PLAYS and PLAYERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 15, 18 January 1940, Page 16

PLAYS and PLAYERS

NEWZEALANDBASSa RETURNING.

WILLIAMSON ICE SHOW.

CRASHES TO ORDER.

The Wellington season of the Williamson ice-show "Switzerland," commences in the Opera House tomorrow. The people of New Zealand are fortunate that they will witness the artistry of Miss Megan Taylor, as it is only recently that she forsook her amateur status and became a professional. Several years ago Eddie Marcel, the comedian of the organisation, was engaged by the Tivoli Company of Australia at a very large salary, but his tour did not at that time extend to New Zealand. As one who at times has successfully skated over thin ice, Herr Hitler not long ago warmly congratulated Phil Taylor for his remarkable performance on ice that

was somewhat more substantial. Mr. Taylor has met many notabilities in his skating career, and has taught Royalty, Cabinet Ministers, and famous film stars to glide with ease and grace over the ice. To break the programme of ice skating, an act which includes cabaret turns is staged. In this scene Tommy Russell and Ernie Marconi, two American, comedians, extract much humour from a violin, an accordion, and a "grand piano" standing two feet high, and Connie Granam, who is partnered by Hal Scott, gives highly amusing impressions of the stars of the silent film days. The Ice Ballet is made up of a team of beautiful and expert skaters, and features of the show are the colourful dresses and costumes.

In Wellington this week is" Beg, Kavariagh and his Film Crash>"jsquad» which is going to demonstrate, to audiences shortly that there are men who. make film crashes to order. The demonstration will begin in the Kiibirnie Stadium at 8 p.m. on January 27, "and the public are promised plenty of thrills. Mr. Kavanagh has photographs of himself in various stages of disarray which show.the results of. carrying put crash work,, and here, he is going; to. present to the onlookers1 the types of crashes he staged for three films. The first of these was "Bulldog Jack," the Jack Hulbert production, the second "Th« Crouching Beast," the Fritz Kortner film, and the Athird the Edgar Wallace "Crimson Circle." These are: only some of the movies for which ■the Crash Squad has crashed, but they: are among the most thrilling, • -:

Mr. Oscar ; Natzke ;is- 'leaving.' ia January for New Zealand^ : He:;will b« singing during the Centenary celebra* tions, having engagementsTfronr-earljr April until June, writes "The Post's" London correspondent. Mr. Natzke ifl the New Zealand basso who-has been singing with such remarkable success in England, whither he wentvto 'further his studies. He has anamazlhglf: round bass voice. ' ' :.;, ;A" r.