STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

The "Rio Eita" season comes io an end at St. James* Theatre next Thursday night. On the following evening Nicola, the master magician, will commence a short season. This will be followed bv the Jim Gerald Revue Company. Gerald is a popular entertainer and it is anticipated that with a weekly change, the company will carry on until well after Christmas, A playgoer at Melbourne, who called around at the stage door in the interval of "Show Boat," to ask Colin Crane for a photograph, paid the yOung Australian a splendid compliment when lie said that he had never seen a more realistic representation of a coloured man given by a whitp actor. "l'v& been in the United States for years," he said, "including Harlem and Kentucky, and know all the types," One of the features of the performance of "Show Boat" is Colin Crane's rendering of "01' Man River," which recurs throughout the play. He puts into it,that strange note of wist-fulness,-of yearning, that few artists other than those of tie coloured race are ablo to impart to it.

A unique tribute to lie popularity was paid Marshall Crosby, of the George Wallace Company, during a season in Perth, Australia. Crosby was a member of a revue company playing there, and his genial personality and undoubted ability had made him a prime favourite with audiences. So popular, indeed, did he become that when the Fuller organisation announced its intention of moving hi in to another part of Australia a deputation of seven members of Parliament waited on the management with a request that Marshall's season be extended. In face of this striking indication of public feeling, the request was acceded to, and he was permitted to Teinain in Perth for several months longer, "A Scrape o' the Pen," the Scottish comedy by Graham Moffat, will be presented by the St. Andrew's Society, commencing next Thursday, at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall. Graham Moffat wrote and played two "of the most successful comedies ever presented on the English stage, namely, "Bunty Pulls the Strings" and "A Scrape o' the Pen," the latter, if anything, being the more successful of the two, as it is still being played in British provinces. Members of the society are going to great pains to make the production a success. New scenery is being built and new dresses designed.

Mr, Kenneth Brampton will direct tlie production. An excellent cast has been gathered together. They are.: Flora McGilp, Rita W. MacCullay; Eppie Oliphant Inglis, Margaret H. Bruce; Mrs. Baikie,- Margaret Howie; Geordie Pow, George G. Spicer; Hugh Menzies, Alex A. Murray; A. Shepherd, W. Leggat; Matta Inglis, Jas. Swam; Leezie Inglis, I Betty Budge; Jean Lowther or-Menzies, Lilian Lugton; Peter Dalkeith, Gordon Spence; T&ffy Knot, Mollie Bruce; Miss Pringle, Isabelle MacCullay; Beenie Scott, Winifred Russell; Alec Inglis, John Shields; Bridesmaid, Margaret Lee. Women are certainly more careless than men, to judge from the number of articles they leave behind in theatres. Handkerchiefs', umbrellas, purses, handbags, opera glasses and spectacle cases compose most of this lost property, al-1 though such oddities as a complete set of false teeth, one patent shoe, one silk stocking,, and a bundle of love letters were discovered at one theatre. One night a woman left a child on a theatre seat in order that she might speak to a friend, and at the end of the perfoimance was walking out, wh6n sli6 exclaimed: "My goodness, I have left my child! ' Rushing back she found the child "in charge" as lost property. For some time past (saya the "Dun6din Star") theatregoers in Dunedin nave been afforded considerable pleasure S,T-„- „ novcl of the Phillips family—four very promising young artists who should do well in the world of entertainment. The oldest of the quartet is Nada, the pianist, who is |.tour teen; Maureen, well-known for her cornet playing, is thirteen; Eddie,' the vigorous young fiddler, is nine, while Irevor, the youngest and most amusing lit ,T\ 18 only two - There is a wealth of talent in the novel act of these youngsters, and their performances are mnnX P ° PUlar " In reeen <= months they have scored signal successes in the centres of Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Under the Guidance of Mrs. Phillips, they may shortly embaik upon a more serious programme. Mr. Leslie Faber, actor-manager, whose death was announced recently, stated on his return _ to London from a tour in the United States last year, that the American stage was superior to the British because it was alive and enterprising, Ho was born at Newcastle-on-Ijne in 18/0, and was educated privately. He made his first stage appearance in 181)8 as a member of F R Ben son's company and "appeared in London tor the first time in 1900. His first appearance in New York was in 1900' at the Hudson Theatre in "The Hypo-' ? rit « s " 1911 Je again appeared here m th« "Witness for tlie Defence." Mr ;Fabcr, while playing in America during 1915 ,in "Diplomacy," left to join the English Army., He rose to the rank of major. He was captured on the western front in 1918 and remained a prisoner in Germany until the close ot the war. Since his re'turn to the sta°\j in 1919, Mr. ; I a her had played Tti numerous productions. He was last seen in New York in the role of Count Pahlen, in "The Patriot," staged by Gilbert Miller. He left a wife, Winifred Arthur Jones, actress and daughter of the dramatist, Henry Arthur Jones. Mr. Faber was scheduled to return to the' United States during the coming season to appear in St. John Irvine's comedy "The First Mrs. Eraser," with Grace' 'George.

The prize this week goes to R. Gordgc, Papakurr, for: HIS FIRST SHOT. • Two Irishmen joined the Navy, and the first boat they were put 911 was one with 12-inch gims. One day when all was quiet dn deck, Pat said to Mike: "Shall 'we try a shot with the big gun." "Shure," said Mike. "Roight," said Pat, "put a sack over the muzzle to muffle the sound, and sit on it while I press the trigger." "Bang," there was- a terrible report and everyone rushed on deck. "What did you do that for and where is Mike?" exclaimed the officer. "Well, sir," said Pat, "if he comes back as quick as he went he will be yer any minute." VISIBILITY. Grandmother: When I was a girl we. used to keep our money in our stocking tops. Granddaughter: But how risky to put it just -where it could be seen. MOST EFFICIENT. Mrs. Jones: Aren't you afraid the birds will eat your seeds ? You should put up a scarecrow. Mrs. Brown: Oh, it's not worth it. There's always one of us in the garden; KNOWS HIS RIBS. "Which do you like better, balloon tyres or high-pressure tyres?" "I like balloon tyres better," "What kind of a car do you have?" "I don't have any, I'm a pedestrian."

A NICE NAME. Two men were discussing horse, racing, and one remarked 011 the inappropriate names often given to horses.. . "If I had a racehorse I should choose a fitting name,"' he said. , "I should call it 'Money.'" "But that's absurd." ': . "Well, do you know anything that goes faster?" A GOOD JUDGE. Two men were hotly discussing a certain novel. Finally, one of them, himself an author, smd to the other: "No, old Man, you can't appreciate it. You've never written a book yourself." "Granted," retorted 'he other mail. "I never laid an egg either, but I'm a better judge of an omelet than any'hen in the world." • OR A CALAMITY? Teacher: Who can teit me the meaning of the word collision? , W""c: When two things come tu;;'ether th'c book says that's a collision. Teacher: That, is right, Willie, And now you may "give the,class an example, of a collision. -. „ Willie (studies a minute, theu): Twins. . '/- /... : *•■'. '■ . . j , T ;. . . . ... .'.v. /;■ , SELF-DEFENCE. An Irishman had been abroad for a "number of years, and was visiting his brother's home. "Man, Barney!" lie exclaimed. "What a fine family of boys you ! ve got. Five big strapping lads, and every one bigger than yourself. Had you any trouble in the rearing of them at all?" "Divil a bit," answered Barney. "Oi've niver had to raise my hand to one <of them —except in self-defence." NOTHING TO PAY. A Jewish footballer was playing in his first important game, and one halfback he was up against had not been too particular how he handled the chosen one. After receiving a kick on the shin, a nice black eye, etc., the Jew said: "Look here, my boy, if you don't stop knocking me about I'll sue you. for damages." "Why sue me for damages," said the half-back, "when you are getting ,thfem for nothing?" '■> DOWN TO THE SEA IN SLIPS. Norman (on holiday), to shrimper, standing, net in hand, on a stoile in the water: You don't seem to know how to catch shrimps. Shrimper (angrily): Go away! I'm not asking your advice. Norman: Well, I know a good bit about it, but (grinning' and pointing down as the wet and woeful face of shrimper appears after an unpremeditated backward dive) perhaps you're right—there may be better ones deeper down. THE BISHOP—A WORM. There was a bishop, a most auetere man, who was so very good, theoretically, that he could not permit the smallest failing in others to pass unnoticed. One fateful day he detected his small page in the act of kissing one of the pretty maids, then, when accused of the crime, of adding thereto falsehood, for he denied having touched the girl. "Wretched boy!" exclaimed the bishop. "Who is it that sees and hears all we do, and befoi'e whom even I am as a wretched worm?" "My lord/' replied the page, "'tis the misfeus."

Teacher (taking class in Scripture). > What is absolution? . with PU: The StUff J ° U mcud P unc W * Two business men were sitting to " £ gether in a cinema watching a crook 4 •<*' film, when one turned round to the other ;: and said: "Abe, I forgot to close' tW safe when we left the office." The other replied: "Well,. that's all right, ain't it? We're both here." Two small boys were walking alon® ' a street when, on passing a church, one' • was overheard to say to the other: "I ' say, .Tim, why do they put a cock on a church spire inslrs-i of a hen?" ' - "Don't know why? Well, because it would be too far to fetch the eggs!" •' , An actor arriving in a little country , town was looking over souk rooms, and- & inclining to be fussy, inquired: "Are you ' , sure the sheets are clean?" "Clean," cried the landlady, . indiffnantly, "of course they are. They've 1 only just come from the laundry. Feel ' them yourself, they're still damp." "What is the cause of lumbasa. father?" • :...... . "Too late hours and too much drink- i" 'k ing," replied the clergyman, severely. . "These are the only causes, and, had you taken my advice, you would not be -ia this painful state." : "Oil, I'm all right, father. It was the Bishop I was anxious about. I see in the paper that he is suffering from lum- •. bago." » 'ijHe (returning from long journey).! . "And pray, how did you feel during my-, M' absence? You will have missed me .very . '»». much?" ' '..v, She: "Oh, no! Every night I• teotf some of your old clothes and scattered them about the floor, then I burnt a ' few cheap cigars in your study, trampled u mud out of the street all over the stairs; . . then it felt just as if my 6weet, darling j husband were at home." - . . .: v J * ommomm umm o-mn-o-mmibm—u mm n—nmmif mm v mmu »uw t '

Proof. Street Musician: Do you think people can liear lis? ' * " Second Musician: Yes, somebody's just shut a window. Unnecessary. * t Lady (engaging maid): As for your evenings out, I cm prepared to meet, yoix half way., , Maid: No need, to do that, ma'am. ■My-young man'll see me to the gate. His Mistake. A man who shot and wounded a saxophone player one night pleaded that h« thought it waf a cat. "But you musr.'t even shoot a. cat," said the magistrate. "I thought this one was very ill* pleaded the man. ' '1. A Bit Thick. Miss Vane: I know lie was talking to you about me. Now, wasn't he? Miss Spite: Well, yes. Miss Vane: I thought I. heard him remark that I had a thick head of hair. Miss Spite: Partly correct. He didn't. mention your hair/however. How Do You Say "Beer"? Two friends were talking over a pro*. ■• jected holiday oil the Continent. ". "I say," said' one, "how' do we a6k. . for water in Paris?" ; v; " 'Avez vous': —" began the other, then broke off. "But shall we want any water in Paris ?" 'J? Not What He Meant. A young man who had spent his liolidays motoring was recounting his experiences to an elderly aunt. "It was very jolly except on one occasion when I encountered a damp inn," lie -i .> said. "Oh," said the aunt severely, "I presume the—er —pin went through your tyre?"