MUSICAL and DRAMATIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

MUSICAL and DRAMATIC

The Kennedy family of musicians, after an absence of five years from New Zealand, will shortly pay another visit to the Dominion. Mr. Keith Kennedy is the violinist, Miss Bronwen Fanhall is an operatic soprano, Miss Boadgrifi contrajjo, Miss Jennie Cree rings at the piano, Madame Bertha Kennedy is the pianist, and Ad Cree is the Scotch comedian.

The Kenna Brothers, whose aeroplane act is said to be one of the- features of the J. C. Williamson "Goody Two Shoes" pantomime," were in twenty-three air raids in London. They were appearing at various theatres while the raids were in progress. "It was strange," said one of the Kennaa, "while sitting in our aeroplane over the stage to see the lights go out. After lamps had been lit, we would continue our performance to the accompaniment of the sound of bursting bombs in the streets all round. It was a weird and, at times, terrifying experience."

E. W. Morrison, who is to produce "The Great Divide" for J. C. Williamson. Ltd., at Melbourne Theatre Royal, is thoroughly familiar with the life in the great. Arizona Desert, in which the action of the drama takes place. Mr. Morrison spent many months travelling in the Western States of America, particularly Arizona, where he had a cabin and did a great deal of tramping and shooting. "It is a weird and wonderful bit of country," he says, "and though not as rough as it used to be years ago, still is characterised by a touch that one generally finds depicted in Western dramas in the movies."

A krnema film 100,000 feet long, taken recently in London in the morning, was conveyed to Paris by aeroplane and motor car, and the same evening was shown there to an audience of American soldiers. A regular service of film delivery by aeroplane is now made threa times a week, and a daily service will shortly be instituted.

Charlie Chaplin is extremely fond of music, and frequently fills in the pauses during rehearsals at his studio by giving the members of his staff a few selections on his violin. The other day he received a letter from a certain manufacturer of musical instruments, who proposed presenting him with a saxophone, providing he would bo photographed with it ana permit the maker to use this endorsement for advertising purposes. Not being particularly interested in the saxophone, but appreciating the gentleman's courtesy, Charlie characteristically replied, "If you happen to have a spare Strad violin knocking about that you don't want you might send it on. I will have my picture taken with it, and I will also give you a letter to the effect that I can thoroughly recommend it." Charlie gave his ago as 29 on the occasion of his recont marriage to Mildred Harris, whose age is 17.

Mr. Julius Knight has written to a friend in Australia announcing that Miss Irene Browne, the well-known actress, has died in Paris from influenza. Miss Browne visited Australia a few years ago under the J. C. Williamson management, and played amongst other roles Emily in "Milestones" and the wife in "Bella Donna."

Douglas Fairbanks was born in Denver, Col., in 1883. He was a mining engineer before he became an actor. His first engagement was with Frederick Warde, playing minor parts in classic dramas. He appeared in New York for the first time in 1902, and his first success was in "The Man of the Hour," which brought him into prominence. He played the leading roles in a long succession of plays that included 'Hawthorne of the U.5.A.," "A Man of Leisure," and "The Henrietta." _ When motion pictures were established in popularity Mr. Fairbanks entered the new art, and his success was instantaneous. It was not long before his pictures were equal in demand to those of Charles Chaplin and Mary Pickford

The prospect of seeing Ethel Irving in the leading role in "La Tosca" is arousing public interest in London. , Miss living's husband, Gilbert Porteous, has secured the English rights of Sardou's tragedy with that idea. \ i

\ David Belasco has consented to appear 1 in a two-reel photo-play entitled "A ptar Over Night," written by Calder Johnstone, and directed by George W. Teuvilliger.' In the cast with Mr. "Belasco, who in the film is seen on his own stage at the Belasco Theatre directing a production just as'he does in real life, are Bruce Mcßae, Edward Martindel, Hamilton Revelle, Elizabeth Risdon, Hilda Spong. Gladys Morris, and Kathleen Neebitt. This is one of a series of 12 pictures Mr. Belasco will appear in. It was to asist the Stage Women's War Relief Fund for soldiers and sufferers in France and Belgium that Mr. Belasco was induced to act in pictures. Another of the series will star Miss Nance O'Neil, who will be surrounded by a cast including Tyrone Power, Mildred Holland, Mine. Mathilde Cottrelly, Paul Gilmore, Alfred Hickman, Mile. Thamara Swiaskaya, Russian dancer, and the Russian Cathedral Quartet. _ Other distinguished players appearing in the pictures are Cyril Maude, violet Heming, David Bispham, of the Metropolitan Opera Company, Macklyn' Arbuckle and Edmund Breese.

ColouT-music, the invention of an Australian, Mr. A. B. Hector, is thus described;—" The music-room hi filled with eoft darkness, relieved by tie red glow of an electric light. At the far end parted curtains disclosed a dais made bower-like with palms and greenery. Alert with expectation* we watch _ the screen behind the stage. The musician is seated at the piano. He plays a few soft notes. There flashes across the screen a gleam of colour, and we are transported into a realm of changing fancy. Called forth by deep, rich music, a vivid crimson comes from the darkness of the screen, changes to purple, to green, and then disappears. _ Now the yellow of the sun mingles with the shadows of the palms, and in fancy we gaze over the burning desert as we rest by an oasis. Now we are under the shady treffl of a woodland garden, children are laughing, birds eing, and fountains splash. Yet, as we watch, the colours deepen again to purple and blue. A wild sea lashing its waves on huge rocks throws up thin gossamers of foam. A merciless I wind bends the trees on the shore. The | low rumbles of thunder end in a mighty peal, and then—silence I Oar boat glides across calm water. The hills rise up dark against the evening sun, showing the feathery outlines of tie trees. 'The colours brighten again. A rosy pink trembles as if it wished to stay, and we lone to hold it back, but it has gone, and another as elusive as itself takes its Elace. Now they are there together, iding amongst the shadows of the palms. The sweet treble notes are calling them forth. We are drawn to them ;we rise with them, and then quietly sink again as the music fades softly away."

D. W. Griffith's next film production to be released as an Artcraft picture is entitled "The Greatest Thing in Life," and is directed by the famous producer himself. The story, by Captain Victor Marier, centres chiefly wound a pampered young American who plunges into the war and emerges a new man. In the cast are Lillian Gish ; Elmo Lincoln, Adolphe Lestina, David Butler, Edward Peil, Kate Bruce, and 'Teaches" Jackson. „ An interesting theatrical event in New York recently was the production at the French Theatre du Vieux Colombier of H Le Voile du Bonheur," a Chinese rday in one act from the pen of Georges Clemenceaut Premier of France. Another play produced on the same occasion was Crainquebille," in three tableaos, the work of Anatole France, and in the spirit of his "The Man Who Married a Dumb Wife." In the cast of the first play were Charles Dullin, Henri' Dhurtal, Renee Bouquet, Marcel Millet, Romaic Bouquet and Robert Bogaert. In the second were Louis Jouvet, Romain Bouquet, Jacques Copeau, Robert Bogaert, Henri Dhurtal, Lucien Weber, • Marcel Millet. Jane Lory, Valentine Tossier and Renee Bouquet. f" Mvsoo-Dbauaiicts.