THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 28 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

A Quaint Little Theatre. The ancient, and wealthy city of Norwich is very proud of the Maddcrmarket Players, who have been giving another scries of performances in their quaint .little theatre. The players arc now in their fourth reason. They have only £500 left owing to the expenditure of £2500, with which they purchased the ancient house which they have converted into a Sbakcspercan Theatre such as Richard Burl-age the actor of Shakespeare's time and friend of Shakespeare, might have acted in. They make all their own costumes, all their own scenery, and as they have no money to spare for the payment of stage hands, they change the simple curtain in full view of their audience. taught, inspired by the love o their art, in which they have perfected emselvcs in such time as they could pare from their ordinary business ask. this croup of brilliant and devoted men and Women have conferred, a new fameon their city, and made then- own secure. for tho admiration of many generations. Plays and Players. Miss Agnes Thomas, an actress who has had a distinguished career in character parts on tho London stage' ami who spent some time in Australia with Harry St Manr in " Jim, the Penman,' about 1386, and with other combinations, is on a holiday visit to Australia. She is now •visiting Sydney. As Miss Polly Ward whs unable to appear in "Tho"Five O'clock Follies" at the new Princes Restaurant, London, .recently, owing to an injury to her foot, her place was taken by her mother, Miss Winifred Ward, the. well-known variety artist. Miss Winifred Ward wore her daughter's costumes and got a great reception. She filled the role for a week week.

Tri a recent address to the pupils of secondary schools of Dunedin, Mr. Bransby Williams said, that he bad received 'a letter from Mr. Bland Holt, the noted actor, asking him to convey his affections to "all the dear children of his old school," namelv. the OtagO Boys High School. Mr.' Bland Holt, continued Mr. Williams, was now living in retirement at Ke\V, near Melbourne. -

In the forthcoming J. C. Williamson Comic Opera season, Miss Gladys Moncrieff will be. seen to especial advantage. Appearing first as "Sybil," in the musical play of that name, she will subsequently enact "Dolores," in "A Southern Maid," "Sonia" in "The Merry Widow, and "Teresa" in "The Maid of the Mountains." It is said that as "Sybil" in the pro-Bolshevik Russian play, this popular artist has exceptional opportunities for the display. of her histrionic and vocal talents.

A remarkable record will be put up by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at Christmas, for this season will be marked by the firm presentation, in Australia, of three new companies, each headed by a famous star. These will comprise Maurice Moscovitch and Ids company in " The Merchant of Venice," " Trilby," and other plays; Guy Bates Post.and his company in an attractive repertoire, opening with .William Archer's sensational success, The Green Goddess," and Thurston Hall and his complete company in "So This is London," a satirical comedy, which will be followed, by the exciting dramatic offering, *' The" Broken' Wing."

. "The bladder of my conceit has been pricked more than once," says Seymour Hicks, who is to tour the Dominion under Hugh J. Ward's management, opening at Dunedin on Boxing Night. "In Dublin," he says, "at horse show time, the theatre was crowded, and thousands were disappointed. One night I sauntered up to the stage door through a surging crowd. I hummed merrily, as one does when 'House Full' notices are hung out. 'Is thet him?' an old Irish woman asked her neighbour. 'Saints presarve us,' .she said, when she was told it was; 'now I've-' heard him ting, divil a care cares I that we cudden* git. in'.".

For seven years, without a night off (except Sundays), Calland, of Calland and Hooper, who open at the Opera House, on Monday, played m George Edward's production, "The Merry Widow," in England, for a long time in the leading role. He was given his chance when he was chosen from 63 baritones for the part. At one time he was a professional cricketer, and played for Middlesex, as a fast bowler. He used to play with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and for three years coached the Hampshire team. He and Miss Hooper were onco on the same variety bill as H. B. ing, son of the great Sir Henry Irving. Calland and Hooper, for four months in London, sung the solos during the screening of the picture "Clni Chin Chow."

Every man has his hobby, and Mr. Seymour Hicks, who is shortly to visit the Dominion uniler Hugh J._ Ward's management, has many. One thing, however, which delights him, is to collect theatrical curios and momentoes of the great artists who have gone to their last lest. A rare piece of luck came to Mr. Hicks' in Melbourne. Two precious documents were sent to him as a present. One. a letter from the famous Mrs. Sidtlcns, and the other a letter from Edmund Kean. both of whom made stage history in the late 18th and early 19th fenturies. Mr. Hicks is an ardent seeker tif autographs by notabilities in all walks hf life, particularly those who added lustre to the Victorian era. Imagine, I lien, his delight a few days ago when he received 50 photographs of important perkmages which he was able to place beside the autographs of the originals. During his tour of New Zealand, which cominences in Dunedin on Boxing Night, Mr. (licks and Miss Ellalinc Tcrriss will be (ecu in the following plays:—"The Man In Dress Clothes." Sleeping Partners," ''Scrooge." "Broadway Jones," and "The Love. Habit."

"Fritz Kreisler, the Austrian violinist, r ho is due here next year, states that he (eels that he is a long way from his ideal. ■ I often-fed that the artist who thinks le is a. success is a. monumental failure." I his i.-> what he told Basanta Koomar Boy, }! an interview. He tells how his first ! Irips to America were failures, anil the fhilosophy they taught him. It is line that at. this time he was only 14. hut It 10 years he had won the first prize, the Prix de Pome, and a gold medal at the 1 ienna Conservatory of Music in competition with tin- best European musicians. Nevertheless, to Americans, he was only I prodigy —an object of curiosity. Tiny ill seemed convinced that such a prodigy tould not. last long. Back he came a, few Par,, later. Money was scarce, musical In tics k'crc severe, friends few. "] run insure oil," said Kreisler, "I did not win lopulai ly overnight. I built it by gradtally g'ttinj acquainted with my" scanty mdiences. V.had to fight hard for every rich. But the tragedy of the. whole situation is this, that J played then just as tell an I play now." Asked what his pretmf, success means, Kreisler •aid: "It • heans an opportunity to servo humanity, r I receive messages from men and women Kated all over the globe, tolling me that 'hy music gives them happiness. If that a fe so,.then I am happy-chappy that T can Inner cheer to a few at leant in this sad '.- vorld of ours.".. - ;-'■:. --~:.; ;. .