STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 17 August 1929, Page 18

STAGE AND SCREEN

OPERA HOUSE. To-night—- “ The Barker.” .Milton Sills -(F.N.). August 19— “ William Heughan.” August 20— “'Scandal,” Laura La Plante (Universal). August 21/22 — “The Student Prince'' (.U.-G.-.M.). August 23/2-1 — “Mother Knows Best ’ ’ (Pox Films). GRAND THEATRE. To-night—- “. Strong Bov,” Victor McLaglen (Fox), also “Wolves of the North.” August 19— “Scandal.” Laura La Plante (Universal). August 21/22 — ‘ ‘ Brotherly Love ’ ’ (M.-G.-M). August 24 — “The Glorious Trail,” Ken Maynard (F.N.). COMING ATTRACTIONS.

August 39 — “ William Heughan.” August. 21/22 “The' Student Prince” (M.-G.-M. Special). August 30— “ Tarzan The Mighty ” (Special ■Serial).

“Rio Pita'’ is coining hack to Hatvera for one night.—on Wednesday, 23th iirst. The company is clue in Auckland early in September. It is unfortunate for tire Fuller firm that it was first found impossible to keep “Rfio Pita” longer in New Zealand, for longer seasons could have been played at all centres. Alterations in dates of theatre-bookings have now, however, given the company some additional weeks in New Zealand and l thus several of the small centres will be. given ai second opportunity of witnessing, one of the best dancing shows of recent years.

It is a surety that when the gre; J. C. Williamson musical productic “The Desert Song” comes to New Zer land, considerable interest will be man tested in the appearance for the firs time in the Dominion of Herbert Mill diin, the famous London comedian, wli plays the amusing role of Benjami Kidd, society correspondent of 'tb Paris “Daily Mail.’’ Mr Muudin ha had a most successful career on tjh stage, and ocnnes to New Zealand! n the height of his popularity. He : one ot London’s most ver-sati comedians, and has appeared i many roles-in the great metropolis. ] is interesting to note that just befor he left London under engagement t J. C. Wiililiiamison, Ltd., he was plaj ing the role of an Australian in “Lad Mary” at Daly’s Theatre. It. is nc generally known that Mr Mundin niai ried an Australian—Miss Kathlee Shaw, of Snowgflen Station, New SoutWales. It was quite a, romance of th stage at the time, though Miss Shai is a stranger to the footlights. Whil Mr Mundin wais playing in the Unite States they met, were mutually a 1 traded to each other, and 1 married. Undoubtedly one of the most bear biiiil and striking-looking ladies, i Maude Zambia, who appeal’s as C-leni entitle (the vamp) in the big J. C. WiJ lia.mson pioduction “The Desert Song,’ which is coining to New Zealand nex month. She has a most striking figur and has played the role of the vamp ii many big productions in London am other bag capitals. In “Lilac Time ’ Maude Zinibla played the importan role of the Italian dancer, Marini I which had a wonderfully successful yui [in London. In the English produetioi J of “Tlie Desert Song,” which also hac a; very long ru.n, Miss Zimba played he; present role. She has beautiful hai and eyes, and her features possess i beauty all her own. Three highly amusing comedies wil be produced by th© new J. C. William son company, headed by Alan Buna and It nth Nugent, during their ton; of New Zealand. These are “Apph Sauce, ’’ “Laugh that Off” and “Pigs.' Each of these comedies have provec outstanding successes and in the hantb of Ruth Nugent, Alan Bunce an cl ; particularly strong company, their presentation. leaves nothing to. be desired | There 'is much wholesome fun in alii three; there is just the necessary tone! [ of romance, and) at times., pathos, t< make them effective and appealing. In “Apple Sauce” one of the most latigh- | able episodes, ever seen on the stage is J the interview between the successful , and the rejected suitor. This is con- . sidered to be one of the best constructed scenes in any of the Barry Conner comedies. In “Laugh that Off’’ the humorous side, of a brililant comedy is developed so brightly and so ably that i the audience is kept in continual laughter. “Pigs” is another comedy, somewhat similar in its appear to “The Patsy,” which, proved to be one of the must popular plays ever staged in New Zealand. A correspondent, writing Ironi Sydney to a friend in New Zealand, says : “Of all the young artistes chosen by J. C. Williamson Ltd., for I preferment, I think that Marie Breniner. who plays the role of Margot Bouvalet, in, ‘The Desert Song,’ has proved the most capable and successful. She possesses a really beautiful voice, and sing s with great expression. She acts wed, .never misses a point, is evidently assidious in her studies and possesses a most charming personality. She has every qualification for the stage, and J. really think that her forte is musical comedy. I know that Miss Bremner is very ambitions and that, probably like other h.ighly-talentedi .singers and actresses, siie is striving for the heights. I sincerely believe that in the heavier roles she would be successful, but there is a joyousueiss, a spontaneity and a peculiar appeal about this beautiful girl, that in my opinion, fits her specially for musical' comedy roles. You will be delighted when you see and hear her, lor she is on© of the most delightfid girls that the firm has ever introduced to the public.” I hiredeiue Bentley, principal comedian | lof “Show Boat,” at Melbourne His j Majesty’s, who has made a- big success as Captain Amley Hawks in the spectacular musical production, said that] the people in England and America had heard a. good deal about. Australia, from theatrical artists who had returned to those countries. They had also, through this medium, become aware ot the high standard of theatrical pro--1 duct.:,oils in Australia as presented i under the J. G. Williamson, Ltd. management. Mr Bentley mentioned thati lie had witnessed flic English and American productions of “The Desert Song” and. “Show Boat,” and that the! Australian productions were in no detail inferior. “The dramatic critic of| :ii London paper told me,”, added Mr Bentley, “that some of the best musical comedy artists in London had come! from Australia, and judging by the] Williamson production of ‘Mr Cinders’ at th© Adelphi Theatre, Australian I theatrical managements pnu'ld hold! their own with those of London.” I t 1 hough she was born in New York, Nydia d’Arnell, who plays Magnolia jn!. the J. C. Williamson Ltd. production of “Show Boat.” at His Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne, when she was first able to speak, talked not her mother tongue, hut- French. 'When she was two weeks old she was taken to Famee by her parents. Her father was a

Polish Count; her mother, a Californian oi Welsh and Irish parentage. Miss d'AmeU went to school in Paris for some years, and later travelled with her parents in England, France, and Belgium, subsequently finishing her education in Poland, where she also learnt Russian a fid German. The family had many exciting experiences in Poland op the outbreak of war. Miss d’Amell’s father was head of the Red Cross in Warsaw, and, with his wife and daughter, were transferred to Moscow just before the Germans entered Warsaw. After the war her father, who was a big land-owner in Poland, returned to Poland on a visit, and died there. d’Arnell is the actress’® stage name, adopted, she said, iii place of the unpronounceable Polish name.