Mimes: Music: Records

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 143, 20 June 1925, Page 21

Mimes: Music: Records

THB SHOWS.

Grand Opera House—Mosuovitch Company, in

season. . Long 'Jack Sam and Vaudeville ComDanv 26tii June. Town Hall—Galli- Curci,' SOth June, 2nd and •lth July. His Majesty's—Vaudeville. »c Luxe Theatre—Pictures. King's Theatre—Pictures. The Tivoli—Pictures Artcraft Theatre-Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures. Empress Theatre—Pictures. SUortfs Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures Britannia Theatre—Pictures. •Princess Theatre—Pictures Queeo's Theatre— Pictures.

A play ■which is having a- great success in London is "The Tyrant," by Mr. Rafael Sabatini. It is described as a wonderful picture of life during theItalian Renaissance. 'The Tyrant'" is the notorious Caesar Borgia, whom the author and Mi. Matheson Lang between them have contrived to whitewash, considerably.

Mr. H. Mackeazde-Eogaji, who is appearing in support o£ Mr. Maurice Moscovitch in the series of plays being presented at the Grand Opera House,. is a son' of Lieut. J. Mackenzie-Bo-gan,' well-known in musical circles as the late conductor of the Coldstream Guards Band.

Understudies are usually neither heard nor seen as far as the public are concerned, as their appearances are so occasional and so brief that they do not have time to attract attention. George Jennings, the understudy to Alfred Frith in "Primrose," at His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, has revealed such humorous ability that critics who have seen him predict a bright future. Of exceptional interest is the theme of "The Nigger,"-in Guy Bates Post's repertoire. The cleverly-constructed and highly-dramatic story involves the colour question—concerning the love affairs of a woman and two men, one of them with a trace of negro blood in him. Mme. Evelyn Scotney, the Australian soprano, scored an outstanding success and was given a most flattering reception on her appearance at the Lyceum m the role of GUda, in "Bigolotto," according to a Sydney "Sun" cablegram .from-London, dated 4th June. The diva was deluged- with flowers; and was'-re-called a dozen times. The "Daily News" critic says she sang brilliantly, her floridpassages -were excellent, and she acted convincingly, while Andre Skalski conducted the orchestra ably. The newspapers generally pay tribute to Madame bcotney's limpid purity of tons, truth of pitch, and well-balanced performance ' A marvellous lighting novelty is a feature of Primrose," the latest J. C Williamson show in Australia. . White men are turned into darkies, red costumes into yellow and then to mauve and clothes "are changed in shape. Miss Nellie Stewart, is on the road to a complete recovery from her serious illness. Her convalescence (says a Sydney paper) will be a long one," but each ,week sees the patient adding to her strength, and now she is able to sit up lor a period each day. Her intimate I friends and relatives are delighted with the progress she is making Leon M. Lion, the London producer, wno was responsible for the early sueoess ot Galsworthy, ■ Ibsen,/and Maeter-' tack plays in the West End. announces his intention of . visiting New Zealand late in the year with an English company. Mr. Lion's season in Africa has been a tremendous success. ' There has been a public appeal through the newspapers that he should make a second tour of the Union before returning to i aniL His Plays ' "The Chinese Puzzle, "The Mask and the Face," and "Outward Bound," have all enjoyed prolonged- seasons in Johannasbm-n- and Capetown, and in both places he'has put up a record. When it is remembered that he has only 90,000 people to draw from for his audiences in Johannesburg, the fact that 60.662 people saw him play will give some idea of the interest displayed by South Africans in the theatre. , _ Denis Kehoe, actor-singer, is appearing at Auckland, presenting '"Mother Machree," an Irish folk play in threo acts. .Not only is Mr. Kehoe a finished actor who has won golden opinions, but he is aJso_ the possessor- of a resonant sinking voice, which he uses with great skill, and a musician of "no mean ability, playing ihb piano, violin, and the Irish harp. The latter ho sometimes uses to accompany his songs. To give you an idea of to -what extent a show can "flop" here (writes the London correspondent of the Sydney "Eeferee"), I would like to point out that on the third night of the new show at the Ambassadors they took £18. and the following night the house was under £6. The rent alone of the Ambassadors is £275 a week

The return visit after an absence of twelve months in China, of the Chinese juggling majyel and his company, commences at- the Grand Opera House next Inday, when Long Tack Sam will present to theatre-goers a complete new organisation of twelve Oriental stars, including Misses Poldi and Mina Long and Madame Long Tack Sam. The company supporting the star are all acts of international repute selected from the J. 0. Williamson theatres in Sydney and Melbourne. In a magnificent sotting of Chinese draperies which Long Tack Sam has brought back with him, and which,' together with costumes which cost tha s>tar within the neighbourhood of eight thousand pounds, the troune maintains tho keenest interest of the "audience for nearly an hour. Direct from the Palace Theatre, New York, are Moran and Wiser, billed as hilarious hat spinners in a skit "All in Fun." The previous companies of J. C. Williamson vaudeville have presented many dancers, but Errol Addison and Gertrude Mitr'enfa, the specialty and classical dancers with this company, are said to bo the most artistic and delightfnl pair yet seen in vaudeville. The Royal illusionist is Chris Chariton, who is assisted in a mystifying act by Dorothy Browne. Chariton comes with a big English and Continental reputation. His act" includes mystery, indescribable surprises, problems in sleight of hand not before seen, and many novelties. Au act from France, tho Novellii Bros., are described as musical acrobatic clowns. One critic says, "For quaintness the Novelle Bros; are hard to beat."

■ Miss Francos Morrison, a .young New Zealand singer, is receiving many engagements in the United States. " In a letter received by a friend in Wellington Miss Morrison comments on the preference shown to foreign artists in America, to the oxclnsion of English-speaking Americans who arc struggling for recognition. Some of the American singers, she says, are as good as, or better than, many of the high-priced foreign artists. Miss Morrison has nuug for most of the teachers and managers in Chicago, and they have all praised her voice, production, commenting specially on the caC?lIrnce of her diciion. She'attributes 1 his to the very thorouah tuition she had under Sister Liguori. in Wellington. Mi:-s .Morrison is to broadcast for 'New /.calaij.| wireless enthusiasts on 271h .Jn/ir. .i/»;:ii.'v' liDin utiM-ion W.E.tUJ, (Edgewateit Beach Hv.lcl, Cluu'agoj,

Signor Lucien Cesaroni, the wellknown operatic basso, supported by a number of his pupils, will present in full operatic costumes at the Town Hall Concert. Chamber next month the second scene- from. Act 2 of Boito's opera, "Mephistophele." Signor Cesaroni will be assisted by a chorus of baritones and basses, and a ballet of witches. The part is one of Signor's most successful roles, and the presentation will afford an unusual opportunity for lovers of opera to see him in his real operatic atmosphere. Boito's opera has sought to give the- whole of Goethe's "Faust," and not merely the Faust and Marguerite incident employed by Gounod and others. Pull appreciation of Boito's "Mephistophelo" calls for familiarity -with the .operatic score, supplemented by much quiet study of Goethe's poem. Mr. John Masefield has built in the garden of his home at Boar's Hill, near Oxford, a little theatre, seating abont a hundred people, and organised a company, tho Boar's Hill Players, to produce therein examples of poetic drama. The first production staged in the new playhouse was Laurence Binyon's "Young King." Mr. Masefield's desire to encourage the speaking of verso has previously found expression in his organisation of the annual competition known as the Oxford Recitations, in which speakers from all parts of Great Britain take part.

The opinion of Mr. Fritz Kreisler upon the trend of modern mnsic carries some weight, for the famous violinist is a cultivated critic, and has travelled in most countries in recent years. "It seems to me that the ultra- !. modern composers pursue a course parallel to the prevailing political madness, of the world," he observed recently. When I speak of ultra-modern composers, I do not include, of course, great men like Debussy and Bavel, -who have given us something definite, but 1 must reluctantly include Stravinsky. The bewildering political changes 'in various countries like fiussia, Germany, and Austria, and the radical change from anarchy to a form of almost tyrannical Government in Italy, ■ must havo exerted ' far-reaching influences on music. People are everywhere unbalanced, and they do not know what they want, either in music or other thinga. An artist, 'who is a human seismograph of the emotions of the country, registers all these tremendous changes and palpitations of trying, unsettledlife and becomes frantic. I am almost inclined to think that an artist is often the forerunner of these evolutionary changes for long before the world cataclysm we had evidences of passing forms of art such as, for instance, cubism—all of which reflected a certain instability. Art is trying to branch out and find new ways. .These exists a mad desire to depart from the established principles of old. Some of these efforts are, no doubt, sincere; but I fear that few will survive. One of the most deplorable and regrettable phases of modern art movement is the absolute lack of reverence towards great masters in the endeavour to create new forms.'' Discussing Stravinsky, Mr. Kreisler said that just before leaving New York he heard that composer's new piano concerto; played by himself. It was certainly highly interesting, but it was not music. Mr. Kreisler discussed it with men like: Richard-- Straussy Rachmaninoff, Elgar, • and others, and all agreed that if this was music then they were not musicians. Stravinsky had a magnetic personality, but only cold, blind forms appealed to him, banishing all vestige of emotion. "If this movement keeps on and pervades the music of the future," remarked Mr. Kreisler, "then we will have to step out and give way to others."

When "The Masquerader" was produced in Melbourne several years ago the part of Peggy, the little niece of John Chilcote, was cleverly played by Miss Cecil Haines, a young New Zealander. Her exceptional ability was one of the most noteworthy features of .the play, and a brilliant future was predicted. Miss Haines has since played the lead in "The Seven Little Australians", and other productions, and is still in her "teens." In the present production she appears as Kobins, the faithful servant girl. It is one of tho finest characterisations in the play, states a Melbourne paper.

Next in order of musical attractions is the visit of Galli-Curci, due to arrive in Auckland on Tuesday next, and to give her first of three concerts in the Wellington Town Hall on Tuesday week, 30th June. Possibly there is not a more discussed singer in tho whole wide world than the little Spanish-Italian who flashed upon the world only a short decade ago. A prominent Australian journalist wrote: "Slight in figure, extremely vivacious, with a quick flashing smilo, equally swift nods of the head, a funny' little run to go off with, and most canons of all a way of seeming to seek individual admirers in the throng before her, but the whole effect is to put her on the friendliest terms with her audience. A moment before she sings, Galli-Curci looks defiantly at the audience—it is her moment of mental concentration. Then strangely the light seems to fade out of her face, the cheeks become wan and tired, and we feel that we are witnessing the death of a flower. At last one soft piano note runs into another, a second to a third, a third to a fourth .... soft heavenly trickles of sound

. . . . petals of music wafted gossamerlike along the garden path. The sun has risen to save the flower from the perilous dews of night. When the song has ended, Amelia stoops to left and right, her radiance in full bloom, her white teeth flash, at times she waves a tiny lace handkerchief above her head, she turns to show her supple back, and then tho funny little run out of sight. Sir Benjamin Fuller and Mr. John Fuller have assembled a new musical organisation to be known ns tho Moon and Morris Revue Company. George Moon and Dan Moms, the clever comedians who materially assisted in the snecoss of Hugh .T. Ward's pantomime "Cinderella," in Melbourne last vcar, are •tho cheer leaders and there is "a splendid supporting cast. With the -formation of the Moon and Morris Company the 'Fullers will have no less than ten' companies kmring (heir vast chain of theatres, including the Sl.iffy and Mo Co.. Jim Gerald's Revue Co., the Midnight Frolics, tho George Storey Co., Gayle Wyor's Bandbox Revue Co., Con Morcni's Bevue Co., George Ward's Revuo Co., Phil Smith's Co., and George Wallace's Revue Co. The Moon and° Morris Co. open in Christchureh to-night. "VuudoviUians are tho people who more quickly break a conductor's heart than any other class of the profession," staled Mr. Robert Keers. conductor of the Melbourne Tivoli Orchestra, recently. "Tho ordinary musical director can bo a.n autocrat. 'He shakes the stick' at. the people on the sta"e and they dance to his tune. The 'law of the stick' is absolute in mnsiral mnierty ..ml *in.ihir shows lv.it, in vm^viljt, tue pooi't aowu-koddea coaduQUar ia the

football of the artist. Vaudeville actors and actresses often have no idea of music. They learn a song, a ballad, by tar, and will not hesitate to sprinkle rallentandos all over the blessed piece, whether the song as written calls for them or no. They will stop and gag shamelessly, while the poor, miserable wretch in the conductor's chair sits and grizzles over his helplessness. One has constantly to be on the gui vive so as to pull the orchestra together and cover a mistake on tho part of the singer." The Pictures. Pauline Frederick has just celebrated her tenth anniversary in motion pictures. Just ten years ago she was engaged for the role of Donna Roma in the screen version of Hall Caine's drama. "The litoraal City." This is of special interest, masmuch as "The Eternal Cifcv" has also recently been made by another producing company. Miss Frederick was the first star to go to Europe on location —tho company having journeyed to Kome for the exterior shots. She was seen recently in the picture "Three Women, and at present she is playing with her own company at Melbourne. In "Tho Narrow Street," the picture version of the story, by Edwin Bateman Morns, Dorothy Devore and Matt Moore will be seen in the leading roles. The novel revolves aronnd the sudden-intro-duction of a girl into the womanless life and home of a confirmed bachelor An outstanding featnre of "The Bridge 01 Sighs," now nearing completion, °is k js/ ce Pak"* scene, in which, several hundred extras-in ice-skating costume take part with exhibitions by several lancy ice figure artists from tho vaudeville stage. _ Betty Balfour is going to the West Indies for the filming of "Satan's Sister," tne n. de Vere Stacpoole novel. Thiswill be by far the longest "location" trip ever underaken by any British company.

Speed, dash, action, and excitement are to be found in "The Speed Spook " a Johnny Hines picture, patterned after melodramatic lines. The piece lives up to its title—with Hiaes playing an auto race driver with plenty of dash, and a large dental smile.

Wolf, who plays the title role in iiaree Son of Kazan," the adaptation of the Curwood novel, starring Anifca Stewart, is the only dog ever personally decorated by a French marshal In r e cognition of repeated acta of heroism m the World War, Marshal Foch himself pinned a Croix de Guerre on Wolf's collar.

OreigDton Hale has been added to the cast of ''The Limited Mail," a picture in which Monte Blue will be featured. Vera ifVi ldST>7 al pky OPPO3^B Mr. Blue. •Betty Blytho, who plays the "other woman in "The Breath of Scandal," a picture to be seen in the Dominion shortly, was born in Los Angeles twentysoven years ago. After completing her education at the University of California she spent two years in Paris studying music, and when she returned to America entered at once upon a long stage career. She achieved her first conspicuous cmema success in "The Queen of bheba. Impressed by her work in this exotic spectacle a group of European producers signed her to play lead in a screen version of "Chu Chin Chow." • . A play taken from a novel that has made almost the whole world laugh has been bought as the.nest starring vehicle !? r yd C^P^- It is "The Man on n -> ' adapted from Harold M'farrath s novel of more than two decades ago, which sold more'than 1.000,000 copies. At the time it was published, "The Man on the Box," was, perhaps, the best advertised book of its day, and the fact that xt is still being read and played I after more than twenty years is proof of ! its popularity. • * j Fifty-five years on the stage and now acting m pictures. That's the long-dis-tance record of J. P. O'Neill, who has adopted the whiskers and red handkerchief of Dad Hayseed, in "Prehistoric Hayseeds the third Australian film in , which Johnny has appeared, and which will soon bo screened in New Zealand Ihe picture deals with the adventures of Dad Hayseed after discovering some b tone Age people and guiding them round Sydney. Lotus Thomson, a pretty Australian, girl, was chosen to give the picture some sentimental interest. While there is constant rivalry for the position of runner-up in the comedy championship of the world, the present iiolder, the one and only Charlie Chaplin, has made his position even more impregnable with his latest masterpiece, The Gold Bush." At the recent prerelease of the comedy in the States a crowded and critical audience of film folks gave the famous comedian what is considered to be the most flattering ovation ever known in film colony. In a happy little speech, after the initial I screening Chapin said: "The 'Gold ±iusn is the picture that I would like to be remembered by." Gramophone Notes. Albert Salomons is admittedly in -the front rank of English violinists; indeed, he placed among the virtuosi of our tone. Evidence of this is to be found b^ splendid performance of Vitali's Chaconne," records of which, have just arrived in New Zealand. It is magnificently performed by Mr. Sammons, Mid played by him with perfect ease. Mr. ■gammons obtains a splendid tone, and the executive difficulties of the work are not apparent to the ordinary ear although they are perfectly understood by tile violinist, amateur or professional, lne pianoforte accompaniment to the Chaconne" is played with admirable taste. The work abounds in melody, and will on that ground alone be much appreciated by the listener, who has no practical knowledge of the violin. Dr. Williams, the celebrated conductor should be satisfied with the excellent rendering of the overture of Tschaikowsky's "1812" by the British Grenadier Uuards Band. This is a record that should be in every collection, if not there already. There is a ch.irm about the Elizabethau love songs that one rarely hears m modern productions, except, perhaps, the songs reminiscent of medieval times and written by Gustav Hoist, the British composer and conductor, who has made a close study of old English music. Dora Dubette, the accomplished soprano, who has steeped herself in tho atmosphere, of these old love songs, has just had recorded her singing of three of them, namely, '•Sweet Was tho Song, ' by Attey, and "Whither Runneth, My Sweetheart," aud "What Thin" is Love?" both by Bartlett. They are delicate and plaintive songs, expressive ot that disease called "Love's sickness," so universal in its incidence, yet not. incurable. Among the birthday honours conferred by the King a few da.ys ago was tho Knighthood upon Mr! Hamilton Marty, conductor of lhe Halle Orchestra of Manchester and composer of the u-w •■ Irish Symphony.•' One of the latest, works which he covidm-ted tor tho EjraraopliW.: wus 1,h.: t)ni)v'Ak- H ilu l, fonc>.T'.y

certo is rarely to be heard outside the great centres of mnsic.% culture in England, the Continent, aud America. The soloists for this great record were Arthur Catterall, leader of the Hallo Orchestra, and John S. Bridge, his second in that famous combination. The work covers five sides of throe doublesjdod 12-inch discs, and the reproduction is as near perfect as can. ba expected.

So marked has been the improvement in the recording of the piano in recent years that one has come to expect ah almost perfect reproduction of the actual performance. Yet the latest and probably the greatest recording effort will surprise most people by its wonderful fidelity to the original. "I have certainly heard nothing finer (remarks a London reviewer with enthusiasm) than the ■ recording of Beethoven's-VWaldsteiii' Sonata' as played by Frederic Lamond. In all the five sides devoted to the work there is scarcely a 'jangle' to offend the ears, and 'banjo effect,' so common in the past, has been avoided completely. Add to this the fact that Lamond plays with a sympathy and smoothness that placo Beethoven's mood before the listener like an open book, and you will appreciate the triumph that has been achieved." The sixth side of the Waldstcin records is alloted to the "Scherzo" frora Beethoven's "Sonata," Op. 31. Stravinsky's "Oiseau do Feu" ("Tho Fire Bird"), has been issued complete on two 12in discs. • Part I. gives a glimpse of the enchanted garden, full of mystery and intricacies, until, with a' harmonic whisper, the fire bird enters. Wind and harp are here perfect. Whilst she 'is dancing around the golden fruit on the silver tree (Part II.), Prince Ivan enters and captures her. He, however,- relaxes his hold on the presentation of'one of her feathers. The indecisive nature of the music adds .to the strangeness, most 1 prevalent in the Fire Bird's prayer rhe Dance of the Princesses (Side III.) is commendable for the quality of the orchestral balance, and tone of the strings. The game with the golden apples is lightly and faithfully represented The, following resfa-ainfc.makes a_ delightful comparison with, the vivacity and frenzy of the "Dance of the subjects of Kastchei" (4th part) - ■ The quick moving of the tune- from one part of the orchestra to. the- other leads to the climax af the demon-king's death, a whirl of orchestration. Naturally, Ivan marries the liberated princess. ' ■ . . r

Paderewski (says a London "Times" critic) has made an all-too-small reco-d containing; two of the mazurkas from Chopin s Opus 59, those in A flat and F sharp minor. The record is not here

™e m^ e of Wa!es > and made a gramophone record. He chose two P T >° f ¥ S own-"Mormor" (grand! fact that he smgs in Italian makes no difference to the English listener una"° quainted with the language, nor does it affect.his enjoyment of the charm of the singer, the loveliness of the air, the perfection of its orchestral accompaniment' On the. reverse is -"Salve! Diniora" |. ail'^^ Duelling), from Gounod's

Edgar Coyle (baritone)- nr m the front rank of artisfae interpreters of old'Engwll S w- gS-, ?!x re Pro^ces remarkably well. His latest efforts in this direca IOM^ 6, The3f lss °* Richmond Hffl?' and Shakespeare's "It was a lover and' His Lass to Morley's setting. ■- Both songs have the undoubted advantage of a t tteS accom Padinient'!l>y a string quar-