They searched the building and demanded production of a press photographer, who, hav- ing been warned, got safely away. The raiders then compelled other newspaper representatives to nan 1 over the missing man's camera, which was confiscated. GERMAN THEATRES . RUNNING AT A LOSS Government Wants Cities to Take Over Houses. GERTRUDE ELLIOTT TOUR Going to South Africa Before Sail ing for Canada Berlin, Feb. 15. The Minister of Finance wants the various German cities, Berlin, Cassel, Hanover, etc., to take over the State theatres situated there-, as they are too expensive for the Na- tional Government to finance, a large deficit being turned in every year. The State Schauspielhaus in Ber- lin is run on the repertory plan and plays only classics and modern plays of the "Jane Clegg" caliber. It is well attended, but the expenses of such an organization far exceed the returns from even an exceptional box office. However, the theatre will be kept open, as the educa- tional value of such an institution is considered worth the money ex- pended. London, March 2. Gertrude Elliott, who has been ap- pearing In "The Lonely Lady," sails within a few days for Cape Town, where she Will begin a flying tour of South Africa prior to her depar- ture for Canada. Miss Elliott will play the South African Trust Theatres, using "Paddy, the Next Best Thing." and then will head for the Dominion, where she is scheduled for a tour of the Tians- Canadian, Ltd., chain. "WHITE HEADED BOY" DUE HELEN TRIX, LIBRETTIST Helen Trix. of the Trix sisters who have scored an unusual success in C. B. Cochran's "League of Notions," now playing in London, has been engaged to write the songs for Andrew Chariot's forthcoming revue which will be presented at the Alhambra over there. The sisters have also started to make phonograph records for the Victor people, on the other side. PARIS SEES ANOTHER PLAY OF STAGE LIFE "La Tendresse" Story of Aged Dramatist. Paris, March 2. Following the run of Pierre Wolff's "Lea Alles Brlsees," which has been transferred to the Gym- nase, Victor Silvestre produced Henri Bataille's "La Tendresse" at the Vaudeville Feb. 24. It was nicely received and the revival of "Amants" at this house is thus postponed. Felix Hugenot, Armand Bour and Yvonne de Bray play the principal roles In this, another play with the theatre for a background. It is a psychological study, show- ing a young actress who affection- ately admires an aged playwright. They live together, but the differ- ence in ages constrains the pas- sionate actress to deceive a hand- some, untalented young picture ac- tor, though she always loves the playwright. The latter, suspecting the intrigue, feins a voyage and hides his secretary behind the cur- tains in their apartment while the actress receives her younger ad- mirer. i> .JL'li Returning home the playwright pretends to read his latest work and | embodies therein the stenographic record of the conversation between the actress and the young actor. She, aghast, confesses, whereupon the old man drives her away from him. She rejoins the actor. Two years later the playwright assists the actor with funds and renews his platonic friendship with the actress, who thotlgh she continues her intimacy with the actor, is alone capable of giving the old man the tender affection he seeks. 5-YEAR BOYCOTT ON ENGLISH ACTS INAUGURATED IN BERLIN > «. ■ ^M» N I- . Reprisal Instituted as Result of Recent Revival of Agitation Against Importation of Teutonic Ffejf* formers—Americans Welcome in Germany. "MARY ROSE" STOPS; NEW ONES IN LONDON "Blue Mazurka'* Being Brought from Vienna. ANDERSON TO SAIL. Goes to Stage Drury t.ane Piece for 8ir Alfred Butt. John Murray Anderson Is under- stood to have agreed to go to Lon- don within a month or so to put oi a new piece at the Drury Lane fo~ Sir Alfred Butt and Harry Collin?. Anderson staged th- "League of No- tions" for C. B. Cochran, now pla- in - at the Oxford, London. Immediately following the staging of the Drury Lane show for Collins Anderson is scheduled to return to America to produce a new "Green- wich Village Follies." London, March 2. There have been several impor- tant changes in the local theatrical map during the current week, not the least of which was the closing of "Mary Rose" at the Haymarket Feb. 26. "The Dutch Girl" will soon be fol- lowed at the Lyric by "The Blue Mazurka," Seymour Hicks being in Vienna at present looking over the show. "Don Q" is slated for an Easter production at the Apollo and a re- vival of "Her Husband's Wife" is scheduled for the Globe, following in "The Hour and the Man," which has failed utterly and closes Mareh 5. On March 9 "The Blue Lagoon" will be transferred from the Prince of Wales to the Princess, while its place in the former will be taken by "The Charm School," now holding forth at the Comedy. JULIAN ROSE, ILL, SAILS; DUFOR ALSO IS LAID UP London, Mar. 2. Julian Rose, who was booked to join the bill supporting Harry Lauder at the Palace, was com- pelled to cancel on account of throat trouble, and sailed for New York on the Imperator Feb. 26. The senior member of the Dufor brothers act also has been ill. and. until this week, was confined in a nursing home. He is leaving there much improved, but is not permitted to see anyone. The act made good at the Palace, but under extreme dif- ficulty. Berlin, Feb. 15. As an answer to the English boy* cotting of German vaudeville artists, English vaudevillians will be boycotted here for the next five years. However, American artists are very welcome and can even get something near their salary in U. S. morey. For example, W,Hoo, an American wire act, is at the Winter- garden this month, and Suharct, .the American dancer, is being starred in the life story of DuBarry at the Apollo. Almost a year ago (Sunday, March 21, 1920), at a meeting held in London, the Variety Artists' Federation adopted the following resolution, applicable to places of amusement in Great Britain: "It was resolved, That this meet- ing pledges itself to support the Executive Committee in any action, they may deem necessary to pre- vent the importation of ex-enemy artists into Great Britain, in ac- cordance with the V. A. F. resolution of 1916 and that of 1919, and im- press upon the Executive Commit- tee the necessity of reporting every attempt on the part of managers to employ ex-enemy turns to the ap- propriate branch of the Demobilized Soldiers ^and Sailors' Association, and to circulate printed handbills throughout the district concerned notifying the hall and name of the manager where such ex-enemy acts are billed to appear.'and to call upon every member of the federation to refuse to work in any entertainment in which ex-enemy aliens are en- gaged." Recent agitation in London to bar German actors as alien enemies brought about the five-year reprisal here. Entire English Cast Will Be Brought Over for Production London, March 2. "The White Headed Boy," which has more than 200 performances to its credit at the Ambassador's Theatre here, will be transplanted to New York, being scheduled for production there in September. The London oast, which includes Arthur Sinclair, Sara Allgood and Marie O'Neill, will bl t&kea ov r intact. Sinclair declares his inten- tion of settling permanently in America. ANYBODY KNOW ROY DOVE ? A prospectus has t>een Issued in Johannesburg asking for a capital of £10,000 to form an American variety company to tour South Africa. According to the pros- pectus, the promoters know very little 6? South Africa. One Roy Dove, vaudeville promoter, St. Louis, U. S. A., figures as one of the directors. •TOIFILMENT OF THE LAW." . London, March 2. "The Fulfillment of the Law" was produced at the Garrick Feb. l ( 3 and had a mixed reception, the critics seeming to be divided in Opinion over it. It is a strong problem play, splendidly produced and well acted. Grossmith-Lauriilard Films. London, March 1. George Grossmith and Edward Laurillard, managing directors of the Adelpbi and Gaiety theatres, are believed to be getting ready for a plunge into the pieUfr* producing business. It is reported they have purchased the gigantic Hendon aero- drome, used as the Channel air base during the war. for studio purposes. Diers Going Abroad Dippy Diers has !•< en booked for 40 weeks in England, opening on the Gulliver tour at the Hippo* drome. Sheffield, July 11, Diers has engaged passage on the Coronia, sailing from New York for Liver- pool June 27. No More Opera Support Parlt, March 2. An extra subvention of the Paris opera has been refused after dis- cussion and reconsideration by the Chamber of Deputies. The Senate also previously refused. The present management of the opera was adversely criticised by cer tain members. PEGGY O'NFJL SAVOY THEATRE, LONDON INTRODUCING RENE ELIZABETH GREEN .Six-Year Oid Daughter of IRENE FRANKLIN and BURTON GREEN •'HETTY" Is Visiting With Vs This Wee* At KEITHS HAMILTON, New York City. T. M. A. TO CLOSE SHOWS (Continued from page 1) casting. The generally bad show conditions throughout the country, and more especially in the one, two and three-day stands, it is understood, also figured in the man- agers' decision "to call in their at- tractions if the "Equity Shop" was favorably voted upon. It was the consensus of opinion among the one-night men and man- agers generally that the "Equity," or closed shop as the managers term it, will be found to have been car- ried, when the result is announced at the special meeting of the Equity called for Sunday, March 6, at 2 p. m. at the Hotel Astor. The Touring Managers' Associa- tion embraces a membership of 110 managers, who operate approxi- mately 400 shows, through which 5.000 actors are employed. Accord- ing to a statement issued by the T. M. A., recently the class of attrac- tions? produced and operated by its members—the pop price one, two and three nighters represented 75 per cent, of all of the legitimate shows staged and operated in this country. It is understood the date of the enforcement of the„"Equity Shop" principle is to be left to the dis- cretion of the Equity Council. In addition to affecting the managers enrolled in the T. M. A., the closed shop plan would operate against any manager not holding membership in the Proa'ttclng Mnm;/rrp asfocia* tion. In this class are Georgj M. Cohan, Henry Miller and Margaret Anglin. Some weeks ago at an Equity meeting, it was proposed by one of the Equity, leaders that dis- pensations be granted to any pro- ducer the Equity Association des-ired to exempt from, the provisions of the proposed "Equity Shop." On Wednesday it appeared to be a foregone Conclusion, according to opinions expressed by Equity mom- bets along Broadway, that the Equity Shop" had been overwhelm- ingly carried in the referendum vote which began the latter part of Jan- uary and ended February 28. Because of the peace pact fol- lowing the Equity strike in Septem- ber, 1010. the closed shop plan could not he made operative against mem- »"-rs of the Producing Managers Association, until the peace agree- ment expired in October, 1924.