STAGE AND SCREEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 21 April 1934, Page 3

STAGE AND SCREEN

t Mr E. C. Sherriff, who gained fame i and wealth with his “Journey’s End” a l few years ago, has made another vcnl tine in the London play world, attend- . ed by nothing like the former acclama- ) tions. “Windfall” has proved only a moderate success, if that, according i to the Press critics. In seven short • scenes he has shown the state of mind . of a humble shopman who wins £BO,- : 000 in a sweepstake. The author is . accused of having written the play according to the promptings of Jilin technique. It is extremely interesting to note the current trend of public thought in the sweepstake conception. Somerset Maugham wrote a play called “Sheppev,” just after R. C. Sherrill had done his, Regarding the same subject. “Sheppev” was actually staged a few weeks before “Windfall.” Mae West is to be waxed. Her face and figure, it is -said, arc to be cast in wax and placed in the wax museum of Madame Tussaud’s famous gallery. This is from the London “Era”: “Mae West is ‘plump, even fat,’ says one critic. Maybe, but she can make lier presence svelte.” The plan to present Frederic March as the Jean Valjean of a contemplated production of Hugo’s “Los Miserables” lias been abandoned in favour of “The Adairs of Cellini,” in which Mr March will be the star. This last is a scenario by Less Meredyth which will incorporate the best features of Colin’s autobiography and Edwin Justus Mayer's play, “The Firebrand.” “Los Miserables” will be produced after “Cellini” is completed. “The Middle Watch,’ so successful as a British film, is to be produced on the amateur stage in Dunedin about the middle of next month. The Manawatu Repertory Society plans to stage John van Druten’s “London Wall,” in Palmerston North this month. Airs L. Potter will be producer. Frederick Lonsdale’s comedy, “The High Road,” has been chosen by The Thespians, a new Wellington dramatic organisation, as its initial production. A New Zealand-written one-act play, “The .Jig-Saw Puzzle,” by V. May CottrelCof Napier, was splendidly received on two presentations in its author’s native town. With his "Wind and the Rain” running steadily in both London and New York, the New Zealander Dr. Merton Hodge is now engaged in “Anglicising” and altering to suit the Lord ChamberEnglish theatrical censor, the liiglil v-successful New York play, “Men in White,” which Gilbert Miller is to produce in London this season. Noel Coward, stated the London correspondent of the “New York Times,”

' - ■/. t/: ' ; •[ would in April direct for tlio first time in his meteoric career, a. play by an author other than himself. This was to have been “Biography,” iii which 3 lna Claire liad such an unlooked-for 1 success in the States. Miss Claire was to have remained in the London cast. Picture fans will be pleased to learn ' of Charles Farrell’s reunion with his ' little screen sweetheart, Janet Gay- ■ nor. For twelve months this popular : couple have been divorced from each other in talkies. Janet has been wooed and won by Lew Avres, Warner Baxter and Kobert Young. Charlie has. made love to Wynne Kibson, Betty Furness, Marguerite Churchill and Bette 'Davis. Now Farrell is back, back with Janet Gaynor again. Of course there were' no personal feelings behind their separation in the first place but now they are to agai u costar on the screen they are extremely happy. “We have made many pictures together without any discord or lack of understanding between' us,” says Janet. “The public has demanded to see us together again and I am sure 1 shall enjoy the association as much as they.” After considering hundreds of actors in Hollywood, New York and London, Cecil B! De Mille has at last been successful in finding a suitable player, to portray Julius Causal - in his forthcom- ; ing production of “Cleopatra.” Warren William has been, selected'for the part, making his debut under the De Mille banner. The signing of Warren William ends De Mille’s major casting, worries. Harry Wilcoxcn, who will-play Marc i Antony, wins found after, a .most ex- - lidstive search, and coaxed away from i the London stage. | Since her success on the English- ] speaking screen in “Catherine the ' Great,” the Austrian actress. • Eliza- • belli Bergner, whose Christian name t seems to be optionally spelt Elisabeth, has now made her mark on both the i English and American stages. In Lon- < don she appeared for an excellent sea- ( son in “Escape hie Never,” and three t or four weeks ago she opened at the f noth Street Playhouse, New York, in 1 Claude Anet’s daring play, “Ariane.” ( Paul Czinner, her film director, pro- - duced "Ariane.” PLAY FORPARIS MOBS

Jv’EW USE FOE SHAKESPEARE ' Shakespeare's drama “Coriolamisc which was in -performance at the 1 Cornedic Francaise when the mobs he-; a gan their demonstrations against the ' v Italadier (Government last February, jl has added a literary touch to the j t scenes of violence., It deserves a'foot- s note in the history of this amazing o uprising of the populace. h

i TJie play, telling a story of ancient .. Rome, contains bitter speeches against the Roman Senate and:the politicians who were in power at the time. When ■the insurrection was brewing theselines were cheered wildly at every performance. “Coriolanus” played to capacity houses. The crowds cheered to the echo the passages assailing Parlia- r incuts. An amateur orator wlio arose--in the balcony and declaimed against tho Government betwen the acts was - also cheered. After the performance M. Fable, the director, was cheered by a crowd that waited tili he left the . theatre. Then the Daladicr Government resigned, and Fabre was still at work, while oilice and “Coriolanus” remained in the repertoire. (February .27). “Coriolanus” and Shakespeare will bey remembered as leading'figures Of the 1934 “revolution.” “THE MERRY WIDOW” LEAD TO JEANETTE MACDONALD. Ending the long search for a suitable leading ladv to Maurice Chevalier to plav the title role in “The Merry Widow” in its talkie version, the studio which lias the screen rights of this * famous musical comedy announces that the central role is to be given to Jeanette MacDonald. This will make her fourth co-starring role with Chevalier, the others being in “The Love Parade,” “One Hour With You,” and “Love Ale To-night.” Maurice himself, who recently returned from a trip to Europe, will play Prince Danilo in the much-discussed new screen presentation of Franz Le- ■ liar’s operetta. Ernst Luhitscli, three times Chevalier’s film director, and probably the best-known in Hollywood, will be engaged in the same capacity. The film is to retain almost the entire Lelm r musical score. The choice of Aliss MacDonald eliminates the possibilities of Vivienne Seoul, Lily Pons, Joan Crawford and Grace Moore, all of .whom were mentioned by reason of beauty, popularity or singing voice. Aliss AlacDonald may lie said to comply with all three conditions.