Variety (January 1922)

n VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE CABLES 26 HANWAY ST., OXFORD ST., W. I. Friday, January 20, 1922 . "BIRD OF PARADISE" IN WEST END HEADS LIST OF REVIVALS Wilette Kershaw to Play Lead in Tully Drama— Galsworthy Plays for Reshowing—Lady Tree in Cochran Revue—List of Shows Closing London, Jan. 1S. "The Bird of Paradise" is to be revived again, following ''The Edge of the Beyond" at the Garriek. AVilette Kershaw will pla; the load. Following the present season at tho Court, .1. B. Fagan and Leon M. Lion will start a series of revivals cf plays by John Galsworthy, be- ginning with "Justice." Following his appearance in "The Speckled Band," Lyn Harding will work in a picture in America, re- suming West Knd management in April. "Splinters" at the Quern's, "The Thing That Matters" at tho Strand, and"The Speckled Band" at the Royalty closed Jan. 14. Scheduled to finish Jan/ 21 are "Babes in the Woods" at the Oxford, "Charley's Aunt" at the Duke of York's, "Thank You, Phillips," at the Apollo, "Alice in Wonderland" at the Garriek, and the present series of Grand Guignol plays at the Little. The run at the Kingsway of When Knights Were Bold" has been pro- longed indefinitely. jj Lady Tree in Revue C. B. Cochran has engaged Lady Tree, widow of Sir Herbert Reer- bohm Tree, to appear in his revue, •'From May fair to Montmartre." The melodrama, "The Old Jig," will be produced at the Strand Jan. 10. Phyllis Neilson Terry has secured tho lease of the Apollo and will shortly produce there an Oriental drama called "The Wheel." "Way Down Fast" finishes at the Empire Jan. 28 and J. L. Sacks will produce "Jenny" there during the following week. Hutchinson is re- hearsing a patriotic naval drama called "In Nelson's Day" and also has a new R. C. Carton comedy. POLICY AT PALLADIUM CHANGING TO MUSICAL Commences in Feb.—Pre-War Prices—Formerly Vaude- ville Stand VAUDEVILLE AN INVESTMENT X (Continued from Fage 1) to. We are now establishing Shu- bert vaudeville. Next season we expect to do better, but even next season we may not make money, for to open and operate and con- tinue a circuit such as we are doing, with vaudevlllo that must draw its particular clientele, has never been an instantaneous suc- cess. Vaudeville must be built up. That is what we are doing. We will keep at it this season .and next •season and by the next season you will see 'Shubert Vaudeville' all over the map, and by that time we shall operate at a profit. "This is a big country. There is plenty of room for all good vaude- ville. We do not consider ourselves as 'opposition' to any vaudeville interests; we do not look upon any vaudeville interests as 'opposition.' ACTORS' ASSN. TO HEP 5,000 OUT OF WORK London, Jan. 18. The Palladium will be conducted as a twice nightly theatre with re- vues and musical plays at pre-war prices, commencing in February. This may be one of the agree- ments arrived at by the recent booking amalgamation of the music hall circuits. The Palladium has, been playing vaudeville twice nightly, with three matinees a week, and was one of tho most profitable on tho Gulliver circuit. Kccently it has played vaudeville only at night—two shows—and giv- ing daily matinees of the "Aladdin ' pantom.'me. Sammy Lee. Ned Norworth, Benny Ryan, Rubs Luts, Joe Krber, Flan- agan and Morrison, Mitch Pershing, my business manager, Ben Schaef- fer, Joe Shoebridge, Lloyd George, Dad Haley, the Barmaid at the lUirse and Groom, in the Four Ale Bar. Harding, George Barclay, drop little Frankie a line. Jan. 22, Dcs Moines; Jan. 20, Min- neapolis; Feb. 5, Duluth; Feb. 12, St. Paul; Feb. 19, Winnipeg. McGLYNN ON LINCOLN Actor Addresses. Washington City Club on Martyr Situation to Be Met by Charity Drives—Stock Possible London, Jan. 18. It is estimated 5,000 players are out of work and in very serious straits, With this serious situation facing them the Actors' Association is making strenuous efforts to cope with the unemployment problem, and sweeps, whist drives, etc., are belr.g planned to rTiise funds for the relief of the unfortunate. It is also proposed to run stork companies to provide work. . Washington Jan. 18. Frank McGlynn, appearing thia week in the role of Lincoln at the National theatre, addressed the members of the Washington City club yesterday, being one of the first speakers to be invited since the completion of the beautiful elub house on G street. Mr. McGlynn stated that Lincoln's family was wronged in history, add- ing that Lincoln's father was not the illiterate, shiftless man he had been made out to be. "Both Thomas Lincoln'and his great son taught a lesson that should be pre- sented to every youn:; man in America today. "They knew how to work with their hands and were not afraid to do it," said Mr. MeGlynn. who went into considerable detail on the his- | tory of the president he presents ! in his characterization of John | Di inkwater's play. MANAGER PRISONED IN BOX OFFICE It's just a straightaway, plain bust* ness matter with us. to product entertainment for trie public whether dramatic, musical or va- riety. Our business is solely thea* trical and vaudeville is theatrical." Mr. Shubert seemed quite frank in mentioning tho condition of bus- iness |njthe several Shubert vaude- ville theatre8 r his statement coin- ciding with the general report of the Shubert and Keith business at the points mentioned. Mr. Shubert added he had been much surprised at the business drawn by the Shu- bert vaudeville shows in the one week stands, the cities where the Shuberts had placed vaudeville for a week and a return week or so without playing it regularly in those towns. He especially named Toronto and New Haven as the towns giving the surprising returns. CIGALE REVUE ONLY FAIR Paris, Jan. 18. The new proO iction of 11."Plateau at the Cigale, awaited with interest, mainly from the fact that the star is Firmin Gemier, the future direc- tor of the Odeon, was presented Jan. 14 under the title of Ratig- nolles-Cigale-Odeon (a reference to the itinerary of a line of omnibus), the various roles being held by fJ.mier, (,'arlus, Castel, Georgette Delmares, Miles. Berthe Platitude, Alice Meva, Madelienc Andral, Su- /;rrine Raymond, Jane Dorsay, Jane Farny. The authors, Clement Vautel and Max Kddy, are lucky boys to have such a cast and should have done better. The revue is only fair. Another revue, by Rene Fauchols, is to follow in March. LEARNS TO LOVE Paris, Jan. 18. "Calixte," a thr» e-avt comedy by Gabriel Nigond, opening at the Potiniere Jan. 12. did nicely with Henry Krimer and Madeleine Daiftl- roff. The plot deals with an episode during the French Revolution. Calixte, an aristocrat, is saved from tho guillotine by Jacques, a young revolutionist and former farm hand, Who loves the girl. Of too placid a disposition to understand love, she walks in her sleep into Jacques* "bedroom as he sleeps and thereafter reciprocatM his love, though here only a kiss occurs and ahe struggles and escapes. YEARSLEY AND BANKRUPTCY London. Jan. 18. Receiving orders on bankruptcy have been issued against Claude Years ley. It is understood the reason the new backer of "The Little Girl in Red," now current at the Gaiety, withdrew was that he was swamped by creditors, whereas his agreement was that he was to continue the show without assuming any of the former debts. Fed from Alley in Melnotte, Faraday Said London, Jan. 18. Owing to a disagreement with Faraday, Miss Melnotte gave orders that no employee of his was to enter the Duke of York's, and pick- etted all doors. Faraday's manager barricaded himself In his office and held the fort, being fed through a neglected window in tho passage next the Garriek. Returning from tho country, Faraday secured an injunction pre- venting Miss Melnotte from enter- ing into possession of her own theatre. Then the pickets were, withdrawn and the keys returned. Faraday sajjf Miss Melnotte holds 6,000 pounds advance rent and he personally holds the theatre's license from the Lord Chamberlain. After the end of the .run of "Charley 8 Aunt," January 21, Fara- day is planning the production of a new Pinero play, but so far he has not been consulted about the an- nounced production of "Tho Night Cap* with Robert Loraine. The trouble spems to have arisen over Faraday's delay,in doing deco- rations stipulated for in his con- tract. LONDON MANAGERS START TAX PROTEST AMERICANS IN PARIS Sonya Michel, pianist, has gone to Vienna, Austria, where she will give a series of concerts. Barton Gray, composer, is so- journing In the South of France. Joseph A. Jenkins, tenor, is in Paris. Mrs. Etta Pound, wife of the American author, has been ill in the American hospital, Nouilly, near Paris, and is now out. Say Public Can't Stand Pres- sure—Ruinous to Theatri- cal Business "11TH COMMANDMENT" POOR Ixmdon, Jan. 18. The production of "The Eleventh Commandment" had its premiere at tho Royalty Jan. 16 and met with a good reception at the hands of a friendly audience. The play is very poor and its suc- cess improbable. _ j Play from Maupassant Paris, Jan. 18. At the Nouvoau theatre (Musce Grevin) the new bill comprises "L'Heritage," three acts by M. ('.luck, from the story of Guy Mau- passant; also "Dans rOmbre," two acts, hy Jose Germain. The present season of Ireneo Mauget has not been brilliant. Victoria Palace Dividend London, Jan. 18. A 23 per cent, dividend has been proposed for the Victoria Palace. London, Jan. 18. The London theatrical managers are organizing to start a public pro- test for the abolishment of the en- tertainment tax on the ground the public la unable to Stand the pres- sure of the additional price on tickets and it is proving ruinous to their business. RECEPTION. FOR STRAUSS London, Jan. 18. Strauss, the composer, had a big reception at Albert Hall, January 17, when he conducted the London Symphony orchestra. The vocalist for the occasion was Ethel Frank, an American, who also registered a big success. CHARLES HANNAN DIES London, Jan. 18. Charles Ilannan, dramatist, novel ist and author of "A Cigarette Mak- er's Romance," died Jan. 12 In Lon- don. Chariot's Brother's Theatre Paris, Jan.' 18. It is reported here that Andre Chariot's brother Jean la taking a theatre hero with Higglns. It Is further understood that Andre Chariot has applied for his English naturalization papers. E. F. ALBEE'S OWN ' (Continued from page 1) the second class postal privilege. Up to date it mostly has contained letters either written by or to E. F. AI bee. It is said that members of the National Vaudeville Artists, found in the clubhouse of that organiza- tion, are solicited by representatives of the "News' ; and other artist- members fhrough mail to their ad- dresses held by the club. Solicita- tion to adycrtiHo in the sheet is being made likewise on the stages of the Keith Nap York theatres. The actors seem to think if they are asked to advertise in "Mr. Albee's paper" they should have an immediate return. Otherwise, they ask, why should they adver- tise in "The Vaudeville News." Music publishers say if they are "pressed" they suppose they will have to advertise in the Albee paper now and then. They appear to be of the opinion they have been "pressed* for their first advertise- ment, through the soliciting meth- ods. The "News" solicitor is reported to have expounded the virtues of the "News" as a medium by say- ing: "You know this is Mr. Albee's paper. You ought to advertise in it, not on account of Mr. Albee, thougli/l_ If the publisher inquired, as did happen in almost each in- stance, of what benefit a "throw- away" (as the weekly is called, through being given away) could be to an advertiser, the solicitor answered: "Well, let this be un- derstood. Mr. Albee told us not to force the issue, but you are nof going to turn us down, are you?" When asked the price of adver- tising the solicitor answered, "$150 a page. Mr. Albee wanted to charge $300 a page but we made it $150." According to the publishers, the "News" has an elastic rate card. Publishers have reported they have been asked from $175 to $125 a page to advertise in it. The Vaudeville Managers' Pro- tective Association is said to have induced the business manager of the Music Publishers' Protective Asso- ciation to give the "News" solicitors a letter recommending the "News" and telling the publisher-members of the M. P. P. A. the "News" is an advertising medium and not a "house organ," though given away. The M. P. P. A. believed it was under the protection of the V. M. P. A. up to the time of tho Federal Trade Commission investigation of vaudeville conditions. Last week Variety published a story of E. F. Albee calling the Bgetitfl bonking through the Keith otllec before him and informing then) they should not have sent letters to their acts advocating an advort"soment In Variety's Anni- versary Number, without having shown the lejter to the Keith office for approval. With Albee's Consent A member of tho 'News" staff made a statement to a Variety rep- resentative that the "News" * h "accepting" ads fmni actors, agents and music publishers with the con- sent of Mr. Albee." .. Last week Albee sent the follow- ing letter to qots that had been written to by jfcjetth corning advertising: New York, Jan My dear I understand there ter sent to you by your repre- sentative, requesting you to put an ad in the "Variety" showing your loyalty to the Orpheum and Keith Circuits. This letter was not advised by this office in any way. In fact, it was strictly against my orders. I have no objection to any artist advertising in the "Variety ' or any other paper, but I do object to anyone in this office or con- nected with the office writing to the artists and giving them the impression that the request eomes from this office. What called my attention to this was the receipt of one of these letters from a lady artist who wrote that she could not afford to put an ad in "Variety" as she did not have much work and she hoped that I would not . be offended. I want the vaude- ville artists to understand that I have no connection with any newspaper. Any consideration shown them must be entirely voluntary on the artist's part. I am sorry that Mr. sent this letter out and I have reprimanded him for the same. In fact. I have given orders to the representatives of all vaudeville artists in this office not to use this office in any way that would give the impression that we are interested as to what the artists do or do not do as far as putting their ads in any dramatic paper. Sincerely yours, E. F. Albee. "The Vaudeville News" is edited by Glenn Condon, formerly a state senator of Oklahoma, and indirectly - connected with theatricals through relatives. Mr. Condon was brought east to act as' personal press repre- sentative for Albee. After a period in the Keith office, "The News" was inaugurated under Albee's direction - with Condon in charge. It solicited advertisements for a time from tradespeople around Times square but secured only a few small ad- vertisements at an excessive rate. A number of Keith agents were "induced" to advertise by way of small carols. Mr. Albee has stated he never intended-to permit the "News" to solicit advertisements generally, and especially from actors; . that the "News" was being published for the benefit and information of actors and managers with its scope limited to promoting a better feeling be- tween the acting and managerial fraternities. The inside stuff in connection with the "News" soliciting on the strength of the Albee name is that the "News" was found to mount up to a yearly loss of some magnitude. The advertising solicitation was proposed, it is said, as the only means to prolong the life of the weekly. "RATTLESNAKE" FINE DRAMA London. Jan. IS. "The Rattlesnake" at the Shafts- bury, Jan. 10, proved to be a fine draina with scene set at the time of the mnerican war of independence. Tkira is a strong love interest, with the revolutionary hero mar- ried to a royalis* wife. Full of fine situations, splendidly product d and acted, it won a big reception. agents con 12, 1922. was a let - Broken Heart Brings Death Londo .', Jan. IS. Fred Leoville, famou.i did pan- tomimist, aged 65, dropped dead in the street following the death of his wife. At the in uest doctors testi- fied he died ot a broken heart. Wilette KERSHAW GLOBE THEATRE LONDON