STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 242, 12 October 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Since the music of Jules Comis is unknown in this part of the world, unique interest attaches to his Violin Concerto in E minor, to be introduced by Mr. Mischa, Dobfiiiski irt Sydney. Conus, who has been for some years a teacher in the Moscow and Saratov conservatories was born in M6seow in 1862, and became a pupil of Taneieff and Arertsky. This concerto has been performed by several prominent artists, and has attracted the attention of Leopold Auer and Glazovihoff. It was dedicated by the composer .to Professor Jean Hfimaly, ot the Moscow Conservatory.

Down at the bottom of the muddy Pamlico River in North Carolina rests what was once the pride and joy of the Mississippi River front hamlets—the hull of the James Adams Floating Theatre, queen of "show boats," and progenitor of the world's greatest musical success "Show Boat." The old river craft passed into oblivion recently while it was being towed upstream to another "stand. ,. Fire caught in the hold and the little baud of players seized their belonginge and made their way to shore in rowboats. Miss Edna Ferber knew this floating playhouse from stem to stern. On it she travelled down the little Southern rivers, singing with the players and absorbing all that wealth of detail and picturesque colour which made "Show Boat" a best seller as a novel and later as a musical production, a marvellous hit.

Bert Hopping, who was for fifteen years a "spruiker" in the vestibule of the Tlvoli Theatre, Melbourne, has eent news of his latest appearances at English music halls. When George Carney, the comedian, was in Australia, eome years ago he happened to see Hopping in his entertainment at smoke concerts, doing lightning- eketches • and singing- songs. Carney was going to Adelaide, and he asked Hopping to accompany him there. The spruiker with an artistic bent Jumped at this opportunity; but as there was no opportunity of hie being included in Carney's act, he decided not to go on further to London at that time. Subsequently Hopping went to England and joined up with, his discoverer, who was then touring the proviaees. At present be is playing at the! Shoreditch Theatre; London, billed as "the Australian mountain of mirth, Bert Hopping, the singing cartoonist."

Another memorable first night was ■witnessed at the opening of the London Promenade Concerts at Queen's Hall on August 12. The audience packed every available inch of the floor space—truly a promenade only in name —and the enthusiasm, it is suggested, was keener than ever because of the doubts felt 111 recent years regarding the continuance of these famous concerts. Sir Henry Wood's orchestra, augmented to a total of 100 members for this season, played Kfmsky-KoreakoffV "Spanish Caprice," Strauss' "Till Eulenspiejtel," the "William Tell" overture, and Tchaikowsky's "Italian Caprice," and supported Antonio Brosa, the violinist, in what is described as a very attractive performance of the Mendelssohn Concerto. Judging from what has been written of the fervour of the thronged audience, the "Proms," as they are styled, have still a long lease of KfeV---'

While it must be admitted that most .of the stage attempts to treat of the Great War—that Armageddon in which most of the armies of the whole world paid heavy toll—have been failures, there is one outstanding dramatic work which has made worldwide appeal. This i* the masterpiece "Journey's End," which is coming to Auckland on October 30. The great merit of Mr. R. C. Sheriff's epic of the trenches is its appealing simplicity, its stark realign, and its wonderful power to grip the emotions. There is none of the obscenity and lewdness which unfortunately some authors have wen tit to include in their works—making the mile subordinate to the exception. On .the contrary there is depicted with almost terrifying realism sOme of the real horrors .and tragedies of the awful hours And days id the trenches when men revealed their souls to each ether, and when the shadow of death made heroes of the frightened, and uniiei'vcd the courageous. "Journey's End" is a dramatic picture of rare beauty and merit.

The Shaw Festival at Malvcrn, as conducted by Sir Barry Jackson, and incidentally the English'premiere of the dramatist's latest play, "The Apple Ciirt." has brought G.B.S, into the limelight of the British newspapers in a novel and unexpected fashion. Each of the London papers sent down critics, who telegraphed column-long notices of the play from Malvern. The fortnight's festival included also productions of "Back to Methusaleh," "Heartbreak House" and "Caesar and Cleopatra." Probably the "Daily Mail" expresses something of the interest arotwed in "The Apple Cart" in saying: "It is going to be one of the most discussed pn> ductions of the London autumn theatrical season." Both the "Daily telegraph" and the "Times" agree that the work is not Shaw's best play—the "Tfines" «ngg€Bts it is his Worst—but, as an American critic cabled to New York, "Neither Marlowe nor Shakespeare, whose works were being revived at the Canterbury festival, has been able to compete with Shaw cither in newspaper space or in attendance.' The play tells Of what hiigift happen in the Shavian mind between King Magnus of England and his Cabinet in 1902. It is a time of prosperity, the lowest wages paid being from £5 to £20 a we<?k, but democracy 3 , instead of establishing responsible Government has abolished it. Politics have degenerated, and the Cabinet (which includes women) are a queer lot. The ; trouble arises front a speech by the King, in which he states that there is no protection from the very rich, and no safeguard against corrupt legislation, except in the Royal veto. Protesting, Cabinet decides that the Government wiir have a dumb King, and finally Magnus abdicates in favour of hi* son, who despises politics. Mwh is provided by the American ambassador's announcements to the King of the decLioii of the United States to enter 1 (or, as Magnus sees it, annex) the British Commonwealth; nho, in the • aeeond act. which all crimes seem to , condemn, when Magnus rolls with his 1962 mistress on the floor. The "Times'" interpretation Of, the latter incident is that of a "skit on puffed-up courtesans," the critic concluding: "But the first and last acts, taken together, are good entertainment, and make Up a pamphlet on democracy which rriay silence many a, catchword and charm away many a pious delusion." Sir Barry Jackson is stated io have spent dWOOO on tbc production of "The Auple Cart"

The prize this week goes to T. C. Dugmore, 65, Taylor's Road, Morningside, for: REACHING THE LIMIT. An Irishman who went up in an hotel lift for the first time did not easily recover from his surprise. He relate* the story in this way:— "I wint to the hotel, and says I 'is Misther Smith in sorr? Says the man with the sojer cap, 'Will yez stept in?' So I stepts into the closit and all of a suddint he pulls the rope, and—it's the truth I'm telling yez—the walls of the building begin runnin' clown to the cellar. 'Och Murther!' says I, 'what '11 become of Bridget and the childher which was left below there?' Says the sojer cap man, 'Be aisy, son*. They'll i>j all right when yez get dowii. , 'Come down js- it?* says I. 'And it is 110 closit at all, but a haythenish ballon that yez got me in!' And wid thot the walls stood stock still, and he opened the door and there I was wid the roof jist over me head! And begorra, thot's what saved me from going up. to the hivins intoirelv."

LAZY EXCUSE. Manager: Have you an excuse to offer for suck laziness? Clerk: None that will -work.. UP TO GUARANTEE. Ella: Your suit looks rusty. .Bert: Well, the tailor did say it would wear like iron. IT DIDN'T. "I care nothing for my husband now." "But that doesn't stop you from livr ing on his 'account,' does it, dear!" SHORT ENOUGH. "Darling. I must talk to you about my new dress." . ' . ''Make it short." "Yes, dear, only to the'knees,"' HE WAS HONEST. "The thing I ' fear most, doctor, is being buried alive." "Don'fc you fear—if I attend you it will be impossible." A MOTHER'S ANSWER. Visitor: Your little boy is rather small for his age, isn't he ? Fond Mother: Oh, no. Most of the boys of his age are overgrown/1 think! HE- COULDN'T VERY WELL. "I believe every person should sing at his work." "I can ? t." ■•_'■' - • "Why not?" • ' . . : ; "I'm a .trombone player."/, PERT! First Golfer (telling fish story): He was about as long as that last drive of yours Second Golfer: Oh, really. "Yes, so I threw him back." DECIDEDLY. Husband (sternly, to wife who has been shopping) ■ What do you want with a new frock? Wife (happily): How thoughtful of you, darling. Of course I'd like a new hat to go with it.

NEIGHBOURLY GREETINGS. Servant (delivering message): Mr, Triplett sends 'his compliments to Mr. Gazzam with the request that he shool his dog, which is a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Gazztmi: Give Mr. Gazzani's compliments to Mr. Triplett, and ask ■him to kindly poison his daughter or .burn iter piano. DREAMING. A teacher who was taking a lesson on reveries and dreams addressed a small boy who was not paying attention to what his teacher was saving. "Now, Tommy, can you tell me what a reverie is?" "Pleaee, sir," <said Tommy, "a reverie is a man who blows a whistle at a football match."

MY SAINTED AUNT! The American truth teller wits in form. "Talking of ants," lie said, "we've got 'em as big , as crabs out West. I've seen 'em fight with long horns, which they use as lances, charging each other like savages," "They don't compare with the ante I saw in the Far East," said all inoffensive individual nearby. "The- natives trained them as beasts of burden. One of 'em could trail a toil load far mile* with ease. They worked willingly, but occasionally they turned on their attendants and killed them." But this was drawing the long bow a little too far. "I say, old chap," said a shocked voice from the corner, "what sort of ant 3 were they?" "Kleph-ants," replied the inoffensive individual.

"I got a swell job working for tu English peer." "That's nothing. I work for an American doc." Pedestrian: What's the matter, little boy? Are you lost? Little- Boy: Yes raa'am. I mighta known better 'n to come with, gran'ma —she's always losin , sompin'. Prosecuting Attorney: Your Honor, your bull pup chewed up the Court Bible. Court: We can't adjourn Court to get a new Bible; tell the witness to kiss the pup. Irate parent: I'll teach you to make love to my (laughter! Ardent Sujtor: I wish you would, old boy; I don't seem to be making any impression. • j ;: Madame X (reading the newspaper): Hero is the account of a girl at a summer resort, who, single-handed, landed a fish weighing 145 pounds. t ..: Monsieur X: Indeed? What ia hie name ? "Do you see that barn over there ©a the horizon?" • j .•■■ "Yes." "Can you see the fly walking around on the roof of that barn?" "No, but I can hear the shingles crack when, he steps on them." cl - Sinks: Jinks, do you know that woman across the street? , Shafer: She certainly looks familiar. Let me see. It's my wife's new dresi, my daughter's hat, and my mother-in-law's umbrella—sure 1 Why it's our cook 1

Sweet Young Thing: "I* inaanity. an. excuse for divorce?" Old Bachelor; "No. only for mfcrrUge." —"Everybody's Weekly."

Mrs. Boffin: I see in the paper that a woman in looking after another woman to see what she had on, fell out of a window. Mr. Boffin: That only goes to show that some women, in trying to follow the fashions, can go too far.

"Man overboard!" yelled the sktoper. "Throw the buoy over, quick, Pat." Pat, seizing the cabin boy as. he was passing, threw him in. Th& Skipper, frantic: The cork buoy, I mea-nt, you fool. Pat: I don't care if he belongs to Cork or Tipperary. He's gone now!

Journalist: Did you ever carry mife the suggestions I sent for brightening your paper? Editor: Yes. You-probably met the office boy with a- waste paper basket, as you came in. He was carrying out your suggestions.

Paterfamilias (to unexpected guest): Why didn't you send word you wera coming? Pot luck, you know, my boy. Hope you have managed to make a dinner. • ; Unexpected Guest (politely): Bless you, old man. I hope I may never have a worse one.

Slim went into the bank where a f<sr_mer croney was cashier. "Ah wants tb git my money outen dis bank." "Gwnn 'way from lieah. You-all ahl'fc got no money in dis bank." "Yes, Ah has. Ah put 10 dollars in dis bank last yeah." "Lavd, man, do interest done efc up dat 10 dollars long ago." .

Bashful Benny: Didn't I come to See you Monday night, Lucy? Lucy: I believe you did, Benny. Benny: And Tuesday night, too, Lucy* Lucy: Yes, Benny. : Ben'ily: and Wednesday and Thursday nights? Lucy: Yes, but I'm very glad to have you come, Benny. Benny: And I'm here again to-night. Oh, Lucy, aren't you beginning to euSpeet something?