THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. His Majesty's: April.—"The Constant Nymph" (Auckland Little Theatre Society). Coming.—" Follow Through," " Mr. Cinders " (J. C. Williamson Musical Company). Lewis Eady Hall: February 25 and 27.—" Theatre of Youth" players in programme of folk songs and plays. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. After ten years of continuous sticcess the Aldwych has struck a patch of bad luck. Last year Mr. Tom Walls had a serious operation which has kept him out of the cast, and now his collaborator in fun, Mr. Ralph Lynn, has had to leave the company owing to a nervous breakdown. Under the circumstances " Turkey Time " was withdrawn on Saturday, January 16, the 263 performance. It •would be a long run for most plays, but the average at the Aldwych is about a year. Mr. Lynn has gone on a sea voyage, and on his return he and Mr. Walls .will make a talking picture of " Thark." Mr. Maurice Browne has returned to England from America with some interesting plans for the future. Ho has acquired an option to present in London tho new play by the author of " Street Scene," Mr. Elmer Rice, which is now running in New York. The title is " Counsellor at Law," and all the scenes are laid in a lawyer's office. Mr. John van Druten's last play, " London Wall," had a similar petting, and both dramatists know what they are writing about, for they started their careers in <,ho law. Another of Mr. Elmer Rice's plays, " See Naples and Die," will be seen at the Embassy. It' was performed in tho autumn by tho Birmingham Repertory Company. Mr. George Highland, who returned from London recently is now engaged in the preliminary -work in connection with the production of Noel Coward's operette "'Bitter Sweet" to be staged by J. C. Williamson, Limited, at an early date. So great is tho success of " Bitter Sweet " in London that it has never dropped perceptibly from capacity since the opening night, and to date the gross receipts have amounted to over half a million sterling, thus netting a fortune for the producers, as it is estimated that these takings represent a profit of about £I3OO a week. Miss Margery Hicklin has been engaged in England to plav the leading role in " Bitter Sweet " in Australia. Miss Joan Rayner and Miss Betty Ravner, founders of the " Theatre of Youth." ■will be seen in Auckland next week in an entertainment which gains its charm from the clear simplicity of folk lore. The programme consists of dramatisations of quaint old folk-songs and legends, rollicking ballads and plays from bygone days, done in costume after the' manner of the old troubadors. The two players have been remarkably well received whereever they have appeared and press critics have been unanimous in their praise of the successful attempt to re-create the charm of another age. The New York Evening Post said; "New York audiences have found the keen and vivid bits of life portrayed in joyous abandon by the two young players a most stimulating and refreshing experience." Audiences at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, are keenly interested in a little comedienne in "As Husbands Go," in which she plays the role of a precocious American flapper of a pert type. This is Agnes Doyle, who though young in years,-has had considerable stage experience uncler the J. C. Williamson, Limited management, in comedy, musical comedy, and drama. Some of her best roles have been played in Sydney, including important parts in " This Thing Called Love " (in which she had the part plaved in Melbourne by Nancy Gordon), '"Eliza Comes to Stay," ""Possessions," " Bird in Hand," and " Op 0' Me Thumb," in the last, mentioned making a big success. One of her most notable performances was the title role in " The Patsy," which she played in New Zealand, and on tour in Australian for over a year, following the succe r s of Irene Homer, who played in the capitaf cities of Australia. A new company of artists for Australia has been selected by J. C. Williamson, Limited, for the presentation of the famous London triumph " The Barretts of Wimpole Street," Rudolph Bessier's admirable play, which has drawn packed houses for the last eighteen months. The leading lady i s Miss Margaret Rawlings, a brilliant young actress, who will appear as Elizabeth Barrett. Miss Rawlings was engaged by the firm while starring on Broadway after her London Success in "The Venetian" and "Salome." The role of Edward Moulton Barrett, a part that has given rise to endless discussion, both in London and New York, will be played by Bellenden Clarke, who made his first London appearance in " The Blackmailers " at the Prince of Wales Theatre, followed by a season with Henry Ainley in a revival of " The Prisoner of Zenda," and a five-years' engagement at the Strand and on tour playing leading roles. The production of " The Barretts of Wimpole Street," which has already taken gross receipts over £140,000 will be under the direction of Mr. Gabriel Toyne.