STAGE AND SCREEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 February 1933, Page 3

STAGE AND SCREEN

It is now reported it is unlikely that Dante Sybil Thorndyke’s company will visit Nelson on its present tour ot (lie Dominion.

Szigcti has just concluded a very successful season in Japan, and at his seventh Tokio concert was awarded the gold medal for “outstanding merit,” an honour which has been conlerred previously upon Pavlova, Amundsen, Kreisler and John McCormack. Musiclovers will be pleased to hear that he lias decided to make a return visit to Australia in Ih.'U-.'in.

English playgoers who remember the dramatic power of Madge Titheradge as Peggy Admastou in "A Butterfly on the Wheel” are finding a different; madge in “Business with America,’ which is her vehicle for returning to the stiige after four years’ absence. The first night in Manchester revealed her as a siren who vamps Iter husband’s business chief and scores over another siren. She and Clifford Mollison are also reported to give full point to many lines and diverting situations.

The thrill of a lifetime came io Minoru Xesheda. one of the leading Japanese actors in America, when lie was cast to play the role of Clio Clio San’s father in “Madame Butterfly. He reported to the studios, was interviewed by the director. Marion tiering, and outfitted in imported garments at the wardrobe. Back on the set where Sylvia Sidney, Cary (Irani and Charlie Buggies were working, a. special photograph gallery was set up. and he was “shot” by the “stills” man in a dozen poses. “When do I. start work in the picture?” he then asked. “You don't start,” was the reply. “Clio Clio San’s father never appears in the story. But we needed photographs ot: him.” Xesheda departed with his pay cheque, having enacted one of the shortest and strangest roles in screen history.

“I am not throwing away my money on night clubs and parties and extravagant clothes. I am spending every penny on making a home, so that .1 can retire from the screen and have a family.” That was how Jessie Matthews, the highest paid film star in England, who is now making two talkies at once, “The Good Companions” and “The Midship Maid,” revealed her plans for the future recently. She is only 25, but ber ideas on women are anything but modern. She doesn’t want to he a film star. She wants to be a mother. “I was wonderfully lucky to get this contract,” she said, “and I feel happy about it. But as soon as it expires I am hoping to retire.” • Jessie Matthews, who was married nearly two years ago to the actor, Sonic Hale, is looked upon as the most- joyous personality in British) studios.

Nicholas Hanncn and Athcnic Seylcr, the noted English artists, with their complete company of fifteen, will arrive in Melbourne only live days before their opening date, lltli February. Their repertoire of eight plays is complete. These will include “The Breadwinner” (the opening production), “Cynara,” “Escape” (in which Air Hannon created the leading role in the original London production), “In the Next Room,” “And So to Bed,” “To See Ourselves,” and “Skin Deep.” The whole range of stage art and acting is represented in the repertoire. The company will visit New Zealand later in the year.

Binnie Hale, the brilliant singing and dancing comedienne, recently appeared in Birmingham in a fortnight’s revival of “The Dubarry,” which, like “Madame Pompadour,” is a musical comedy based on the career of one of the famous French eocottes. Unlike “Madame Pompadour,” it tackles its theme with the gloves off, and shows us Louis XV.’s mistress as what she was, a beautiful wanton plucked from a “maison do tolerance” to become an uncrowned queen. The story is told in a series of elaborate scenes, with ravishing LSth century costumes and decoration.

Sir Edward Elgar, at the age of 75, is completing a new symphony, which will he written for and dedicated to the 8.8. C. It is hoped that the first performance will lie given in the autumn of next year. Speaking at the City of London Music Committee’s dinner as the Guildhall, Sir Laiulon Ronald, in announcing the news said: “'The 8.8. C. have delegated to me an announcement that will make this dinner historic.. I consider it one of the most interesting events in musical history since the Royal Philharmonic Society commissioned Beethoven to write a syinphony in LS27, which resulted in his immortal Niiitli Symphony. If I wore asked to name the conspicuous milestones in a century' of symphony, 1 should say that first ' there' t was ’ Beethoven, then Brahms, and then Elgar.” Sir Edward Elgar has already written two great symphonies. The first, in A Hat, was performed under Hans Richter in Manchester in 1908. The second, in E flat, was first heard at a Royal Philharmonic Society concert in London three years later. Both have been performed in London, under Sir Laiulon Ronald and the composer respectively, during the Elgar festival of the last three weeks. It is several years since Elgar gave a work of major importance in tlie world, but it lias long been rumoured that lie has sketches for a third symphony. There is little doubt, in fact, that the whole work is already alive in his mind, and that the first movement is practically complete on paper.

Extraordinary success has been achieved by the Sydney production of ‘•'Our Miss Gibbs.” Despite the heat and many counter attractions. Her Majesty.’s Theatre lias been crowded at every performance. Madge Eliott and Cyril Ritcliard have added to their successes by their performances in this delightful musical play, which is .described managcrially as “not a revival hut a brand new 1993 production in every particular.” In ihe lengthy east are included (Ins Bluett. Leo'Franklyii. Frank Leighton, Reginald Bane. Arthur Cornell, Edwin Brett, Marie be \ arm, Mary Righv. Noel Clapp. Jean Duncan and many others. The plav is produced by George A. Highland.

During a particularly super-cautious partnership of English batsmen, which resulted in more yawns (hail runs, Mr Bon Travers, the dramatist, is credited, the “Daily Mail” announces, with having written a new Aldwych Theatre farce, “A Bit of a Test.” Mr I ravers declared that he wrote plays lo get the money to follow the Alary lehoue I cam around the world. Authorship was a tiresome interruption of Ihe serious occupation of silting ronlenleuly in pavilions. The play, which features a monocled Ralph Lynn, opens with an Australian Test match, followed hv a kidnapping episode in a hush shack.