THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

Allan Wilkie Comes Back, Allan Wilkie, whose Shakespearian company was disbanded last year as a result of a lire in a theatre in Geelong, has returned from London and reorganised his company. He opened in Melbourne last week with a production of "Henry VIII." many times produced in Great Britain with great success, ' Henry VIII." lias seldom been staged in Australia. Two other intended productions, which Will be new to the present generation, are "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Measure for Measure." Mr. Wilkie says that while in England he took every opportunity of witnessing Shakespearian performances, and in the |brief time at his disposal saw no less jthan 11 performances of different plays. : [Undoubtedly the best performances of all ,were those of the New Shakespeare Company at.Stratford-on-Avon. This company is heavily subsidised by the Shakespeare •Memorial Fund, with the result that it has the advantage over the other organisations of being able to engage artists pf wide experience, even for the comparatively minor roles. Mr. Wilkie found it suffered, as did all the Shakespearian performances he witnessed, from a lack of capable leading actresses, of which ! there seemed to be a particular dearth in i (England at present.' Mr. Wilkie's new company consists of 30 performers and new costumes and l effects from London helped to make if'Henrv VIII." the most effective play ! Mr. Wilkie has produced to date. Frank Clewlow, as Henry VHL, proved most successful. Mr. Wilkie himself, as Car- ! <Jinal Wolseley, was always impressive. Miss Hunter-Watts, as Queen Katherine, gave an intelligent and sympathetic portrayal. Plays and Players. v Philip Eidgeway, who has been staging Tchekov's plays in London, is finish--1 ing his tenancy of the Baines Theatre with a revival of "Three Sisters." Tchekov's plays were favourites with the critics. "Lilioin/* a new London play, in which Ivor Novello and Fay Compton are playing opposite each other, had an ecstatic reception entirely on account of the principals, neither of whom was suited in liis .part. The play was described by one critic as "highbrow gammon," and many others concurred in this opinion. " Romance," with Owen Nares and Doris Cane in their original parts, has Been revived in London. This play was produced in London during the war, but failed to catch the public fancy at the I start and was about to be withdrawn when it suddenly leaped into success. This ■was Owen Nares' first appearance since i his return from a tour of Africa. Eugene O'Neill's "Beyond the Horizon" has been revived in New York. This was the first full length drama O'Neill wrote, and with it he emerged from a one-act ! past and started upon the climb 'that has carried him to the very forefront of [American dramatists. It is not only the most human but one of the finest and most beautifully imaginative of his works.

! Jl C. Williamson, Limited, announce that they will construct at an early date an "intimate" theatre on the site oppo- ; site His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. The theatre is planned to accommodate 1000 persons. It will be without the tsual dress circle and will probably be on the lines of the little theatre, of which there are a number in New York and ! [London. It is intended to present the intimate works of J. M. Barrie, Bernard Shaw, A. A. Milne, Ibsen, Arnold Ben- ! nett, Galsworthy and others in this theatre.

"No! No! Nanette/' the whirlwind musical comedy, coming to Auckland next Saturday, has a host of strong features, including an intriguing domestic story, delightful music, sparkling dialogue, SDlendid comedy (in which Jimmy Godden and Charlton Morton fairly revel), beautiful scenery, magnificent mounting, gorgeous frocking and effective ensemble worJ£. The dancing is a particularly strong feature of the show, and some of the speciality turns (in which Miss Alma Mackie is prominent) are remarkably clever.

It is learned from the J. C. Williamson I .firm that after the " No, No, Nanette " company has toured New Zealand, a return season will be played in all the centres for the purpose of presenting another musical comedy, " Lady Be Good." This ! is described as a riot' of revelry, a mixup of mirth and music. It possesses many catchy tunes and vigorous choruses and some of the solos and duets are of a particularly high standard. It is strong in dancing numbers, and as the company contains some of the best dancers (of jboth sexes) ever seen in the Dominion, .theatregoers may expect something unusually attractive in this very essential department. The Auckland season of " Lady Be Good" will commence on 'July 2. " • *

• The Auckland Choral Society will open I the winter season on May 26 with Haydn's "Creation " Miss Naomi Whalley, of Palmerston North, has been engaged as soprano soloist. She is the young soprano >vho was "discovered" by Mr. Arthur ! Jordan recently and is said to be the possessor of an extremely fresh, elastic and musical voice of beautiful texture and quality, produced with natural refinement , pnd reserve. A well-known musician, ' after hearing her sing for the Royal Welij ington Choral Union, said:—"We have had many dramatic sopranos and light sopranos in the 'Messiah,' but Miss iWhalley's voice, most musical when highly exercised, is full-toned, exquisitely sympathetic and, what is better, never S diverts from-tune pitch. It is a long , time since we have heard 'I Know That My Redeemer Liveth' sung so sweetly | and with such simplicity and sincerity."