LETTER FROM SCOTLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 9

LETTER FROM SCOTLAND

SEES LONDON’S SUCCESSFUL PLAYS Writing from Forfar, Scotland, by this week’s mail, a friend says : “When in London some time ago I was fortunate. enough to get a day’s ‘crowd’ work at the British International studios at- Elstree —just for the experience. I-wouldn’t have missed it for anything. The film was an adaption of the Continental musical version of “The Dubarry” (released as “I Give My Heart”) with lovely Gitta Alpar, of the Viennese, stage, ■- as the famous (or infamous) charmer of King Louis XV (Owen Naves). The sets were gorgeous and the whole picture was produced on a lavish scale, “Elisabeth Bergner is completing a screen version of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” which promises well. SOME LONDON SUCCESSES . “During my stay in London I in-

dulged in a regular orgy of playgoing. Incidentally it was the most flourish jug summer season that the London stage. has had since the pre-war days. The great majority of the theatres remained open even during the unusual (for this country) heat wave, and played mostly to capacity. The stan dard of plays was unusually high. Those I saw were : “Tovarich” with Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Eugenie Leontovitch. Brilliantly acted. “Night Must Fall,” a- masterly psychological thriller by Emlyn Williams, who played the leading role. Many critics consider it the year’s best of—fering. “Stop Press,” highly artistic revue. Brilliant dancing and Maurice Chevalier.. He is better than on the screen.

“Love on the Dole,” in which Wendy Hiller, a new actress, contributed a beautiful performance. “Glamorous Night” at Drury Lane, with charming Mary Ellis from Broadway (the screen doesn’t do her justice). The spectacle gave it added interest NEW ZEALANDER’S PLAYS “Grief Goes Over,” by Merton Hodge, a New Zealander. Rather sordid. An outstanding performance by Sybil Thorndike. “The Wind and the Rain,” also by Merton Hodge. A charming piece, laid in Edinburgh. Has commenced its third year’s continuous run ! “Lady Precious Stream,” an exquisite Chinese folk play, played and staged in Chinese fashion. “Anything Goes,” C. B. Cochran’s version of the Broadway musical. Sydney Howard amusing and the Cole Porter music delightful. Nevertheless, I was disappointed. “Yoshe Kalb,” performed by Maurice Schwartz Yiddish Players from New York. “The Unguarded Hour,” good drama, with Godfrey Tcarle and Rachel Berendt. The Russian Ballet season at Covent Garden. Wonderful! “The Dominant Sex,” a popular success, but rather over-rated I thought. “1066 and all That,” amusing historical re<’ue-satire.