PLAYS and PLAYERS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 34, 3 November 1933, Page 16

PLAYS and PLAYERS

Professional and Amateur :: :: Activities ::

“fANNY’S First Play,” by Bernard Shaw, will be produced by Palmerston North amateurs this month, under the direction of Mrs. L. Bennett. The cast will include Mrs. Bennett, Ailsa Varcoe, Muriel Richards, Dorothy Wischnewsky, J. Garde Grimshaw, Ralph Holmes, and Claude Johns.

There is no one in Melbourne who is more interested in the last days of the Theatre Royal than Dorothy Brunton, who is now appearing in “Road House” at the King’s Theatre, for her father, the late John Brunton, was scenic artist at that theatre many years ago, and was associated with many historic artists and productions. The lease of the Theatre Royal having been disposed of, the theatre will be demolished to make way for a big department store, and J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will rebuild the more conveniently situated His Majesty’s Theatre on an up-to-date and lavish scale. The site of the old Theatre Royal has long ago proved itself to be unsuitable for a theatre.

Three one-act plays were given at the Auckland Garrick Dramatic Society’s club-room last week. Miss Kathleen Sawkins presented “The Grand Cham’s Diamond,” with Eileen Stenion, Kathleen Stenion, Norman Tibbutt, and Norman Cranch in the cast. Miss Antonia Martinengo gave “The House with the Twenty Windows,” the players being Joan Airey, Olga Martinengo, Ruth Adcane, James Millins, Eric Middleton, E. Nightingale and Cecil England. The evening concluded with a farce, “The World Without Men,” arranged by Rex Sayers. Those in the cast were Rothesay Burnett, Sylvia Jones, Hilda Kissin, Ruth Adeane, Vora Kissin, Joan Parsons, and Bettie Ryan.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W Bailey will pre sent their annual performance of plays and character recitals at Auckland on November 22. Included in the programme will be one-act plays, “The Proposal” (Chekhov), “The Bride” (Gertrude Jennings), and “The Traitor” (Wilde). A children’s operetta will also be given.

Not for many years has a new English artist achieved such success and popularity as the leading lady of “Music in the Air” has won in Melbourne. Sylvia Welling, who’combines with her acting and singing ability an unusually attractive appearance and outstanding personality, has scored heavily in the role of Frieda, 'the temperamental prima donna, and playgoers in Melbourne are looking forward to seeing her in other productions. According to present arrangements, she will later on appear as Kathie in a big revival of “The Student Prince,” and this will be followed by the first production in Australia of “The Dubarry,”. the play in which Miss Welling took the prima donna role at short notice, in succession to Anny Ahlers, and leapt into star rank in a single night. ..

A London paper, commenting recently on the engagement of Billy Milton to appear in musical comedy, under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management, in Australia, said: “The departure of Billy Milton, the clever young dancer and light comedian, will be regretted by playgoers. He has achieved widespread popularity, and is altogether a delightful young artist.” Billy Milton has dark eyes and hair, and one of his most charming assets is his smile. He has appeared in several British talkies, and, as has already been mentioned, he has appeared in revue in Paris, as well as having been leading man and partner with the famous French entertainer Mistinguett. He appeared in “Bitter Sweet” in London, and “This Year of Grace” in New York.

The South Canterbury Drama League staged “The Women Have Their Way” at Timaru last evening. The play is by S. and J. Alvarez Quintero, and comprises two acts, both of which are full of humour and smart dialogue. A oueact play. “Lantern Light.” written by Miss Manie Inglis, preceded the main nroductlon. “The Women Have Their Way” was presented by players drawn from the several groups and clubs associated with community drama in the district.