Plays – Players – Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 151, 30 June 1928, Page 25

Plays - Players - Pictures

Town Hill— . Organ Recital, etery Sunday. 8.30 p.m. Esther Fisher, pianist, 7th July. . Alfred O'Shea, tenor, 28th July. dJUMMt Chamber— / Orcheetrtl Society, to-night. Opera House— * .'. , "Studtnt Prince" and "Madamu Pompadour," In season. -■:■,. Bit MaJestjrV- ;. ' ■ ... 'V- : ..; . Bevue. .'. ••■ .. .'" , ■■' .■' ■ ' ■ Grand Opera Season,, 31st July. Regent—VaudCTllU and Pictures. Its Lux* Theatre—Pictures. f Paramount Theatre—Pictures. •■■■■! King'a Theatre—Pictures, . Artcraft—Pictures. Our Theatre—Pictures. ■.••;.'■■■■ . Shortt's Theatre—Pictures. Strand Theatre—Plcturos. Britannia Theatre—Pictures. Queen's Theatre—Pictures. Princess Theatre—Pictures. ' The proposal to present "La Boheme," with an all-Australian cast, during the coming- Willianison-Melba grand opera season, has lieeii styled "patriotic,; but impracticable." Cer-tiiily-it: Would be ridiculously easy to seleo|'a 'brilliant cast wore all our native'singers who have "made good" overseas 'available. The list of 'Australian and New Zealand singers notable abroad in opera, oratorio, or on the concert platform is a remarkable one. Besides Melba, who is a world figure, there are Florence Austral, John Brownlee Browning Mummery, Bosnia Buck-man-1 and other artists who are famous. Then there are Harold Williams Cecil Sherwood, Fred Collier, Edna Bonnie, and Clarena Sarena in the front rank of operatic singers in London. Frances Alda-is singing at the Metropolitan, New York, and Elsa Stralia is in California. Concert singers and oratorio singers in London include Horace Stevens; Bosa Alba, Gertrude Johnson, Essie Ackland, Mignon Trevor,. Stella Murray, Peter Dawson, Ethel Osborn, Dorothy Helmrich, Ernest M'Kmley, Muriel Turner, and nfeny others who are doing high-class work. Baclhaus, who is due to return to New Zealand nest year, has recently ' given two notable concerts at the Milan Conservatorium.' An unusual happening at the Wanganui Orchestral Society's concert was the snapping of two violin strings (stateß the "Wanganui Herald"). One recalls when Kubelik was visiting New Zealand and was giving a concert .in ■Wellington, a string broke when the artist was performing a rapid and difficult number. He was more than hallway through the item when his violin became useless. Leaving the stage he fitted another string and returned to play the number right through. It isreported that the largest cinema and variety combine in Europe, with a capital well over £8,000,000, is on the eve of completion in London (writes "The.Post's" London representative). "When'the negotiations, which have reached an advanced stage, have been concluded —ami theve appears to be little doubt that they will be.successful 200 theatres and music halls will be brought under a single control. The iiegotiating parties are: (1) The British Gaumont., Ltd., which produces; films :md owns cinema theatres, including the Marble Arch Pavilion.. (2) The General Theatre Corporation, which owns 53 theatres, music halls, and cinemas, including the Capitol, Astoria, Palladium, Holborn Empire. The basis of amalgamation between the Hwo coin* panies'-is an exchange of shares, but the control will be vested iu a the. British Gauxiont, and as Colonel A. C. Broinhead is the head of the Gaumont he is designated as the chief of the huge combine. It is expected that under unified; management successful results will!be maintained in the way of financial economies. The sizo of the combine will permit of better programmes,

but in respect, to films and variety turns, for with a much bigger circuit the best talent will be attracted, especially with the promise, of aU-the-vear-round employment. Tho larger the circuit the cheaper the film bookings is a.general experience in tho film busine At St. James's Theatre,'in Sydney, a gala performance of "Bio Eita" was *iven in honour of Captain Kingrford Smith, Lieutenant Ulm, and the two Americans accompanying thorn Aima scones of enthusiasm, tho Pacific fliers learned that as a result of the pertornvanco they had benefited to tho extent of' £1155. A rousing reception was given the flyers when they entered tho theatre, and when filing on to tho stage, the cheers became doafening. An autographed picture of Captain Kmgsford Smith was auctioned by Misa Gladys Moncriefl ("Bio Bita") for £100. During the day, the popular musical comedy star, with the assistance of Sir Benjamin Fuller auctioned all seats not already booked for the night perfomance and as a result the net sum of £1155 was raised. Seats in the stall* realised from £1 Is to £10 10s each and in the dress circle up to £1H 18s Only one box (to accommodate six" people) was available for auction. Bidding was brisk and Btarted at £25. Bids of £5 each carried the price to £40, at which figure it was secured by Mr. Edmund Besch. Among good stories told by George Arliss in his reminiscences, 'On the Stage," just published, is one concerning Mrs. Patrick Campbell and Georgo Alexander when they were playing in "Mrs. Tanqueray" as wife and husband. "George Alexander, of whose ability as an actor Mrs. Campbell had no great opinion, was, at that time her manager. Something ; happened during the performance that angered him and amused her. At the end of the act he sent a message with his compliments: 'Would Mrs. Campbell kindly refrain from laughing at him on the stage?' Mrs. Campbell immediately sent her compliments to Mr. Alexander with the reply that 'she never laughed at him on the stage: she always waited till she got home.' " The famous Flonzaley Quartet, who save their one and only concert of tho loason at Wigmore Hall, London, recently, were simultaneously bidding thei their audience a long farewell, since the fiat had gone forth that this year the Quartet will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of ■ thoir being, by dissolving into four separate entities. Tho Flonzaleys were founded as a quartet by the Swiss Alfred Pochon, who invited Edward Coppet, a wealthy Swiss-American banker, to subsidise them. This the latter did, naming the Quartet after "his villa —Flonzaley. Now, after twenty-five years of well-night perfect ensemble, the Quartet will separate, and so is the way of the world! A notable cast appears in the musical i comedy "The Girl Friend," featuring Annie Croft "With the famous London musical comedy star appear May Beatty, who has returned from America under engagement to "The Firm"; Lorna Helms, fresh from her tri-' I umphs in London; Begiuald Sharland, a London musical comedy leading man; Leo Franklyn, comedian; Gus Bluett, a popular young artist on the Australian stage; Bowena Bonald, the young Australian who has scored siu^ess; and others. The play has finished a four months' run in Sydney, and is now iii''Melbourne. ■■■.=■■'--,-;-■ »----••-*■. •.•■•■•:■ Although it is admitted that the, repertory movement has fostered a taste for better things in the Australian theatre, it is claimed by Mr. Gregan M'Mahon, the well-known producer, that the movement has not, and cannot, reach the great public. While maintining tho repertory movement for repertory audiences, there is a proposal to establish a theatre, professionally man-

aged ana professionally staffed, touring throughout Australia, and possibly New Zealand, ana producing annually plays that, would be commercially impossible under anything but a special organisation. On this foundation it is hoped to build a national theatre, in the face of such a movement the early struggles of the Theatre Guild, of New York, are recalled. In its first season the guild found only 135 persons willing tr rMc five dollars on the presentation of two plays. From that small beginning a few. years ago tho guild has irrown to 15,000 strong, owns two professional theatres, and is a force to be reckoned with throughout the United States;' Gregan M'Mahon has been elected to direct future plans for the new movement. It' was he who first introduced into ■■ Australia the plays of Bernard Shaw, Galsworthy, Barker, bt. John Hankin, Drinkwater, Hauptmann Tchechov, Molnar, and Pirandello, and ho is responsible for tho production of as many us sixteen plays of Australian authorship. The exclusive acting rights for Australian and' New Zealand ■_ of many plays, including .tho following, have been secured for the current year: Ben Levy's "This Woman Business," Sir J. M. Barries "Dear Brutus," Karel Kapek 's " B.XJ.E.,'' Katharine Prichard's Australian "Brumby Innes," Eugene O'Neills "Beyond the Horizon," Scan O'Casey s "Juno and the Paycock," Bernard Shaw's "The Doctor's Dilemma," John Galsworthy's "Justice," Pirandello's comedy, "Eight You Are (If You Think You Are),'' Harrison Owen's < The Happy Husband," Bichard Godtoa's "The Fog,'' A. E. Jobson»s '' Macquarie"; and, for revival, Pirandello's "Sis Characters in Search of an Author," Shaw's "Pygmalion," and Galsworthy's "Old English." Jack Holt, Alice Day, and Hobart Bosworth appear in "The Smart Set,' a new picture starring William Haines. In this picture the star has the role of a "crack"' polo player, and one of the big features of the film is the BruishAmerican international polo cup eonte"Dresaed to Kill," a masquerade of the Underworld and a revelation o± the ways and means by which the wolves of society carry out their daring raids, will be shown in Wellington shortly! Edmund Lowe has the role of a master criminal, Ben Bard his henchman, and Mary Astor the girl who dares to enter their lair for tho sake of the man she loves, Charles Morton. Miriam Fauche, who was one of tho screen's highest-paid artists seven years afro has come out of retirement to enact an important role in "The _ Four Flusher," featuring George Lewis and Marian Nixon. Others in the cast are Churchill Rossj Hayclon Stevenson Lddic Phillips, Burr M'lntosh, Otto Holfman Patricia Caron, Jimmy Aye, and Wilfred North. The picturo was directed by Wesley Buggies. Shirley Mason will begin work on "So This is Love" immediately she has finished "The .Wife's Eelations." Miss Mason has already appeared as a tenement girl in "Sally in Our Alley," and she is now portraying a society debutante masquerading as a poor working cirl in "The Wife's Eelations." Buster Collier is featured with Miss Mason in "So This is Love." They are supported by a strong, cast, including Johnny Walker, Ernie Adams, Carl Gerard William H. Strauss, and Jean Lavcrty Georgo B. Seitz is the director. ""Hot News" is the title just announced for Bebe Danicls's new picture. This picture-was originally announced under tho tentative title of "The News Keel Girl." Miss Daniels recently completed "The Fifty-Fifty Girl." Chester Conklin will be featured in the produc10Tho "latest Wallace Beory-Baymond Hatton comedy will be entitled "The Bis Killing." The cast includes Mary Brian; -liane Chandler,, and Gardner James. . Tom Mix's latest picture is Daredevil's Beward." Mix is east in the role of a ranger masquerading as a highway man. .So intent is he in making love to the charming occupant of the stage ho is holding up, that Mix forgets his mission and loaves without touching the money shipment. Determined to prevent the money falling

into unscrupulous bands, Mix then masquerades as tho camp c00k... In the cast with Mix are Natalie Joyce. Lawford Davidson, Billy Bletcher, William Welsh, and Harry Cording. Fifteen separate characters are portrayed by Hans Joby, the well-known European actor, in "Love Me and the World Is Mine." Although the manyroles are all of a minor importance, Joby through his wizardry of make-up and his oxcellent historic ability, defies recognition in each' of them. Norman Kerry, Mary Philbin, and Betty Compson are the featured playeTs in the production, which ia an adaptation of the Austrian novel by Budolph Hanriß Bartsch. In "The Opening Night," Albert Payson Terhune's "Saturday Evening Post" story, Claire Windsor has the leading role and is supported by John Bowers, Grace Goodall, and Bobby Mack. The real acting honours are credited to E. Alyn Warren. "La Boheme," with John Gilbert and Lillian Gish heading a big cast, is to be released in Wellington nest month. This picture is adapted from the celebrated opera. Karl Dane and George K. Arthur, the two famous comedians of "Eookies" and "Baby Mine," will shortly be seen in "Circus Eookies." Norman Kerry, well-known screen actor, will play a leading role in support of Pola Negri in her new picture based on the famous play "Fedora." "His Tiger Lady" has been selected as the title of the latest Adolphe Menjou production. In this picture Menjou takes the part o an "extra" man in the Follies Bergere, Paris. Evelyn Brent plays the title role. Jack Luden and Fred Kohler have been added to the cast of "The Perfumed Trap," in which Clive Brook and Mary Brian will have the leading roles. Their names bring the number of the principals assigned to the picture up to six, Olga Baklanova and William Powell having already been cast. "The Perfumed Trap" is based on the story by Richard Washburn Child. A new canine star will shortly make his debut to New Zealand audiences, when "Under the Black Eagle" is released. Flash is the name of this dog, and in his first picture he is a dog of war iv the German ranks. Ralph Forbes has the principal role in the film. George O'Brien has been selected to play the male lead opposite Dolores Costello in "Noah's Ark." After"more than a hundred tests were made for the part, Paul M'AUister, one of Hollywood's best beloved character actors, has been designated to play tho role of Noah. The other major characters include Louise Fazenda, Noah Beery, Anders Eandolf, John Miljan, and Guinn Williams. "A Race for Life," starring the wonder dog Einty has been completed. Virginia Browne Faire and Carrol Nye star with the popular dog. Malcolm St. Clair has just been selected to direct the cinema version of "Tho Canary Murder Cas})," tho famous mystery story of S. 8. Van Dine. William Powell will play the role of the detective in the case. "Bringing Up Father," which will shortly be released, is a story of the hilarious adventures of Jiggs and Maggie of comic strip fame. These two characters are faithfully portrayed by J. Fan-ell M'Donald and Polly Moran, while Mrs. Dinty Moore is characterised by Marie Dressier. Jules Cowles plays Dinty Moore, .and Gertrude Olmssteel and Teneu Holtz also appear :u the cast. Greta Garbo and Lars Hanson, tho two famous Swedish stars, have the leading roles in "The Divine Woman," a picture based on the life of the immortal Sarah Bernhardt. Lionel Barrymore, Norman Kerry, Aileon Pringle, and T. Eoy Barnes avo the principal players in "Body .' and Soul." It is a /dramatic story set in a Swiss village on the Alps. Bmil Jannings's picture, "The Way of AH Flesh," has already been released in New Zealand. This great European actor will be seen iv several other pictures during the coming season. "The Last Command" will be his next, followed by "The Street of Sin" and "The Patriot." Another, "The Man Who

Never Missed," is now in production at the studios. "Wings," at present playing at the Eegent Theatre, Sydney, recently passed its 800 th performance at the Criterion Theatre, New York, where it was first shown last August. Preparations are under way for the release of "Wings" in New Zealand and other States of Australia. It will be good news to Wellington music _ lovers to learn that a return visit is being paid by Benno Moiseiwitsch, who amazed audiences on tho occasion of his recent season here. Moiseiwitsch is to'play at the Town Hall on Wednesday next in what is termed a plebiscite concert —the programme being by public vote. Moiseiwitseh is at present completing his New Zealand tour, and tho Wellington recital will be in the nature of a farewell. Those who heard Moiseiwitseh play will welcome another opportunity of listening to his artistic interpretations. H>, invests each of his selections with somethings of himself, and he plays with, a rare insight from a, big repertoire, which includes the classics, the romantics, and the moderns. The final plebiscite concert will be absolutely the last opportunity Wellington's music lovers will have of hearing .Moiseiwitsch play. Lilli Lehman, one of the finest of Wagnerian and German Lieder singers, will celebrate her eightieth birthday during 1928, as will also Hans yon Wolzogen, the biographer and friend oi: Eichard Wagner, who lives at Beyreuth. Dr. Ludwig Wullner, the famous actor-singer, and Seigfried Ochs, the celebrated choral conductor of Berlin, will celebrate their seventieth year during 1928. Eichard Strauss was sixtyfive years old on 10th June.