THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19720, 20 August 1927, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL. An international festival of dramatic art was held m Paris recently, performances of world-famous plays being given by companies from various countries. The festival has been acclaimed as a wonderful artistic success, and there now seems every possibility cf its being held at regular intervals. The Danish. troupe from the Royal Theatre of Copenhagen led off the festival when the President of Franco and the Danish Minister attended the gala performance of " Erasmus Mont-anus," with the distinguished actor, Poulsen, in tho leading role. A huge audience gave the opening of the play a wonderful reception and offerings from other countries received the same welcome.

The Danish colony, which is very large in Paris, occupied most of the house, as was the case when the Flemish Art Theatre gave one performance of " Lucifer," which the critics liken to Milton's " Paradise Lost.'' Both were written about the same period.

England was represented by two companies. Miss Sybil Thorndike, the creator of Shaw's " Saint Joan," played this greatest of modern plays with practically the same company that appeared with her in London. The play was also presented in French by the Pitoefl Company a few nights later. The other English company was headed by Miss Gwen Frangcon Davies and Colin Keith Johnson, who created " Hamlet " in modern clothes a few years ago. They appeared in " The Might-llave-Beens," a translation of H. R. / Lenormand's " Les Rates." Lenormand, who saw the play for the first time in English, expressed himself as delighted with. its admirable interpretation. An American gala night was hurriedly arranged for the conclusion of the festival, the visiting American artists in Paris appearing at the request of Mr. George Blumenthal, who hopes to establish a permanent American theatre in Paris next year.

Spajn, Holland and even Japan were represented at the festival and an outstanding performance was given by players from Central Europe under M. Max Eeinhardt. To complete the note of international concord the Leningrad Opera Company gave ProkofiefT's " L'Amour et Trois Oranges." PLAYS AND PLAYERS. For the first time in" its history, the Oxford University Dramatic Society has permitted a woman student to appear in one of its productions. A ladj' student appeared as Miranda in the society's presentation of 'The Tempest," which was given an open-air performance at the Royal Botanic Gardens last month.

'A ,postponement has been announced by 'J. C. Williamson, Ltd. in the visit of >** Rose Marie" to New Zealand. The re-cord-breaking musical play will now form one of the Christmas attractions in the Dominion's theatres. The firm has been faced with the situation of having more companies to handle than theatres in .which to place them. " Rose Marie" will have . its last night in Melbourne on 'August 17, and it will play in several lAustralian towns before coming to New Zealand.

"The Happy Husband," the play by the Australian dramatist, Harrison Owen, which is to be included in the repertoire of Miss Irene Vanbrugh and Mr. Dion Boucieatrlt on .their tour of Australia and New Zealand, served to introduce a new comedian to London audiences when it was performed at the Criterion Theatre, London. This was Charles Laughton, who has played well in several previous productions./ But in "The Happy Husband" he has scored an outstanding triumph, one critic even going so far as to say that he is one of the leading comedians on the London stage.

There is every possibility of other wellknown English "artists touring Australia and New Zealand shortly. Mr. Arthur Bourchier, the actor-manager, who is at present in South Africa with his own company, may shortly conclude lengthy negotiations for a tour under the management of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Negotiations are alsb in progress between Sir George. Tallis, governing director of J. C. .Williamson, Ltd., and Miss Margaret Bannerman, and it has been practically settled that this charming young English comedy-star will open in Melbourne next March in "Our Betters," by Somerset Maugham, in which she gained a striking success at the Globe Theatre in September, 1923.

Heifetz, the world-famous violinist, is adding to the feast of magnificent musical performances which New Zealand has lately been enjoying, and in his initial recitals at Wellington roused the audiences to great enthusiasm. His programmes have displayed a catholicity of taste, and his playing has been a revelation. " There was architectural perfection, a due degree of emotional power, fine sense of climax, beautiful tone, and yet a feeling as of something placed ori a lofty eminence—the dignity of a Greek temple. It is not often that a first item in a concert arouses such enthusiasm in an audience." Such is the testimony of one Wellington critic./ Heifetz will play at Auckland on August 25 and 27. I'— - -

The well-known musical comedy company, the Co-Optimists, gave its last performance at the Winter Gardens, Margate, on July 2. The company is now disbanded, but early in September a new company, called the New Co-Optimists, will appear in London. None of the original artists will be members of the new company. The first performance of the Co-Optimists was at the Royalty Theatre on June 27, 1921, and the company has been playing, either in London or on tour, ever since. A total of 2325 performances has been given, the gross takings have been nearly £600,000, and nearly £90,000 has been paid in entertainment tax. Most of the members of the company are appearing in the musical comedies, "Shake Your Feet" and "Hit the Deck."