Stage & Screen

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12022, 27 December 1924, Page 10

Stage & Screen

Theatrical Pars and Movie Motes.

AMUBEMENTB: WHERE TO CO THE OPERA HOUSE Dec. 26-Jan. 10.—Muriel Starr in “Bast of Suez,” to be followed, by "The Garden of Allah.” and "Bought and Paid For." Jan. 12-24.—Williamsonls Entertainers, starving the Havana Band. Jan. 31-Feb. 21.—-Royal Comic Opera Co (Gladys Moncriefl) in “Sybil,” to be followed by "The Southern Miaid," of the Mountains," and "The Merry Widow.'' HIS MAJESTY’S Deo. 26-Jan. 2.—" The O’Brien Girl" (Mamie Watson, May Beatty, Mark Daly, ets.). Jan. 3-9.—“ Little Nellie Kelly." Jan. fO-15.—"Tangerine." Jan. 17-23.—“ The Man in Dress Clothes" (Seymour Hicks, Ellaline Terriss). Jan. 24-27.—" Scrooge" and “The Sleeping Partners." Jan. 28-81.—" Broadway Jones." Feb. 2.—Resumption of Fullers’ Vaudeville. THE PICTURES De Luxe.—" Wino" (Clara Bow, Forest Stanley, Myrtle Stedman, Huntly Gordon). Empress.—Beanmont Smith’s screen trials twice daily, andl "Captain January” (Baby Peggy). King’s.—"Sacrets” (Norma Talmadge, ■ JSugene O’Brien). Queen’s. “Unguarded Women” (Beibe Daniels, Richard Ddr). Strand—" Destiny’s Isle” and "Dr. Jack” (Harold Lloyd). Tivoli.—“Rip Van Winkle," "For Sale” (Claire Windsor, Adolphe Mehjou, Robert Ellis, Mary Carr, Tully Marshall), "Hullo, Marmaduke” (Claude Bampier). * STAGE NOTES PERSONAL AND GENERAL. Wellington theatregoers are particularly . fortunate at present in having the privilege of seeing two of the greatest entertainments that have ever visited these shores. At , the Opera House there is_ Somerset Maugham's wonderful play, Suez/ > with the famous actress Muriel Starr, and the well-known actor j rank Harvey in the leading roles; while at His Theatre George M. Gohan s brilliant musical comedy, "The OBnen Girl/' in which the beautiful and talented Mamie Watson, the eminent London comedian, Mark Daly, and, lest wo iorget, our own eweet May Beattie take prominent parte. Who is England's greatest actress? The critics who ehould know best (says a London paper) are saying that '.this honour undoubtedly falls to Miss Edith EVans. who such a wonderful performance in “The Way of the World,” and who is now appearing in 'Tiger Cats, * at the Strand Theatre, London. Mias Evans comes of a family which until now ha a never had anything to do with the stage. She has had to work hard fdr her success. She did hot achieve fame in a night, but plodded on for Len vears before reaching her present position. ........ Bert Ralton:. and his famous "Havana Band" direct from the Savoy Hotel. London, head a company of super-vaudeville (by arrangement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd.), which is hooked to visit New Zealand. This, band is the world J s most popular "Jazz" organisation, and there are. few homes that have not a number ! of "Havana Band" records on the gramophone, for it is easilv the most reproduced by this method in'the world. Tho band is also tho favourite dance hand of the Prince of Wales. ".The Era,"’London. says :—"The Savoy Havana Band, aa on .previous occasions at the Coliseum, took the audience by storm with ite musi - cal qualities and- syncopated melodies. Bv L. Ralton over-smiling, versatile, playing, singing, dancing, whistling, capture ed all /hearts and received an ovation, both for himself and his wonderful band. Their repertoire is extensive and cheerful in its, selecti on." Alec. Regan, the young London musical. comedy star, created'* a great impression with Fuller patrons, both by reason of his personality and the originality of his songs (says the Auckland '‘Herald") Mr Regan 'has a breezy bonhommio thai fits the role of a young man about town* who can be romantic on roensions, but novor so far under the influence of infatuatioii as to lose his sense of. humour. His lyrical baritone, voice is pleasing in quality, and is admirably suited to the r catchy numbers he sings. No musical comedy ever produced in Australia had euite the same pectiUnt fascination for theatregoers os has "The O'Brien Girl," to ho produced in’the Dominion shortly. From its initial presentation. .which marked the opening of the’ sumptuous new Princess Theatre, Melbourne, cn Boxing Day v 1922, to tho end of a six months' sea&pn, terminating in June, IP2B, and subsequently dnrina long run at the Grand Opera House, Sydney, "Tho O'Brion Girl" set a standard for musical comedy, which every subsequent production of this type has been appraised. Incidentally It introduced to Australia Mr Hugh J. Ward's wonderful company of comedians, a group of charming and accomplished players and dancers representative of the light musical utaefos of London and New York, and Australia wjhose delightful co-ordina-tion of artistry has proved a revelation in musical comedy treatment, "The O’Brien Girl" has achievedi therefore, a deep historical significance iri the development of tho stoge in Australia as a proportion which created a new, brighter. bettor era in wlint is unqueatiounbly the most popular medium ot theatre <myet conceived. Hiivlv-brows scoffed at "Abie's Irish Roso" when it was produced in ,Mw Ybrlc fsavs a writer In "Collier's Weekly"' Buf. five companies nre now plnyinc it, 2,000,000 persons have seen it. and the author, a woman, may mako dollars. 4 •