SPORTING ACTORS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 72, 8 March 1930, Page 11

SPORTING ACTORS

IN FORTHCOMING PLAYB. OUTSTANDING PRODUCTIONS. “Murder on The Second Floor.”— Cable advice has been received by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., that His Majesty the King had attended a performance of “Murder on the Second Floor” in London. This unusual comedy-drama is still drawing crowded and enthusiastic audiences, and with “Mr Cinders,’’ the musical comedy which has taken all London by storm, is the biggest stage success in London. It may come to New Zealand before long. Frank Vosper, the author, is an actor; he plays the leading role and also produces the play. Leon Gordon, it will be remembered. was in a similar position in “White Cargo.”

An Open Challenge; “Yes, (his is a good sporting and athletic company,” said Mr Ernest Lotinga, the noted London comedian, who is producing four of his great English successes —“August, 1914,” “lhe Police Force,’’ “House Full,” and ‘‘Khaki” —in New Zealand. “The members of the company have a sports club of their own, and many are expert swimmers, cricket, tennis, and golf players. One or two are handy with the gloves, and we have some runners as well. No Roses, Frances, Savidens, Jenkinses or Sarrons, you know ; no, no. nothing like that. Just good average boys who like outdoor sports. They can play at almost anything, and are prepared to challenge all and sundry to contests, including poker.” As there are seventeen principals in this remarkably clever comedy-burlesque company, some interesting matches should be played during their tour of New Zealand.”

<l. C. W. Enterprise—That ths well-known firm of J. O Williamson Ltd. is enterprising is further evidenced by the engagement of the famous English actor William Feversham, who was known as Americs’s greatest matinee idol, and is now their favourite dramatic star. After his London successes Faversham was approached by American theatrical magnates, and after some hesitation due to his natural desire to remain in the land of his birth, he accepted a highly lucrative engagement, and began his long series of truly sensational successes in drama, Shakespeare and comedy. He hat toured the United States more frequently than any other English star, and bis appearance in Australia (on a necessarily short tour, for he has many engagements ahead) is one of the most notable achievements of the Firm. Mr Faversham spends all his holidays in his beautiful English home, “The Old Manor,” in Chiffin fold r Surrey.