BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 13

BEHIND THE FOOTLIGHTS

“THE FARMER’S WIFE" Prominent English artists to appear here in the presentation of Eden Phildott’s * English comedy, "The Farmers Wife," include Miss Susan Richmond, who was a member of the Birmingham ■ Repertory Theatre, was associated for some time with Mrs Patrick Campbell, and appeared in London in Barrie's play, “Quality Street,” under the direction of Dion Boucicault. Miss Frances * Care acted as understudy to Miss Phyllis Neilson-Terry. On tour in the English provinces she played the leading role ih' Barrie's play, "Mary Rose." Mr Dobglas Vigors has been associated with several repertory theatres. Miss Cynthia Burke has appeared with Thorpdyhe, Mr Matheson Laing and Mrs Patrick Campbell. Mr Stuart Graham was, for two years with Gertrude Elliott (Lady Forbes Robertson). Doris Johnstone, who ap-

pears in the title role, has played' in a wide range of ' productions, ■ including "When Knights were Bold,”; . “Peter Pan," and niany of Shakespeare's loading Totes Edwin Brett will be well remembered as Mr Hook in Miss Hook, of Holland; Mr Townsend Whitliog, who plays tho farmer and is also producer of the play, is-accompanied by his wife, Miss Violet Ley. They last visited the colonies with Miss Ethel Irving in "The Witness for the Defence.” - • • • •

George Eliot and Thomas . Hardy dissevered much humour in English .farm and; village life. Eden Philpotts has fol-

lowed them worthily, and with "The Fanner's Wife” he 'has one of the chief London successes of the last few years. i As the plot is one of types the J.: C. Williamson firm were most. careful in selecting artists for' special characters, and many who were in the original London production will he seen here. ••e • . e A TALENTED DANCER

Miss Mona Clive, the -talented young dancer of Continental and Eastern posturing dances, has been appearing at the Paramount Theatre. At this popular theatre she has produced several fantastic ballets and fashion parades, which have been greatly admired. These clever and original productions are her own composition Miss Clive received her initial training afc a well-known school of dancing in London, and has since produced a great number of prologues and acena in Australia. She is sure, to become ponular in New Zealand, for-in addition jto possessing a -beautiful figure she has a charm distinctly -her own. e e • •

Miss June Elvidge, over here ,in j "Spring Cleaning,*’ is on the way tp ' America.

Muriel Starr, having concluded her long season at the -Sydney Criterion, where "Secrets” was the most popular offering, will do an extensive ipur of the "smalls'' in New Zealand. ' • • -W ' '•

GILBERT AND SULLIVAN REVIVAL

On their - way to Melbourne are the principals of the ,T. C. Williamson, Ltd., Gilbert and Snllivan Ooera Company.' who are to open at His Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne, following the, season of the famous Pavlovs. The artists coming include Strella Wilson, who has won a high place on the operatic stage in America; Sydney Granville, Winifred Williamson. James Hay. Charles Walenn, Kathleen Anderson, Betty Blackburn, and Raymond Ellis. Lsnce Fairfax, Bernard Manning, and others will join tho company in . Melbourne. The opening piece will bo “The , Gbnodliers; - Minnie Everett will produce. A magnificent chorus has already been engaged, comprising Miss Everett says, the best voices heard in Gilbert and Sullivan in tho last ten years. - • • •' •

An entirely . new cnmpaftv of noted London musical comedy artists, headed lrv MUs Mai Bacon and Mr Jack Morai son, has been personally engaged by uCr Hugh J. Ward, of the Fuller-Ward fcmhine. for the Australian season of "Mercenary Mary. ’ It will have its premiere in Melbourne at Easter. • • • •

Cecilia Loftus, who made her reappearance (after two years’ absence in the United States) at the London Coli•enm, gave imitations of. among others, Alien Dciysio, Sophie Tucker. Beatrice T ill jo. Nnrnli Bayes. Gladys Cooper, the Duncan Sisters, and the lute Albert Chevalier, and Caruso,

NOVEL ACTS AT FULLERS' The act presented by David and Queenie ;■ Kaili, who are now appearing at .His Majesty’s Theatre, is melodious, humorous and' altogether attractive. .David can certainly twang the steel guitar better than any of the manyplayers who hare essayed the art of late. His jaunty, jazz- time selections bring, down the house. Then Queenie. Well, Queenie doesn’t twang much —except locally—bnt she oroons, with David, thdse plaintive Hawaiian airs, and sings "Momma Loves Poppa" and such like popular songs. And she dances. Queenie dances the shimmy-hula in a mdst ap- ■ proved style; and in this, as in.her songs, and general work, she displays a fund of-ticklesome humour. ■••■. • . • ■ Bert JftlUott, London’s favourite comedy juggler, who is appearing in Fuller

I vaudeville, has- appeared before the j Prince of Wales many times. Actually, f H.R.H. has asked for him .to be included ! on the programmes on no fewer than six j occasions, and he.has also performed at private parties given bv the Duke and , Duchess of York, and Earl Beatty. For t ten years he has been joggling with nothing hut silk, hats and a cigar box. It may sound, a. very inexpensive act to put, on, but he> does such vigorous and wonderful .things with the-- silk hats that are soon destroyed, and he has used no less -than 1000 since he started-jug-gling with them a few years ago. Bert Elliott not only makes hats speak,; but he turns them into musicians, for he plays melodies by causing -them to rattle on his head, a fantastic and amusing trick. . , - • , . • ", • . • ' .* ■

Miss .Leslie Elliott, a distinguished singer, who is now appearing, at Fullers’, is, in addition to being a delightful artist, a clever composer. Already she has written over one hundred-songs for Chappeila, all of which have been published. Many of these aro being featured in tho act she. is presenting in Fuller vaudeville. Miss Elliott is the daughter of Lucy Clarke, a famous* Irish contralto, and received her early, musical training in Belgium and completed it at the Conservatorium; of, Music in’ Cincinatti, Ohio. She IB ; a splendid horse woman and spends all her, spare .time away from tho theatre riding. ''During my season in Durban," she remarked, “I had the- pleasure of exercising 'O’Brien,' the famous racehorse, on many occasions. It is a beautiful animal and worth A2500,-and IwSs allowed to ride him as a special honour.” , :

■•; • . ; Violet Ley, who will, appear - hern m "The Farmer’s Wife,’’, to be presented hr a new English Comedy Company under the J. C.’ Williamson management, played important roles with' Ethel liv-ing-when the famous comedy star was in Australia some years ago. Eor the la6t fewvyears Miss Ley has been on the, land in England farming and breeding. Scaly * ham terriers, and to, as she plays the part of, a sporting country woman in "The Farmer’s Wife," she. ho« a congenial and thoroughly "suitable role. Miss Ley is very fond of Australian life, and was willing to give up her farm-her; dogs and other interests, and.,At a short notice to ■ come to the Dominions again. • 1 THE GREAT PAVLOVA

When' Australian women see the exquisite- figure-of Pavlova, when she opens her season to-night, they may be anxious to know h6w she keeps so. slim, and what.is her diet. This is her, daily menußreakfnst, tea and biscuits, no bread; lunch ("usually my one. big meal,’* she says), some white meat; green vegetables and fresh fruit or fi6h and vegetables, but never p.otatoes; tea, Russian tea, no milk, and dry toast; suppei, fruit and biscuits. Pavlova. never eats red meat.

Ono of the ballets to be presented by Pavlova at, her opening performance to-

night will he "Cbopiniana," a setting of various* Chopin pieces, orchestrated by Glazonnoff. This is bow it was described by a London press correspondent:— “About ten or twelve members qf the ballet danced the first-two, and, -then Pavlova suddenly tripped upon the stage, and' with Novikoff performed a series, of tho most remarkable; bridtike flights and brilliant pirouetting* to the music of the valse in-C sharp minor. There was wonderful variety in all that she did. 'hut when she introduced the climax to an extraordinary pas seul with a series of evolutions right across the stage, and in which her steps were so rapid that they could scarce be followed by the eye, the audience rose en masse and ’ cheered her to the, echo. Then the spectator understood her world-fame. • • • •

Mr Blake Adams, who ployed leading comedy roles with the Royal Comic Opera Company last year, has succeeded Laddie Cliff in "Dear Little Billie” in Londoa-