STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Tlie feature of the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society's production of the Barrie play, "Mary Rose," on July 20, 21 and 22, will be the local debut of Miss Valerie Cox, of Gisborne, in the title role. Mr. Graham Brown-Douglas will play the male lead. The producer, Mr. Gaston Mervalc, is concentrating for realism on scenic and lighting effects, also the incidental music composed for the original London production. The society's reading circle continues this week with Barrie's 'The Twelve-Pound Look," and Reginald Barclay's "The House of Darkness."

Considerable interest has been aroused in local theatrical circles by the announcement that the Little Theatre Society will produce as its thirty-first effort Karel C'apek's epoch-making tragedy, "R.U.R." TJie play depicts a conflict 'between human and mechanical forces, the outcome of which is the extermination of man by the robots he lias invented. The treatment of the play, according to the producer, Mr. Frederic MeCallum, is to be quite novel for Auckland audiences, the scenery, costuming and acting combining in symbolical style to interpret the "idea" underlying the work.

The second play of the year for the Garriclc Dramatic Society will be staged in tho Town Hall Concert Chamber on August 9, Miss Rnie Robinson being the producer. The play selected is "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," one of Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's greatest successes. It was made famous on the London stage by Mrs. Patrick Campbell, and Irene Vanbrugh played it in her first Australasian visit. The cast assembled promises fine co-operation. It is as follows: Misses Minna Mays (title role), Joan Airey, Nancy Warren and Kathleen Sawkins, Messrs. Howard Newcomb, Eric Middleton, Joe Molloy, Rex Sayers, A, Beart, J. Tibbetts and T. Harris.

According to present arrangements, Isabel Elsom, the English comedy star, will make her first appearance in Australia at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, on July 1, in "When Ladies Meet," by Rachel Crotliers, author of "Let Us Be Gay." She is to be accompanied by George Barraud, Carl Harboard and Constance Burleigh.

The best revue items of many years' experience will be embodied by Mr. Neville Carlsen in a charity vaudeville performance in the Scots Hall this evening, proceeds being in aid of an unemployed mission. Contributors will be Miss Jean Morrison, and Messrs. Vincent Aspey, Peter Dawson and Alan McEhvain, together with "Jadoo" the

magician, and Miss Aileen Beresford'a ballet and classical dance pupils.

Based on its author's experiences in adjudicating many amateur dramatic performances in connection with the National Festival of Community Drama —which has become so amazingly popular in the Old Country of recent years— a new book on amateur theatricals has appeared, under the title of "The Producer and the Players." Edward Lewis, the author, gives an enlightening glimpse of the difficulties and dangers besetting any amateur producer and gives some sound advice to would-be producers. A word of helpful advice is also given to the would-be actors and actresses. He sums up his advice to beginners in the following comment: "Let him therefore take his courage in both .hands and 'go all out' for his part. Ho will make mistakes: he may make himself ridiculous; but if he shows life and fire, much will be forgiven him." (Allen and Unwin.)

Diana Wynyard will soon be seen in London as Charlotte Bronte in "Wild Decembers," Clemence Dane's play about the famous sisters, which Mr. Cochran is putting 011 at the Apollo. Meanwhile Alfred Sangster's play, simply entitled "The Brontes." with Lydia Sherwood as Charlotte, is doing well at the Royalty.

Aucklan ' ha*s had some taste of the readiness of George Wallace to assist in charitable causes, for he twice appeared on his only vacant night of the week— Sunday—to give turns, of 110 small dimensions, at concerts in aid of local charity. News. arrives now that he has been leading the charity community singing gatherings in the Wellington Town Hall during the course of Ills visit to that city. This was in spite of daily matinees an well as evening performances. Needless to remark, his appearance was always hailed with delight by the audience. George Wallace will probably pay a second return visit to Auckland after the conclusion of the Wellington season, making his way to this ritv by way of Masterton and other places.

"Our Miss Oi'bbs" is now in its eighth week at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne. This popular musical play is cleverly constructed, with something of a story that maintains its interest; the musical numbers have some relation to the story, and are not merely interpolated; the music is not mere "jazz," but has a permanent value, so far as music of this type is concerned; and each of the characters requires acting 011 the part of the principals, as well as vocal ability. All important fact is the outstanding popularity of those supreme musical comedy favourites, Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, whose playing of the roles of Mary Gibbs and Hon. Hugliie Pierrepout, with their singing and dancing, may be ranked as amongst the best performances they have ever given. Another factor in the success of "Our Miss Gibbs" is the inclusion in the cast of such popular personalities as Gus Bluett, Leo Franklyn, and Frank Leighton.

Arrangements are being made by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., for the return to Australia thid year of Leon Gordon, one of the most versatile and successful artists who has ever appeared in Australia. Since he last appeared there he has largely devoted himself to scenario writing at Hollywood, at which he has been exceedingly successful, and he has also been prominent in a number of important dramatic and comedy stage productions in New York. Mr. Gordon, whose visit about September depends upon his release by Hollywood, proposes t<\ open in Robert E. Sherwood' 6 famous play, "Reunion in Vienna," and to follow this with Elmer Rice's "Coun-sellor-at-Law," and the dramatisation of Emest Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms." It is also possible that he will appear in "Dinner at Eight," the play by George Kauffmann and Edna Ferber, which is an outstanding success at the present time in New York and London. It is interesting that Mr. Gordon recently prepared the screen scenario of "When Ladies Meet," in which Aim Harding is now acting, and in the stage production of which play the famous English comedy star, Isobel Elsom, is to make her first appearance in Australia.