STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Shavle Gardner, the New _ Zealand actor, who played the lead m 'Ihe Three Passions," and also figured "Disraeli," has gone to Hollywood. An old theatregoer, signing himself "Drama," writes discussing the question of the hour, "Must the Stage Perish r His interesting letter contains this r>igniflcant conclusion:—"For spectacular productions the film commands first place, but for human touch and sympathy a new field awaits development by the theatre of tradition." After one of the dullest summers the stage has ever known in New York a new theatrical season has recently been inaugurated. And despite the frequently reiterated prophecies of calamity that have been heard on Broadway for some months now it appears that the playhouses will be as rich in offerings as ever this coming autumn, winter and spring. Many of the promises made by managers at this time will undoubtedly be broken and' many of the best shows of the coming season "will come to town unheralded. Such stalwart hi Lb of the last season as "Green Pastures," "Flying Hio-h," "Sons o' Guns," "Lysistrata,'' "Young Sinners" or "The Garrick Gaieties" were not even vaguely considered for presentation in August, 19-9, while some of the most ambitious pio jects disclosed then were never realised. At the same time, many of the productions announced now will bulk large oil the menu of 1030-31 theatregoers. Great interest has been aroused by the announcement that the Little Tliaetre Societv is presenting a play bv that distinguished playwright St. John Ervine. "Jane Clegg," the work chosen, had a most interesting and successful run at the TCoval Court l'heati e, London. That brilliant actress, Sybil Thorndike, played' the part of Jane, under the direction of Lewis C'asson. the play proved St. John Ervine to be a dramatist

of the first order. There are no tricks, 110 straining at effect in his work —it is sincere to a degree. He wrote of life as he saw it, and in doing so he achieved a standard of perfection rarely surpassed in literature. This will be the first occasion that the Little Theatre Society lias presented a play by St. John Ervine, and it is to be hoped that their enterprise in producing "Jane Clegg" at the Concert Chamber 011 October 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be suitably rewarded. There are few comedians who can claim to have appeared on the London stage before they were 13 years old, but Gus Bluett holds this distinction. His first appearance 011 the stage was made in Australia in his father's well-known burlesque on Boy Scouts. Later he accompanied his father to South Africa, then to London. In London, Fred Bluett was engaged to appear in Fred Kitchen's revue, and young Gus was given a part in it. His role was that of a page, and very proud he was in his smart uniform. On returning to Melbourne, Gus Bluett was given his first engagement in the revue, "Hullo, Everybody!" following with appearances in "The Bing Boys on Broadway" and "The Passing Show." His first big success was made with Ada Reeve in "Aladdin." Gus Bluett is now appearing in Sydney in "Follow Through."

"Ever since T have heard of the talkies, w rites Cyril Maude, the famous ILnglish actor, "1, have really wanted to he wanted lor tliein. Some years ago when in New York T was invited to a demonstration of the then brand ivaw invention. I was amazed at the sight, and was invited into the sanctum of the ollice and was asked to invest in the concern. T very nearly put a good lump of my money into it. Luckily, I did not, for the promoters of that particular concern went off with every dollar they had managed to lay hands on a few days afterwards. But still I was always hoping they might remember I had a resonant voice, and might consider in the film world that I might be useful as a talkie actor. Now I have had several cables from different parties suggesting that I should go over and work in the \erv way I have wanted to. 'Grumpy' is the play that at the moment seems to be the fancy of the great powers, as a medium for my work. But 'Aren't We All?' has been suggested, too, as well as others. Personally, above all things, 1 should love to do Sir Peter in 'The School for Scandal' and Lord Oglcby in 'The Clandestine Marriage.' I wonder if 1 shall ever get a chance. Bob Acres in '1 he Rivals' too, would be wonderful work." '

Ii: The prize this week goes to Miss Avis Sheehan, Middle Road, Raetihi, for: A BUSY LAMBING TIME. Opposite to the bishop in a third-class carriage sat a typical-looking agricultural worker. Wishing to be friendly the bishop decided to enter into conversation with his travelling companion. '•And what is your occupation?" inquired the bishop. "I be a shepherd, I be." '■How interesting! And how many sheep have you?" "Nigh fifty" replied the shepherd. "Well, do' you know," continued the bishop, "I am a shepherd too." "I wouldn't a' thought it " replied the shepherd. "How many sheep 'as tha' rrot?" ° "Let me see, I think about a million," smiled the bishop. . "A million! Gosh! And what does tha' do at lambin' time?—" . NO TREATING. A minister saw Jock about to enter the local hotel and touched him on the shoulder. "D'ye ken, mon, that every time ye enter'that hoose, Satan enters wi' ye ?" Jock grinned. "I dinna mind/' he said. "He has to pay for his own." FOR FATHER'S SAKE Teacher: What! You a Band of Hope boy and here you are taking beer home to your father! Aren't you ashamed of yourself ? Tommy: Please, teacher, father made me fetch it, but I've drunk more than half of it, so he shan't have much of the poison. WANTED A BIT. The loin of mutton had been placed on the table, and with poised carver the landlord inquired: Would you like me to cut it saddle-wise? "Well," replied one of the borders, "I think you had better cut it bridle-wise, for then we should all stand a better chance to get a 'bit' in our mouths." THE ONLY "PICTURE." Art Student: I believe you have three topping "Constables" here. Can you tell me in what part of the gallery they arc? Commissionaire: No, miss, you re wrong. There's only one worth looking at, and he's Long Bill, the bloke wot s standing over by the other door. THE FARMER'S LAMENT. The old farmer had received electrical treatment for rheumatism. Some days after Lis discharge from hospital he called to report. "How aro you, Mr. Smith?" inquired a nurse, kindly. "Oh, I am ever so well," was the' reply. "But I can't tell now when it's going to rain." THE CHEAT. An innkeeper who was away a good deal at race meetings was disturbed to know that the bar takings had fallen considerably during- the previous weeks. One evening, returning home before he was expected, lie went quietly into the bar, where the potman was dividing the night's takings into two piles, muttering as he did so, "One for me and one for the boss." Coming to the last note, the potman hesitated a moment and finally placed it on his own pile. The innkeeper came forward. "You know it was my turn that time," tie: shouted. "I wouldn't keep such a rotten bad sportsman. You're sacked." NOT TO BE HAD. A Welshman was in London for the first time. As lie walked along one of the main streets he came to a house, upon the door of which was written in brass letters: "Ring the bell." The Welshman looked at thi3 notice for some time, and then walked up and rang the bell. The door was opened presently by a short footman wearing a powdcrfcd wig. "What do yon want?" said the footman, as the Welshman did not speak. "Nothing, only it do say, 'King the bell,'" said Tatty, with a strong Welsh accent. The footman evidently thought Taffy was a little stupid. Smiling broadly at him he said, "Oh, I see! You come from the place where nanny-goats grow on gooseberry bushes ?" Tally appeared quite undisturbed. "Yes, yes!" he answered, "but here it seems you've only to ring the bell and a monkey pops out!"

; An Easy One. Teacher: Tommy, where wae the Declaration of Independence signed? Tommy: At the bottom, I guess. Rude Welcome. Small Child (who has repeatedly been' knocked over by the sea.): I don't fink these silly waves want me in their sea, Mummy. No Sleuthing Needed. "How did you lind the weather while you were away?" : "Just went outside, and there it was." ; Put Crepe On The Door. Solicitor: Is your boss in? ' Office Boy: Yes. Solicitor: May I see him? i Office Boy: No, he's in far sixty days. Complicated Affair. ■ Mother: Mary, conic upstairs immediately. Mary: But I'm all wrapped up in my problem. Mother: Tell him to go home. Blessed Event. A friend came to call on a well-known , poet. The poet's wife met him at the door with her finger to her lips. "Hush!" she said. "Don't make any > noise. He's upstairs having a poem." Stepping On It. "Well," said the visitor to the little ! son of the famous motorist, "and how are you getting 011 at school?" "Fine," said the little chap. "I'm now learning words of five cylinders."

Husband: Oh—er—Hobbs, my dear! Wife: Hobbs? Who's Hobbs? Husband: Surely you know, my dear. I was just showing Jones his favourite stroke on the leg side with my umbrella. —"London Opinion." Prehistoric Grime. Visitor (looking over fraternity house): Don't you know roller towels are against the law? Brother: Oh, yes, but that one was put up before the law was passed. Back to Rest. First Executive: Did you enjoy your, vacation ? . Second: Yeh, but there's nothing like the feel of a good desk under your feet again. Putting Up a Lightning-rod. "Do you always look under your bed before you say your prayers?" asked the flapper niece. "No, darling," said the old maid, "first I say my prayers." Budding Historian. Teacher: Johnny, what's the difference between a battle and a massacre? Johnny: A battle is where a whole lot of whites kill a few Indians, and a massacre is where a whole lot of Indians kill a few whites. Improvements on Moses. Minister: Come, come, my friend, try to lead a better life. Why, you are continually breaking one of the Commandments. His Friend: Nope, parson. I don't have any trouble with a single one of the Commandments. It's the amendments that I simply can't keep.