STGE JOTTINGS.
Preparations are now in full swing at tlie Theatre Royal, Melbourne, for the J. C. Williamson Christmas pantomime "Sinbad The Sailor," which will be produced for the firm by Charles A. Weninan. It is intended to make this production colourful and spectacular, as well as giving due importance to the comedy and musical- side. The ballets and dances, which will be invented and arranged by Jennie Brenan, will be an outstanding feature, and the musical side of the pantomime will be under the direction of William Quintre. Mr. Wenman produced the Clarke and Meynell "Cinderella" pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, some years ago. This achieved the Australian record for pantomime—l 7 consecutive weeks at the one theatre.
The Continental hold which has displaced the American, though, perhaps, only temporarily, on the London theatres has been strengthened by the success of "Viktoria and Her Hussar," says a London critic. It is a musical play which cleverly bridges the gulf between the old romantic style and the new jazzy one. The stQry is a pure pre-war product, while the tunes, at least in their arrangement, have the proper post-war "punch." After a prologue in Siberia, the opening scene is placed in Tokyo, and then changes to America. There is a strong international cast playing this piece. Harry Welchman, an Englishman, is an American ambassador; Margaret Carlisle, an American, plays the Hungarian heroine; Oskar Denes, as an Austrian comedian, and the fleetestfooted heavy-weight since Jack Dempsey, is the principal success, and Barbara Diu, a Viennese, portrays a coy Japanese inaid. The music fluctuates between plaintive airs in the minor and hectic dance rhythms.
The J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, which is now completing an Australian tour that has lasted since Easter, will open its season in Auckland oh December 23. The operas will form the holiday attraction at His Majesty's Theatre. The repertoire includes: "The Gondoliers," "Mikado," "lolantlie," "The Yeoman of the Guard," "Pirates of Penzance," "H.M.s. Pinafore," "Princes Ida" and "Ruddigore." The • company consists of over 100 artists, the leading members of which are Ivan Menzies, Maisie Ramsay, Evelyn Gardiner, Gregory Stroud, all new English artists, while others
well known are Leo Darnton, John Ralston, Marie Bremner, Mary Ilothaxn and Allan Whitehead. Marie Bremner, who hails from Dunedin, was last seen here With Lance Fairfax in "The Desert Song." This is her first New Zealand appearance in Gilbert and Sullivan opera. There will be a full operatic chorus and ballet, with an orchestra of 20, under the baton of Andrew McGunn, and the whole production will be of a standard never before equalled in the Dominion."
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Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)
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440STGE JOTTINGS. Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)
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