THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

.1 COMING PRODUCTIONS. Sis Majesty's. September—" Tlie Laughing Optimist" and " What's llis Name" (Percy Hutchinson). Cuming—''Vanbrugh-Bonccicault Compel ny. St. James'. Now Playing—" League of Notions" Revue. September I—Gonsalez Grand Opera Company. Town Hall. September 1 and 4—William Ileughan recitals. Concert Chamber. August 21—Beatrice Eliott recital. September 24—28 —"The Round Table" (Little Theatre Society). PLAYS AND PLAYERS. It is- understood that the projected Australian tour of Jack Hylton and his famous English orchestra! has .been postponed at least until next year. •'.Phis year's production of the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society is to be a revival of tfr.it old favourite, " The Relic York." The production is in the'hands of Mr. Theodore Tresize, who produced " The Arcadians" -for the society two years ago, and the play is now in rehearsal. Mr. T. J. Kirk-Burnnand,. sdii of Mr. 15. Burnnand, the well-known Auckland musician, and 'conductor," is now in Duucdin where, he has already gained a considerable reputation in "musical circles. 3io is conductor for the I'hilharmonic Society: and the- famous Kaikorai Band, while he also acts as pianist for the Royal l)uncdm~Miirc Chioi - '. "7 . r J'he prolific Mr. Edgar Wallace, .who continues .to -dash off large numbers of novels ami syndicated articles, has three play's running in London at present. One is a, mammoth -inysiery-mnsic.al play, "The Yellow Ma'sk," a most-spectacular affair, while the others, "The, Squeaker" and '"The Flying - Squad,are dramatised versions of successful novels.

Tlio Tiextr"...pl6cl(fc 1 fon'" I>y "Ihe Theatres • Society - 'will be Lennox • • Robinson's comedy, "The Round Table," which will lie presented in the Town Kail Concert Chamber for a season of four nights, commeiieii.(g:pii'Sffptenibcr 24. . The play is a brilliant..work o.f.a brilliant playwright anil combines" spoil with a. repertory toirch....which should make it an ideal vehicle for the society's players.

Although--the- lour of (ho YanbrughKouccicault ' company is- still likely to eventuate .atV any moment, - '(ho next company to visi.t New Zealand under the "Williamson J management will be an English combination, headed by the actor-producer, Mr. Percy Hutchinson. "Tlie -Laughing' Optimist" ' will -lie liis principal offering and it Mill be followed by "Jljv "What's His Nahie," an adaptation of a French farce done in London recently with conspicuous success by Mr. fc'eymour .'Hicks. In addition Iy . Mr. Wa.lla.cp, . there is another ' hoveHst-turnccl-dramatisfc in Londop who must feel pleased with himself a(. present. This is Mr. Ben Travel's, whose first three plays, "ißopkerv Nook," "A Cuckoo in the Nest" and "Thark," were given at -His Majesty's recently. Each of these ran for a year at the Aldwvch Theatre, Lon.doii, ;,and he lias now followed them with as a new vehicle for England's famous farceurs. Mr. Tom Walls and Mr. llnlph Lynn. He has another play, "Mischief," alio running in London. The famous Scottish actor-singer Mr. William Heughan, whose recent recitals in Auckland were so successful, will give two return concerts at the Town Hail before his departure from New Zealand and the close of his second tour of the T'onvinion. His concerts will be given on September 1 and 4, and he will then proceed to Australia where he has engagements in the five capital cities. Heughan occupies a unique position in the world of music to-dav and is unrivalled in his interpretations of the folksongs of various nationalities. His return will be most welcome. The single performance of Cosmo Hamilton's "Scandal" by Mr. Leon Gordon's company at His Majesty's last Tuesday was greeted by a house as large as any which attended the first offering, "The Trial of Mary Dugain," notwithstanding that this single performance was a revival of a piece some years old. "Scandal" could have , enjoyed a longer season with profit, but bookings in the South Island could not be altered. However, Mr. Gordon may return later in the year to stage "interference." the play in which Sir Gerald _(hi.,,Maiu ier was so successful in London recently.-