STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

It is interesting to note the wido variety of productions in which Ivan Menzies, principal comedian of J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company (now playing Dunedin), has played leading parts. He joined the D’Oyiley Carte Opera Company in 1921, as a member of the chorus. It was not long, however, before he was understudying Sir Henry Lytton, and playing small parts, in 1925 he was made principal comedian of the new D’Oyley Carte Company, remaining with the organisation until 1927. He was then rushed with musical comedy engagements, and accepted the lead in ‘ Happy-go-Lucky.’ Following his success in that show, ho was cast in Tennyson’s ‘Harold,’ but was later released to take over Sir Nigel Playfair’s rolo in the ballad opera, ‘ Love in a Village.’ He has also appeared in farce, scoring a big hit in P. G. Wodchousc’s ‘ Good Morning, Bill,’ and as the aunt in ‘ Charley’s Aunt.’ It was while lie was playng the principal comedy part in ‘ No" No, Nanette ’ that he was olfered a contract to play in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Australia and New Zealand.

That the legitimate opera, drama, and vaudeville are still (popular in New Zealand has been proved during the past 12 months, as during that period theatrical companies have enjoyed successful seasons throughout the Dominion. Last year ‘ The White Horse Inn ’ attracted record audiences in every city and town in which it was staged, and so did the Gilbert and Sullivan Company. The J. C. Williamson Ltd. Comedy Company, which included Ethel Morrison, had a successful run, and the American tenor, Richard Crooks, also attracted huge audiences in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The Connors-Paul Vaudeville Company, which includes the popular comedian, George Wallace, experienced very successful seasons in Auckland and Wellington in December, January, and February; and Stanley M‘Kay s company is now in its sixth week in Christchurch and is still play-

ing to capacity business. To cap it all. the J. O. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company, which is to begin a season here on Saturday, has enjoyed even better business than when it toured New Zealand last year. It is expected that the Monte Carlo Russian Balet, which is to begin a tour of New Zealand, including Dunedin, at Auckland on March 3, will also prove a big attraction. It broke all known records in Sydney and Melbourne, and it will probably do likewise in New Zealand. Later in the year the J. C. Williamson Ltd. management will send over an opera company headed by Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the repertoire to include 1 The Merry Widow.’ ‘ The Southern Maid,’ and ‘ The Mqid of the Mountains.’

Imagine having to learn nine Gilbert and Sullivan roles in six weeks! That was the unique feat achieved by Evelyn Hall, the young Australian contralto of the J. C- Williamson Ltd. Gilbert and Sullivan Company. She succeeded, however, by working 14 hours a day, helped by her own ambition and talent, and the confidence of her instructress, Minnie Everett. Miss Hall’s career began in 1929, when shesang small parts in the Gonzalez Opera Company. In 1932 she was engaged for a tour of the J. C. Williamson Ltd. Imperial Grand Opera Company. She has sung under Sir Hamilton Harty and Maurice D’Abravanel in the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s operatic series, and both of these eminent conductors highly praised the young Australian, predicting for her a brilliant future.

Godfrey Stirling, the tenor of the J. C. Williamson Ltd. Opera Company now appearing here, was for eight years athletic master in an English school, specialising in cricket, football, fencing, boxing, swimming, and gymnastics. During that period lie studied singing as a hobby under Jack Robertson, one of the original Savoyards (predecessor to Courtice Pounds). His first operatic role was ‘ Faust,’ sung in French, in Belgium. For some time he was principal lyric tenor with the “ Old Vic. Company in London, and later in the Old Vic', and Saddler’s Wells Theatre.

Miss Strclia Wilson is probably one of tho finest exponents oi soprano vocalism in the world to-day. Miss Wilson made her initial appearance in Anstralia in grand opera, in which she achieved an instantaneous triumph. Later she was engaged by J. C. Williamson Ltd. for the leading soprano roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and it was in these world-famous works that she first made her appearance before New Zealand audiences. On that occasion the company included James Hay (tenor), Lance Ifairfax (baritone), and Charles Walenn (comedian) ; and it was largely duo to the brilliant performances of Miss Wilson that the business recorded during that tour was osuch a sensational nature. About live years ago Miss W’ilson again visited the Dominion as the heroine in ■ tho spectacular ‘ Vagabond King,’ and again it was largely duo to her brilliant singing and consummate artistry that tho tour proved such a phenomenal success. In ‘ The Gondoliers ’it was as Casilda that Miss Wilson made her debut to playgoers of New Zealand, and it is in that splendid role she will make her reappearance hero to-night. The Dunedin _ Repertory Society’s first social evening for 19<S7 will be held in the Concert Chamber on Monday, March 1. when ‘ Indoor Fireworks,’ a farcical comedy by Arthur M'Crae, will be presented. This amusing play had l a successful season at the Aldwych Theatre, London, when it was produced by Leslie Henson early in 1935 with such well-known people in the cast as Lady Tree, Mary Brough, Fay Compton, Reginald Gardiner, and Jack Hawkins.

Tito Schipa, who is to tour Australia and New Zealand under the direction of J. and N, Tait, commencing in Juno next, stands to-day the unrivalled lyric tenor of the world l . Incomparable in voice and art, his immense American and European triumphs stamp him international favourite. His loyal followers are multitude. There is in Schipa’s voice an enrapturing charm that he alone possesses; a captivating sweetness.of rich, flowing tones, insinuating, irresistible, inspired with masterly musicianship; versatile, magnetic, manly, his appeal is universal. Schipa, as regular member of the Metropolitan Opera Association and tenor idol of New York, makes numerous appearances there each season. His brilliant record of successes in opera includes also a long list of outstanding portrayals with the Chicago Civic Opera Company, Chicago; Rabinia Park, Chicago; at Los Angeles and San Francisco with the famous San Francisco Civic Opera Company, and at the foremost opera houses of Europe and South America. Schipa’s recent _ triumphs in the last-named territory marked his fifth consecutive engagement at the <n - eat Colon Theatre, Buenos Aires, whose conclusion finds him again in the United States for the present season. Pre-eminent _as tenor in domain of opera, his acting glows with Italian fervour.

. More than 70 performers will go on the stage of the travelling canvas theatre which Mammoth Productions Pty. Ltd. is having built for the presentation or the J. C. Williamson Ltd. production ‘ AVhito Horse Inn ’ in country centres. The total number of persons ivho will travel is 130. Opening its unique tour in Bendigo tonight (February 20), the company will travel many thousands of miles. Miriam Lester, who played principal girl in ‘ The Sleeping Beauty ’ at the King’s, Melbourne, will be Josepha. proprietress of the White Horso Inn, and Barrett-Lennard is to be Leopold, the head waiter. The comedian Phil Smith is cast as John Ebenezer Ginkle, and Trixie Francisco as Ginkle’s daughter, Ottoline. Other roles will be played by John Fraser, Alban Mack, Yvonne Banvard, Charles Albert, William Perryman, and Daphne Lowe. ‘ The Young Idea,’ by Noel Coward, has been selected by the Dunedin Repertory Society for its sixteenth production. This comedy will be produced by Miss Bessie Thomson, and will be presented in His Majesty’s Theatre for a four-night season—March 17, 18, ]9, and 20. The following members of the society are in the cast; —Mesdames L. F. W. Hill, H. T. Speight, K. W. Donaldson, Misses Florence Pacey, Isabel Seelye, Margot Garrett, Joy Knowles, Messrs Maurice James, Ken. Stewart, E. W. Lees Bullot. Maurice Chrystall, G. E. Moloney, and O. T. Harris. Mr T. C. Wynne is the stage manager.

One of the most popular members of Colonel W. do Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, which is touring Australia and New Zealand, under the direction of J. C. Williamson Ltd., is Miss Helene Kirsova, one of the two prima ballerinas of the organisation. Charming and unaffected, she if; always ready to help any of the “ babies ” of the company, and is invariably first at rehearsals and the ballet class, which commences at 9 o’clock every morning. Her versatility is amazing, and after seeing her as the doll in ‘ Petrouchka ’ It is startling to see her in the broad comedy role of La Francaiso in ‘Port Said.’ In her portrayal of the doll in ‘ Petrouchka ' Miss Kirsova’s version is as authentic as any could be, for she studied the role with Fogine himself. In many critics’ opinion this is her finest role. “It is a singularly complete performance, difficult to fault in tho slightest detail. She is always the puppety, archly, inhuman, yet an unquestioned sister under her skin to Columbine and those other more human flirts whose chief business in life is trifling with the affections of the mere male. Ivirsova’s perfect musical sense is never more evident than in her dancing to Stravinsky’s difficult -score, and tho clean precision of her work is. as always, a delight to watch. In ‘ Port Said ’ she reveals an unexpectedly broad sense of comedy in the role of the frilly entertainer who might have stepped straight off the stage of the Folies Bergere of years ago,” writes a Sydney critic.

“ There are signs that a forward movement is taking place in New Zeachoralism.” says the editor, Mr T. Vernon Griffiths, in the latest issue of ‘ Music in New Zealand.’ “ In three at least of the four main cities we have progressive mixed-voice choirs under conductors with ideas; the lead given to choralism by the Dunedin Competitions Society in 1930 had (as one of its results'). the effect of showing how kindly our chornlists take to authentic madrigals ; and we know that our leading conductors are looking around for something fresh for tbo coming season.” Mr Griffiths adds that it is a pleasure, in the circumstances, to say that there arc many works available.

The latest farce at the St. James’ Theatre, London, ‘ O Mistress Mine,’ was withdrawn after a run of nine nights {and 11 performances, including matinees). The cast was headed by the two celebrated Parisian stars, Mdlle. Yvonne Printemps (formerly the wife of M. Sacha Guitry) and M. Pierre Fresuay. It adds one more chapter to M. Frosnay’s already stormy life. During the war he went to the front and had a distinguished war record. After the war he became the youngest societaire that the Comedie Francaise had over had. Later he quarrelled with the famous French National Theatre, broke his contract with it—and in return had to pay a record, number of hundreds of thousands of francs as a fine.

The London Alhambra, first of the super-palaces of variety m London, is being demolished. On its site there will arise, in time for the Coronation festivities, a vast super-cinema. The opening film will be ‘ I, Claudius,’ on which work has recently been started at Denham, with Charles Laughton ns the Homan autobiographer. ' The first building on the site in Leicester Square was the Panopticon (1851), which throe years later became the Alhambra (and a circus). The second Alhambra was built in 1871, and the theatre which is now disappearing in 1888. The Alhambra’s most prosperous days were in the ’eighties and ’nineties, when ballet was a regular and popular feature.

The successful six weeks’ run at His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, of ‘Wild Violets,’ the spectacular musical play staged by J. C. Williamson Ltd., was replaced on Saturday, February 6, by 4 Princess _ Charming,’ a romance with music, in three acts (from the Palace Theatre, London), by Arthur Wimperis and Laurie Wylie, from the original book of Fcren/. Maroos. lyrics by Arthur Wimperis, music by Albert Szirmai, additional numbers and lyrics by Russel Bennet and Jack Waller, being the intriguing adventures of a Princess at the Court of Christian 11., of Sylvania, who fell in love with a naval officer. For this production, the popular singers, Miss Romola Hansen and Mr Herbert Browne made their reappearance under the J. C. Williamson banner; also Alfred Frith, the popular comedian, who took the part of Albert Chuff. This role suited Mr Frith down to the ground and gave the famous comedian a wonderful opportunity to make his reappearance in Melbourne after a number of years.

Mr Claude Kingston, concert director for Messrs J. C. Williamson and J. and N. Tait, is in Auckland preparing for the firm’s most notable season yet—the New Zealand tour of the famous Russian Ballet of Colonel \V. de Basil. Mr Kingston reports the unprecedented success of the Australian season, which included two weeks in Adelaide, eight weeks in Melbourne, and nine weeks in Sydney. All records for Williamson-Tait theatres have been broken by the company, “ standing room only ” being the rule at most performances. Mr Kingston has mapped out a comprehensive tour of the Dominion of nine weeks, and it is interesting to record that the season will involve an expenditure of £27,000. Fifteen ballets will be presented in Auckland and Wellington in 13 nights. The Auckland season commences on March 3, and the company of 62 noted dancers will remain in the northern city until March 17, Hamilton will be visited on March 18. when 4 Les Sylphides,’ 4 Scheherazade ’ and ‘Lo Manage d’Aurore ’ will be presented; New Plymouth, March 19, Wanganui, March 20, and Palmerston North, March 22, where the same three ballets will be performed; Hastings, March 23-24, where 4 Carnaval,’ 4 Les Presages,’ and 4 La Boutique _Fantasque ’ will be presented in addition; Masterton, March 25, with the satne programme as at Hamilton. Wellington dates are March 27 to April 10, so that the Company will be an Easter attraction in the capital city. In both Auckland and Wellington, the ballets to be performed are 4 Les Sylphides,’ 4 Scheherazade,’ 4 Le Manage d’Aurore,’ 4 Carnaval,’ ‘Les Presages,’ 4 La Boutique Fantasque,’ 4 Le Lac des Cygnes,’ ‘ Port Said,’ 4 Prince Igorf,’ 4 Midnight Sun,’_ ‘The Hundred Kisses,’ 4 Scuola di Ballo,’ *Lo Spectre de la Rose,’ and 4 Beau Danube.’ The South Island tour begins at Christchurch on April 12 and closes on April 21; Timaru, April 22; Oamaru, April 23; Dunedin following.

Tho first vaudeville company to open the season iu Dunedin for 1937 will be the Connors and Paul Revue Company. Headed by that lively comedian, George Wallace, the company will begin a season at His Majesty’s Theatre about the middle of next month. The show will contain a vastly entertaining variety of humourous sketches, songs, dances, and specialty acts. George Wallace, favourite stage and screen comedian who is said to be funnier than ever, is sure of a grand welcome. Queenie Paul and Mike Connors are old favourites, and the duets are bound to be received with the same enthusiasm that marked every appearance of these performers in the past. The company includes Minnie Love, of musical comedy and pantomime fame; Nellie Kolle, England’s popular male impersonator; Lulla Fanning, comedienne; Harry Thompson, “ Monarch of the Month Organ ”; Jimmie Coates a remarkably fine saxophone player; the Marcella Trio, daring adagio dancers; the Russell Brothers in an amazing acrobatic specialty; Delaney and Butt, Tyrolean dancers; Laurel Streeter, soubrette; Leo Trennette, tenor; Will Miller, character comedian; Rex and Bessie, novelty dancers; Edna Hardy and Harry Lock and June and Ginger. The company has the advantage of a Cleveland attractive ballet, the “ Sun-kissed Beauties,” and Ern Beachem’s lively orchestra adds to the gaiety.

December, always a busy month for London theatrical producers, was more than usually memorable last year because of tho production at His Majesty’s Theatre of Sir James Barrie’s 4 The Boy David.’ Sixteen years have elapsed since the production of Barrie’s last full-length play, 4 Mary Rose.’ Twice last year 4 The Boy David ’ had to be postponed, owing to the illness of Elisabeth Bergner, for whom Barrio wrote it. The play deals with the earlier life of David (to be played by Bergner), Others in the cast are Sir John Martiu-Harvey (Samuel), Godfrey Tearle (Saul), Jean Cadell (mother of David), Quartermaine, and lon Swinley. The entire company numbers nearly SO. Barrie had two plays running in London in December, for the annual revival of ‘ Peter Pan ’ took place at the Palladium on Christmas Eve. This year’s Peter is Elsa Lanchestcr, and her husband, Charles Laughton, is Captain Hook. Laughton broke with tradition inasmuch as ho did not 44 double ” the part of Hook with that of Mr Darling. Since its first performance in 1904 4 Peter Pan ’ has been presented in seven different London theatres, and among the famous Peters have been Nina Boucicault, Cissio Loftus, Panline Chase, Madge Titheradgo, Unity More, Fay Compton, Edna Best, Gladys Cooper, Dorothy Dickson, Jean Forhes-Robertson, and Nova Pilhcam. Paulino Chase ami Jean Forbes-, Robertson each played the part in eight consecutive years.

Very great difficulties were experienced in finding a cast for 1 Elektra,’ which Dr Richard Strauss, the composer, and Sir Thomas Beceham considered to he adennate for the winter season of opera which opened at Covent Garden on Boxing night, December 26. ft was decided, therefore, to abandon the Strauss festival performance on January 11, at which both ‘ Elektra ’ and ‘ Salome ’ were to have been given. * Salome ' was, however, presented that evening in German, preceded by Puccini’s ‘ Gianni Schicchi.’ The latter, which was given in Italian, was first produced at Covent Garden in 1924. and revived in 19.31. The title role of * Salome ’ brought to London for the first time Hihlegarde Ranezak, a brilliant Czech singer from the Munich State Opera, who is also a dancer.