Mimes and Music

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 10

Mimes and Music

'Reg. Tajjloy, of Duncdiu, who served i with many Williamson companies, is helping along the Dunedin Operatic Society's presentation in the rolo of the Rajah of Bhong, in "The Country Girl." . A comody-dramn, "The Naughty Wife," is to be presented by the Palmorston North Operatic and Dramatic Society shortly., Harry Phydora, the dame of the 1907 "Mothor Goose'? pantomime, has tho star role in "A Warm Corner," in suburban London. Joan/ Forbes Robertson has the rolo of Jeanne D'Arc in the Arts Theatre, London, production, of "The Trial of Jeanne D'Arc". Diminutive Phil Smith, who was last in Wellington with the "House That' Jack Built" pantomimo, is busy learning a number of G. and S. roles, for he is understudying Ivan Menzies, the comedian of the present Williamson season in Australia.

Miss Bertha Lewis, the contralto of the dOyly Carte Gilbert and Sullivan company' in ; England, was recently fatally injured in a motor accident, and it is probable that Miss Dorothy Gill, a member of the J.C.W. G. and S. company in Australia, will be returning Home to teke over the work. Tho firm has been asked to release Miss Gill, though she is under contract for two years. A stage favourite of a, decade ago, Kate Cutler, has recently been appearing in Scotland in Somerset Maugham's play, "The Circle," and proving that her old-time talents aro v still' ripe. This enthusiastic, vivacious little woman is only five feet high; sho has a deep, husky voice' that is. peculiarly attractive, and altogether is a charming personality,, no matter what age or what play. Her hobby is chess; housekeeping also lays claim to much of her time. «..'.' : ' ' Willie Bedstone has charge of the orchestra of Ernest Rolls's new musical comedy, "Funny Face," in Sydney.' Jim Gerald is in the cast; also Elsie Parkes, Dan Agar, Len Bich, Paul Plunkdtt, • and Arthur Clarke. ' Elsie' Prince is returning to England shortly, and is bidding farewell to Australia!in the latest J.C.W. musical comedy, "The Love Eacc," in which 'sho, has first-rate. support'-from- many wcll-known'people. ' The mouth-organ festival .in Berlin was remarkable for the very fine version given by fifty1 players to -Wagner s difficult preludo.to "Lohengrin." ■:Associated with Miss Lilian-Crispin the Australian touring company which is playing "New Moon;" "Belle of' New York," and "The Country Criri" is David Grahame, who recently toured1 New Zealand as understudy to Sidney : Burchall. Possessing a baritone voice*of rich quality,, he is considered by'the critics a real find, and those-who saw the Auckland performances of the "New Moon" liked his work when lie deputised for Sidney Burchall when the latter was indisposed. A native of Dundee, Scotland," ho is in his early twenties, and a lot more "should be heard of him.

The Pelican. The National Bepertory Society has the remarkable play "The Pelican" now in rehearsal, under Mr.'W. S. Wauchop. The cast has now been finalised. It is headed by Miss Molly Pimmer, supported by 'Mrs. Allen,.Miss Nancy Marshall, and Miss Ailsa Newton. The male side of tho cast consists of Messrs. Vivian Khiud, Ulric Williams, Jasper Baldwin,' A. Morris Dunkloy, Watson, W. S. Wauchop, and Dr. Welton Hogg. The play is probably ono of the most' interesting written in England in the last two decades. J.C.W. Comedy Season.

The J. C. Williamson company now touring New Zealand, headed by Miss Ethel Morrison, has a repertoire of three plays:, they are "Tho First Mrs. Fraser," "Let Us Bo Gay," and "Hay Fever," Noel Coward's famous comedy. Tho Auckland season is proving a successful one, a!nd performances of rare polish and excellence have won well-desorved praise from critics and, audiences. Miss Morrison's first appearance on/ the Auckland stage during tho present season was tho srgnal for an enthusiastic reception. The ex-, Wellington actress is assured of a hearty welcome when the company opens its local season, commencing o?a 27th Juno. She has a delightful roJ|e in tho St. John Ervinc comedy—that of a wife to whom an erring husband iietimis,'after an experience of a flapper" wife, only too .glad to baslc.m the serenity of her personality ana .her understanding of male human r>a.t*ire. In "Let Us-Be Gay,", sho has-the aple of the irascible-old. lady, Mrs. Botcicault, made famous by Mario Dressier quite recently,,and in "HayFevea:* has another mature role that is a, Sheer ioy to see. The excellent company includes Mr. J.- B. Rowe and Mis -wife, Eileen Morris; Mary , M'GregOT, tho talented Australienne; Boger Barry, iuvenile lead; Leslie Victor, cliaracter actor; Noel Boyd, charming actress; John Wood, and others. -"TJHe First Mrs Fraser"-is a brilliant camody—a perfect example of English, comedy, smartly conversational and .cunningly contrived :ihits: situations. ■ The first act. bubbles incessantly with, good, hpnest fiin; the'sbcond-. has a- wonderful dramatic scene between, t/ho. first and the second Mrs. Fraser, that leaves tho audience'breathless, and the third, after lingering TCgretfully in''the fields of contrition, ends suddenly on a-note Of triumph. ; , .' • , .■

LevitzkiNext Tuesday. ■ : , .Naturally, Misctia Levitzki is deeply interested'in broadcasting, for his brother (Marks Levino|,' who visited* Australia and New ZeaA/ind in 1929 as personal manager for /Dusolina Giannini) is one of the principals in a great concert firm of I broadcasters, in America. ■/Lovitzki' crfnsiders that the radio will eventually >"be a tremendous factor in developing'[genuine musical appreciation among tho youngest ehMren, and -will be responsible for raising music standards; all over the wbrldr "The noted ; conductor, -Damrosch, is doing ver^ important work in this regard in / America," says Levitzki, "for his ladio. lectures, informal talks on musiij, and eoneertsare eagerly watched for till over the United States, and arc ncJjjing to get a great public of intelligeiift and enthusiastic listener^ for the / best broadcasted music." j Operatic Quartet .ior N.Z.? Mr. P. L-BraQy, who retired from eomniercial life 1/ist year, was at one time closely, associated with -the theatrical profession om the'managerial side. He was assistant manager to the late Mel. B. Spurr/jnnanager of the Savipri Dramatic Com;jjanyj ,three years with Percy Dix. £fie also piloted Montgom-' cry's Entertaiiiiiers through this country on more tHJiin one occasion. That is going back to,/the days of Pope and Sayles, Lizzie. ,'Kirk, the Dartos, Jennie Opie, Frank ; Leon, Charles Fanning, Edgar GranA^Jlle,1 Murphy and Mac, Arthur Hahn, 7>^allace King, Olive Lenton, Frank ,"S. rorke, and scores of other clever artist»3. 'While in Australia recently .Mr. {Brady opened negotiations with a verjy' fine operatic quartet, headed by Mi&s Eene Maxwell, the wellknown an'ft popular soprano, who visited New Zealand a few years ago under ,T. C. .WJlttianifeon's banner. Since then Miss Msi3 well lias toured England and the Continent with jihouoinenal success. If Mr. B rady is ..successful in securing these ta'l ©nted artists they will appear in Wellington about August.

B» •'ORPHEUS"

Saint-Saens' Famous "Dance Macabre." It was a poem that inspired SaintSaens to write his symphonic poem, "Danse Macabre," and he gives us an, extraordinary illustration in music of tho story. This record, on account of its bizarre theme, should enjoy a popularity far beyond the circle of orchestral music lovers. (Columbia DOS 157.) Levitzki and Chopin. Mischa Levitzki has made a notable record of Chopiu's "Sehorzo No. 3 in C Sharp Minor, Op. 37.'' Strictly speaking a scherzo should bo a playful, jesting piece, but Chopin, as ho did with his nocturnes and ballads, made his scherzos veritable tone- poems. Towards the middle of the work there is a lovely choral-like tune, over which descending passages in the treble- fall like gently rustling leaves around the trunk of some noblo tree. Levitzki, who is touring New Zealand at the present time, must rajik as one' of the most poetic of Chopin interpreters, and his touQ,h seems to.lie peculiarly suited to recording. As a result tho gramophone' reproduces ■ realistically every subtlety and gradation of tone. This, is a record that must rank with his superb recording of Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" (H.M.V., D 1814). "H.M.S. Pinafore" Medley. Among the reoemt 12-inch dark-blues is a medley ''of vocal gems from Gilbert and Sullivaai's popular "Pinafore." The Columbia Light Opera Company are the singers, and an able orchestral accompaniment supports them. The choice of excerptts and the welding of them into a coherent medley is astonishingly well flbne. (Columbia DOX 119.) A vocal pot-pourri of gems from "Kuddigore" is- also a recent release. (Columbia'DOX 118.) . x Dancb Records, In the H.MtV. June catalogue there are several notable recordings of the latest dance hits in England and America, and the following by well-known orchestras shojuld have a wide appeal: "Sweetheart of My Student Days" (fox-trot), and "Stolen Moments" (slow fox-trot.)j played by Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees (EAB62); "To Whom Jt May Concern" (fox-

trf/irt) and "Blue Again" (fox-trot), plftyed by Duke Ellington and his Gotten Club Orchestra (EAB66); "Little Stoanish Dancer", (fox-trot), and "The i/eanut : Vendor", (rumba fox-trot), ■flayed by Don Azpiazu and his Havana Orchestra (BA859); ''One Heavenly Night" (waltz) .and "Cupid on ,the Cake" (fox-trot, with, xylophone solo),, played by JacisKHylton and his orchestra (EA870);. "Cheerful' Little1 Earful", (fox-trot), played;by the High Hatters, and "Blue Pacific Moonlight" (waltz), played by Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra (EA874)., . A New Orchestrina. The Little Salon Orchestra is the title of a now orchcsU'al combination of modest proppr.tions. , For its .debut. re" cord it choosoß Carl Zimmor's tone poem, "Springtime in -the, forest" — aalpn music of'a hjgh"prder, and with all the slrilful features that sooner or later mean universal popularity. (Columbia DO 339.) •'■ • . . M'Corraack's Charm. All the arresting charm of. John M' Cormack 's voice is unfolded in his recording of "Song of the Night" (Young-Waldrop), a song which i^ poetic in sentiment and set to a delicate melody. Such a number is eminently suitable for M'Cormaok's sympathetic voice, and the great tenor is always artistic in hia expressive utterance, of both words and music. On the same record ho sings another eisquisite Jittlo song, "The Gateway of Dreams}': (pallaghan-English), ',■ and here again his tone shading is almost miraculous.' Some of his noteß seem to fade into a melting quietness which holds one enthralled. It is difficult to define the fascination of M'Cormack's art. It is simplo, it is spontaneous, and above all completely satisfying. (H.M.V., D.A.1135.) ..■;.... • .

A Novel Ten-inch- Grenadier Guards Disc. .j This is one of the most .interesting Guards Band recordings of recent years. It is a pairing of Kottaun's "The Bullfighters' March" and Koenig's "Post Horn Gallop" (an-. Balfour). This latter, includes a Post Horn solo by Corporal, West, the famous cortieiftist, and recalls the time' when it was once used as a signal for the stage':cbaches carrying 'mail. (Columbia DO 338.) Musical Comedy Gems. A collection of goms from two successful London musical comedy productions has been grouped on to a twelve-inch record by tho Light Opera Company. Both productions, "Sweethearts" and "The Bed Mill" abound in bright and catchy solos and choruses. From "Sweethearts" is heard "While on Parade," "Every Lovor Must Meet His Fate,"\"Angelus," "She's Pretty as a Picture," "Jeannetto and Her Little Wooden Shoes," and "Sweetheart Waltz." The excerpts from "The Red Mill" include "For Every Day is Ladios' Day for Me," "Isle of My Dreams," " When You 're Pretty and the World is Fair," "Whistling Song" (dance), "Moonbeams Shining,"'"Be: cause You're You," and "The Streets of New York." Not only have those responsible for the arrangement of these extracts carried out their job artistically, but the singers have, also played their part excellently. (H.M.V., EB60). ■■■■■. New Vocalion Numbers. ■ Among the new Voealion records this week the following are well worthy of attention:— • "An Eastern Eomance," played on tho Wurlitzcr organ by Edward O'Henry. This is coupled with "Intermezzo" (Aye Maria, from "L'ArIcsionne Suite" by Bizet), also rendered on tho organ-by O'Henry. (795.) "A Child's Overture." Quite a sprightly medloy of nursery; rhyracs,

played by the Metropolitan Symphony! Orchestra. (796.) j "Good-night, My Beloved/ the vocal version of Chopin's Nocturne in B .Flat, coupled with "Sleep, Little Loved One," vocal version of Eubinstein's "Melody,in F," is beautifully recorded as a duet by Thoa Philips (soprano) and Frank Webster (tenor), with orchestral accompaniment. (797.) "Gems from the Geisha." Excerpts from this popular Gilbert and Sullivan opera, remarkably well recorded. (799.) "Tho Blind' Ploughman," coupled with "Friend o' Mine." Ceredig Jones, who sings both, numbers, has an excellent baritone voice. These numbers are decided favourites. New Dance Numbers. The following now daiiee numbers aro now available on. Vocalion: "Would You Like to Take a Walk (Sump-n Good'll Come from That)," coupled with "He's Not Worth Your Tears" (807); "I'm Happy When . You're Happy" and "One Little Raindrop" (808); "99 Out of 100 Wanna Bo Loved" and "Live and Love To-day" (810); "Wedding Bolls are Binging for Sally" and "Chimes of Spring" (820). "Love Divine! All Loves Excelling" —"My Song Shall be Always; Thy Mercy" (Choir of St. Mark's Church, North Audley St., London). Two beautiful examples of church mnsie are presented on this Parlophono ' record, giving the perfect purity of the boy's alto, the richness of Mr. Lawton's tenor, and the full power and beauty of the choir and organ. (Parlophone 4282.)

"Prom Foroign- Parts," 1 Italy, 2 Germany—"From JToreign .Parts," 3 Spain, 4 Hungary. (Stato Opera House Orchestra, Berlin). -Originally published as opus 23 in the form of pianoforte duets, these Kornances are singularly effective in their orchestral arrangement. The Polish composer, MoszkowsM, is always melodious, and invests his tunes here with rich colouring., (Pailophone 4277-3137.) "On a Little Balcony in Spain"—"Nobody Cares if I'm Blue" (Dcs Tooley, "The.-Rhythm Girl"). Dcs Tooley has nothing more "peppy" and : appealing than these two new feature , songs. (Parlophone'3ia9.) • , , ' "Oh! Donna Clara!"—" Ukulele Moon" (Queenic and David Kaili). "Oh!,; Donna Clara!" is another of the latest Continental hits of the moment, and is interpreted by the Kaili couple in their own inimitable fashion. "Ukulele Moon" is, an admirable partner piece. (Parlophone 3140.) "Say a Little Prayer for Me"— "Lonesome Lover" (Clem Williams). Two numbers wnll suited to "the facile art of Clem. Williams. (Parlophone 3135.) ■__