THE STAGE IN SYDNEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE STAGE IN SYDNEY.

PLAYS AND PLAYERS. (From a Correspondent.) SYDNEY, March 24. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Gerald are contemplating an early departure fir a trip to America. They arc taking with them Miss Phyllis Du Barry, whose work first attracted notice when she danced at the Wentworth cafe cabarets. She was latterly in the "Xo, No, Nanette"' company. where her youthful brightness and vivacity made her most popular.

"The Trial of Mary Dugan" is still thrilling playgoers. Apart from the general caste, who all fill their parts with great skill, there is an actress whoso name doc-s not appear on the program in e, who creates the atmosphere before the play starts in a most realistic manner. It is a happy-go-lucky part, '"a part without words," and she suits her business to the weather. She is the charwoman, who drifts on and off casually for the attention of those who

get to the theatre early. The curtain is tip and a court room is set. She scrubs the steps, and on hot nights, even has a doze on them. It is apparent that she saves the reading of the paper for the evening performance. It is an ingenious idea, this leaving of the f cleaning till the patrons arrive, and this woman's mop and bucket, feather-duster work, is no make believe. *

Many L>rown-eyed people frequently wish they had blue eyes, and vice Versa, but it is not given to many to see how they would look il their wink came true. The opportunity has comc to Miss Irene Vanbrugh, however. Her luminous brown eyes are perhaps her greatest attraction, but her photograph, taken at a leading photographer's, is exhibited in colour in his show-case, and she is shown with eyes as blue as mountain gentians. "Hurtling Hinkler" was introduced into the score of "The Girl Friend" on the gala night given in honour of Mr. Bert Hinkler,. Australia's idolised "Eng-land-to-Australia in-sixteen-days" hero. Her Majesty's was turned into a veritable bower of flowers, with miniature aeroplane motifs, for the occasion, and the hero of the night bravely bore the ordeal of facing a spotlight which revealed him to a wildly cheering house. Not the least enjoyable item on the programme was when the chorus girl? seized the little man md carried him round the stage. He is a most unassuming little man, and chatting with (Jus Bluett after the performance, remonstrated with him for saying "Mr. Hinkler." "Oh, fjo on," he said, "1 call you (Jus. (.'all me Bert."

Annie Croft, the "Ciirl Friend," and her husband, who is besides, her leadin** man, is enjoying with him the thrill ol harbour lishing. Revelling in Syduey'.s flooding sunshine, and with luck on their side, the result is often a catch with as many as 50 in it. The other members of the company urge them to continue their sport, because a pile of fish is frequently brought down to the theatre for principals and chorus to help themselves. ' Take The Air,'' the Empire's latest show, has plenty of dancing, Maurice Diamond having drilled his corps do ballet relentlessly in their ensembles and chorus numbers. The theatre's manager, Mr. Rufe Xaylor, is still ill, bavin" recently gone under an operation. Miss Audrey Lewis, the diminutive Sidney Xirl is again starred, and Bobby ,'larvis proves an a bio entertainer in both comedy and dancing. At the first night" of the Grand Opera season, stars watched stars. Rosita Silvestri took the principal part in "Jl Trovatore," anfl in a box. exquisitely gowned, the cynosure of all eyes, were Henkina and Flor (of Russia and Denmark respectively). Sir Benjamin Fuller, in a speech after the performance, introduced them to the audience, with a wave of his hand.

The three Cherniavsky Brothers, whose peregrinations bring them periodically to Australasia, reaped praise from severe critics on their improvement since last playing here On the Sunday after their arrival they were the guests (with the wives of Leo and ,7an, Mrs. Misehel betng m Canada) of the Kretschmann v to note that °?f dl ® husbands had climbed reluctantly into dress clothes for the occasmn and th &t the guests of honour, no doubt relishing a change and having been told to please themselves, came in lounge suits and soft collars When the Regent Theatre'opened its doors for the first time, crowds flocked Sv f) l . \ ga a ( ight arran Sed to help Sjdney* hospitals. Bryon Bidwill, of aneelateb °™te prologue, in which Gildi Pattini is one of the singers. One of the most noticeable figures on a strikingly modern night of gaiety, was Miss Nellie Stewart. She t • a9 tnn Wlt]l , bf daughter, Mrs. Mayne f nd she brou ? ht a touch of vessilk mitten, mm " S - * P ' i '' ot "Caroline" suits Irene Vanbrugh to b. e^ eC +v AS the su dd e nly-widowed iady with three men who love her, she gets the utmost fun out of their change of manner when each discovers that she is within reach. For to have been out of reach has been, for them, her chief . ,^ 1S ® p judence playa naturally fIVJ. ® fnend who simply could not let the course of true love run smooth without trying to oil its wheels with suggestions and encouragement to lagging lovers. ° Mike" Connors and Queenii Paul, well known on the Fuller circuit, are established as successors to Jim Gerald with \ 0f Notions " Revue Company at Fuller s city theatre. Their chief fun-maker is Syd Beck, whose auimal imitations never fail to evoke roars of laughter.