Entertainers Ranging From Gene Autry To Barbirolli May Come To This Country

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27275, 29 December 1949, Page 4

Entertainers Ranging From Gene Autry To Barbirolli May Come To This Country

Visits to New Zealand by overseas artists are often on a last-minute basis, being conditioned to a large extent by the availability of halls and theatres here, by the degree of success which the individual artist has encountered in Australia, and by public response to entertainment which has already been offered. On the established “ circuits," such as the round of theatres visited periodically by Tivoli companies, New Zealand is an important adjunct to Australia as it affords additional playing time, additional audiences, and very often a place to play until other attractions leave the required theatres empty in the Australian centres. It is unusual, therefore, for much warning to be given to the New Zealand public of forthcoming visits by overseas performers, but the lists of celebrities scheduled to visit Australia very often give some indication of possible visitors to this country. Three prominent conductors are to come from overseas for seasons with the main Australian orchestras this year and there have been suggestions that guest appearances at least might be made in New Zealand. They are Albert Coates, Otto Klemperer and Sir John Barbirolli. Apart from his recordings and broadcasts, the last named will undoubtedly be the best known in New Zealand and many exservicemen who were in Italy will recall Barbirolli's various appearances as guest conductor with orchestras while he toured there late in 1944. It is unlikely that any information concerning the possibility of such guest appearances with the New Zealand National Symphony Orchestra will be given until the appointment of a successor to Mr Andersen Tyrer has been decided. Solo Artists

On the serious side, 4he noted ’cellist, Edmund Kurtz, is to visit, Australia in May and it is possible that he may come on to New Zealand. Erna Berger, the German coloratura soprano, is to come to Australia after her season at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Two Australian-born pianists are to return to their homeland, Arthur Benjamin and Allison Nelson, and a New Zealand pianist who is achieving increasing stature, Colin Horsley, is to make a further Antipodean tour. There have also been rumours that the distinguished composer-pianist, Benjamin Britten, may visit these countries: All sorts of vague suggestions of theatrical companies from the leading houses abroad coming to Australia and New Zealand have been made, but little definite information is available. Certainly. Robert IVLorley is to come on to New Zealand with "Edward. My Son ” when the Australian season closes. There are thought to be possibilities of a further Shakespearian company coming on tour from the Stratford Memorial Theatre, the enthusiasm evinced by Australian audiences for the present company, and the disappointment expressed in New Zealand by its failure to come

rains—you can always go to the pictures. Last year we were stuck up the lakes with rain for days and absolutely nothing to do except sit around in the tent."

Better equipment, modqrn cars and good roads have made camping far less hazardous a pursuit than it once was, and most of the folk at the camp to whom the Daily Times spoke had had no more unusual occurrences on their holiday than the results of the inevitable forgetfulness. One young lady admitted that she had had to send a hasty telegram to a friend near her home as she had neglected to pack one part of her two-piece swimming suit. If the city: has gained in population at Tahuna, ..it has lost considerably more through the mass exodus to Central Otago, for there are thousands of Dunedin residents in the lakes area at present. Rough estimates have suggested that both Queenstown and Wanaka have upwards of 2000 campers, while Alexandra’s 1 population has been more than doubled. In one motor camp alone, it is estimated that well over 2000 people are on holiday.

here, being factors which nave prompted British desire to increase such

“ cultural exports.” A Sadler’s Wells ballet company with Robert Helpmann is one such possibility. Almost certainly, there will be another opera company on tour m the coming year but the accent will be on Wagnerian works this time. . Savoyards will be able to enjoy a Gilbert and Sullivan repertoire from another company. . * The Lighter Side On the lighter side, there are a host of interesting possibilities but until film, stage and radio commitments in America and England have been studied fully, no decisions can ,De made. For “singing cow Doy” enthusiasts, the biggest news is the. visit of Gene Autry, the idol of thousands of small boys, to Australia. Nothing has been mentioned of an extension of the tour to New Zealand, but the organisation which is arranging the ‘tour also has interests in this country.' At present, he is scheduled to arrive m Australia at Easter. He will appear in Sydney, and possibly in Melbourne, in rodeos and other outdoor shows, and will make a film in New South Wales to earn dollars to permit Mickey Rooney and Eleanor Powell to appear in Australian stage productions.

Both Rooney and Miss Powell have appeared in recent months at the London Palladium and have shown certain preference for that type of work. A complete musical revue is to De built around Rooney, and Eleanor Powell will be ieatured in a similar production if the current negotiations are successful.

The response of New Zealand audiences to touring concert artists and stage shows in recent years has not encouraged Australian entrepreneurs to extend all such tours to this country. There have, of course, been notable exceptions—particularly the Italian opera visit. In the immediate future, however, the South Island is likely to be excluded from the intinerary of many visiting concert artists.