The Stage

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 70

The Stage

BOOKINGS.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. September 10 to 15.—“ Rookery Nook.” September 17 .to October 6.—Dunedin Competitions. ’ October 23 to 31.—Percy Hutchison’s English Comedy Company.

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

By Pasqttin Dunedin is having a quiet time at present so far as theatrical shows are concerned, but, on the other hand, the picture houses continue to supply any want which may be felt in this direction, and they are drawing large crowds n’ghtly. It is understood that the George Ward Revue Company will open at the Princess Theatre on September 10. The theatre is closed in the meantime. The Eleven Rascals are now appearing at the local Regent Theatre. The San Francisco Chronicle published the following telegram from Reno: — Arthur A. Borrows, who died at the county hospital in Reno early this morning (July 16), ivas none other than the Arturo Salvini. famous tenor of many years ago, who sang i n the Royal Opera Company in • Covent Garden. London, for eight years. He toured Europe, South America, and the United States and Australia. Twenty years ago his health failed, and he came west. Borrows was born in Scotland in 1857. The Midnight Frolics who. headed by Clem Dawe, were so popular in New Zealand last year, have made little change in the personnel of their company, which now' .includes Douglas Herald, a bassbaritone. John Robinson, a dancer, and Gertie Cremer, a new comedienne. The company has just finished at Newcastle, and is due back in New Zealand some time soon. Winter Hall is playing “father” to Betty Balfour in the British film. “Paradise,” which is being made at Elstree, Herts. England. Marie Burke, last here with “ Frasquita,” and now playing in “ Show Boat ” at the Drury Lane Theatre, London, has obtained a divorce from her husband, Thomas Burke, the tenor. Miss Burke first toured New Zealand in “Wildflower ” and “ The Cousin From Nowhere.” She had a large following among New Zealand playgoers. London critics praise highly her work in “ Show’ Boat.” Her husband did not defend the divorce suit, and Miss Burke was granted the custody of their child.

Noel Coward, the writer of the book lyrics and music of “ This Year of Grace,” the revue at the London Pavilion, is to play the lead in it when it opens in New' York, although the revue w_ill not be produced there until October 15. The New York theatre agencies have taken the entire theatre for 10 weeks. The more expensive seats are priced at 6dol (£1 4s). Beatrice Lille is to play the leading woman’s role. “The Vagabond King” is down for production by J. C. Williamson in the near future. Based on the life of Francois Villon, beggar-poet of France, it is to be presented on a lavish scale, and will probably open at Her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney. It is understood that several members of the Royal Comic Opera Company, which played “Madame Pompadour ” in Dunedin, and also James Liddy, will have parts in the new opera. Mr Warwick Braithwaite, director of music, British Broadcasting Corporation, Cardiff, Wales, writes me as follows under date July 17:—In this week’s Otago Witness I note you have inserted a notice of the first concert of the National Orchestra of Wales in Cardiff. This concert was conducted by Sir Henry Wood and myself. Sir Henry conducted the first part and I the second. The venture has been a tremendous success, and the 8.8. C.-has continued the series of concerts. I have conducted altogether 92 concerts —80 at the National Museum and 12 at the City Hall—since the inaugural concert, and the next two seasons will conduct 48 concerts at the Citj’ Hall and 96 at the National Museum. The City Hall concerts are twice weekly—one a symphony concert and the other a ‘ popular.’ I conduct four Museum concerts weekly during the City Hall season as well. Apart from this I am honorary conductor of the Cardiff Mu-ical Society of 200 voices. This society will be performing this season Bach’s ‘ Matthew Passion,’ Elgar’s ‘King Olaf,’ and Mendelssohn’s ‘ Elijah.’ I am also conductor of the Studio Orchestra at the 8.8. C. and musical director of the corporation (8.8. C. in Cardiff. The amount of rehearsal needed for all the programmes is terrific. I go up to London frequently, and conduct at least once a year at the London Studio.’ T have given concerts all over Wales and one in Belfast.”

Nellie Bramley and her company are playing at tile Theatre Royal. Brisbane, in “ Let’s Get Married Aga : n.” E. J. Gravestock announces that the New Zealand season of Shura Cherkassky, the brilliant 16-year-old Russian pianist, will open at the Caledonian Hall, Christchurch, on Thursday, September 6. The boy prodigy met with a great reception in Australia.

The cleverly constructed comedy-farce “Mr What’s His Name,” which will be played by Mr Percy Hutchison and the J. C. Williamson company of English artists supporting him. was adapted by Hicks from the, French, and is Brisk and amusing. The Mike Connors-Queenie *'aul Revue Company is at present appearing at St. James’s Theatre, Auckland. As an instance of the slackness of London’s theatrical world, it is stated that at one well-known West End theatre, which had announced a matinee, the curtain was not rung up, as there was

not a single person present to see the show. This is believed to be a record for London.

A curious theatre pass is held by J. Worrail, the former Victorian and Australian representative cricketer, in 1886 Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove presented a medal for the best batting average obtained by any player in Mtioourn. pennant cricket, the medal entitling the holder to free admission to all their theatres for 12 months, or, if won twice in succession, free admission for life. vVorrall won it for the second time in succession in 1895, and the present J.C.W. firm still honours the contract.

The late-Emilio Polini, who died last year, left a will whereby her mother inherits £500; several other gifts were mentioned. The residue of the estate was o be heid in trust for her infant daughter, Patricia Marie Ellis, and to pay her £4 a week for her support and education, conditional upon the child being brought up by Mr and Mrs Nares, the latter being the deceased’s sister. As the father is disinclined to agree to this arrangement, the legacy will probably lapse, so far as the child’s interest is concerned.

Writing on July 13, the London correspondent of the Wellington Post remarks:—lt is very evident that Mr Keith Wilbur is an established favourite with Coliseum audiences, it is good to hear the genuine applause from all parts of that vast auditorium at the conclusion of his “ Mr Wilbur calls himself “ just a New Zealander.” He appears in the dress of a New Zealand drover, and he very cieverly gives an impression of life up-country, with the various sounds that are to be heard on a farm. He has completed 13 weeks on the Stoll Theatres circuit, and is now playing return visits. These engagements in the Mother Country have necessitated the postponement of his second visit to America—he was booked on the' .Keith-Allen circuit last year. However, this engagement has been put forward until the end of 1929. Then, after a j’ear or two in America, Mr Wilbur hopes to visit Australia, and then return home to New Zealand. “ I have found in my travels that throughout the British Isles there is a very sincere regard for New Zealanders,” he remarked, “ and it gives one a warm feeling to be greeted on all sides with remarks such as, ‘ That is one place I should like to visit if I ever had the luck to travel.’ Folks at home may like to know that in England New Zealand is held in higher esteem than any other country. It is known that the Dominion is essentially British, and is looked upon as the England of the South, or as home from home. At no other time does one feel prouder of being a New Zealander as when abroad, and if I can, in my humb , e way, be an ambassador of the Dominion, it is a lifelong ambition realised.”

It would be difficult to overstate the success made in the U.S.A, and Canada by Florence Austral, who has just returned to Europe after six mouths on the other side of the Atlantic (writes a Sydney Bulletin correspondent). Even T 7 t Ur n lvid . recoHections of the triumphs or Melba, Albani, and other women stars, it could be claimed that no British-born sopyano has ever received such acclamation in the United States. If she became a resident of Uncle Sam’s territory she would probably soon challenge John M Cormacks supremacy in popular favour. Ihe critics of the American papers have lavished eiery known degree of eulogy on her voice, method, and temperament. Edivard Moore, of the Chicago Tribune, wrote: No soprano voice, at least in my time has ever come within miles of hers. At the close of her season in England she returns to America for a further six months’ tour, embracing all the great music centres from coast to coast.

Edgar Wallace has had financial success from the stage which must excite the admiration and the envy of every other writer of sensational fiction. When the best-selling” novel. “If Winter Comes, was at the height of its popularity, a rising young English author was asked what he desired most of all in the literary world. “A. S. M. Hutchinson’s royalties. he replied promptly. Edgar 'Wallaces royalties are on a scale that must make ambitious young authors dizzyeven to contemplate. Mr Wallace has had a most romantic career. He began very humbly, and served as private soldier in the Boer War. Through sheer , De *’ s °uahty. he became a war conespondent. Upon his return to London he suffered greatly from lack of money, but gradually established himself as an author. Tn the last two or three years he has struck a rich vein of gold bv writing “thriller” plays. b y WING WHISPERS. By Peteb Pan. WELLINGTON, August 30. Dear Pasquin,”—The Ben Travers season at the Grand Opera House is providing a real laughter boom; such a change to have clean humour to chortle over, instead of suggestive overtures that certainly amuse, but furtively. The clean-cut humour of “ Rookery Nook ” with its artistic stage settings has prepared the way for Wellingtonians to appreciate “Cuckoo in the Nest” and ‘‘ Thark.” Donalda Warne, the very juvenile Australian actress, scores a distinct hit in “ Rookery Nook,” and wears the famous pink pyjamas with a sweet distinction and winsomeness. The company is excellent. Hastings Lynn is typically English in style and humour, and he never fails in his lines to get the laugh the author intended. Basil Radford makes a welcome reappearance, and there is a bevy of other charming ladies in support of- Miss Warne who act gracefully and easily. The plays have caught on here, and Dunedin may look forward to another enjoyable season. Each play is all too short in duration. It is-pleas-ing to record that public appreciation is such that large audiences are the rule.

Stiffy and Mo have made their first appearance here after a four years’ absence, and are crowding the Fuller House each night. The funmaking pair have scarcely altered, and there is an excellent company in support, including Amy Rochelle and Sadie Gale (the latter one of the neatest step-dancers on sand), the former a rousing soprano. Peter Brooks, Dan Weldon, Jack Kelleway, and Dan Dunbar are in the company, and the bare-legged ballet is neatness personified. L'he Charlston Symphony Band he’ps to make the show go with a swing; it is a happy combination of musicians, and has won deserved applause on every appearance.

The Competitions are still on, but draw, ing to a close gradually. The standard of work has been fairly high, and the judges have had a strenuous time. The public -always looks forward to the final demonstration conceits, wherein the prize winners figure.