MUSICAL and DRAMATIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16895, 6 July 1918, Page 3 (Supplement)

MUSICAL and DRAMATIC

Mr. Austin Page's new play "Pigeon Tost," received its first performance, at the Garrick Theatre, London, on March 30. Mr. Hugh Buckler, who left Australia to join the Worcester, and was wrongly reported in various quarters to have lost a leg, and subsequently to have been killed, was in the cast. The piece is described as " a strong drama, written with artistic simplicity, the mise-en-scene entirely French. It was observed that the delightful shade of blue worn by the French army has attractions of colour which khaki, however workman-like, doe 3 not present. The action is carried on inside the French lines at an old chateau, used as the headquarters of the Pigeon Post and Wireless Section. Captain Paul Chalfont, the hero (Arthur Wontner), is in charge of the Pigeon Service, and Major Pierre Vaudry (Hugh Buckler) of the wireless- section. The two men are rivals for the love of Doctor Marie Latour (Madge Titheradge).

The cast of "The Man Who Came Back," which is being played at the Melbourne Theatre Royal, includes Muriel Starr, as Marcel, a cabaret singer; Arthur Styan, as Thomas Potter, a millionaire; Louis Kimball, as Henry Potter, his spendthrift eon; James Hughes, as Charles Reisling; Frank Harvey, as Captain Trevelyan, a detective; Marion Marcus Clarke, as Mrs. Gaynos; Norma Mitchell, as Olive, a friend of Marcello's; J. B. Atholwood, as Captain Gallon; Boyd Irwin, as Gibson; Harold Moran, as Griggs; Edwin Lester, as Sam Chew Sing; David Bellbridge, as Binksie.

Writing to the Theatre from Los Angeles, Mr. Albert Goldie tells of actors and actress in America. He says: Sylvia Bremer has left the Ince management to take'a big offer from Lasky's; Rupert Julian, the ex-Aucklander, is starting on a new patriotic film, to be entitled "Breathes There a Man"; Winter Hall has thrown in his lot with Rupert Julian; Harry Plimmer is disporting his manly form round the studios here, 6nifhng for a vacancy in the hero business; Rupert Barrell, having just finished with the Orpheum circuit, is doing picture work; and Norval MacGregor, who was in Australia as leading man with the Janet Waldorf Co., is playing the star part in " The Mission Play" in succession to Tyrone Power. Mr." Goldie speaks admiringly of the success of Mr. Julian and his wife, Miss Elsie Wilson. He describes Mr. Julian as now being one of the powers of moving picturedom in America. Mr. and Sirs. Julian, he says, live in their own home, a pretty bungalow at Hollywood, near Los Angeles. They drive their own car, and employ a scenario-writer and a secretary. And they both rejoice that Australia did not give them a fair chance.

Mr. Andrew MaeCunn, J. 0. Williamson's chief musical director, has booked his passage to America for a holiday tour. He win" also explore the intricacies of jazz 'bands while in the States. Some time ago Mr. MaeCunn tried to enlist in the A.I.F, but was rejected.

«' Hearts of the World" is thfl title of D. W, Griffith's new war picture, Dorothy and Lillian Gish are in the oast. The Dramatic Mirror acclaims the picture as '■immensely patriotic in theme, truthful in its. delineation of what is happening over there,' and appealing in the simplicity of its love story,"

i His Majesty's Theatre, London, has been sold to Joseph Benson, the Liverpool nitrate merchant, for £105,000, Or' £5000 more than the late owner, Sir Beerbohm Tree, valued it at. It has been leased to Messrs. Grossmith and Laurillard for 28 years. Mr. Benson purchased the Shaft&bury a few months ago, and, leased it to the same managern. " Chu Chin .Chow," which has run for hundreds of 1 performances- at His is cot to be interfered with.

I The photo-drama of Gerard's' MEW Years in Germany" makes ono of the most 'remarkable pictures ever filmed, cays a Sydney writer. 1 had a private view of it at the projection room of Australasian Films, Ltd., and cannot remember the screen ever being so interesting. At a dinner given by him to the State Premiers attending the conference recently held in Sydney, the Lord Mayor showed the picture to his guests. It was. a revelation to them as it will be to the general public.

Mr. Guy Bates Post has been staging " The Nigger," an American modern problem drama, for his farewell appearances in Melbourne at the King's Theatre. Making an absolute departure from his two character-studies of the previous seven weeks in "The Maequwador," Mr. Post seems to have drawn with almost frenzied power the horror of Philip Morrow at the discovery that, whilst rejoioing in the glorious heritage of bis white blood, he is in reality an. octoroon. The knowledge that at any moment the black man may become overwhelmingly supreme in.his life nearly drives him to madness. There is a tensely painful and dramatic scene betweon him and his betrothed, Miss Thais Lawton, which "aroused the audience to a state of excitement seldom seen or heard,in a theatre." The Melbourne prese also speak highly of Mr. Lionel Belmore. the new English comedian, as a crafty and unscrupulous political "boss."

A picturisation of "The Deemster" Is shortly to be screened in Auckland, under the direction of Mr. E. J. Carroll. Hall Caine's famous story of the Isle of Man is known throughout the English-speaking world. The fact that the author's son, Derwent Hall Caine, appears ,as Dan Mylrea, lends additional interest to the film, and the authenticity of the scenes and settings cannot be questioned, seeing they wero filmed in the presence of the author.

In America there is a great movement in favour of community singing, says London Music. Over in England a similar'experiment is meeting with success at Oxford. In the famous Sheldonian Theatre, Dr. H. P. Allen conducted a service for singing hymns. No other attraction is provided, and yet such is the popularity that tickets have to be applied for in order to obtain admission. Dr. Allen introduces new tunes, which adds to the interest. Last month, for instance, Kipling's _ " Recessional" was sung to a new setting. A choir, whipb rehearses the music carefully, leads the singing. Our city churches might well copy the idea. It is possible also that simple anthems might bo sung in this way, and, were the meetings held in a hall or schoolroom rather than a church, well-known part-songs could be taken too. There is great promise in this community chorus idea, as the Americans term it.

Madge Tithcradge recently made her first . appearance in vaudeville at the Victoria Palace, London, where large audiences gave her a cordial reception for a number of recitations. These included tho late Prank Desprez's "Lasca," Kipling's "The Married Man," Alfred Noyes' "A Song of England," accompanied by some finely illustrative music, and a variant of Kipling's "If." Miss Titheradge treated each piece with artistic expression, and, when occasion required, deep feeling; and at all times sho had tho keen attention of the audienco. This, by the way, was announced as her " first and only " appearance upon the variety stage.

Miss Annie Perry, a Sydney soprano, ; recently forwarded to Mme. Ada Crossley her extra Australian verse to Frances Allitsen's patriotic song, "There's a Land." Under date " Durham House, St. John's Wood, April 4," Mme. Crossley writes in reply:—"l have sung it on many unceremonious occasions to our dear lads, and every time your words have got 'right home.'" The famous Australian contralto adds: "My husband, Colonel Muocke, . R.A.M.C., is now convalescent after three months' illness in hospital. He is in command of the R.F.C. Hospital, and five affiliated hospitals in London, so has not much time for leisure. He has been on active service since tho beginning of the war. but is not yet fit for going back. My kind greeting to you," j Mvsioo-Dbamaticus, ■