STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 38, 14 February 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

"I intend doing a Shakespearean production one day," said Mr. J. B. Cochran, noted English showman, in an interview recently. "I shall enjoy doing it very much and the introduction of the revolving stage, such as I use in *Ever Green,' brings it a good deal nearer. I That revolving stage is the very thing for Shakespeare. All those "brief scenes can now be run on with only a moment's pause. You will find that the theatre of the future will use the revolving stage a lot. And, obviously, there must be many other useful innovations waiting to be discovered. All the arts will be levied upon. The cinema, for instance —there is no reason why some plays, or some acts of some plays, should not be played against moving-picture scenery." Joseph Hislop, the famous tenor, who made a successful tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1927, has been engaged by J. and N. Tait for another tour of Australia, commencing in Melbourne early in April, and after the Australian season a tour of New Zealand will follow. Mr. Hislop made his debut in 1914, and has since sung leading roles at many of the famous opera houses oi Europe and America. He was Rudolfo with Dame Nellie Melba in "La Boheme" at Covent Garden, London, about six years ago. Latest reports received regarding Mr. Hislop state that lie is singing better than ever. Zlatho Balokovic, the Slavonic violinist, has been engaged by J. and N. Tait for an Australian tour, commencing in June. The season will open in Sydney, and altogether forty concerts will be given throughout the.Commonwealth and New Zealand. Balokovic created a sensation in Europe by his wonderful playing. He and his wife will travel from America in their yacht. / , : Among the most interesting young men in the theatre world at the moment is Emlyn Williams, who at 25 has i achieved fame as an actor, linguist and playwright. Mr. Williams was born in Wales, of poor parents, won a language scholarship which took him to Switzerland to study, won a scholarship to Oxford and took his degree there, was for a time tutor in Italian to Megan Lloyd' George. Then he turned to acting and has played parts in London • in English, German, French and Italian. He made a hit as the gunman secretary in Edgar Wallace's "On the Spot" and has already had three plays produced. His third, "A Murder Has Been Arranged," is now pursuing an eerie and successful way at the St. James', London. He is at present playing a character part in Edgar Wallace's latest play, "The Mouthpiece,? an which Margaret Bannermah is thejetar, and which sent its first night audience discontentedly away because it does not contain a murder.

London lost another great character recently, when Mr. Sydney Ellison, who thirty years ago was one of the greatest producers of musical comedy, died in St. Mary's Hospital. He staged the numbers in "Florodora," and always claimed to have turned the famous song, "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden," from a duet into a sestet. Thirty years ago he had under his orders famous musical comedy stars such as Edna May, Ada Eeeve and Marie Studholme. Six years ago he "walked on" as a super in the racecourse scene in "The 'Sport of Kings" at the J3avoy, and used to be allowed to wear home his stage clothes because his own were so shabby. Not long before then a friend discovered that he was. in an Essex workhouse, near which he had been found very ill. In consequence a fund was raised for him. He was "eccentric," during the later' years of his life, but was always a kindly, charming man, and a great lover of' children. His former wife, once a musical star, still appears on the stage.

"The Unknown Warrior," Paul Raynal's famous play,-which was produced at the Little Theatre, London, recently, is not wholly a war play, like "Journey's End"; for the scenes are at home, not in the tranches, and the war and the emotions of the war are but the setting for the drama. The plot centres round a young Parisian girl who finds she does not love a man after she has been betrothed to him, and he has given up all for her. But the message of the play is from the soldier in the trenches to those at home, whose lives even in war-time run their appointed course. Over the whole play there is the exclamation, "How little those who stay at home know of war!" We are made to feel the isolation of the soldier; he stands outside civilisation in a realm of his own. In the play the infantryman has returned home to be married; but before he arrives there comes a telegram recalling him. He Icnows that when he gets back he has to undertake a task that means certain death. He has just four hours. That is the situation of the play, and its construction is neat and economical. The dialogue is equally economical, but written in an exalted spirit. The principal parts were taken in London by Maurice Browne, as the soldier, and Miss Rosalinde Fuller as his betrothed.

Pantomime will be seen in New Zealand for the first time in seven years when "The House That Jack Built" opens its Dominion tour on February 17. The production will be staged in Auckland toward the end of March. ."The House That Jack Built" comprises a succession of novelties, specialties, song hits, stage spectacles, comedy scenes and sketches, and a favourite pantomime story interwoven. Some of tlie outstanding feaare the lovely tulip farm, an amazing transformation scene, a gorgeous pala.ee of gold, the beautiful garden of Eden, the amusing vegetable ballet, the lovely luminous ballet, the march of the phantom army, the disappearing tent, and many features specially created for the matinee performances.- There are over 100 people concerned in the production of "The House That Jack Built," including the popular comedian, Jim Gerald, who has achieved his greatest triumph in the role of Dam e Barleycorn. Roy Rene is well known to New Zealanders, andother famous pantomime artists are badie Gale (the principal "boy") Nell T f7 lo I T . ( P rinei pal girl), Kathleen all Niok_ Morton, Paulesto Brothers, Fallow twins (noted acrobatic dancers), John Fernside, Edna Moncrieff, Arthui' Stigaht junior, Dan Agar, Eric Bush Ellen Percival, Moria Zeppel and other notable artists. . Features of the production are the chorus, ballet, and the beautiful ensembles. A full operatic orchestra is under the baton of William Redstone.