Plays – Players – Pictures

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 73, 30 March 1929, Page 21

Plays - Players - Pictures

The Wellington Chamber Music Playcia has boeu formed, tho object being to give a series of chauibcr-umaio concerts. The players themselves w.'ll be Messrs. Leon <le Mauny, Desmond Lavin (violins), Frank Crowther (viola), and Claude Tanner ('cello), Alfred Truda (flute), John Bishop and Madame Evelyn do Manny (pianoforte). Works in hand aro Mendelssohn's Trio in C Minor, a Beethoven string quartet and Richard Strauss's pianoforte quartot in C Minor. Tho society's aim is to give important chamber music, rarely hoard in public, including works in which woodwind his its place.

The report of tho annual meeting of the Napier Choral Society- reveals a statejof affairs which promises well for tho coming season, states tho "Napier' Telegraph." It is a matter for regret that the retiring conductor, Mr. Percy Tombs, is unable to continue in that capacity, for under his regime the society has presented some excellent music, of a standard not, often appi'oached in a town of this size. In Mr. Lance Craig, however, a worthy successor has been found, for reports from Wanganui and the South Island speak favourably of his capacity as a choral conductor. Wo trust that the society will enjoy a very successful season, and that this year it wil be able to enlist the services of more male voices, which have been sadly lacking of late.

The Christchurch Orchestral' Society, which rceor.tly lost Us conductor, Mr. Angus Gunter, may possibly secure the services of Odonne Savini, an Italian musician who has recently come to the Dominion for health reasons, from Bombay, where he had established a splendid musical connection. Mi. Savini, who is both violinist and pianist, and teaches both instruments, is a composer of repute, one of his three-act operas gaining a grand prize at Milan, where it was performed while the composer -was in Bombay.

The thrilling drama, "The Wrecker," •which ■will come to Now Zealand shortly, affords ample opportunity for several splendid character studies. One of the niost outstanding is that given by Fjank Morrison, noted actor of old Noah Twemblett, the one-armed enginedriver. Morrison has played many prominent roles in a long, varied, and successful stage career. When it is said that he left Gilbert and Sullivan character roles at the famous Savoy to play the title role in "His Excellency tho Governor,' 1 and later the Admiral in "The French Maid," afterwards taking up the important work of stage .manager at Drury Lane, it will be recognised that he is an actor of unusual ability.

The Auckland Little Theatre Society will present its thirteenth production at the Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on 10th, 11th, 12th,"and 13th April. The play chosen is "Bird in Hand," by John Drinkwater, tho play which has met with remarkable success both in London and Sydney. What should be of great interest is the fact that this effort will introduce John Drinkwater, the dramatist, for the first time in Auckland.

The dotails of .the tour which Sir Harry Lauder is to make of New Zealand, supported by a now company of international artists under tho direction of Mr. E. J. Carroll, are now near completion. The management regret that only the four centres and the principal provincial towns can be pcluded. in the itinerary as Sir Harry returns to Scotland in July. The supporting artists will arrive 'via Australia, and definite North Island engagements are: Auckland, 17th to 27th April; Hamilton, 29th April; Wanganui, Ist and 2nd May; New Plymouth, 3rd and 4th May; Hawera, 6th May; Palmerston North, 7-th May; Dannevirke, Bth May; Hastings, 9th. May; Napier, 10th and 11th May; Waipukurau, 13th May; Masterton, 12th May; Blenheim, 15th May; Nelson, 16th May; Wellington,-18th to 2dth May.

The students- of the Auckland Uni■pgrsity College have already commenced rehearsals for their forthcoming annual production. This year's hilarity is to be entitled "The King of Kawau," and has been written by Mr. J. C. Andrews and Mr. J. N. Wilson.

( Acting honours in "Lido Lady" in Sydney aro shared by Billy Leonard and Elsie Prince. The former has the rare comedy art of appearing to do with the utmost sincerity the simplest, silliest things. The rosulfc is a consistently retained characterisation—to the delight of the audience throughout the performance.

Nellie Stewart was to have opened tp-night in Adelaide in "Sweet Nell of Old Drury," with seasons in Melbourne and Sydney to follow.

A gala performance was given at the princess Theatre, Melbourne, in celeDration of the one hundredth performance of "Rio Bita," and it was yet another triumph for Gladys Monerieff. At the final curtain she stood embowered in roses, while more and more bouquets were handed up to the stage, and ■coloured streamers fluttered over all parts of the house. Led forward to the footlights by Mr. John Puller, Miss Moncrieff expressed her thanks in a brief speech. Miss Janot Gilmoro and Messrs. C. Sylber, Dave Mallen, and Les Pearce also spoko. A change in the executive of the Puller Enterprises is the appointment of Mr. George Sheffield tis house manager at His Majesty's Theatre, "Wellington. Mr. Sheffield has an extensive knowledge of all branches of stage craft, having toured throughout New Zealand, showing in practically every city, town, and village, even giving his own turn across the footlights in the Fuller Theatres.

Signorina Dusolina Gianninc, the' Italian Grand Opera and concert star, is appearing at Covont Garden Grand Opera season, London, prior to her Australian tour, which commences in August.

Charles Albert, the Pollardian, who was last here with the HumphreyBishop Company, is appearing in the comedy "New Brooms" in Sydney. Fred Conyngham, a young Australian actor, who was here in "Cradle Snatchers" and "Rose Marie," has joined the cast of "Young Woodlcy 7' in Adelaide.

A player with many friends among all classes of playgoers in Australia is announced to appear soon at the Tivoli Theatre, Molbourne. This is Miss Ada Reeve. For many years she has been one of the most conspicuous vaudeville

performers in Australia and London. In recent years the outstanding production with which she was concerned was the revuo "Spangles," with vhich tho refurbished Palace Theatre, Melbourne, was opened under tho management of Mr. Hugh J. Ward about six years ago. "Spangles" was remarkably successful.

John Gilbert's new picture is "The Masks of tho Devil." As the youug Viennese aristocrat in "The Masks of the Devil" ho has amplo opportunity for characterisation, for he plays a dual personality. Theodore Roberts, Ralph Forbes, Alma Rubens and Eva Yon Borne appear in the brilliant cast.

In "Our Dancing Daughters," three vory modern young women provide the motivation for the swiftly-moving narrative, and in these roles Joan Crawford, Dorothy Sebastian and Anita Page bring to tho screen splendid charadierisations of three types of flapperhood. Johnny Mack Brown is tlio young man whose affections and millions occupy the attentions of Miss Crawford and Miss Page, and Nils Asther, as Miss Sebastian's husband, portrays the husband who tries to forget his wife's past indiscretions but cannot erase suspicion from his mind.

"The Wind" is Lillian Gish's new production. This is a. strong dramatic story of an outcast girl. Lars Hanson and a strong cast support Miss Gish.

Lotiiso Fazcuda and Chester Conkliu will head tho cast of "The- House of Horrors," a mystery thriller with humour in abundance. The addition of Thelma Todd is an additional attraction.

Myrna Loy is to play the coveted role of tho tempestuous gipsy in the pieturisation of the famous Broadway success, "The Squall." As the beautiful gipsy who invades the home of her benefactors, Mis* Loy has a distinctive role. Loretta Young and lovely Alice Joyce have important supporting roles.

Colleen Moore has finished making her new comedy "Why Be Good" and has already started on "Early To Bed," :i story of college life. Corinne- Griffith's biggest picture to date "The Divine Lady" is soon to be released in New Zealand. Telling the love story of Lord Nelson and Emma, Lady Hamilton, it is one of the most costly and magnificent pictures ever produced, containing reproductions of old English scenes and accurate tconaetments of the Battles of the Nile and Trafalgar. The sequences showing the death of Nelson, were- copied from world-famous paintings. "The Man and the Moment," a fastmoving story of society life has been chosen as the new picture for Billie Dove. It was written by Elinor Glynn. Rod La Rocque ti;kf» the leading male role. «

Lois Moran and George O'Brien aro starred in "True Heaven" a drama of intrigue with a war background. O'Brien plays the part of a British lieutenant who falls in love with a mysterious girl known as "Judith," only to discover later that she is an enemy spy. Lavish night life as it is lived in these gay Volsteadian days is tho theme of "Red Wine." A conservative successful business man, a pillar of tho community, suddenly becomes cynical with life and decides to snatch a few pleasures that others about him. enjoy. The enjoyment takes the course of wine, women, and a debatable type of joy. Conrad Nagel, in this role, draws the subtle contract necessary when his characterisation suffers a change of viewpoint. June Collyer plays opposite in the role of the wife.