STAGE JOTTINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 237, 7 October 1933, Page 2 (Supplement)

STAGE JOTTINGS.

Cable advice states that the Australian comedy actress Miss Adrienne Prune is seeking a divorce from Mr. Arthur Pusey, whom she married in 1924. The suit is undefended. Miss Brune, who was born in Australia in 1897, made her first stage appcarance in 1904 in Melbourne, and made her London debut in 1922.

One of the important "players in the Garrick Dramatic Society's forthcoming production of Elmer Eice's Puhtzer prize-winning play, "Street Scene, will be "Dinkie," the Pom, known to its owner up to tho present as "Queenie. Although it will not be called upon to give a timely yap by means of a pin or other coercive implement, the little longhaired dog may be relied upon to do its set role well.

Something distinctive as regards stage technique will bo seen in the W.L.A.s production of the unusual Pirandello play, "Six Characters in Search of an Author," in tho W.E.A. Theatre in the old Grammar School on October io and 14. The great problem—for author, producer and audience alike —is to . keep apart tho imaginary half-dozen characters created by the author and represented by actual players, from the other seven characters in the piece. The play, which, it is believed, has never been produced previously in New Zealand, should make a definite appeal to lovers of higliclass drama.

After lengthy negotiations, J- C. Williamson, Ltd., have disposed of the Theatro Royal, Melbourne, and the building is to be demolished _ to make way for a modern emporium. His Majesty's Theatre is to be rebuilt, at a coat of £60,000, and will be one of tiio most up-to-date theatres in Australia, with a capacity of 2000. The last performance of "Music in the Air will bo given at the Theatre Royal on November 13. On -the following evening the production will bo transferred to the King's Theatre. The final performance at the °Theatre Royal will bo of historic interest, and will include a pageant of players of the past.

"The Belle of New York," first produced in London at the Sha ftesbury Theatro in 1808, has been revived at the Garrick. This is the sixth time it lias been staged in London. Edna May s part is being taken by Kathleen Burgis, and Joo Tate, who was a member of the original company which came over from America with Miss May 35 years ago, is also in the cast. Another old London favourite, T. Taylor's "Lord Clancarty, first produced in 1874, has been turned into what is called a "musical dramatic romance," and is playing at the Winter Garden. The music is by Wolseley Charles, one of the original "Co-opti-mists," and the cast includes Franklin Dyall, Enid Cruickshank, Dale Smith and Betty Huntley-Wright.

Mr. P. J. Nolan, musical and dramatic critic for tho "Sydney Morning Herald," whose death has occurred at Sydney, was born and educated in Auckland. He made an early study of music, and on taking up journalism in Auckland specialised in musical and dramatic reviewing. Mr. Nolan was one of the critics who wrote tho notices in Auckland for the first production of "Dorothy" and "Tho Yeomen of the Guard." Later Mr. Nolan followed journalism in Wellington and Christchurch before going to Sydney. From there he went to the United States to join the staff of "Musical America." In New York ho met many of the leading musical celebrities of the day. In 1924 Mr. Nolan returned to Sydney.

An interesting announcement of a doublo theatrical event is the return to Australia of Dorothy Brunton and the first production of "Road House." . The opening performance will be given at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, this evening. "Road IIouso" is one of the outstanding successes of London at the present time. It gives the star splendid comedy opportunities, and the action of the play moves swiftly, so that it sweeps the audience along with it in thrills, excitement and laughs. "Road House" gets its name from an old English inn, ruined because of a diversion of traffic, and reconstructed into an up-to-date place of call for the gay-minded. Associated with Dorothy Brunton in the cast of this novel play will bo John Longdcn, Douglas Herald, Frank' Bradley and others. The play is produced by Frederick Blackman.

For three hours the 50 tricks and illusions which comprise the entertainment oifered by Dante, the Danish magician, occupy his audiences. Yet few three hours arc spent so enjoyably. It is a well-known psychological fact that human beings love to be mystified, and Dante, it would appear, is a past-master of the art. His programme, entitled "Sim-Sala-Bim," a name of Zulu origin, will bo presented first in Auckland in His Majesty's Theatre on October 14, and will bo staged here for the ensuing fortnight. He shows this evening in Wanganui, and on Monday and Tuesday will entertain Now Plymouth audiences. How many Aucklanders will remember his earlier visit, with a diifcrent programme, 21 years ago, then as Jansen tho Great? This appellation he dropped in New York some years ago when he returned after a visit to that city to find no loss than seven Jansons, masters of magic, practising along his style.