STAGE FOLK

Evening Star, Issue 23355, 26 August 1939, Page 6

STAGE FOLK

MADAME OLGA COELHO— AMBASSADRESS EXTRAORDINARY Arrangements have been completed for Madame Olga Coelho, the international radio and concert soprano, to broadcast from the four principal National Broadcasting Service stations, as well as to give a series of platform recitals in New Zealand. The first broadcast was given from IYA, Auckland, last night. Madame Coelho is bein'*' brought to this country by Mr A. J 7. Tait. and it will be on the conclusion of her radio engagements that she will embark on a brief tour of the Dominion prior to leaving for Australia to fulfil engagements there. ; A Brazilian soprano, Madame Coelho s repertoire ranges from the classics to the famous South American and Indian folk and love songs, and it is with particular regard to the latter that she has achieved world fame. Her public recitals and radio broadcasts from the principal cities of England and the Continent have met with outstanding success. White in London this year Madame Coelho had the honour of appearing before Queen Mary, and thrice during this period of her London season she was a featured artist in the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Empire broadcasts. A feature of Madame Coelho’s performance is her own accompaniment on the guitar of the attractive South

American melodies, and she has also transcribed for that instrument many of the classics. A brilliant linguist, Olga Coelho fluently speaks English, French, Russian, German, Spanish, and Italian. She/holds an unusual distinction in that she travels on a diplomatic passport and holds a special decree given her by the Government of Brazil, making her an unofficial world propagandist for her country’s folklore and music. She is the first person in Brazil to have been granted such a passport. - : ' : : ‘i LONDON THEATRE DEAD, SAYS GEORGE STOREY , A hint of coming theatrical activity in New Zealand was dropped by Mr George Storey, of Auckland, who, accompanied by his wife, recently returned from London. Mr Storey, during the days before the advent of talking pictures, when Fullers’ theatres were supplying flesh-and-blood entertainment in the main centres of New Zealand and Australia, was ene of the best-known comedians in this part of the world, and his wife was also a

well-known performer in the revue companies with which she and her husband were usually associated. Mr and Mrs Storey returned from a flying business visit to London connected with their coming theatrical activities. Mr Storey said he was not in a position to disclose more of his plans at present,. but he said the result of his London journey would provide entertainment for New Zealand audiences round about the time of the Exhibition. “ Flesh-and-blood shows arc dead in London at present,” said Mr Storey. “ They seem to be experiencing the effect of the talking pictures more than ever just now. It may be a passing phase, but there is certainly a slump on in the theatrical world at present.” ANOTHER AMERICAN STAGE SUCCESS ” The electric personality and superb clowning of Miss Charlotte Greenwood turned ‘ Leaning On Letty,’ presented at the Theatre Royal last, night by J. C. Williamson's Theatres, into a complete triumph. Such a personal success has not been registered since the visit- of Miss Ruth Draper.” Thus wrote a Sydney theatrical critic recently. Continuing, he says; 11 Miss Greenwood appeared first as the astringent spinster, keeping a genteely-unsuccess-ful boarding house in New England, who gets mixed up in a kidnapping and a murder, and finally foils the police. 7htf character is a gift for her face, figure, and talent. As she fusses about the stage in her drab dresses or purple bathrobe and flat-heeled shoes she appears the. essence fof all rectitude, common sense—a walking Boston conscience-' !

The change from this character to one of recklessness and intrigue is accomplished without a jar. Suddenly her smooth hair is a little wild and her eyes are snapping, and you sec the stuff of which heroines are made” But Miss Greenwood is not the only star of this grand show. (RusseH Fillmore. who is also the producer, is magnificently inept as the wistful and frustrated figure of a bullied husband. Isabel Withers is the nagging wife. Hornaiue Callender is trulv sinister as a pastor in search of a Hock who turns

out to be a gangster in search of a gun. After the iplav Miss Greenwood aopeared as herself, more than life-size and minus the spinster make-up, and for 15 dynamic minutes sang, danced, and clowned for an audience unwilling to let her go. ■ ‘ Leaning on Letty ’ will be seen in Dunedin shortly. LENGTHY SPEECH DELIGHTED Billy Holland, who appears in ‘ Under Your Hat,’ with Marjorie Gordon and Edwin Styles, once took a part in a 13.8. C. play, for which he had four days’ rehearsals. Later he got a promise of further work from the producer, who. .wrote: “We were delighted with your, performance in the last production. Holland’s “ performance ” ‘had 'consisted of the one line, “ Worker No ,7790.” , ; ■ ' . “JEWISH RUTH DRAPER" One of the most colourful and vivid personalities seen on the Sydney stage for a long time is Rachel Holcer, noted Polish actress, who has just given recitals in Yiddish. Of charming appearance and possessing an extraordinarily rich voice, Rachel Holcer has been described by critics,as “ the Jewish Ruth Draper." She plays dramatic and tragic roles mainly, and is best known for her characterisations, which are done without the aid of scenery or properties, and rely for their powerful effect on her restrained gestures and remarkable vocal control. Rachel Holcer originally trained in Cracow, one of the homes of the theatre in Europe, and was a member of the Polish State Theatre company. She later joined the Vilna Troupe, one of the most famous of Continental ensembles. Rachel Holcer played in films in Poland, including the first Jewish film made there. She is scheduled to appear in the Polish play 1 Three Women ’ when a suitable cast has been selected. THEATRE CLUB FOR SYDNEY CHILDREN A Children’s Theatre Club, where children meet every Friday to discuss plays they have seen, has been founded in Sydney by Miss Rosemary Benjamin. Miss Benjamin, who has closely studied the Children’s Theatre movement in Moscow, and who conducted a similar club in London, says that the aim of the club is to give children good dramatic productions, and thus interest and educate them in literature and the drama. Members of the club have attended radio plays in Sydney, and it is hoped to extend the club’s work to the schools, especially those in industrial suburbs. The children are given an opportunity to write and act if they wish. “In their discussions of the plays the children show remarkable appreciative and critical faculties.” said Miss Benjamin. “ Psychologists, educationists, and dramatists are now taking a been interest in children’s theatre movements.” DUNEDIN OPERATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS • WITHOUT WITNESS ’ For a season of three nights commencing in His Majesty’s Theatre on September 7, the Dunedin Operatic and Dramatic Society will present Anthony Armstrong’s mystery play, ‘ Without Witness.’ This is a new departure for the Operatic Society, and should create a great deal of interest, particularly in view of the fact that it is being presented as a gesture of goodwill to the Dunedin Competitions Society. The play is being produced by Ailsa Stephens and stage managed by Angus Gorrie. An exceptionally fine cast has been selected; Miss Mercia Hardman as Phyllis and Edna Lungley as Dr Mary Richardson will supply the feminine interest, while Messrs Frank Lanyon as Geoffrey, C. Smith as Maurice Treyford, John Gordon as De-tective-inspector Mayhew, R. M‘Kinuon as Detective-sergeant Tallington, Mark Gaston as the hall porter, John Shannon (Saunders). W. 11. Olsen (Constable England), and David Lawson as Mellis, the butler, will portray the male characters of the play, which is in three acts. The author, Anthony Armstrong, is also responsible for that brilliant play ‘Ten Minute Alibi.’