STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 22721, 7 August 1937, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

The Dunedin Little Theatre Society, in response to numerous requests, has decided to stage its recent success, ‘ Boy Meets Girl,’ at Baufurly on Saturday, August 21, with the original Dunedin cast.

The monthly social evening of the Little Theatre Society will take place next Monday, August 9, in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, when a reading of the three-act play, ‘ Bird In Hand,’ will be presented under the direction of Mrs A. C. Stephens.

The Board of the Dunedin Little Theatre Society has decided to produce ‘ Mrs Moonlight ’ and ‘ Until the Day I Die ’ as the next two major productions. Miss Madge Yates, the society’s producer, who will bo remembered for her excellent work in producing ‘ Boy Meets Girl,’ will put both these productions in rehearsal immediately.

Following on his tremendous success of the Marcus Show, Sir Benjamin Fuller will shortly .present throughout New Zealand the famous London combination, the Bertram Montague Revue Company, which will appear in two sparkling revues, ‘ Let’s Go Places ’ and ‘ This Year of Carnival.’ It is Sir Benjamin’s intention to present throughout Australia and New Zealand regularly the best offering in stage productions, and in the meantime ho will concentrate on superlative revue companies.

Have you ever heard of a bass petava singer? Do you know any voice that can change from ■ tenor to falsetto in the same song ? These accomplishments are unique to two members of-the Don Cossack Choir—the band- of 30 Russian singers and dancers, which appears in Dunedin this month. ' The possessor. of the bass octava sings no word at all in the choir. He drones in that attractive manner that is distinctive to. Russian singing. But" most outstanding of all is the knife dancer, a young man called Ivanoff, who performs the spirited movements of the Caucasian Cossacks, carrying 12 knives, in his mouth and hands, on his chin, his Ups, and his shoulders. This is an art that few dancers can learn. It is a family accomplishment, handed down from father to son in Caucasia, from one generation to another.

Dunedin playgoers should experience one of the biggest musical thrills of recent years when the world-famous Don Cossack Choir, composed of 30 international singers and dancers, opens its season here on August 17.' These celebrated Russian artists have left a trail of success in every country visited. Calling forth the highest; praise for magnificently blended voices, sympathetic folk singing, and brilliant (solo work under the direction of M. Nicholas Kostrukoff (the conductor), the ohoir has built up a great repertoire of songs, including old Cossack melodies, legends of folk lore, battle songs, and beautiful, lullabies. The musical sense of these 30 singers is so keen and the precision of the choir singing so clever, that they can produce the most delicate tone colours with as much ease as they obtain their battle song effects. In addition to their brilliant singing, the Don Cossack Choir will give an exposition of Cossack dancing that will add to their astonishing artistic repertoire. , "A::-. , '

The very definite' SlVlng-baok ;tbvau- ! deville and. revue within recent years has induced Mr, Frank Nail to comb toe world tor stars for his organisation. The result is happily apparent in Auck-( land at present, where one of his “ ace ” companies : is enjoying a phenomenal season. It presents the type of non-stop show so popular overseas—one act after another in almost bewildering profusion. If it is not Con Cojleano causing breath-taking surprise with a wire-walking turn of amazing daring, it is Irene Vermilion and her dart trumpeters, intriguing with a sensational acrobatic dance; or Bob Parrish, a coloured singer, bringing southern melodies of sweetness, sparkle, and humour. Then there are the Harris Sisters, expert balancing act; Charles Norman, popular musical comedy actor, who is no stranger to New Zealand audiences; Sisson and Neale, whistler and harpist; the Broadway tappers, novelty dancers; Margaret Grimshaw, soprano; Natalie Raine, souhrette; Ghic Arnold,, comedian; Jack and Sylvia Kelleway, musical comedy favourites; and the shapely Tivoli Ballet of Australian girls. The Auckland season of this most versatile company ends on August 14 ; thence to Hamilton, August’ 16-17; New Plymouth, August 18-19; Palmerston North, August 20-21; Hastings, August 23-24; Wellington, August 26 to September 9; • Christchurch, September 11-20; Timaru, September 21; Dunedin, September 22 to 29. Messrs J. C. Williamson are acting in association with Mr Neil in the New Zealand tour of this combination. •

The Princess Theatre, in Melbourne, where the Montague Revue Company began its Australian and New Zealand tour, was specially redecorated and altered to suit the huge requirements