THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

Dame Nellie Melba. Dame Nellie Melba's farewell to Ccveut (lard en was the great event of the opera season now proceeding nt tins amo theatre. As the gifted singer herself 8!l i,l, in her final speech, it was * n grea. and a glorious evening," and she tnen added, " hut you can imagine what a sad evening it is for rue: The King and Queen sent for Dame Nellie during an interval, and when she arrived in the Royal box, shook hands verv cordially with her, congratulated her upon lief wonderful performance, and wished her every happiness m her re'"'i'he"programme comprised the balcony scene from " Romeo et Juliette," witt Mr. Charles llackett singing Romeo to the, Juliette of Dame Nellie; the fourth art of " Otello," in which the famous soprano appeared as Dcsdemona and Madame Jano Bourguignon as Emilia, and the third and fourth acts ot ba Bohorne," in which the cast, which included various Australian artists, was as followsMiini, Dame Nellie Melon; Musetta, Miss Aurora Rettore; Rodollo, 2vfr. Browning Mummery; Marcel 10, Mr. John Brownlee; Schaunard, Mr. Frederic Collier; and Colline, M. Edouard Cotreud. High tribute was paid to the great art of Melba, as shown in the " extraordinarily touching singing of the " Salce and the" " Ave Maria" from " Otello, and in the balcony scene. When the-curtain fell at the end of La Bohenve" the enthusiasm of the distinguished audience know no bounds. Addressing Damo Nellie, Lord Stanley ot Alderley, in a speech after the fall ot the curtain, said: " To-night you have beforo you some of your friends who know, you as a consummate artist, but outside this theatre, outside this island, in every continent, there are friends looking with pleasure and admiration at ? the light that you have reflected upon the land of your birth. (Cheers). It is not merely those who are able to appreciate a voice such as yours, hut there is a groat crowd of your fellow-countrymen outjsido the world of art who know what you have dono for thoso who fought in the war." (Cheers). In a voice often broken by emotion Dame Nellie Melba mado a brief speech of farewell. " I say farewell, and not goodbye," she added. "It is a prayer, T. l are thee well,' and I know that you wish that to mo in the samo way that I wish it to you." There was renewed cheering as Dame Nellie repeatedly kissed lier hand to the audience, and women in the stalls threw their flowers and bouquets on to the stage.

Plays and Players. Miss tdillicent Knight, the talented Wellington mezzo-soprano, is returning from England by the Corinthic, which reaches Auckland on Tuesday. She has been absent four years from New Zealand. Maurice Moscovitch, the Russian dramatic actor, is now en route to Australia for another season under the direction of J. €. Williafnson, Ltd. Ellen Pollock, his leading/lady, is arriving by the Maloja. The Australian season opens on September 18. The death is reported in London of Edith Thompson, better known in NewZealand under the stage name of Edith , Drayson. Miss Drayson was a .popular favourite, who had appeared in both musical comedy and 1 dramatic productions. She left Australia in May. Miss Vera Pawley, the Australian girl who holds the 100 and 50 yards swimming ' titles of Australia and New Zealand, is a • promising dancer and singer and was recently persuaded to take part in a rehearsal for "Rose Marie?' Such a favourable impression did she make that she was given a part in the chorus and ballet on the same night and is now a {regular member of the show. Mi*. Herbert J. Bentley, who v.-as the 'Auckland Little Theatre Society's first producer, and who is seriously ill at Pukeora Sanatorium, has tendered the society his appreciation of the efforts of its members and their helpers who gave the benefit performance of " The Dover *' Road," on' hi a behalf. He also thanks those who attended. His §incerest wish is that the society shall continue and become a recognised factor in the advancement of drama in the Dominion.

Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller are always on the lookout for novelty acts for their vast chain of theatres, 1 In " Britain's Mystery Film girl," who in to appear here at an early date, they have isecured not only an interesting artist, but a unique act which will come as a surprise to theatre-goers. The mystery girl is touring the world filming scenes of interest. These she displays in her act. To the atmosphere they create she sings many charming ballads.

"Tell Me More," a new musical comedy from the Winter Garden Theatre, London, where it has passed its first year, is being staged by the Williamson firm in Mel- | bourne. The cast is one of the strongest that has ever appeared in musical comedy in Australia. It includes George Gee, Gus Bluett, Cecil Kellaway, Leyland - Hodgson, Hugh St6yne, Harry Wotton, Margery Hicklin, Dorothy Lena, Mona Barlee, Floie Allan, Emmeline Orford, Winnie Tate and Rosie Le Varde. ( - . Plans have been completed by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., for the resumption of the tour of tho " Ivat-ja" company, interrupted by the railway accident in Australia, Accordingly, the Brisbane season of this piece will open to-day, when Claude .Flemming will play the role' previously filled by Wardc Morgan, whoa# serious injuries in that accident have aroused the sympathy of playgoers and tho general public throughout Australia. Marie Burkfe, who suffered minor injuries, is now out of hospital and back in tho company. " Katja" is due for New Zealand presentation in the near future. During tho course of a recent pleasure trip on tho Continent Leon M. Lion visited Rome, among other big cities. There he attended a performance of Bernard Shaw's " St. Joan." The title part was played by Emma Grammatica, about whom, Mr. Lion declares, it is impossible to speak in terms too laudatory. " In my opinion she is," ho continues, " the legitimate successor to Duse, and I shall not rest content until. I have introduced her to London playgoers. If Htey do not endorse my opinion of her wonderful talent I shall bo greatly surprised—and disappointed. Owing to the exigencies of time and contracts, Feodor Cbaliapin, the great .Russian basso, will only be able to sing in two centres in New Zealand. Mr. Bert Royle, the New Zealand representative for Messrs. J. and N. Tait, has been advised that the New Zealand tour will lie limited to six concerts, three to he given in Wellington on September 16, 18 and 20, and three in Auckland on Wednesday, Saturday and Monday, September 22, 25 and 27. Immediately after iho last concert in Auckland, Chaliapin and his party will sail for America, where he has important contracts to fulfil. Chaliapin travels with a party of ten people. These are Madame Chaliapin, three charming young daughters (accomplished to a degree and who speak English), a baby Chaliapin. a nurse, a cook, a privato secretary and Mr. Rabinevitsch, his accompanist. The famous basso is to receivo £IOOO per concert in the Dominion, this being the samo. as tho fee paid to Teti Dal Monto. )a ; . ■ i