Variety (March 1925)

VARIETY'S LONDON OFFICE 17 H R P I P N CABLE ADDRESS, VARIETY. LONDON Wednesday*. March 4, 1925 2096-3199 Regent ^ \J KS, tLt I VM i^g SL Martin*. Place, Trafalgar Square .AUSTRALIA Sydney, Feb. 4. There hat been no slack ing off in attendances at the varloue attrac- tlona that began the new season. The majority ot houses are play- iHK to practical capacity at every Aow, with Bome sroaainff a little oiore than the others. -WMtlowr" will be transferred from the Koyal to Her Majesty's sbortly to malce roon> for the dra- matic version of "The Outelder." "Betty" which did only fairly well, will go on to Melbourne with Maude rane replacing Edith Drayson in the lead. -Primrose" will follow "Betty" in Melbourne. Guy Bates Post is doing well With "The Qreen Goddess." This I abow will play right on until Baster imd then go tj Melbourne, with Dion Bouclcault and Irene Vanbrugh tak- ing over the Criterion for a new season. Thurston Hall has made good in "So This Is London!" at the Palace. This came as a surprise, because Just after the openlhg the company started rehearsals on "The Broken ' Wing." This production has been put off and "London" will play right on until business falls off. "Kosle O'llelUy" is doing well at the Opera House and should play well over Easter. * "rAe Ten Commandments," at the ' Prince Edward, is packing this fibuse twice daily and the attraction should run over six months. This picture is one of the theatrical sur- prises of the season. Big business is being done at the Tlvoll with front rank vaudeville. The bill this week is one of the strongest shown at the house and includes Rupert Inglasse, juggler; Novelle Bros., musical; Versatile Three, colored; Oswald Williams, magic; Van Cello and Mary, novelty barrel Juggling: Harry Weldon and Hilda 31yder held over and then sailed. and will be produced by George Highland. Coleman and Alexandra have ar- rived here with their "Good Luck Girl", novelty which has played abroad for three years. The act will probably play one of the vaude- ville circuits. Long Tack Sam and his troupe will begin a tour of Queensland for Wllllameon-Talt before coming Into Sydney. The act comprises a new troupe of Jugglers and tumblers. Prom this country the turn expects to return to America. Owing to a wave of infantile paralysis sweeping New Zealand at the present time, the authorities in Wellington have issued orders that children under the age of 16 must not attend theatres or picture showe until such time as the epidemic is under control. liALLET MECHANIQUr FUTURISTIC CONCEPTION Music Will Be Produced by 4 Mechanical Pianos Imitat- ing Machinery Noises MUSIC IMPRESSES "Le Rosier," Operetta, Opens in Paris—Cordially Greeted ■ ■ Business is holding up nicely at . Fuller's. The Mil holds Lyons and ' O'Moore, songs and talk; Eileen and Marjorle, tumbling act; Charles Lewis, songs and talk; Linn Smith's Band. Phil Smith's Revue took up second half. melWourne "Good Morning, Dearie," le going along strongly at His Majesty's; Irene Vanbrugh and Dion Bouclcault are nnisbing a great run here with "Trelawny of the Wells"; Maude Fane will appear shortly in conjunc- tion with Al Frith in the English musical comedy, "Betty." E. J. Carroll will present a speak- ing version of "Cappy Ricks" at the Athenaeum theatre next waelc The •bow will b« produced by E. W. Morrison. • Maurice Moscovitch is making his farewell appearance in "The Out- sider." The season has not been i altogether too bright for this artist as Melbourne would have none of Shakespeare and the actor had to •witch to a modern play. The Fuller-Ward panto, "Clnder- *lla," is going strongly at the Prln- >«tam. At the Palace the "Midnight Frolics" is pulling fairly good busl- aess. The show is very clean and bright. Business is still good at the Tivoli where Maldle Scott is headlining. The rest of the bill includes the Four Ortons, Femlna Four, Birch- alls. Anna and Louis Dewars, Es- telle Rose, Rich and Calvin, and the Uniques. Acts playing the BlJou Include Harry Claff, Dan D'Alma. Knoop, . Harris Family, Maxwell Carew, Knight and Brady. Grace Doran, Walter Vernon, Roy Gennett Harry P. MuUer has been ap- pointed manager of Tivoli theatre. Mr. MuUer is also general manager \for WIlllameon-Talt vaudeville. The Six Brown Brothers have been a sensation over the WiUlam- ^Jtaoa-Tait circuit. The act comes into the Tivoli. Melbourne, this week. Fuller-Ward are doing good busi- ness in New Zealand with their "O'Brien Girl" and "Tangerine" oompanlea Wlrth's Circus will make back to Sydney for Its annual season around Easter time.' The circus will have many fresh faces for their 1926 •eason. Wllliamson-Talt's next big attrac- tion will be "Kid Boots," with Josle Melville and George Gee featured. The show will be put on shortly Paris, March 8. At the FoUes Dramatiqne the musical work of Henri Casadesus, "Le ttosier," with the book credited to Maurice Devllllers, opened nicely Feb. 24. It is a tLree-act operetta that has previously been played In Belgium. The premier, here, was marked by the reception tendered the musical score. The script has to do with a maiden aunt who proposes her in- nocent nephew as a candidate for a virtue prize, but a girl com- promises his chances and he Anally marries another succe-ssful "rosier." The cast includes Georges Foix, Jane Montange, Harry Mass and Jane Morlet. "Les Nocea d'Emeraude." by J. Bonvalet and Jacques Marteaux, with J. Canteloube having written the music, will probably follow "Le Rosier." Paris, Feb. 2». George Anthell, American musi- cian here, and Ferdinand Leger, French painter, are arranging to give the world more sounds of cubic nature as their next effort to be billed as a "Ballet Mechanlqu*.** The music will be played by tour mechanical pianos, inspired by Picasso's drawings. The first ballet of about 2C minutes, is to be ac- companied by a film exposing ma- chinery in motion and the mutic is supposed to Imitate the sounds of Its movement. No other orchestra wlii be neces- sary, so that the strictest economy la assured for the manager accept- ing this latest "invention." Who the manager will be is not divulged. LOPEZ IN LONDON Weldon Passes Through N. Y. Without Appearing Many of the theatrical fraternity could not understand the presence in New York last week of Harry Weldon, the noted English enter- tainer. Mr. Weldon sailed Satur- day on the "Berengarla." He came to New York from a most suc- cessful tour of Australia, on his way home. It was his first visit In the initial American city. Mr. Weldon said He had no In- tention of making a professional appearance, but might consider one for the future, if the contractual terms are agreeable. He is a hlgh- salaried artist In England among the top-Unera New York vaudeville agents have vainly tried for five years to induce Mr. Weldon to play here. He is said to be contracted for a considerable time ahead over there. M. S. Bent- ham has been one of the agents trying to sign Weldon to a big time contract and Mr. Bentham had a conference with the English star during his short stay. Hilda Gilder an English single, though an American and first pub- licly playing in New York, also came to New York On her way to London from Sydney. Miss Glider likewise sailed on the "Berengarla." It Is seven years since Miss Glider went to England, where she has established herself in a single turn. London, March t. Vincent Lopez may play here for a period of six weeks, starting ia June with a band of 16 pie«es. Negotiations are now on to secure the Lopez unit for the new Capitol theatre (films) and the dance club In the basement of the building. The salary question is taken care of by both the theatre and the dance club Jointly assuming the over- head with each paying half of the traveling expenses. The Board of Trade has given permission for Lopez to play here for the six weeks, but sets that period as a limit and stipulates that the band cannot accept any private engagements. <- Vincent Lopez and his augmented orchestra of IS open March 9 at the Albee, Brooklyn. N. Y., instead of the Palace, New York, with the lat- ter to follow March K. The band will stay at the Palace at least two weeks with the possibility of three or four. When It hits the Hip, New York, it wiU double with other Keith houses in conjunction with that date. The act figure is set at $3,000 weekly. Barrymore May Move and Extend "Hamlet*' Sojourn London, March S. There is possibility that John Barrymore's "Hamlet" engagement will be prolonged, filthough should the extension take place it will hap- PMt at some other theatre than the Haymarket and without Fay Comp- ton as "Ophelia." Barrymore opened at the Haymarket Feb. 1» for a limited six weeks' run with the house sold out for that period. The reason for Miss Compton's withdrawal Is that she is scheduled to succeed "Hamlet" at the Haymarket in the Milne play, "Ariadne."' Helen Trix's Own Revue, With Helen's Capital London, March t. Helen Trix is preparing her own revue in collaboration with Les Copeland. Copeland has been In Paris for some time, playing a cabaret there. At present he is not appearing. Copeland composes, be- sides singing blues songs and play- ing the piano. Mlsa Trix and her sistsr. Jose- phine, will star in the revue, to be first produced in London. While It is reported Helen will maka the production herself, it Is also ru- mored she has found backing for the venture from outslds of th« show business. Converting Cabaret Into Ice Rink London, March t. Jack Haskell ia sailing on the AqulUnia tomorrow (Wednesday) to engage American ice skaters for Che Grafton Gallsries (exclusive cabaret). It will h& converted into an Ice rink at a cost ot $160,000. Haskell will stage an loe ballet and manage the entire enterprise. The Mayfair Club. In the Graf- ton building, will resume as a cabaret. "BAHBOULA" OFENS MARCH 8 London, March $• "Bamboula" has finally been designated a house. It will go into His Majesty's March IS with the staging by Wil- liam Wilson. THE TILLER DANCING SCHOOLS Oppn for a Limited Number of Pvpila rriTa(«> I^cMoas CtoMM •( • ChildTCTi m SpMlsMr OF AMERICA, Inc. 226 West 72d Street NEW YORK Phoof: Cndicott S2IS-* UART RBAD Sacratary Revue Twice Nightly at Oxford London, March I. "Kahkl," an average touring re- vue, opened at the Oxford, yester- ilay, playing on u polic> of twice nightly performances. "Boodle" Possibility for Empire London, March i. Negotiations are on to have Jack Buchanan and his company, play- ing "Boodle," to open at the Em- pire very shortly. BRITISH PARLIAMENT PROBABLY PASSING BILL TO PROTEQ ENGLISH ACTORS London, Feb. 80. After several years, during which a bill has been twice intro- duectl into parliament for the registration of theatrical employers, there seems at last a chance of success. The bill, which 4ias been twice before the House, was the variety artists federation registra- tion of the.itrlcal employers (No. 1) bill. This was practically in the form of a similar motion drafted by the Entertainments National Industrial Council. The present act is being presented by a committee consisting of members of the Society of West End Managers, Theatrical Managers' Association. Association of Touring Managers, and the Entertainments Protec- tion Association. This latter organization Include* members look- ing after the welfare of artists. The supposed bill finds favor In the eyes of the home secre- tary (Sir William Joynsin-Hlcks) and it is openly against all bogus and fraudulent persons who call themselves theatrical man- agers or agents. The home secretary suggests immediate steps be taken to put it forward as a private member's measure, and If It reaches a second reading the bill will be referred to a select committee. It Is hoped Sir Walter de Freece and the Rt. Hon. C. W. Bowerman, a friend of the profession, will bring it before the Commons and secure its support. The meaning of the term theatrical employer refers to any person including partnerships and corporations who by himself or through an agent engages or employs at any time three or more theatrical employes. The act will nbt apply to i>er8ons holding licenses for dramatic production, music, dancing, or cinemas, from the usual licensing authority. This obviously applies to the owners or man- agers of buildings. One of the great things tbls will do will be to put a stop to the prevailing habit of a certain type of manager who is forever getting new capital, going broke, and getting capital again for a pew com- pany. Concerns the artists find great difllculty In touching as the "company" is the employer and the general manager or whoever they thought rctiponsible turns out to be only, like themselves a paid employe, a thlni, the world is invariably ignorant of until the crash comes. Nor will the act apply to people engaging artists for charity shows. The "artist" will be definitely defined as a "theatrical performer" and the definition includes any acrobat, singer, dancer, or other per- son engaged to'act, sing, dance, play, or perform in any theatre, music hall, or other place of public entertainment or to rehearse with a view of so doing, as well as any person employed to take part in the representation of any play, act, event or scene being photographed or otherwise recorded as a picture or pictures or other optical efTect suitable or Intended for being exhibited by means of a cinematograph or similar apparatus. The term "theatrical em- ploye" shall also include "crowds" and chorus. By this it will be seen 'the up-to-now defenceless picture "extra" will be (Iren a protection long needed. There will also be no further legal argu- ments as to whether a "chorus g(rl is an artist" which up to now have proved a lucrative medium for the wasting of time in courts of law. Offenses under the act include: Absconding wtUi intent to defraud or to avoid the payment of wages, salary or other fees dua. Re- currently falling to pay salaries, wages, remuneration, or travel- ing expenses; acting, as or purporting to be or holding out or carrying on the business of a theatrical employer either without being registered or after his certificate of registration has been can- celed by the ord»r of the court. The punlshm<;nt for such offenses includes fines for eabh offense up to $2S0 with or without a term of Imprisonment up to six months. Convicted persons can be ordered to pay full costs and the con- victing court can issue a declaration th^t the convictsd person is unfit to be a theatr]c{fl employer, certificates can l>e canceled or suspended. The passing of such an act would practically mean very much to the show world what Magna Charta did to the early British— there being a great resemblance in some managers and their satel- lites to King John and some of his barons while the "performer" stands for the down-trodden lower classes. DEATHS ABROAD Paris, Feb. 31. Aristide Brusnt, former popular Montmartre chansonnler, died Feb. 11, pneumonia, aged 7t. Edgar Oemange, French lawyer and orator, died of heart disease, aged 84. He defended Captain Dreyfus at the famous trials in 1880 and 1894. Jean Qiavira, vaudeville artiste, died at Dakar (Senegal), aged 41. AUCE LLOTD OH WAY HOME London, March t. Alice Lloyd is believed to be on her way bome from South Africa. It is a year since Miss Llyod letft here to tour Australia. Due to her bit there, she engaged for the South African houses. Miss Lloyd's two daughters Joined her at Cape Town, cabled for by their mother. PRINCES FLOOB SHOW London, March S. The new floor *how at the Prin- ces restaurant, staged by Percy Athos, was noisily acclaimed upon its opening. The entertainment is particularly noteworthy for Its costuming and the effective lighting. INDEX /" GLASGOW LIKES "NANETTE" London, March S. Reports from Glasgow, Scotland, indicate that "No, No, Nanette," produf'erf there Feb. 23, is scoring a tremendous success. "Nanette' Is due to open here at the Palare. March 11. Of Pages in This Issus Miscellaneous 1 Legislative 2 Foreign 3 Vsudevills 4-9 Burlesque 16 Legitimste 17-24 Legitimate' Reviews 23 Sports 49 Pictures 26-39 Picture Reviews 36-39 Presentations 35 Film House Reviews 39-36 Musio 40-4S Radio 40 Little Thestrfs 22 Csbaret 49 Disk Reviews 41-44 Band Routes 42-48-49 Organists 43-4S-91 Stoeka 24 Times Squars 11 Nsws of Dailiss 80 Opera and Cenosrt 9 Outdoors 4«'47-4t Inside Stuff—Lsait 17-24 - « —Vaudsvilk.. If " " —Pictura. ... 84 Vaudeville Show RoviavM It Circus 4i Burlssque Rouist 1S-K New Act RsvlsvM........ 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