MUSIC AND DRAMA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

MUSIC AND DRAMA

THEATRICAL NOTES

COMING PRODUCTIONS theatre and concert hall .TOWN HALL May 13, 10, 18.—Richard Crooks. June a.—Chora) Society a presentation of June 20, 22 and 24. —Lotte Lehmann TOWN HALL CONCERT CHAMBER May 18. —Royal Auckland Cboir. June B.—Lyric Harmonists. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE To-day.—Chinese Maffician Chang. June 5-10.— "Hollywood Hotel. LEWIS EADY HALL May 10. —Sonia Rev-id Recital. May 10 and 17.—Sheridan iMayers May 24. —Auckland Juvenile Cboir ST. ANDREW'S HALL May 12. 13 and 15.—A.R.T. Production. May -23-27. Grafton uraniatic olub Presentation. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HALL May U. —Alfred Hill Recital •'Hollywood Hotel" Return The revue, "Hollywood Hotel," will give a return season at Auckland next month with a complete change of programmes and many new figures in the cast. Many American stage stars of note have joined the company since it was last at Auckland, and these include Murray Briscoe, leading man of many -successful New York productions, and Magda Neeld, singing star of Hylton's band. The production will be staged at "His Majesty's 'lheatre from Juno 7-12.

Juvenile Choir An interesting programme has been arranged for the concert to be given by the Auckland Juvenile Choir, assisted by a ladies' choir, at the Lewis Lady Hall on May 24. The numbers by the choirs include Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Sullivan's "Orpheus With His Lute," and the Spinning Chorus, from Wagner's "Flying Dutchman." Assisting artists will be Miss Lois Walls and Mr. Leo Whitaker, who will contribute viola and piano solos. Mrs. Roger Errington will accompany the choirs, which will be conducted by Miss Ida Holmes.

Irish Play A point of interest in connection with the W.E.A. Dramatic Club's production of the Irish comedy "She Had To Do Something," is that it is probably the play's first production in NewZealand, and it is being staged by express permission from the author, Mr. Sean O'Faolain, himself. The play was originally produced at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, about 18 months ago, but was not published in book form until some time later. There will be a repeat performance of the production in ! the Old Grammar School, Symonds Street, on Wednesday evening. James Bridie Play "Tobias and the Angel," a play by James Bridie, is the first production for the year of the Auckland Repertory Theatre and will be presented at St. Andrew's Hall, Synfonds Street, next Friday, and Saturday and the following Monday. Bridie has taken the 6torv from the book of Tobit, father of Tobias, from the Apocrypha as the subject of his play and has retold it in current idiom whilo retaining the colourful scene and costume of the original period. The story is set in Nineveh and five sets of scenery and all the costumes have been made by the society. Sheridan Players "Children To Bless You," a threeact comedy by G. Sheila Donisthorpe, will be presented at the Lewis Eady Hall on May 16 and 17 by the Sheridan Players. Merlvn Spooner appears' as the mother of an irresponsible and somewhat overpowering family, and many complications arise from a visit of tlieir even more overpowering Aunt Stella, who has been living abroad. Marie Bellamy is seen as Aunt Stella, and the other members of the cast are: .loan Moody, Ruth Chandler. Reno Davis, Norma Mcßoberts, Winsome Granville-Jones, Audrey Dodds, Brian Fisher Betts, Philip Jay, and Eric Salmon. Songs will, be given by Elsie Bell Booth in the intervals between acts. Mrs. E. Salmon and Miss Pearsou are acting as co-producers.