STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 137, 11 June 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Supporting Nellie Bramley in a scries of dramas and comedies in Melbourne are William Raymond, Margaret Adele, Ethel Bashford, George Hewlett, Victor Knight, William McGowcn, Austin Milroy, Marjorie May, Ronald Riloy, Will Halston and Marion Marcus Clark. It is probable that the company will visit New Zealand this year. Frank Neil, who has introduced many theatrical companies to Australia, will tour a revile company through New Zealand shortly. On its return to Australia the company will be reorganised and, according to present plans, dispatched to India. It will travel under the title, "The Australian Follies of 1032." Of the non-musical attractions to appear in Now Zealand this season the most outstanding is the engagement of Dame Sybil Thorndyke and her husband, Lewis Casson, and their entire company of twenty, who will appear ill a series of phfys, opening with Shaw s "St. Joan" some time ill July. There is also "Autumn Crocus," which is unique in the fact that its authoress was formerly a clerk in London, but from this, her initial effort as a playwright, has already netted £40,000 in royalites.

The London musical success, "Blue Hoses," will bo presented shortly in New Zealand, with two famous artists in the lead, Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchards, who are sure of a great welcome from playgoers. Interviewed recently, Madge Klliott -said: "I , least! don't eay J'm engaged to Cyril Rilcharde. Everybody thinks because we dance together we must be, but ours ifsn't that «<>rt of an association at all." Theirs ia the finest example of stage comradeship that can bo quoted. They understand each other perfectly, as grown-up playmates, as comrades, but never with the hint of a deeper romance.

Olio of tlie most promising dancers in Auckland is Joan Tucker, whose appealing wistfulness is characteristic of her niiio years. She is at present an important member of the Neville Carlsen llevuo Company —a troupe of players who provide conceits and dances at local hospitals, mental hospitals, veterans' homes, and relief workers' camps. Joan Tucker's ability for dancing lias won her a whole string of medals and trophies, ses'eral being ol national significance. She is an adept lit all kinds of tap and fancy dancing, and can sing an excellent song when called upon. Before playing with the

Neville Carlson troupe, she was often seen at bulls jind entertainments inAuckland — the city of her birth. Since joining up witli that company about two years ago, she has developed a flue stage presence and a definite personality that is really surprising in one so young. Joan Tucker is not the only member of her family to bo theatrically inclined, her uncle, on her mother's side being Jimmy Williams, whom many Aueklanders will remember for his splendid comic talents some years ago.