STAGE JOTTINGS

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 33, 8 February 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS

Beryl Walkley is reported to have been engaged to appear with Mr. Maurice Moscoviteh in New York.

Janette Gilmore, whose splendid work as principal comedienne in the company which played "Rio Rita" through NewZealand won her so many admirers has "talkies" as her next move. She will

leave Sydney for Hollywood within a few weeks.

New York is to be treated to another plagiarism case shortly, when the suit brought by Katherine Burke Sherman, who once lived in San Francisco, against R. C. Sherriff, Gilbert Miller, _ Maurice Brown and Brentano, Inc., is tried (says the "San Francisco Chronicle"). She says Sherriff stole the story of his play, "Journey's End/' from a work of hers, "Flags and Flowers," which also furnished W. Somerset Maugham with the plot of his play, "The Sacred Flame." She asks 200,000 dollars damages and an accounting of the profits, which are enormous. Miss Sherman is to act as her own attorney Avhen the case is_ tried. She says she has studied plagiarism cases, and has based her complaint on them, taking a paragraph 'here from one and there from another. She has acted as her own lawyer in two cases here, real estate cases, and another one in New York. Her brief is based on those of "Abie's Irish Rose" and Eugene O'Neill's "Strange Interlude." How two such dissimilar plays as "The Sacred Flame," which is about a mother who poisons her invalid son rather than have him discover his wife lias been unfaithful, although she does not blame the wife, and "Journey's End," which has to do with a group of men in a front line trench in the last year of the World, War; how they could both be drawn from a play called "Flags and Flowers" is hard to discern. Miss Sherman has sent a copy of her complaint to King George with a personal letter asking him to send Sherriff to New York so he "could be dealt with." All of which seems cruel, for the defendants will be put to the expense of having attorneys to defend them, and have no redress when the case is ended.

Still another war play has been launched on to the London theatrical market. While critics seem to agree that it possesses unusual realism, none has praised it as "a good play." A reviewer in the London "Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic" says: "Although not a good play, and therefore failing of its real dramatic purpose, 'Tunnel Trench' supplies several authentic pictures of the misery and squalor of war. The story tells of an Air Force observer who loses his greatest friend and then his young brother, a mere boy, finally himself being left in a dugout, presumably to die, since the will to live has deserted him. The play closes on an ironical note, when a message is passed to everybody engaged in the battle to the effect that 'the Army Commander congratulates all ranks on the success of the attack.' 'Tunnel Trench' is the work of Hubert Griffith, the dramatic critic, and was written shortly after he came home from the war."

Phyllis Amery (Mrs. Eric White) died suddenly in Melborne last month. A clever dancer and popular player, Miss Amery was for a long time a favourite with the Edgley and Dawe companies in revue and pantomime. Mrs. White was only 27 when Bhe died. She had been engaged for important parts in com-

ing musical comedies having been assigned the principal role in "Love Lies," to be staged under the direction of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.

There is probably no more popular platform entertainer throughout the English-speaking Avorld than Mr. Alexander Watson, the famous English elocutionist, and that he is to make another tour of New Zealand will be hailed with the greatest satisfaction by all lovers of good literature, and the . art of .the spoken word. Mr. Watson commences the tour in Wellington to-night, and will appear in Auckland towards the end of March. A feature of his recitals this year will be the revival of John Masefield's remarkable poem, "The Everlasting Mercy," which Mr. Watson did on an earlier tour. This powerful and original poem, described by Sir J. M. Barrie on publication as "unquestionably the finest literature of the year," was awarded the Polignac Prize of 100 guineas by the Royal Society of Literature. When Mr. Watson presented his interpretation of this dramatic narrative with its series of vivid and realistic word pictures at a series of recitals at the Little Theatre, London, his success was most remarkable. Selections from Shakespeare Kipling, Dickens, Mark Twain, George Eliot,, John Drinkwater, Hilaire Belloc and Barrie, including the delightful selections from "The Little Minister," which were so popular on Mr. Watson's last tour, are also to be presented.

Theatre-goers who have enjoyed the fun of previous University productions will be pleased to leam that the play for this year has been selected. It will have aa title "All Quiet on the Waterfront." It has been written by the same two who made such a success of last year's "King of Kawau," Dr. J. C. Andrews and Mr. J. Nigel Wilson, and was the unanimous choice of the three judges appointed by the University Carnival Committee. It. is a musical farce, and permission has been granted for the composition of three topical songs — items always in demand for this, type of tiling, and perhaps the most popular and laugh-provoking "hits" of the whole piece. The music will be by Mr. Trevor Sparling,, who filled that particular role last year, and the play will again be produced by Mr. J. Coppard. Tentative dates for it to be payed are May IT to 24.

" c After Dark,' Dion Boucicault's melodrama, which comes to the Biltmore Theatre within the next few weeks, is declared to have upset the amusement industry with as great a shock aa though a 20th century Einstein had proven that Newton was wrong about gravitation," says a New York publication. "For a quarter of a century the manuscript reposed in old lavender, Then it was revived in the East, and proved one of the longest run hits of the season. Detroit and Chicago productions followed. No- fewer than ten companies * will shortly be presenting the play in the United States and Canada. A London try is. talked of. Wherever the play lias been produced early audiences have not enthused. Then all of a, sudden came the awakening. The dramatics and stilted speeches of yesteryear brought forth gales of mirthful approval as would, have delighted the soul of any comie writer." * i

5t «: ! r 3 ie The prize this week goes to Miss M. y, Speakman, »Kirbride Road, Mangere s, Central, for r ' ATTENTION! Ie e » The small boy had been taught to <1 rise whenever his parents entered a e room he was occupying. As it happened s he had a friend in one afternoon, and 1. when his mother came into the room n Tony immediately rose. His friend made n no move, so Tony asked him to stand e up. A few minutes later his mother d again entered the room and Tony and ,] his friend both jumped to their feet, v But a third entrance was too much for f the guest. "Look here Tony," he growled a disgustedly, '"what do you think your - mother is — the National Anthem?" 8 TABLE TALK. [ Little Johnny, having been taken to tea with ,his grandmother, was found j crawling on the floor. e "What are you doing, darling?" asked j[ his mother. t Little Johnny: I'm looking for the j very poor table you said granny keeps. 3 — ; THE COMMON DANGER. I The young and enthusiastic reporter 3 was new to the district, and was given * instructions to interview a certain ; lady. Being somewhat nervous he in--5 quired of an old age pensioner what she 1 was like. "Is she sociable, proud, haughty, or anything like that?" he asked. 1 "Haughty!" bellowed the old man, ' "she's too blinkin' haughty to lower her- ' self to drive to the common danger of ' the public." TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. ; Arline prayed nightly for a baby 1 sister. The prayer was answered, and ■ the much-longed-for lfaby sister grew , into a mischievous little imp, who i scattered toys and wrecked them ruth- ; lessly. In due course of time still another • baby sister joined the family, and when . the prayerful little girl was shown the , newest arrival, she said: "I'd like to , know who prayed for this one. I know I , didn't." OVERHEATED. It was a bitterly cold day, and Brown 1 met his Aberdeen friend hurrying along the street, so stopping him he inquired the reason as to the Scot's undue haste. "Oh," said Sandy, "I'm going to the hospital to tak' my wife hame." > Brown then said, "Well, Sandy, I'm glad to know her health has improved to that extent." "Na, na," replied Sandy, "it's na that, but her temperature has risen to 105 degrees, so I'm takin' her hame to heat the hoose." LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION. The works clerk approached the foreman of the factory. "Any accidents to report?" he asked. "One," replied the foreman, and handed over the report. It read: 'Date, November 2. Nature of accident, badly crushed toe. How caused, blow from hammer (accidental). Remarks. .. J* <r Why no remarks?" asked the clerk. "Well," said the foreman, "seeing as 'ow you know Bill, an' seeing as 'ow you know what crushed 'is toe, ain't you got no imagination?" HER MISTAKE. Mrs. Huggins was charged with ; assault and battery, and the recipient ; of her unkind attentions was her husband. "So you broke an umbrella over your i husband's head?" remarked the magistrate. "What have you to say?" "It waa an accident, sir," replied the accused. "How could it have been an accident ?" j queried the magistrate quickly. "Well, sir," explained the woman, "I didn't mean to break the umbrella." VERY SIMPLE. A young schoolboy halted before a blacksmith's shop and eyed the doings ( of the proprietor with great interest, i The brawny smith, who was annoyed at the boy's curiosity, held a piece of red- 1 hot iron suddenly under the youngster's c nose, hoping to make him beat a hasty retreat. "If you give me half-a-crown I'll lick it," said the lad. { The smith took from his pocket half- £ a-crown and held ifc out. J The schoolboy took the coin, licked it, placed it. in his pocket, and slowly j walked away whistling. . j. QUITE £IGHT! "Now, John," said th& teacher, "if your mother should send you for half-a- , dozen eggs,, and the price was sevenpence halfpenny, what would a whole , dozen be?" 1 "They would be smashed, sir, before a I got home." Teacher: You don't understand. How much would you pay for them? John: Nothing. Teacher: Can some other boy answer tha question? s Another Scholar: He would pay 110 t- t ing, sir Teacher: You are as big a dunce as a John. ° 0 "No, I ain't," retorted the boy, "his " mother gets everything on tick!' 5 u

Traveller (in Highland inn): "Sony to give you the trouble of fetching th« 'glass of water for me." Landlord: "Hoots, moil, that's nae trouble. "W# always keep a drop on the premises iu case of fire,"

Motorist: "It's preposterous, old man. I'm an expert driver. What I know about driving would fill a book." Constable: "And what you don't would fill a hospital. Give us your name and address, now."

A small boy at a secondary school was doing his home lessons, which included elementary chemistry. "Dad," he asked, "is water two of hydrogen and one of oxygen?" His matter-of-fact father, after trying to hide his complete ignorance, said: "Well, my boy, it's the stuff they put under bridges."-

The teacher had been giving a lesson - on the reindeer —its haunts, habits and uses. One little chap was not paying the slightest attention, eo the pounced on him. The startled youngster looked up, paused, and then replied, "Please ma'am, it makes things grow.""

Two motorists who detested each' other met in a narrow alley just large ' enough for ono car to pass. One said in a bullying voice, "I never give way. for. a fool!" Whereupon the other promptly reversed his car and replied ■ sweetly, "But I always do. Go past, my friend."

Pat and Mike, camping on the prairie, had retired to rest. They were besieged by mosquitoes which stung incessantly, * At last the. two took refuge under the blankets. A little later Pat ventured to ; uncover his head. The first thing he - saw was a glow-worm. "Begorra, ■ Mike!" he exclaimed, "if there isn't one ■ of the beggars a-lookin' for us with a, ' lantern!"

Conscience.

Club Waiter: There's a lady outside who says that her husband promised to be home early to-night.

Chorus (all rising'): Excuse me, gentlemen.

Looking for the Wishbone.

Landlady (frigidly): You seem to b« examining that egg critically, Mr. Slopay. Is there anything wrong about it? . ■

Mr. Slopay: Not at all, Mm Hashus. I was only looking for the that's all.

Similar Tendencies.

Enthusiastic Lady (to visitor)?' Oh, yes, the new minister is wonderful. H« brings things home to you that you never saw before.

Husband (helpfully): Something lika the laundryman.

All For Nothing,

Johnny: It's awfully jolly having ft doctor for a father; you can be ill for nothing.

Tommy: Yes, but it's much nicer to have a clergyman for a father; then you can be good for nothing.

Light Diet,

Romantic Young Thing: When I com« out on to the front piazza after dinner and gaze on the moonlit sea, I feel too full for words.

Practical Youth: You wouldn't feel like that if you stayed at our boardinghouse.

The Paragon.

"How are you getting on at school, my boy?" asked father.

"Awfully well, dad," answered Teddy, triumphantly. "The teacher said that if all the boys were like me he would shut up the school to-morrow. He must think I know a lot, don't you think so, dad ?" The Sergeant-Majer. Two soldiers were discussing the sergeant-major and what they intended to do to hira after hostilities ceased. "I'll 'tell you what," said one. "I'm going to punch his—nose." "No, you don't," retorted the other; "you'll stand in a queue like the rest of Ut3." »0-—»()•—»Q ■wn—