THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's. Now Playing.—" Lombard!, Limited." February 22.—Ernest Lotinga season. .To Follow.—" The Flying Squad." (Leon Gordon); "The Five O'Clock Girl" and "Hold Everything;" " Love Lies " (Clem Da we).

St. James'. Coming: Freddie Forbes in musical comedy,; " The Family Upstairs," " New Brooms." and " White Collars." Town Hall Concert Chamber. March.—Alexander .Watson Recitals.

PLAYS AND PLAYERS. Lady Myrtle Jellicoe recently took part Sn amateur theatricals given by Lord Glentanar at the Forest of Glen Tanar, near Aboyne, Scotland. The occasion was nn eminently Scottish one, for, apart from Lord Glentanar and his wife, the performers included Major " lan Hriv Beith (author of ono of the sketches presented) and Lady Janet Egidia Montgomerie, who is descended from Roger of Mundegumbri.

After the successful season of "Murder on the Second Floor ' Mr. Leon Gordon is now appearing in a revival of " The Land of Promise" "in Melbourne. Much praiso has bee-i given to Miss Mary MacGregor for her work in the play. Mr. Gordon now has a considerable number of plays in his repertoire, which have not been seen in New Zealand, but the Williamson management has made no announcement. as yet as to whether he will tour the Dominion this year.

Mr., Cyril Maude is to return fo the [London stage shortly in a new play by Captain Reginald Berkeley. Mr. Maude has been living in Devonshire for several years. Captain Berkeley is the author of "French Leave." the war comedy .which Mr. Archibald de Bear is reviving at the Vaudeville Theatre, with Mr. Charles Laugh ton in a leading part. Ho also wrote " The Lady With a Lamp,", and has recently completed the scenario for the Beethoven film, in which Mr. Mark Hamburg and Madame Baclanova are to appear. " The Lady With a Lamp" is regarded as having been one of the best productions of 1929.

The young playwright, Mr. Benn Levy, *vhose " Mrs. Moonlight" was presented here last year by the Little Theatre Society, i£- becoming most prolific in his output. It was only recently that his ■" Art and Mrs. Bottle" was produced in London, arid now he has another play, " The Devil," ready for a theatre. Mr. Levy describes it as a philosophical comedy, and a notable cast has been assembled for its presentation. The leading part, that of a young curate, will be played by Mr. Dennis Neilson-Terry, and among the other members of the,companyare 6uch famous players as Miss Sybil Thorndike, Mr. Lewis Casson, Mr. Norman McKinnel and Mr. Ernest Thesiger.

Judging by the receptions accorded it Bince the opening performance at His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday evening, J Lombardi, Limited," the American comedy, which introduces the Broadway star, Mr. Leo Carrillo, to Auckland audiences, should enjoy a highly-successful season. It is a most amusing piece, its humour calculated to raise immediate laughter. The cast is excellent, so good, in fact,

that one or two capable players have to

remain in the background for the greater part of the production. Mr. Carrillo dominates the piece. He has the volatile spirits iV.'hich the part demands, and revels in quickly-changing moods. Miss Barbara Luddy is another player who has won in- ' ctant favour with local audiences. She has a charming manner and genuine acting ability. The season will close next .Thursday.

His Majesty's Theatre will be " dark" for only one night between the seasons of " Lombardi, Limited," and the musical farces which are to be presented by Mr. Ernest Lotiriga, the famous English burlesque comedian. Mr. Lotinga's season .will open next Saturday, wifch the. presentation of one of his most popular London productions, " August, 1914." This iWill be followed by " The Police Force," Khaki" and " Full House." Mr. Lotinga has a great reputation in London, and for his New Zealand tour he has selected those musical farces with which he has scored the greatest success during the past few year. He will be supported by his own London company, and specialty' acts will be provided by the Hardgrove Brothers, two exceptionally brilliant dancers, and Ivaryl Norman, America's foremost female impersonator.

Following on her triumph in the leading role in tho London Arty Theatre Club's presentation of Mr. Frank Vosper's play, " People Like Us," the New Zealand /actress, Miss Marie Ney, is now playing the lead in Mr. Yosper's comedythriller, "Murder on the Second Floor." This play is being presented in Australia fit present by Mr. Leon Gordon. In London it has already run for over 200 performances, and Miss Ney was called into ;the cast to take the place of Miss Nora Swinburne, who had to leave for the .United States. The part is totally different from that in Mr. Vosper's other play, and Miss Ney had to step from a very complicated psychological study into tho part of a very ordinary, nice girl. She has not made the mistake of overweighting the part, and the critics are unanimous on the point that she has scored yet another triumph.