Music and Drama

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

Music and Drama

THEATRICAL NOTES

COMING PRODUCTIONS THEATRE AND CONCERT HALL HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE To-day.—Young Australian Boys' Band and Revue, Activities Recommence After a recess during the summer, the local musical and dramatic societies are beginning to prepare for ■ a further year's activities. Some of the societies held annual meetings at the end of last year, but others will close their financial years this or next month. Dramatic societies will fortunately this year be able to plan their activities without tho uncertainty about royalties on plays that existed at the beginning of last season, and which caused many bodies to make a late start.

| Stanley McKay Gaieties For many years past the "fiesh-and-blood" shows have been rat u ?r in the doldrums, and even leading managements were rather chary in presenting shows that were more than moderately costly. Many of the snialler managers, whose activities wero in the main confined to provincial tours, closed down altogether. Stanley McKay, however, continued to produce stage shows of a high standard and his latest, Gaieties of 1939," now in the south, will appear in Auckland shortly. principal comedian this year Mr. McKay has engaged Stan ("Stud") Foley, popular Australian comedian who toured New Zealand some years back with his own revue company. A.R.T. Revives Melodrama

Following its pratice, begun last year, of reviving early melodramas, the Auckland Repertory Theatre, at its first meeting this year, give a performance of "Sweeney Todd, or tho Demon Barber of Fleet Street, ' one of the famous melodramas of the early lJtn century. To modern eyes the play is highly amusing and its series or horrific murders give rise to nothing but laughter to-day. The play has been described as the first true crime p ay. The play "Tobias and the Angel, is in rehearsal for the first public performance of the society. Dorian Choir Auditions

Under the rules of the Auckland Dorian Choir, all active members must undergo tests in singing, sight-reading and general musicianship every year. These auditions are to be held shortly and will be conducted by three judges, the conductor, Mr. _ Albert Bryant, and two others outside the societv. Following the auditions, rehearsals will begin for the new season's concerts. Society of Musicians

Much new ground is being broken in the proposed syllabus for the coming season of the Auckland Society or Musicians. One of the evenings which will be a departure from anything previously attempted by the society will comprise specimen lessons of different types, and it is hoped that these will include a demonstration of the teaching of music to members of the Blind Institute and the use of Braille for the purpose. This evening will probably be 011 October 9. On November 13 music by local composers will be played. It is also hoped to have an address by Mr. Alfred Hill.

New Symphony Orchestra A good response is expected from instrumentalists and others interested in the formation of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and many letters offering support have been received already bv Mr. Colin Muston and by Mr. W. "Laird Thomson. The latter is acting temporarily as secretary' until the organisation of the orchestra lias reached a more advanced stage. Ihe orchestra will be an entirely new musical combination and in liew of the fact that Auckland has been without a symphony orchestra since 1936, it. should fill a definite need, while it certainly will remove a reproach on the musical life of the city.

Operatic and Grafton Societies

The annual meeting of the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society will be held at the society's hall, Lower Grafton Road, 011 Thursday, March 2. Committee meetings have already been held and it is anticipated that an announcement in regard to the society's annual

production in His Majesty's Theatre will be made shortly. The Grafton Shakespeare and Dramatic Society, one of the senior drama organisations in Auckland, will also hold its annual general meeting early in March. The society anticipates a successful season and its productions will again be held in St. Andrew's Hall, Symonds Street. Play Dialogue Changed

In the last two days, two changes have been made in "The Women," the drama by Clare Boothe, which is being performed at tho Theatre Royal and which has been the subject of considerable comment, states the Sydney Morning Herald on February 2. Mr. Atliol Richardson, M.L.A., who is acting for the chief secretary, Mr. Gollan, who is away, does not take responsibility for the alterations. When a statement was sought' from Australian and New Zealand Theatres, Limited, the general manager, Mr. Harold Bowden, said: "We have not received any letter from the Chief Secretary's Department censoring in any way the linos of 'The Women.' " Mr. Bowden admitted recently that changes had been made. These, he said, were being "tried out," and the lines, as likely as not, would reappear at subsequent performances. Mr. Richardson said that an inspector of police had seen "The Women." As a result of this inspector's report, the department did not think it necessary to exercise its powers under the Theatres and Public Halls Act, 1908,