THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20152, 12 January 1929, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. Sis Majesty's. January 14—" All the King's Horses." January 17—" On Approval." June—" The Midnight Frolics" (Return season). Coining—" The Desert Song." St James*. Now Playing—George Wallace Revue. Coming Production —" When Knights Were Bold." January —" League of Notions " Revue. Match —Frank Neil's Comedy Company. Coming—" The Mystery Bride, and " Tons of Money." PLAYS AND PLAYERS. Mr. William Murdoch, the brilliantly Unorthodox Australian pianist, who has won for himself a niche high up in London musical circles, is to make a concert lour of Australia and New Zealand this year under the management of the Taits. Arrangements are now being made for the New Zealand tour of the J. C. Williamson comedy company, headed by Miss Irene Homer, in " The Patsy. ' This is t play which has entirely captivated the audiences of Sydney and Melbourne, and has been so successful that the Williamson management have decided to nnder- ' take its London presentation. / Following is the cast for "On Approval," the Frederick Lonsdale comedy .which will be the second production of the Vanbrugh-Bouccicault company at His Theatre on November 17:— Duke of Bristol Dion Bouccicault Helen Hayle Rowena Ronald Richard - - - ■ J- B. R^e Maria - - Irene vanbrugn 'After an absence of nearly seven years, Mr. Panl Stanhope and hi 3 wife, Miss Helen le Cain, have decided to revisit Australia and New Zealand. During the past few year 3 they have been living in Los Angeles, working in motion pictures. Mr. Stanhope .was one of the pioneers of revue in this part of the world, and for his coming visit will bring a strong company and much new revue materiaL Mr. Clem Dawe and the " Midnight Frolics," on Thursday evening, closed their tents at His Majesty's Theatre and stole off to Wellington. There was a brilliant final night to a memorable season—one of the most successful revue seasons ever staged in Auckland, although touring arrangements forced it to be limited to five weeks. ' A warm welcome awaits the company if a return season can be played before its departure for Australia. The Vanbrugh-Bouccicault season long fcwaited, will open at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday evening with " All the King's Horses," played by the following cast:— Wilfred Everitt - • - * - Dion Bouccicault Alice Irene Vanbrugh Jack Ronald Ward Jill ---------- - Rowena Ronald Roger Elrington ------- Esmond Jones Richard - - - - ■ » » - - - J. B. Rowe Mrs. Maunders Annie Saker Ruth Maunders ----- Beatrice Fischer Powers - -- -- -- -- -- Eileen Morris " Rio Rita" continues in Melbourne the remarkable success it achieved during its Sydney season. This will be one of the great attractions of the theatrical year when it is presented by the Fullers at the St. James' Theatre. There is a cast of rare strength, headed by Miss Gladys Moncrieff and Mr. John Valentine, an English-American singer with an admirable comic-opera voice. One of the brightest members of the cast is Miss Janette Gilmcre, a young American dancer and comedienne, whos3 work is acclaimed as the most refreshing seen in Australia for many years. Seldom, if ever, has Fuller revue been so strong as it is at present, and patrons at St. James' Theatre can look forward confidently to bright revue entertainment during the coming year. There has been no diminution in the popularity of Mr. George Wallace, who continues to draw largo audiences to the St. Jarnes' night after night, and to convulse thern with humour which is always original. Ho is one of the old favourites of the Fuller firm, and another of this trusted band who will revisit Auckland this year is Mr. Jim Gerald, the most popular comedian on the Fuller circuit. Mr. Gerald has returned from a holiday in tho United States and England with fresh ideas on revue production, and his season is an undoubted treat in store. Among the newer- comedians is Mr.Syd Beck, of the "League of Notion," is already an established favourite in Auckland by virtue of his season at the St. James' last year. He will be returning shortly and after the " League of Notions" will come the New London Revue Company, a combination on which unstinted praise has been lavished in Australia and in the South. In Miss Janice Hart this company has a comedienne claimed to be the most accomplished on the Australian revue 6tago to-day.