THEATRICAL NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 11 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES

COMING PRODUCTIONS Town Hall October Orchestra Concert. November 1. —Mareo Orchestra Concert. Concert Chamber October 25.—" The Splendid Hour." His Majesty's This evening and October '23, 23, 27. — Philip Hargrave season. November !). 19.—Amateur Operatic Society, " Runaway Girl." November 22, 28. —Little Theatre Society, " Treasure Island." THEATRE AND CONCERT HALL Sibelius' Symphony No. 7, in C Major, Op. 105, played b.y the 8.8.C. Symphony Orchestra under Serge .Kaussevitsky, will he the major work to he broadcast from IYA to-morrow. Commencing at 2 p.m., it will occupy about 25 minutes. The score is dated 1925 and is virtually the same as that for Sibelius' Third Symphony, written in 1908, the only difference being that in the more recent work there are three trumpets instead of two. Schumann's Etudes Svmphoniques, consisting of nine variations and finale, played by the pianist Alfred Cortot, will be broadcast also, commencing at 3.46 and lasting -for about 25 minutes. " Blue Mountain Melody," the Australian musical comedy, staged by J. C. Williamson Limited at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, is having a most successful season. This production is Australian in every way, written by Jim Bancks, of "Ginger Meggs " fame, with music by Charles Zwar, the young Melbourne composer. The cast is headed by the Australian stage favourites, Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, with whom is associated a brilliant cast including Leo Franklyn, Frank Leigh ton, Gus Bluett, Agnes Doyle, Marie La Varre and others. The play is produced by Frederick Blackman.

The Hamilton Amateur Operatic Society is to produce Sir Arthur Pinero's well-known musical comedy, "The Boy," in the Theatre Royal, Hamilton, during the coming week. Sjxjctacular ballets have been arranged by Mr. George Kingston, and special attention has been paid to the frocking. The producer is Mrs. Cecily Tabor-Gregory, of Auckland, and the' stage manager, Mr. W. Blythe. It is interesting to note that the theme of the film, " Those Were the Days," which has been showing in Auckland, is based upon " The Boy." The cast includes the following principals:—Mr. Hugh Morton, Mr. Ron Powell, Miss Mvra Booth, Miss Eileen Lavington, Mr. Clement Shakeshaft and Mr. Eric Ewart.

A strong cast has been selected by the producer, Mr. Frederic McCsllum, for the Auckland Little Theatre Society's production of " Treasure Island," to be given in His Majesty's Theatre for a six-nights season, commencing on November 22. Among the well-known amateurs in the cast are Mr. Peter Dawson, Mr. Val Mulgan, Mr. Dan Flood, Mr. Zante Wood, Mr. Neville Bonham, Mr. Graeme Holder, Mr. H. McK. Geddes, Mr. A. E. Snaith, Mr. L. Herd and Miss C. L. Chambers. The part of Jim Hawkins, the boy hero of R. L. Stevenson's famous romance of adventure, is to be taken by Noel Mabee, a young Auckland lad who has already had considerable amateur theatrical experience. He is a son of Mr. A. G. Mabee, well-known in sporting circles. The production will be staged on a lavish scale and will be the most spectacular presentation the society has yet given, with the exception of " Peter Pan " in 1930. It will be the society's 37th production and the last of the 1934 season.

The young Auckland dramatist, Mr. Merton Hodge, was the subject of a comment in the London Observer recently. A correspondent drew attention to the fact that a search of many newspapers advertising Mr. Hodge's play, " The Wind and the Rain," did not disclose one instance in which the author's name was mentioned. " It reminds me of the names one sees in the advertisements of a forthcoming big production—the owners of the theatre, the lessees, the presenters (by arrangement with one or two other gentlemen), a big cast, and then the producer or director. I personally like to know the name of the author of the play," the correspondent added. It was pointed out that Arnold Bennett once lamented that he had spent a long lifetime trying to ensure that the name of the author should be inserted on all theatre-bills in letters at least half the height of that of the leading player or the manager—and had finally abandoned the attempt in complete despair.

Gershwin's " Rhapsody in Blue," which is to bo given bv the Mareo Orchestra at its concert in the Town Hall on November 1, could be taken as one of the most important statements that have ever been given musically in defence of jazz idiom, its curious tonal system, provocative orchestration, and barbaric rhythm, make it one of the most arresting compositions presented on the Auckland concert platform for a long period. The dual pianoforte parts in tho composition will be taken by Miss Kathleen O'Leary and Mr. Eric Bell. The concert programme lias been drawn up from the most successful items of the previous recitals given by the orchestra during the year, and among the works to be given will be tlio Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, in which the solo part will be played by Mr. Vincent Aspey, Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony, LitolfFs " Robespierre " overture, Mendelssohn's " Fingal's Cave," and Ravel's " Bolero," arranged by the conductor, Mr. Eric Marco. The Auckland Juvenile Orchestral Society, which was formed at the beginning of the year as an effort to provide ensemble training for young instrumentalists. concluded its season during the week at a social function at which several small compositions by Handel were played. Tho president, Mr. W. G. Offer, expressed appreciation of tho work done during tho year by the conductor, Professor Charles Moor, and the pianist, M'iss K. Twentyman, and said that the progress made by tho players had been very encouraging. It is proposed to continue the society's activities next year, although the difficulty has been, as usual, to secure young players of any instruments other than the violin, piano or 'cello. The dearth of wood-wind players, particularly of the more unusual types, such as the oboe or bassoon, is one which extends into the ranks of senior orchestras, more than one combination in Auckland being lamentably weak in this respect. Societies such as the Juvenilti Orchestra, the Leys Institute Orchestra and the Aeolian Orchestra, should be able to play an important part in remedying this deficiency.