THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18577, 8 December 1923, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

Melody and Marathons.

There would seem to be an attempt to couple music with sports in next summer's Olympic games at Paris, -Ihey >" sending out word that composers of the different- nations admitted to the games are invited to compete for a silver gilt Olvmpic medal and diploma, the first prize: a silver Olympic medal and diploma. :he second, and a bronze Olympic modal' and diploma the third. Honcur, rather than monetary prize, is the reward. There are restrictions, the most important of which is that the submitted composition must 'bo unpublished, _ and must draw its ration from ideas of sport. Possibly tic promoters feel that certain composers have already based their works on the Marathon run. But, once based, it may bo a symphony, a musical drama, a chorus, or a. song, as le-ng as its running time does not exceed one hour An international jury of personalities m art and sport, with composers in the majority, will make the awards, and a public performance, either in the stadium: r.r a concert hall, will be given of the fust prize winner. As prescribed by law. none of the scores sent to the contest in .v be played or reproduced without the written consent of the author. One mav confidently look for the Aria •■f the 10"- Meter "Hash and the Pole Vault Fugue, A Pentathlon Symphony would probably be Quite stimulating. Plays and Players. Don Lorenzo Pcrosi. the Italian Maestro who. according to several doctors and musical critics, has been of unstable mind years, has had his revenge. He con-,-:.ctH.l in the cathedral at Fabriano aperformance of his work. " The Passion Of Christ." and followed it with a new work. "Tim Psalm of David," which has been received with frantic delight and 1-ich praise Now Don Perosi announces that he composed " The Psalm of David " during tho time when be was deemed to be completely mad. Now the writers tire t.slvinu: ' Was the composer ever inc;U,n?" —"Ave the doctors competent.'' —"Has Don Perosi a. dual personality?" Tim Ragtime Quartette of the worldtravelled Humphrey Bishop Company, who are commencing their New Zealand tour in Auckland this Christmas, is usually one of the most popular items of their versatile performance. This quartette is comprised of lour, wall-known London artists. Hairv Avondale, Walter Kingsley, Robert Roberts, Maurice Jaffey, and is a blend of rag. music, harmony and comedy, greatly assisted by the Humphrey Bishop Orchestra, which is under the personal conductorship of Humphrey Bishop. It includes an exceptional drummer, Will Tointon, who claims to have a larger collection of drums and instruments, than any other similar performer. A comedy having as hero that singularly candid eighteenth-century autobiographer. the notorious Casanova, should at any rate be amusing. Such a play has just teen produced with great splendour, and. apparently, with great by Gilbert Miller "at the Empire, New Yors, • and if report be correct he hopes ere long to present it in London. The piec»», which is from the Spanish of Lorenzo da Aaertis, and has been translated into English by Sidney Howard, tells an original story or its own. Of course, it. shows the attractive and disreputable gentleman in love, but it. also shows him in sorrow, and the final note sounded is that of a father's tenderness-. .over his newly-found daughter. * T&w'fcU Sherman as the hero, and Katherine Cornell, first as the sweetheart and then as the daughter. have both made a great hit : and _ a ballet by Fokine seems to have quite taken New York by storm. "Mr. Charles Maitland Hallard,. now i playing in " Belinda " at the King s Theatre, Melbourne, started with F. P. Benson's Shakespearian Company and he has probably acted with every actormanager of, note in Great Britain during the last twenty-five years. . He appeared with Fred Terry and Julia Neilson for two years, and he was for five years in I the late Sir Herbert Tree's, company,undertaking a variety of parts including Gecko in "Trilby." He has also toured under his own management, with ' NinaBoucicault, the sister of his present manager, Dion Boucicault, and he has probably appeared in. more dramas of high merit than any other English speak ing actor in the world. Some of the. pi ays in which he has been conspicuous are. "John Bull's. Other Island." " The Marriage of Kitty," " What Every Woman Knows," " Madame X," "Strife," "The New Sin," and " Romance." Sir A. W. Pinero, the renowned British playwright, was well-known as an actor when he was a young man and he still points proudly to a press book containing pome complimentary references to his performances as a member of Sir Henry j living's comnany playing in the English provinces. He appeared in several per- 1 formances of " Hamlet," undertaking the character of Claudius, among others, and he was in the cast of Irving's greater triumphs. " The Bells," " Louis XI," and " The Lyons Mail," which, in later ears, were staged by his son, 11. B. Irving in Australia. Sir Arthur also had a part, in ''London Assurance," written by I>ion Boucicault's father, and revived in 1913 for an all-star presentation. The celebrated dramatist appeared in " the Corisican Brothers," and 1 in " Otbel l o "he gave a very >triking rendering of Roderigo," which earned, him the compliment' from ot>q critic that he was " one of the rising young actors from whom mucii more may ,be expected." The Auckland season of Miss Gertrude F.lliott. (Lady Forbes Robertson), is nowfast drawing to a close. It will terminate with Ihe final performance on Tuesday evening of " Enter Madame." It is seldom indeed that theatregoers in New Zealand are privileged to see artists of the high calibre of Miss Elliott while they arc still in their prime. She has made at; impression which will not be readily effaced. In her opening play she revealed herself as an emotional actress of uncommon gifts and of convincing power. Subsequently she appeared in a repertoire which showed her to also possess the art of comsdy portrayal and a versatility that is' remarkable. It will be with real regret that playgoers .in this city will part with Miss Elliott, who will tour the south ! where ihe is certain of a warm reception. Memories of her delightful artistry, her reserve in dramatic acting, her sureness of touch in characterisation and her genius in. interpreting the parts she plays will long remain with those who have witnessed her -work. Her visit to Auckland j marks an epoch in the dramatic history o* the city There recently arrived in Melbourne, a ! famous London producer, Mr. George - Shirley, who has gone to Australia for the benefit of his health. J. C. Williamson Ltd. took the opportunity of securing Mr. Shirley, who was described by the Daily Mail as " London's youngest producer," to stage for the firm the forthcoming '■ Aladdin pantomime at Melbourne Her Majesty's, in which Miss Ada Reeve will be principal boy. Mr. Shiriev . j has produced some notable productions in I London,, including " The Passing Show j r '* I', • *at Palace Theatre; "To- , n >> tilp , Night "at the Gaiety; 'The on Prr at i th e .Adolphi ; " The Bins Boys Fair ttf ' i ,f ,hp Adelphi : " Vanity ih. st Palace. " Officers' M -- " « Wood" -riant ■ , Dalies in •. iie and The p UI V n f° at jf o,, 'y Lane in 1913, "r.*t wkfST JKSfT IT Uw feCte J;,' k »t^Sd u i»r„