STAGE – MUSIC – FILMS

Hutt News, Volume XXII, Issue 7, 28 July 1948, Page 11

STAGE - MUSIC - FILMS

"UNDER THE COUNTER" COMING TO NEW ZEALAND Cecily Courmeidge, the English comedienne, will commence a tour of New Zealand in Wellington on August 14 in "Under the Counter," a play with music which is now drawing large audiences in Melbourne. Thorley Walters, an English singer, plays opposite Miss Cottrtneidge, and Lloyd Lamhle, wlio has loured New Zealand several times in dramatic productions, is prominent, in the cast. Others in the cast are Claude Norton. Letty Craydon, Ron Falkaixl, Bettina Welch (the New Zealand girl), Vaughan Tracy, Shirley Anderson, Valery Schaievsky (solo dancer), and William Rees. "CARMEN" UNEVEN BRILLIANT JANET HOWE Janet Howe, the English singer, gave a brilliant performance in "Carmen" on the opening night in Wellington. With her beautiful singing voice, vivid personality, and histrionic ability her Carmen will bo long remembered. Arthur Scrvent, the Don Jose, was adequate, without being particularly impressive. Bryan Drake (Escamillo) 'fond Dora Drake (Micaela) sang very well, but their acting was weak. Ray Trewern, the Wellington tenor, was good both in voice and action as El Dancairo.

The stage was terribly overcrowded at times, and the movements of the chorus suffered thereby. In seeing Wellington operatic productions 1 have always thought how much more naturally the members of the chorus move in northern (Auckland and Hamilton) performances. In Wellington they always seem to be too conscious of the conductor and to be waiting for his heat. Though "Carmen," as presented in Wellington, may not be the performance that it could have been, we are thankful for having had the opportunity to see and hear it again.

"OLIVER TWIST" PRAISE FOR DICKENS FILM It would be an insult, says the London Recorder, to criticise the film of "Oliver Twist," now at the Odeon at Marble Arch, London, for it is so very nearly perfection. From the first stumbling of the woman through the storm and the .birth of the child called Oliver in the workhouse the mood of squalor and misery is established. Breaking into the harshness of the scenes of the young unfortunates in the workhouse is the fruity, pompous, figure of Mr. Bumble, played with a glossy magnificence by Francis Sullivan, and Mrs. Corney, memorably interpreted in all her petty tyranny and unctuous flattery by Mary Clare. Scene follows scene, horror mounts on horror, culminating in the figure of Fagin, dirty, repellent, oily, grasping, amoral and bitterly funny. Brilliant and Witty • Tn the part Alec Guinness performs a tour-de-force of screen acting. Here is a brilliant, witty, profoundly studied interpretation of evil, ideally contrasted by the moving simplicity and gentleness of young John Howard Davies as Oliver.

As a frame to the rich, outsize characterisations of Dickens are the mean streets and dismal interiors of London at the beginning of the last century.

Large sequences of the action are accompanied by no dialogue at all. In fact a great deal of the tenderness in the presentation of Oliver consists in the fact that he has very little dialogue in the whole film. David Lean and Ronald Neame of Cineguild once again give us a masterpiece of British film-making.

WE LLINGTON I) A N CEII

SUCCESS IN LONDON London Punch, referring to the young Wellington dancer Alexander Grant in the ballet "Mam'zelle Angot" at Covent Garden, says: "Alexander Grant dances Massinc's own role of the Barber, and does it brilliantly." "What a lovely ballet this is—a web of delight. The choreography is Massine at. his best," continues Punch. BRITISH FILMS POPULARITY IN CANADA British films are becoming increasingly popular in Canada, to Mr. Earl Lawson, president, and manager of Odeon (Canada), Ltd. , Receipts for 1047 were triple those for 1946, and revenue per British picture was between 10 and 15 per cent, higher. There were two main differences between the British and the American films of the year. Mr. Lawson said. The British were interested in keeping realism in their (Urns rattier than glamourising situations until they were obviously untrue; and, secondly, the British small part actors played as perfectly as the stars.

(By E.G.A.)

ONE MILLION DOLLARS ' EXTRAS' PAY ENVELOPES During the filming of the muchdiscussed "Duel in the Sun," presented in Technicolor with a cast headed by Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck and Joseph Gotten, Hollywood extra players earned ove* one million dollars—a record for any film.

N.Z. GIRL RETURNING WITH CICELY COURTNEIDGE Included in the company coming to New Zealand shortly in support of Cecily Courtneidge in the play with music, "Under the Counter," is Bettina Welch, a New Zealand girl who 'has won much success on the stage in Australia. It seems just the other day that Bettina, a Hamilton girl who had been very successful in competitions, came into the editorial room at the Waikato Times office and told me that she was leaving to try her luck in Australia. She left for Sydney, and a few weeks later word came that she had won the elocution championship and the radio test at Sydney Eisteddfod. She was engaged immediately "by George Edwards for the recording of plays, and soon afterwards was given important stage, parts at I Ik- Minerva Theatre. Then came lieftiua'o big chance Marjorie Gordon. Ihe leading lady in "Susan and God" in Melbourne, was suddenly taken ill, and the young New Zealander was rushed to Melbourne by ail', taking the role of Susan at 24 hours' notice and making a big sucess of it. From that time she has been in constant stage work in Australia, despite the comparatively lew productions over there. Among her biggest hits was the title role in Noel

Coward's "Blithe Spirit," opposite the English star Edwin Styles. The critic of the Sydney Bulletin wrote that Beftina's performance was one of the best seen in Sydney. The play toured Australia for nearly two years.

A. year or two ago the New Zealand actress returned to her homeland for a tour in "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Claudia," "Susan and God," and "The Man Who Came to Dinner." Tlie leading man of that company was Lloyd Lamble, who is also returning in "Under the Counter." Recently Bettina did a tour in a revival of "No, No, Nanette." She wrote me that it. was Iter first experience of musical comedy but she was finding it interesting and it was very helpful in extending her stage experience.

It will be very pleasant to renew acquaintance with this Hamilton girl who has so decidedly "made good" on the Australian stage.

STARS AND FILMS NEWS FROM THE STUDIOS Robert Taylor, who served as a flying instructor in the navy during the war, is giving Van Heflin flying lesson.':. The actors have been firm friends ever since they appeared together in "Johnny Eager." Compton Bennett, Who directed the British film success "The Seventh Veil," has just signed an M.G.M. contract. His first will be "The Forsyte Saga," based on the famous Galsworthy novel. Greer Garson will star.

Carmen Miranda, who has just finished her role in "Date With Judy," is making a European personal appearance lour. The happy Johnnie Johnstons (she is Kathryn Grayson) are busy with plans for a nursery. The new arrival is expected in October.

Back from a brief concert tour, Jeanette MacDonald will star next. in "Sun in the Morning," based on a story by "Yearling" author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. With her will be Lassie and Claude Jarman. Crooner Perry Como joins the galaxy of stars set for the musical "Words and Music." It. is based on the life stories of the famous com-poser-writer team Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart.

Esther Williams (who else.") will star in "Neptune's Daughter." It will be a lavish Technicolor musical.

'EUREKA STOCKADE" AUSTRALIAN FILM PRODUCTION The last role to be cast for the Australian production "Eureka Stockade" has now been filled. Ralph Truman is to play the important part, of Governor Hoi ham. Ho left England recently for Australia to join Gordon Jackson, Jack Lambert, Peter Illing, and Jane Barrett, who wont out before Christinas. Chips Rafferty, already in Australia, is starring. Ralph Truman, who made ids screen debut in "City of Souk,," has appeared in over I hi! pictures,' including "Henry V.," "Oliver Twist." and "Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill." During the war lie was a 8.8. C, announcer and for some considerable time acted as ncwsroel narrator on the North American and Pacific Service.