MIMES AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 50, 27 August 1921, Page 11

MIMES AND MUSIC

(By "Orpheus.")

THE SHOWS,

Grand Opera I^nse— Jascha Heifecz, 27tii August. Allan Wilkie, 23th August. His Majesty's— Vaudeville. The King's Theatre—Pictures. Artcraft Theatre—Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures.

Empress Theatre—Pictures. Sliortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. I'rincess Theatre—Pictures, liverybodys Theatre—Pictures, (jueen's Theatre—Pictures. I'aramouut Theatre—J?icfcure3.

Miss Vera St.-John, of the Allan \VHkio Shakespearean Company, was married during tho Auckland season to Mr. T. Campbell, chief irechanio of the company. The pair received hearty congratulations, and were presented with a handsome gift from the other members.

Miss Jennie Hartley made a. successful appearance at Fuller' Uunedin theatre tins week. Tho tflented httle lady will appear hero on 26th September. Kecent engagements made by the Fuller firm includo Andy M'Pherson, Scottish comedian, who left Capetown by the steamer Borda for Sydney on Ist August; Tubby Stevens and partner, due from Africa, to open in Sydney early in September, and Rastus and Banks, coloured comedians and eccentric dancers, from England. London bands have been rather unfortunate lately in suiting the tune to the occasion. The Times remarks: It happened, as tho Lord Mayor and aldermen were movinit in their stately way towards the Rlatform at the Guildhall, that the band of the Coldstreamers was'in the middle of " Chu Chin Chow," so the brisk melody of the " Hobbers^ March accompanied the imposing progress and somewhat marred its impressiveness on the beholders. The band of the Royal Irish Constabulary accomplished as' pleasing a feat when Lord French took his farewell of Dublin Castle' by playing ."I'm for Ever Blowing Bubbles." .

In continuation o£ their policy of introducing to New' Zealand music-lovers none but the world's greatest, musical geniuses, Messrs. J. and N. Tuit announce tho visit of Mkcha Levitzki, the famous young Russian pianist, who will commence his Now Zealand tour early in November next at Chri3tohuroh. Ever since Dame Nellie Melba showered congratulations on him in Now Tork three years tfgo, ho has triumphed everywhere; being hailed by critics and publio as " the successor to Rubenstnin and Paderewski " —"the wonder pianist of the- century." ' Born near Kieff, in iSbutfiern Russia, during a return visit of his parents to their native country, his intense musical nature manifested itself at an earls age. When barely five, he began to play the piano, and three months later so amazed his parents that he was placed under the tutelage of Sisisniund Stojowski, with whom he remained for four years. Progres was so extraordinarily, rapid that he was sent to complete his studies with Dohp.RnyL This renowned teacher, whoso pupils were all of maturer years, was astounded when tho new arrival turned out to be a -lad in knickerbockers. One hearing satisfied the master that Levitzki. was. a genius. Four years later, during the winter preceding tho outbreak of tho European War, he toured Belgium. Success was ec instantaneous that, despite war conditions, he continued to play in Vienna, Leipzig, Budapest, and Christiania. His unheralded entree on the American concert platform in tho autumn of 1916 was one 61 too really sensational happenings of that season in tho intervening years. He has become established by a long chain of.triumphs. His success in Australia has been phenomenal. Tho audiences attraoted to. Levitzki constitute a record, Paderewski previously having been responsible for drawing the biggest audiences to pianoforte recitals, but his young successor hasj eclipsed this both in tho number of concerts givoh acd tho size of tho' audience* ' '

Already preparations are well in hand for the, J. C. Williamson pantomime of "The Babes in the Wood," to be staged at Melbourne Her Majesty's, at Christmas time. There will be an exceptionally noted oust this year, including Miss Nora Delany. London's loveliest principal boy. Miss Minnie Everett, who has been in London, Paris, and New. York for some time gathering material for the pantomime, writing by the last English mail, said that "Australians will take Nora Delany to thoir hearts and, keep har there." Charles A. Wonman will produce' the pantomime. ■ After an absence of eight years, Mr. W. S. Peroy, the well-known comedian, returned this week from England by the Rimutaka. He ia spending a holiday in Dunedin' before leaving for Australia, to ke up an engagement with J. C. Williamson, sLtd. When he left Australia to conquer foreign fields, Mr. Percy played for, six months in New York in the comio opera "The Maid of Athens," and then crossed to England, where, he played "at the halls" and in revue for some years. Later, he tourod the provinces as leading comedian in ''all the London musical comedy successes. He made his first big hit in London in "The Boy," and followed this with, a big part in "The Boy for the Girl."' Last Christmas he was the comedian in a pantomime at Bristol, which had a record run. Mr. Peroy was warmly welcomed by hiß many friends in Wellington.