STAGELAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 175, 25 June 1932, Page 9

STAGELAND

(By “Jack Point.”) Roland Pertwee (with Harold Bearden) wrote “Interference,” which the Operatic Society people are reading. Mr Pertwee—ho acted at one time — has written “The Return of Imry,” “Ten Minutes’ Tension,” etc. Theatrical artists, who confessed to being over 70 years of age—-among them a number of women—met in Sydney the other day to discuss future entertainments. Professor Randall Woodhouse presided. The “Veterans” on several occasions have been a feature of broadcasting programmes. The oldest man in the group was Mr Tom Buckley (90), who many years ago, was ono of the famous clog-dancing duo—Buckley and Holley. Mr Buckley went to America at an early age, was a drummer boy in the Northern army, under General Grant, and was living in Boston when Lincoln was elected President. He still has the drum lie rattled during hostilities. Others who appeared on the stage with distinction when Sydney was a comparatively small place included Mr James Hayward (80), Miss May Glendinning, a former operatic star; Mrs C. E. Pilley (72) a lyric soprano, who sang with early operatic stars; Mrs Brearley (73), who appeared in grand opera with the Majeronis, of which company the beuutifui Fanny Liddiard was a member; Mrs Phil Chapman (70); Mrs Polly Syinonds, pianist; Mrs Wood (71), Mrs Daniells, Mr W. AVatkins and Mr H. J. Foreman. One of Australia’s oid school of actors, and one of the last to have appealed in the original performances of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in Australia, died at Moonee Ponds, Victoria, recently. He was John Francis Forde, whoso first important role was that of Major Murgutroyd in “Patience” in Melbourne is 1882. His Mikado will be better remembered by New Zealanders. He played that role to the Yum Yum of the late Nellie Stewart. Mr Forde was for many years associated with the late Maggie Moore, succeeding J. C. Williamson in the character part of John Stofel in “Struck Oil.” Five years ago he played old Tony in “Tho Student Prince,” and two years ago was in the revivals of “Katinka” and “The Maid of the Mountains” in Melbourne.

Many New Zealanders who have retained memories—and they are undoubtedly memories of the most pleasant nature—of the visit to the Dominion of the noted artists assembled by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., under the name of Celebrity Vaudeville, will be interested to bear that it is the intention of the Firm to send to New Zealand m August a specially selected company of high-class artists to revive this ever popular form of entertainment. That revue and vuudevilje have come into their own again is umply proved by tho enormous success of this exhilirating form of entertainment in London and other great centres of the world.

Dame Sybil Thorndike, on arrival at Adelaide, said that Bernard Shaw, whose great play, “Saint Joan,” was written specially lor her, was her ideal of a perfect man. “Only one other man approaches bis standard ot perfection,” she said, “and that is Gilbert Murray, the Australian, who was at Oxford, and is an admirable translator of Greek plays. Dame Sybil said that unless a girl had personality, beauty and iron courage she should keep away from the stage.

Joseph Szigeti, a noted violinist, is to make a tour of New Zealand later on in the year. In 1923 Szigeti made his first tour of America, where his playing created a veritable sensation and he was hailed by critics as the equal of Pablo Casals and Kreisler. Since then America has claimed Szigeti each year and his recitals in New \ T ork, Boston and Chicago have always drawn sold-out houses. In 1931 he toured Japan with phenomenal success and was acclaimed by the Press us the greatest violinist ever to have visited the Orient. “He has all that Heifetz has in the way ol technique, and a good deal more than that wizard in the way of heart,” stated the Chicago Daily Journal on one occasion.

Bertha liieardo, who was in New Zealand with the Moseovitch Dramatic Company and later with the “Sons of Guns” musical comedy company—in the centres only—is appearing with the Co-optimists at Manchester, England. Lighting is replacing painted scenery is most of up-to-date stage presentations in Germany, according to Maie Baird, the Australian dancer, formerly known to Australian and New Zealand musical comedy and variety audiences. Miss Baird and her dance partner, Archie Thompson, returned on a short holiday visit by the Ballarat, after six years abroad. Lady Patricia Russell, whose book, “The Heartless Travellor,” has just been published in London, has enjoyed a varied career. She is the youngest daughter of the second Marquess of Dufferin and Ava. At the age of 19, unknown to her family, she took a position as housemaid in an English 'country house, staying there for five months jmder the assumed name of Annie Muggins, and leaving of her own accord “with a good character. Later she migrated toi New Zealand and lived on a farm before joining a musical comedy company in Melbourne. She enjoyed considerable success on the London stage and took a leading part in’ Barrie’s “A Kiss for Cinderella” before her marriage and retirement from the theatre. Jan Kubelik, who earned £750,000 during his musical career and lost nearly everything in unfortunate speculations, will be 52 years of age on July 5. He is now said to be selling bis famous “Emperor” Strad., said to be one of the finest examples of the work of Antonio Stradivari, the pupil of and successor to Nicholas Amati, who made Cremona famous as the home of the violin. The price of the “Emperor” is scarcely computable under the present economic conditions, but there are violin fanciers who in normal times would be tempted to give up to £IO,OOO for such a rare specimen. Kubelik was in New Zealand two years ago, when he gave recitals in Palmerston North. Though only the son of a small market gardener of Michle, near Prague, Kubelik became the idol of Europe a quarter of a century ago. He married the Countess Czak.y Szell, daughter of an ex-president of the Senate at Debreezin. At the time of his marriage he became a naturalised Hungarian.