FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 6

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

STMSE FOLK

Isobel Elsom, now playing in a series of modern plays in Melbourne before a contemplated tour of New Zealand, has had a most interesting and varied stage life. She commenced her career in ‘ The Quaker Girl ’ in London, and later entered “ straight ” comedy, which she prefers. She appeared for three years and a-half in New York, and returned at a later date for further engagements there. She has appeared'also in talkies in England, Hollywood, and in France and Germany. “ I love talkie work,” she said to a Melbourne interviewer, but it really isn’t as interesting as that of the legitimate stage. One feels the lack of an audience so terribly, and another important fact: There is no possibility of altering one’s interpretation of a role. Once a thing is done it’s done, and there is no saying, ‘ I’ll try and alter that to-morrow night.’ Still, I shall be making many more talkies, and I am under contract to make at least one picture a year.”

Mrs Harold Owers, well known to opera-goers as Miss Mary Hotham, late principal in Williamson’s Gilbert and Sullivan Company, will make her first appearance for local musical societies at the Auckland Bohemian Orchestra’s concert on September 14, singing Bemberg’s ‘Hindoo Song’ (with orchestra) and Schubert’s ‘ Linden Tree.’ Mr Simmers will also be heard in Cowen’s dramatic setting of ‘ Onaway Awake.’

News from London indicates that Diana Wynyard, Hollywood star of the film version of ‘ Cavalcade,’ has taken over from C. B. Cochran the managerial responsibility of Apollo Theatre play, ‘ Wild Decembers.’

Seven companies are presen ting. Noel Coward’s famous play,_ ‘ Private Lives,’ in England, and eight in America. This fascinating comedy achieved a big success at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, with Isobel Elsom, George -Barraud. Charlotte Frances and Harvey Adams in the principal roles. The company will appear in Adelaide prior to a season in Brisbane, with Sydney to follow.

An eminent English writer says: “ The real fact is that the serious study of the more serious instruments involves a higher degree of mental concentration, a severer strain of brain and nerve, a more exacting and sustained effort of mind, than is dreamt of by most students of science and literature.”

Madge Elliott and Cyril Richards are making their farewell appearances in Melbourne, at the Theatre Royal, where .* The Quaker Girl ’ is playing to crowded audiences. After a visit to the other States and to New Zealand, these popular stars will return to England via America. They will be back next year for the centenary celebrations, to appear in new plays.

It is the intention of J. C. Williamson Limited to present up-to-date productions of several popular musical comedies which have stood the ‘test of time. The phenomenal success in Sydney of ‘ Our Miss Gibbs ’ indicates that the public welcomes such revivals. Negotiations are proceeding for Dorothy Brunton to appear in ‘ So Long Letty,’ ‘ Canary Cottage,’ ‘ High Jinks,’ and 3 The Girl in the Taxi.’ The reorganised Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will probably be seen later on in revivals of f The Desert Song,’ ‘ The Student Prince,’ and ‘ Paul Jones.’ 'After Mr Theo, Shall has returned to Europe the company which has ap-

(By LOITEBER.]

Jottings on the people of the Stage anfl Screea and on the latest recorded Mnsie.

peared in ‘ Autumn Crocus ’ and * The Command to Love ’ will be reorganised, and a woman star will be brought from London to be at the head of it in several new productions. * Music in the Air ’ has achieved remarkable success in Sydney at the Theatre Royal. According to the J. C. Williamson Limited management the production equals anything the firm has ever staged, including ‘ Waltzes from Vienna/ ‘ The Desert Song/ and ‘Rose Marie.’ ‘ Music in the Air ’ has an exquisite musical score; a “ book ” that sets off its romantic plot with delightful comedy; a fine cast, including Sylvia Welling, Frank Sale, Carrie Moore, Cecil Kellaway, Henry Wenman, Shirley Dale, .'John Moore, and Sydney Burchall. It is interesting to observe some developments in London which show’ that a reduction in theatre prices is sometimes in the best interests of everyone concerned. Months ago the last performances were announced of ‘ Children in Uniform ’ and ‘ While Parents Sleep.’ Swayed by astute counsel, however, the managements at both theatres announced a drastic lowering of prices.

On the instant attendances increased again to the point where the plays brought in a profit. Their nui was happily prolonged, and when the last mail left London ‘ While • Parents Sleep ’ was still before the public.

J. 0. Williamson Ltd. have secured the Australian rights of ‘ Ten Minute Alibi,* the latest Ldndon stage success, and it will be produced in the ,near future. One of the’ London papers recently referred to it as follows : ‘‘ Excitement and thrills jn plenty are'to he found in this successful crime' play atthe Haymarlcet Theatre. As an entertainment it is not to be beaten in the whole of the' metropolis. Those who want a mystery play that lias no mystery, and yet possesses the absorbing interest of one, will have their craving satisfied when they see this play.”

One of the most popular principals in the J. C. Williamson production of ‘ Music in the Air,’ at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, is Carrie Moore, Australia’s original ‘ Merry Widow.’ The-

atregoers will remember her first appearance on the stage when two delightful little children sang in pantomime ' I Don’t Want to Play in Your Yard.’ Miss Moore’s partner was Ivy Scott, who, by a singular coincidence, is appearing in New York in the same role m * Music in the Air,’ which Carrie Moore is now playing in the J. C. Williamson production in Sydney. Mr Anderson Tyrer, who is at present visiting New Zealand as examiner for the Trinity College of Music, in an article entitled ‘ Famous Conductors I Have Met,’ appearing in ‘ Music in New Zealand,’ quotes a story Dr Richter used to tell with great gusto. The famous musician was conducting a concert in a provincial town and the principal item on the programme was Beethoven’s ‘ Fifth Symphony.’ After the concert he was the guest at a supper, during which a bust of Beethoven was presented to the city. In returning thanks the mayor remarked that, although he was well aware that theirs was an intensely musical city, he hardly thought there would be more than half a dozen people ,in the . town capable of .writing such a fine work as the one they had just heard! .