STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 85, 11 April 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Two celebrated musicians who are visiting Australia and New Zealand this year are Zlatko Balokovic, Yugoslav violinist, and MLscha Levitzki, Russian pianist. Balokovic, who is being brought out by Messrs. J. and N. Tat, is described as a virtuoso of an intriguing character, and has created a sensation in Europe by his -wonderful playing. He and his wife will travel from America in their yacht. The season -will open in Sydney in June, and altogether 40 concerts will be given in Australia and New Zealand. Levitzki paid his first visit to New Zealand 10 years ago as a young pianist of 22, and since then has advanced to a foremost position among the few really great pianists of the world. Leaving New Zealand, he toured America for the third time, visited the Orient in 1925, and has just completed seasons in Europe and the United States, where he won universal praise from lovers of music. His present tour opens at Melbourne on April 18 under the direction of Mr. E. J. Gravestock.

A noted American critic who recently returned to New York from a visio to London said he was heartily against censorship of either screen or stage, as he thought that one or two people were not capable of setting themselves up as an authority for the whole theatre-going community. He pointed to "The Green Pastures," a beautiful religious play, wliich the English censors had barred in obedience to a minor theological scruple. One reason for the poor quality of the English stage during the past few seasons, he said, was due to the poor quality of the producers, and added that "people who go into the theatre purely for commercial reasons do mora harm than anything else, not excepting the talkies." The general superiority of American to English productions, both in stage and screen work, had been due m the past to greater financial support, but now everything rested in intelligent direction. Though an inferior type of English play had lately been imported into New York, he favoured an exchange of work between the two countries, as it led to mutual understanding.

Ethel Morrison, who has received <n-eat praise for her charming portrayal in St. John Ervine's "The First Mrs. Eraser," now showing in Sydney, was born in New Zealand. Sh© will he remembered as one of the' most successful principals of the J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan opera company by her brilliant performances as Katieha, the Fairy Queen, Dame Carrutliers, the Duchess of Plaza-Toro, and others. Later she was associated with Marie Tempest during her Australian tour in "Mary Goes First," and other plays. Seven years ago Miss Morrison departed for America, where she soon made a name for herself. One of her biggest successes was achieved as Louisa Windeatt, the good-humoured sportswoman, in "The Farmer's Wife." Mies Morrison demonstrated her versatility by appearing also in drama, comedy, and musical comedy. In a musical version of the story of FalstafT she appeared as Dame Quickly. Miss Morrison's company, # which includes Mary MacGregor, J. B. Rowe, and Leslie Victor, win open their New Zealand tour in May or June with "The First Mrs. Eraser," and will also present Galsworthy's delightful comedy, "Bird in Hand."

News of a theatrical revival in Australia was given by Mr. J. H. Tait, managing director of J. C. Williamson, who landed at Auckland last Monday on his way to America by the Aorangi. He said there was a strong demand for stage plays, but it was difficult to get sufficiently good material. Straight comedies —"The First Mrs. Fraser," "Let Us Be Gay," and "Bird in Hand" —had done well, and Edgar Wallace's "gangster" drama, "On the Spot," had also scored a success in Sydney. But owing to the domination of the talkies and the general depression nothing new had come to light in the way of musical comedy. "If we could get another 'Rose Marie' or 'Desert Song' we would do great business despite the bad times,"' said Mr. Tait. There were a number of good straight comedies abroad, however, and he hoped to produce one particularly clever play, "Petticoat Influence," which was meeting with great success in England. Much interest was being shown in the conceit world in Australia, and notable visitors were being cordially welcomed.

Joseph Hislop, the famous Scottish tenor, who visited Australia and New Zealand in 1927, opens a second southern tour this month with concerts in Melbourne. After the Australian season a tour of New Zealand will follow, under the direction of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. Mr. Hislop made his debut in 1914, and has since sung leading roles at many of the famous opera houses of Europe and America. He was Rudolfo with the late Dame Nellie Melba as Mimi in "La Boheme" at Covent Garden, London, about six years ago. Latest reports received regarding Mr. Hislop is that he is singing better than ever. His recent success in "Frederica," the Franz Leliar •jperetta, with Fraulein Seidl (an Austrian musical comedy star specially imported to London for the title role in a play about the poet Goethe) is still fresh in the memories of thousands of music-lovers at Home. Mr. Hislop was Goethe, his art triumphing completely over what some critics described as banal libretto. It was his debut in a performance of this nature, and so great was the demand for seats that queues were formed overnight, in which hundreds patiently waited.

"BILL OP DIVORCEMENT." The Auckland Little Theatre Society are to produce for their twenty-first production at His Majesty's Theatre on April 30 and May 1 and 2, Clemence Dane's remarkable play, "A Bill of Divorcement." The society have introduced many famous playwrights to this city, hut up to the moment this distinguished authoress' work has not been included among their offerings. Clemence Dane (Winifred Ash ton) is undoubtedly one of the outstanding writers for the stage in England to-day. Her manner of exposition suggests that like CJalsworthy, she finds in drama a most natural medium of her art. Besides "A Bill of Divorcement" she has written several other plays which show that same high order of craftsmanship. These are "Nabotli's Vineyard," "Granite," "Mariners," and the well-known "Will Shakespeare," the latter in blank verse. Before she became a dramatist, however, Clemence Dane had shown an unusual ability in mastering the technique of the novel, and her "Legend" and "Regiment of Women" are widely appreciated. The society has endeavoured to present- this play for the past few years, but the difficulty of casting Hilary Fairfield has prevented its adequate presentation. In the hands of Mr. A. J. C. Fisher, however, this difficulty has been surmounted. It is anticipated that his performance will be one of the most interesting given by the many clever players that we have from time to time seen during the society's productions.

The prize this week goes to M. Best, Mount Eden, for: BUSY AT THE OFFICE. Brown: I had burglars in my office last evening—the safe was broken open —it is all in the papers this morning— I am a ruined man! Green: Heavens! How much did they get? Brown: Not a penny. But I told my wife business kept me at the office last evening. SHOWING OFF. Housemother: How did you like Paris? Tourist: Aw, they speak too much French there. UNDERWRITING THE PROPS. A moving picture actress has had her legs insured for a million dollars. To the film star, of course, this is mere pin money. IF WINTER COMES. Bounder: Don't stop me; I'm going into this shop to buy a new cover for my typewriter. Rounder: But that's a fur shop. Bounder: Well? KEEPING PROVERBS UP TO DATE. "Is Clare much put out at being jilted by that young aviator?" "Oh, no. She says there are just as good birds in the air as ever were caught." UNUTTERABLE EMOTION. "Now, then, what should a polite little boy say to a lady who has given him a penny for carrying her parcels?" "I am too polite to say it, madam." BURNING WORDS. "My husband is very frank and plainspoken. He alwaye calls a spade a spade." "So does mine. But I can't tell you what he sometimes calls his golf clubs." STAMPEDE. A lady motorist was driving along a country road when she spied a couple of repair men climbing telephone poles. "Fools!" she exclaimed to her companion, "they must think I never drove a car before." TENDER FLOWER. 'Well, Algy, I hear you have taken up walking as the doctor ordered. How does it go?" "Seems a bit awkward at first without a windshield."

WANTS TO BE AN ANGEL. Mrs. M. W. writes: "My little four-year-old girl said to me the other day, 'Muvver, how long'is it to my birfday ?'" "Not very long, dear." I told her. "Well," she asked, "is it time for me to begin being a good girl?" ALL THERE. Visitor (at doctor's house to his small daughter): Is your daddy in, dear?" Small Daughter: No, he's out, giving an anaesthetic. Visitor: An anaesthetic! That's a big word. Wliat does it mean ? Small Daughter: It means three guineas. , . A FAMILY TRAIT. At the annual prize day of a certain sl-hool the head boy rose to give his recitation. "Friends, Romans, countrymen," lie started, "lend me your ears." "There," commented the mother of a defeated pupil sharply. "That's Mrs. Jones' boy. He wouldn't be his mother's son if he didn't want to borrow something!" THE ACID TEST. "Mr. Garvin," a man asked his tailor, "how is it you have not called on me for my account?" "Oh, I never ask a gentleman for money." "Indeed! How, then, do you get on if he doesn't pay?" "Why," replied the tailor, hesitating, "after a certain time I conclude he is not a gentleman and then I ask him." ODD MAN OUT. A lady who was looking abof "*, in a bric-a-brac shop, with a view w purchasing something antique, noticed a quaint figure, the head and shoulders of which appeared above the counter. "What is that Japanese idol over there worth?" The salesman replied in a subdued tone: "Worth about half a million, madam; it's the proprietor." TAKE HIM FOR A RIDE. When a certain officer of the Governor's staff died, there were some applicants for the post, and some were indecently impatient. While the dead colonel was awaiting burial, one aspirant buttonholed ths Governor, asking: "Would you object to my taking the place of the colonel?" "Not at all," the Governor replied tartly. "See the undertaker."

We know what's the matter -with, business: the economic expert® have had it turning the corner so long it's dizsy. Wife: lam dressed. Where ar» we going? Husband (looking at her dresi): Swimming. The difference between a battle and a massacre is, of course, that in a battle the whites kill the savages and ia a massacre the savages kill the white#. Irate Ball Player: I wasnt oatl Sarcastic Umpire: Oh, you weren't? Well, you just have a look at the newspaper to-morrow. "Say, is your dog clever?" "Clever! I should say so. When I say, 'Are you coming or aren't you?' he comes or he does not." Constable: A wonderful woman? « . . . I took the stocking that the thief lad used to gag her out of her mouth and she immediately began to Sarn it. Servant: A bottle of wine, plewe. Shopkeeper: Red or white? Servant: It doesn't matter—my 1 master is colour-blind. Diner (who had been extremely difficult): Have you any wild duck? Waiter (fed up): No, sir; but we can take a tame one and irritate it for you. New labourer (to farmer): What titnei do I 'ave to get to work in the mornin'? Farmer: Any time you like, so long aa it isn't later than half-past five. Sunday-School Teacher: So Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of faaifc. Tommy: How long had she been driving. ....

"I can't think why they make eo much fuss of Miss Smith's voice. Miss Jones has a much richer voice." . "Yes, but Miss Smith has & much richer father." Private Smith was going through his first course of musketry. The sergeant, after taking notice for some time, said, "Where do you think your shots are going, Smith?" "Blest il I know, sergeant; they're leaving this end all right." "What, asleep again, Mary! That is the third time this week. When I engaged you you told me you were never tired." "No, mum, I ain't; but if I didn't sleep I should be." Knockout Riley: Cheeze, kid. Dafc last article you wrote for de paper wiiz <1 pippin. One-Round Pete: Dat's wot dey tell me. Y'know, buddy, sometimes I wish't I could read. . . "And is there any instrument you can play?" asked the hostess, who was pressing her guests to provide entertainment. "Not away from home," Jenkins replied. "That's queer! What do you play at home?" "Second fiddle." "And what sort of a place is Yarmouth?" asked the American, who was staying with friends in England. "Oh," replied his friend, "Yarmouth is celebrated for the curing of herrings.'* "Well, ain't that just too cute," said the American. "Say, I'd like to see the little ill herrings sitting round getting bettex - ." A dear little girl of seven or eight years stood one day before a closed gate. A gentleman passed slowly. The dear little girl turned and eaid to him: "Will you please open this gate for me?" The gentleman did so, then he said, kindly: "And why, my child, couldn't you open the gate yourself?" , "Because," said the little girl, "the paint's not dry yet."