THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 21, 19 October 1918, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(By "Sylvius.") "The Concloliers." During tlio past week the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society lias .h'ecii strenuously rehearsing the stage business in connection with the forthcoming production of "The Gondoliers." This cast promises to bo t|m most brilliant production given us by the amateurs. In any case, it'will bo refreshing to hear once more the. charming and everbright and youthful music of "The Gondoliers," which is one of the mosj melodious and, humorous of the great series of notable comic operas from tlw pens of tlio late Sir Arthur Sullivan and Sir. W. S. Gilbert. Shall we ever look upon their liko again? ' ' Touring Per Motor-Oar. ' The "Peg o' My Heart" Company has been putting up several records new to .the dramatic .business.' One was that tlio whole company travelled from Reefton, v.in. Westport and Nelson, to Blenheim in.a 12-seater Cadillac char-a-banc, playing all towns on route, such as Miirehison, Motueka, Havelock, and Picton, as'well as the larger ti-viis. Mr. Maurice Ralph said that contrary to expectations the trip- through'-the Otira and Buller Gorges was'made in perfect weather, and all the members of the company were enchanted with tlio grandeur' of the scenery. Everywhere the theatres were packed. In Nelson the difficulty of pleasing the mwvd was so great that a - matinee bad to be ; given the next afternoon, and after the motineetlio company slipped over to Motueka ami yjivo.' aii evening performance. ■ There' was only one accident, the pianist amLtreasiirer, Miss Harris (late of Feilding), had the misfortune to have a severe accident in tho theatre at lleef.ton. She, in stepping from a. height where she thought the staging was level, had, a severe fall, and sustained ij. .nasty flesh wound which had tq.be stitched. She had to remain' in Reef ton for a week.- ; Notes. : •■:.•.• ; ■ • . Australians are making good in tho teeming picture factories of ; America,. "The Ecjast oE.'Jierliif,". the. .very 'entertaining and finely characterised melodrama, that ha;'been-filling the King's Theatre dui'hig the"past week, was not only partly conceived and "wholly produced by Mr. Rupert. Julian, ..but lie also acted the role ■of the. -Kaiser in a most impressive anduiot over-exngger-ated manner,../.His jio.se. his scowl, his vanity were'all .parts' o'f.'a.fiiip study. Air. jiilmi is an Australian actor, "who for' years played "modest roles with the iTuliiis 'Knight' aiid other companies .under the. management of.the Williamson firm. Another- New Zealand actor in'-the"same picture is Mr. Winter TIall:' forpierly a master -at "Christ's College, who' plays.', the role'' of the Kaisor'e medical : «itteiidant:.witli proper dignity and inipressement. ' ■

TJio iiniqu.o recdixl of placing ■Iβ an 'Opotiki audience oijc. night, making the overland'journey via-Motu, and showing in Gisborno. the.-.next night, lias been established by J. and N. Tait's English Comedy Company," playing "i'cg o' My Heart." The cnm])any was visiting Ttotorna, and instead of adopting the' lisunl sea route it was decided "to travel overland .through the Buy .of l'loiity to Gisborne. .At the close of tbe cntevtainm'ent' »t Opotiki the company packed m> and set out by three motor-cars for Gisborne. They left Opotiki shortlv after uiidniiglit, and apart from a l)it of a i/liower-lmth in one of tlio rivers, they travelled over tlin lnoiiiitninous rood witboiit mishap. AVith powerful beadlights find c.irefnl drivers the road was .'safely'■negotiated. Toatoa was readied about 4 a.m.. when it, wos still dark, but -the people, at the ''half-way house" turned out riid gave tbem an earlv breakfaM;, wbieh was lmieh apm'eeiated. Resuming the journey the party arrived afc ll'otn about 5.30 a.m. ... , i