AUSTRALIAN STAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20303, 10 July 1929, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN STAGE.

WILLIAMSON PRODUCTIONS,

COMPETITION OF "TALKIES."

NEW PLAYS FOR THE DOMINION.

"1 ltn answer of the theatre to the 'talkies' lies ia the fact that 'The Desert Song* lias been playing in Sydney since Christmas in the face of the strongest 'talkie' competition, and the end of its run is not yet in sight." This statement was made yesterday by Mr. 0. B. West macolt, general manager of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in Australia, -who arrived from Sydney by the Ulimaroa ori a short business visit.

"The 'talkies' are immensely popular in Australia," Mr. Westmacott said. "Many of the productions deserve their popularity, for, apart from their novelty, they provide really first-rale entertainment. But the public will always patronise a good theatrical attraction. Statements that the talking screen has sounded the death knell of the legitimate stage arc really rather absurd. When the screen was silent people distributed their patronage between the cinema and the theatre; now that it has found its voice there is no reason to expect that patrons will suddenlv desert the theatre altogether. Coming Stage Attractions. "People will flock to see important 'talkies' just as lliey flocked to see important silent films, and the rest of the productions will stand or fall on their own merits. The theatre will still remain to fill a very delicate want on the part of the public." Several J. C. Williamson attractions would shortly visit New Zealand, but it was difficult to give any definite dales. The projected tour by Pavlova and her company had been abandoned. She had also triumphed over opposition from the 'talkies,' arid had to play extended season's in both Sydney and Melbourne. The famous dancer had to return 10 fulfil engagements in Berlin, and as she had visited New Zealand before it had been decided to close her tour in Western Australia.

It was not yet definite whether the Noel Coward revue "This Year of Grace," would be brought to .New Zealand. Its humour, essentially English, had been perhaps a little over the heads of some Australian audiences, but Mr. Wcstmacott thought that it. would be far more successful in New Zealand.

Success of Mystery Plays. As for the other companies at present playing in Australia most of them were engaged on new productions. Mr. Leon Gordon was enjoying a successful season with Edgar Wallace "thrillers" in Sydney, and probably would produce a new play before his departure for New Zealand. Mr. Nat Madison was also appearing in mystery plays in Sydney with great success.

An American company, which had been very successful with two comedies, "Pigs" and "Applesauce," would appear in Australia in a new A. A. Milne mystery play, "The Perfect Alibi," before it left for Xew Zealand. "This is a great play," Mr. Wcstmacott said. "We arc confident |of .its success."

"The Desert Song" was still drawing capacity audiences, and a further three months' run was assured. He did not think it likely (hat this spectacular musical play would be in New Zealand befora the end of the year. A New Zealander, Mr. Lance Fairfax, was making a great success in the leading part. It was also difficult to say when "Tho Five O'clock Girl/' the musical comedy in which Mr. Alfred Frith has returned to Australia, would be released by Melbourne and Sydney audiences for its New Zealand season. At present it was proving a most popular production in Melbourne. . ■ JKi • , __ i s . -. f ; Presentation .of ."Show Boat." "Preparations are now being finalised for the presentation of 'Show Boat,' the great Ziegfield and Drury Lane musical success," Mr. Westmacott said. "With a specially selected company this will open in Melbourne on August 3. Another special company is now on its way from England to play in the remarkable war play 'Journey's End." These two productions are our chief attractions for the near future, but several other musical plays and comedies have been purchased. They •will be presented as soon as theatres become vacant and companies can be organised."

Mr. Westmacott will remain in Auckland for a few (lays discussing arrangements for the Australian tour of the Kentucky Jubilee Singers with the locrfl manager, Mr. John Fan ell, and will then leave for Wellington to confer with the New Zealand manager, Mr. Bert Royle. 'This is Mr. Westmacott's first visit t<j New Zealand since 1914.