Variety (July 1924)

Wedne«iay, July 8, IM« VARIETY THEATRICALS IN AUSTRALIA BOIUNG WriH BRISK COMPEiltldN Vaudeville Situation Ripe for Foreign Artists— Williamson-Tait Venture StarU July 4—Business UniTersally Splendid—Country a Power and Must Be Reckoned With—Notes Sydney, June 6. WlUiamBon-Talt have just pur- chased a site for a theatre In Mel- bourne. The price paid for the ground alone was nearly $500,000. So keen Is the theatrical competi- tion that each company Is scout- ing for new sites on which to build theatres. In the near future AuMtralla will be a force to be reckoned witli the whole world over. It is quite pos- sible for high-class artists on the close of the American season to come to this country and play a season and return home for the new season instead of laying off over summer. And be. it known that Australian audiences are really wonderful to unknown artists if they make good In even a small way. From a vaudeville standpoint this country Is a real holiday trip Two shows a day are the most ever played, with no Sunday perform- ances. Transportation is i)ald by the companies, which also Includes baggage. If the artist pays strict attention to contract clauses very little time Is lo.st In travel and there is no such thing as split week bills. Headline acts play anything from four to ^Ix weeks In each house. Before signing contracts the artist wants to see how the pjuind sterling compares with the Amer* ' ican dollar and to inctulre from the booking agent the amount he will have to pay on his weekly salary In taxation to the Australian gov- ernaient. This taxation Is rather high on foreign artists, but is not excessive, and varies In the differ- ent states. Wllliamson-Talt, Fuller - Ward, Tivoll Theatres, Ltd., and Puller's Vaudeville Theatres, Ltd., are the legitimate theatrical people In this country and carry on business in the strictest manner. Williamson-Tait Vaudeville July 4 has been set for the open- ing of the new Williamson-Tait vaudeville venture. The kick-off will take place in Melbourne. Jack Musgrove, who has been in Amer- ica, will be home in time for the opening. Suing Tivoli Theatres, Ltd. A writ has been issued by Wil- liamson-Tait against Tivoli The- atres, Ltd., to enforce the sal* of (Continued on page 45) Arthur Hatherton London, July 1. Arthur Hatherton, one of the most versatile comedians on the London stage, is dead here. His last big success was as the Cock- ney man-servant in. the George Arli.ss production of "The Green Goddess" at the St. James. Hatherton began his stage ca- reer as a member of one of the D'Oyly Carte touring companies in 1890. Later he toured South Africa in fa Georgre Ifdwardes company with a repertoire of Gaiety successes. Returning to London, he joined the Gaiety company. His parts were not to his liking and he resigned, making a big success of his role in "The Chinese Honeymoon," and also in "Dear Brutus." VERY GOOD SEASON FOR INC. STAGE SOCIEn Old Vic. Company Has Weekly Change of Bill— Different Theatre MRS. STOLL London, June 2S. The next production of the Incor- porated Stage Society Is "The Pleas- ure Garden." by Beatrice Mayer, and this will be the concluding per- formance of what has been a very successful season. Last year the Society was in such low funds it seemed as if activities must cease, but since then so many (Continued on page 39) 3 FOREIGN ACTS All At Coliseum, London—Mind Readers Among Them London, July 1. Three foreign acts are headlin- ing at the Coliseum this week with each concluding to an approval. Mr. and Miss Tree, mind read- ers, and Americans, were nicely re- ceived. Their cues are elaborate. The Canslnos, Spanish dancers, did splendidly, and the Fisk Uni- versity Negro Jubilee Singers, four men and a woman, harmonizing minus Instrumental accompaniment, were accorded substantial ap- plause. "STBEET SmOER" OPEITS London, July 1. , "The Street Singer" opened Friday night at the Lyric and was well received. Phyllis Dare has the leading role. The musical Is by Messrs Lons- dale, Greenbank, Fraser and Sim- son. The piece will require some re- vision. RaqucI Meller'i Film London, July 1. C. B. Cochran will star Raquel Meller in the picture, "Violettes Im- perlale," at the Scala July If*. FABIS VAUDEVILLE Paris, June 23. Alhambra (Paris). — Winston's Seals, Prince Tchavtchavadse, Mu- sical Navvies, Niblo's Birds, Atlas Vulcar.a Troupe, Devllder and DaAiy, Two ^ddys, Rigolas, Charlie Banks, Mile. Delhery, Seattle Troupe, Plrro Sbrana, Rosen, Anto- nlta Torres, Olympia ( Paris ]. — Perchicot Alice Baron, Sar." ', Ouivel (vocal- ists), Lisbon Trio (skating), Man- fred (shadowgraphy). Dogs Stars (dog act). Five Yamagata (Japa- nese acrobats), Nadya and Boba (juvenile ihusicians), Barrois (equi- librist), Daner, July and Fernan, Karre:^ Trio (contortionists), Joe and Willy, eccentrics. Empire.—Twelve Royal Scots, Inaudi calculator), Felovis, Les Or- lands (Italian vocal), Leonardos Dogs, Howard's Marionnettes, The Daros, Balzar (manipulator), Dra- n.m (local comedian), A. Carre and Sons (equestrian), Man tX Vera, Prince Tokio, Mylos and BouHoot, Folly and Partner, Sandrini'a Corps de Ballet, Regina Badet in sketch. ( sketch, "La Voyante," by Pierre Pradier, Is the feature of the Em- pire this week. The roles are held by Regina Badet, the dwarf Delphln and the author.) Continental Bills Palais de Criatal (Marseille).—Les Salda (xylophonists), Marbel (vo- cal), De Bakers (posing act), MuCt and Jeff (colored dancers), De Ro- croy (illusionist). Kursaal (Geneva, Switzerland).— Nina Myral and R. Burnier, Carietti, Miss Mary, Three Huxters, Lies Georglanis, Mme. Floriane (cacta- trice), Llnga-Slngh and Miss Lalc- shmi (illusionist). ON FENCE ATTITUDE TOWARD TWO ENGUSH AQORS' ASSN. Stage Guild, Non-Union vs. Actor's Association Union—Emerson's Talk Before Guilds* Mass I Meeting London, June 23. At a mass meeting of the newly formed Stage Guild, held at the Globe, June 20, John Emerson was present unofQcially an(J made an excellent. If unwilling, speech from a private box. His spesch was inainly in support of the' Actors' Association. Referring to the American cri-sls, he said it was practically settled. He had only just arrived and knew •Ittle about the Stap;e Guild or Its proposed activities; Kquity had lent 'he A. A. a matter of £1,000 and — the Guild was saying; it was time 't was paid bad-. Kquity -as wealthy and did not want »hc Woiipy nnd under any circumstances could not take what was lent to one organization from another. He ap- peared to be sensitive on this point *nd was corrected by the chair. Later he «^ld the A. A. had bee» , ,M great, use t,o, Eflultjr ar)d Bqvjlty was only too glad to hili). He had been accused of dominating the British actor, but this was not so. In regard to this speech it Is in- teresting to note that A. A. oftlcials recently spread a story to the effect no British player not carrying the British ticket could work in Amer- ica. This was contradicted by Emer.son and also by George Ar • lis.s, a member uf the Equity council. At the end of the meeting it was stated, although America cared nothInK for either the A. A. or the Guild, but expected playera when arriving in America should join Equity. Emerson's speech made it very dear his present mis.sion is to .see how the wind blow.s and which org.Tnization w;is winninR. so as to know wliich to afflliate witli E(iulty. Sir Gerald du Maurier. who was in the chair, proved by his speech he was silting on the fence and waiting to see which side was win- (Contlnued on 'page 38) ■ JOE ELVnrS BETUEN London, July 1. Joe Elvln la likely to return to the stage and la at the moment rollaboratlng on a new sketch with Harry Tate. This is to be called "Charabang- ing," the title explaining the theme as in other Tate shows. Although he wilt not appear in this show, there ia every likelihood of Elvln being seen in the autumn in a revue, "What a Sport." London, June 20. Mrs. StoII, the mother of Sir Oswald Stoll, d4ed June 17, aged 80. She had been In fall- ing health for something like a year. A remarkable wom- an who looked considerably younger than her yeara, ahe j was regarded aa her son's maa- cot. Whenever Sir Oswald opened a new theatre this mother took the first moneys paid in, but in- variably handed it back with her compllmetita and the wiah the patrona would enjoy the show. When Sir Oswald took over the Collaeum (London), ahe went Into the box-offlce and kept the position 'for over 20 yeara. Her last post was in charge of the circle "standing room only" box. Particularly fond of valuable diamonds she always wore a profusion when on duty. Mrs. Stoll was twice married. Sir Oswald being the son of the first. When her second husband died in 1880 she em- barked in the show business with her 10-year old boy. The firat house was the old Parthenon, Liverpool. Here young Oswald wanted "tops" and "bottoms'' for $15 a week. Finding acta at' this figure did not attract he remarked they must go out for the."big names" and^ay )75 for them. From Liverpool they went to Cardiff and took over Laveno'a Music Hall. Here at first they foi^nd trouble, takings barely sufllcient to cover salaries. Business Improved and the house waa rechrlstened the Empire. Thia waa the start- ing point of the present Stoll chain, and it was here that the "twice nightly" system waa originated. I In 1916 ifra. Stoll's servicea (o the Coliaeum Syndicate were recognized by the di- rectors passing a special vote of thanka and presenting her with a valuable diamond neck- lace. In the following year she was presented with an addreaa algned by hundred* of famoua artists who had been asso- ciated with the Stoll halls. Only at the beginning of the present month her portrait was added to the collection of theatrical celebrities which forms the Coliseum act drop. Joseph Davie* Joseph Davies, the managing director of the Syndicate Halls, died June 12, aged 72. For many years he was a familiar and Important figure in Lon- don vaudeville and theatrical life but two years ago had a break-down from which he never fully recovered. V. A. F.-A. A. BATHE RESUMED IN ENOAND A.A/s Rep Season at Barrow Cut in Half—Trades Unions Didn't Support Show London, June 23. The war between the Variety Artistd' Federation and the Actors' Association has broken out again after some weeks of armistice. Albert Voyce saya the real cause of the failure to straighten matters out was the affiliation of the A. A. to the National Association of The- atrical Employes. The A. A. wished —^ the V. 4. F. to do likewise, which the latter organization flatly re- fused to do. Up to now the Communistiotf tactics of the A. A. officials have failed utterly^ their only success being the original closing down of the road "Anne Christie" company at Barrow. The repertory season run by the A. A. at Barrow under the direction of Ernest El. Norris, has flopped badly. 'The eodiipany relied upon the trade unions for support, but their members have preferred the other houses. The company closed June 11, after playing only half ita announced season. <« BECK HAS "POMPADOUR" Opening New N*w York Hou Dillingham lnt*r*st*d in Play London, July 1. Martin Beck haa aecured "Mme. Pompadour" aa the Initial attrac- tion for hia new theatre on 4Bth atreet. It will open In October. Charlea Ollllnghani ia IntereateA with Beck in the American righta to the piece. Beck sailed Saturday on tha "AQultania"; Dillingham will aaU July 9 on the "Btejeattc." FRENCH-VIENNA REVUE Parla, July 1. The r'.ow with the Dolly Siatera has been withdrawn at the Palace after an exceptional auoceaa. The management (a producing this weeV "Yo t'alme," a 'Vienna operetta with local features, with music- by Fran* Lehar (who haa alao the honora of the bill at the Ba-Ta-CIan), The cast includes Rollln, Max Berger, Frlmaa, Falvre, Leib, Geo. Bury, Mmea. Yvonne Regis, Blanclie Dellege, J. S. Fisher and Rofmans glrla, Oermaine Lambell, Paule Aarna, Servelly. Raquel Meller, the Spanish iong- > stress, Is appearing with her vocal number between t^e second and third acta of/^hia mixed revue. She is listed aa an extra in thia show put on by Dufrenne and Varna, and will remain during July and August. FBENCH DBAHA IN S. A. Paris, June 20. Panzio, with a French troupe, left here this week for a Ave months' tour in South America, with latest French playa. Jacque* Charles Better Paris, June 21. Jacques Charlea, the Casino de Paris producer, haa left the nura- ing home, where he was recently operated on and is now residing with his family in the county until .-ecuperated. Elkina, Fay and Elkins' send Off London, July 1. Elkins. Fay and Elkins were ten- dered nn exceptionally favorable send oft upon opening at the Vic- toria Palace yesterday. Maurice and Hughes Liked London, July 1. Maurice and Leonora Hughes opened at the Embassy Club Thurs- day night. Their dances proved a great succesa. INTERNAL REVENUE'S LEmR OF INFORMATION ON 50c TAX Commissioner at Washington Explains Points, Also Violations—50c Admission Must Be by Itself— Full Price Not Chargeable on Old Tickets •^. Variety-Clipper Bureau, Evan* BIdg., Vy^ashington, July 1. Commissioner of Internal Revenue D. H. Blair Issued the following statement yesterday addressed to Jack Connolly of the Wa.ihlngton office of the Will Hays organiza- tion. "On June 2, 1924, a bill to be cited as the 'itevenue Act of 1024' be- came a law. Provision i.j made in fiis bill for the repeal of the tax on admL-fsions imposed by .section 800 of the Revenue Act of 1921, effec- tive July 2, 1924, and for the sub- stitution of a similar tax under sec- tion 500 of the Revenue Act of 1921, effective July 3. 192;. This section, with a few minor changes, is in sub- st nrv the same ajs .section 800 of the Itevenue Act of 1921, except that no tax Is Imposed on admissions of 50 cents or less. "Under the Revenue Act of 1921 the tax does not attach to BO-cent admission* under any circumstance*. The fact there are being sold at th« same time tickets to the same place at a higher price haa no bearing on the taxability of tickets selling for 50 cents or less. In this connection. 1'. should be borne in mind that the tax applicii to all admissions in ex- cess of 50 cents at the rate of 1 cent for each 10 cents or fraction thereof of the whole charge. There is no'i. a gentTal exemption of SO cents on each admission. Thus, on an admis- sion charge of 60 cents, a tax of < cents .should be collected. "The chief concern of taxpayers under section 600 of the Revenue Act of 1924 at the pro.s<'nt time will be with resard to the use of ticket* Mo.st the.itrea and other places t<»- which .idmission ia charged wilt have on hand supplies of tickets, printed In accordance with the requirements of the Revenue Act of ttil, the es- tablished price of which is fifty centt or less. These tickets may be used for a limited time if sold for the (Continaed on page SS>