STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

The 1933 'Varsity extravaganza, "Jubilade," is built round this year's jubilee of the Auckland University College. Written by Mr. J. A. E. Mulgan, it will be produced by Mr. J. A. S. Coppard in tlio Town Hall Concert Chamber for a 6eason of six nights, commencing on Wednesday. v ,

The Little Theatre Society will present its thirtieth production, and the second of its 1033 presentations, on June 3, 5 and 6, in the form of Robert Sherwood's comedy, "The Queen's Husband." The cast includes Whetu Kayher, Frederick Gaudin, Betty Mcßae, Gerald Wright, Arnold Goodwin and George Moody. The production is under the direction of Mr. Frederic McCallum.

The Auckland Catholic Repertory Society has chosen "Mary Rose," the famous play of Sir James Barrie, for its next production, late in July or early in August. The provisional cast includes several players who have not hitherto performed for the society. Scenic effects are already in hand by Mr. Vernon Brown. The incidental music, an important feature of the play, is under preparation by the society's orchestra, under the direction of Miss N. Ormond. Mr. Gaston Mervale will produce the play.

Auckland will shortly see an eminent exponent of the magic art in the person of "Dante," who is now playing in Melbourne in the course of a world tour. "Dante," who was in New Zealand 20 years ago as "The Great Jansen," is a Dane by birth but a world citizen by adoption. He tells an interesting story of how lie lost "Jansen" and acquired "Dante." Ho visited New York ill the course of his travels, and on the occasion of a return there, some seven or

eight years ago, found no less than seven "Jansens" practising in the city. In honour to the great magician Oscar Eliason, the original "Dante," who was accidentally shot in New South Wales many years before, he thereupon decided to use the name "Dante." He will bring his entire paraphernalia and company, including his wife and family—Mrs. Jansen, Alvin, Dolly and Mary Jansen—all of whom act as assistants. A tour of the Dominion will follow the Auckland season, which will commence early next month.

Frank Neil's pantomime, "Cinderella," is to go 011 tour in New Zealand. After its fortnight in Auckland, which ended to-day, it will be staged in Hamilton on Monday, Wanganui 011 Tuesday, New Plymouth 011 Wednesday and Thursday, Ilawera on Friday, Palmerston North on Saturday, Masterton 011 Monday, May 29, and Wellington on May 30.

Tho cast of the amusing farce, "The Vase of Venus," by P. G. Cargo, to be staged in His Majesty's Theatre by the Zoo Bartley-Baxter Players on Monday in aid of the Auckland Community Sunshine Association, will include "Misses Ysolinde McVeagh as Shirley Desmond. Constancc Clark as Eva Garth', June Garland ae Myrtle, Messrs. Dick Hudson as Ronald Claythorpe, Norton n*mmond as Prof. Garth, Hamish Henderson as Jason, Sidney Wilbraliam as Inspector Desmond, Apsley Bathurst as Gerald Desmond, and Harold Sayers and Hugh Wood as policemen. Production will be in the hands of Mrs. Bartley-Baxter and Sister Peggy Hovey, the latter acting as stage manager. A full orchestra will be in attendance under the baton of Mr. Harold Baxter.

Marie Ney, New Zealand's own stage actress, who is at the top of the West End tree, recently starred in a play at the Westminster Theatre, "The Lake," which one major London critic described as "beautiful and , sensitive." Tribute, not only to Miss Ney, was paid as follows: "It is a piece for the intelligent play-goer, admirably written and Expertly presented, making one of the most satisfying evenings that can be found around the London theatre."