STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 21706, 28 April 1934, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

Thrilling experiences made the voyage to Australia of the barque L’Avenir of unusual interest to Percy Grainger, the world-famous pianist and composer, who travelled by it. The voyage took 116 days, but Mr Grainger did'not spend his time in idleness. The time, he said, passed quickly. There was always something to do, and he carried out the most strenuous exercise to keep himself fit. Every morning, for example, he climbed the rigging and went into the crow’s nest, and during the day he worked with the crew. He found time, too, to do a good deal of composing. The Australian tour of Percy Grainger commenced at the Melbourne Town Hal! on Saturday, April 14, under the direction of J. and N. Tait, and a New Zealand tour will follow.

A new technique is introduced in the J. C, Williamson Ltd.’s production of ‘ The Dubarry,’ which opened a season at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, last Saturday. Somewhat reminiscent of the motion picture screen, 1 The Dubarry ’ is presented in a succession of quickly-changing scenes, of which there are no fewer than nine in the two acts. An enormous stage staff is required to make these quick changes, *as each of the scenes is elaborate and spectacular. Among these are Dubarry’s dining room, the salon of Madame Sauterellc, Jeanne’s boudoir in Dubarry’s house, the house of La Marechale d© France, Louis XV.’s salon in the Palace of Versailles, and the gardens of the Palace Luciennes. Special lighting effects are introduced in this production.

* Annina ’ is the new title of thr, Rudolph Friml operetta, formerly called ‘ Teresa,’ in which the Schuberts will present Madame Maria Jeritza as, star in April in New York. Friml, who visited New Zealand last year to secure “ colour,” is famous for his ‘ Rose Marie.’

The New Comic Opera Company, which enjoyed such distinct success in its recent tour of the dominion, is to rest for a week in Sydney, if present plans are followed, before conducting a

season in Newcastle. A tour of Queensland will probably follow, a similar repertoire being employed as that seen in the dominion. The announcement that the Dunedin Strolling Players are to stage ‘ The Middle Watch ’ early in May will be greeted with great satisfaction _by _ all theatregoers in Dunedin. This little company has already most successfully produced four plays—namely, ‘ The Private Secretary,’ ‘ Are You a Mason?’ ‘ Nothing But the Truth,.’ and ‘ Three Wise Fools.’ All these productions have been greatly appreciated, and the patrons of the Strolling Players will not be disappointed in looking forward with

pleasure and anticipation to the coming production. ‘ The Middle Watch,' by, lan Hay and Stephen King-Hall, is a; clean and sparkling comedy romance of the Royal Navy, and had a magnificent reception when it appeared as a picture in this city some years ago. This play is a particularly happy choice, and should appeal to a very wide public in Dunedin. It will be staged in the Town Hall Concert Chamber, and scenery has been specially constructed for the production. The cast includes Douglas Dali, Douglas Skene, George, Salmond, Reynolds Herbert, Roland Watson, and others, and Misses Elsie M'Peak, Anita Winkel, Erana Newbold, and Molly Baker. The dates on which the play will he produced are May 9 to 12.

The bright dances, crisp wit, and ever fresh melodies of the Jerome Kern musical comedy ‘ Sally ’ promise to be fully exploited by the Dunedin Amateur Operatic Society, as the _ casting committee has given wide satisfaction in its selection of _ principals. Sally is to be played by Miss Daphne Murdoch. She is a dainty dancer and a pleasing vocalist, and her past efforts leave no cause to doubt her thoroughness. The part will give her many opportunities to show her individuality. The dancing is equally as important as the. singing, and Miss Murdoch has already, satisfied the society and its supporters;, that she has the unusual combination of the gifts demanded. Miss Tuf. Northey is cast as Rosalie, and Miss; Gwenda Burt, will be Mrs_ Ten Brock, i the society leader, to which part attach some catchy songs. With Stank Lawson as Connie, the Duke who turns waiter, and Clarence Paine as the iri repressible agent Otis Hooper, thacomedy could not be in better local hands. They are both smart comedians, and they will revel in tha sparkling lines. The other male parts are cast; Blair Farquhar, James M‘Farlane; Sascba (the violinist). Jack' Clark j Jimmy Spelvin, Jack Figgins ; Richard _ Farquhar and the old man, Dick White. Only two minor parts have yet to be filled. The chorus and ballet.work is advanced, and the rehearsals have beeni marked by vigorous and tuneful singing and finished dancing. The musical director (Mr J. Clark) has formed hia orchestra of players who -gave such' noted assistance at past shows, and the

wardrobe mistress has received many; beautiful costumes from Sydney* Sally’s and Rosie’s Russian costumes are very smart, and the Russian uniforms to be worn by Connie and Sascha will please the eye. The Rocking for the thirty-six members of the ladies* chorus arc also coming . from Sydney. The dressing and mounting of ‘ Sally ’ are on a scale commensurate with the fame of the musical comedy. Undertaking to name the ten leading players of the American _ theatre Ward Morehouse, stage columnist of the New. York ‘ Sun,’ recently submitted this list; Helen Hayes, George M. Cohan, Katharine Cornell, Lynn Fontafme, Eva Le Gallienne, Alfred Lunt, Paul Muni,Walter Huston, Clifton Webb, and Leslie Howard. He gave “ honourable mention ” to Ruth Gordon, Ina Claire, ; Richard B. Harrison, Walter Hampden, and Alla Nazimova. All but seven of these have been seen on the screen. “ This has been a week of English triumphs in American theatres,” wrote Burns Mantle, famous New York drama critic, late in February. “ Two fine plays and a splendid picture have come from London and been received with considerable enthusiasm. The two plays from London are ‘ The Shining Hour.,’ written by a young Oxonian named Keith Winter, and ‘ Richard of Bor. deaux,’ written by Agnes Mackintosh, of Inverness, Scotland, a schoolmistress who, under the pen name of Gordon Daviot, has been selling literature to the English and Scottish periodicals fop the last twenty years. The picture is the heralded ‘ Catherine the Great,’ bringing a first glimpse of a young Austrian named Elizabeth Bergiier, who is certain to be accepted here.”