THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20792, 7 February 1931, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. - His Majesty's: ' ■ March.—" The. House That Jack Built" (J. C. Williamson Pantomime Company). Coming.—" Bird in Hand," " The First Mrs. Fraser," " Mary Rose " (Ethel Morrison Comedy Company). Easter.—" Follow Through," " Mr. Cinders " (J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company). F'LAYS AND PLAYERS. Mr. John ,Willard, the American 'dramatis'!., who wrote " The Cat and the Canary," disposed of the " thriller " he had just finished to Mr. Archibald Nettlefold, within a few hours of .'his arrival in London. The play, which is entitled " Twelve Hours," will be produced at the Comedy Theatre, the chief parts being taken by Mr. Ernest Maturin, Mr. Robert- Horton, Mr. Douglasi Burbidge, Miss Barbara Hoffe, and Miss Martita Hunt, with Mr. Reginald Bach as the producer. The story is set in a bunting lodge in the mountains, and I gather that the question at issue is the usual one in plays of this type—" Who Killed Cock Robin?" Incidentally the " twelve hours" of the title are those between " cocktail and cock-crow." Tho author is also*, an actor, and he had his first stage experience with the Ben Greet Players, playing in " Everyman " aud Shakespeare.

Several months ago Sir Barry Jackson outlined tho suggested plans for Malvern this yeajiV For some time lie has had the ' idea of presenting a festival of English drama from the earliest times until today, and after" a great deal of reading and research he has now fixed the actual programme, which will begin with /. " Hick Scorner," one of the earliest examples of the Morality play. Tlliere is no trace thai, this piece has been done for very mfiny years. It was last reprinted in Hawkius' " English Drama," ' 1773. " Ralph; Roister Doister," probably the first English comedy, originally acted in the middle of tho sixteenth century, will folio,w, and Thomas Heywood's tragedy, " A \Voman Killed With Kindness,'' will represent the Elizabethans; Sir Barry has chosen " She Would if She Could" Etherfdge's comedy, ;as an example of the Restoration period, Sheridan's " A Trip to Scarborough " itor the eighteenth century, and Buhver Lytton's "Money" for the nineteenth century. The las'! play of the .week will represent -the theutre in 19<51, and the is more tlijan likely to be Mr. Shaw.

Sir Barry Jackson is hoping to attract more Ameripfiri and other foreign guests to Malvern: next year, and arrangements are being made with the tourist agencies for special facilities for students. It is pos Bible that the festival will run for three •weeks, and it is almost certain that if will ' sta,rt at the beginning of 'August" instead of the middle of the month, as hitherto. It seems highly probablo that " The Barretts of Wimpole Street " will ibe running until the preparationsi begin Jjfor the festival. V ,

It is some years'sjince the J. 0.. Williamson management last sent a pantoIjnime t<> New Zealand and it was only !the phenomenal success which was iachieved in Australia by "The House •That Jack Built" which influenced them |to send this stupendous production to l the Dominion, commencing its tour on | February 17. It enjoyed a record season iin Melbourne, where is was acclaimed by , critics to surpass, ' from every point of • view, any pantomime staged by I the Williamson management. "The ' House That Jack Built " comprise;! a succession of novelties, specialties,, song hits, -stage spectacles, comedy scenes and sketches, and a favourite pantomime story interwoven. Some of the outstanding features are the lovely tulip farm ; bn amazing transformation scene, a gor* geous palace of gold, the beautiful gar-, •den of Eden, the amusing vegetable ballet, the lovely luminous bullet, the march of ' the phantom army, the disappearing <ent, and «*many featnres Specially created . for the matinee performances. There are over 100 people concerned in the production of " The House That Jack Built," including the popular comedian, Jim Gerald, who has achieved his best triumph in the role of Dame Barleycorn. Jim Gerald recently toured New Zealand as the principal" comedian in " The New Jtfoon," in which production he won the reputation of being one of the best and funniest, comedians who hns ever appared in New 'Zealand. Hoy liene is •well-known to New Zealanders, and other famous pantomime artists are Sadie Gale (the principal "boy"), Nell Taylor (principal girl), Kathleen Ojoodall, •Nick Morton, Paulesto Brothers, Fallow twins. John- Fernside, Edna Moncrieff. Arthur Stigant junior, Dan Agar', Eric ■Bush, Ellen Percival, Mona Zeppel and other notable artists. Features of tho production are' the chorus, ball©t ? and the beautiful ensembles. A full operatic orchestra is under the baton of William Jledstone. ■' , i i" li i