STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 22

STAGE JOTTINGS.

The spectacular totem pole dance in "Rose Marie," the great J. C. Williamson musical comedy coming to New Zealand, is described as one of the most bewildering novelties ever presented on the stage. "The movements are wonderful," said a Wellington resident, who witnessed the production in Sydney," and the lighting and grouping are mos,t effective. I had to rub my eyes at times to satisfy myself I was not in dreamland. It was glorious."

Well known to Aucklanders is Miss Nelle Dean, who was last seen here playing a leading part in that big musical comedy success, "No No Nanette." Miss

)ean is a Sydney irl, and is the aughter of Mr. feorge Dean, a well uoivn variety artst over the other ide. Last year Miss >ean was with the 'hil Smith Revue 'ompany on the 'uller circuit. Her :ork lias improved remcndously since *'*"*"' •"=«•»• then, and all her friends here will be pleased to see her doing so well. It is understood that she has been signed up by Hie Fullers for a further 12 months after the tour of the "Nanette" company. Miss Dean started her career six years ago. She is only a little over 20, but has made the most of every opportunity.

William Macaulay, who has one of the leading roles in "The Best People," which opens at His Majesty's to-night under the direction of E. .7. Carroll, is seen as the conservative old uncle of a very modern nephew and up-to-the-minute niece. He has been on the stage all his life. He lived in a more or less theatrical atmosphere almost from babyhood, having been mothered by Rose Watkins, an old. friend of the family, when his mother died. After playing juvenile parts for some time he graduated to hero voles, and eventually the heavy lead. He played opposite Florence Reid and Mary Boland in dramatic productions in New York, and was also associated with Jules Jordan of "Potash and Perlmutter" fame. "Classmates," "Fine Feathers" and "The Bird of Paradise" are other well-known productions in which he has played on Broadway.

William Macaulay, who lias one of the lending roles in "The Best People," which opens at His Majesty's to-night under the direction of B. J. Carroll, is seen as the conservative old uncle of a very modern nephew and up-to-the-minute niece. Ho has been on the stage all his life. He lived in a more or less theatrical atmosphere almost from babyhood, having been mothered by Rose Watkins, an old ■ friend of the family,

Tlio complaint that a ''song ring," composed of American and Jewish publishers, who deliberately refuse to publish the work of English and Dominion composers in order that the marxeimay be flooded with American danc; tunes, is made in England. One ma.i complained that he had submitted over 100 numbers to one firm, and had sent scores to many other firms. The only result was, in one word—failure. A certain firm, which had asked specifically for numbers which should be new and good, accepted the number which was the shortest, and the composer referred to paid £•> towards the cost of publication. "They said the song needed revision," complained the composer, ''but the only revision it got was never found on sale in opposition to the original. They were identical." A working man wrote that ho and his partner have a score of completed numbers, tTio. majority of which have been accepted for publication by well-known London publishers, who, however, require a certain amount towards the cost of publication, which usually ranges from £7 to £10. A third contributor said: "Most of the song writers are tied up to various firms, and those who will not accept the syndicates' terms are either barred or 'pushed out' of the game—probably black-listed." The same complaint has been wailed, written, and moaned by thousands of composers, or would-be composers, since music began, but still Demos rules. Possibly it is that Demos, judging the public fancy by the pocket, knows best. On the other hand, he may not.

There is a most intriguing and amusing plot in '"Polly With a Past,"' by George Jliddleton and Guy Bolton, to he introduced to New Zealand at Wellington shortly. The three bachelor friends who discover Unit their handsome domestic possesses exceptional musical and educational talents, and decide that she is a lady who must be waited upon rather than be allowed to wait, are delightful fellows. Then the guileless millionaire, Ttcx Van Zile, arrives on the scene, and Polly, to free him from the clutches of Myrtle Davis engrossed id "rescue work," poses as Pauletlc, a French adventuress with a lurid past. She wears gowns as startling as her history, and when introduced to the aristocratic Van Zile family, startles them with her outspoken remarks. Next Myrtle appears with Stiles, a more or less reformed drunkard, who recognises Polly as the- accomplished daughter of the Baptist minister in his home town. The advent of Prentice Van Zile with his "dictionary," as he calls his cheque book—"the only language you ladies understand" —leads to further complications and many humorous situations, but Polly holds the fort, defeats the machinations of her enemies, and is eventually acclaimed as the simple, honest girl she really is. Hiss Pence Kelly, the famous London star, plays the principal character with charming abandon and an alluring grace, wears some startling gowns, and generally gives evidence that she is one of the most accomplished and versatile of actresses. She will be supported by a specially chosen company of highgrade artists." "The last of Mrs. Cheney," "Brown Sugar," and "Daddy Longlegs." will also be played by the same company. In the last-mentioned production Hiss Kelly will appear as Judy, the part she created in the London production.