STAGELAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 144, 17 May 1930, Page 7

STAGELAND.

(By “Jack Point.’’) There are no theatrical attractions in sight! Leon Gordon should be the noxt, then Gladys Moncrioff or Mario Bromner in revivals. Alexander Watson, the elocutionist, is appearing in Melbourne. By a coincidence, tho revival of “The Merry Widow” at Melbourne Royal synchronises with the sixtieth anniversary of the birth of its composer Franz Lehar. He was born in Hungary in 1870. “The Widow” was first produced in Vienna in 1905. . , N'gaire Phipson (the Wellington girl) and Tointon, who were with tho Humphrey Bishop Company somo years ago, were presenting their xylophone act at tho London Palladium when tho mail left. Clem Dawe, the well-known comedian, now appearing in “Lovo Lies’” in Melbourne, was married at St. Kilda recently to Miss Macsmoro Hoskin, a daughter of Mrs Charlotto Hoskin, of Marine Parade, Elwood. Tho music for “Tho Three Musketeers’ at Drury Lano, London, is by Rudolf Friml (of “Rose Mario,” “Vagabond King,” “High Jinks” fame) and tho lyrics are by P. G. Wodehouse and Clifford Grey. “Rookery Nook,” a most amusing farce, by Bon Travers, has boon made into a talkie. A Sydney weekly states: Wo spring to our feet in a body and loudly cheer, for “Rookery Nook” is a Britishmade talkie that could easily have used “California, Hero I Como 1” as a theme song of warning. “Rookory Nook” is a grand and glorious farce that will hold its own against all comers. A Melbourne correspondent writes: In “Romance,” the old piece which Nellie Stewart resurrected at Melbourne Comedy, the leading lady is supposed at one point to sing oif-stage to an enraptured audienco. Whon, as in Miss Stewart’s present case, there is noed of a ghost to porforin the vocal item, a singer from a local Conservatorium is usually engaged. On the opening night tho house was somewhat staggered when an unmistakably brazen voico betrayed a gramophone or •panatrope. It is gratifying to know that tho theatrical trade is so fully seized of the necessity for national economy. In order to encourage the “weekly theatre habit (says a London papor), Percy Hutchinson (who was in New Zealand three years ago) will make a reduction in prices at his Theatre Royal, York. In an open letter to his patrons Mr Hutchinson says that since Christmas a very marked improvement in the attendance at tho theatre is to be noted. Ho appreciates the fact particularly when tho economic and’financial conditions of the country are taken into consideration. At Easter Mr Hutchinson himself appeared for a fortnight in “The Luck of the Navy.” In April he established a repertory company. Poor John Kirby was playing his part the other day in “Silver Wings”—a friond who saw him at the matinee told me ho was in excellent form —and now ho is dead, having worked to keep faith with his management and his public up to tho very last minute, says a writer in tho London Daily Mail. The old Pagliacci business —the heartbreak behind the motley—is a familiar enough theme, but the public can never know (for they are never allowed to see) the courage, the heroic endurance and fortitude with which actors on occasion continue to do their part, no matter how racked with bodily or mental suffering. Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, who have done so well as musical comedy leads in London, have evidently split partnership, for a time at least, for the London papers speak of Mr Ritchard’s appearance with the Co-optimists of 1930, of which, by the way, Herbert Mundin (the comedian hero with “The Desert Song”) is also a member. Miss Elliott and Mr Ritchard played the romantic leads in the long London run (over a year) of “Love Lies,” in which Clem Dawe is now appearing in Melbourne. In the Melbourne production of “The Merry Widow,” Herbort Browne is said to bo ideally cast as Vicomto Camille do Jolidon, a picturesque role in which he novels. The auburn-haired songster made hiß name as tho lover in Oscar Ascho’s

“Cliu-Chin-Chow,” since whon he played opposite Mario Burke in “Wildflowcr” and ‘Katja,'J and Josie Melville in “Sally”; “Desert Song” (in which liis gruffness of voioe is surprising in"' contrast with his dulcet tenor notes —a voice production secret which tho popular tenor keeps to himself), and “New Moon.” Ho is a brother of Blanche Browne, tho English musical comedy star who delighted Now Zealanders with her personality and. voice in “Our Miss Gibbs,” “The Quaker Girl,” etc., before tho war. Local theatregoers- will remember tho revival of “The Merry Widow.” Gladys Moncrieff was Sonia, and Nellie Payno and Arthur Stigcnt wero in tho cast.

Mrs Guy Bates Post (Adole Ritchie), who was found shot dead in tragic circumstances in Los Angeles recently, was the third wife of tho well-known actor. She came with him on both his Australian visits, but did not act the second time. She was a woman of definite opinions and unusual frankness of speech, which frequently embarrassed her Australian listeners, says the Sydney Sun. Tall and fair, with strong features and a commanding presence, she was an outstanding figure at Mr Post’s dress rehearsals, where she held tho script and prompted when necessary. Her American accent was very pronounced. Mrs Post took a decided interest in the personnel of her husband's companies, and liked to have the final say in his choice of leading ladies. It was through not seeing eye to eye with him on this matter that tho fifial break cam©, and Mrs Post returned to America before her husband left Australia for South Africa, and subsequently London. She was born in Philadelphia in 1874, and Guy Bates Post was her second husband. Ben Travers is one of the most successful of present-day dramatists, and turns out one farce after another that takes tho public fancy. Here are somo linos from his latest, “A Warm Corner” : . “What’s the good of being innooont if someone splits on you?” * * » * “I can 1 sing bettor than you I” “Yes, I’ve heard you. It’s liko tho laet bit of the bath running out!” “When a man gets left alono with a car something always goes wrong. Either the car goes wrong or the man goes wrong.” “He looks like a rabbit at a stoat’s teaparty.” “I’m going to get rid of all my bad qualities. They can’t complain. I’ve given them a good long run.” “Have you a ’phone here?” “Wot’s that?” “A ’phone 1 A thing you put your ear to.” “Oh, a key’ole 1” * * * * “Wonderful things, wives.” “Yes, wonderful. Every man should havo at least one.” * * * * “Listen 1” “No -, I won’t listen to your lies I” “But you must.” n * #• * “When we’re married we’ll go about sometimes together.” * * * * “I sleep like a top.”“A humming top?” * * # * “I am doing the very thing I am angry with him for thinking I am doing.” “The only man who ever fell for her was a window-cleaner.” # * « * “It’s so silly to have all the blame and to get no fun for it I”