MUSIC AND DRAMA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23537, 23 December 1939, Page 10 (Supplement)

MUSIC AND DRAMA

THEATRE AND CONCERT HALL HIS THEATRE To-day—" Switzerland Ico Show and Ballot." New Dramatic Company The new London Dramatic Company, directed by J. C. Williamson Theatres, is to open a tour in Wellington to-day with the first presentation of Alec Coppel's thrilling play "I Killed the Count." This production will bo followed after a brief season by "It's a Wise Child," which will be presented for the first time in this country. The company includes Harvey Adams, Doris Packer (who appeared here in "The Women"), Athol Fleming, Jane Connolly and Alex Pratt. Mr. E. J. Tait, chairman of directors, has engaged a member of the Wellington Repertory Society, Mrs. Linda Hastings, to appear with the company, and this policy of featuring leading local artists will be followed throughout the company's tour. The Auckland season is at present expected to open on January' 27. Maori Songs A selection 1 of the more popular Maori songs is included in a new album which has made its appearance under the title "Famous Maori Songs." Illustrated with colour-plates of representative Maori types and scenery, the album is a meritorious piece of printing. The words of the songs are given both in English and Maori, a service which should be appreciated by a wide public. Among those included are: "Hoki Hold," "Ka Mate! Ka Mate!" and the lovely "E Pari Ra." The London Scene Warfare in the theatre is unlikely to remain severely classical, but to grow more topical, frivolous, and frothy as time goes on, says The Observer. At present there seems to. be little chance of an extension of the hours of perform-

ance; but, as a beginning, the present activity is excellent in quality and hopeful in augury. Somewhere in the provinces—the venue changes rapidly—other popular plays and players are successfully skirmishing prior, h is hoped, to their return to London. The Vic-Wells Ballet, dancing to two pianos, is among them. The suggestion lias been made that Sadler's Wells itself may eventaully house a characteristic repertory _of dramatic, musical, and ballet classics.