THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20420, 23 November 1929, Page 12 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS.

Bis Majesty's. Now Playing.—" Tho Desert Song." Christmas. —" Whoopee." To Follow.—"The Flying Squad." (Leon Gordon); " Tho Five O'Clock Girl" and " Hold Everything." St. James'. Now Flaying.—Jim Gerald's Revue Company. Coming.—Nat Phillip's Revue Company. JTown Hall Concert Chamber. December 4-7.—Little Theatre Society s Triple Bill. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. A young Auckland dancer, Miss Hilda Saunders, has left for London in search of theatrical fame. Miss Saunders, who was & pupil of Miss Cecil Hall, has appeared with success in J. C. Williamson musical comedies in Australia, having played in f Rose Marie," "Hit tho Deck" and jnore recently in " Hold Everything."

Mr. Leon Gordon will have another new leading "lady in the new comedy thriller, " Murder on the Second Floor," which is to be presented in Melbourne shortly, The Williamson management has engaged the ever popular Miss Ada Reevt 11 for the part. As there is ft great deal of comedy in the role Miss Reeve should give a notable performance. Mr. Gordon is still Enjoying considerable success with his revival of " Brewster's Millions."

No murders, no detectives, no revolvers —yet " The Calendar" is described by London' dramatic critics as first-class Edgar Wallace of the ripest and most authentic brand. Firstly, there is an excellent story, and secondly, the whole thing is brimming over with that special variety of humour which Mr. Wallace has so much made his own. There is a ready market in Australia and New Zealand for anything written by England s expert at literary mass-production, and the play may yet be secured for presentation here.

Mr. Gus Bluett is now permanently installed' in the ccnicdy part in "Hold Everything," suddenly vacated by Mr. Alfred Frith. Mr. Bluett came in to tho cdst at five davs* notice, and, travelling from Perth to Sydney mostly by air, he had to ' forget the parts he had been learning for productions of " The Vagabond King," "The Desert Song.' and " Maid of the Mountains." _ Tlie piece ■which he now graces is a musical comedy' dealing' largely with boxing, and is scheduled for production in New Zealandin the. near future, together with " The Five O'Clock Girl." The remarkable ong-hct tragedy. " The Monkey's PaW," by W. W. Jacobs, which Is included in the triple bill to be presented- by the Little Theatre Society in the Town Hall Concert' Chamber on December 4, is one of the strongest plays yet attempted by the' society. It -was originally produced at .the llaymarket Theatre, London, with such players as Mr. Cyril Maude, Miss Lena Ashwell and Mr. Sydney,.Valentine in the cast. Mr. Zante [Wood, whose one previous appearance with the society was ~ particularly 'good, will fill the part taken .in London by Mr. [Valentine.

'Most popular of all Fuller comedians, Mr. Jim' Gerald 'still holds sway at the SL James' Theatre, and maintains an admirably high standard in his weekly revue productions- Mrs Gerald appear,* to have an inexhaustible fulid of humour and for sheer hard work he sets an example for every member of his company. Miss •Mercia Elliott continues to do good work, mostly /in soijbrette numbers;- .She has- a ;voice of peculiar timbre, which she uses to f;reat advantage in light songs, and a charming and vivacious personality helps to make her one of the most outstanding artists in the, company... _

After a' flying visit to tlie United States, England and the Continent, the brilliant comedian, *Mr. Clem Dawc, and his brother, Mr. Eric Edgley, are now on their way back to Australia and will bo in 'Auckland on the Niagara early next month. In a letter from New York, Mr. Dawe says he and his brother have secured some fine shows for presentation under the .Williamson management and have also engaged artists to appear with them. They expect to open in musical comedy in Australia toward the end of the year, and with good material and adequate support Mr. Dawe should have no difficulty in repeating his triumphs of revue and pantomime.

Mr. Kenneth Brampton has assembled excellent casts for the triple bill of one act plays to be presented by the Little Theatre, Society in the Town Hall Concert Chamber', for a season of four nights commencing December 4. Particularly is this so in " The Monkey's Paw," by W. W. Jacobs, the players including Sister Hovey, Mr. Arnold Goodwin, Mr. Zante Mr. Montagu Steele and a rewcomer in Mr. Dick Huason. Barries " The Twelve Pound Look," will be played bv Mr. James Swan, Mrs. Ina M. Allan, , Miss Marie Gaudin and 'Mr. Hamish Henderson. In adefition to Mr. Allan McElwain, the cast for Harold Chapin's comedy, " God and Mrs. Henderson," includes Miss Ailsa Hacket, Miss Elya Wrigley and Mr. Rex Yates,

" Thd' Desert Song" can only be described in superlatives. The magnificent musical play, not only a worthy successor to " Rose Marie" but in most respects its superior, has been drawing capacity houses to His Majesty's Theatre since Wednesday evening, and its success is well merited.'' Not only is tho play excellent in itself, with fine music, a strong story and impressive settings, but it i« also excellently produced with principals who, in motion pictures, would come under the title of ,an " all-star cast." In " The Desert Song," Mr. Lance Fairfax has come into his own and now stands definitely as tha leading musical comedy player in this part of the world. Miss Marie Bremner is delightful and the comedy of Mr •Herbert Mundin has to be seen and heard to be believed. " The Desert Song" need fear no " talkie" competition

An alteration lias been maue by the .(Williamson management in its plans for the Christmas attraction at His Majesty's Theatre. It was originally intended thai/ two musical comedies, " The Five O'Clock Girl," and " Hold Everything," should reign at the theatre during the holiday season, but it is to be replaced by a new musical show, " Whoopee," now running in Melbourne. It- is a magnificent musical extravaganza, originally .produced in New (York with the Midas touch of Mr. iFlorenz Ziegfeld and favouring with a •*' fat" part Broadway's favourite son of fcomedy, Mr. Eddie Cantor. Secured for presentation, it had to sur- - yive several changes of management in Sydney, but since the Williamson firm has (become interested in it, it has been a great .success, ' Several new artists will - thA, trip to New. Zealand for the