THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

■ ♦ COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's: Coming.—" Let us be Gay" (Edith Taliaferro); " Spring is Here," "Hold Everything," " Follow Tlirough" (Edgeley-Dawo Company.) Town Hall: To-night.—Music .Week Festival, August 28.—Wilhelm Backhaus, Recital. Coming.—Jan KubeJik (violinist). Florence Austral (dramatic soprano). Town Hall Concert Chamber: To-night.—'l The Old Lady Shows Her Medals," " A [Woll-remembered Voice" (St. Andrew's Society). PLAYS AND PLAYERS. Elsie Prince, the popular little comcdi* enne of " No, No, Nanette" " Lady Be Good," and " Sunny," is doing splendid business in Sydney with the new musical comedy, " Mr. Cinders." She is determined to visit New Zealand after the conclusion of her Australiaq season, but it is probable that she will not come here before the summer. The death occurred in America recently of Miss Janette Gilmour, the talented comedienne, who was seen in New Zealand in " Rio Rita," last year with the Gladys Moncrieff Company. Miss Gilmour was taken ill at Honolulu, and after an illness of several weeks died from tuberculosis. She was one of the most fascinating comedy actresses seon on the New Zealand stage, and it is no detraction from the charms of Miss Gladys Moncrieff to say that it was Janette Gilmour who made " Rio Rita," the bright and cheery show it was.

After a very successful season, Miss Edith Taliaferro's stay in Sydney is now drawing to a closo, and she will open at Melbourne early next mouth. Following on a successful presentation of " The Garden of Eden," the company has presented two further brilliant comedies, " The Little Accident," and " Coquette." Although no definite arrangements havo yet been concluded, it is considered that Miss Taliaferro and her talented company,- which includes Gus Bluett and Ethel Morrison, will reach New Zealand, and will be a Christmas attraction at either Wellington or Auckland.

Allan Wilkie is enjoying one of the most successful seasons in Sydney theatrical histpry, at the present time. He is appearing at the Opera House in " Governor Bligh," a play of the *arly days in Australia, written by a local playwright. The production has met with nnstinted approbation from audiences the size of which, it is said, may have been equalled, but have never been exceeded during the last 10 years. There is plepty of humour and drama in the production, and the scenery and costuming aro said to be very faithful reproductions.

Making his second tour after an absence of 22 years, Jan Kubolik wa3 given a fino welcome by Sydney music lovers at the Town Hall on his first reappearance. Tho artistry and appeal of the famed violinist's work brought forth many enthusiastic outbursts from a large audience, and from a musical standpoint the season was a triumph comparable only with the successes enjoyed by Madame Florence Austral and Wilhelm Backhaus. Local music lovers will be heartened to learn that his projected visit to Now Zealand is now definitely assured, and he will commence a tour of the Dominion at Wellington on September 27. The principal towns in tho South Island will be visited first, and Kubelik will then tour the North Island, arriving in Auckland probably about the end of October or early in November.

Having completed a thoroughly successful tour of the Dominion, Wilhelm Backhaus will give his last concert in New Zealand, in the Auckland Town Hall, on Thursday next. Mr. Backhaus deserves tho gratitude of -theatre-goer3 in this country for the courage which he showed in undertaking a tour of the Dominion during the existence of so much pessimism in the theatrical Tho success which ho has had is a fitting reward for himself, and,should indicate to other artists of more prudent nature the fact that New Zealand does contain audiences for the "flesh and blood" performance. The final programme on Thursday will include two Beethoven Rondos, notably, " The Rage Over the Lost Penny," and the Sonata, Opus 109, in E Major; two Novelettees by Schumann, Rachmaninoff's popular Prelude in C Sharp Minor, and Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody _ No. 12, as well as a group of Chopin pieces.