STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 72, 26 March 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

One of Auckland's favourite theatrical presentations is the annual University carnival play, which is written, acted and produced by members of the Auckland University College. The A.U.C. carnival committee announces that this year's effort will be produced on Saturday, May 14, in the Town Hall Concert Chamber instead of in His Majesty's Theatre, the home of last year's "All Quiet on the Waterfront," "Size.Three," "Crooks, Limited," and many other most successful ventures. The Concert Chamber was last used for "Billy Stoney," many years ago. A play has been chosen for 1932, and the name of the author will be announced shortly. A casting committee, consisting of Mr. J. A. S. Coppard, author of "All Quiet on the Waterfront," and Mr. J. M. Bertram, the 1932 Rhodes scholar, has been set up and is at work on a preliminary survey of the histrionic talent available in the college.

After appearing in many successful roles on the London musical comedy and comic opera stage, Margery Hicklin has come back to Australia, to appear in Noel Coward's operetta "Bitter Sweet," the first performance of which will be given at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. "I am very glad to be back," said' Miss Hicklin, "because when I was last here I had conventional musical comedy parts that did not afford me much scope. My role in 'Bitter Sweet' is far more ambitious." On her return to London, Miss Hicklin took Edith Day's part in "The Desert

Song," at Drury Lane Theatre after four rehearsals only, and played it for two months. The same thing occurred during the season of. "Show Boat," Miss Hicklin playing Magnolia for five months. "That production was of unusual interest to me," said Miss Hicklin, "for appearing in it were several artists who had been in Australia, including Horwett Worster, Marie Burke and Dorothy Lena." Miss Hicklin also appeared in the Drury Lane revival of "Rose Marie." "The Constant Nymph" will commence a short season at His Majesty's Theatre by the Little Theatre Society on April 14. The novel was a best-seller, and the play proved to be one of the greatest successes of Basil Dean, who collaborated with Margaret Kennedy, the author. Hilda Morse will appear as Tessa, Bita Chapman as Paulina, and Masie Free as Antonia, these three comprising "Sanger's Circus." Graham BrownDouglas will play Lewis Dodd. - Also in the cast are Jack Gordon, Jean Gordon, Denver Calder and Patricia Boyle. The music has been selected by Mrs. Eve Miller. The first act presents many difficulties, but the producer, Mr. Gaston Mervale, is confident that the company will give a good account of themselves, the casting committee being delighted with the rehearsals. Another first production in Australia will be "Whistling in the Dark," which is to be staged at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, after "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" has gone to Sydney. It is described as "laughs and thrills 50-50." John Junior and Stapleton Kent, well remembered from "Turn to the Right," are coming from America to play important roles.

On Easter Saturday, commencing with a matinee performance, the worldfamous operetta "Bitter Sweet," by Noel Coward, will be given its first production in Australia at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. This will be one of the most elaborate productions ever given in Australia, and will utilise the full resources of "The Film" as regards the many scenic settings, the costuming, and the number of people associated with the performance, totalling nearly 200. In three acts there are no fewer than seven scenes, and some extent of the scope of the production may be gained from mention of the fact that there are 1100 different costumes worn by the company, and that a special wardrobe department has been created at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, for this performance.