STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 307, 27 December 1924, Page 18

STAGE JOTTINGS.

The Hugh J. Ward-Fuller Proprietary will have first-class compa'niea in New Zealand at Christmas time. The musical Comedy Company, playing "The O'Brien Girl," "Little Nellie Kelly," and "Tangerine," opened at His Majesty's Theatre, Wellington, on Boxing Day, and on the same night Mr. Seymour Hicks and his wife (Miss Ellaline Terriss) opened a season in Dunedin, the first production being "The Man in Dress Clothes." The J. C. Williamson holiday attractions in New Zealand include that powerful play, "East of Suez," in which Miss Muriel Starr and Mr. Frank Harvey opened at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, on Boxing Niglit, and the successful musical comedy, "A Southern Maid," with Miss Gladys Moncrieff in ' the title role, at His Majesty's Theatre, Aucklaud. Lily Denville, who arrived in Australia from London last week for the production of "Cinderella." has been both principal girl and principal "boy." This Will be her ninth pantomime. She began as one of the babes in the wood. Though Miss Denville lias always wanted to appear as Dandini, she has never had the opportunity until now. When Mr. Frank Neil saw her jierform in London lie at once oil'ered her the part of I'rince Charming's Valet, and was told that that was the engagement ehe always wanted. Just !»efore leaving for Australia Miss Denville was a single act at the Victoria Palace. She has done a lot of vaudeville work, and sonic time .ago toured South Africa. When Maurice Moacovitch first played 'The Merchant of Venice ,, in English he knew no words other than those in the text. When lie was in Johannesburg recently lie visited tne mines, and , the native workers obtained permission ; tii entertain him with a war dance. Then the cliief made him a presentation. Mr. Muscovitch caused a. sensation by briefly thanking the company in the language of the Zulus—he had learned the words from a TCand official. But the next surprise was for the actor. He was politely asked to give a performance of "The Merchant of Venice" in the native tonguo. A clever young acress, Gertie Cremer. will be Jessica in "The Merchant of Venice," says the "Melbourne Herald," l of December 18. This will mark her first appearance in a Shakespearian play. Until this week Miss Cremer had no idea that she would play this role, or that she would be in Maurice Moscovitch's company. One day she received a letter, asking her to sec the famous Russian actor. He invited her to read the part of Jessica, and in a few minutes indicated that she would have it. Next day she was word perfect. At this time last year Miss Cremer was told to be Ada Reeve's under-study in Aladdin, and she went to New Zealand with the pan- , tomime company. When Fred Niblo was ! in Australia, Miss Cremer did much good work under his direction. This artist ( has also been conspicuous in musical pro- > ductions. She was Little Australia in ' the first revue, "Come Over Here," with Daisy Jerome. Miss Cremer was born on the stage. Her father, A. Brandon- I Cremer. is an active figure as a producer, manager and actor, and her mother, Kathleen Arnold, spent mainy years in prominent roles. A woman 'cellist—and these are rare —of Australian birth has lately come to the front in London, Miss Bessie Griffiths, the youngest of a trio of talented artists. Her recital given at the Aeolian Jlall on October 31 was of unusual interest, as this well-known Australian 'cellist has not played in London for some time. She lias been much engaged on the Continent, having given recitals in Paris, Munich, and playing with great Buccese in Berlin, Home, etc. Miss Griffiths was invited to play in Vienna, but her engagements did not permit of her going there, but she will do so later. In Paris she played for the first time (by request of Joseph Salmon) a fine concerto by Auber, newly discovered and re-edited by Salmon, and she repeated the concerto in London on Thursday. It is a fine and very interesting work, the andante is particularly beautiful, and was played with tenderness and charm, and the brilliant first movement and gay finale (rondo) were finely played. Miss Griffiths has a surprising technique and a beautiful tone. A sonata of Tartini — Salmon, two original and beautiful caprices of Franchomme full of difficulties, and a caprice of Servais and tourbillon of De Munck were included in a most I interesting programme. Mias Griffiths ! had an enthusiastic and appreciative j audience, and was deluged with flowers. I She was assisted by Miss Mary Copner, I whose true, clear and sympathetic j soprano voice was henrd to great effect ' in songs of Handel, Purcell and Deluis. j Harold Craxton was, as usual, a fine ' accompanist. i It rarely happens that any interest is taken on this side in the many pieces j which ilicker out after a few performances during the London season, says the "Sydney Daily Telegraph." An exception to the rule presents itself, however, in the ease of '"The Royal Visitor"' at His 'Majesty's Theatre, deserted by the public at the end of the first week, when the big playhouse closed down. The new piece was the first produced by Oscar Asche upon his return from Australia, and the venture was under the direction of George Cirossmith and J. A. E. Malonc, two of the most experienced managers in London. Put on in the most lavish manner, and translated from '"Le Roi" (by Robert de Flours), which had a great success in Paris, the new piece ■' quite failed to please. The main faults seem to have been that in bowdlorising the French, the English version became dull, and the mass of playgoers, remembering Mr. Asche's four'or five years' run with "Cliv Chin Chow" on the same stage, expected a musical comedy. This impression was heightened by the appearance of Mr. Grossmith arid Yvonne Arnaud, both identified with tlie lio-hter form of entertainment, the latter beinnof note as the original Suzanne in "The Girl in the Taxi." The plot had to do with Roudier (Mr. Asche), a wealthy socialist deputy and vulgarian, who is being coached in manners by a famous actress (Diana Uilson), and becomes the guest of Kin? John of Kurdania (Malcnlm Keen). Mr. Grossmith essayed a pleasing musical comedy character a3 a comic detective in many disuses and MdUe. Arnaud had a part she could have mad p something of if allowed to sin" and dance. Diana Wilson was favourably reviewed, and another artist recently here ™ Anew Monaster, yet a third was George Ide and Dorothy Seacombe also had a part. Indeed, the failure is unfortunate for all concerned in a cast of nineteen characters.