STAGE NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 4

STAGE NOTES

Stage Dogs Wanted

,). C. Wililamson, Ltd., is seeking canine talent for its new musical, comedy, “Anything Does:” The strip (•ails for' a Pomeranianand a Chilimalma. y

Many Australians remember Harry Tate. At the age of over 00 lie is planning a music-hall come-back. Jt .is two years since he was last seen iff the West End of London. He is rehearsing a new act with his son. “People seem to think I am too old.” lie said, “but there’s a lot in me yet. Ronnie will play with Freddie Griffiths

in the next Drury Lane pantomime. They won’t have me! “Afterwards Ronnie and I arc going to link up. And, believe me, once more Harry Tate’s name will be topping the bill.”

“Flesh and Blood” in New Zealand The “flesh and blood” show seems to be coming back in New Zealand. Touring in the Dominion at present are the “White Horse Inn” company, WirthskCircus, the Spivakoysky-Ktutz Instrumental Trio, and the Stanley McKay Revue Company. The Gilbert ancl Sullivan Opera Company is due next month. * * * * Clem Dawe in England The Clem Dawe Australian and New Zealand Revue Company is meeting with a gratifying reception, says a London paper. It played to crowded audiences at the Penge Empire Theatre and the New Cross Empire Theatre. Later seasons will be played at Hull Swansea, Southampton and other centres before returning to London in January.

The opening night proved to be m the nature of a re-union of Australians and New Zealanders, who, included Mr IT. IT. Sterling, chairman of the Railways Board, and Mr H. T. B. Drew, publicity officer,

Sybil Thorndike in Murder FlayOne of tiie most interesting theatrical production's of the season was presented for. a -single performance at Wvndliani's Theatre by the 10JO Platers, says a London paper. .»• ft was,“.Farm of Three Echoes,” a tragedy of the veldt, by Noel Langley, the 25-vears-old South. Afnean actoi vim wrote “Queer . Cargo” : and dramatised the life of Dante.. ■ In the powerful opening scene Russell 'Plionicljke is a brutal Boer, whose death is bVbught about by his wite, finely played by Dame Sybil Thorndike. The old grandmother, a, grimly humorous study that reveals Dame May Whitty’s power, also murdered her' husband, years ago. .The grandson, .Griffith-Jones, be.comes so obsessed with these liftirors that he is estranged from his wife, tenderly portrayed by Jessica Tandy. At this stage Diana Churchill’s sudden arrival causes the grandmother to plan yet another murder. ¥ ¥ ¥ * “White Cargo” Revived in London Although 11 years have passed since it was first played in London, Leon Gordon’s “White Cargo” showed nosigns of dating when revived at the Cambridge Theatre, says a London paper. Once more Franklin Dyall dominated the tropical scene with liis impassioned bitterness as the sun-rotted rubberplanter, and Horace Hodges won our affection with his mellow study of the old doctor who keeps liis kindliness by taking to drink. Tondoleyb', the half-caste “menace of the coast,” is a brazen part for Olga. Lindo to revel in, and Walter Sondes looks handsome’ enough for us to understand, the veteran planter’s aggravaThe performance excites thunders of applause. The only critical question that arises is our wonder how a small river steamer could bring up once a quarter sufficient whisky for the white men of tin’s African station. When “White Cargo” was staged m New Zealand some years ago it created a sensation owing to the use of the word usually written b !