THEATRICAL REVIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 10 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL REVIVAL

ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA PRODUCTIONS FOR DOMINION " A theatrical revival is now sweeping all the cities of Australia, and the first signs of a similar movement are already noticeable in New Zealand," said Mr. John Farrell, Auckland manager for J. C. Williamson, Limited, who returned during the week from the South, where ho lias been associated with tho Frank Neil Revue Company. " All the recent shows put on by J. C. Williamson's have done well in the Dominion, and it seems certain that 1933 will be notable for the fino selection of attractions arranged for Dominion tours." Mr. Farrell said that the revival of " Our Miss Gibbs" would play its 100 th performance in Sydney this evening, and throughout its season it had enjoyed capacity houses. Cyril Ritchards and Madge Elliott, seen in " Blue Roses" in Auckland towards the end of last year, were the principals, and Gus Bluett, Leo Franklyn, and Frank Leighton were included in tho company. " Waltzes from Vienna," after playing for 13J weeks at the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, had just opened in Adelaide, and after a season in Sydney would probably como to Now Zealand, Mr. Farrell said. At the Criterion Theatre, Sydney, an Australian company was making a great success of the comedy, " While Parents Sleep." Although a fierce controversy was raging in tho press over the play, all sides appeared to agree over the brilliance of the acting and tho entertainment valuo of tho production. Mr. Farrell also mentioned that tho Athene Sevier-Nicholas Hannen Company was doing well in Melbourne with " Tho Middle Watch," a plav which might be expected for New Zealand, and that Tlieo Shall, in " Autumn Crocus" and " The Command to Love," was a phenomenal success. Clarkson Rose, with his English Revue Company, was coming from London to appear in Australia and New Zealand under tho J. C. Williamson, Ltd., management, Mr. Farrell added.Batti Bernardi, the Ballarat tenor, whom Damo Nellie Melba " discovered" in Paris, would bo a member of tho company. .

" The success of the .T. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera, Company lias been such that it has been sent off ' holus-bolus ' to South Africa," Mr. Farrell added. " Mr. Frank S. Tait has said that it; will continue its present repertoire until about the end of 1933, and later it is hoped, that arrangements will he made to send the. company to New Zealand, even if it be for only a short season. Gilbert and Sullivan productions never pall—on the contrary, like good wine, they seem to improve with, age —and the New Zealand season, if it is arranged, will bo as successful as its predecessors."