Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Wednesday 6 March 1918, page 12


MR. E. J. TAIT'S ARRIVAL.

.-A-.

. STAR ARTISTS AND

COMPANIES.

The central result of Mr. E. J. Tait's absence of seven months in America is the engage-ment of two starring artists, Mr. Guy Bates Post and Miss Emelie Polini, who will visit this country with separate companies and pieces during the next few weeks.

"The Mas.jucrader," tho play in which Mr. Post has become famous, has 'recently com-pleted its long lun at the Booth Theatre, and tho xvbolo company is noxv filling In six weeks on the Subway Circuit of Now York across tho water, the schemo being arranged so as to enable the principal supporting artists to reach Australia with the star shortly. The leading lady throughout tho New York season, Thais Lawton, has been engaged by J. and N. Tait, as well as Lionel Belmore (a brother of the Daisy Belmore who came hore with Wilson Barrett), Adele Ritchie, Ruby Gordon, Milano Tilden, and Husklo, tho police hound. "The Masqucrader," founded on Miss Thurston'B novel "Mr. Chllcote, M.P.," ran 14 weeks in Boston, nnd 20 In Now York, largely owing to tbo dramatic strength and personal charm of Mr. Post, whose dual role keeps him almost constantly on the stage. Mr. Tait was so keen upon tho new piece that he first saw it on November 1, and had the con-tract signed on December 4 with all difficul-ties overcome. The other star artist en-gaged for a second company is Miss Polinl, an English actress of distinction, who has created several leading characters in modern comedy during her three or four years' stay In America, and was playing lead In "Yes or No" In New York at the time she signed a contract for Australia. This artist is also at home in such dramatic roles as Nellie Dener, Glory Quayyle, Sunday, and Fanny ("Hindle Wakes"). Miss Polinl will open in mid-April In "De Luxe Annie," 'a mystery drama, which Mr. Tait describes as "full of thrills and kicks which keep an audience guessing till tho final fall of the curtain." This lady will bring with her Mr. Harrison Lee and Miss Georgia Harvey for special

roles.

Harry Lauder has definitely signed again with J. and N. Tait for a second visit to Australia, and will bo seen here noxt yenr. Mr. Tait met the Scottish laird, whose Joy in his great ostate was darkened by tho death of his only son at tho front in France, at tho Lexington Opera House (N.Y.). The tbeatro seats 3,600 people, but it was sold out every night. After every performnnco Lauder made wonderful speeches about the war, so that there was hardly a dry eye in the house, appealing for Red Cross funds, And bp!'Ipi Liberty bonds. During flvo months Mr. Tait saw 116 different pieces, occasionally going to morning mntlneos (10.30), and eventually he secured additional to those al-ready named Walter Hnckett's "The Invisible Foe" (staged In London by H. B. Irving), and two popular Bunshlne comedies, "Mother Carey's Chickens" and "Old Lady 31." One of the strangest sights that astonished "Llttlo Old New York" during the visitor's stay was "The Great White Way" (Broadway) In complete darkness by order from Washington. Thnro were llghtless nights every week from mld-Janunry, nnd all theatres were closed on Tuesdoy so as to keep up the coal supply for transports and the Ü.F. A. Navy. "Nothing testified moro Impressively to America s de-termination to win the war," concluded Mr. Tait, "than the patriotic ardour with which those necessary orders were obeyed."