THE THEATRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 July 1925, Page 18

THE THEATRE

PEOPLE, PLAYS AND PICTURES. ‘'No, No, Nanette,” which -Mr. Hugii .1. Ward has booked tor Australia, is declared to be the finest musical comedy at present on the London stage. It is impossible to buy a seat any night before the end of .July, if wili come to New Zealand later.

Diminutive Viola Dana, who plays jn the First National picture “As Man Desires” is called “Dare-devil Dana” around Holywood studios, because of her fearlessness not only before the cameras, but also in pastimes;' Her latest leat was a mile and a half swim against a running current in the Pacific Ocean off Catalina island.

Mr. Hugh J. "Ward will produce the pantomime “.Jack and tne .beanstalks” in Melbourne, and “Cinderelia” at the Grand Opera House next Christmas. Mr. Ward also bought the whole “Music box’’ revue, by Irving berlin and other lyric writers. He has also in his suit case three reviews that have captivated i.ondon aud.ences at the Hippodrome. Tney are “better Days, “Leap'Year,” and /Brighter Loudon.

hive of the familiar faces remain among the Sistine So.oists who visit New Zealand shortly. The star performer or the combination is Amedeo Bimini. %ho is said to be the possessor of a bass-baritone of the utmost opulence and fruity musieality. Amongst the old favourites are Sarto, Face'll ini. Paganelli. and the accompanist. Emilio Casolari.

Paramount have recently commenced the filming of “Wild Horse Mesa,” Zane Grey’s latest novel. It is the story of the wild horses—the “brumbies" of the West—and one of the amazing incidents is tiie stampede of five thousand fear-maddened horses. But woven around tin’s is a human interest story of an exceptional nature, with a cast of favourites enacting the colourful roles the author lias painted for his action.

Universal's programme for the year will be the greatest in the history ox the company, fully 30 per cent, greater than any other 'schedule ever previously undertaken. "With thirty Jewels, twenty-six Blue Streak Westerns, six Adventure stories in fifteen to eighteen episodes each, twelve two-reel Gump comedies, fifty-two Century comedies, fifty-two Bulls Eve comedies, fifty-two Mustang Westerns, two International News releases . a week, Universal will have a total releasing power of between, seven and eight hundred reels of pictures.

Ada Reeve is still a big feature in English vaudeville, and on her re-ap-pearance at the Alhambra. London some six weeks ago, bushels of eulogy came her wav from the theatrical press.

Princess Rangiriri and heir troupe of entertainers arrived from New Zealand by the steamer Moeraki (says a Sydney paper). The Maorj maidens are under engagement to Union Theatres, .and opened their' Sydney season at the Lyric.

Louise Dresser has made such a wonderful’ impression in her current picture. Rex Beach’s “The Goose Woman,’’ that she lias been added to the Universal stock company on a long time contract.

Twelve years ago, Bill Hart was ac-t----ng Shakespeare on the speaking stage Alnnte Blue was a cow-puciiei’ on Texas, Dick Barthelmess was a schoolboy, Jack Holt was driving a dog team up in Alaska. Jackie Coogan wasn’t born. Charlie, Chaplin was cutting capers in a London music-hall, and Gloria Swanson was studying art in a Chicago school.

Liv an arrangement with Cecil de Mi lie the Warner Bros, have secured the services of Very Reynolds to nhiv the feminine lead 'in “The Limited Mail,” a blaster picture. She will play opposite Monte Blue, who, for the first time in almost a year, will have a leading woman other than Marie Prevost.

Ethel Clayton, one of the former favourites of the screen, returns to picture making. B. P. Sehulberg, the producer, has successfully biougnt negotiations between himself and the popular star of several seasons ago to a climax, when she affixed her signature to a contract he offered her lor an important role in his next production, “The .Mansion of Aching Hearts,” a Master picture.-

“Playing with Souls,” the new First National production, is from the novel of the same name which was written by Countess de Chambmn (nee Clara Longwoith), a sister of the famous Nicholas Long worth, Jac-quiiine Logan, Olive Brook, CM ary Aster, and Buster Collier head the cast.

Bobo Darnels, who lias recently achieved stellar honours, proves horse'!' a capable, comedienne in her latest Paramount- nictuie “Aliss Bluebeard.” Bebe has the role of Colette, idol of the Eieneh stage, who walks right into an accidental marriage to a man she has never seen before in her life —and then discovers later that lie is not her husband at all. Raymond Griffith, who will be remembered for his sterling work in “-Changing Husbands,” plays opposite the star. The supporting east includes Robert Frazer, Kenneth -McKenna. and Diana Kane.

Mr. Herbert Browne is the debonair leading man in “AA’iklflower.” He is an excellent artist, and possesses a voif-e full of emotion. He was the lover in Oscar Asdic’s “Clin Chin Cli-ow.” Since then he has successfully appeared with Gladvs Moil crieff in revivals of musical plays. Me is a brother of Blanche Browne the English musical coinedv star.

(his BI"Ott is betraying symptoms jn his comedy work which argue the case erv logically in favour of heredity. The mantle of the famous Fred appears to have descended oh the youthful comedian who is gradually developing •a more subtle quality in his thespian make-up. As a clerical youth with a hopeless passion, lie helps to brighten the many humerous * moments of “Vildf’ower.” and with Marie La V'nrm is responsible for a song hit in the first act.

One of the most notable concert attractions booked by J. and N. Tait for 199* win he the return visit to Australia and New Zealand of Paul Althouse (tenor) and Arthur Middleton s,bass).