STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 78, 2 April 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Ernest C. Rolls' latest spectacular production, "Hanky Panky," attracted large audiences to tlio Palace Theatre, Melbourne. In it there is bright burlesque, some clever and amusing sketches, musical and vocal numbers, and a welltrained ballet execute some pretty dances. Prominent artists in the programme are Josephine Trix, Nick Morton, Bex and Bex, Stan Foley, Eddie Fields and George Moon.

Gladys Moncrieff and the company associated with her have achieved success in "The Chocolate Soldier," at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. This comic opera includes delightful music 'by Oscar Straus, that never fails to please. The comedy is also exceptionally attractive, and the whole play, being based on Bernard Shaw's satirical comedy "Arms and the Man," is of a much higher standard for this reason than the usual fcypo of musical production. The piece was spectacularly 6taged.

Mr., Charles B. Cochran, the famous London promoter, last month completed a deal with the theatrical tieket agencies amounting to just on £100,000 for seats for hia production of "Helen! which had a triumphant introduction to London at the Adelphi Theatre. Ihis figure is a record for an original theatre "library" deal in England. The deal following the nroduction of '\Vhite Horse Inn" at the Coliseum last year, was stated to be £60,000 for a period of three months of twice-daily performances. That deal held the record until now.

J. C. Williamson, Ltd., have secured another important attraction to add to their already long list for 1932. This is a production of the comedy, which has iust been produced in New York for the first time, entitled, "Whistling in the Dark," by Laurence Gross and Edward Childs Carpenter. Two of the principals are already on the way to Australia. They are John Junior and Stapleton Kent, who made a big success throughout Australia in the J. andN. Tait production of "Turn to the Right. According to present arrangements, "Whistling in the Dark," will be given its first Australian production at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, after lhe Barretts of Wimpole Street" has moved on to Sydney.

One of the biggest attractions to be presented throughout Australia and New Zealand in the early part of this year will be Sybil Thorndike, the worldfamous English actress, and her company of 24 artists, including her husband, Lewis Casson, the producer, whom many consider the best producer in the world. The plays will constitute a large and varied repertoire, including "Saint Jpan and "Captain Brassbound's Conversion, both by Bernard Shaw, "As "ou Like It," "The Taming of the Shrew, and "Macbeth," "Painted Veils," "Madame Goes Nap," "The Breadwinner," "After All," and probably some classical pieces from her extensive repertoire. It has been said that Dame Sybil Thorndike might have been a sculptress with the same ease as she has become England s foremost actress.

Cyril Bitchard, who, with Madge Elliott, is appearing with great success in "Blue Roses" at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, studied medicine at Sydney University, but finally decided, because of overcrowding in that profession, to go on the stage, and appeared in many productions in Australia and New Zealand before he went abroad seven years ago. He went by way of America, and there he promptly secured an engagement. "I was very lucky," he said, "for I appeared with that fine artist Elsie Janis in a production called 'Puzzles of 1925.'" On proceeding to London, he was chosen to succeed Jack Buchanan in Chariot's Bevue at the Prince of Wales' Theatre, and, he says, "I had the pleasure of seeing my name in lights over the theatre. There were four of us —Maisie Gay, Dorothy Dickson, Edmund Gwenn and myself." Miss Elliott and Mr. Bitchard were at the Gaiety Theatre for four years in a series of musical plays. Their present stay in Australia is only a brief one, and a short visit will also be paid to New Zealand.

The British stage lost one of ite few remaining "old troupers" by the death of Mr. Herbert Waring, early in February, at the age of 74. He bad been ill for ten days, and died on Sunday at his home in Hammersmith, London. Mr. Waring'e last stage appearance was in the role of Polonius in the all-star production of "Hamlet" at the Haymarket Theatre last year. His real name was Herbert Waring Rutty, and he began liis working life as a schoolmaster. But that phase lasted for two years only, and in 1877 he made his stage debut at the Old Adelphi in the revival of "Formosa." From then onwards Mr. Waring was almost continually engaged on the West End and provincial etage, appearing for several years with the Hare and Kendal managements, and later playing in a number of Sir George Alexander's most notable productions. In 1920 he went to New York to play in "The Green Goddess." For many years Mr. Waring had represented the typical bulldog Englishman on the stage, his broad figure, thick moustache, and deep voice being particularly suited to this type of role.