THEATRICAL NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 11 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES

COMING PRODUCTIONS ,TtfEATRE AND CONCERT HALL H |S MAJESTY'S THEATRE Tc-niirlit —Auckland Operatic Society, "New .Moon." town hall October/in. —Kichard Crooks. TOWN hall conceut chamber October -St. Cutbbcrt's Old Uirls. "Accent on Youth." What the People Like "1 want to sing in New Zealand what the pooplo like," said Richard Crooks, the celebrated American tenor, in a recent interview. "People resent being sung down to, but they resent equally being given something that is stiff. 1 s ' ia " nil, ! <e n, .v programme at leas.t half classical. But, do you know, 1 like sentimental themes." The singer, who is now in the South, will give concerts in Auckland on October 10, 13 and 15. Catholic Society Producer Miss Ysolinde McYeagh has relinquished the position of honorary producer to the Auckland Catholic Repertory Society, a posit ion she has held for two years. Under her direction the Focietv has successfully presented the following outstanding plays: "Charles anil Mary," "Autumn Fire," "A Mail's ■House," "Libel" and "The Brontes." jUiss McVeagh will still remain a member of the executive of the society, and her v; : ~..knowledge of repertory work will be itfost valuable to the society in its future productions. St. Outhbert's Production One of last year's big successes on both the London a id New York stage, Samson Raphaelson's subtle comedy, "Accent on' Youth," is now in rehearsal by the St.;Guthbe:*t's Old Girls' Association, and will be presented for two nights, October 9 f.nd 10, at the Town Hall concert chamber. This comedy, which exemplifies the best in American humour and satire, should maintain the high standard already set by the association this year. The producer is Dr. W. S. Dale, who recently returned from Yale University, and the cast includes such well-known Auckland amateurs as Trixie Abel, Kathleen Teape, Shirley Watkins, Arthur Snaith, Paul Homes, Teter Bathurst, Edward Newling, Jack Parsons and Ron Bowie. Dr. Malcolm Sargont in Sydney Praise for the work of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and appreciation of the musical interest and sympathy of the audience was given by the celebrated English conductor, Dr. Malcolm Sargent, at the conclusion of his first concert with the orchestra in the Sydnev Town Hall recently, states the Herald's, Sydney correspondent. "I was extremely gratified by the reception of the programme," he said. "The orchestra consists of a very fine body of players. They have enthusiasm and sincerity of purpose. The fine playing was no accident. It was the result of hard and painstaking work by all. With the. experie nee of one concert, and more rehearsals, Sydney musicIcvcrs can look forward to even better ! results." il

An ambitious presentation, "Round the World by Television," arranged and produced by Mr. J. W. Bailey, will shortly bo given by. the boys of the Mount Albert Grammar School. It is claimed that the production will be even more . spectacular than the pageant, "Fashions Through the Ages," given at the Town Hall last year. All the ho.vs of the school will take part. The principal "broadcasting station" will link up with many countries, the customs and people of which will be depicted. Included in a great variety of numbers will be the cowboys of America in action, the stars of Hollywood, the negroes in their cake-walk competitions and the pigmies of Africa. The performance will conclude with a symbolic ending in spectacular tableau form.

Nova Pilbeam, who, at the age of 1 7, recently made her debut on the London stage as Felicia Ricardo in "The Lady of La Paz," following her portrayal of Rosalind in the O.U.D.S. production of "As You Like it." Her acting as the child in "Little Friend," when she was 14, brought her to prominence on the screen, and she has since appeared in "The Man Who Know Too Much," and as Lady Jane Grey in "Tudor Rose." Successful Revival The success of "Lilac Time"' which, it was announced recently, was revived at the London Coliseum, has been so great that the original six weeks' run is to be continued. Maurice d'Oisly, husband of Rosina Buckman, plays Schubert, a role which he has taken on over 700 occasions, says the Herald's London correspondent. Florence Vie, the original Mrs. Veit, has played this part 2860 times, and was the only one who never missed a performance during the first London run. John Kelly has played Kappes, his original part, 3010 times. "Lilac Time" was first produced at the Lyric in 1922, when it ran for 625 performances. Since then it has been going almost without a break either in London or on tour. The popularity of this most charming of all musical plays seems to increase rather than diminish. The present production at the Coliseum had already been seen by over 51,000 people, when the mail left c«n September 2.

Revival of "Merry Widow" One of the most successful revivals of "The Merry Widow" ever given in Australia is now drawing crowded audiences to His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne. Gladys Moncrieff as Sonia, Frank Leighton as Prince Danilo, Cecil Kellaway as Baron Popoff and Don Nicol as Nisch, have won outstanding commendation for their performances, and Lehar's opera, as presented by this company, again indicates how popular it is. Gladys Moncrieff revels in her part. "I don't think that a better comic opera role has over been written," said Miss Moncrieff. "It contains all the essentials of character, colour, music and dramatic opportunities, as well as u vein of humour running right through it. It would be difficult to find two more attractive roles than Sonia in 'The Merry Widow' and Teresa in 'The Maid of the Mountains.' Any artist is lucky to have the opportunity of playing them." Brilliant Dancer One of the world's greatest male dancers to-day is Leon Woizikovsky, who is on his way to Australia and New Zealand with Colonel de Basil's Monte Carlo Russian Ballet. This dancer is not only brilliant technically, but has a remarkable personality and the gift of making friends immediately with his audiences. He is, too, strikingly handsome. The London Morning Post recently published this item regarding his performance with the Monte Carlo Russian Bal'et at Covent Garden Opera House before the company's departure: "The special attraction last night was the appearance of Woizikovsky in 'Prince Igor.' This great dancer's reputation stands as high to-day as it did in the days when he was a leading figure in the original Russian Ballet, and his dancing is always of the first order. His performance last night was astounding. His presence seemed to inspire the whole company, and his dancing was the pivot of one of the most exhilarating ]wrformances we have seen this season."