FAVOURED PARTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19668, 11 July 1929, Page 2

FAVOURED PARTS.

GLADYS MONCRIEFF'S ADMISSION. MUSICAL COMEDY STILL SUPREME. That she had a liking for the parts played in England by Miss Jose Collins, the star in "The Maid of the Mountains,'' which was seen by so many New Zealand "diggers" on leave during the Great War, was an admission made by Miss Gladys Moncrieff, of the "Rio Rita" Company, now being presented in Christchurch, to a representative of The Press, who called on her yesterday. Unfortunately, Misfc Moncrieff was far from being at her best, being propped up in bed in an endeavour to shake off the effects of an attack of influenza contracted in Wellington, as a result of which she was unable to appear at yesterday's matinee. '"Daly's Theatre, where Miss Jose Collins scored so many of her triumphs, is, I consider, the greatest theatre of its kind in the world," said Miss Moncrieff, "and I was naturally greatly pleased when I was given the chance to appear in "The Blue Mazurka" there. I had played a number of Jose Collins's parts in Australia, such as "The Maid of the Mountains," "A Southern Maid,'' and "Sybil," so that I felt thrilled when I was able to occupy her beautifully decorated room in that theatre." Miss Moncrieff was deeply appreciative of an honour done her during the season of "The Blue Mazurka," when an Australian night was held. Every member of the audience on that occasion was presented with an Australian wattle with ribbons of red, white, and blue, while the principals, including Bertram Wallace and George Groves, who had played the original parts _ of Baldesare and Beppo in "The Maid" with Jose Collins, also wore the favours in their buttonholes She was subsequentlv entertained by Miss Collins, whom she found to be a charming woman, with dark hair and eyes and gorgeously gowned. Asked what she thought of "The Blue Mazurka," Miss Moncrieff said it contained some beautiful numbers., the music approaching the quality or grand opera. It had a run of 22 weeks in London and was then withdrawn on the death of Mr "Jimmy" White, owner of Daly's Theatre, being subsequently sent on tour. Mr White spent a great deal of money on the production of the piece, making a number of important changes during the season For instance, one of the early attractions was a Charleston number which he withdrew and substituted for it a Russian ballet. She did not think there was much likelihood of The Blue Mazurka" being produced in Australia or New Zealand, "but I sometimes think that I should like to produce it myself." she admitted. Musical comedy, she said, was still the most popular form of theatrical entertainment in London, as it was in Australia and New Zealand. There was a tendency for such productions to get bigger and bigger, in consequence of which she doubted if it would be possible to stage them in their entirety in the Dominion. Revue, which was very popular in America, was not so successful at Home or in Australia. It was possible, she said in answer to a question, that she would appear in "The Last Waltz," another production in which Jose Collins had starred, the Fuller Proprietary having approached her in this connexion Meanwhile she was associated with her husband Tom Moore, in the manageria side of the profession, their initial effort in this respect being Zeppelin," a play of the "thriller" type, which was to be staged in Sydney on Saturday night.

CARNIVAL DANCE. At the Winter Garden last night, the Bailey-Marston Orchestra supplied excellent music for the happy gathering of dancers who attended the United Amateur Swimming Club's carnival dance, which had been organised by a capable committee, comprising Mesdames W. Dickenson, L. Agassiz W. Copplestone, J. Smith, J. Meikle, Misa D. Dickenson, Miss G. Smith, Miss L. Lindsay, Messrs M. Bolam, C. Herd, Noel Smith, M. Rattray, G. Rose, GLaurie, and H. Smith (hon. secretary). The ladies present included: —Mesdames J. Meikle, J. Smith, W. Kountree, A. Gibbs, G. Morrow, W. Dickenson, W. Copplestone, N. Morton, Misses J Meikle Nancy Munnings, Maisie Tarpey, Lola Coe, M. Morton-Taylor, Eunice James, Phyllis Wakelin (Little River), Molly Heasley, Rita Archer, Svlvia Reaby, Marjorie Bridgens, Rose Britt Vera Povnton, I. Agassiz, JCraig. Ena Holmes, D. Dickenson, Ena Falkinder, Dorothy Clarke (Ashburton), G. Stewart, Margaret Lyons, Sylvia Smith, R. Gallagher, R Stokes, F. Buist, M. Greenslade. Lucy Lindsay, Phvllis Spencer, Molly Simmonds, Zoe Rhodes, Rua Simpson. Leonore Foubister, Olga Stewart, Queenie Wall, H. Eastgate.

YOUNG PEOPLE'S GUILD. To mark the second anniversary of the formation of the Guild, the president and committee of the Young People's Guild of St. Paul's, Papanui, entertained their many friends at a birthday party at the residence of Mr and Mrs L. R. Corsbie. "Flag bridge" was played in the spacious drawing and dining-rooms, while the dancers were catered for on the large balcony. Mesdames Corby, Seabrook, and Rich were the winners of the "flag bridge tournament, while Mr A. Rodie was successful in the "animal" competition. The committee, consisting of Mrs Rodie, Misses R. Hodgson, D. Heywood, M. Brown, L. Gardiner, D. Webb, and M. Seabrook as honorary secretary, are to be congratulated on the success of the party. The guest of honour was the Rev. W. H. Or bell. Amongst those present were: Mesdames G. Holford, Watson Dawson, T. Erans, P. Cleary, Rys Morgan, N. Davidson, A. Stewart, L. R. Corsbie, A Rodie, Kingsland, W. A. Wilson, Read Corby, F. C. Seabrook, Rich. G. Thompson- Misses J Tingey, B. Evans, I Dunnage. E. Dunnage. F. Macrir>n»ld L." Gardiner. M. Brown, Z. Rodie ' Wallace, D. Webb. R. Hodgson D. Hevwocd, A and C. Brown, \ Garrett, "E Smith. L. and S. Corsbie P Brass, G. Marsden, M. J. Seabrook N. Davidson, I. Campbell, EReid N. Corby, C. Joseph. E. Corsbie, and McClpan. Messrs T. Evans. Rt s Af'vf.g-an \ Davidson, A. Rodie Kinpsland Wallace, A. Svme, W. A. Wilson. Read. G. Thompson (2), C Gardiner. C. Iversen. K. Moorhouse. E. Eeeiestone. P. D. Corsbie, A. L. Felton G McKechnie R. Evans B. >• Tavlor.' Alcock. T. A. Bristow. C. Davies. V. Smythe, and L. R. Corsbie. POPS INTO BED.

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