STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 22619, 10 April 1937, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

After a phenomenally successful season in Wellington, the Colonel de Basil Monte Carlo Russian Ballet concludes its stay in the capital city to-night, and moves on to the South Island. the Ballet opens at Christchurch on Monday, April 12, and remains there till April 21; Tiniaru will be visited on April 22; Oamaru, April 23; Dunedin, April 24 to May 1. The Ballet has been an unforgettable experience for North Island audiences, who have appreciated to the full the exquisite ballet work of dancers whose names have graced many famous English, American, and Continental theatres. The youth and joie do vivre of the members of the Russian Ballet impress audiences, who cannot fail also to notice the wonderful control of the maitre-de-ballet, Leon Woizikowsky; the beauty of the women dancers and their svelte, utterly charming personalities; or the bounding energy of the men. M. Jascha Horenstein, conductor of the orchestra, handles his nicked company of instrumentalists like the genius, he is, and has the able assistance of Ivan Clayton, of Covent Garden, London.

Among the major engagements for Australia and New Zealand this year is that of Tito Schipa, the noted operatic tenor, who opens his Australian tour in June and comes to us later. The world’s greatest lyric tenor, star of the operatic and concert stage in many lands, has been known to us only by gramophone records and reports of his ipany triumphs, and to Messrs J. and N. Tait are music lovers in the Antipodes indebted for his engagement to come amongst us and give us the opportunity of hearing his glorious voice in reality. Last year Schipa thrilled Italy when he sang at La Scala, Milan, and won tumultuous approbation at the open-air theatre at Verona, where he sang to a stupendous audience of 27,000.

The Marcus Show, something well above the average in theatrical attractions, is to commence a season at His Majesty’s Theatre shortly. The company, with a personnel of almost 100, is to present three lavish revue productions— ‘ La Vie Paree,’ 1 Fantaisies de I’Orient,’ and ‘ Revue Continental.’ In each of these revues there are more than 30 scenes, the performances lasting over two and a-half hours. The cast includes 22 principals, a chorus of 25, and a ballet of 30. In ‘La Vie Paree ’ one of the most striking ensembles is one entitled ‘ Maid of Silver,’ in which beautiful girls, symbolising the precious metals of the earth, appear in thousands of yards of silverencrusted draperies. Another spectacular scene from the same revu© is ‘ Under the Andalusian Moon,’ into which is infused much of the fire and energy of the Spanish character. This scene introduces the distinguished sinjjer, Senorita Sofia Alvarez, and also the dancing Burbays, who perform the

Minnie Love, popular English stage impersonator, with the Connors and Paul Revue Company at His Majesty’s Theatre.

dazzling ‘ Danzer de Passion.’ Still another impressive scene from_ ‘ La Vie Paree ’ is ‘ Birdland,’ in which eight members of the company perform hazardous feats on trapezes high above the stage'. The costumes, scenery, and electrical effects of ‘ La Vie Paree ’ are valued at more than £IOO,OOO, and one-fifth of the cargo space on the Aorangi was occupied by the baggage of the company. In one revue the 60 female members of the cast display more than 600 gowns. It is claimed that this company is the first American revue company to visit Dunedin in its entirety, this being exactly the same company as has appeared with considerable success in Now York, San Francisco, and other large cities of America.

It will give universal delight to theatregoers to learn that Gladys Moncrieff, the Australian songbird, is returning to New Zealand shortly at the head or a J. C. Williamson comic opera company playing a repertoire that includes 4 Merry Widow,’ 4 Southern Maid,’, and 4 Maid of the Mountains.’ It is expected that the New Zealand visit will eventuate at the end of May. When Miss Moncrieff was in the Dominion last.year her voice was of magnificent quality, and it will be a pleasurable experience to hear her in a series of comic operas in which she is completely at home, supported by an excellent company of Williamson favourites. Miss Moncrieff has been establishing something of a record in Australia, where she has been playing a long season to crowded houses. “ More glamorous than ever ” is what one critic wrote of her after witnessing a revival of Lehar’s opera, 4 Merry Widow,’ in which Miss Moncrieff gave a superb performance. Miss Moncrieff alsi revels in the music of 4 Maid of the Mountains,’ in which she rose to star rank in 1921. The company with the Australian soprano includes Frank Leighton, Cecil Kelleway, Don Nicol, Colin Crane, Miriam Lester, Lois Green, Arthur Clarke, John Fraser, and Lesley Crane. The operas will bo staged on an elaborate scale. , Once very, popular, the half-and-half programme is making a return to Dunedin audiences, for an outstanding team of overseas performers will present an entertaining variety of specialty acts at the St. James Theatre next' Friday in conjunction with the presentation of the latest George Formby film, 4 Keep Your Seats, Please.’ The artists will be Trevor and Dawn (Continental adagio dancers), Esme Chalk (delightful singer and tap dancer), and George Dawson (the wizard pianist). Trevor and Dawn have had considerable experience overseas, including performances in Hollywood, and after recently leaving Australia the pair have been playing m northern centres. Esme Chalk and George Dawson are also both well known in their own sphere.