Plays Players Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 85, 10 April 1926, Page 16

Plays Players Pictures

THE SHOWS.

Opera HouseFrank Harvey, in "The Skin Game," tonight. His Majesty'!— Fuller's Vaudeville. Oe Luxe Theatre—Pictures. King* Theatre—Picture*. The Tivoli—Pictures. Artcraft—Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures Empress Theatre—Pictures. Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Pictures. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatre—Pictures.

Madame Elsa Stralia is at present touring in Australia.

Ethel Irving has returned to the London stage after a long absence, in "The Forcing House," a of Bolshevism. ' '

After an absence of two years, Miss Ada Beeves has returned to Sydney on private business and for a holiday. It is possible, however, that she -will play in Australia during the stay. George Gee, the popular J. C. "Williamson comedian, arrived in Auckland last week with Mrs. Gee and their small daughter. Mr. Gee will take part in "Primrose," which is opening at Auckland to-night, by the company which has been playing "Whirled Into Happiness." Margery Hicklin will play "Joan," a part she had in the original production in London. It is claimed that "Primrose," a big dancing show, is the smartest musical comedy produced for many years. The Nellie Bramley Company is playing in the Grand Opera House, Sydney, in a big musical production of "Unclo Tom's Cabin." Mr. "William Eussell, manager for Miss Bramley, has secured a long lease of the Grand Opera House. Misf Gladys Moncrieff, the Australian musical comedy artist, is busy rehearsing the title role o« the musical comedy; "Kikitiki/ 1 which will be produced- at the Gaiety Theatre,. London, on 12th April. She told a representative of the "Sun News-Pictorial" that she had just" reached New York, where she had had several unsuitable offers, when a London cable arrived offering her the lead in "Eikitiki." "Naturally," she said, "I snapped this fine chance for a first appearance in London. I am delighted with the part. The music is lovoly."

Pavlova, the world's greatest dancer, who is packing His Majesty ?s Theatre, Melbourne, by her wondrous art and fascinating personality, weighs exactly 7-J stone, and the size of her shoes is three. Those who have seen the great dancer off the stage have been amazed at her diminutive stature. ; Oil the stage her lack of abnormal muscular development surprises her audiences. Pavlova points out, however, that/physical development and muscularity have no relation to dancing. "The body must be fit, of. course," she said, "but big muscles, or small muscles, 1; make no difference, to agility or gracefulness.. It is practice, skill, and natural ability that count, and, behind all these—souh"

Mabel Gibson, the West Australian girl who has been appearing as Willi Veit in "Lilac Time" at Melbourne^ Theatre Boyal, has been'transferred to the J. C. Williamson, Ltd,, Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company. Her place in "Lilao Time" has been taken by Marie Bremner, a pretty Melbourne girl, who was a protege of Dame Nellie Melba.

St. James's Theatre, the handsome new playhouse constructed in Sydney by the. Fullers, was opened brilliantly on 26th March, by the new, company organised by Hugh Ward for the Australian production of "No, No, Nanette." The theatre, which hpjd's lßooVpeople, was 'completely booked up; by an. audience which included the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Stonehaven and the Governor and Lady de Chair. The' Sydney "Morning Herald" refers to the stately proportions of the now theatre, 1 in its rich schemes'of marble foyers, old English rose proscenium curtains, and carpets, and the oxidised silvor 'and .steel blue harmonies of the walls and ceiling reaching to'tho, stately dome. The paper speaks enthusiastically of "No, No, Nanette," and specially commends the music, which, it romarks, demands .better vocalists than some of the principals'in the cast proved themselves to be. There was much enthusiasm at the final fall of the curtain, when speeches were made by Mr.' 1 Hugh "Ward, Sir Benjamin Fuller, and Mr. John Fuller. Sir Benjamin mentioned that so far £300,000 had been spent on the theatre, and that when the ;building.was completed its cost would amount to half a million.

All the way out on the boat, the company engaged by Mr. Dibn Boucicault to play in a series of Barries plays in Australia under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management were rehearsing "Quality Street," v/hich they are now playing at the King's Theatre, Melbourne. The captain of theComorin rigged up a temporary stage screened by canvas awnings on the navigation deck. Here the. company were able to rehearse quietly, and without interference froni curious passengers. The captain, whenever he was able to escape from his duties, was an interested spectator of "Quality Street," and is hoping to sac the.play on a real,'stag© on his return voyage to Melbourne.

"What's geutility worth if it can't stand fire?" is the problem of Gals-worthy's.-great.play, "The Skin Game." in which Miss. Reiny Carpen and Mr. Frank Haryey appear .at the Grand Opera House . to-nightl. Galsworthy's, play is.treni'eiiaously dramatic, One excitement follows another, and interest 'is .linteusc Frank Harvey plays the solf-Biadc man ..who pits his money against the squire's social standing. In rcviawing Mr.'/Harvey'a work in the role, a leading Sydney daily said: "Mr. Frank Harvey achieved a triumph, and the best tribute which'could bo paid this stealing actor was the fact that on his entry as the bluff North countryman h 3 was not reeog -ised. , Throughout the play there was neither a stage trick nor a mannerism-to betray his identity. In the wreck of allhis hopes for his family, when he learns that his daughter-in-law was once a professional co-re-spondent, lie showed a restraint which was more intense than any dramatic outburst could have been."

A welcome contribution to. the cause of musical education in Wellington should be the trio recital which is promised at the Town Hall Concert Chamber towards the end of the month by Miss Ava Symons (violin), Mr. George Ellwqod ('cello), and Mr. Gordon Short (piano). The performance of good music by thb trio combination is something of a rarity in Wellington, and no doubt the concert will attract a good deal of, interest nmong real lovers of chamber music. All three performers arc well-known instrumentalists, and from what one knows of their capabilities as solists, it is safe to assert that as a trio they will be well worth hearing. The. items to bo given are the Brahms trio-jn C' major (Opus 87); the Bach "Double .Concerto," with the second violin part.. effectively transcribed'for 'cello; and Arensky's delightful Opus 32 trio in D minor.

Qno.of the 'golden qualities of Percy Grainger, the celebrated pianist and composer, is that of thorough research. This quality has made the name of Percy Grainger pre-eminent in Europe and America for his wonderful " research , work into the folk' songs and dances' of the Nordic, races. All the musical world knows what Lizst did for Hungarian music, how he drew out from the mists of the past golden thread of melody enmeshed in the roots of the people, drew them forth and elabora&d them with his matchless genius. In the same manner Percy Grainger has during the lost ten or fif-

teen years done a great deal of valuable work in bringing to light • those half-forgotten dance and song tunes which might have-died altogether but for his resuscitating hand. As one of the most intensive and eager students of Groig, the Norwegian master, he could not very well pass Norway by, and there not only is he known and honoured as a performing artist, but he has made a special niche for himself as a skilful restorer of much of the music that went hand in hand with the old sagas-songs of battle, and sea-lust of the mountain, fiord, cote, and byre. Mr. Grainger also delved deep into sources of Irish '. melody, and found much beauty and grace lying dormant and neglected there. His work as an arranger of old sea-chanties is just becoming known out this way, but in this department of. research he has added another glowing page to English music. . . . . ..•..'

Mr. Brian Aherne, who plays Valentine Brown in "Quality Street" at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, has never met Sir James Barric, and says very few people have. He is a quiet, shy Scotsman who, when he chooses the artists to appear in his plays, usually watches them from the back of the pit or other equally inconspicuous place. Although he has probably made more than a million pounds by hia writings, Barrie lives quietly in a small, plainlyfurnished flat with only a housekeeper to look after him. His wonderful plays are written on a plain, wooden table. An acquaintance finds it almost impossible to make him talk; but Mr. Boucicault, who has know him for years,. says Barrie will talk to him by the hour, lying back. in his comfortable chair and puffing at his ancient pipe. T'-e Pictures. Rex Beach departed from his usual trend of stories "in '' The Goose Woman." In place of his stories of the North, the oilfields, or the outdoor, ho has told in thrilling style the story of a newspaper and a mystery murder. ,

Kin-Tin-Tin, the wonder dog of the screen, will be seen in five big productions in the. coining year. This remarkable dog has the support of wellknown and popular human stars. The first to be released will be "Tracked in the Snow Country."

The stage play, '' Seventh Heaven,'' which is enjoying much success in New Zealand at the present time, is one of several famous plays which have been purchased for screen use. Production work is about to commence on this, and it is predicted that the screen version will have as great a run as that which is enjoyed by the play.

An exciting man-hunt features the early part of the Western picture, "The Call of Courage," starring Art Acord. This realistic hint of a sheriff's posse for a lone man. vividly illustrates the pleasure that men get out of hunting down one of their own.

Madge Bellamy, the dainty star of "The Iron Horse/ 1 "Thunder Mountain," "Lightnin',"*' etc., will no Ion? gcr be renowned for her demure personality and abundant curls, for Madge has joined the grand army of flappers. This change-over was effected .'or the purpose of appearing in the name-part of "Sandy," the picturisation of a serial story which has enjoyed much fame in many! United States newspapers. So her curls were sacrificed, and she now appears with a tight, sleek bob, of i.te latest type. She; has also perfected the technique of the "Charleston," the latest craze, in'freak dances, and, in short, has become the liveliest, most up-to-date young 1926 person that it would bo possible to find. John Barrymore wanted a rugged, adventurous, and stirring tale in which to return to the screen after the year in which he. was winning international stage fame as the greatest "Hamlet" of his generation., Warner Brothers supplied the story, > Herman Melville's "Moby Dick," which becomes "The Sea Boast" in film form, and Barrymore has supplied screen history with something that inspires tumultuous enthusiasm. His characterisation of Ahab Ceely in "The Sea Beast," a ■Master Picture, is a powerful and compelling proof of his: genius. Nothing he has done on the screen can compare with his' performance in this production. ...

"Wreckage," an adaptation from the novel, "Salvage," by Izola Forrester, is to be Released in New Zealand soon.

May Allison plays the leading feminine role with Holmes Herbert opposite.her. In support of the principals are John Miljan, Rosemary Theby, and James Morrison. -The picture tells a thrilling story of South Sea intrigue, involving ■tw'i beautiful girls, a crooked nobleman, and an old man suspected of gem smuggling. While it is full of action and myatery, probably the mos* striking featuro of the film i<i the shipwreck scene in a Pacific storm. '

\>g Lowell Sherman's latest picture, "The Love Toy," has been finished, and is now ready for cutting. Mr. Sherman has a unique part in this picture, one radically different from any other screen role he has ever portrayed. Helene Costello, Willard Louis, Gayne Whitman, Ethel Grey Terry are included in the supporting cast.

From the grief-tor- madwoman of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to a sinister, vampirish woman of middle years is the gamut of roles played by Gladys Brockwell in a brief time. Miss Brockwell recently returned to Universal City to play the-sinister" Louisa" in "Stella Maris," Mary Philbin's_ biggest feature since "Merry-Go-R,ound."" Miss Broekwell's part is that of a woman who, bent on revenge for a supposed slight, trails two lovers to wreck their happiness.

In "Recompense" the action shifts suddenly from the gay Paris of Armistice Day to the desolate miles of the veldts in Africa. Here Julie Gam? elyn, a nurse in the South African Brigade, meets again with Peter Graham, an Army chaplain, and here the drama comes to its poignant climax. Marie Prevost and Monte Blue have the co-' starring parts in this '' classic of the screen," which Harry Beaumont directed, and which Master Pictures is presenting.