Stage Music Films

Hutt News, Volume 21, Issue 1, 4 June 1947, Page 5

Stage Music Films

(By E. (.!. A.)

"Tin* Girl Friend" in Auckland The Williamson Comic Opera Company pul on another revival "The Girl Friend" —in Auckland last week. Joy Asquith (formerly popular in amateur productions in Auckland) and Allen Christie have the romantic leads, and Marie Ryan and Phil Jay (another Aucklander i have the chief comedy roles. Still Drawing the Crowds The Tivoli Revue Company headed by Jenny Howard .the London comedienne, is repeating in Christchurch the success scored in Wellington and Auckland. Crowded houses are the rule. Is It lining Overdone*? New Zealand, after being starved musically for some years, is now having a feast of musical good things, and there are more in prospect. While glad of the opportunity of hearing these singers and musicians, one wonders whether a comparatively little country like New Zealand can support I hem all to the full extent lhat they deserve.

As showing what is happening, two celebrity singers are giving concerts in Wellington tonight, one at the Town Hall and the other at the Opera House. The singing of Ninon Vallin, the French dramatic soprano, was described by an Australian critic as "as near perfection as singing could be." Herta Glaz is a mezzo-soprano from the Metropolitan Opera, New York. Among musicians to appear shortly in New Zealand are John Charles Thomas, the famous baritone; the Boyd-Neel Orchestra, recognised as one of the finest in the world; Simon Barere, Russian pianist; and Henryk Alierovvski, Polish pianist.

Amateur Theatrical Productions

Among recent or coming amateur theatrical productions are ilie following: Auckland Operatic Society "Wild Violets"; Auckland Light Opera, "Good-night. Vienna”; Wanganui Operatic, “The Vagabond King"; Hamilton Operatic. "The Vagabond King.” Wellington Repertory, "Playboy of t lie Western- World" and “Junior .Miss"; Christchurch.

“Underworld"; Wanganui. “A .Murder Has Been Arranged"; Auckland, '‘Caste.”

Shows in Australia "The Dancing Years" lias succeeded "Gay Rosalinda" at the Theatre Royal. Sydney’. The cast of this colourful musical play is headed by Viola Allan, Max Oldaker. Herbert Browne and Evelyn Gardiner iso well remembered in Gilbert and Sullivan opera). Kathleen Robinson. Richard Parry and Megs Jenkins, who were in New Zealand with the Whitehall Players recently, are at the Minerva Theatre, Sydney, in the Kmlyn Williams play, "Tiie Winds of Heaven."

In Melbourne a revival of “No, no, Nanette,’ has succeeded ‘’Follow the Girls,” the cast being headed by Charles Norman, Pat Keating (as Nanette), Fred Murray, and Bettina Welch (tiie Hamilton, New Zealand girl). The New Zealand Kiwis look like running In Melbourne for ever. After six months they are stiil drawing crowded houses. t “Life with Father,” a farce-com-edy that ran seven years i:i New York, is not creating much interest in Australia. It is at present in Melbourne.

Former Favourite Returns Robert Chisholm, at. one time Gladys Moncrieff’s leading baritone in “Maid of the Mountains” and similar musical plays, returned to Sydney last week on holiday from America. For years Mr. Chisholm lias been prominent in stage and radio work in New York. Famous Singer Coming John Charles Thomas, the famous American baritone, is delighting music-lovers in Australia. lie will come to New Zealand later. Singer with Orchestra Peggy Knibb, the Melbourne singer who sung in "Messiah” with the Royal Wellington Choral Union last year, is appearing in Sydney with the Boyd Neel Orchestra, that famous combination that is touring Australia under the patronage of the British Council of Music. It comes to New Zealand shortly. News from Filin Studios Jack Oakie returns to the screen in the Him version of “Follow th Girls.” # .is # Columbia is going to make a lilm of "The Wreck of the Hesperus.” * # # Gary Cooper will star in the screen version of the Rex Beecli novel. ‘‘The World in His Arms.” ft # Alien Faye’s lirst picture since “Fallen Angels” will be “Parly Line.” The picture Is to he a drama involving some people who use the same telephone lino.

Orson Welles will produce, direct and star in “Macbeth.” He will also produce, direct and play a leading role in Ben Hecht's best seller, “The Shadow.”

I!' Cahriel Pascal can a *‘t MCIM’s permission i<> use (! roer t!arsO:t. the star will appear in "Candida." when she makes "Forsythe Saga' in l.uula ml. # * o Young Koddy .McPowall lias signed a 10-vear contract with Lindsley Parsons Productions. hy which he will produce and act in two films yearly, with the right to pick his own loading lady.