THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 8 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's. Now Playing—Sir Harry Lauder. May 8—" The Wrecker." May ' 15—" The Midnight Frolics " (Return Season). St. James'. Now Playing—George Wallace Revue. May 18—" The King of Kawau," (University Students). May—Pat Hanna's " Di^gcis." To Follow—Frank O'Brien's " Revellers." PLAYS AND PLAYERS. TII9 annual musical farce with which the University students seek to make a brighter Auckland will be staged this year at the St. James' Theatre. It is titled ".The King of Kawau " and will open a short season on May 18. The new Arnold Ridley pjay, " The Wreckjfer," .will have only a short season in Auckland, the run commencing nt His Majesty's Theatre on May 8 and concluding bn May 14. It is a sensational railway drama which has been even more successful than its author's initial effort, " The Ghost Train."

Scottish humour old and new, the old quite as fresh as the new when it comes ironi such a unique personality as Sir Harry Lauder, has been delighting audiences at His Majesty's Theatre since Wednesday evening. The great comedian receives support from a well-balanced company, of vaudeville artists and provides variety *: entertainment of exceptional excellence.

In a newspaper interview in Melbourne beforo her departure for England, Miss Margaret Bannerman expressed the opinion that tho rampant sentimentalism of American plays was tending to keep Australian audiences in swaddling clothes as regards appreciation of subtler, better work. Miss Bannerman. expressed a hope of again visiting Australia, with a series of plays " having a heart tug in every line."

Apart altogether from the fact that " The Desert Song " broke records in London and Melbourne and is bidding fair to repeat the performance in Sydney, there will be an added attraction in this spectacular mutual play when it visits New Zealand toward the end of tiie year. The leading male role is taken by a New Zealander, Mr. Lance Fairfax, well remembered for his sterling work in Gilbert and Sullivan opera, and Australian critics are emphatic that he is far and away better than any of the imported male artists.

Six voung ladies have played a bigger part than most people imagine in contributing to the success of Mr. George Wallace's revue company at the St. James' Theatre. It would be difficult to heap too much praise on the work of the "Rascals" ballet. Two of their number, Miss Olive Partridge and Miss Thelma Buxton, appeared in a novelty dance last week and deserved every bit of the applause that was nightly showered oil then). It would not/be surprising to see these young ladies in moie pretentious productions in the near future.

The London revue by Noel Coward, " This "Year of Grace," has opened its Australian season at Melbourne with much laudatory blowing of trumpets by the critics. The twenty-five different items are rich in satire and burlesque, including burlesques on " The Ringer," " The Patsy " and " The Desert Song." An item which will be keenly anticipated is " Rules of Three," giving the same situations in a play as they would lie handled by J. M. Barrie, Frederick Lonsdale and Edgar Wallace. Among the Australian artists supporting Miss Maisie Gay and the other London ntabilities are Miss Adele Crane, Miss Donalda Warne and Mr. Jack Lumsdaine.

The George M. Cohan farce, " Baby Cyclone," ;f- which was to have been produced in Australia by the Fullers some months ago, was given its premiere at Newcastle recently. It is a most laughable piece and will be the attraction at the St. James' Theatre, Sydney, after the season of " Lido Lady," the musical comedy in which Miss Elsie Prince and Mr. Jimmy Godden are now appealing with conspicuous success. " Lido Lady " has yet to have its Melbourne season and " Funny Face," the musical comedy which is now a reigning success in London, may also be produced in Australia before Miss Prince and Mr. Godden revisit New Zealand. "Baby Cyclone" will probably lour the Dominion later in tLc veaiv

Mr. George Wallace made theatrical history for New Zealand at the St. James' Theatre last evening. He entered the 18th week of his Auckland season, thus eclipsing X-the previous record revue season for New Zealand, established when Mr. Jim Gerald and his, revue company played for 17 weeks at the old Opera House. However, Mr. Wallace has still some distance to go to beat Mr. Gerald's record for performances. The latter played nine performances a week, while Mr. Wallace has played only eight a week. However, his season will last until May 17—good news, surely, for his host of admirers—and this record, too, will go by the board. It is genuine merit that has kept Mr. Wallace at the St. James' for over four months. There are few comedians in Australia or New Zealand who work so hard and ever since (he opening of his seasoi- Mr. Wallace has spared no pains to satisfy his audiences. That he lias succeeded beyond measure is proved by the fact that lie continues to draw packed houses and to send them away convulsed by his endless stock of original fun.