THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19061, 4 July 1925, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Plays in Melbourno. Three new shows and a revival opened in Melbourne lftst Saturday evening. At the Princess Mr. Hugh J. Ward's new Rnglish musical comedy company appeared in the initial performance in Australia of " No, No, Nanette," a production now enjoying great popularity in London. Miss Muriel Starr and Mr. Frank Harvey. appeared with a strong supporting company in " Secrets." This play, based on the romance of a past generation, is expected to have a lengthy run at the Theatre Royal. The new show at the Athenicum is the revue, " Let's do," wvth Miss Leo White and Mr. Clay Smith ;u<i principal performers. At His Majesty's, " Whirled into Happiness" was being revived this week for the last five nights of Miss Maude Fane's season. It will be followed this evening by " Ivid Boots," in which Miss Josio Melville is leading lady.

Plays and Players. A research scholarship t<j encourage inqniry into the history and literature of the drama hits been founded at Cambridge. The donor is Mr. Oswald Stoll. ■whose tnoiuy has been made in variety theatres and latterly in films. The fund is £6OOO of per cent, consuls, which will provide £l5O a year

A suit lias been brought against the proprietors of a theatre in Berlin because of t.hoiv presentation of a revue, one seeno of which is laid on the steamer Peer Gyiit, representing the passengers as constantly seasick. Tho Peer Gynt is a well known German tourist steamer, and the owners allege that their business has been damaged by the play, as it discouraged wealthy Berjiners from taking tours de luxe to Egypt.

Gus Bluett has had over four years' experience under the banner of " 1 he I'irni. 'As an awkward youth in " The Passing Show of 1920," be gave a hint of futuro comedy intention, and later drifted into the hectic life of pantomine. He received his thespian baptism in Brisbane with McCallum's Costume Comedy Co., and played a new show every week for sixteen months. Gis was born in April, and his birthstone — for choice—is a dia-mond--a large one.

According to an American paper, Mr. Paul Whiternan's Band, which was in London a couple of years ago, is now earning 7000 dollars for a week of seven days in a New York theatre. Roughly, this works out at £2OO a day. London, however, is not left behind, for an American band is about to arrive there which will be paid £1250 for a week of six days by a new club. There are about 20 performers, so that on the average each will get. £62 n week.

Much of Miss Pauline Frederick's succeess in life is due to hard work and constant application. The actress is iot conterri to know her own role. In every play in which she has appeared she has been ahl", if necessary, to take any of the parts at a moment's notice, and it was this knowledge of other people's work which gave her the big chance early sn her career. The leading woman in a comedy in which Miss Frederick was appearing refused to act, and Miss Frederick, although not the understudy, was asked to take hor place. She was equal to the occasion.

Mr. Leon M. Lion, the London producer, who was responsible for the early success of Galsworthy, Ibsen »nd Maeterlinck plays in the West

End, has announced his intention of visit

ing New Zealand lite in the year with » an English company. Mr. Lion's season in South Africa lias been a marked succossi There lias been a public appeal through (ho newspapers that, he should make a second tour of the Union before returning to England. His plays, "The Chinese Puzzle," "The Mask arid the Face," and "Outwaid Bound." have all enjoyed prolonged seasons in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Playing in the new .T. C. Williamson musical comedy " Wildflower" is Marie La varre, who is a great favourite. She h*s lately turned to foster-mother and has adopted a little girl of four years. She is a fair little tot, and looks with admiring eyes on her mother, whom she thinks is a fairy queen and millionairess. Speaking of first nights Miss La Varre says: " I liko them and I don't like them. I'm in mortal terror that I'll forget ray words, and I play ' God Save the King' fin my knees right through, though my friends tell me I seem to bo iust the reverse." M iss La Varre shares honours with Gus Bluett in their burlesque duet, and it is one of the best things she has done. She has her hair bobbed, but is waiting anxiously for it to grow again. Taking the part of Lucrezia La Roche, the wife of Gaston Zoli La Roche, the legal eagle of the piece, she vamps Gabby in a manner that could only bo done in a musical comedy.

■ The outstanding theatrical success in Sydney for somo time past has been 1,1 Wildflower," which is now in its seventh month of successive performance at the Theatro Royal in that city. This success is duo mainly to the cleverness 'and unique personality of Miss Marie Burke in the name part. Miss Burke is an English artist of great London popularity. Slio is credited with possessing an exceptional voice, in range and culture; also this piquant comedienne is a finished rlancer. Her popularity in Australia is beyond doubt. " Wildflower" is said to be the very prettiest and most alluring of latter-day musical plays. It has a quito original story, and is, according to contemporaries, gowned and accoutred in an exceptionally lavish J. 0. Williamson manner. Tho second attraction of the season will bo a further new play, " Miss Nobody from Nowhere."

Arthur Buckley, probably (lie finest. Illusionist and most expert curd manipulator Australia has produced, has just retnrncd to fho Antipodes with his wife, and will shortly appear at Fuller's Opera House in vaudeville. "In every largo city throughout the States," Mr. Buckley remarks, ■" Magic is represented by a club comprising prominent business 7ncn. T found these societies always ready to extend a cordial welcome to any visiting magician. Mrs. Buckley and 1 enjoyed many pleasant evenings, given in our Ihonour by these societies, and we found that they promote good fellowship among the fraternity, and are a potent factor in effecting an exposure of spiritualism." ; Mr. and Mrs. Buckley fulfilled many flattering engagements iri America. Here they propose, for a while, working at semi private functions. Before leaving Australia, Mr. Buckley was instrumental iri Melbourne in effecting an exposure of spiritualistic mediums that have become historic.

" I do not believe that being a Jew makes me a better Shylock," said Mr. Maurice Moscovitch, who has been appearing in " The Merchant of Venice," at the Theatre liovul, Melbourne. "No doubt, it is easier for me — f have the ac cent ami the gestures but 1 believe that on the stage the finest acting is tliat. ■which is the real acting. To portray a. character, orut does not need to poss»ss any of that character's attributes. Sup pose you have on the stage a farm labourer, an unlearned, simple son of Mo noil, with no pretence at education. For that character I would choose an actor oi the finest scholarship, sure that he would |)lay the part to perfection. Youth can portray age admirably, but age cannot attempt to portray youth. it is true that in life many seek to do this, but it is always a failure and on the stage it ii an avon greater failure. You cannot, •fface nature, although you can always add to it A youth may adopt the stoop of •go, but an old man cannot imitate the - — tk "