STAGE AND SCREEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12643, 31 December 1926, Page 13

STAGE AND SCREEN

Personal and General Jottings

NATIONAL REPERTORY THEATRE SOCIETY It was a graceful act on tho part •of tho National Bcpertory : Theatre Society to select for its final production of the. first year of its existence Ashley Buko's brilliant period comedy, "The Man withj the Load of ‘ Misohifef," which will-afford l Miss Mollis Plimmer, the clover young; Wellington amateur, a splendid opppr-i tunity to give us a final tasteof Leri quality before her departure for? London; on .February 16th,, whoro . silo goes to further her studies ■in ■ dramatic art-; Miss Plimmer’s performance,in."A Billof Divorcement" will’bo long remember-; od, and it is claimed" by tuo director,; Mr Leo du Chateau.'that-'her perform-: anco of the Lady, - played in '-London byi three well-knov/n ■ ectreoses, 1 including; Miss Fay Compton, yvill bo no less bril-; liant. Associated with Miss-Plimmer, in; this comedy, which will be produced . in ; the Concert Chamber oil January; 29th,’■ 31, and February Ist, will bo Miss Louise' Hall, Miss Bosaiind Atkinson, Mr W. S. Wauchop, Mr P. B. -Broad, 'and Mr-Ro-bert Charlton ' * • •' . • “THE SPORT OF JUNGS” The third of ‘ the series of farce! comedies, '"‘The Sport of -Kings," which are being presented in the principal centres of New Zealand by the Joseph C-; Cunningham Now English Comedy Com--pany, under ;the direction-of Bick White and Eric Edgley, is claimed'byemany to' be the best of the bunch, which is saying a -great deal, because it is years since New Zealand has seen such farce; comedies as "The Unfair Sex"», and: "Eliza Comes to Stay." However, every one to his taste. "The Sport of Kings’ was written by that brilliant: playwright, lan Hay, who was responsible for: "Tilly of Bloomsbury" and other famous successes. The business and situations which develop aro', simply ■ irresistible, and keep the house, rocking with laugh-; ter, ana there is a pretty love theme running through: the. story that adds a spice of sentiment to the supply of hilarity provided Miss Zillah . Bateman and Mr Frank Bradley' arc said to te Sarticularly brilliant in "Tho. Sport of, lings.” ‘ 1 • * -. ■•■... , Hearing thut tlio cost of the. dressing of tho National. .Bcpertory Theatre Society's contemplated production, “The Man with thA.Lbad of Mischief,” was likely to bo a bar to its presentation, an anonymous admirer of the society's work has donated £2O towards ' the cost' of costumes, and so active rehearsals aro being continued with renewed vigour undei the.- direction, of Mr Tx:o du Chateau. "Tho Man with a Load of Mischief" was q.uite a wonderful success in London, whore it was immediately proclaimed by the connoisseurs as the most brilliant, the most .witty, the most literary comedy that London 'had -seen for over twenty v ears. , • • . . • FLOIE ALLEN TO GO ABROAD Another Australian artist is shortly to go abroad to seek fame' and fortune on the London stage. This is "Miss Floie Allan, '.who is’ making her farewell appearance in the .' production of "The Cousin from Nowhere," whifih is now being 1 presented in Melbourne by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. Floie Allah is, a versatile young actress, who has played in a diverse series of productions under the management of the Firm. - She. commenced . her stage career? as Puck'.in Oscar Asche's (production , of: "A- Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in’ ‘Which..she achieved remarkable success. Her'career proceeded by rapid'stages after this, her roles in comedy, drama, musical comedy, - and pantomime/ indicating' her • ability and versatility. In "The Cousin from Nowhere" Miss Allan isseen- in her most important part to-date, ■ in: which she has full scope for her ability as a comedienne. On the conclusion. of the run of this play she will sail for London. -‘ ' : ' • ■ "•• . • ' . '

That the drama, ia on the wane anti comedy in the boom, is’ evidenced' by . the number of comedy/ companies ’ now appearing in Australia aid New Zealand. In Sydiey and Melbourne recently there were no less than, soyon. combdy companies appearing as against' only two dramatic companies.. People appear 'to prefer to laugh those days, and .particularly at this time. Thus Eric Eagley and Dick White wore well advised; when they negotiated with Mr Joseph Cunningham's New English ‘ Comedy Company to produco the latest London comedy auccessee such as "The Unfair Sex," ■ ‘Eliza Comes to Stay," and "Tho- Sport cf Kings" Thm company'.has now, played tho two former pieces in the principal centres of the'' North/Island, and‘already return seasons .'have' been - booked for "The Sport of Kings." -According to press reports this is distinctly one of tho finest combinations that-has‘visited the Dominion, atfd'it? cutstanding'success is well merited.

* -■* •- : - Letters from' Christchurch, Dunedin, Foilding. Now Plymouth, Waipawa, and other towns received' by Mr Leo du Chateau, the, director of' tho National Repertory Theatre Society, asking for information regarding the founding, of the society, etc., is evidence that the’ success -of the local society has caused keen ■ interest in the movement throughout 'New. Zealand. In feet interest dppears to. be oven .more widespread as "Tho Bulletin" recently devoted a paragraph in its. praise, ana a local pressman last week received a letter from a Now York friend congratulating the city on the fine work of the eocicty as judged;bv Press criticisms and letters from friends. • ■ a,-' - ■ • ■ . • “THE NAUGHTY WIFE”

The J. C. Williamson attraction to follow "Brown Sugar," in which Renee Kelly has been delighting large audiences in Melbourne, ? will 1 e "The Naughty Wife/* a. sparkling comedy which has been, a great success in England and America.. It is described as "by Fred. Jackson, elaborated and revised by Edgar Selwyn." It is; as may be surmised, another play of the "eternal triangle," but the human * interest is interwoven with delightful comedy touches, clever characterisation, and a climax that takes the audience completely by surprise. The dialogue sparkles all through, and Renee Kelly has a fine part,- which suits her admirably. "The Naughty Wife” will add to the popularity of this delightful actress. •. • • By the Ventnra, which recently arrived at Sydney,, was Miss Judith Anderson, the brilliant .young Australian leading lady, who will make her appearance in the first production.of, "Cobra,” in which she became a star over-night in New York. . An. interesting cast will be associated with her in '-Cobra,” is eluding Michael Kogan,, a well-known American actor; Henry. Daniel, who will play the role ’in " which he appeared in the original production; Olga Lee, a well-known actress from New York and Doris Johnston, who played the lead in the recent Australian production of “The Farmer’s Wife.” An immense amount of interest is being taken in the appearance of Judith Anderson in “Cobra/’ in which she will play the "vampire.” ••• , * December 18th whs the date of the first production in Melbourne by J. C. Williamson, Ltd;, of "The Cousin from Nowhere,” a "musical romance," tho music of which is by Edward Kunneke, the composer of "The Lilac," "Domino." The production of this play, is an important event, apart from the fact that in it Maude Fane and Floie Allan are making their farowell appearances in Australia. The music is a' big feature, and an orchestra of thirty Las been engaged to do full justice to it. In the cast will be Maude Fane, Claude Flemming, Gus Bluett, Floie Allan, Marie Le Varre, Hugh Steyna*

SANTREY SYMPHONIES The biggest combination ever brought south of the line by the J. C. Williamson management is that of Henry Santrey and his orchestra with Harry and Anna Seymour, which opens a'New Zealand tour -at a very early date. Coat-. ing-'£looo. per week, the act involves over £2oooiWorth of fares, and this does not include transportation of their scenery, luggage ana instruments. ■" -*■ • . H.enry-Santrey’s Orchestra consists of eleven members, and during their act they play' no less than sixty-five ..various instruments. 1 Ofae'of-the Unusual intro-ductions-of the'orchestra- is a harpist. Da Sjota has the distinction of being the first harpist with a jazz -band combination to. play in Australasia, and the success of ,his introduction has been proved ih' Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, where he, has been one of the big features of- the combination. * * • * •' Apart from the genius of Henry Santrey as a singing conductor, the combination presents to New Zealand audiences Harry and Anna Seymour. . Harry Seymour is a brilliant danger,' and . behind scenes-he is the producer of the act. Anna Seymour is an . entirely new personality to Australasian vaudeville, but already! she has thousands of friends in the tewns where she has worked along new lines. /* - ' * ? "a In presenting'their show of an hour

and , a half, Henry Santrey and his combination must carry nineteen people, including their own publicity, manager, stage manager, business manager, electrician ..and wardrobe department. They travel(with 1 over £IOOO worth of lighting apparatus, and £2OOO worth of scenery, and. in' addition the J. C. Williamson management present a - full! programme of vaudeville stays, who are at present playing throughout‘ . Australia. ;• ' ft

The .Empress Theatre, Wellington, openson Friday with the' Fox picture ‘‘The' Family Upstairs," and manager Bob .Haddo'w ? anticipates ;big business.

“IS ZAT SO?” ■ Good news this week! "Is Zat So?” and the famous J. C. Williamson Co. came to the Opera House on January 15th. Speaking .of the first performance of / Is Zat So?” the "Sydney News” says'Merry and bright” should be I? e wr rtten over the entrance to the Palace Theatre during the stay <!r eT -% 0 ,*!? e c^ever American comedy, ed house last night. It is full of ludicrous and most laughable situations and the characterisation.; was brilliantly sustained. : s ... . •.. * * joint authors, James Gleason and Richard Taber, are both accomplished aepors, and perhaps that is one reason why the play acts so well. It certainly sails along with great smoothness, to the pleasant accompaniment of much boisterous laughter. * * # * The story is one of unflinching realism, but not of. the ugly sort, embroidered with a quaintly pretty little love interest, and the people in it are real people with sufficient of quaintness to make them amusing. ASPIRING LIGHTWEIGHT. Richard Taber plays the part of Chick Cowan, an aspiring lightweight, and something of a "bonehead,”. with genuine humor and a subtle insight into the pecularities of the character. His manager, Hap Hurley, was played by Hale Ndrcross, with just the right touch of superiority to contrast most laughably with the humorous, simplicity of 'his* charge, ‘Barrie Livesey, as the . drunken Englishman, who is reformed by the. two fighting, men,' after he introduces them, into his sister's home as butler and footman respectively, makes tip a capital trio of fun merchants. _ CLEAN HUMOUR. ' Good, clean humour is produced by, the absurd, advantures of Chick. TTia sentiment makes him an easy prey fori the girls, and Hap Hurley declares he' is. romance before business. Inj the end Hap himself looks ; into the eyes of a* pretty* stenographer and therej are signs of a double marriage when the .curtain* falls.

They are all real people, humanly felt in "Is Zat So?” and they behave ae, pordingly. A rare bit of good acting is the love scene between Chick and his lady-love (Mary Ellen Hanley). Besides the excellent work donp by Richard Taber and Hale Norcross) finp character studies are- given Barrie, Xivesey, as Mrs Parker’s brother, Clin-| !*ton Blackburn; Sibyl Jane, as Sue Pari ker, the badly-treated Wife of Robert! Parker; Mary Ellen Hanley, as Chick’s girl; and Maude Carroll, as Marie, the! typist, with whom Hap falls in love. The play is produced by George D. Parker. 1

The New York receipts of “Rose Marie" have exceeded even the colossal returns of Drury Lane, London. The price of booked seats in New York is supposed to be five dollars, but during the entire run it has been practically impossible to secure any place under seven or eight dollars. It! has made c huge fortune for Mr Hammerstein and the- composers, Rudolph Friml and Herbert Stothart. Mr Hammerstein has the knack of getting successes, and Australians have already enjoyed many, of his creations, such as "High Jinks,” "Katina” and "You’re in Love.” The J .C. Williamson, Ltd., production of "Rose Marie” has reached its twentythird week in Sydney.

“THE BARRIER” AT REGENT THEATRE

The phrase "all-star" cast is especially applicable to the players in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picture, "The Barrier,' adapted from Box Beach's famous novel of the samo ncme. The principals arc Lionel Barrymore, Norman Kerry. H. B. Walthall, Marceline Bay, Geor, r o Cooper, Pat Harmon, and Bert Woodr™ Barrier” is now screening at the Regent Theatre. Tbo most realistic fist fight over screenwas staged by Norman Kerrv and ..jionol Barrymore, two magnificent pbv. Meal specimens, for the Motro-Goldwvn-f ay ? r T *? Bl °® of *ex Beach's JkTw * *T«? ar F ier *-»r no ' r screening at yioßogont Theatre. Marceline Bay and H.. B. Walthall are also in the cast. LON CHANEY AGAIN

Lon Chaney effects a startling and uncanny transposition in changing from one character to the other in his dual rolo in The Blackbird," his new Metro* 5,;.?7 n 'i^ aycr i l >lcturc - His parts in this thrillm-* drama of London and the .Umehouse underworld, are those of * notorious gangster and a crippled misoion worker Chancy's representation of wi Quasiciodo in "The jlunohback of Notro Dame v» r as a triumph ' f grotesque portraiture, but his weird dehanco of physical laws in “The Blast*n amazing revelation of-what .tins brilliant actor can accomplish n °T production in which Owen Moore 2? l-l e ?, ce A< J dlso a will come to tho Regent Theatre ehortly. • # • «. UNITED ARTISTS’ FEATURE

Pictures portraying historical personages such as Abraham Lincoln, Disraeli Michael Strogoft, and Livingstone, have been produced with considerable success from an artistic and box office point of view, and producers are now turning their attentions to other historical subjects. United Artists will produce Benvenuto Cellini when a substitute for the late Rudolph Valentino, who was to nave played the part, has been found. 1 hey will also release in New Zealand, at an early date, a film version of ’he life of Francois Villon, who has been wonderfully portrayed by John Barrymore. Another historical film that is btinpr looked forward to is the British * av Nelson/' to released shortly in the Dominion by Faina’s Amusements. Ihis fine picture depicts the great sailor as an intensely human individual, determined that Britain should maintain the supremacy of the seas. * * • • “THE BETTER ’OLE" "The Better 'Ole/, a Master picture, is a gom of a comedy, with Svd. Chanhn scoring a genuine triumph as Old Dill, the veteran soldier. It is Tare, infectious humour which made "The Bet> 'Pte” a tremendous stage success that is given a new life—and perhaps a better one—on tbe screen. The wider scope of the camera afforded even ? greater laughing hit. Hilarious sequences follow each other ir. quick succession, most of them taken from the origiihe others, quite as mirth-pro-Z' jhorn from the imaginations of SycL Chaplin and Director Chuck Re:siiiiiiiiimiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimiiiniiti

ner. It is solid entertainment, burlesque all the way through, cleverly handled, and Syd. Chaplin has so accurately captured the spirit that he has created a character long to be remembered The high - lights of the. comedy are too numerous to mention, hut in a nutshell it is a riot of fun A gloom chaser of the first water that will register a sure-fire hit for patrons one and aIL" This is typical of all the reports on the Bairnsfather cpmedv classic, and is definite assurance tbat The Better ’Ole"' will be another Syd. Chaplin clean-up. "■ • * • • UNIVERSAL ATTRACTIONS

Two “Wampas Baby Stars" appear .n the cast of “Tho Man . in the Saddle," Universal's latest Western attraction, starring the popular Hoot Gibson. They are Fay Wray, who plays the feminine lead, and Sally Long. Both were chosen ag among- the thirteen most promising young actrcoses of the screen by the Wampas/' an organisation of Hollywood writers and publicists, which ee* locto its thirteen “baby stars," for Predicted cinema brilliance in the future, as an annual event. * • « «

A varied and intereoting assortment of theatrical personalities are included in the cast supporting Laura La Plante in her latest Universal Jewel picture, “Her Big Night." Nat Carr was a vaudeville and burlesque comedian of note; Cissy Fitzgerald was a famous musical comedy 6tar; Lee Moran and mack Swain are veteran screen , cornedians; John Roche and William Austin wero both luminaries of 4 h© stago; Tally Marshall is an old time stage and screen character actor; Einar Hansen, before his importation, was one of Europe’s leading film stars.

• * * # Gilbert (Pee-Weo) Holmes does some splendid comedy relief work in the Universal Western attraction, “The Border Sheriff/' starring Jack Hoxie. Holmes, who io reputed to bo the smallest western player, and comedian, for that matter, in the film world, makes an excellent partner for Jack Hoxie in his latest picture. Supporting players include “Rolling Homo," a Jewel jiroduction. Mr Seiter has already directed Dennv m “Where Was I?" “What Happened to Jonce/' and ‘'Skinner's Dross Suit." • * * * One of the screen's most successful comedy teams has been found by Universal in the combination of Reginald Denny, star, and William A. Seiter, his director. Their latest production is “Rolling Homo," a Jewel production. Mr Seitor has already directed Denny in “Where Was I?" “What Happened to Jones/' and “Skinner's Dress Suit." on** A cricket match between Exchanges and Exhibitors will take place at Wellington on January 21st, when showmen from all parts of tho Dominion will be visiting the city to attend a meeting of the Picture Showmen's Association. It is probable that the visitors will be entertained at a cabaret evening the same , night.