Variety (January 1923)

40 VARIETY Jt-JL. 3K7: LONDON (Continued from page 2) these only two are women. The cast of "Arlequin." at the Empire, was reduced to 36 parts* and union*? the players, several playing several parts, are Godfrey Tearle. Dennis Nellson-Terry, Leonard Shephard. J. H. Barnes. Cecil Mannering, Nor- man Partridge, Drellncourt Odium, Cyril Sworder, Netta Westcott, the Hon. Lois Sturt, Dorothy Green. Sybil Hook. Edith Kelly Could. Ro- sina Filippi and Moynu McGill. Boxing Night will see the revival at the Court of "When Knights Were Bold" with Bromley Challoner. This is for evening shows onlv. the raatlnee attraction being the revival of "Alice in Wonderland." Having been for 51 years ward- robe mistress to Henglers circus. Hosina Short died here at the age of 91. For years before then, as Mme. S.ironi. she .was popular alike in Great Britain and on the Continent. Her resemblance to the late Queen Victoria was remarkable, and she always figured as Her Majesty in Henglers big parades. The big attractions for the holi- day season at the Colloeum are Crock, who is never long away from this house, and Alfred Lester, who will appear in a new sketch. 'The Night Porter." Other artists and acts on the bill are Frank Fay, Artemus. Gwyneth Keys, Tuklo with his Film Jungle, the Egypse Camp company and Frank Coch- rane, the cobbler from "Chu Chin Chow," in his. musical scene, "Wun-Tu." of originality. Two demobbed of- ficers get caught in a thunderstorm and seek shelter in a vicarage which they find deserted. They change into whatever clothes they find. With the result one of them Is taken for a clergyman by a runaway couple, who demand he marry them. The usual complications bring the com- edy to a happy finish, the runaway girl turning out to be an old sweet- heart of the masquerader's friend, and that worthy finding h's fUe in the daughter of an elderly clergy- man, who Is doing duty for the ab- sent vicar. The piece is we'l acted by Arthur Welllesley (Earl Cowley) and the rest of the company. Thi3 new production "prior to the West End" does not seem likely to prove a great threat to existing shows. The cast of "Twelfth Night" at the Kveryifian includes Herbert Waring. Frank Collier. Fred O'Don- ovan, Mary Barton and Isobel Jeans. At the Alhatnbra the Trix Sisters will continue to "top the bill" with new dresses and material. The rest Of the program includes Coram and "Jerry," Whit Cunltffc. Van Dock, the Fuji Family. Denise and Jan, Bert Hughes, .Penrose and Whit- lock and the musical absurdity re- cently produced at the Coliseum, "Wrangle V. Wrangle." Robert Courtneidge has secured the British rights of "Merton of the Movies." and will produce the piece in the West End early in the new year. The veteran stars who are to ap- pear as a"* Christmas attraction at the Palladium are busily rehearsing for their act, which is as yet pub- licly untitled, but which appears likely to take the form of a min- iature revue. The company includes Joe Tabrar, the author of innum- erable songs; Florrie Robins, Louie Freear, who found fame In a night with the production of "A Chinese Honeymoon" at the old Strand; Charles Bignell, whose 'What ho. she bumps!" is a classic of 20-odd years ago; Sable Fern, Leo Drydan. who will sing "The Miner's Dream of Home." which he has sung every- where from first-class vaudeville houses to minor kinemas and even market places; Jake Frei J man, Tom Costello, Harry Lea and others whose names once drew London to the Tivoli, the Oxford and the Pa- vilion. Although described as "vet- erans," many of the old-timers are only tfo in the years they have been before the public. The'r work to- day, except in the old-fashi- ned ma- terial, shows no signs of age and decay. Peggy O'Xeil has been out of London sinre her vaudeville reap- pearance, suffering from a nervous breakdown, the direct result of her motor accident in America recently which led to the death of her uncle, and in which she herself sustained injuries. For the past few weeks she has been staying la Bourne- mouth, but Is now due to return for the rehearsals of the new II. A. Vachell play at the Haymarket. which, however, will not bo called "Miss Marionette," the title origi- nally announced. Several changes are taking place In West End casts. Leslie Faber follows Godfrey Tearle in "The Laughing Lady" at the Globe. Phyllis Dare returns to "The Lady of the Rose" at Daly's and Madge Saunders and Tom Walls return to "Tons of Money" at the Aldwych. The proceeds of a matinee at the old London will provide some hun- dreds of poor Shoreditch and IIox- ton children with new boots at Christmas. This old-established house, of which little is heard in these enlightened times. Is being thoroughly redecorated. In the old days it was famous for its trial mat- inees, which always at racted crowded audiences, whose chief ob- ject in yfe seemed to be to "bird" every item on the program. Christinas is always a busy time for the Maskelyne show at St. George's Hall, and the current holi- day bill lacks nothing in strength. It includes a new illusion. "The Celluloid Man," which is a combina- tion of cinematography and con- juring; de Biere, Ben Said, a Turk- ish magician. Water Magic by a Japanese troupe, the Kamakuras and W. V. Robinson, the Canadian entertainer. "If Winter Comes." which was originally produced in Margate and has been playing to enormous busi- ness ever since, is due in the West End early In the new year. Follow- ing on the craze for names, players who have made the play are being superseded by West End actors and will remain-on tour. That this pol- icy is thorough under the Owen Nares-Bertie Meyer management is proved by the fact that Mrs. Nares. the original leading lady, will not play the part in London, but will give way to Barbara lloffe. The revival of Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's first serious p'ay, "Sweet Lavender," was received with ac- clamation at the Ambassadors Dec. 14. The co. tumes, business and staging are the same as used 34 years ago, and even the old-fash- ioned "aside**" are in. The producer has been exceptionally lucky in his cast. Holman Clark gives a fine performance as Dick Phenyl, the disreputable barrister. originally played by the late Edward Terry, and Isobel Elsom Is excellent as the girl who succeeds in reforming him. The rest of the parts are all finely played by Jack Hobbs, Henry Crane, Lyall Swete, Ada Ferrar, Ann Trevor and Lilian Rraithwaiie. This production should prove a big draw, if only as an antidote to the trash disguised as comedy which has ap- parently become the vogue. Cicely Courtneidge, Robert Court- neidge's daughter, has been knocked over and hurt by a motor car in Birmingham. Despite her injuries she insisted in playing her part in the revue, "Pot Luck," with which she is touring. Ernest D'Almaine, the veteran singer, who is known as the "cast Iron tenor," has celebrated his 75th birthday. He has recently returned from touring with "Whirled Into Happiness." He will shortly set out with tho Daly's company of "The Maid of the Mountains." His first London engagement was with "Pony" Moore, with the M'oorc and Burgess Minstrels. Having been on tour with J. B. Fagin's play, "The Wheel," for some months, I'hvTlis Nellson-Terry is due back In the West End about the middle of January with a new pluy by E. Temple Thurston entitled "A Roof and Four Walls." Her sup- porting company will include Nich- olas Hannen. Allen Jsayes, Frank Freeman, O. B. Clarence and H. R. ' Hignett. Owing to the success of Sir J. Martin Harvey's new version of "Everyman," recently produced at the Memorial, Stratford-on-Avon, negotiations are on foot for the pro- duction of the p!ay In London. Frank Cucson offered the Playhouse for this purpose, but the stage is far too smally Reports from various sources in- dicate that the new Ian Hay comedy, "Archibald's Afternoon," is not quite up to the author's usual stand- ard. There appears to be fdeuty of comedy of the orthodox faiciicnl na- ture in the show, but the greater part of the pluy is somewhat devoid The guests of honor of the O. P. Club at a dinner given at the Hotel Cecil Sunday evening. Dec. 17, were George Grossmith and J. A. E. Ma lone. Sir E. Wild, K. C, pre- sided over a company of 300 ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Grossmith made a felicitous speech, in which he ad- mitted unqualifiedly that the firm of Grossmith «fe Malone were com- mercial managers, and were proud of it—were really snobbish about it. Among other things, he said the public wanted cabaret performances and would have them, just as they demanded revues. evening, Dec. 16, to Irene VanBrugh. Responding to the toast, "The Arts and Graces," Miss VanBrugh said the chief characteristic of acting was that It must be popular, as plays, however excellent, needed the support of the public She went on to say the Press was capable of rendering valuable assistance In setting a standard of public taste, and pleaded for the assistance of the Press In a movement to establish an endowed theatre in England. Sir John Lavery also spoke. In re- ferring to dramatic criticism in newspapers, he gave it as his opinion that reviews of plays had greater weight when they were signed by the writers. Israel Zangwill has written an- other play, which is published in book form under the title of "The Forcing House." It is designed as a satire against war, and especially profiteering. In it the author scores Bolshevism, Communism and Atheism. There has been no wild scramble on the part of producing managers to secure the piece, but there is some talk that the Play Actors are anxious to give it a try out. The piece is dedicated to Mau- rice Maeterlinck. BERLIN. By C. HOOPER TRASK Friday, January 5, 1023 11 1 11 If anyone is suffering from an at- tack of "tne blues," one of the best cures would be to go to see Andre Chariot and Paul Murray's second edition of ''Snap" at the Vaudeville. If that doesn't cure them, nothing will. Maisie Gay is. as always, in- imitable. As Mrs. Placid Manor, the boarding-house landlady, in "Break- fast Time," nb.e keeps the audience convulsed with laughter. Herbert Mundin is greeted with applause each time he comes on the stage, and his impersonations, as also those of Roy Royston, in "Tee Time," are exceedingly clever. Even "The Long, Long Wail" of The Grouser (Joe Nightingale) seems to have a brightening effect on the audience. The only act that could be dispensed with is "Shuffling along," which is not the kind of thing to make a strong appeal. The rest of tJie members of. the cast per- form their various parts admirably, and the different dresses of the chorus are pretty and original. The additional scenes, lyrics and music are by Simon Strood, M. 1). Lyon, Herman Hupfeld and Nat D. Ayer. Dances and ensembles arranged by Jack Hulbert and Carl Hyson. Dialog scenes produced by Herbert Mason. Scenery by Marc Henri and Lavsrdet. PARIS Paris, Dec. 23. Edwin R. Wolfe, formerly of New York, has opened a school of drama in Paris, assisted by his wife, known on the American stage as Ruth Mason. t Lee Copeland, the American en- tertainer, has assumed charge of the* cabaret Chez Mariette, Paris, asso- ciated with M. Dijon, the owner. Nelson Keys, English comedian, Is appearing at the Clover Club here, and is supported by Irene Russet. Miss Addison, a dancer from Lon- don, and also a Spanish dancer, Aurea, are the attractions at this cabaret. J. Xemirovitch-Dantchenko and Stanislavskys Russian dramatic troupe, advertised here as from the Moscow Art Theatre, is fulfilling a brief engagement at the Theatre des Champs Elysees. on its way to New York, where it is due to open under the direction of Morris Gest in Jan- uary. The company played in Ber- lin In 1906. but did not get as far as Paris. The program comprises "Tsar Fedor Ieannovich," the second part of Alexis (not Leon) Tolstoi's historical trilogy, Gorki's "Slums," and Tchekhoff'3 "The Cherry Or- chard." Jacques Hebertot intro- duced the troupe December 5 with 'Tsar Fedor." with Moskvln, a'great actor, in the name part; Vichnewsky as Boris Godounow, and Louisky as Prince Chouisky. Mme. Kniper Tchehove, widow of Anton Tchekoff, plays the empress. The acting of this Russian troupe has elicited ad- miration from the local critics. The works are splendidly produced, with rich scenery and costumes. On the Avlio'e it is a great dramatic treat, noteworthy by the absence of supers. Every player is an artist. Berlin, Dec. 17. The strike set Berlin theatrical life all topsy-turvy. All but five or six theatres closed. Only the two state theatres, Schausplelhaus and Opernhaus; the two other opera houses in Charlottenburg, the Deutsches and the People's Opera, and a few review theatres are open. All the so-called commercial the- atres have been shut. It looks now as though a chance of the situation loosening up was in sight. Nego- tiations between the two parties are already under way, but one can never tell In cases like this, as leaders on both sides always have their own axes to grind. The development of the strike started as a wage question, but be- came a test of strength, a real combat for life or death of the Bilhnengenossensch aft (I.e.. the Ger- man Actors' Equity). The 1 Ini- mpm wage for September was 7,500 marks, for October it reached 22.- 000 marks, for November the actors' organization asked for 48.000 marks, and towards tho c d of the month asked it be raised to 62,000 marks. The managers' organization refused. This may seem like a terrific pro- portional increase, but considering a pound of butter now costs here practically 2.000 marks, you will see how little this really is. Theatre prices have been cut very low in Berlin; for instance a good seat in the orchestra a't th 1 State Schauspielhaus is 600 marks, while a good cigar costs 200. The man- agers might have raised their prices, as the state theatres, which were allowed to play because they have always paid a minimum wage well above the demands of the actors' organization, can yet afford to sell seats at so cheap a rate. The strike has been characterized by all the usual features which ac- company such conflicts. The man- agers cal'ed the actors names and Rickelt, the president of the actors' organization, at a big mass meeting took occasion to say some hard words about various managers, the Rotters. Roberts, etc. This the managers resented. When Haenisch, the former Minister of Education, offered his service as mediator and the actors' organization accepted, the managers refused, saying that Rickelt must first take back all the "horrid things" he had said about them. That delayed the settlement a day or two. The actors have started giving performances to bring money into the treasury and say they can hold out long after Christmas. Every aftefnoon at two cabarets all-star variety shows are being given. On Sunday Schiller's "Kabale und Llebe" was given with an extraor- dinary cast in the hall of a big beer brewery. Friday night at the Deutsches Opernhaus a perform- ance of Schiller's "Die Riiuber" is promised, with a cast including practically every male star in Ger- many. "Fair and Warmer" "Fair and Warmer," by Avery Hopwood. has been produced at the Lustspielhaus under the title of "Der Mustergatte" ('The Model Husband"). The critics all sniffed at it ("to bring such stuff all the way from America"), but a popular success seems assured. It is all very well for the Germans to look down on American farces and call them naive.and bromidic, but just what farce writers have they who can 'produce such light entertain- ment as our better writers? % The success of this piece here is all the more extraordinary when one considers that It was utterly miscast. The part originally played by John Cumberland in delicious half-tones is here done by Max Adalbert, a comedian of the "fresh" cocksure school, and the part taken in America by Madge Kennedy is hancHed by D igny Servaes, talented but dramatic. Just the essential naivete was utterly lacking, but' even at that they could not kill it. An application has been made for the renewal of the license formerly held to carry on business as the- Htrieal and kincnia artists by E. Lewis Waller, Ltd. Lewis Waller was recently in the Bankruptcy Court. Acting on this the Public Control Committee of the London County Council postponed the re- newal for a fortnight In order to be satisfied as to the constitution and financial stability of the company, The license has now been renewed. The Press Club of London gave a dinner at its club house Jjaturday Olympia (Dec. 1I.): Robert Qui- nault and Miss Rowe, dancers; La Argentina, Spanish danseuse; For- tuge, comic singer; Max Chobat, James Watson, electric experiments; Guya Pinsonnette, vocal; Clown Pepina and miniature circus; Geor- getty and Powels, Charles Meteor Trio, Zelia Sisters, Loroh Family, AppOlonaS, Lyons Trio, Mary- land Troupe. Cirque de Paris: A. Rancy's Horses, Les Albert ini. acrobats; Leonce et Liliane, Balvator'i Ani- mals, Les Polyflors, comic horizon- tal bar act; lion and tiger act. Szanin, the Russian opera man- ager, passed through Paris last week on his way to Madrid, where he will remain six weeks for operatic work. Ho will stage a Russian production at the Paris Opera in March. Max Pallenberg has been playing at the Theater am KurfUrstendamm and under tlie title of "Wauwau" he has been doing the English comedy "Grumpy." Although . Pal- lenberg as an all-around comedian is probably unsurpassed, yet in this role he did not reach the heights which Cyril Maude did. Neverthe- less he seems to have pleased audi- ences that have filled the theatre to overflowing for several months. Just before the strike he had started playing Molnar'i "Liliom," aided by Lucie HOfllch, Germany's, most tal- ented dramatic actress. lie of course played it very differently from Xchildkraut in America, a Pallenberg's method ia very sup- pressed. However, he seems to have carried his audience with him and he will probably take up the run again when the strike is ended. At the Klelnes Thohter "Die Fn- morallschen" ('The Immoral Ones") by Schmidt, and at the Komodien- hause "Die Frwachsonen," by Sling, two farces of somewhat similar type, were produced and well received by the press. More of these later when performances are resumed after tha strike. Nothing more, however, will ap- pear about a new farce by Cana, the author of the infamous "Werwolf," as it seems to have been, according to reliable reports, as ineffectual as it was licentious. New Musical Comedies New musical comedies include the "Black Rose," at the Neues Oper- ettentheater, with music by Walter W. Goetze. The plot shifts about in ridiculous fashion, and the music is over-orchestrated and lifeless. About "Dorlne und der Zufall" ("Dorine and Chance") with music by Gilber , produced at the Neues Theater am Zoo. more later, as the piece ap- pears to be not without charm. ■ At the Metropol a new review, "New York-Berlin," with music by Nelson, seems to be a rather medi- ocre imitation of our American va- riety, while 'We're Tppsy Turvy," at the Nelson, is more intimate bu; cleverer. "Europe Is Talking About It," at the Komische Oper, under the direction of Klein, seems to be quite gorgeous, according to Berlin standards', but that usually means nothing to people accustomed to the American "Follies." At the Theater am Kurfiirsten- damm Karl Vollmoller gave a now pantomime written by himself, with music by Jap Koll, called "The Shooting Oullery." Vollmollcr is known in America as the author of "The Miracle" and "The Prodigal Son." The present effort does not seem to have been oversuccessful. At the Deutsches, Alexander Molssi, the mueh press T ,«gcnted, has been giving a few performances; it is his first appearance in Berlin for almost two yearn. He has done "Richard II.." "Ghosts." and "Re- demption." This latter play, known in America through Barryrm re's performance in "the lending role, is \\vth considered his greatest achieve- ment. But when one compares it with the American actor's handling of the part his work seems almost pitiful in comparison. The conclu- sion is more and more driven in upon c ne that Moissi never was any- thing more than a matinee idol, using the cheapest sort of manner- isms to catch the matinee idolaters of Germany. When one compares him with Werner Kraus. who has Just been giving his usual extraor- dinary performances in Ibsen's "The League of Youth." Strindberg's "Luther," and in Schiller's "Kabale und Liebe," one sees the difference between the stock leading man type and that of a great international acting genius. The State Theater has been very busy of late. They have given a new play from the Belgian, called "The Marriage 0/ Adrian Breuer" (a failure); an evening of Moliere plays; "George Dandin." and "The Doctor in Spite of Himself," under the direction of Jiirgen Fehling. who has made them entertaining; then, as a tribute to Gerhard Hauptmann, they played his "Hannele" (a good production, which showed up the es- sential weakness of the play); and, finally, under the direction of Leo- pold Jessncr, Shakespeare's "Mac- beth," with Kortner and Gerda Miiller in the leading roles (a pro- duction which combined some taste- less and stupid effect-hunting with moments of real genius). A new play by Carl Copek, author of "R. U. R." and the Insect comedv, has just been produced at the State theatre In Prague under the author's direction. It is called "Die Sache Makropulos" ("The Affair Makrop- ulos"), and by all reports is not up to his earlier works. The Admiral's Palats, formerly a skating rink, has been tastefully turned into a variety theatre. It may be said now to class as one of the most attractive theatres in Ber- lin. All seats except those in the top balcony are at tables, and wine may be drunk or food eaten during the performance, although this is not obligatory. That, of course, lim- its the audience, but as the place is very large there is still plenty of room to get in a large gathering. The prices are still quite reasonable. Tho front part of the orchestra costs only 600 marks. The theatre already has found a public, and although.it has only been opened some 10 days yet it doe;; a turn-away business al- most every evening. The first bill, nothing to boast of, is: Tacahashi, Antlpoden Splele; Margcnta Truppe; Two Hartleys, acrobats; Max Han- sen, humorist; Frlda Heee-Fleisch- mann, dancer; Albert Schumann* hor.-e act; Cluster Dleck; Svengali, telepathy; Two DcsterrOS, BhootiOgJ MeroaUZ, acrobats. Of these the best numbers are Tacahashi, DeS- lerrus and SvengalL : Fritzi Massary is engaged to sing at Daly's, London, the leading role of "Madame Pompadour " which .-he created In Berlin. * A new play by Georg Kaiser: au- thor of "From Morn to Midnight," called "The Flight to Venice," will shortly be produced at the Renais- sancetheatre in Berlin.