Mimes : Music : Records

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 154, 27 December 1924, Page 22

Mimes : Music : Records

THE SHOWS.

Grand Opera House—Muriel Starr, in season.

Williamson Entertainers, 12th January. His Majesty'^—Hugh Ward's Company of Comedians, in season. De Luxe Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre—Pictures. The Tivoli-Pictures. Artcraft Theatre—Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures. Empress Theatre—Pictures. Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures.

Gloria Swanson's next picture will be "Manhandled."

Jennie Hartley will be principal gir\ in the pantomime of "Aladdin" at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow.

A society of professional musicians has been formed in Wanganui, with Mr. Webb as president, and Mr. Crighton as vice-president.

Mona Magnet, who epent some time on this side of the globe in revue and musical comedy, is at present playing in revue in Edinburgh.

Mr. George Gee, the musical comedy comedian, who left Australia some four months ago, has returned to Sydney on a two-year engagement made with Sir George Tallis. .

In "How to Educate a Wt'e," Elinor Glyn's story, the characters are just everyday people, whose problems are our problems, and the author's witty ideas on the intriguing subject of married life provide merry, mirthful entertainment. Isolde and Alexis, sensational whirlwind dancers with the J. C. Williamson super-vaudeville, to appear here shortly, come direct from a remarkably successful season at the' Coliseum, London. The act includes eccentric, acrobatic, ballroom, apache, and fancy dancing. ' At present Rin-tin-tin, the dog star in "Find Your Man," is on tour, making personal appearances. , One of his greatest tricks is jumping a twelve-foot fence.

Sir Harry Lauder received a great reception when he commenced his Eastern tour at Bombay recently, and he is being followed everywhere by packed houses. ' His supporting company includea Miss Pauline Bindley. Mr. Edward Branscombe arid the Westminster Glee Singers have also been doing well in India, but sickness has been rifa in the party since they left Penang. Catherine Willard, an Anglo-American actress, was the recipient of a fine gift from Joseph Conrad just three 'weeks before his death, in the original manuscript of the only play which Conrad wrote, called "The Secret Agent." He had Miss Willard in mind for the star part when he wrote it, but she was called to America; and his wish never came true. In a letter to a friend last October Conrad said, after highly praising Miss Willard, that he had made up his mind to move heaven and earth to get her for the part of Minnie, for he was certain that she would have had a brilliant personal success. An argumentative subject is given a visual hearing in "This' Freedom," and it may be called a first-rate picture. It carries' out its '.author's theories to the dot. A. S. M. Hutchinson lias not written another "If Winter Comes." In the first .place, it doesn't present any such idealistic figure as Mark Sabre. However, once, its characters are all introduced, it swings into its main argument and finishes with a stirring climax. On e of the governing directors of the Hugh J- Ward Theatres Pty,, Ltd., Fullers' Theatres, Ltd., and John Fuller and Sons—Mr. John Fuller—will leave Melbourne at the end of this month to supervise the New Zealand productions of the new. firm and to finalise arrangements in connection with the building of a new theatre in Christchurch on tho site of the old Coliseum. Mr. Fuller will then visit all four main centres in connection with future visits of the Hugh J. Ward attractions.

Sir Oswald Stoll . recently read a paper on "Cinema and Education" at a meeting of the Cambridge Undergraduates' Cinema Club. Coming events cast their shadows before them, and the industry may yet have its chair and professor at one. of the 'Varsities!

The famous Russian star, Maurice Moscoviteh, is now iri Melbourne appearing in his celebrated production of "The Merchant of Venice," in which he j plays Shylock. Associated with Mr. Moscovitch are a brilliant cast of specially selected artists, including William Stack, the well-known Shakespearian leading man, from the principal London theatres; Jean Robertson, a brilliant young Australian leading lady, who has won fame on the stage in England and America; Nat Madison, a brilliant comedian and versatile actor; Basil Bowen, H. Mackenzie Rogan, and Arthur Green- | away, Raymond Lawrence, Cyril Gardner, Leslie Manners, Eileen Sparkee G Kay Souper, Phyllis Best, Gertie Cremer, Jean Gilchrist,: Maurice Dudley and Eardley Turner. Thousands of pounds' worth of art treasures will be seen in "The Man from Urodney s, including tapestries, famous paintings, and other Svorka of art. One of the finest art specimens is a priceless Gobelin tapestry, which was made m the fifteenth ,century. Genuine paintings by Corot and Whistler, and several beautiful statues are also in the filmWarren-, Kerrigan heads; the cast, playl ?£ %'■ fc Ue r.ole' and * supported by Alice Calhoun, Miss Dupont Wanda' Hawley, Pat O'Malley, and' Kathleen

At the lasifc Manchester Contemporary Music Centre concert, a new string quartet by Mr. H. V. Anson (son of Dr. Anson, of Wellington) was per<?™med) l ,ana was well received, writes i-he Posts London correspondent. J.he opinion expressed by one who is regarded as a confirmed classicist who has an inherent dislike for modern music, is gratifying and interesting. He writes, in the "Manchester Guardian" : "The quartet in D minor by Hugo Anson was. a work difficult to judge at a first hearing, for, though it was finely played by the Edith Robinson Quartet, the medium is not a safe one in which to judge venturesome transitions by ear. The Scherzo movement was the most easily appreciable, and showed a natural gift for fanciful writing. The composer is not ono who for effects of modernism forsakes the normal views of musical expression, and one- could appreciate always a natural and musical warmth of style. * Things were kept 'going a little too continuously for tlie music to come always engagingly. Enough was heard to place Mr. -Anson among. ' our most promising writers." At the present time Mr. Ansoh is engaged upon a serious piece of composition.

The English Pierrots,- which were in New Zealand some time ago, "and then disbanded, have reformed and are doing well in Australia, and at latest advice were performing at St. Kilda. The artists include Tom Preston, Joyce West, Cyril James, Elsie Brull, William Reed, Cammie Barlan, R. E. Molynoaux, Sholl Patterson, Marjory Pether Harcourt French, Kilty . Morton, Mali!

dee Aneell, Arthur Hemsley, Essie Fratus, Cecil Bamsdale, G. Pownall. . Bert Ralton and hi 3 famous "Havana Band," direct from the Savoy Hotel, London, head a company of supervaudeville artists (by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd.)/ which is the next big theatrical attraction to visit here. This band is the world's most popular jazz organisation, and there are few homes that have not a number of "Havana Band" records on the gramophone. Undoubtedly the great charm and appeal of the picture, "Babbitt," lies in its brilliancy achieved domestic scenes, and in the inspired naturalism of Willard Louis's portrayal of the title role. The romantic entanglements share the honours, however, and one has fascinating glimpses of Carmel Myers as Tanis Judique luring Babbitt from his wife, with beautiful clothes and eyes and deceptions, and the gay love affair of Theodore and Eunice.

A year ago Reginald Dandy was a bank clerk at Barclay's Bank in Brighton, writes a correspondent from London. Ten months ago he made his first professional appearance at the Queen's Theatre, London. To-day he is leading juvenile and principal baritone on the great world-tour of the Lee White-Clay Smith Company. Dandy, who is only 21, was discovered by Lee White's musical director, who was giving an amateur concert at Lewes. The baritone fell out at the last moment when somebody ' said : "There's » Brighton boy at Barclay's who sings for the Hove Opera Society; wire for him." The director did. Dandy made such a success that he was engaged for the Queen's Theatre right away. Indeed, musicians who have heard him rehearse say he is a cominz Hayden Coffin.

. "Being Respectable," the picture version of the book by Grace Flandrau, is a powerful photo-drama, revealing the passions which often flame beneath the surface of casual conventional people rhe stars, Marie Prevost and Mont© Blue, are fast becoming the "screen team of to-day," and, in these days of freelancing, no two players are associated in more than one picture, whereas Monte Blue and Marie 'Prevost are now i?a °A,$ h?JF flfth P^ture together. At the Old Vie, London, recently, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was staged, Miss Mane Ney being cast as "Helena." Ihe Morning Post" says the New Zealand actress may bo singled out to receive the.praise due the lovers in their vexed plight. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "In 'Othello,' Miss Marie Ney has already revealed herself as a young actress of more than ordinary promise, but as Helena her acting was of a kind to leave no doubt that she possesses gifts that, if wisely used, will speedily ensuro her a place in the front row of her profession."

Messrs. Chappell and Co., Ltd., the well-known Engish firm of music publishers, have forwarded a group of four of their latest and most successful ballads. Mr. Charles Hackett, -during his recent concert tour, included several of thesß items' in his repertoire, and made a phenomenal succesa with "Marcheta," a love ballad of Spanish character. Another was, the Coningsby Clark song, •Wondering Why," which is proving quite as popular as any of this writer's prevraus _ compositions. Eric Coates, the English composer, is responsible for a song "I Heard You Singing," which should have more than the usual success as a song for teaching, as it is within the scope of student and singer alike Another item of much interest is Love, I Will Find a Home for You," writer" ' the P°Pular ball^

London theatrical'and musical enterprise is m ,a very precarious position & rlt.f, , a correspondent in Smiths Weekly"). Artists have known it for some time-only too well, io the people it has come as a shock A competitor which has attained a most powerful position is the Broadcasting Company. Over 4,000,000 household^ can listen-in comfortably at home, without having to go to the trouble,of travelling, dressing, and paying for admission to concerts. The most important point is that they can hear on the wire-, less the best artists, the same singers whom they would hear if they patronised either the best opera performances or the best concerts. The whole position has changed, and unfortunately the young people who decide to become artists, or think that they are artists of sufficient merit to try their luck in London or Europe,: are under the impression that conditions are still the same as in pre-war days, or even as in the 'nineties, the hey-day of the great stars. Do they realise that most of the soloists in the Opera and Opera Comique receive about £5 a week, and that one has to be a great artist before one can hope to sing at these theatres ? Do they I know that in England many efficient! singers are glad to accept £2 or £3 (net), ! after spending much to get in at all? - Bert ErroJ, the female impersonator, expected here shortly with J. C. Williamson's vaudeville company, had his i earlier experiences with Adeler and Sut- j ton's _ Pierrots at Douglas, Isle of Man, : and it was while performing there that he had his life's romance. Ray Hartley, who adds to the attractiveness of his show. with his dainty dancing, is Mr. J3rrol's wife, and, by the way, a sister of Miss Jennie Hartley. The old Chinese custom of paying the doctor to keep one well and deducting ■ from his fee in case of sickness has been revived in America by theatrical pro- . ducers (states a London paper). It has i been converted into a system under | which girls in musical comedies and ' revues must observe a set of rules prescribed by physicians regarding diet, exercise, and sleep. Dr. Jerome Wagner, of New York, whose work it is to keep fit about a thousand young* women employed by a large theatrical syndicate, thus explained his duties:—"The girls have to keep fit. physically in order to be able to stand the strain of performances every night with two matinees v week. They are encouraged to engage in outdoor sports, and many girls excel in some branch or other of athletic activity. I am engaged by the season to give thorn periodical examinations, ; and they agree to follow implicitly my ! instructions." If any of tho girls fall] ill, a deduction is made from the doctor's fee for each day of tho illness. The day has long gone by when people' associate actors and actresses with the parts they are called upon to play (saya a writer in a London paper). It was not always so, of course. I remember a certain well-known actor telling me how, many years ago, he played in a provincial town the part of the workhouse master in the stage version of "Oliver Twist," in the course ox which he had to refuse the hungry child a second helping of porridge. He returned to his lodgings to find no supper awaiting him. In answer to his protest the landlady told him: "You sent poor little Oliver to bed 'ungry, so now you can aye a Usle yourself of what it's like to gq to sleep on a hempty slumiuick.!"

This was a tribute to the actor's sta<*e realism which he failed to appreciate. .A special British film, reproducing the Me, adventures, and death of David Livingstone, the explorer, is reaching its final stages. There are hopes that it will be ready for public performances in January. An expedition has been to Oentral Africa for.nearly twelve months reconstructing the explorer's life at the actual places where he lived, and a wonderful record has been obtained. The greater part of the expedition has now returned to England, and it is declared, that the pictures they have made will create something of a sensation. Exciting adventures befel the members of the expedition, as they lived for some time in the neighbourhood of Lake Eukwa, where are man-eating lions, hippos, crocodiles, and other wild animals. For one dramatic scene the artists had to round up a lion, which afterwards escaped and attacked a woman. Another lion was subsequently obtained, and this one had to be shot when it attacked the film artists. The entire party was one night marooned on the Zambesi, in the midst of hippopotami, and had a narrow escape next day. They also fell in the way of a herd of buffalo, which luckily stampeded and left the expedition unharmed. The members met tribes who remembered and revered the memory of Livingstone, and received the expedition with the greatest friendship. Certain scenes have still to be photographed, after which the text will be written, and the film displayed by the Hero Film Company to people such as Lord Ullswater, Viscount Buxton, Lady Stanley, the Bishop of London, and Free Church leaders who hay& taken prominent interest in the production. After a year of gramophony, one naturally sits back to reflect upon the progress and condition of recorded music as revealed by a review of the achievements of the year. In the department of instrumental musio the recordings of the year have been remarkable in respect to the number and character of works attempted. With the vocal and instrumental soloists, as well as in the department of concerted vocal music, it has been a good year so far as the fare and the quality of the performers have been concerned.

Looking over the recorded music of .the past year one is struck by the undoubted growing popularity of pianoforte and 'cello music. The violin still holds its own, tut the output seems to have been less than in preceding- years. The 'cello has a wonderful appeal, the same kind of appeal, in fact, as contralto singing has for some people, who prefer it to soprano singing. Amongst the 'cellists of the past season we had a distingushed debutante in Madame Suggia, who gave us two excellent double discs —Senaille's "Alleinande," to which was bracketed Popper's • amaziflgly difficult "Spanish Dance," superbly played, and Glazounov's "Spanish Serenade," ; with Henchel's gavotte "Au Tempts Jadis." ' Conspicuous amongst the recorded pianists of the past gramophone year is Alfred Cortot, the distinguished French pianist, whose recording of the "Children's Corner Suite" (Debussy), which occupied all but the last side of two double-discs—the last surface being given over to the same composer's "Buried Cathedral"—was one of the events of the season. The "Children's Corner" was a wonderful conception, admirably interpreted and recorded.

I Amongst tho violinists who have recorded in the course of the past year there is, of course, facile princeps, Jascha heifetz, whose recording is remarkable for its consistent excellence^ His output for the year has been very modest, when one remembers the lengthy list of his complete recorded works, but it has been of high quality—a double disco on which were recorded the "Grand Adagio" from the "Ballet Raymondia" (Glazounov), to which was bracketed a most beautful "Hebrew Lullaby," very simple in character, but wonedrtully appealing:. 1 Fritz Kreisler had a very modest outPu fc, for the past season—two adaptations of his own from Chopin's "Mazurka" Op. 33), and Paderewaki's, "Melodic" (Op 16, No. 2). To many, Kreigler appeals to a greater degree that Heifetz. whose cold immaculateness sometimes awes rather than warms the listener. Jiroisler s playing often strikes the *lis-' tener as being more emotional. He is a much older man, of course—with music one mellows as the years pass ( The great "Walfcher's Trial Song" from JJie Meistersmgers," one of Wagner's most melodious and lyrical airs, is suns { °r recording purposes by Mr. Frank Mullings, in English. -This fine tenor has made a great success of "By Silent Hearth, with its second half "Now Begin. He is heard distinctly in every word, and the orchestral accompaniment, conducted by Mr. Hamilton Harty, is exceedingly beautiful. J Dvorak's "Humoreske" and Schumannß, 'Traumerei," as solos, are admittedly hackneyed, but they are always welcomed by the greater part of concert audiences. Familiar as the former is on the violin and the latter oil t&e cello, they will, perhaps, be weiS?w -L 1? gramophones as octettes, ihat is their latest recorded form. Both selections are on the one disc, and are played by the J. H. Squire octette—one might say by an 6rchestra in miniature —and are eminently suited for playing in a small room. ■ s

Miss Edna Thomas, an authority on negro vocal music, has been greatly interesting artistic Sydney with her recitals of Spirituals" and frankly secular tolk-songs. She has sung many of them lor the gramophone, and among her most recent records—sung in person in Sydney —were "I'se Been 'buked," and "Gwina lay down my life." Whatever else one may think about these songs they are undoubtedly genuine expressions of real religious emotions. Many of the Sankey and Moody hymns in the first collections owed much to these negro spiritual songs.

memorable number from the Grand Opera Singers' season was Rossini s celebrated rollicking song, "Room for the Factotum" ("Largo al factotum ), from the opera "The Barber of beville This was irrestibly sung by Signor Grandforte and literally brought the house to its feet. There are several recordings to select from, should you now realise, somewhat tardily, that your grand opera collection is not complets without it. Peter Dawscn sing it in English and very well lio does it, too. Probably the best of tho Italian celebrity recordings is Stracchiari's, though Kutto s, bogorza's and De hica's are all very fme efforts.