STAGELAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 August 1934, Page 9

STAGELAND

(By “Call Boy.”) The. Manawatu Repertory Society’s next play will be presented at the end of this month. Their choice is “Pygmalion.,” by George Bernard Shaw, and it will Ire produced by Mrs Linda Bennett. The cast will be as follows:—Eliza, Miss Aisla Varcoe: Higgins, Mr A. C. Zohrab; Colonel Pickering, Mr J. F. Tasker; Mrs Higgins, Mrs Howley; Doolittle, Mr Graham Driver; Mrs Pearce, Mrs D. J. Davies; Mrs Gynsford Hill, Mrs G. Gibbs; Clara, Miss Eileen Trask; Freddy, Mr C. R. -Moody; Parlourmaid, Miss Jean Thomson.

The Wanganui Repertory Players are rehearsing three Irish plays. The Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society has selected “Sally” as its next production. “London Wall” was produced very successfully recently by the Dunedin Repertory Society. “Roberta,” which Mr Cyril Ritcliard secured for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., during his stay in New York, was first presented in November of last year, and has enjoyed a highly successful season. It is a musical comedy in a prologue, two acts, and nine scenes, based on a novel entitled “Gowns by Roberta,” from the pen of Alice Duer Miller. The book and lyrics are by Otto Harbacli, who has written many successful texts of the kind; and the music, by Jerome Kern, the composer of “Show Boat” and “Music in the Air.”

Aften an exceptionally long season of sixteen weeks “White Horse Inn” has left Sydney for Melbourne. The final performance at the Theatre Royal on July 21 was marked by the enthusiasm of the audience, which encored practically every number. Strella Wilson in particular received a remarkable ovation, and at the close of the performance was almost buried in flowers. In a brief speech she thanked Sydney audiences for their reception of the play. An amusing touch was added by the presentation to one of the members of the company of a case of whisky. Amongst the audience were Miss Madge Elliott and Mr Cyril Ritchard, who were received with prolonged applause when the house saw them in the first interval. They will appear in the next production at the Theatre Royal, “Gay Divorce.”

RUSSIAN BALLET. PRINCIPALS FOR AUSTRALIAN TOUR. J. C. Williamson have engaged for the Russian ballet company. Olga Spessiva, of the Grand Opera House, Paris, as prima-ballerina, and Anatole Wilzak as principal male dancer. The company will total 70, including the orchestra, which will be conducted by Franz Schicketanz, and will produce “Les Sylphides,” “Lac de Cygnes,” “Fille Mai Garde,” and “Prince Igor.” Victor Dandre, husband of Anna Pavlova, has designed the costumes, and he and M. Levitoff have organised the ballets. The company will arrive in Brisbane, via Java, on October 8, and will appear in all the Australian capitals, and will later appear in New Zealand .

LAND OF SONG. ENGLAND RECAPTURES ELIZABETHAN SPIRIT. “England is once again what it was during the Elizabethan age, a glorious nest of singing birds,” said Dr A. E. Floyd, organtst and choirmaster of St. Paul’s Cathedral, 'Melbourne, who returned to Australia from London recently. “Choral singing of great excellence is to be heard in every direction, but this would certainly never have been possible but for the fact that there is a remarkable advance in music, both in public and elementary schols.” Dr Floyd conferred with the musical authorities at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminister Abbey, and Temple Church in London, and the cathedrals of Southwark. Winchester, Salisbury, Gloucester, Hereford, and Liverpool. VIOLINIST’S DEAREST POSSESSION. TOY INSTRUMENT RESTORED.

The most treasured possession that Jascha Heifetz, the famous Russian violinist, has taken back with him to America after a triumphant tour of the U.S.S.R. is a “toy” violin, worth about sixteen shillings. It is the instrument on which he learned to play. His father bought it for him when he was four years old. After Heifetz became famous the violin disappeared, states Reuter from New York, and since then he had looked for it everywhere without success. Inquiries among friends and relations were of no avail. When Heifetz reached Leningrad recently on his first visit to the U.S.S.R. for many years lie was met by his uncle, Naum Heifetz, brandishing the long lost violin.

“Nothing could have brought me greater happiness,” said Heifetz. “The violin lias only one of the original strings left and one of the keys is missing—but 1 shall restore it. It will never leave me again as long as I live.”