Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Tuesday 6 February 1917, page 8


MUSIC AND DRAMA

The "Peg o' My Heart" Company con-cluded a record season at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. The company is to appear in Launceston this week.

The marvellous Fox film, "A Daughter of the Gods," was screened at Spencer's last evening before a crowded house. The season is for six nights and two matinees.

The vaudeville company now appearing at the Temperance-hall will bring its season lo a close on Wednesday evening. Splendid business has ruled throughout.

At The Grand the principal films fea-ture Blanche Street and Helen Holmes in Lasky and Mutual productions respec-tively.

The Palace Theatre continues to be popular with picture-lovers. "Mister 44," is one of the chief attractions in the cur-rent programme.

Miss Hilda Dorrington, well and fa-vourably remembered by Hobart theatre-goers as the heroine in "Within the Law," has formed a dramatic company of her own, and may visit this city at an early date.

Miss Eileen Fleury, the capable little chanteuse, now appearing at the Temper-ance-hall, was born in Hobart, and is not yet out of her teens. As a youngster she gave much promise, and when Mr. J. C. Bain saw her in Melbourne about four or five years ago he engaged her for his company, and at the termination of that contract she went over to the Fuller Circuit, appearing with marked, success in every one of that firm's theatres. It was while fulfilling this engagement that Miss Fleury made her hit as an imper-sonator of Daisy Jerome and other pro-

minent vaudeville stars. When Mr. Lawrance Johnson, the American ven-triloquist, came to Australia he was not long in recognising the little Hobart girl's undoubted abilities and he com-municated with a leading vaudeville manager in America, with the result that she was engaged for a long contract. Miss Fleury, in company with her mother, will leave for the States early next month. Her father (Mr. M. Fleury, was well known in Hobart football circles in what one remembered as the "good old days," and her uncle (Mr. Andy Fleury) was associated with amateur minstrel

shows, and was a mimic of no mean, order.

Michael, Peg's pet dog and companion, in "Peg o' My Heart, learnt his part in England before he came to Australia. He has now appeared so often in the play that he knows his cues as well as everybody else in the cast. He is a rough-haired Irish terrier. Several dogfanciers have offered good prices for him, but he is not for sale.

Mr. E. J. Tait showed conspicuous energy in his recent trip to America in search of plays for his firm. He was only in and about New York for a period of eleven weeks, and in that time he inspected over 70 plays, 25 picture theatres, a dozen or more concerts, and visited over 50 cities and towns. Even pushful Americans were amazed at his activity. He was called the "Non-Stop Australian" ,"The Tornado from DownUnder," and Winchell Smith, the dra-matist, dubbed him "The Hustling Kangaroo."

J. C. Williamson Ltd., who presented that wonderful film. "The "Birth of a Nation," are shortly to screen D. W. Griffith's latest spectacle. "Intolerance," which is said to be even more marvellous than his previous achievement. Gigantic settings distinguish the production. Thousands upon thousands of people, set against tremendous backgrounds, are handled with wonderful precision and perfection of detail. Mr. Griffith has rebuilt and peopled Babylon. He has recreated Judea in the days of the Nazarene. He has reconstructed Paris during the Middle Ages. In America the film is said to have created a sensation

exceeding that caused by "The Birth of

a Nation."

Mr. Henry Bracy, whose death took place in Sydney, was an English tenor, principally appearing in light operatic work. He first came into notice in Lon-don during the vogue of the light French operas of the Offenbach school. He came to Australia in the early seventies and appeared with great success in a series of productions at the old Opera House in Melbourne, under the management of Mr. W. S. Lyster. The pieces included "The Grand Duchess." "La Fille de Madame Angot," "Madame Favart,'

and "The Princess of Trebizoud." The leading lady of the company was Mr. Bracy's wife, professionally known as Miss Clara Thompson. She was a sister of Miss Lydia Thompson, the, noted London actress. During this time the company opened the Royal Princess's Theatre at Bendigo. After being in Australia for some years Mr. Bracy re-turned to England, and filled several en-gagements in that country and in Amer-ica. He subsequently came back to Australia, first appearing on the concert platform and later becoming permanent-ly attached to Mr. J. C. Williamson's companies. He was seen and heard in many Gilbert and Sullivan parts, such as Nanki Poo in "The Mikado," Colonel Fairfax in "The Yeomen of the Guard," one of the peers in "Iolanthe," and other tenor roles. Mr. Bracy was held in the highest esteem by Mr. Williamson, who retained his services principally as producer of light opera, and also as

chief adviser in the selection of vocal-ists. Several Australians who have achieved success in light opera owe it mainly to the wise judgment shown by the late Mr. Bracy. He was truly an artist, and productions that were under his direction were notable for their finish. His long services were rewarded by Mr. Williamson making him a special retiring allowance when he became un-able to continue, active work, and Mrs. J. C. Williamson was at his bedside when he answered his last call. Mr Bracy resided principally in Sydney. His son, Sydney, appeared in a number of light operas with the Williamson com- panies, and more recently appeared in America. Another son, Philip, was wounded at the front. Mrs. Bracy also

survives.

Two artists who have been exceedingly popular with Australian playgoers for some years will shortly leave for America, to seek a wider scope in the profession. These are Mr. Robert Greig and Miss Beatrice Holloway (Mrs. Greig). Mr. Greig, who is at present filling with great success the role of the sympathetic lawyer

in "The House of Glass" at Melbourne Theatre Royal, has indicated his versatil- ity by appearing in comedy, drama, and musical comedy with equal success. His last part in a musical play in Mel-bourne was in W. H. Rawling's role of Jeffreys, the lumber king, in the revival of "High Jinks." The comic waiter in "To-night's the Night," was another of his successful musical comedy perform-ances. Miss Beatrice Holloway has played a long series of ingenue roles in Australia; and has made several appear-ances in Hobart Theatre Royal. In South Africa she gained great success in a repertoire of comedies under the J. C. Williamson management, in which she was leading role lady. Mr. Greig taking the principal comedian's parts. Both will take with them the best wishes of a wide circle of friends on the stage and off.

Among the comely young actresses en- gaged for the J. and N. Tait production of "Very Good Eddie," which is to have its premiere at the Palace Theatre, Syd-ney, on February 10, are two attractive examples of American beauty in the persons of Lilian Tucker and Fayette Perry. Lilian Tucker is an arresting blonde with delicate features. Fayette Perry is a different type, though she is equally fair and charming.

Dion Titheradge, who appeared with his late father in the Margaret Anglin Company in Australia, is being mention-

ed with effusion in the American thea-trical papers. The young man aroused attention for some good work in a re-vival of "The Whip, at the Manhattan Theatre, New York. He has now achiev-ed further notice for a clever imper-sonation in Hartley Manners's new play, "The Harp of Life."* Manners, who visited Australia some years ago, is the author of "Peg o' My Heart," now mak- ing huge sums for him in various parts of the world.