STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 8

STAGE FOLK

Nearly 20 years ago, tho English version of the amusing French musical comedy, ‘ The Girl in the Taxi,’ had a most- successful season in Dunedin and the “ High Jinks ” Company in 1920, which included Madge Elliot and Cyril Richards, presented it as the final show. ‘ The Girl in the Taxi ’ is a piece which deserves to be revived, as it is wholesome, amusing, and tuneful, and the Dunedin Operatic Society has every expectation of a ■ repetition of its past Winter Show week successes when it produces the comedy at His Majesty’s Theatre next month. Mr Stan Lawson is the producer, and the cast includes such popular and talented artists as Misses Lettie de Clifford, Gwenda Burt, Daphne Murdoch, Nell Wootton, George Currie, Jim M'Farlane, Arthur Lungley, Stan Lawson, and Roy Herbert. Mr James . Clark is the musical director and Mr Angus Gorrie is the stage manager. Mr Lawson’s school has arranged the dances, and some striking novelties will be introduced. The society is always very thorough in its productions and a commentary on its success is the recollection of the ‘ Sally ’ season here, as compared with the recent production in Christchurch. * Sally"’ was the society’s biggest hit, but the Christchurch company did not (it is said) clear expenses. ‘ The Girl in the Taxi ’ has been in production for two months now, and tho whole company completely prepared for the staging. Sydney has been entertained during th.e Royal Show period by a number of peculiar theatrical or circus turns. For instance, the famous .American “ fat girl,” “ Jollie Nellie ” Terrell, weighing 56 stone at the age of 26. and described in all seriousness of advertising as “ a beautiful big doll,” has attracted thousands of residents and visitors. This, she claims, is her fifth trip around the world. Sydney also was entertained by two Chinese midgets Chong,” height 24in, age 54 years, and “ Princess Wong,” height 22in, age 27 years. This diminutive Oriental monarch and his,smaller princess “ perform some wonderful feats ” for the edification and entertainment of Sydney’s avid public

Last month Sydney saw its new revue star, Joe Lawman, dt the head of a vaudeville company at the Civic Theatre. Joe Valli. Pat Hanna’s stage and cinema companion in fortune and misfortune, is a prominent member of the company. Not for many years has ap imported stage star achieved such success as Oskar Denes, the central figure in J. C. < Williamson’s production of ‘ Viktoria and Her Hussar,’ at ' His Majesty’s Theatre. Melbourne. To say that be was a “ riot ’’ at the opening performance On Easter Saturday is to fail to do justice to the sensation he created, and the furore of laughter, enthusiasm, and applause that culminated in a demonstration seldom seen or heard in a Melbourne theatre. The Hungarian comedy star has taken Melbourne hi storm, and undoubtedly lias hit’ playgoers very, very hard. The management of the Metropolitan Opera (New York), being troubled by the financial setback of recent seasons, recently took the sensible course of call ing in a business authority for .advice ns to how best to meet the difficulty. This authority has now suggested that the length of the season be 20 weeks, and that only the most successful operas of the past 10 years be performed in that season. It is said that this advice is the result of close scrutiny of the Metropolitan books and business methods, and examination of some hun dreds of interested persons. The Metropolitan's losses for some years past have been approximately £60,000 a year. ‘ Aida,’ among operas, seems to hold first place for the teacher, as determined by a vote at the close of an “ Opera Course ” at tho .Hippodrome of New York. Fifty pei cent, favoured ‘ Aida,’ 25 per cent, chose ‘ Carmen,’ and “La Traviata/ ‘La Tosca,’ ‘Faust,’ and * Lohen*grin ’ were the respective third fourth, fifth, and sixth choice. Lovers of Chopin will welcome the news that Mr Paul Vinogradoff, the famous Russian pianist who appears this evening under engagement to the Radio Broadcasting Board, will give a recital introducing some of the less familiar works of the great Polish composer on Saturday, June 1. Mr Vinogradoff’,s Chopin recital given in Dunedin two years ago was one of the outstanding features of that season, and the news that we are to he honoured with another recital in the near future will he greatly welcomed by students and teachers alike. Gabriel Toyne, young English producer, who is staging ‘ Laburnum Grove ’ and other plays in Australia just now, with a New Zealand season in view later in the year, told a Sydney reporter recently that his wife, Margaret Rawlings, is at present playing in London id ‘ The Greeks Had a Word For Them.’ Miss Rawlings, it will be remembered, appeared here in ‘The Bar-_ retts of Wimpole Street.’ " Dr Karl Muck, who lost his leader’ship of the Boston Symphony Orchestra by refusing/ to conduct ‘The Star Spangled Banner ’ on a programme during the World War, and who last year was deposed by the National Socialist Government from his place with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Hamburg, celebrated his severity-fifth birthday on October 32 last, in honour of ■which event the city of .Hamburg lias changed the name of the former Hoistenplatz to Kayl Muck Platz and the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra has made him an honorary member and asked that he lead one of the conceits of ,this season.

By now, the Shakespeare Dramatic Festival should be well under way at the new Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon. It was to have begun on April 15, and will last until mid-Sep-tember. The Shakespeare •' birthday celebrants were to have been held in conjunction with the festival, commencing on April 23. Something of a record in concert bookings has been put up by a Melbourne music lover in connection with the forthcoming season of the worldrenowned genius of the violin, Yehudi Menuhin, .which is to open at the Melbourne Town Hall on May 16. This enthusiast has written to J. and N. Tait, who are- directing the Australian and New Zealand tour, asking that eight seats be allotted him for every recital in Melbourne, and in the same position in the hall on each occasion. “ 1 would also like the option on an additional four seats at the first and last recitals, ” he requested. _ Interest in this great musical event is already tremendous in Melbourne, announces the J. and N. fait management. The opening programme on May 18 (to-night) will be a memorable one. It will include ‘ Devil’s Trill,’ 1 Sonata in G Minor : (Tartini-Kreisler), ‘Chaconne’ (for violin alone, Bach), ‘ Concerto in T) Major ’ (Paganini), ‘ Allegro Maestoso ' (cadenza by Sanret). ‘ Romanza AndaInsa ’ (Sarasate), ‘ Zapateado ’ (Sftrasate). 1 The Flight of the Bumble Bee ’ (Korsakov-Hartmann), ‘ La Fille mix cheveux de 1 in.’ ‘ The Maiden With the Flaxen Hair ’ (Debussy-Hartmaim), ‘The Dance of flic Goblins’ (Bazzini). An entirely different programme will be presented at each recital*