STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 226, 24 September 1927, Page 22

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Guy Bates Post has the script and rights of "The Mandarin Coat," a comedy by Isabel Handley, a Melbourne woman. If he does not dare a second venture in London after the failure of "The Climax," he will possibly use it for his opening piece oh his return to America. A Melbourne man has received a letter from Franz Lehar, in which he says he is most interested in all the accounts he hears of Gladys Monchieff in hie plays. "I think she ought to make a big effort to go to Vienna and sing for Mm," he writes. "Lehar has a new play called 'Gigolette,' a lighter and gayer musical piece than most of hie, which she would do admirably."

At last definite dates have been arranged for some of the principal J. C. Williamson attractions coming to Auckland during the next few months. Included in the list are two of the greatest musical euccesses—the beautiful and spectacular "Rose Marie,* , and the everpopular Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, including "Ruddigore." Auckland dates are: Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, November 29 to December 8; "The Cradle Snatchers," November 12 to 19; "Rose Marie," December 21 to January 4. It is doubtful whether a better piece could have been chosen for the Christmas week attraction.

"King Henry VOL," with which the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company will commence their Auckland season on October 1, had not previously been produced in New Zealand until the play was introduced during Mr. Wilkie'a present tour of the Dominion. In Australia it was last staged over 45 years ago, end it has been presented in England only four times in the past 70 years. The reason for the rarity of the production of "King Henry VUL," Mr. Wilkie thinks, is the enormous expense entailed in its presentation, a circumstance which pays a handsome tribute to Mr. Wilkie's own enterprise. The play is of a spectacular type, the grandeur of the court of the Tudor period calling for elaborate costuming and magnificent settings. To lend correct atmosphere to the drama Mr. Wilkie has introduced old English songs and dances of the period. Hie company now comprises over thirty performers, including some new English actors and actresses who have had extensive experience in Shakespearean production in England.

Walter Bentley, who died in Sydney a few days ago, had an adventurous career, both off the stage and on. Hie real name was William Begg, and he was born in Edinburgh and educated for the ministry. At the age of 17 he ran away to sea, and at 18 left his ship at Sydney and went cattle droving. At 21 he was in Dunedin, and it was there that his success as an amateur actor led to his adoption of the stage as a profession. After experience in New Zealand he went to England, and played with Irving. In 1891 he returned to Australia and New Zealand, and most of his subsequent life was spent there. To the present generation the name of Walter Bentley is unknown, but to men and women in or approaching middleage it recalls many happy evenings at the play. Bentley was a versatile actor, though perhaps if the writer of this little tribute could see him act again he would vote him heavy. The writer remembers him in "Hamlet" "David Garrick," "Richelieu," "The Merchant of Venice," "Othello" (in which he played lago and dominated the play to an almost absurd degree), **Dr Bill," "Friends," and "The Silver King." All of these were played in the old Opera House in Wellesley Street, and some of them were seen from the noisome pit. Bentley played Hamlet with so pronounced a Scottish accent that the "Bulletin" asked if Shakespeare were a Scotsman; but his performance was impressive. The writer remembers very vividly being in the front row of the pit when Bentley played "Richelieu," a drama of Bulwer Lytton's, which held the stage for many years, but now has gone the way of its even more popular brother "The Lady of Lyons." A wooden partition divided pit from stalls, and the enthusiastic pittite could make a gorgeous row by kicking it. When Richelieu caller , down on his enemies the curse of Rome —one of the most effective "curtaine" of the kind ever devised—l kicked hard. Those days! Do the "movies" ever provide euch thrills?

The prize this week goes to W.EJX, 65, Vermont Street, for:— YOU ARE. A "hard boiled" citizen walked into a North Auckland hotel and purchased "goods" to the value of 5/6, for which he tendered 5/. "You're sixpence short," remarked the proprietor. "No, I'm not," answered the purchaser. "Yes, you are/ , persisted the proprietor. "No, Tm not, you are," replied the sophisticated one, amidst mirth.

GREAT CONCERN. "I'm nearly sure that's an old friend of mine sitting at that table over there." "Then why don't you speak to him?" "I'm afraid to, because he's so shy that he would feel quite awkward if it turned out to be another man after all." AMBIGUOUa Brown: "During my stay in Edinburgh I was frequently impressed with the great fuss the Scotch make over Burns and Knox." Jones: "Well, you surprise me, old chap. I always understood that the average Scot was euch a hardy individual that he ould barely wince even during an amputation." KILLING BY KINDNESS. "You don't seem to get on with my mince pies, George," she said, with tears in her eyes. "I would not allow Jane to cook them, but made them myself." "Darling, you shouldn't," George protested. "You will kill me with your little kindnesses." HELPING BABY. Jack's frequent efforts to help with the baby were often unsuccessful. ' "Jack," came mother's voice from upstairs, "what on earth are you doing with the baby?" "Oh," came tLe answer resignedly, "he couldn't eat his bread and milk, eo I put grandma's false teeth in his mouth, and still he's not satisfied,"

THE ONLY "GENTLEMAN." Dr. Franklin, when last in England, used pleasantly to repeat an observation of his negro servant, when the doctor was making the tour of Derbyshire, Lancashire and other places: "Everything work in this country, massa. Water work, wind work, fire work, smoke work, dog work, man work, woman work, bullock work, horse work, aes work, everything work here but the hog. He eat, he drink, he sleep, he do nothing all day; the hog he the only gentleman in England."

WELL ARMED. "Tee," remarked Jenkins, "I gave it to him straight, I can tell you; told him exactly what I thought of him—and a bit more, perhaps. Bigger than me? ,, he continued, noting the look of interrogation on Robson'a face. "Yes, I should think he was; and he's got a temper like "I know he has," eaid Robeon; "and that a what puzzles me. D'you mean to say he didn't try to go for you and hurt you?" Jenkins shrugged his shoulders. "Really, I can't tell you," he sighed "You see, when I'd finished all I had to say, I hung up the telephone-receiver and walked away!"

PLEASED HIM? Golfers were a novelty in the neighbourhood, and the visitor, who, laden with clubs, made his way through a side street, was surprised by a local lady barring his path. "You be late," she said sternly, "but you be spruce enough." Rural familiarity, thought the golfer bo he replied pleasantly that he thought he would be in time for one round. "Ah, but there be a couple," answered the lady, "the parlour and the kitchen." "Parlour and kitchen?" gasped the astonished golfer. "Ay!" was the reply. "Bain't you come to sweep the chimneys?"

IMPORTANT. The parenta of little Ethel had ideas on the rearing of their child, and ineisted on trying to carry them out. One evening, just after tea, Ethel ran into the dining room, her little face ablaze with excitement. Father sat reading his newspaper, while mother was mending the stockings. "Oh, mummy," burst out Ethel, "mav I eay something?" J "No, Ethel," said mother firmly. "You know it is against the rule to talk when daddy is reading. You must wait till he has finished." To make the lesson more effective, rather went on for some time. Then he laid down the paper and asked, "Now dear, what is it you wanted to say I" ' Wffc i ,!?'' ™ atter m uch now," said Ethel coldly. "I only wanted to say that 1 couldn't turn off the bath tap, ana an the water's running down the stairs."

"Sir, I am a self-made man." "Baßvt Who interrupted you?" *i Fred: Rachel eays she intends fa. keep her youth. " Bessie: I know; she never Hrnjt—i him to anybody. Landlady (ae a fork accideatafly hi. on the floor): Ah! That tfcert a stranger coming. *^*» Boarder (tired of continual faVL Perhaps it'B the butcher. Mistress: Why don't you lku <&. fire? "• Maid: Because there ain't bo eoaL Mistress: Why didn't yon u± L. know before? * ■ m - Maid: Because we 'ad soma befon. Oldest Inhabitant of Village (caetthw to tourist) : Yes, sir, I be ninetr-in? an* if it hadn't been for atrikaiiiatt this 'ere putting back o' the ckxfcl reckon I'd be a hundred by now^^ There was just enough poddnv far two, so mother divided it betweeaßalav and Mary. "Mother," said Bobby/aS a pause, "I can't enjoy my pettier while you haven't any. I wiskina would take Mary's.** *^ Mr. West and his wife had ipiinaU at breakfast. He arrived home at night with a parcel under his arm. TJarGa? he said to his life partner, "lookktratVt' got something here for the perse* I \ em best in all the world." "What is itr alt asked. **A new pipe I" " " "My engagement to Barry- a eofr 1 sort of mutual understanding. ,, "That means yoa can break it off | you want to?" . "Oh, sure!" "But supposing he breaks ft oft* "Then HI sue him for breach of pa, mise." *^

—"Humorist" (Londean)

Never Iβ Doubt "Does she have her own way mad? , "11l say she does! She writes «p fctf diary a week ahead of time." Worse. Ardent Prohibitionist: What is ikon, my friends, that causes more maerj than drink? A voice: Thirst. No Questions Asked. "My wife never asks me where I ffifi "You don't say so!" "Yes, she's always with me to see for herself!" ••-=-» The Beauty Spots. Tourist: Tell me, which are the eMrf beauties of the neighbourhood a toaret should not miss? Maid at "The Jolly Ptougaboy* , Well, cur, there be Farmer HMgrti young widdy down at Appletree lexm, and some folks reckon oi bunt so hsl* lookin* meeelf.

Only a Mistake. A young lady was confessing to id old Irish priest. She said there to ow sin she had committed so terribly tfcst she did not like to confess it. But At priest insisted, and at last she said: I look into my looking-glass every ing and say, "You are getting piettbtf and prettier." The old man then erclaimed: That is not a sin, my ebfldj it is only a mistake. HopefuL A young woman went into a stationsri shop in a country town and asked to we some notepaper. After selecting what she desired, she hesitated for a monwjk "Do you make any reduction to clergymen 1" she asked. "Certainly, madam," said the station* "Are you a clergyman's wife?" "N-no," replied* the girL "Ahl a clergyman's daughter?" gested the stationer. mm~-"N-no," was the hesitating reply. Tie she leaned across the counter and •{Wβ in a confidential whisper: "But ij nothing happens I shall soon be engaged to a theological student."