THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES.

COMING PRODUCTIONS. Town Hall: July or early August —Madame GalliCurci concert. August 16 and 17—Schools' Musical Festival. October 27 and 29, November I. Joseph Szigoti violin recitals. His Majesty's; July s—Presentation5 —Presentation of " Her Shop." July 26 and 27. J. C. Williamson musical comedy, " Blue Roses." August 20.—Opening of J. C. Williamson's " Follies of 1932 " seasonComing.—Dame Sybil Thorndiko find Company in " Saint Joan," "As You Like It," " Macbeth, " Painted Veils," et alia. Town Hall, Concert Chamber. July 13. 14, 15 and 16.—Little Theatre Society's production, " The Circle." THEATRE AND CONCERT MALL. The dates July 26 and 27 have now been fixed for the Auckland season of the lively musical comedy " Blue Roses," with Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard in the leading juvenile roles. " Bluo Roses has much to commend it to tho patronage of Dominion theatregoers. Iho music is bright and appealing; tho humour is sparkling, and tho shining lights of tho company are many. The dialogue is full of topical quips, and there are several attractive dance numbers, with a beautiful ballet appearing at appropriate intervals. In addition to Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard there appeared in the Australian production Elver Jay, Jean Duncan, Winnie Tate, Dulcie Davenport, Cecil Kelleway, Leo Franklyn, Mona Zeppel, Frank Leighton, Arthur Cornell, Alathca Siddons, Mona Ferguson, Eric Bush, and many others. " Blue Roses ' is produced by Frederick Blackmail, and it will be presented with completeness of detail.

After a long interval, a revue company will shortly be seen in Auckland. In conjunction with Frank Neil, J. C. Williamson, Limited, will present the new company, " Tho Follies of 1932," in a season which will commence at His Majesty's Theatre on August 20. There will be a big cast of singing and dancing stage stars, headed by the famous international favourite Ella Shields. Ihe Follies como direct from a triumphant six months' season at the Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne. Thirty stars will accompany Miss Shields, including Stan Foley and Athol Tier (who will be the principal comedians), Arthur Clark (tenor), Miriam Lester (soprano), Mascotte and Powell (English society dancers), Keith Conncllcy, Maida Jones, Murray and Walton (dancers), Billy Maloney, and the "Follies" ballet. Hie " Follies " will offer an elaboratoly staged rovuo full of quick fire action, and packed with entertaining novelties. During the Auckland season a complete chango of programme will be given weekly and popular prices will bo charged.

The opening season of the Williamson Grand Opera Company in Sydney lias proved an extraordinary success at the lower prices—chiefly 7s 6d, ss, and 3s—and 96,000 people had been present at Her Majesty's Theatre by the beginning of June. Originally it was proposed to stage fourteen operas in Sydpey; the number was extended to seventeen, and this repertoire will bo heard in _ Melbourne, where the season opens this evening. There will bo a separate orchestra of between 40 and 50 musicians, selected in Melbourne, and to accommodate them two front rows of stalls will bo taken out at the Theatre Royal. Sixty per cent, of tho chorus in Melbourne productions will be Victorians. The seventeen operas embrace the Puccini group, but include no Wagnerian operas. Details of the New Zealand tour and of the repertory to be given have not yet been fixed, but it is most unlikely that the company will be seen here before tho end of tho year.