THE THEATRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 April 1925, Page 14

THE THEATRE

PEOPLE, PLAYS AND PICTURES

Nellie. Stewart who has been seriously ill at her home at Clifton Gardens, Sydney, has rallied again, and her medical advisers report that there is a possibility of her recovering, as she is making a remarkable effort, and has wonderful vitality.

Professor J. G. Newlands, of New College, Edinburgh, an entertainer of note, is to visit New Zealand again in June this year. Since his- last visit he has toured Canada and the United States with great success. He goes to Australia after his New Zealand tour.

“So This .is London,” by the Thurslon Hall Company, has been a great success at Wellington, and the audiences have been exceptionally large and enthusiastic. This comedy will he seen here shortly.

Consequent on a rearrangement of the J. C Williamson firm’s plan, the visit of the famous Russian actor,’ Mr. Maurice Mdscovitch, to New Zealand, has been postponed for the present.

Maud Allan, the famous classical dancer, may shortly make her debut as an emotional actress in a series of matiness at the Garrick Theatre, London. She is negotiating for the English rights of “Birthright,” a play by Sheridan Bickers, author of “Quicksands,”

Rodolph Valentino’s next picture will be entitled “A Sainted Devil.” This story is the adaptation of Rex Beach’s story “Rope’s End.” It is said to be very fine, and is Valentino’s second venture since his return to the screen. “Monsieur Beaucaireß’ his new picture now showing in New Zealand centres, lias had a phenomenal success.

“Fires of Fate” is based on the story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first published as a novel under the title of “The Tragedy of the Korosko. ” The late Lewis Walter afterwards presented it as a stage play under the title of “Fires of Fate.” Thp story is founded upon fact, the main incident being the massacre and capture by Dervishes of a party of tourists rip the Nile, which occurred while the author was a newspaper correspondent attached to the staff of Sir Reginald Wingate, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army.

Alice Joyce has found a new thrill in “The White Man,” a forthcoming picture wherein she goes hunting wild elephants. With the aid of Kenneth Harlan, his gatling gun, and tribe o' African natives, the gentle Alice invades Darkest Africa as required in this film edition of Chamberlain’s novel.

The life of a movie actor isn’t all honey. During the production of “The Tenth Woman,” John Roche Was in a scene with “Buddy” Post in which the two came to blows. A slight sliptip, a blow too hard, and Roche had a broken rib.

Harold Lloyd is “girl shy” no more! He has a little daughter of his own, and the baby has been named after her mamma ; Mildred. The baby’s second name is Gloria, named for Gloria Hope, who is a great friend of Mildred’s. Little Mildred Gloria starts life, with a gilded future, apparently. Already her fond papa has made a settlement on her, and she appears also to have a heritage of good health.

A theatrical event in Melbourne was the production at the Palace Theatre 'by Allan Wilkie of “Two Gentlemen of Verona/’, which has not been seen on the Melbourne stage for sixty years. It was most charming, and one heard, on all sides the wonder expressed that it is not played more often. Perhaps one reason is that there is nothing approaching a great part in it—no big scene or celebrated speech for any one! player. Certainly that might be said; to apply to “Twelfth Night,” too, but with this difference that “Twelfth Night” abounds in good character parts. Another reason undoubtedly j is that the staging presents too great! difficulties for production in the ordin-j arv way. The action goes backwards} and forwards from Verona to Milan. 1 Act two consists of seven scenes, most ! j.v short, but if the plays were staged: in the ordinary way the shifting of} scenery and .furniture would extend it] over several hours. It- is only Mr. Wilkie’s simplified staging that makes| the production possible. I

Madge Elliott, the Australian actress, made her debut in London jn the revue “Better Days,” at the Hippodrome, and the critics agree that her performance helped towards the success of the show. Sporting Life congratulates Miss Elliott on her performance, which was well received. New Zealand playgoers have seen this accomplished dancer many times in .T C. Williamson productions.

There is another “O’Brien Girl” in Sydney (says the Sun). Phyllis Nicholson, in the Phil. Smith revues at [Puller’s, played this attractive young person in Tasmania, and throughout the country towns of New South Wales and Victoria. She was a Sydney chorus girl in “So” Long, Letty” for three months, left the stage for a country life with her people, and returned to understudy Kitty Reidy as “Cinderella” in the pantomime at the Royal two years ago. On tour she got the opportunity, and later came the fascinating role of Alice O’Brien.

The members of the “Betty” Company at Melbourne are busily rehearsing the new musical comedy, “Primrose,” which will have its Australian in Melbourne following the successful season of “Betty.” The book is by Guy Boltan and George Grossmith. The piece is strongest oil the comic side. The' lyrics of Desmond Carter are excellent, and the music of George Gershwin is most tuneful and catchy. The cast will include Maude Fane, Alfred Frith, Cecil Kellaway, Winnie Collins, Hugh Steyne, William Senior, supported by a strong cast including Cunningham and Celements the “whirlwind dancers.”

One of the most costly sets ever used in making motion pictures was built for the flood scenes that form an important sequence in “On the Banks of Wabash.” A complete town was constructed at low tide at Manhasset Bay Long Island Sound, so that when the water rose eight feet at high tide the town would be completely inundated. This is the first time in the history of the motion picture business that a director has taken advantage of the tides to achieve realistic flood scenes. The flood in this production furnishes the elements for a sensational climax to the picture, which is a story of life in a typical small town. Mary Can-, Burr Molntoch, James Morrison, Madge Evans, Mary McLaren ancl Hare ate the principal play-1 ets in the cast.