THE STAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 50

THE STAGE.

Contributions from the Profession chronicling their movements and doings are invited. All communications to be addressed "Pasquin,” Otago W itness Office.

PRINCESS THEATRE. Fuller Vaudeville. —Nightly. HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. Competitions.—September 21 to October 8. English Pierrots.—October 22 to 29. Dunedin Operatic Society (‘‘Dorothy”). November 26 to December 3.

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES.

By

Pasquin.

Monday, October 3. Miss Laura Guerite made her final appearance at the Princess Theatre on Saturday night Four new acts will be staged this evening, and there wii! also be a new topical Fuller-scope to commence the bill, the principal new-comer is Sam Stearn, the noted Jewish comedian. Almost equally important is the debut of Miss Bessie Slaughter, the well-known contralto. The other acts making debut are Mr Peter Brooks, known as “the fashion-plate tenor,’’ and a clever and very youthful New Zealand “star,” Edgar Benyon. In addition new turns will be supplied by , Richardson brothers and Cherie, Ling and Long, Marshall, and Miss Lola Stantonne. One of the most special bookings ever appearing on the Fuller circuit, Odive and her trained seals, will leave early this month irom Vancouver for Australia. This act has just concluded a most successful season in London a.nd the provinces. Yielding' to scores of requests, Dame Nellie Media has consented to <dce a series of “concerts for the people” at the Melbourne Town Hall early in December, when a uniform charge of Ss will be made throughout the building. Every ticketholder will have a reserved seat. The tickets will be sold in advance, and seats allotted in order of application. “Ghu Ohm Chow” is drawing large audiences to Melbourne Her Majesty’s. Miss jßosina Buckman, the New Zealand singer, has had a highly successful concert season in London. After assisting at Hereford in Dvorak’s “Stabat Mater,” she was booked for Powell’s celebrity concerts in all the principal cities and Chappell’s ballad concerts. She has accepted the principal part in the French opera, “Arianne ct Barba Bleu,” at the La Scala Theatre, in Milan. It is the first production of the opera in Italy, though it is well known in Paris. One of the charms of Mior.e Stewart’s performance as Vittoria in “The Maid of the Mountains,” says the Sydney Bystander, is that she copies nobody. She has the musical voice, with the alluring upward inflection of the Stewarts, and the infectious laugh and gaiety that every young actress would do well to cultivate if she wants to become a prime favourite; but her conception of the character of Vittoria, taken aa a whole, stands quite by itself in the range of comic opera widows. Miss Ada Reeve is playing in Scotland at present. Amongst the attractions that Messrs J. C. Williamson . promise to send on a tour of the Dominion in the near future .are “Scandal,” “The Lilac Domino,” and “The Maid of the Mountains.” 'The Auckland Amateur Operatic Society is to play “The Country .Girl.” Several of our recent theatrical visitors have been artistically educative as well «s entertaining (says Melbourne Argus). Many a young actor or actress aspiring to character work might benefit bv long study of the quiet way in which Mr Wilkie Bard obtains his effects. From whatever cause, there is at times on the Australian stage a good deal of unnecessary tumult and shouting. _ We cannot altogether blame American influence, for there are quiet and skilful American players and vaudeville performers as well as noisy ones. Mr Bard’s material and methods are as quiet as they are English. Never is there a suggestion of effort or of frenzied pursuits of laughs, and that is one of the reasons why the laughs are gladly given. Tn touches of pathos also, he is a master. Leo Cherniavasky, who is at present in Brisbane, claims that he has purchased a ’cello which was made by Joseph Guarriieri. and bears the date 1730. Cherniavasky discovered the ’cello four veers but the owner, Mr 11. Sleath. Brisbane, would not part with it then. It is stated that the price paid was iGIuOO. Ohermavaskv says that Guarnieri made only four ’cellos. Polly A(‘Daren is the so'o dancer and ballet mistress with Walter George’s revue which is now playing at Melbourne Bijou. Jim Gerald is the principal comedian. Other members of the company are—-Walter George, Percy M‘Kay, Reg. Hawthorne, Frank Haining, Harry Ross. Essie Jennings, Ilylda Shannon, and G e or g i e Martin. When the J. f*. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company returns to Melbourne, the first production in Australia will be given of “Merrie England ” the music of which is bv the famous English composer, Edward German. The action of 11'e. story takes place in the Elizabethan period. The music is described as “charming and ear-haunting.” whilst the comedy is delightfully droll. There will be a specially-selected cast. One of the most memorable events in which Dame dam Butt and Mr Kennerlev Rum ford figured was a remarkable conceit at the Royal Albert ITa.lI. London. at which they sang | 0 an immense audience consisting wholly of wounded soldiers. Every seat was filled, and the right was a most enthralling one. On the day prior to the concert there was a “full-dress rehearsal” in connection with the arrangements made for bringing in the wounded sohliers and getting them to theii; places, for many of the men were cot cases* or were tin disabled as to make their transport into the hall and out again a. matter of considerable difficulty. However, the

arrangements worked most smoothly, and the soldiers were given a concert that will never be forgotten. The London papers devoted considerable space to a description of this unique occasion, which the London Times described as “one of the most inspiring events of the war.” fine often hears of a well-known actor or actress having begun as Little Willie in “East Lynne.” Mr ITarrv Roberts, now in ’ Scandal,” relates with some amusement that be made his debut at a tender age in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”—as Little Eva! Borne years later Mr Roberts played several “dame” parte in pantomime. Richard Strauss will conduct his principal concert works during a two months’ visit to the United States. He holds that the future, of the lyric stage will lie in the direction cf chamber opera, or opera intime. t'he world-wide revival of interest in Gilbert’ and Sullivan is further illustrated by the fact that another season (probably of four months) is to be given in London. The melodramatic burlesque “Ruddigore” will be given for the first time since 1187. WELLiUCTON WNG WHISPERSRt Peter Paw September 30. Dear “Pasquin,”—“Welcome Stranger” opened on Thursda- night, and the comedy received a generous welcome. The season is likely to be a successful one. Charles Berkeley, of the Williamson-Tait staff, left for Sydney by the Ulimaroa this week. The genial Charles expects to return before very long. Huxham’s Serenaders were on the Ulimaroa. They are “jumping” from here to Perth, where they will play the summer season. They had a warm farewell at His Majesty’s on Tuesday evening. Their place in the programme is being filled by Nellie Kolle, Sestria (a comedy acrobat), Don Wallace, and Carlton and Rosslvn. On the 10th October Jennie Hartley will be the- star attraction. The jMimi Diggers are going as strong as ever. “Billy” Low writes that he is coming across from Sydney by the Tahiti, in advance ct a, Tivoli vaudeville' company headed by Annette Kellerman and Stuart Barnes. He has also arranged for some big picture releases, one of which probably will the Dempsey-Carpentier fight. Levitzky gave his first recital here last Saturday to a large audience, but not so large as liis great genius was entitled. Hi.s second recital was given on Tuesday, and the public responded in great style, the big Town Hall being well filled. Levitzky enchanted his hearers, and they clamoured their delight. It was quite inspiring. At the final recital last- night the enthusiasm was unbounded, and the artist had to respond to numerous recalls.