STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 21724, 19 May 1934, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

‘ White Horse Inn.’ the colossal musical production which will open the New His Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne, is one of tho most successful! musical shows ever presented in London and tho theatre is booked out a week ahead for the performances of this popular show at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, where it is now being presented. With its beautiful melodies, picturesque scenery' and unusual costuming, ‘ White Horse Inn ’ is assured of success everywhere. Miss Strella Wilson returned from London to play the principal feminine role. Katharine Cornell recently presented 1 The Barrets of Wimpolc Street ’ at Baylor University, Waco, Texas, where there is the largest Robert Browning collection in the world. It contains a portrait of Browning painted by his soils who told Dr A. J. Armstrong, who began the collection in Waco and later gave it to tho university, that ho considered it the finest likeness of his father in existence. During the performance of the play in Waco Miss Cornell wore a chased gold brooch with three large topaz settings that Browning gave his wife on their first wedding anniversary.

Ivor Novello’s outstanding comedy success ‘ Fresh Fields ’ which will bo presented for the first time in Melbourne by J. C. Williamson Ltd. at the Comedy ’Theatre on May 19, has been received in London with overwhelming enthusiasm. The story of ‘ Fresh Fields,’ in the hands of a novice would not have amounted to much, but in the grasp of the craftsman it becomes a shapely' and alluring whole. It is rounded into a form that makes it hilariously attractive. Mr Novello has chosen his types with a discriminating eye, with a fine sense of contrast, and he brings into conflict the uncut diamonds of the antipodes, with the more polished and aesthetically set gems of aristocratic England.

Sydney and Melbourne are doing un-heard-of business in the theatre to-day. ‘ White Horse Inn,’ the musical play that is breaking all records at the Sydney Theatre Royal, is one of the most successful shows presented in London in recent years, and ran for nearly twelve months at the Coliseum. Another strong attraction in Sydney is ‘ Fresh Fields,’ Ivor Novello’s much discussed comedy which was received in London with overwhelming enthusiasm. 1 The Dubarry,’ at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne, with Sylvia Welling in the lead, sends play patrons seeking library information regarding the famous lady who, born a daughter of a pretty cook and an unknown father, had some education in a convent,, tried her lovely hands at peddling cheap jewellery, en-

tered a millinery establishment much frequented by young gallants of the period, became a gambler’s decoy, and eventually the mistress of Louis XV. after she had been conveniently' married to a count. A Sydney journal has the following in comment on the recent announcement of Mr John Fuller’s withdrawal from tho Fuller firm ; The Fuller interests comprise three companies. The large New Zealand circuit, founded by the late Mr John Fuller, is still named after the father of the present partners, John Fuller’s Theatre Pty., Ltd. The Australian company is Ben. and John Fuller Pty., Ltd., controlling the following theatres: Mayfair (Sydney), Princess and Palace (Melbourne); Empirj (Brisbane), Majestic (Adelaide), and His Majesty’s (Perth). Its capital is given at £500,000. The change-over may mean the disappearance of the familiar theatrical headline, “ Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller present—,” which has preceded so many notable show attractions in Australia and New Zealand. It would appear that Sir Benjamin Fuller now has a busy time ahead of him. In Melbourne at the present time he is proposing the presentation of grand opera, in English, and with a cast that will be practically all-Aus-tralian. It is also Sir Benjamin’s intention to stage ,an American musical comedy production with the ‘ Merry Malones ’ company. Both those seasons will open in Melbourne. Ethel Barrymore has returned to tho United States after her London appearance in Sir James Barrie’s ‘ The

Twelve-Pound Look.’ It is said that she will probably make another appearance on the screen, having been highly pleased with her first effort as the empress in ‘ Rasputin.’ Many new dances have been devised for ‘ Sally,’ the Kerr musical comedy to be revived on June 2 by the Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society', but the musical numbers are perpetually fresh. Production is at the fulldress rehearsal stage, and the society is elated with the progress and high standard of performance. Much depends on the ensembles, dancing and vocal, for the success of ‘ Sally,’ yet the leading parts are most exacting. Miss Daphne Murdoch, the pleasing Mina of ‘ Miss Hook of Holland,’ is in the title role, a part which suits her to a nicety. Mr Stan. Lawson’s Connie will be a distinct contrast to his Barry in ‘ The Country Girl,’ and the lunatic in ‘ The Bello of New York.’ He is a proved comedian. Mr Jimmy M'Farlane, as Blair Farquar, has another part of engaging possibilities, and his work as lead in ‘ The Belle ’ and junior lead in ‘ The Boy ’ and ‘ The Runaway Girl ’ ensures his

making the most of it. Mr Clarence Paine is a rapidly rising comedian. His Gobo in ‘ Les Cloches do Corueville ’ was excellent, and as Otis Hooper, the exuberant manager, he promises to enhance his reputation, Rosalie, the manicurist, is a fitting part for Miss Tui Northey, who has a natural sense of comedy. Her Chrysea in. ‘ The Arcadians ’ and Alice in ‘ The Runaway Girl,’ in which she led with Mr R. Wilson Brown, will be pleasurably remembered. Mr Jack Figgins was a sensational character artist in ‘ Miss Hook,’ and, as the old man in the first act of ‘ Sally ’ and later doubling to Jimmy Speevin, his artistry should be given expression. A newcomer to the Dunedin stage is Mr Mason Harrould, who has every chance to make good as Pops Scherndoff. Mr Dick White, a prominent player in dramatic plays, is cast as Richard Farquar. The principals are strong, it will be widely admitted, and the enthusiasm of the chorus and ballets for the sparkling scenes in ‘ Sally ’ is high. .The society has not presented a more attractive piece.

Tiie special matinee and evening performance last Saturday of ‘ Les Cloches de Corneville ’ by the Christchurch Operatic Society enabled it to reduce its loss on the previous season by £IOO. For the occasion the members of the orchestra, the stage hands, and the front of the house staff gave their services free. The society has in particular expressed its thanks to Miss Alice Chapman, who filled tbe part of Germaine after only a week’s rehearsals, as Miss Annas Gale, who formerly took this part, left for Sydney after the original season was completed.

Miss Grace Lane, who plays the role of Lady Mary Crabbe _in ‘ Fresh Fields ’ which J. C. Williamson Ltd. will present at the Comedy Theatre (Melbourne) to-night, has had a very brilliant career on the London stage. She has played leading roles with most of the celebrated actor-managers, including George Edwardes, Lewis Waller, and the Kendalls, and has appeared at every important West-end Theatre. Some of her roles include the Queen in ‘ The Queen’s Husband,’ Orinthia in Bernard Shaw’s ‘ The Apple Cart,’ Mrs . Bromley in ‘ "What Happened Then,’ Madam Bernin in ' Materite,’ Mrs Sabre in ‘ If Winter Comes,’ ‘ The Voysey Inheritance,’ ‘ The Great Lover,’ ‘ Clara Gibbings,’ Lady. Mary Carlisle in ‘ Monsieur Boaucaire,’ and one of the greatest successes of her career was in Barrie’s 1 Little Minister.’ Strange to relate, although Miss Lane is famous as_ a dramatic artist, she did not originally intend to make drama her career, but made her professional debut in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and immediately _ transferred her attentions to the legitimate theatre. 7 '

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