THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19418, 28 August 1926, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

Covent Garden Opera. The Covent Garden season duly began on Mav 20 with "Tho Marriage of Figaro," and fortunately the collapse of tho general strike not many days later enabled tho historic opera house to retain its prestige, not only in regard to the .artistic side of the performances, as the newspaper reviews show, but also in the crowded audiences, which apparently have been the rule for a series of great operas, including " The Ring. Feodor Chaliapin, the famous Russian basso, who is now in Australia on an Australian and New Zealand tour, was the central figure iri a great demonstration at Covent Garden when lie appeared there for the first time in one oi nis chief characters, the title-role in Boito's " Mefistofele." Many enthusiasts waited in a queue all night for seats—indeed, the King and Queen, leaving tho theatre after the previous evening's performance of La Boheme," were cheered by a little group of people then waiting for Chaliapin. Some of those in the queue, it is claimed, had waited for 37 hours when the curtain rose on " Mefistofdle," in which Chaliapin sang with all his accustomed fire and sonority. Tho cast was also-notable for tho Marguerite of Madame Bianca Scacciati and the Faust of Signor Francesco Mem. Signor Vinceniio Bellez/.a, new to Covent Garden, was the conductor, and is warmly praised for his vital energy and admirable spirit not only in "Msfistofele," but in that of "La Boheme," In Puccini's opera Miss Margherita Sheridan was tho Mimi, -and Signor Angelo Minglietti the Rodolfo, both of whom are extollled for their histrionic resource no less than for their singing. That fine conductor Bruno Walter directod the performances of "The Ring," in which Madame Gertrude Kappel made a great impression as Brunnhilde. . Madame Lotto Lehmann, heroine of many operatic successes in London and on the | Continent, sang beautifully as Sieglinde in " Die Walkuro," and Mr. Lauritz Melchior was excellent as Siegmund in this opera, and in the title-role of Siegfried." Mr. Rudolf Laubenihal sang the rolo of Siefried in " Cotterdammerung." The performance of "Tristan and Isolde" is written of as memorable for the " unsurpassable beauty and distinction" of Madame Frida Leider's singing and the " wonderful expression" of hor acting as Isolde. This cast also included Mr. Laubenthal as Tristan, Madame Olczewska as Brnngnene, and Mr. Richard Mayr as King Marko. Plays and Players. Josie Melville, who endeared herself to New Zealanders in the name part of the J. C. Williamson production, " Sally," ■ will shortly commence a tour of England in "Kid Boots." Leslie Henson, famous English comedian, will take tho rolo played in this country by Georgo Gee. At least three generations of the Fuller family havo figured on the theatrical firmament at the one time, and the list now includes a daughter of Lydia Fuller and also one of Hetty Fuller (Mrs. John Hamer). Both girls, who are members of the Hugh J. Ward revue company, are said to be very talented. 'A "new London play, " The Song of Drums," founded on _ a romance by Charles de Coster, dealing with the story of Tyl Ulenspiel, a hero of the Low Countries when invaded by Duke Alva and the Spanish armies, has excited interest as the work of Ashley Dukes, whose " Tho Man with a Load of Mischief" recently enjoyed a long run at the Haymarket,, "The Song of Drums" was not without its dull moments, however, and the notices are various and uncertain. Originally written for Sir Henry Irving, "The Bells" became popular melodrama because of the remarkable ability of the actor. Those who have been privileged to see the production in, this country, admit that it would make but very little appeal in these modern times. Evidently New York thinks the same way about it, for when the production was recently staged there, the critics were very generally agreed upon one thing, i.e., it had no chance. "The Bells" is heavy melodrama, in which the lengthy speeches of Mathias predominate. It is too oldfashioned to hope for success nowadays. Dion Titheradge, who has written a dozen clever pieces without quite hitting the mark, and has also made a name as a producer, is now credited with a genuine success with " Loose Ends," a comedy staged at the Duke of York's Theatre, London. Old plavgoers, remarks an Australian writer, will remember Dion Titheradge's dobut in Australia in tho juvenile rolo with his father, George Titheradge, when Margaret Anglin was starring there, in 1908-1909. His principal engagements after that were in New York. Since 1916 ho has lived in London, and has written a dozen comedies and numerous scenarios for the cinema stage. Galli-Curci's popularity in America appears even greater than ever. A few weeks ago she interrupted a concert tour in order to join tho other principals of tho New York Metropolitan Opera in a week's visit to Cleveland, Ohio. Seven performances were given on subscription; but for the eighth, in which tho famous soprano appeared as Gilda, in " Rigoletto," every part of tho huge j Cleveland Auditorium was thrown open for public sale. The place was rushed, . nnd hundreds were turned away. The published figures show that 8600 persons witnessed this performance, ahd that tho total receipts were slightly over £6ooo— a record for opera. This was Madame Galli-Curci's sixteenth appearance in Cleveland, a fact which indicates that the throng was not attracted by the mere novelty of hearing a new singer. " Caroline," a play by W. Somerset Maugham, was revived last month in London at the Playhouse, with Miss Irene Vanbrugh in the title role, Caroline Ashley. Ten years have elapsed since the piece was originally played; and now the London Daily Telegraph critic hails it with " sheer joy " as a clean, wholesome comedy, " unmistakably the work of a consummate craftsman," a play bubbling over with high spirits, and generously furnished with witty lines." This being so, cne can only wonder i why it has not been seen in Australia and New Zealand. " The curtain," we read, " had not been up two minutes before laughter broko out, to continue in steadily increasing intensity until the final word had been spoken on the stage." The piece was so enthusiastically received that it seems likely to have a long run. It is possible that Chaliapin, now on a concert tour of Australia ar.d New Zealand, will come here next year to sing in opera. The arrangements for the opera season, to bo organised by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., are so well advanced that Mr. John Tait, when he visited Sydney recently, was able to state that it will probably take placo about this time next year. Negotiations havo been begun with Chaliapin to return as ono of tho principals, and he has stated that he is willing to do so if his contracts to sing abroad can be satisfactorily adjusted. While the famous basso is distinguished on the' concert platform, he is greater still in opera, as any who havo seen him in " Boris Godourioff " and " Mesfistofele " will agree. Had ho not been a singer he would have gained fame as an actor, had he so desired, so well equipped is he histrionically. Hence the prospect that ho may be seen on the • operatic stage next. year in Australia and New Zealand is of tha first importance.