THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20088, 27 October 1928, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's. Wednesday—" The Girl Friend." November 6—" Hit the Deck. Coming—'Vanbrugh Bouccicault Company. ■St. James'. To-night—Now Playing—" Whirligigs" Revue. December—Grand Opera. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. 'A now piny by .Mr. Arnold Bennett, ■with Sir Gerald tin Maurier, in tho leading role, will shortly receive its first presentation in London.

Mr. Leon Gordon will revive " White Cargo" in Sydney after " Interference," with Mr. C. M. Hallnrd in the part of the old doctor, played here formerly by Mr. Wallis Clark.

The Fuller management, b yarrangeneiit with Messrs. Ilichar4 White and Eric Edgeley, of the " Midnight Frolics," is presenting a now mystery play, Number 17," in Melbourne.

Mass-production Air. Edgar Wallace, keeping up to his theory that at least an act a day keeps the dolo away, lias another play running in London. This is " Tho Lad," in which Mr. Billy Mcrson, a popular London actor, has tho leading rule.

Mr. St. John Ervine, the noted critic of tho London Obesrvcr, lias written a brief manual with what lie calls tho catch]iennv title of " How to Write a Play." It was published last month by Messrs. George Allen and Unwin.

A dramatised version has been prepared in English of last year's most successful novel, " Jew Suss." Tho adaptation is The work of Mr. Ashley Dukes, and tho play is to be performed in London with Mr. Malheson Lang as the leading character.

Miss Rita Nugent, tlio Australian dancer who lias been seen here in several J. 0. Williamson musical comedies, is in the cast of " So This Is Love," at the Wintergardon Theatre, London. Her work has drawn considerable praise from English critics.

A recent Frederick Lonsdale play, " On Approval," was given its first Australian performance in Sydney last Saturday by the Vanbrugh-Bouccicault company. It is a play in Mr. Lonsdale's wittiest vein, and apart from its entertainment merits— English critics raved about it—it is a play to gladden the heart of any theatri-. cal manager. There arc only four people in tho cast.

After an absence of about three years ft'oin the London stage, Mr. Matheson Lang came back last night with "Such Mrn are Dangerous " at the- Duke of York's Theatre. The play, adapted into English by Mr. Ashley Dukes, is a version of the plotting which led to the end of the reign of Paul I. in Russia. It lias been done for the film by Mr. Emil Jannings in " Tho Patriot."

" The Girl Friend," with Miss Annie Croft and Mr. Reginald Sharland in the tieading roles, will open its Auckland season at His Majesty's Theatre next Wednesday and will run for a week, " Ilit the Deck" replacing it on November 6. The words " musical comedy" seem to act as magnets to the present generation of theatregoers, and successful seasons can be predicted for the new Williamson productions.

The latest musical comedy in production in Australia is to be " The Vagabond King," which, with Mr. James Liddv in the leading role_, is to open at His Majesty's Theatre, Sydney, this evening. It is a musical play with georgeous music, and, with singers of the calibre of Mr. Liddv, Miss Strella Wilson, Miss Adele Crane and Miss Mabel Gibson, it shoyld be given admirable treatment. The comedy work will be in the hands of Mr. Arthur Btigant and Mr. Cecil Kcllcway.

Stiffy arid Mo continue to enjoy their Accustomed popularity at tho St. James' Theatre, despite the competition from election candidates. Forthcoming Fuller attractions are a return Grand Opera season, tho visit of Mr. Frank "Neil and his comedy company and revue seasons to be played by the George Ward com pany and the Connors and Fan I company. The return of grand opera has proved most popular in Southern centres.

The American comedy, " The Patsy," the screen version of which was recently seen in Auckland, is enjoying a most successful season in Sydney. Miss Irene

Homer, the bright particular star of the piece, has been accorded high praise for her comedy work. " The Patsy" will be the only play staged by the company headod bv Miss Horner and will tour the whole of Australia and New Zealand. The Williamson management is confident that the tour will last -.veil over two years.

Jack Dempsey was " in the rinf*" agai/i in Ameria recently, but this time it was in'the'tliearo at the opening performance of "The Big Fight," a new play in which tile ex-boxing champion and his wife, Miss Esteile Taytor the cinema star, take principal parts. Tho final scene, showing the prize ring, was most realistic, Jack and his hulking opponent exchanging real hard blows, to the immenso delight of the spectators. Dempsey was natural and unaffected. He was just himself, although ht> seemed happier ire the prize-ring sccno than in any other {jart of the play.