THEATRICAL NOTES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23037, 14 May 1938, Page 16 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL NOTES

COMING' PRODUCTIONS THEATRE AND CONCERT HALL TOWN HALL CONCERT CHAMBER June 16.—Colin Horsley's, Recital. ( LEW 18 EAOY HALL May 10.—Auckland Juvenile Cbolt. May 24 and 2fi.—Sheridan Playefi June 20—Society of Musicians. Two Plays in Verse The extent of dramatic activity in England is illustrated by two widely different productions last month. The Norwich Players gave four performances of Milton's tragedy "Samson Agonistes" at the Maddermarket Theatre. The music for the production was arranged from Purcell. The next Group Theatre production, "Trial of a Judge," a play in verse by Stephen Spender, will be presented at the Theatre Club. Old Vic Premiere Although the Old Vic Theatre, London, has occasionally varied its Shakespearean policy with the more modern works of Ibsen, Tchehov and Shaw, and while two years ago it first presented "St. Helena," a costume play by two living authors (Jeanne de Casalis and It. C. Sheriff), the production there recently of James Bridie's "The King of Nowhere," a play by a contemporary author with a purely contemporary scene and setting, was an interesting new departure. Laurence Olivier had a modern part as a famous actor whose mind becomes unhinged through overstrain. Marda Vanne will make her first appearance at the Old Vic in the principal woman's role. Colourful Musical Play

A large amount of interest has been aroused in the coming production of "The Vagabond King," which will be presented by the Amateur Operatic Society. An outstanding example of the musical pla.v, "The Vagabond King" had a highly successful run when first produced in England, America and Australia. It was first given in New Zealand in 1929. The final selection of principals has not yet been made, but rehearsals of some of the music have begun. Juvenile Choral Work The Auckland Juvenile Choir will present the first concert of its second season on Thursday night, and will be heard in varied unison and two-part

songs. The Choir's three numbers in the first section of the programme will include Brahms' "Cradle Song," German's "Love is Meant to Make Us Glad." and "Mayden," by Sterndale Bennett. Arrangements of Beethoven's woll-known minuet. "Consolation," by Mendelssohn, and "May Morning," by Denza, complete the choir's contribution. Miss Jsobcl Langlands will be hoard in three violin numbers by Cherniavsky and Benjamin Godard's "Barcarolle Venetienne" will be flayed on the piano bv Miss Aileen Warren. The organiser and conductor of the choir is Miss Ida Holmes.

Gielgud's Earliest Performance

The performance of John Gielgud as Shylock in "The Merchant of V 7 enice," which he is producing at the Queen's Theatre, London, revives the memory of one of his earliest performances, states a writer in the Sunday Times. It appears that Shylock was one of the earliest parts, if not the first part, which Gielgud acted. During the war Gielgud was at a preparatory school near Godalming, where, in 1916, "The Merchant of Venice" was performed by the boys to an end-of-term audience of parents. Gielgud's acting made a great impression, but it was perhaps natural, as at the age of 12, he was already deeply immersed in the theatre. In the holidays he was a passionate collector of theatre programmes, and spent much of his time at his home in Gledhow Gardens playing very seriously with a toy theatre.