STAGE AND SCREEN

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 16 November 1929, Page 18

STAGE AND SCREEN

When the curtain fell at the end of the third act of “Journey’s End,” at the Berlin performance, there was a half minute silence. Then, released from the grip of the tragedy that had so deeply moved them, the Gorman audience as one man rose to its feet wildly cheering. Seldom has such an outburst of spontaneous applause been heard in a German theatre at a first night. 'Over and over again the curtain had to be raised, and in response to the insistent demands,. Air JR. C. Sheriff, the author, oame shyly forward, flushed excited and trembling to bow his thank's. He waved his hand to the audience and cordially shook hands with “Stanhope” and “Osborne. ’ ’ The former was Afathias Wiemann, the latter Prederich Kayssler. At the same time he motioned towards the actors standing behind them as if to ascribe to the Berlin cast the honour and glory of the evening. Afr Sheriff, who was a few months ago in an insurance office, could never have dreamed that lie would attract the attention of the world when, as an infantry officer in the war_ the idea came to him in a dug-out. For twelve years he lived with his idea before attempting to set it down in the play. When lie had written it he intended it -only for performance by the .Kingston Rowing Club (says the “Morning Post”). It is a play without a woman .character, and on this point the author was firm at the start. “I have sacrificed,” he said, “what they told me 'was tremendously important for the financial success of any play—the’ inclusion of a woman character.” He added, “I have not written this play as a piece of propaganda. And certainly not as propaganda fo r ‘peace. Neither have I tried to glorify the life of the soldier, nor to point any kind of moral. It is simply the expression of an ideal. ' I wanted to perpetuate the memory of some of those men.”

Afany theatrical and musical artists who now rank as stars owe their success primarily to the opportunity afforded them by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., and J. and N. Tait to show their ability. Not only in London, but in other great cities of the world, Australia and New Zealand are represented by talented singers, actresses, actors* and dancers who at one period faced theatrical heads with but who, by kind and. considerate treatment; I judicious advice, and expert coaching, | eventually blossomed out into attracj live and capable performers. Such a I one is Gwyneth Lascelles, the .eharm- ■ ing eighteen-year-old Sydney girl who I but recently won a J. C. Williamson | scholarship at the Andrew MeCunn studios, where so many fine artists have i graduated. Then came studies in elocution under Afr George A. Highland, one of the firm’s most famous producers. and now, as the result of the splen. did tuition received at the hands of these experts, by her personality and [ talent, backed up by energy and en- ; thusiasm, Gwyneth Lascelles has scored a wonderful success in one of the most important roles in the firm’s great production '"‘The 'Show Boat,” “What, do you think of our pupils now?” asked Andrew Afc'Cunn of Afr E. J. Tait prior to that gentleman’s departure for the United States, England and the Continent in search of fresh attractions. With a smile of satisfaction and with pardonable pride Afr Tait replied: “As soon as she won our scholarship I knew she was all right.” * * * * *

When Pat and Terry Kendal who present their original dance specialties in “The Five O’Clock Girl” come to New Zealand theatre-goers will have the pleasure of witnessing two of the most famous dancers in London, New York, and the Continent. Both these famous artists have appeared several times in Paris and Berlin. With the latter great city they were very much impressed, and Terry Kendal in a rc : cent interview • expressed the opinion that Berlin is -becoming the most fashionable city of Europ'e. “All the wealthiest and most notable society people go there now. Sometimes the theatres run a huge charity performance, which starts at midnight after the regular show and continues till dawn.” Pat and Terry Kendall made their first, appearance in'Berlin in the Muller Revue at the Admirals palast. “We were rather diffident,” said Mr Kendall, “about singing in English, not knowing how it would be received, so we confined our turn to specialty dances. To -our great surprise, however, we found on the same programme several songs and sketches in English which were received with great, appreciation.” * * * * *

There is more interest in the backstage phase of “Journey’s End” at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, than in any other production ever produced by the firm, according to the J. C. Williamson Ltd. management. Every day scores of requests are received from persons who desire to be taken behind the scenes to see how the effects arc worked. The intricate electrical wiring has been inspected from time to time bj" electrical engineers and others ■wha are interested in such things, and they have expressed astonishment at the way in which electricity has been utilised in this phase -of the production. A prominent military officer -with lengthy war experience told the J. C. Williamson management that he had never imagined that war sounds could be reproduced with such marvellous exactness and realism.

It is said that the comedy work of Alfred Frith. Gus .Bluett and Cecil Kelloway in “The Five O’Clack Girl,” i.s about the finest bit of fooling ever seen on the Australian stage. Alfred Frith plays the part of Hudgins, who is valet to General Brook (William Valentine), Gus Bluett is Oswald, and Cecil Kelloway is Rov. This remarkable trio of fun-makers has ample scope in this mast amusing musical comedy and in “Women, Pah!” Alfred Frith; “Love is a Terrible Thing” (Cecil Kelloway and Gus Bluett); “Following in Our Father’s Footsteps” (by the same pair); and “I Lift My Finger. ’ ’ Alfred Frith, they are said to be seen and heard at their very best. This fast-moving and beautifully staged musical comedy is coming to New Zealand later in the year, and will probably be the firm’s Christmas attraction. If Leo. Carrillo, the famous American star, appearing in “Lombardi Ltd.,” and Frederick Bentlev. the noted London comedian, come to New Zealand later on, theatre-goers will see five of the most talented comedians who have ever graced the stage in any part of the world.