STAGE AND SCREEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 13

STAGE AND SCREEN

Maurice Rostand’s play, “Napoleon IV.”, has almost created an international tangle. It lias been hooted in Paris, where it was presented some time ago, and the British Government may take some action. Rostand’s play is written round the death of Prince Imperial (Napoleon IV.), in South Africa, and the author suggests that Queen Victoria was Implicated. There are only four people in the cast of “On Approval,” the latest and greatest success of Frederick Lonsdale, which is to he staged for the first time in Australia at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. Irene Vanbrugh will he Mrs Wislack; Dion Boucicault, the Duke of Bristol; Gwvnne Whitby, Helen Hnylc; n,nd J. F. Rowe, Richard Hal ton. The play is described as one of the wittiest and cleverest ever staged, with ingenious situation that make one wonder bow the characters will disentangle themselves from the web into which the dramatist has envvoven them. John Galsworthy’s “Punch and Go” has beeii chosen definitely for the next production hv the Auckland Little Theatre Society. This will he the first time Calsworthv has been done, by repertory here. His “Skin Game” was presented by T. C. Williamsom some time ago with Frank Harvey in the lead. Miss Bertha Ballenger, who is appearing with Miss Muriel Starr, is a Melbourne girl. She was the caretaker in the original New York production of “Mary Rose.” She played in the New York production of “The Yellow Jacket” and was in several plays with Miss Ruth Chnttcrton. In Boston she appeared with Mr Leon Gordon. May Beatty, pictured here, will play in “The Girl Friend” and “Hit the Deck.” when those two popular musical comedies open in New Zealand shortly. She was horn, in Christchurch, and for vears was a prominent figure on the London stage. Miss Beatty was last in New Zealand with the company which plaved “The O’Brien Girl” and “Tangerine.” Tn “Hit the Deck” Miss Beatty will play the part of Magnolia, a coloured jnamniv. One of her best numbers will he tlm “Halleluiah” chorus. Edgar Wallace, England’s most prolific playwright, has found Oscar Asdic, Australia’s prominent actor-manager, a new job as “stop-watcher.” The latter will attempt Wallace’s plavs nightly, check the speed. and note any snenualities from the stalls. Wallace considers that a play is like a gramophone record, in that only correct pace gives good performances. Aseho is the watcher to he appointed in England. George .Gee has been chosen as chief mined inn in “Virginia.” the new Glnvtoif, .oud Waller musical comedy in London., and again he will have the American Emma Haig as 'partner in funmaking. Mr Gee’s years of Australian experience have been useful to him, Doming from England, he began in a. Tivoli revue, with little to do except an eccentric dance which found much favour, and he staved for some time in the productions of the Tivoli mane. cement of that, period, which produced the musical eomedv “The Lilac Domino.” The piece was taken over by the Williamson management, and after-wards-Mr Gee was given opportunities in a number of its musical comedies and revues., Appearing in, London a year or two ago in “The Girl Friend” he was variously described as from the provinces and from Australia, hut the main point was that his particular style of “silly ass” eomedv caught the public fancy. "Mhrenret R'lnnerman and Anthony Prinsep’s Loudon company touring New Zealand is meeting with outstanding success. The Wellington season commences to-night.

Mavne Lvnton. who has to he disoiyreenlile +o the other characters as Sir Bruce Kadep in “Dcclassee” says be is glad they do not retaliate as an netov did npce when he was playing in “Rob Roy” a.t, Glasgow. The other man. who represented “the Dougal creature.” overacted his part to the extent of ren!lv stabbipc Mr Lyrton in the chest. Tike other actors who have taken part in the duels of period drama.. Mr Lvnton hals suffered ! more than once from unintended -blows or wounds. The latest oueen of comediennes Lillian Harvcv the vivacious little English star, will soon make her debut to New Zealand picture audiences in her first screen vehicle “Crazy Maizie.” Miss Harvey is one of the great screen comediennes' the film world has ever known. She has already created a furore both in England and the Continent with her wonderful acting in the Maizie series, of which “Crazy Maizie” happens to he the first . A miniature theatre in which, films are shown in broad daylight and in the strongest artificial light has been demonstrated in London by an English firm. Formerly, when a picture was projected on to a screen, upon which daylight was falling, it prevented the reproduction of any black or deeper half-tones. With the new screen, made by mixing three primary colours, the stronger the daylight the more intense the black and coloured pictures screened become.

A dramatic climax laid in a powerful story makes beautiful Billie Dove’s latest picture “The Night Watch” something out of the ordinary in screen entertainment. Miss Dove plays the wife of a naval officer who is falsely implicated in a murder which can only be cleared after the heroine has made a confession impugning her own honour. Paul Lukas and Larry Kent have strong supporting roles. The Drury Lane melodrama “The Whip” has been interpreted for the screen in a manner that leaves little to ho desired. All the drama, suspense and thrills of the original play have been retained. As the beautiful and scheming vamp, Miss Nilsson is worthy of special mention, while Miss Maekaill brings beauty and charm to the leading role.

Acclaimed as the most beautiful girl in Spain, Marta Alba, plays her first featured role in “Road House,” a dramatic story of tlie temptations which beset modern youth. Warren Burke and Lionel Barrymore have featured roles. “Tommy Atkins,” the British international picture recently shown in London, has been presented and accorded a great reception in Europe. “Moulin Rouge” still continues its triumphant progress, Budapest being the latest city to accord it an enthusiastic reception.