THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

,"- New Zealand Singer's Success.

f " A very favourable, criticism has been forwarded bv a London correspondent, ot the first appearance on a London concert Platform of Miss E. Muriel Allen daugl.t-'i of Mr. K. Allen, of Pukekura. Cambridge. It is predicted that Miss Allen, who has adopted the professional name ot Joan Muirella. has a prosperous future as a vocalist ahead of her. The correspond,-.. wys:—"Miss Muirclla's stage presence to decidedly good, and she is free from all mannerisms which distract tic attention from her singing. . &»° « dramatic, and her facial expressions btar out artisticallv the meaning ot hey songs. Her enunciation is admirable and not a word is lost, though some )i the intentional pronunciation of bet words inaj meet with c.iticism from those holding a different opinion. The final consonant sounds arc never slurred or ignored Hoi French leaves something yet to be desired, IZ\ her German, according to those who were capable of judging Inst night, v.as excellent, indeed, it was agreed by many who discussed the concert at the back ot the stage afterwards that the singer was at her verv best in her German selections. 'Restraint was in ill her work, and one' was impressed with the remarkable reserve she possessed. On the rare occasions when she gave her audience the full benefit of her power they were ol>pleased with the richness and strength her voice possessed. On two occasions the final high notes were a trifle displeasing, but she has a very remarkable range nevertheless. It was a lengthy programme but the voice seemed to have just as good a quality in the final songs as in the initial ones." There was a largo audience.

Plays and Players. New Plymouth's new opera house will he ready 'for use about the end of July next, or the beginning of August. It will scat about 1250 people.

fine of the most entertaining books of the dav is "Difficulties." by Seymour "Hick's, the eminent English actor, who will commence his New Zealand tour at Christmas in Dunedin, under Mr. Hugh J. Ward's direction. The author writes frankly and freshly, from the point of view of a young man.

' A bright and entertaining act will be I presented at the Opera' House next week by Pie. and Alf. a. recent importation booked by Sir Benjamin Fuller in England. It is an acrobatic act that is full of surprises, one man being in straight make-up,, while the other appears as all old-time negro. In addition, the blackface comedian is an excellent driieer and contortionist. Pic and Alf met with great success in Australia.

That sound and sterling actor, Mr. Arthur Cornell, has made many visits to the Dominion with J. C. Williamson Companies, but he has never had such a strenuous and comprehensive tour as the present one with the Nellie Bramley Companv. From Auckland right through to 1 he' West Coast of the South Island, and back again up as far as Whangarei, then down once more, taking in other towns, until they reach Dunedin. But Mr. Cornell seems to -hrive on it, and narrowly escapes being taken for the "jeune premier I"' The company intend to spend Christmas at the Franz Joseph glacier, ■ and will be in Greymouth for the holiday season.

! George Storey is one of the best-known ' and most popular of comedians that has appeared in New Zealand. During the record tour of three years made by Walter George's Sunshine Players, Mr. Storey was easily the outstanding figure in a • verv clever company, and to a large extent was responsible for the success achieved in the tour, at the conclusion i of which he met with a regrettable acci- ; dent in Christehure.h, which put him out of action for some considerable time. ReI cently George Storey orgawsed his own ' company, and has found that his popu- ! Jarity in the Dominion is undiminished, j judging by the enthusiasm shown over his visits "to the Southern towns. The I company is now playing in Wellington, and in all probability will visit Auckland next.

i No musical romedv ever produced in Australia has had quite the same peculiar fascination for theatre-goers as has "The : O'Brien Girl." From its initial presenj tation, which marked the opening of the I sumptuous New Princess Theatre, Mel- ! bourne, on Boxing Day. 1922, to end of ' a six month's season, terminating in Juno, ! 1923, and subsequently during a long run ■ at the Grand Opera House, Sydney, "The I O'Brien G'll" set a standard for musical | comedy by which every subsequent proI duction of this type has been appraised. \ Incidentally it introduced to Australia | Mr. Hugh J. Ward's Company of Come- ' dians, a group of players and dancers I representative of the light musical stages of London. New York and Australia. Mr. Hugh J. Ward is sending his company of comedians to the Dominion, opening in Wellington on Boxing Day.

Gladys Moncrieff, prima donna of the J. C. Williamson Royal Comic Opera Company, is to return to Auckland, at Christma::, under the J. C. Williamson direction. She will be seen, primarily, in the very finest role, "Sybil," of her brilliant career. "Sybil," is an exceptionally fine musical achievement with a strong, dramatic and emotional appeal. There is a highly romantic story running through the three acts, and at times the. situations and music closely approach the glories of grand opera. The action takes place in Russia before, the revolution. The story centres round the love of Sybil Renaud, for Captain Paul Petroff, whose family will not consent to his marriage with an opera, singer. The opera is replete with strong dramatic situations. The music by Victor Jacobi is graceful and alluring. During the season there will • also be presented "A Southern Maid." and probably revivals of "The Maid of the Mountains" and "The Merry Widow."