THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20472, 25 January 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's. February 12.—" Lombardi, Limited." To Follow.—" The Flying Squad." (Leon Gordon); "Tho Five O'Clock Girl" and " Hold 'Everything;" " Love Lies " (Clem Dawe).

gt. James'. jComing:' Freddie Forbes in musical comedy; " Tho Family Upstairs," " New Brooms." and " Whito Collars » Town Ball Concert Chamber. March.—Alexander Watson Recitals.

PLAYS AND PLAYERS. / T!ie incomparable' dancer, Pavlova, who made a most successful tour of Australia last year, but was unable to come to New Zealand, recently played a season in London. Pavlova hopes to make another tour of Australia and New Zealand boforo long, and there is no doubt that a jWarm reception would still await her.

Although his return in musical comedy nnder the Williamson management was not altogether auspicious, Mr. Alfred Frith is now appearing in a farce-comedy, " Money From Home," at the Grand Opera House, Sydney. The piece may soon be brought across the Tasman for a New Zealand tour. Miss Tui Black plays a leading role in the production.

Although it received a very mixed reception ,from the critics, Mr. John Galsworthy's latest play, " The Roof," has settled down to a London season of respectable duration. It reached its 50th performance before Christmas, and it was then stated that it would last well over the holidays. Arrangements are being made for its presentation in New York in the near future.

Tho famous English elocutionist, Mr. 'Alexander Watson, is to make a return visit to Australia and New Zealand under the management of Mr. E. J. Gravestock. He will open his tour with a Wellington season, commencing on February 8, and will probably be in Auckland af the beginning of March. Mr. Watson was here three years ago, showing then that his brilliance as a platform entertainer was as great as ever. To hear him reciting tho works of Barrio and Milne is a treat not to be missed' by any lover of good literature and the art of the spoken word.

Although there are reports that the activities of J. C. Williamson, Limited, are to be curtailed in Australia, the firm is not allowing grass to grow under its feet in y London. It has obtained the rights of-"a new musical comedy, "The Blue Rose," for presentation in the West End. It was originally intended to stage it as a successor to "Mr. Cinders," another Williamson offering in London, but the success 6f this piece has been so great that another theatre may have to be obtained for the Both musical comedies are scheduled for presentation in 'Australia this year.

Triumphant seasons in Southern centres are being enjoyed by Mr. Leo Carrillo, the brjlliant Broadway actor, in the American comedy success, " Lombardi, Limited." The play, which deals with an excitable Italian dressmaker and his adventures, amorous and otherwise, with a whole host of beautiful models, is described as one of the cleverest American comedies ever to come to New Zealand. The Auckland season will open at His Majesty's Theatre on February • 12, and will close on February 20. Mr. Carrillo will then present the play in Melbourne before leaving to appear in it in London under the Williamson management.

Two Australian actresses of considerable ability are included <in the American Comedy Company, which is at present touring New Zealand under the Fuller management. They are Miss Lucille Lisle and Miss Eve Dawnay. Miss Dawnay is an actress of experience, as she has appeared in South Africa and the East, and was leading lady under the celebrated Bannerman management in India. The stars of the company are Miss Leona Hogarth and Mr; Leonard Doyle, both American players of reputation. They .will appear at the St. James' Theatre shortly in " The Family Upstairs," " New Brooms" and " White Collars." '

The death occurred in Melbourne recently of Miss Phyllis Amery, who, with her husband, Mr. Eric Edgley, was one of the principals of the "Midnight Frolics" revue, which was disbanded last year after many seasons of continuous success in Australia and New Zealand. Miss Amery was well known in New Zealand, as she had appeared here in J. C. Williamson and other productions ever since she-was''a child. A brilliant dancer and a clever comedienne, she will be missed by theatregoers throughout the Dominion, as well as by a large number of personal' friends. Her death occurred very suddenly, practically on the eve of the opening of the new musical comedy which her husband is producing for the Williamson management. She leaves a baby son. ■ V ,