STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

VILLON

[By C. R. Allen.]

From Robert Louis Stevenson to Wyndham Lewis, Francois Villon has had his apologists and his judges. Few figures in history or fiction have exercised a more powerful fascination over the imagination of mankind than this outlawed singer, slinking like fox from city to city. It was inevitable that he should attract the dramatist. The most memorable play about Villon is that which the late Justin Huntly M‘ Carthy wrote for George Alexander when the latter was in management at the St. James Theatre. The play followed ‘ Paolo and Francesca,’ that daring adventure into the realms of poetic drama which so triumphantly justified all who were concerned in the venture. George Alexander himself played tho vagabond poet on whom King Louis played such a grim practical joke. His leading lady was Susanne Sheldon, whose sister was to become Mrs Anthony Hope Hawkins. Justin Huritly M'Carthy was a son of Justin M'Car-, thy, who wrote ‘ A History of Our Own Times.’ He was one of the last; of the Irish members who sat in , the British Parliament. He never re-; peated the success of ‘ If IWere King. ■ The play was performed in New Zea-, land with the late Cuyler Hastings in, the lead. ■ May Chevalier was theKatherine, and J. B. Atholwpod the' King Louis. . _ •.. An interesting appearance m that: • production was that of Edmund in the comparatively minor role of the. innkeeper. He had yet ,to win fame as the chauffeur in ‘ Man and Superman, and Jess Oakroyd in ‘ The Good Companions.’ His wife, Minnie Terry, was also in the cast. When the play was turned into a light opera it gave proof of its quality. Wedded to the haunting music of Rudolph Friml, it completely captivated the town, and was instrumental, in every sense of tie epithet, in adding to the reputation of Derek Oldham, Winnie Melville, and .Nora Blaney. Perhaps the most haunting number in the piece is the duet ‘ Only a Rose,’ but right through there is a happy conjunction between librettist and composer. In the forthcoming production by the Dunedin Operatic Society Derek Oldham’s role is to be essayed by Mr James Macfarlane, whose true and delicate tenor has given so much pleasure to Dunedin audiences. This is not an official “ write-up,” so an exact list of those talking part in this revival is not appended. The names of Reta Stone. Freda Elmes. Tui Northey, and Mrs John Hamer are a guarantee in themselves for good work. Mr Stan. Lawson will once more be the principal comedian, while the important part of tho sinister king with a penchant for practical jokes is to be played by Mr Dick White. Old Dunedin playgoers will be able to compare his interpretation with that of J. B. Atholwood, one of the most resourceful character actors on the Williamson circuit in days gone by. Mr Sid. Locke is to make what is, one fancies, a 'first appearance in a. major role of an Operatic Society production. 1 Of ‘ The Vagabond King it may be said that it fulfils all the desiderata of a repertory piece. It lias a general historic interest and a special,theatrical interest. It presents opportunities for ■the wardrobe mistress and tile master; of the mise en scene. It is borne on wings of music which has an idiom of its own. Welcome'as are echoes from the Gaiety and Daly’s, equally welcome are the melodies which subtly suggest the author of 1 Where Are the Snows of Yesteryear?’ In short, ‘ The Vagabond King ’ should brighten Dunedin for Dunedinites and visitors alike. TIPS FROM TIBBETT. ‘‘ Stand on your head' before you sing ” is the amazing advice of Lawrence Tibbett. “ You will be amused at my suggestion,” said the famous baritone, “but take it from me—it’s good! The reason is that standing on the head brings blood to the throat. When I step out on the stage afterwards, my voice is as warm with the first tones ns it would otherwise be after half an hour or so of singing.” Immediately after his concerts he returns home to bed. He prefers to walk, he said, because that meant he breathed more fresh air, which was absolutely essentia] to a singer. He also said that swimming was highly beneficial. 1 HALLIDAY FOR BROADWAY. Robert Halliday is now making his farewell appearances in Melbourne, where he is playing his original New York role of Robert Mission, in ‘ The New Moon,’ the colourful musical romance by the author and composer of ‘ The Desert Song.’ He will leave next month for New Ybrk and will enact the leading role, in a new musical play on Broadway, in which he hopes to appear in Australia later on. The play is ‘ Knights of Song,? which is based on the life of Gilbert and Sullivan, and contains melodies from their operas. Mr Halliday will be Sullivan, the romantic hero of the piece.