STAGE AND SCREEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 April 1928, Page 3

STAGE AND SCREEN

It is now aimivst certain (says an exchange) that Nellie Stewart will not tour New Zealand, as was announced some weeks ago. After a aeries of consultations i he. management of .1. C. Williamson has decided that the famous favourite uf other days would not be strong enough to endure a long tea voyage or the discomfort of an extended journey through New Zealand. When (iladys MoncrielT appears in "Rio Rita" she will be supported by a.' huge chorus and ballet. Sixty girl's will be engaged it;, these section's, and there will be thirty male choristers-. Miss MoncrielT will open at the' St. danics's Theatre. Sydney, after the season of the f innsah-y. Fuller Opera Company.' The Fuller management intends to present "L'i" L'iia" mi ; is|. elaborate scale. The Nrw Zealand lour of tin- success ful musical comedji-; "Tip Toes" ami

Ouccu High ' t.Miiiin.it.-. at Christ church on loth April Coubtdermg thai the, company followed fast on the hcelr. of the record-breaking Rose Mane," excellent business has been done.

Miss Winifred Wayne. of Napier, seems to be making a name for herself on Mm London stage, after gaining valuable experience in the. provinces. Miss Wayne, was engaged at. the Regent Theatre, and has now been Micro for two years. Joe Prennan. Dunedin-borii comedian, with a world-wide reputation as pantomime, dame, together with Cyril Northcote, known as the heavy-weight comedian, are now jointly heading their own revue company, and. under engagement to Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller. opened a short season at. the Princess Theatre last Saturday. The comedians are well supported by a talented company of sketch artists, singers, and speciality dancers. During the course of ;m interview in Australia. Mr John Tait stated that "Lose Marie" would finish in Sydney next month after twenty-three, and ahalf months in Australia and New Zealand. Douglas Fairbanks's penchant for collecting horses and dogs has now broadened its scope to cattle. The star acquired a herd of 2000 steers, not to mention 300 horses, all for Jiis new production. Tho steers tire pampas bred, and are fed on imported fodder to offset the possibilities of illness during the production. Oharlie Chaplin will start finishing his conception of Napoleon Bonaparte very shortly, as a production to be written. directed, and produced by himself. He is seeking a titan for the role of the emperor. Part of the. film will be made in France.

"Hunlingtower.'' starring the world famous comedian, Sir Harry Lauder, is creating a sensation at t!i«• Plaza Theatre. Loudon. 'Hie picture is a British production, and will be released in Auslialia. and Nc.w Zealand by Paramount during the year. A visitor to the Dominion is Mr Gordon Ellis, head oflicc representative for Union Theatre* and .Australasian Films, Ltd. .Mr Kllis believe.-; thai within a few years the quality <if British films will compare favourably with the'American productions, and it was most interesting ti> read the cables on arrival here and see someone had started to put the industry en a sound basis in the Old Country. In 1027. many, .excellent pictures wire produced in Knglaiid, but as yet (hey have not been released in New Zealand or Australia, but in other parts of Ihe world (hey have been received most enthusiastically. One thai is sine to attract considerable! interest in ihe Dominions is "Remembrance," in which ll'.ii.l-1. the I'rince of Wales can be seen as a screen star. Another is an adaptation of the well-known play "The <!host Train.'' Mr Frank Kowlcr. who has controlled the Art craft Theatre, Wellington, for some vears. has disposed of his interests in' (hill theatre lo Mr \V. I!. Kern ball, and has gone to Russell. The acquiring of the Ailerafl Theatre gives Mr Kemball control of five theatres in Wellington (says "The Film Weekly,") namely. I)e Luxe, King's. Queen's. New Princess and Artcrafi. while he has an interest in the Regent with Mr Beaumont Smith, and in the New Majestic, which will shortly he built. Mr Kemhall is the well-known Wairarapa owner of racehorses. lie recently joined the l'uller-1 lay ward management. Although his latest comedy. "The Circus, was two years anil a-half in lh« mtiking, Charles Chaplin plans to produce, three pictures in 1928. The first is "Nowhere." in which Chaplin plays [ his usual tramp character. A strict censorship is now the order; of the day iii regard fin dims at Fiji. A Suva enire:.p..in|o,ii "-rilrs; The- police are now exercising a verv close-censor. ; .1,,p ,-.ver the films (bat' «.'<> bei|ig exhibitor) :,< the Kr.ll picture houses, Many parts, winch are considered objectionable in a mixed community such as Ihis.i are i lit nut nf the roll. In case of ai cideiil. all such prohibited parts are held by the police until the Minis are to be exported from Ihe colony. Amongst ether object ionahle matter, all scenes iii nict in'-' successful crime arc rigorously