THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20372, 28 September 1929, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's. October B.—" No. 17 " and " Pracula." October 22.—" Journey's End." November 16.—" Tho Desert, Song." To Fpllow.—"Tho Flying Squad" (Leon Gordon). St. Jarae3'. Now Playing.—Nicola, the Magician. To Follow.—Jim Gerald's Ilovuo Company. Coming.—Elsio Prince and Jimmy Godden in musical comedy. Town Hall Concert Chamber. To-night.—" Tho Scrape o' the Fen," -St. Andrew's Society. Town Hal). October 24 and 26. Dusolina Giantiini Concerts. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. There appears to be somo doubt as to when Mr. Nat Madison and his company Mill com.mncco their Auckland season, during which tho mystery plays, " No. 37" and " Dracula " are to bo presented. Present arrangements aro for tho opening on October 8. but it is quito likely that t hero will bo a postponement of the season.

At the conclusion of the Nicola season of mystery and magic at- the St. James' Theatre, Auckland will have the opportunity,of welcoming back tho popular comedian, Mr. Jim Gerald, at tho head of a new revue company. Mr. Gerald is unquestionably ono of the finest comedians Australia has'produced, and iris popularity in Auckland knows very few. bounds. Since his return from a trip abroad he has been playing with great success in all the Australian cities, and he is returning to New Zealand after a lapse of five years.

The final performance of Graham Moffat's Scottish comcdv,' " A Scrape o' tlie VvHl ho given by the St. Andrew s Society in the Town Hall Concert Chamber tliis evening. It is a most enjoyable piece of work and introduces a number ~f amateurs who show considerable talent. The performance of Mr. James Swan is particularly notable, and tho play_ is mounted and dressed in exemplary fashion. It is to bo hoped that the soeiety will • ontiniio in its policy of annual produc'lioris. for in this it is doing excellent work lor tho amateur stage in Auckland.

There seems to bo an extraordinary interest in English plays in Poland. Bosides " ,'lhe Apple Cart," G. B. Shaw's " Widowers' Houses," " Saint Joan," and ■" Pygmalion," will bo seen, and in addition arrangements have been made for the production of " Abraham Lincoln," "Journey's End," and probably Mr. St. John Ervine's " The First Mrs. Fraser." It is interesting to note that by November thero will bo sixteen companies playing " Journey's End," ir various parts of the world, ten in English and tho others in German, French, Polish, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Nicola, tho illusionist, who opened his season of magic and mystery at St. James' ,Tlieatro last night, is making his third .visit to this country. Ho came hero first in 1914 and paid a second visit in 1923, so that hi 3 name is now an established institution ix» the Dominion. Sinco his last visit th* whole of his stage equipment and accoutrements have been renewed, as ha lost' the greater part of his baggage in tho flre3 accompanying tho Japanese earthquake a few years ago. His snow affords a unique opportunity to witness » typo of entertainment oniy too raro m this country. The,season is limited to nine nights.

'As was to be expected, tho Williamson management lias secured tho Australian and New Zealand rights of tho new Edgar Wallace " thriller," " Persons Unknown." This is still one of tho reigning successes in London, and in all probability will be played jiere by Mr. Gordon, together Avith two other Wallace plays, " The Squeaker" and " Tho Flying Squad," both of which have been most successful in Sydney. Mr, Wallace has forgotten policemen and crime in his latest play, " The Calendar," and as this is also distinguished by Mr. Wallace's Midas touch as far as tho London season is concerned'it may also be booked for production in this part of the world.

Dnsolina Giannini, tho celebrated young opera and concert star, who has been received ' with extraordinary enthusiasm it. Australia, Will be heard in two concerts at the/Town Hall or. October 22 "and 24, under the direction of Mr. E. J. Gravestock. Although only 26 years of age Giannini has already gained universal recognition as a soprano of the highest rank. Her gramophone records are wellknown to musical enthusiasts, and are remarkable for tho richness and warmth of voice, and for the extraordinary versatility of tho singer, who has made records in seven languages. Her Auckland season will be awaited with interest, made all the greater by the fact that no concert artists of note have visited New Zealand yet this season.

'Auckland is to see tho remarkable war

play, " Journey's End," beforo Sydney. I ,The play is now drawing to the closo of a highly successful season in Melbourne, bat owing to tho great popularity of " Lombardi, Limited," in Sydney, no theatre is available for its presentation there for soino time. Consequently, a New Zealand tour will intervene between tjie Melbourne and Sydney seasons, and the play will open at. His Majesty's Theatre on October 22. " Journey's End " fa bound to prove tho outstanding dramatic attraction of tho year. Tho work of a Birmingham insurance clerk, who jumped to fame in tho night of its first London production, it is one of tho finest/ pieces pf dramatic writing of recent years. Mr. Reginald Tato heads tho company, ■which also includes Mr. Lewis Shaw, who jnade a great impression by his work in j e Young Woodley." I