STAGE, PLAYS AND PLAYERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 20 June 1936, Page 9

STAGE, PLAYS AND PLAYERS

Huntley Spencer, the well-known coloured Fisk tenor and producer, ha.arrived in Christchurch, where the Fisk Jubilee Singers (who used to be so popular) .will assemble for their forthcoming New Zealand tour. * V * “Bunty Pulls the Strings,” the Scottish romantic comedy which Gra ham Mcjlatt staged in New Zealand some years ago, will be the next production of the Dunedin Little Theatre Flayers.

“Laburnum Grove,” by J. B. Priestley, v/ill be staged by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society for three nights next week. “Our Miss Gibbs” is in rehearsal by the Palmerston North Operatic Society. The drama festival of the Marlborough Federation of Women’s Institutes was held at Blenheim. Three sessions—morning, afternoon and evening—were held. The entries were:—“The New Poor,” Spring Creek; “Smoke Screens,” Havelock; “Get Out of Your Cage,” Blenheim; “Slow Curtain,” Ward; “The Poison Party,” Seddon; “The Deception of Kitty,” Wairau Valley; “A Bit of War,” Picton. The judge was Bernard Beeby.iof Christchurch.

j Eighteen entries have been received ! for the one-act play competition, o' : > the Canterbury College Drama Society. ■ j The competition was explained by Professor Shelley as oeing an outlet Cor self-expression for students interested in drama. Under the present system of university education in New Zealand little scope was provided for creative work, he said. A prize of ~ » 5s is to be awarded to the winner of the competition, and any other plays which are of note may be produced by the society. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Ramon Novarro, former film star, has been appearing in vaudeville in England and Ireland. V Dublin writer says:—At the Royal Theatre the chief attraction is Ramon Novarro, who is appearing with his sister Carmen. Novarro’s singing is. greatly enjoyed. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ The Viennese soprano, Maria Eisner. Dunstan Hart, Baritone, and Charles Heslop, comedian, are rehearsing in Melbourne for “The Gipsy Princess” (Emmerich Kalman’s musical play), with the “Waltzes from Vienna” supporting company. John Fraser, whose singing as Johann Stfauss the Younger in “Waltzes from Vienna,” has created a very favourable impression, will play a leading role in “The Gipsy Princess.” Sydney will first hear “The Gipsy Princess” on 4th July. TO BROADCAST IN NEW ZEALAND A number of overseas artists, under contract to the New Zealand Broad casting Board, are to be heard shortly. The members of the first group are: Florence Austral (soprano), John Amadio (flautist), Sydney de Vries (baritone), and Browning Mummery (tenor). Their coming has been de: scribed as an “operatic invasion.” The second group has different qualifications. They are Vincent Ryan (comedian), F. Cholmondley (comedian), D. Howard (saxophonist), Theo Phillips (soprano), Eileen Boyd (con- ( tralto), and the Cossack singer Chos-! tiakhoff, who was so popular when he visited New Zealand before.

CHRISTCHURCH CHOIR VISITS DUNEDIN

More than 100 members of the choir of the Christchurch Harmonic Society visited Dunedin last Saturday. They gave a concert on Saturday in conjunction with the Dunedin Orchestral Society. Two of the works performed were Constant Lambert’s “Rio Grande” and Alex Rowley’s “The River” for choir, orchestra, relator, and two pianos. On Sunday night the choir combined with the Dunedin Choral Society in Stainer’s “Crucifixion.” The combined choirs numbered about 300 voices. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Films that are right above the heads of the public are very often pretentious unrealities masquerading as something clever.—Robert Donat. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ As far as acting goes, instinct and luck are the principal ingredients for success.—Herbert Marshall. ¥ ¥ ¥ ¥ Charlie Chaplin is the best storyteller, for if he puts some stairs in a picture he falls down them.—George Bernard Shaw.