THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 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: To-night.—" Theatre of Youth " players in programme of folk songs plays. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. Mr. Frank Tait, of J. C. Williamson Limited, who returned to Melbourne from a tour abroad last week, mentioned that while in London he was inundated with applications for contracts by artists who had already visited Australia under the firm's management, or who desired to appear before audiences in this country. " This shows," said Mr. Tait, " how much notice is taken of some of the things said /and written by certain artists who have returned from Australian tours unheralded and unmourned."

The brilliant young Australian dancer, Maggie Dickenson, who returned to Melbourne recently from abroad, will have charge of the ballets and dances in the Noel Coward operetta, " Bittersweet," which is to be given its first, production in Australia at Melbourne next month by J. C. Wililamson Limited, at the Theatre Royal. George Highland, the producer, has already commenced work on this production, and the elaborate stage settings are already well in hand. This will be one of the most important musical productions ever presented by the firm.

Plans are already being made for a four days' 'festival of music and drama to be held at Canterbury Cathedral in June. It is hoped to obtain the co-operation of the 8.8.C. for the giving of a serenade in the cloisters on June' 15 and an orchestral concert on the following day in the cathedral. It is also proposed to give four performances of Tennyson's " Becket." Many years ago Sir Henry Irving gave a reading of the play in the Chapter House, but it has never been acted in the home of its greatest scene—the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral.

How his first play only acted for five minutes but had a cast of thirty-two, was described by Mr. R. C. Sherriff, author of " Journey's End," recently. The cast was so big, Mr. Sherriff explained, because people would not sell tickets unless they had a part. The longer the part the more tickets they sold. " The few things I have learnt about play writing." he added, " Came from producing plays in small halls and rooms. Amateur theatricals are a voyage of discovery and are of great value to the club boy or girl, because they "develop rapid thinking and get rid of selfconsciousness."

This year will be one of the busiest the J. "C. Williamson Limited firm has ever experienced, even in the palmiest days of the stage. A varied list of attractions, theatrical and concert, will be presented. These will include " The Barretts of Wimpole Street," which is being staged for the first time in Australia at the King's Theatre, Melbourne, with several new English artists; new grand opera company; " The Chocolate Soldier," with Gladys Moncrieff as Nadina; " Autumn Crocus " and " Marigold"; two notable London successes; Noel Coward's operetta, "Bittersweet "; the great musical production, " Waltzes from Vienna," with the music of Strauss; the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company; the new musical comedy, " Blue Roses," with Cyril Bitchard and Madge Elliott; Dame Sybil Thorndike, the famous English star, and her complete company, to appear in a varied repertoire; and others, possibly including Mary Glynn and Denis Neilson Terry. The concert attractions will include Benno Mofsewitsch, Kreisler and the sensational boy violinist, Yehudi Menulian.