THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS, His Majesty's: Juno 5.—" Lovo Lies" (Clem Dawe). Coming.—" Murder, oil the Second Floor," "The Flying Squad" (Leon Gordon); "The Five O'Clock ,Girl" and " Hold Everything." Town Hall Concert Chamber: July 2 to 5.—" The Importance, of Being' Earnest"" (Auckland Little Theatre Society). Town Hall: July 1 3.—Wilhelm Backhaus (pianist). Cominf - Madame Florence Austral itic Soprano); Jan Kubclik > (violi o^t), PLAYS AND PLAYERS. Excellent receptions have been given in the schools and colleges of New Zealand to Mr. Harold Ward, .of Timaru, a noted elocutionist. With Mr. Scott Colville, Mr. Ward has been making a tour of the Dominion, giving short elocutionary recitals at the various secondary schools and colleges. His Shakesperean and Dickensian characterisations have been well known for, several years, and on his present tour have won hearty admiration from schoolchildren and unstinted praise from teachers. Mr. Ward, who was in Auckland recently, will leavo for Adelaide shortly. Ho will give a, public recital there on August 13, and will act as judgcv in the elocution classes at the Adelaide competitions, which open on August 16.

There can bo no doubt that the forthcoming production of the Auckland Little Theatre Society is arousing widespread interest. Oscar Wilde's play, '* The Importance of Being' Earnest," will be presented at the Town Hall Concert Chamber for a short season, commencing on Wednesday next. Tho cast is a very strong one. Mi% Jtoberts Tolc, who has tho leading role as Algernon Moncricff, will bo remembered for his sterling performance in " Outward Bound," in which he enjoyed a wonderful success. Miss Joan Hudson, who plays Gwendolen, is a new player, who is believed to bo something in the nature of a discovery. Two favour" ite performers, who have not appeared for a considerable time, are Miss Philcos and Mrs. M. M. McCallum, both of whom are happily cast. Tho remaining members of the cast arc well known, and a good production is confidently expected

A Sydney contemporary describes Edith Taliaferro, tho American star of the Williamson comedy " Let Us bo Gay," as "vivacious, of rounded face, sparkling eyes, brunette, lissom, of average height, and just an inflection in tho voice." Tho comedy has been dolighting Australian audiences with tho sheer "humour of it, and Ethel Morrison of • Wellington, as <1 cheery old tyrant, is responsible for one of the best bits of acting in the piece. Miss Taliaferro» takes the rolo of an ex-wife, tho innocent party of tho marriago debacle, who is " experimenting " as a sort of pastime. Her reputation in flirtation comes under tho notice of tho old lady, who, hoping to cure a hopelessly modem . granddaughter of her attack of romance for ahandsome guest in the social rendezvous, which is tho old lady's home, introduces the ex-wife as a foil. The handsome guest is none other than the ex-husband, and from this development the plot springs into being. There are complications, of course, and not a few spicy moments, but there is a happy ending.

Music lovers in both New Zealand and Australia are singularly fortunate' in being able to welcome Wilhelin Backhaus to their respective countries, for the really great artists can pick and choose their tours, and are always eagerly sought after by entrepreneurs. An artist of tho standing of Backhaus invariably has a sheaf of tempting offers for tours, for there is not a country in Europo that does not reverence the name of Backhaus, and the master pianist also has a tromendous following in South America, as well as in the United States and Canada. Entrepreneurs in the Orient, in South Africa and in Egypt have been endeavouring to secure Backhaus for a tour this year, and it is therefore a distinct compliment to both New Zealand and Australia that tho great pianist is in this quarter of the globe. Possibly tiiero is no artist before the public to-day who has more genuine friends and well-wishers than has Backhaus, for tho pianist's absolute simplicity, happy sense of humour, and kindliness endear him to all.

A bright musical comedy show, full of tuneful numbers and excellent dances is promised with " Love Lies," the J. C. Williamson attraction, which will be presented at His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday next by Messrs. Dick White and Eric Edgley. Saturday will bo a true gala night for Auckland theatre goers, for not only will it mark the return of Clem Da we, one of the most popular comedians on the New ZeaJand stage, but it will also be the first occasion in over three months that His Majesty's stage lias been occupied by a touring company. The present year has not been a bright ono so far, for stage productions. Following on tho presentation of " Whoopee'.' at the Christmas holiday season, there came Leo Carillo with " Lombardi Ltd.," which was followed by the Ernie Lotinga Company with "August 1914" and "House 1'ull." The only other company was the Freddie Forbes Musical Comedy Company which presented a series of popular revivals, concluding ou March 29. The future -looks decklely better. Following on the presentation, of "Love Lies" and " So This is Love " by. tho Edgley-White combination, there are to bo visits from LeOu Gordon, th* ".Hold Everything" Company, and probably Edith Taliaferro with' " Let Us Go Gay." Judging by popular feeling at tho present time, visiting companies • seem to be assured of a warm welcome after their Jong absence.