Mimes and Music

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 126, 24 November 1923, Page 21

Mimes and Music

BY "ORPHEUS 11

TEE SHOWS. ° P<lrr a ,-,mHous*7 J- C' Wilson, Dramatic Company, in eeaeon. J-, ?• Williamson, "Xhe Beggar'i Opera," Ist December. ■ His Majesty'j-VaudevMe. Artcralt Theatre-Plcturei. Our Theatre—Pictum. Empress Theatre—Pictures. Shortt'i Theatre-Picture., btrand Theatre—Piotnr«t. Britannia Theatre-Pieturw. Prmc«B« Theatre—Picture. Everybody's Theatre—Picture!. Queen's Theatre—Picturei.

J. O. Williamson Ltd., have secured the Australasian right* of the following musical plays: "The Cousin from No™s2™>" , .'"nia Lady °* the Rose," Whirled into Happiness," "Wildflower, ' "The Little Sinner," and "Frasquita," Lehar's latest opera, for which the firm hold the entire world's rights. Maude Fane is back in England. She does not speak of returning to the stage. She has a house at Dorking, a devoted husband, and a. good share of this world* goods—and is quite content.

The Humphrey Bishop operatic and comedy company will arrive from Australia next month, to open in Auckland.

Michael Angelo Raggini, the New York shoeblack, who has abandoned his trade to become an opera singer, gave his farewell concert in New York recently, to the "stockholders" in his gold-en-tenor voice, who have subscribed £2000 to send him to Italy to complete his musical education. "His rich tenor voice," says a New York despatch held his hundreds of "investors" spellbound as'he sang in Mb squalid-flat accom'pamed by his fifteen-year-old sister on a dilapidated piano.

The Ward-Fuller pantomime will be in Melbourne this year, with Dorothy Brnnton as principal girl and Amy Koohelle as principal boy, and Charles Heslop who opened a few weeks ago in Melbourne's premiers of "Tons of Money," as the chief comedian.

According to the American critic, 'KosUa," the lateßt film produced by Mary I'ickford is the best thing she has ever given ue. Saye one -writer: "Enter Mary Pickfprd, actress, as Roeita, in a screen production of the same name. A Mary Pickford different and greater than at any time in her screen career; a Mary Pickford with her hair done up, pretty as a picture, and displaying an acting ability few thought her capable of. In 'Rosita' she tops the splendid work of 'Stella Maris,' the greatest picture she eyer made until the current feature. 'Rosita' is easily one of the greatest pictures of the year." Mr. Walter Fuller writes from Sydney to the effect that the New Fuller Wonders/ a combination of eleven graceful girls and boys, aged from ten to twelve years, are taking Sydney by storm. "They are younger than the other combination, ' writes Mr. Fuller, "but beheve me, they are bard to beat. Their feats are nothing short of marvellous, and they will create a furore in New Zealand when their star act is staged." When "The Beggar's Opera" comes to xs'ew Zealand, at the beginning of next week, the role of Captain Macheath. the amorous highwayman, will be played by Hilton Osbourne, who appears in that role in. "P011y,"., the successor to "The Beggar's- Opera" in London. Mr. Osbourne's commanding presence and fine yoice should make Machoath an impressive character. Pauline Bindley will-be Polly. Gustare Slapoffski, who is musical conductor with "The Beggar's Opera" at Melbourne Her Majesty^, recalls-the interesting - fact that his wife's aunt, Madame Haigh Dyer, played Polly Peachum to the Macheath of Sims Beeves at Covent Garden in the 'fifties. "Madame Haigh Dyer," said Mr. Slapoffski. "was the original Gipsy Queen in the first performance of 'The Bohemian Gir! at Drury Lane Theatre, London, which Balfe -the composer of the opera, .himself conducted. Mr. Holman, of Sydney, the father of the ex-Premier of New South Wales told me recently that he witnessed this performance." At the Jubilee performance of "The Bohemian ■Girl given at Covent Garden, Mr. Slaponski -was the musical conductor Always seeking novelties in order to maintain the exceptionally high standard they have set for themselves in catering for the entertainment for the whole of Australasia, the Wirth Bros, regularly scour the civilised world for the very lat est, and as a result of the recent tour by Mr. George and Mr. P. Wirth some new and thrilling acts will be seen in New Zealand. Prince Giseppi Bignoh,'smallest jockey, and comedy artist m the world; Bert Hughes and company ol ladies and gentlemen who play bas-lset-ball on bicycles; the Egochago Troup of bullfighters from South America; Big yifredo, Spanish clown and his trained cogs from Cuba, Havana; Mimi Whar-t-,n and Louie Carmelle, jugglers; Evans and Perez, equilibrists, are a^ few of the new artists who will make their first appearance in New Zealand. There are also several new animal acts, -while the augmented menagerie, with its rarities from all parts of the wprid, including the largest herd of elephants ever seen in New Zealand, with Baby s Jessie, the smallest elephant in the world, is always a great attraction.

In the visit of Miss Gertrude Elliott, New Zealand is doubly favoured, since the celebrated star is supported by the famous artist, Mr.' William Mollison, the most versatile actor on the English stage. Mr.. Mollison is the son of the great tragedian of the same name, who for so many years was the heavy lead in Sir Henry Irving's-company. The son has riot, only inherited" the father's genius, but he has glorified'it by a capacity for versatile work which is remarkable. As: juvenile lead, comedian, and character actor he has scored emphatic successes. In "Smilin' Through" he presented a truly, amazing study of an embittered old man,, while in "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife" he secures a triumph as a frivolous young French aristocrat, whose drunken scene in the last act Mr. Oscar Asche described as the cleverest he had ever seen on any stage. And in addition Mr. .Mollison is the producer of the company, and in'his leisure often makes an excellent score at golf., of which ancient game _ Miss Elliott herself is also an accomplished, devotee.

Lin Smith's wonderful jazz band—Lin Smith pianist, Sammy Cope drummer, Paul Jeacle saxophone, Da-ve Meredith trombone, and Arthur Kernick violinist —is now playing at Auckland. .. It is said to put all other musical jazz combinations right in- the shadow, and in Sydney it created quite a furore! "I have heard jazz before," writes Mr. Walter Fuller, "but \I have never heard jazz music such as Lin Smith and his merry men play it. As Jenny Hartley used to sing: 'You'll be surprised.' " With their Australian triumphs fresh upon them the Westminster Glee Singers, under the direction of Mr. Edward Branscombe, are at present in Auckland and will visit Wellington shortly. As is to be expected, the return of these delightful singers is creating great interest, for it is seldom that we have the opportunity of hearing such artists and enjoying an entertainment of such a wide appeal. There is an indescribable charm about the voice of a boy soprano. It is so sweet, and as with boys from the great cathedrals of the Old Land who have been specialy trained in the London College of Choristersi their enuacjatioa is

perfect and their hearts ar« in every word they sing. Three new boys have recently arrived from England, Roland and Thomas Mayno and Arthur Valentine, with Leslie Snow, Ronald Thompson, and the two boy soloists, Edmund Walter and Albert Cooper, make what is considered the best boys' choir which has ever left England. The adult portion of the choir. is as follows:—Male altoSj Messrs. Donald Reid and William Lowry; tenors, Messrs. Edward Branscombe,. Ellis \Vizard, George' Pownall; basses, Messrs. John Andrews and Alfred Cunningham. The repertoire of the Westminster Glee. Singers has been increased and the.. programmes to be presented will be entirely new to Wellington audiences. A special feature is made of the anthems and excerpts from grand opera, while there are solos, duets, ■ quartettes, glees, madrigals, and old English folk songs.

Oscar Asche has carried production to such a fine art in "Ivis," according to a Sydney paper, that he has even trained the canaries in the second act to sing lustily during the first fifteen minutes while the dialogue deals "with "unconsidered trifles," and then be quiet during the love scene. Then it is that the single bird in view of the audience devotes himself suddenly to the chickweed in his cage and ceases to interrupt!

In collaboration with' his Scottish manager, Mr. J. Hall Nicol, a three-act Scottish musical play, entitled "Oor Am Folk," has been written by Sir Harry Lauder. The .cast has been selected, and arrangements made for a trial run at a few district theatres near Glasgow. In addition to this, Sir Harry is also entering the film'world with a specially written story of. his own, "I Lo'e a Lassie." It will be exhibited at Glasgow: during New Year week. Sir Harry V play is a. story of country life, and presents "Auld Rob M'Nab ' and his wife, who, in addition to their own wranglings and bickerings, have the love affairs of their only daughter Bessie (she has many suitors) to worry them. The theme of the story is the old Scottish custom, "The Heating of the Hobse," usually held a week or .two before a wedding. The dialogue and' new songs are in the familiar Lauder style.

The famous actress and mimic, Miss Cissie Loftuo, is, according to an American newspaper, to resume her stage work early next year. The paper state 3 that the cave and attention she has received since her illness last autumn have greatly benefited Miss Loftus, that she is again the Cisaie Loftus of old, and that she is to start a tour of the Keith musical hall circuit, opening at Keith's Palace, New York, on 27th January.

Mr. Walter Kirby, the Australian tenor, severely criticised the public taste at the-conclusion of his concert in the Melbourne Town Hall on a recent Saturday night. The paucity of the attendance was the reason for his outburst. "It is very nice to see you here," said Mr. Kirby, feelingly, "although it is Henley night. I thank you for having come. But after my long abseuce from Melbourne I am disappointed that there are really so few here. ' He paused, and when he resumed he-spoke with bitter r ness. "It is very sad to think that artists here have to .struggle against such , odds—Buch empty benches. One goes to Europe for years of training to make a name, and to make onself worthy of one's hire, but because one is ;an Australian .one is-not:appreciated. Had I come back with a liussian or Italian name this place would have been Eacked to-night. I can assure you," c concluded, "that this series of concerts is the last which I will give in Melbourne for very . many years. I thank you." The concert started late, but when Mr. Kirby came on-for his first number there were in the galleries not a dozen people. In the body of the hall there might have been 200, most of whom had seats'at the back. It is possible that even the night's expenses will not be covered. Mr. Kirby, who was in good voice, rendered 17 songs in English, French, Italian, and Gennau. ■ '

An Auckland "Star" representative, writing from Sydney on Bth November 6ays: "'Sydney and Melbourne are privileged in seeing big theatrical performances before New Zealand, and often on a scale not possible in shifting a big company and all its accessories across the Tasman. It was, therefore, with, more than ordinary interest that I booked up early for some of the plays that were havmg a big run. The "O'Brien Girl," after a lengthy season in Melbourne, was still 'going strong' in Sydney, the theatre being packed every night. It is one of the biggest and brightest shows of the kind, and if it is staged on the same scale in New Zealand, theatregoers there are ensured of a treat. I saw Oscar Asche and Diana Wilson in Pmero's masterpiece, 'Iris,' at the Theatoe Royal; Gladys Moncrieff and Claude iteming m the comic opera, 'A Southern Maid, at Her. Majesty's; Laurence urossmith in 'Quarantine,' and Gertrude i-lliott and Company in 'Bluebeard's wghth Wife," at the Criterion, where I found 'Dick' Stewart, whose Dominion friends will be pleased to know, was looking very well, despite a rather serious illness on his last tour of New Zealand. Each and all of these plays can be looked forward to with keen anticipation by theatre-goers here and none more so than 'Bluebeard's Eighth Wife' one of the cleverest comedies of the kind .eyer seen m Australia. Though the last play staged in the Sydney season, it proved, the most successful of the sea«on. Gertade Elliott is a charming act-i-ess, -and she has associated with her a .very fine company. It was a perfect production and the crowded audience fairly rocked' with laughter over the rapter eichang.; between 'John Brown,' a millionaire Bluebeard, and 'Monna ' his eighth wife- (Miss Elliott). In Melbourne I saw Irene Vanbrough and Dion Boucicault, in 'Belinda.' if was a do lightful performance, reminiscent of the heS,t Ti Boucic^H Company in the height of their popularity. If the cora . pany visits New Zealand you will en brL h sr c v-ery fine *°™«y 'sSiv,- a

An opera with a run of over 200 years is a decided novelty. "The BeSs wFn^ ; Vhl Ch J- ° ™™™, Ltd. will stage here next Saturday night was first produced in London in 1728 It has been revived many times with meat Tvr! TK »lhe resent revival the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London, has been runmng for four years. "The Beggar . Opera" J, different to anything that has ever been staged in New Zea' land and. apart" from its 1 entrancing melodies, it has rare charm and dramatic power.