STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 21820, 8 September 1934, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

Scnia Chostiakoff, the celebrated Don Cossack tenor, whose recordings are known the world over, will appear with the llcturned Soldiers’ Choir in His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday next. Chostiakoff will appear in ’Russian and Don Cossack costumes. Chostiakoff can be termed great; he has a commanding personality, and with the magnificence of Jiis voice he sweeps his audience through moments of devotion into the

joy of a pastorale reflecting the sadness of the Volga boatmen and pulsating the: fibres with the compelling rhythm of marching songs. Associated with the choir he will sing ‘ Monotonously Rings the Little Bell’ (Russian folk song.i, ‘Down the Pctersky ’ (traditional song), * Stjonka Rasin’ (Russian folk song), ‘O Evening Bell’ (folk song), and ‘ The Song of the Volga Boatmen ’ (Russian traditional song). With Madame Winnie Fraser and the choir he will sing the ‘ Miserere,’ *from ‘ll Trovatorc,’ and with the choir a Neapolitan serenade. Chostiakolfs additional solos will ho Massenet’s invocation. ‘ Elegy ’ ( violin obbligato by Maitland M ‘Cutchcon), and ‘die Gclida -Manilla,’ from ‘La Bolieme, ’ (Puccini). Assisting Chostiakoff will he Madame Winnie Fraser and Maitland APCutcheon, and instrumental trios by Sybil Baker (pianist), Ethel Wallace (violinist), and Elvira Wychorly (’cellist). The choir, conducted by John T. Leech, will sing ‘ Hallelujah. Power and Glory’ (Beethoven), a polka serenade by Schafer, ‘ The 'Anvil Chorus.’ from ‘II Trovatore ’ Verdi), and ‘ Four Jolly Sailornicn ’ (German).

Details of the South Island tour of the ‘ Duburry ’ and ‘ Waltzes from Vienna ’ Company are announced. After the Wellington season (September 19 to October 10) Miss Sylvia Welling and her follow-players will be seen at Timaru on October. 12, Dunedin from October 13 to 23, Invercargill on October 24 and 2-5, Timaru again on October 20, and Christchurch from October 27 to November 13. A brief return season will probably follow, both in Wellington and Auckland.

The most notable band in the British Army, that of His Majesty's Grenadier Guards, is coming to Australia for the centenary celebrations by permission of the King. A tour of other Australian centres and of the dominion will follow immediately, the New Zealand visit probably commencing early in December. Arrangements will he in the bands of .1. C. Williamson Ltd. and J. and N. Tait.

A play has been written in the United States on the subject of the notorious French financier and swindler, Stavisky,. the revelation of whoso ma-

chinations following his supposed suicide caused the overthrow of three Cabinets in Paris. The play is to be staged by George White, after the opening of his new season’s ‘ Scandals.’ The play, entitled ‘ Bank Nemo,’ was written by Louis Verneuil. The first performance, in Melbourne of ‘ Ten-minute Alibi,’ the famous dramatic play which has been running in Loudon for. two years, was given at the Comedy Theatre recently. The interest .of this theatrical event was added to by the first appearance in Melbourne of George Thirlwell. a.young leading man from London. This was also the first appearance on the stage in Melbourne of Jocelyn Howarth, young Australian film star, who is already well known to film audiences. Included in the cast are Arundel Nixon, who plays the role in which he has appeared in England; R. L. Athohvood, Guy Hastings, Tommy Jay, Frank

Bradley. Bussell Chapman. The play is produced by Frederick Blackman, and is to come to New Zealand later in the year. Li December of this year, or early next year, New Zealand is to be given one more glimpse of the spectacle of the Russian Ballot, when the famous company organised by M. Dandre, husband of the late Madame Pavlova, will visit the dominion, following a tour of Australia arranged to commence in October in connection with the Melbourne centenary. The ballet will have the advantage of the new His Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne for its spectacular

dance numbers. The lingo revolving stage will allow ballets to be presented on a grand scale. The famous Milo .-.eva will lead the company, and M. Vilzak will be the leading nude dancer. The personnel will include Elvira Rone. Juliana Ena Kicva, Otto Kruger, Lola Michel, M. H'l-tolf, Stanley Judson, and -Mile Hojo Kvich (principal ballerina from the Belgrade Opera House).