PLAYS and PLAYERS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 70, 15 December 1933, Page 18

PLAYS and PLAYERS

Professional and Amateur :: :: Activities :: ::

T™ Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society will produce “Les Cloches de Corneville” in April or May. The Auckland society is considering “Veronique.”

The J.C.‘ Williamson Ltd. Christmas attraction in Melbourne will be the latest musical comedy success, which is now running simultaneously in London and New York—“ Gay Divorce." The first performance in Australia will be given at the King’s Theatre on Saturday night, December 23. This will be a gala night, with theatre decorations, and novelties for patrons. “Gay Divorce” will introduce to playgoers two noted London artists: Billy Milton, light comedian, leading man, and dancer; and Iris Kirkwhite, 21 years old leading lady and dancer. Gus Bluett will have a splendid role. Leo Franklyn will also have plenty of scope for comedy, and Frank Leighton, will also be welcomed back. The play will be produced by Charles A. Wen man: and the ballets, dances, etc., will be under the direction of Edward Royce, Jun., from London.

A two-act play, “The Women Have Their Way” was staged last: week by the South Canterbury Drama League. It was preceded by the one-act play, “The Long Christmas Dinner,”

A three nights’ season of Jerome K. Jerome’s play, “The Soul of Nicholas Snyder” was completed this week by the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society.

Mr. F. Cousins intends to produce two plays for the Palmerston North Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society next year. It is hoped to stage them in February and April respectively and one will probably be “The Ten-Minute Alibi.”

Wellington's Christmas attraction at the Grand Opera House will be “Carter the Great,” the world-renowned magicinn, who. with his brilliant company, will present the most amazing acts, some of which have never previously been performed in New Zealand.

The J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Christ- 4 mas attraction in Sydney will lie the first production in Australia of “The Dubarry,” with Sylvia Welling in the role in which she appeared in London in succession to Anny Ahlers, after the famous German prima donna had left the cast owing to illness, her tragic death following. Miss Welling won star rank in this role, which is an unusually picturesque one and affords her wonderful singing find acting opportunities.