STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Tlie existing craze for midget golf gives a topical flavour to "Top Hole, a golfing musical play, ■which had its premiere at the Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, on December 20. "Top Hole was written by Eugene Conrad and George Dill, and is termed "a comedy with a story to which songs have been attached." A strong cast, including Minnie Love, recently returned from London, appears in the production, which is the first of several plays purchased in their entirety by Mr. H. D. Mcintosh for presentation at the Tivoli.

Frank Har.vey is on his way to Australia under engagement to J. C. Williamson, Limited. According to present arrangements, he will appear in the firm's production of "On The Spot," the latest, and, it is said, the most successful of all the Edgar Wallace plays. _ It was written after the playwright's visit to Chicago. Since he went to London, after his lengthy stay in Australia under the J. C. Williamson, Limited, management, Frank Harvey has achieved success not only as an actor but also a playwright. At least two of his plays have been staged in London with great success, and are to be filmed as talkies.

A notable production presented by J. C. Williamson, Limited, as their Christmas attraction at the Comedy Theatre, is the famous comedy, "The First Mrs. Fraser," which was staged for the first time in Australia on Boxing Day, commencing at the matinee. "The First Mrs. Fraser" was written by_ St. John Ervine, the famous playwright and critic, and has been running in London for two years, and is still the outstanding comedy success, with Marie Tempest in the leading role. J. C. Williamson, Limited, have secured a strong cast for their production, including Ethel Morrison, a former Wellingtonian, who will be remembered as Miss Ettie Magmnity, J. B. Howe, Noel Boyd, Roger Barry Leslie Victor, Mary Macgregor, Eileen Morris, and John Wood. The play will he produced by George D. Parker.

"On the histrionic shores of Britain the public have" wisely set but few beacon lights—Garrick, Kean, the Kernbels, Macready, and Phelps shone for them, but iione of these shone with more brilliance across the turbulent waters of a great art than did Henry Irving" stated Seymour Hicks in a. recent review of Gordon Craig's new biography, "Henry Irving." "As a picture of the great actor who founded himself, as I heard him say, on Phelps, and who in turn had modelled himself on Le Blonde, the pantomimist, this analysis .of Irving's life and personality is perfect. But what I thank heaven particularly for is that in reading "Henry Irving,' I have recaptured the wild enthusiasm I had for the Playhouse, which a musical comedy world and the captious critics had very nearly—as Oliver Wendell Folmes put it—'chloroformed out of existence.'"

George Parker, the producer of "The Road to Romance," in which Edith Taliaferro has scored a brilliant success at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, devoted a good deal of time and trouble to research in connection with this play, the period of which is that time in the Roman era when Hannibal and his victorious army were at the gates of Rome. It is necessary in a production of this type that all details shall be correct, whether they apply to the uniforms or clothing, furnishings, ornaments and the "atmosphere" generally, and Mr. Parker made it his business to see that this side of the performance should present no cause for criticism. He studied many books and authorities regarding the Roman era, viewed pictures and prints at -the National Gallery and Library, and consulted various experts, who know that the Romans ate with their fingers in place of knives and forks, and how the soldiers walked and talked, for example. The result was that the audience at "The Road to Romance" were surprised at many striking details in the production, which were artistic and attractive, yet historically accurate.

"I look forward to the time when dramatic art and literature will be taught in schools and universities, and when pupils will not gain their passes without a working knowledge of the history of British drama, of the leading playwrights, and the conditions under which their plays were written," stated Sir Nigel Playfair recently. "This is far from the case at present. A little time ago I was talking with half a dozen young actors and actresses, intelligent, and with considerable training behind them, yet not one of them could name for me a single play of Ben Jonson's, and still less what sort of plays he wrote. The curriculum at most dramatic schools is all wrong. The training generally consists of parrot-like rehearsing by actors and actresses, mostly of quite worthless plays in which these teachers took part in their heyday. Pupils should be instructed in the rhythmic speaking of verse and prose, in fencing, in dancing, and, above all, in a study of theatre conditions from Elizabethan to the present time, and an historical survey of play writing and criticism. Acting itself should be taught in a different way, and should be encouraged in all schools, among all children from the earliest stages."

The impish humour of Peg in Hartley Manners' delightful comedy "Peg o' My Heart," was enjoyed by theatre folk, •when the Edith Taliaferro company revived this piece in Melbourne recently. Maidie Hope played the role of Mrs. Chichester, who insists upon Peg "moulding herself" on Ethel, her daughter. Noel Boyd was Ethel. The author of this play, Hartley Manners, is remembered as an actoi-, a second juvenile, with Charles Cartwrighfc in 1895, and Arthur. Styan came here in such plays as the company presented—Sydney Grundy's "A Marriage of Convenience," Haddon Chambers' "The Idler," "Ouida Moths," etc. Sara Allgood, who is still prominently before the public in London, was the Peg of Hartley Manners' play in 1916. The quality of its humour is still recalled pleasantly. Peg is a rebel in English surroundings. She knew'fifty of her father's speeches, for he used to "thry" them on her first. But she is daunted by the fierce men in armour, the haughty ladies in oils that hang on the walls. She is terrified by lightning. •'Shut it out! Shut it' out!" she shrieks during a storm, but she has her moments of victory. She excuses Jerry with the remark, "We can't all be born Irish,'' and pointing to Ethel's, lap-dog, she discusses a matter of national importance—babies. Proud of her own bad temper, she says to Ethel— a shame not to let a temper like that out in'the daylight now and again. But ye kape it out o' sight, because it's not good, form to show it." There is something to laugh r,t in "Peg ©' My Heart."-

The prize this week goes to D. Leith, | 2 9 Brentwood Avenue, Mount Eden, for. THE RIGHT LENGTH. Jim was newly married. One day when he arrived home he found his wife had been taking and there on the table was a tart of immense length. "What's this, Maggie?" he asked. _ "That's rhubarb tart," replied Maggie, proudly. , , "But whatever have you made sucn a long one for?" asked Jim. "Why" said Maggie in an aggrieved tone, "that was the length of the rhubarb." HE KNEW. "The time will come," said the speaker, "when women will get men's wages. "Yes," piped a little man in the audience, "next Saturday." AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. First Clergyman (eating Gorgonzola cheese): Like Samson, I am slaying thousands. s Second Clergyman: Quite so, and witii the same instrument, too. MAY GET A CHANCE. Mrs. Chat: It says here in the paper that a certain man hasn't spoken to his wife for twelve years. Mr. Chat (in name only. Give him time. He may get a chance yet. CONSISTENT. She: Dear, they say that the people with opposite characteristics make the happiest marriages. He: Yes. That's why I'm looking for a girl with money. INDISCREET. "Yes, it's really remarkable," observed mother, at the head of the table. "Johnny seems to eat twice as much chicken when we have visitors." "Indeed!" exclaimed the visitor, "and why is that, Johnny?" Johnny (with his mouth full of chicken): 'Cause that's the only time we have it. THOROUGHLY SCOTTISH. Jean: A penny for your thoughts. Donald: I was thinking. I'd like tae kiss ye, lassie. Jean (after the operation had taken place): And what are ye ihinkin' aboot noo—anither? . <r Na, I was just wondering when ye were going to pay me tfeit penny for ma thoughts." NO FOOLHT. Fair One: Now, before we start for this ride in your car, I want to tell you thq,t T don't smoke, drink or flirt, I visit no wayside inns, and II expect to be home by ten o'clock. Young Gallant: You're mistaken. Fair One: You mean that I do any of thoee tilings? Young Gallant: No, I mean abou<; starting for this ride.

MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY. A new system of memory training was being tried out in the Tillage school, and the school mistress was becoming enthusiastic. "For instance, Tommy,"• she said, picking on one of her bright young pupils "supposing you want to remember the name of the poet Bobby Burns. Fix your mind's eye on a policeman in flames. You see —Bobby Burns." "H'm!" pondered Tommy. "But how is one to tell that it doesn't represent Robert Browning as well?" WHY HE WAS NERVOUS. It was obvious that the young man standing in the middle of the street island was nervous. He made several attempts to cross the busy thoroughfare, but always something appeared in sight and held him back. After looking uncertainly at a policeman, he eventually summoned up sufficient courage to go and speak to him. "Would you mind seeing me across the road?" he asked. "Aren't you big enough and old enough to see yourself across 5" growled the ma.i in blue. "It isn't that," protested the youth, "but I've just won £5 a week for life." MAKING SURE. "Charley, dear," said young Mrs. Torklne, "I am glad to see you taking as much interest in politics as you formerly took in racing." "It is the duty of every man and woman to take an interest in politics at the present time. We may have a general election at any time." "Bo you wish me to vote for the same candidate that you do?" "Why shouldn't you?" "I thought it might be a good idea for me to vote for the other one. It would be a satisfaction to feel that one or the other of us has at least succeeded in picking a winner."

Home Supporter: wnat, a rouj,a frame: is this under Association rules? Visitor: No! I should think it's assass-. ination rules. "Why have you come to prison?" "Competition brought me here." "Competition?" "Yes; I made the same sort of banknotes as the Government. An, Englishman became bald. He was distressed over his appearance, and spent large sums on hair restorers, but in vain. An Aberdonian became bald, so he sold bis brush and comb. A fair maiden wanted, to book seats at the Prince of Wales Theatre, so to save time she telephoned. "Is that the Prince of Wales?" she asked. No! came the reply, "It's the King! Magistrate: Are you sure this man was intoxicated? Policeman: No, sir, not poeitiye. His Avife said he brought home a manhole cover and tried to play it on the gramophone! Vicar: Oh, Mrs. Smith, I have never seen a child that has behaved so well at a christening! Mrs. Smith: Well, you see, its because my husband and I have been practising on him with a watering can for a whole week. Teacher: Can you tell me how matches are made? Boy: No, miss, but I don't blame you for wanti'ng to know. Teacher: What on earth do you mean ? Boy: Well, mother says you've been trying to make one for years I Player (to sporting vicar who has offered to umpire the match, Fishporters v. Coster mongers): Very good of you to umpire for us, sir, but we won-, dered if you'd care to stop your ears ' up with a bit of cotton wool so as we can make it a really enjoyable little game.

Asked in an. examination to compose a verse of poetry which included tlx® world "analyse" and "anatomy," a high school student turned out tlie following: My analyse over the ocean, My analyse over tlie sea, Oh, who will go over the ocean And bring hack my anatomy? The farmer's wife stood at the door. A tramp stopped and asked her to give ' him something to eat. "Come in," she said, cordially. He eyed the bulldog beside her. *WiH . it bite?'' ile asked at last. "I don't know," said the woman. "I only bought him to-day, and that's what I want to find out." A film producer was trying to persuade a simple countryman to wrestle with a lion. "He's quite quiet," said the producer. "Tame as anything. In fact, he's never tasted raw meat." "Aye," replied the coiin tryman, may never 'a' tasted raw meat, but that ain't a-'saving 'e 'aven't got a fair share of curiosity in 'im." Constable (to festive ge'ntleman who , is wandering round. Leicester Square at . 1 a.m.): What's the matter with you? Festive Gentleman: Losht a gold watch. Constable (after fruitless search of. square): Now, where exactly were yon when you lost this watch? Festive Gentleman: Trafalgar Square^ Constable Why, this is Leicester Square! Festive Gentleman: Yesh, but the light is better up here.