THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS.

His Majesty's. October 30.—" Journey's Eitd." November 27.—" Tho Desert Song." 3.0 Follow.—"Tho Flying Squad" (Loon ' Gordon). "No 17" uid " Dracula" (Nat Madison). St. James'. Now Playing.—Jim Gerald's Revue Company. Coming.—Elsie Prince and Jimmy C.odden in musical comedy. Town Hall. October 24 and 26.—Dusolina Giannini Concerts.

, PLAYS AND PLAYERS. It is stated in Australia that Mr. Harry P. Muller, for several years representative for J. C. Williamson, Limited, in the United States, will return to tako charge of the firm's New Zealand activities as •uccessor to tho lato Mr. Bert lloyle. The famous English musical comedy ■tar, Mr. Jack Buchanan, will appear in New York shortly in Mr. C. B. Cochran's presentation of " Wako Up and Dream, which is on© of (ho current successes iii London. It is stated that. Mr. Buchanan will rcccivo tho remuneration of £IOOO a yeek.

Mr. E. J. Cravestock anounccs that ho is finalising arrangements for William Backhaus, the famous pianist, to return to Australia and New Zealand next year. On his last visit about four years ago, 'Backhaus was highly successful, and Auckland music jovers still treasure memories of his concert^. Mr. Bernard Shaw could hardly _bo called modest. Recently a New York radio programme director thought of getting tho famous playright to do a radio plavlot, and cabled asking for tlj.o great man's terms. The reply was characteristic. " Four billion dollars would probably he sufficient," said Mr. Shaw, " but this it not a contract." Following the American invasion of the English ■ theatre, English dramatists are now turning tho tables very successfully, and in their turn are invading the citadel of the Broadway drama. Mr. Leon M. Lion, the noted "London producer, will stage "Many Waters' in Now Yoik shortly, and follow it with John Galsworthy's latest play, " Exiled," and a revival 'of tho saino author's "Ihe Skin Game." The brilliant Italian soprano, Dusolina Giannini, will givo two concerts in tho ,ToWn Hall on October 22 and She is the only celebrity artist to visit New Zealand this year, but the success of her tour is presaged by tho popularity of her fihe gramophone records and her enthusiastic reception in Australia. Miss Giannini's programmes aro notable for their variety, and she has a number of English longs in her repertoire.

Following (lie Melbourne run of " Show Boat," tho Williamson management will present a revival of " Rose Marie there. Miss Marie Bremner and Mr. Glen Dale will fill tho parts originally taken by Miss Harriett Bennet and Mr. Reginlad Dandy, but Miss Yvonne Banvard and Mr. Frederic Bentley will appear in their original" roles. From London comes the news that " Rose Mario " is also to bo revived at Drury Lario for tlireo months, with Miss Edith Day, Mr. Roy Russell, and Miss Clarice Hardwickc in the leading role 3.

Mr. Bernard Shaw recently attended the close of tho festival performances of his plays at Malvern recently, and in a speech ho referred to his new work, " The Apple Cart." In true Shavian stylo he said:— " The Apple Cart " is going to London, and wo do not yet know what London "will think of Malvern's leavings. 1 have only provided tho words. When I first gave them to tho actors they repeated them and wondered what the dickens they meant. Then gradually they began to group out of them something more than I ever imagined." Scenes ot great enthusiasm which marked the opening night of Mr. Jim Gerald's revue season at the St'. James Theatre have continued nightly this week. Auckland has not forgotten this really brilliant comedian with tho apologetic manner and, by the reception it has given him 011 hi 3 return after five years, indicates that it -would far rather listen to five minutes of his ebullient drolleries than sit through a programmo from tho combined forces of a George Itobey and an Eddie Cantor. Ho is a comedy idol, and his popularity is thoroughly deserved. Mn Gerald has a strong supporting company on this occasion. J lis first revuo is staged in spectacular fashion, and the dancing is really brilliant. Thero will be changes of programme every Tuesday right during what should prove a record season. .

Tho Auckland season of " Journey's End," which should bo tho outstanding theatrical event of the year, is now rapidly approaching. The remarkable war play is announced to open at His Majesty s Theatre on October 50, and although the season must bo limited, local audiences will doubtless demand that tho play be kept here for more than tho customary ten nights. A brilliant cast has been assembled by the Williamson management for the production, the majority of its •members having under-studied the players in tho London presentation. "Journeys End " was recently given its first performance in Germany. The audience listpried, critical, sceptical, arid reserved at first, but by tho close of tho second act if, was completely won over. At the close of tho performance there was halfminute of silence, and then the German audience rose to its feet, cheering wildly. [Another success was added to a play I»rbich i 3 above failure.