DRAMA OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17471, 15 May 1920, Page 3 (Supplement)

DRAMA OF THE DAY.

P ; The brilliant young Australian ,' soprano, t Miss' Gertrude Johnson, created such | a favourable impression here as a member \of the J, 0. Williamson Grand Opera Co., ■ tome months ago, is to commence a concert tour of r New Zealand next month, i under the direction of Mr. Victor Beck. Miss Johnson was rreatly admired for her ■work in "Lucia dr Lammermoor," and "Rigoletto." She is at present in Melbourne and will arrive m Auckland In June and give three concerts here. It is intended to also include in the company,! Mr. Horace Hunt, the accomplished young Auckland pianist, who recently returned from Germany where lie was interned throughout the wav. > Miss Madoline Knight, the Auckland mezzo-soprano, has accepted a twelvemonths' engagement with the Australian tot-ring combination, known as "The ITuxham Serenades." Miss Knight left Auckland en route to Sydney last Thursday Several of the. members of the Royal Artillery Band, which was here in 1913, at the time of tha Auckland Exhibition, intend to come and reside in this citv. Thev propose to join local bands if possible, jo that the latter should benefit consider ably oy their coming. Many •of the famous band saw war service, both in respect to the figiiting and the entertainment of the troops behind the lines. One day recently Miss Gladys Moncnetl enjoyed the experience of flying over Melbourne in an aeroplane. The following night, while dancing in Kissing Time" at Her Majesty's, she sprained her ; ankle and had to be carried off the stage by Mr. Leslie Holland. Miss Moncrieff now declares tiat the air is the safest ' place. ' r ! Miss Rosina Buckmnn, who has been appearing recent lv at Manchester with the Beecham Opera Company, is at present on ' a concert tour in the North of England \ with Madame Clara Butt, but she expects to be in London again in the course of a few weeks.

Ellen Terry celebrated her 72nd birthday in London recently. Good wishes and flowers flowed in all day. Ellen Terry is full of energy— full of it. in her daughters opinion. She cannot keep hrr still. If it were not for her eyes, which are still feeling the effect of an operation some vears. ago, she would be perfectly -ell. Mr. John H. Tait. of the theatrical firm of J. and N. Tait, who was in Auckland last week, stated that hi* firm was particularly busy at present. In Sydney its " Mother Hubbard " pantomime has just commenced, after a run of 14 weeks in Melbourne. Barry Lupino and Jack Cannot and Moon aiid Morris are the principal fun-makers. In Melbourne the firm has a new " star" actress, Miss Marie Ilka, appearing in a drama of the Canadian North "West, 'Tiger Rose." In Adelaide Miss Emelie Polini is giving a return season. In addition, the Taits' have Miss Daisy Kennedy, violinist, who was recently here, resuming her tour after a serious operation, which kept her dangerously ill for several weeks. M. Moiseiwitsch. pianist, commences his tour in Sydney this month. The Verbra<;sren Orchestra " (Melbourne), and John McCormack. the famous tenor, who is coming out again shortly, are this year's concert arrangements of the firm. It has two " digger " companies, one in Sydney and the other starting soon in Melbourne, and a cinema lecturer and explorer, Harry Ka ; Eustace, showing pictures of the African jungle. The firm's comedy company is at present in iV'i 1 .- church, playing in "Daddies," "The Little Damozel." " Kindl ; ne," and other plays. Miss Ennita Lascelles, a London fctress, and Mr.. Herbert Ran6or. leading man. are heading the company.