THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 72

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

By

Pasquin.

Of all comedians who find their way to the Princess Theatre none is so popular as the diminutive George Wallace. There is something distinctive about George Wallace’s efforts at fun-making, and last week’s effort, “At the Cross Roads,” gave him ample opportunity to display his talent. Mr Wallace is well supported by such players as Tom Lincoin. Frank Haining, Les Daley, and Marshall Crosby, not to mention Ada Scaddon and Lettie Craydon. Marie Nyman sings several pretty numbers. The play “ Suspense! ” was presented at His Majesty’s Theatre last week. The author (Graeme Holder) in the role of Sir Peter Brace, an unscrupulous financier, was the outstanding figure in the play, and he was supported by a cast of eight. Sir Peter gains possession of certain bonds, and these are stolen under mysterious circumstances. How the identity of the “Ace of Diamonds,” a notorious burglar, is revealed, step by step, formed the subject of a thrilling melodrama. The - box office receipts for the season could not have proved very great. Dawn Assheton, the English eolatura soprano, is making a second world tour, and in due course will be heard in Dunedin. Miss Assheton, who is a fascinating singer of folk and character songs, will be supported by a Canadian pianist, Miss Kathleen Strathearn, and Laszlo Schwartz, an Hungarian violinist composer. The company was at latest at Vancouver. The three-act comedy “Jane,” which a few years ago, when played by Charles Hawtrey, convulsed New Zealand audiences, was produced in the Oamaru Opera House on Tuesday night by an amateur company under Mr Stanley Warwick, and before a crowded audience. To say that the performance was a triumphant success is to do meagre justice to what was cne of the finest amateur productions that lias ever been seen in Oamaru. The audience demonstrated its appreciation at the end of each act, and when the curtain fell upon the last scene the audience fairly showered the performers with floral tributes. Miss Betty Butterfield, as Jane, eclipsed all her previous and showed herself the possessor of histrionic talent in a marked degree. She was the life and soul of the piece, and acquitted herself in a manner that commanded the admiration of all. Mr Graham Dickel as Charles Shackleton acted his difficult role in a thoroughly effective maimer. Mr Stanley Hook as Mr Kershaw gave th e greatest satisfaction. As Williams (the valet) Mr Stanley \\arwiek scored .a conspicuous success. Miss Doris Williams took the part of Mrs Cadwick (the designing aunt) in a charming manner, while Miss Doris Aitkenhead was most successful in her characterisation of Lucy Norton (Shackle- - ton’s financee). Mr Sydney Ashton presented the character of Claude (the pa"e boy) most successfully, while Miss Nellie M’Laren, as Mrs Pixton, and Mr Charles Ashton, as her husband, created roars of laughter in their respective parts .there was not a weak spot in the whole performance. It went with a swing from start to finish, and, assisted by a splendid orchestra under Mr R. J. Meldrum, established a first-night record that has never been equalled in North Otago. The comedy, which was being produced m aid of the funds of the local Competitions Society, was repeated on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Mr Maurice Ralph, general manager for J. Gravestock, Ltd., has received cabled advice from Mr Gravestock, who at present is in New York, that the New Zealand tour of Amy Evans, the Welsh soprano, and Fraser Gange the Scottish baritone who so delighted Dominion audiences seven years ago, will open in the Wellington down Hall on Saturday, April 14. There i 8 much that is attractive in the musical comedy “Rose Marie,” the strik- ■ j’. ’’ illiamson production comin" to Dunedin on Saturday, March 10 The music is of a particularly high standard, and at times is up to grand opera heights. The plot is not a mere semblance to which music and dialogue are appended, but is a very convincing and gripping story. The scenery, which has been specially painted and prepared for this entrancing musical play is described as being “the most beautiful series of stage pictures ever pre- " seated. In addition to several big scenes, there are what are termed “impressions' ; these cameo-like presentations are reminiscent of famous London and New York productions, which are most realis*J e - sensa tional Totem Pole dance in the first act, and the loveliness of the Canadian Rockies scene, stand as unforgettable star features of the musical con. dy. Close in their wake comes the curiously novel scene in Black Eagle’s cabin, where three people perform a perfectly intelligible though wordless drama. The part of Rose Marie is played by Miss Harriet Bennet, and others in the company are Reginald Dandy, Stephanie Deste, Frederick Bentley, Yvonne Banvard, Lou Vernon, James Hughes, George Bryant. Noel Allan, and Mabel Lambeth. Jim Gerald, who has for the past 10 years been consistently playing the Fuller

circuit, will leave for a vacation abroad on the conclusion of his present Sydney season. With his departure the company will be disbanded. Mr Gerald has ah enviable reputation in the production of revues, and his companies, together with Edgeley and Dawe’s “ Midnight Frolics,” were always and everywhere popular. It is understood that the Fullers <L not intend letting Mr Gerald out of Australia for long. Rarely, if ever, has there been seen such dancing as is provided by Josephine Head, Albert Hugo, and Mlle Ramona in “Tip Toes ” and “ Queen High,” the two vivacious musical comedies now being played in New Zealand by the specially selected J. C. Williamson Company. These famous artists came direct from the Folies Bergeres, Paris, where, it is said, the dancing is of a -igher standard than any other musical and art centre of the world. Josephine Head and Mlle Ramona are beautifully formed women, and they keep themselves graceful and lissome by indulging in regular courses of physical culture, strict attention to diet, and plenty' of exercise in the open air. Nellie Deane, who plays one of the leading roles in “Archie,” shortly to be presented in New Zealand, has replaced five overseas artists in important roles in recent successful musical comedies presented by the Fullers. In “No, No, Nanette,” she took over Madge White’s part of Lucille, the scheming wife. Later she was put into Winifred Daly’s part in the same piece. She played for May Beatty on several occasions; the Florence Hunter part in “ Mercenary Mary,” and Mai Bacon’s role in “ Archie.” Nellie Deane was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and has spent practically all her life on the stage. In “ Archie ” she takes the part of a widow who has no illusions left about life and romance.

Oscar Beck, who was in New Zealand with the Midnight Frolics, is now a member of the Stiffy and Mo Comedy Company in Melbourne.

The death is announced in America of Rubi Trelease. wife of Dr Norman Hales, formerly of Wellington, and at one time a talented amateur actor, now on the American stage. Miss Trelease visited New Zealand as a member of the Joseph Covne Comedy Company in February, 1922.

Arthur Adams, the New Zealander who is claimed as the Australian novelist and playwright, has left Sydney for England with a number of his comedies, which he will try to place on the market. Mr Adams’s last play, “ Mrs Pretty and the Premier,” was produced in London early in the v .r. On the voyage to England Mr Adams will act as secretary to Sir Owen Cox, the shipping magnate. Molly Raynor, a New Zealand girl, is receiving favourable notices from the dramatic critics in Australia. She is a daughter of Fred. Rayner, the well-known New- Zealand black and white artist. His daughter changed the “e” into “o” for stage purposes. Miss Rayner played for a time in “ Gumtree Gully ” with the Kate Howard Company, but later won her success in “ The Alarm Clock ” at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne. Her people have lived in Sydney for some time. Two of Miss Rayner’s sisters. Elspeth and Joan, are playing at the Greenleaf Theatre, London. The Firm struck bad luck with two expensive actresses last year—Judith Anderson and Margaret Lawrence, both excellent artists (says the Sydney Bulletin). Unsuccessful opening bills seem to explain both failures. It took £4OO a week to induce Judith to visit her native country, and her “ Cobra ” wasn’t a success. “ The Road to Rome,” which went off into mere emart talkiness after the first act, was the opening misfortune wished on Margaret Lawrence, who afterwards appeared in “ Rain,” in which the other lady was to lead, only she fell ill. Barbara Hoff made a third actress that play hoodooed. After doing very moderately in Sydney Margaret Lawrence —a remarkably clever lady—found Melbourne so unkind that she finished up her Australian experiences there, and returned to America.

There is a member of the cast of “ The Terror ” at the Theatre Royal. Melbourne, who, though he is playing a comparatively small part, has played many roles in J. C. Williamson companies, and has just completed a long record of 36 years on the stage. Of these, more than 20 years have been spent in Australia. This is Herbert Leigh, who plays Major Craddock, deputy governor of the gaol in “ The Terror.” He first gained considerable experience as an amateur in London, where he was a member of the Betterton Dramatic Club, which also included Beerbohm Tree and Fred Leslie. Mr Leigh joined the professional stage in Capetown under the B. and F. Wheeler management, and during his 10 years’ association with this firm played many diverse roles. For two years, during the Boer War, he managed a company in Bloemfontein in partnership with Frank Pierce, brother of Bert Gilbert. Mr Leigh made his first appearance in Australia in 1905 in support of Julius Knight and Maud Jeffries when they starred in “ Resurrection,” “ The Eteriial City,” “ Monsieur Beaueaire,” and other plays. Since then he has played a w'ide range of parts on the Australian stage, and regards as among his most successful Jaikes in “The Silver King,” Nero in “The Sign of • the Cross,” and Colonel Sap in “ The Prisoner of Zenda.” <e The withdrawal of Noel Coward’s ‘ Sirocco ” after 29 performances at Delany’s, London, establishes the record shortest run for that theatre, which for years has, been the home of light opera. Sirocco ” was another Noel Coward play with another adulteress heroine. The first night audience booed and hissed all through the production. At the final curtain there was quite an unusual scene. Coward is the author of “Fallen Angels,” “ The Vortex,” “ The Queen. Was in Her Parlour,” “ Home Chat,” etc. ’ •

By the end of June or early in July, Christchurch will be graced with a new and up-to-date theatre in place of thepresent Theatre Royal. The arrangements have been completed by Mr E. J. Tait on behalf of the J. C. Williamson Company. Mr Tait states that the present". theatre will be gutted and the building altered and redecorated, at a cost running into about £50,000. The building will have new entrances and spacious foyers, and will be lavishly upholstered throughout. It will be brought right up to the standard of the latest .Australian and New Zealand theatres. Alexander Marky, writer and kinema director of Universal Pictures Corporation of America, who paid an extended visit to New' Zealand two years ago, was so greatly impressed by the wonderful scenic beauties of what he termed “ The Paradise of the South Seas ” that he decided to return to New Zealand for the purpose of producing a motion picture for his company, with New Zealand and old Maori life as the background. Mr Marky prepared a unique story for this film. He will go into production in the North, and later in the South Island. Mr Marky contemplates using a large Maori cast for his picture, and he is particularly anxious to find the most beautiful Maori girl, and Maori youth typical cf his race, to take the leading Native par's in his film. Both must be thoroughly conversant with old Maori customs and kno- the most characteristic Maori dances. They must have pleasant features and fine physiques, and photograph well. Loie Fuller, famous dancer, died in Paris on January 2 from pneumonia. Born on a farm near Chicago Miss Fuller went to Paris 35 years ago and presented her “ fire dance.” Later came the creation of the “ serpentine dance,” which brought her world-wide fame. Her innovations included spectacular dancing with yards of billowing draperies and fantastic lights. , The high place that the dancer held in French art and the esteem which French hearts felt for her was attested by the widespread mourning tributes paid in verse and prose. These came from artists who admired her as a creator of the dance, and from the public who cherished her for her peace-time charities and war work. Miss Fuller, who was once a confidante of Queen Marie, of Rumania, is said to have died almost poor, though she earned huge sums in the days of her prosperity. A well-known and experienced actress, Gertr de Esdaille, will shortly make her reappearance on the stage in Auckland. A series of tabloid plays is to be presented by Mr Conroy Smithson, and Miss Esdaille will appear in them. She has a repertoire of success to her credit, and studied her profession under the late Charles Taylor, of the old Taylor-Carring-ton Company, with which she toured Australia before accepting an engagement with Alf. Woods to play Madame Valerie in “ Hands Across the Sea ” and other parts. Miss Esdaille then met the late Ada Lee, sister of ’ Jennie Lee, and the two became great friends. Many of the older generation of theatregoers will remember- Miss Esdaille’s performance as Madame Vinard in “ Trilby,” and as Lady Gertrude in “ The Sorrows of Satan,” when she toured New Zealand with George Darrell’s Company. Later Miss Esdaille was associated with Miss Fitzmaurice Gill in “Dr Bill ” and “ East Lynne.” In the last-named play she was engaged by Sanford’s American Players for a tour. Under the J. C. Williamson banner Miss Esdaille played in “ Daddy Longlegs ” with Kathleen Macdonnell and Charles Waldron, and was afterwards associated with many well-known managers, including the late d’Orsay Ogden. William Anderson, Charles Verner. Kate Howard, and the late Stirling White.