AROUND THE FOOTLIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 8 (Supplement)

AROUND THE FOOTLIGHTS.

the world of the theatre. A presentation of the farce-comedy, "The Unfair Sex," by Eric Hudson, is to be given in the Town Hall concert chamber oil Wednesday and Friday next in aid of the committee sponsoring New Zealand's entrants in the centenary air race. The production proved popular when given earlier in the month for King's School, Keniuera. Mrs. E. Varley Hudson is producer.

The effect of the advent of a repertory company on a rustic Irish audience forms the basis of the sparkling comedy in the dialect, "Is Life Worth Living?" by Lennox jllobinson, which will be the Little Theatre's 35th production. It is to commence a four-night season at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday next. The play is regarded as an exceptionally good example of Irish national comedy, and was performed under the directorship of the author at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, in February, 1933, and transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre, London, in August of the same year.

There are more than 300 different costumes worn by the ladies in "The Dubarry/' the musical production which is now in its eleventh week at the King's Theatre, Melbourne. Some of these contain rare materials that could not be duplicated in Australia, and were imported for this production. The management of these garments requires a great deal of skilful manipulation, for the panniers arc yards wide, and are heavy and substantial on their big wire frames. In the last act, Sylvia Welling, who plays the title role, wears a frock that is so widespreading that double doors have to be opened for her to leave the stage and enter her dressing room.

The Playhouse Players will present a brief season of the Oriental threeact play "The Chinese Lantern," by Laurence Housman, on July 16 and 17, in the Lewis Eady Hall. The story is enacted in the studio of a Chinese artist named Olaug-tsi, at the time of the Festival of the Lanterns. Picturesque and dramatic, with flashes of comedy, its action centres round Tikipu, general drudge of the studio, and Mee Mee, a Korean slave girl. \ The production will be staged with special lighting, and the hall will bo given an atmosphere of China, the action of the play opening at the entrance door of the hall, with the audience sitting in a street in a Chinese town. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bailey are joint producers.

The Rev. R. G. Coats, organiser of the pagean-drama "Bobin Hood," which is to be presented in the Town Hall on August 7, S and t), has engaged the services of the musician and composer, Mr. J. Tait, to arrange the music necessary for the three choruses. Old English music calls for special treatment and knowledge. On one of his numbers, "Here's a Time of Merriment," Mr. Tait is said to have produced a delightful and fascinating chorus. Mr. Tait has collaborated with another musician, to whom he has handed over those choruses and solos which have a more modern flavour and are more of a martial nature. The musical director is Dr. Trevor de Clive Lowe, who has engaged a suitable orchestra. Mr. Tait is acting as choirmaster and instructor. The pageant is placed in the period of 11931194, A.D.

"White Horse Inn" is playing to packed houses at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, and as it is doing so well, its opening date in Melbourne is still indefinite. "White Horse Inn" is said to bo tho biggest stage production ever attempted in Australia. More than 120 artists take part in the three acts, which comprise no fewer than 15 different scenes. There are 27 musical numbers, dances and ballets. "White Horse Inn" will be presented as the opening production at the new His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, with the latest stage devices, including revolving stage and a new system of lighting which has rot yet been used outside of Berlin and London. "White-Horse Inn" is booked for a tour of the Dominion at the end of the year, and has been described as "the last word" in sta<*e production.

A strong cast has been chosen for the next production of the Catholic Repertory Society, "Charles and Mary," Joan lemple's delightful play, centring round the career of Charles Lamb, the famous English man of letters. This play, which is along the style of the biographical studies which enjoy so great a vogue just now, both on stage and cinema, was most successful when first produced in England in 1928. Interest and suspense is sustained throughout by a wide variety of incident. The first scene in tho home of the Lambs leads up to a striking climax. Then follows a salon reception, with costumes appropriate to tho period, a suitable setting to bring into the play Lamb's most characteristic qualities; and in the final scene, his famous love episode is depicted with great charm. Norton Hammond as Charles, Enid Hosking as Mary, and Dan Flood as George Dyer, will appear in the leading roles, supported by well-known local amateurs.