THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 70

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

By

Pasquin.

Bearing the plans of the new Fuller theatre for Christchurch, Sir Benjamin Fuller arrived in Auckland by the Aorangi. The success of the FullerGonsalez Grand Opera Company, he said, had prompted his firm to tour the whole of New Zealand again, and he had come over primarily to make arrangements for that. After the New Zealand tour the company would tour Australia once more, and by that time another grand opera company would have arrived fi« Italy. The present tour of the grand opera company had been such a success that the Fuller firm had decided to have an annual season in both New Zealand and Australia. The return season of the company in Dunedin will extend from October 13 to October 22, inclusive. The company’s repertoire has been enlarged by the addition of the operas “ Ernani ” and “ Lohengrin.”

Princess Theatre patrons -will find a large measure of enjoyment in the productions staged by George Ward and hie versatile entertainers. George Ward, in his latest presentation reverts to the vaudeville-revue style of entertainment and the success of the venture has been instantaneous. Jean Keith, Colleen Hope, Alma Valdor, Kathleen Ward, Gus Dawsop. and Charles Sherman are to the fore in a number of bright vocal and instrumental selections, while the ballet again supplies some excellent concerted dancing numbers. The task of supplying the humour in both parts of the programme falls upon George Ward and his canable henchman, Al Maurice, whose sallies never fail to bring laughter and applause from the audience. Last week’s revue was entitled “ Hermie’s Vacation," and it proved a most diverting piece.

, Keen interest is being evinced in the forthcoming visit of Shura Cherkassky, the youthful Russian pianist, who is giving three recitals at His Majesty’s Theatre —on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday oi next week. His successes in Australia and recently in Wellington and Christchurch have been outstanding. “ When the youthful Shura Cherkassky walked across the stage to the piano last night." writes an Australian critic, “it was natural that the names of other brilliant boys whose exploits in the world of music made them famous should be called to mind. Of Mozart, the child of six, who, gaily attired in Court finery, played before crowned heads; Chopin, another of the immortals, who publicly played a concerto at the age of nine; of Mark HainLourg. •who made his debut in Vienna at the age of 15, and of Rosenthal and Busoni, who were each 10 years old when they made their initial public appearance.. the latter creating a mild sensation at Vienna. Mischa Elnyin, at 13. started his career as a violinist, and Kreisler carried off the Prix de Rome, at Paris, at the ripe age of 12. Cherkassky was nine years old when he gave his first public performance at Odessa, and two years later he was touring America. Judged by his performance last night, he is well in the line of apostolic succession of the great executants, and it is reasonable to assume that he will rank among the giants of the piano in the future. Lavishly endowed by Nature, he has ‘arrived’ when the majority of music students, are. thinking' of entering a conservatorium.” Stephanie Deste takes the part of Azuri in “ The Desert Song ” at Melbourne His Majesty's. A Sydney correspondent writes: “For the Australian revival of Pinero’s remarkable play ‘The Notorious MrEbbsmith,’ the cast was as under: —Miss Irene Vanbrugh as Agnes. Mr Dion Eoucicault as Duke of St. Olpherts (his original nart). Mr J. B Rowe as Lucas Cleeve, Miss Prudence Vanbrugh as Sybil Cleeve. Mr Ronald Ward as Sir Sandford Cleeve, Miss Gwynne Whitby as Ger trude Thorpe, Mr Norman M'Kinnell as the Rev. Amos Winterfield. Mr G. K Souner as Sir George Brndriek, Mr Reginald Wykeham as Dr Kirke. Mr Hugh Williams as Fortune, Miss Peggy Willoughby as Nella, and Miss Annie Saker as Hephzibah. “ Mrs Ebbsmith ’’ was first produced at the Garrick Theatre, London, on March'l3. 1895, an t was staged in Melbourne in 1896 by the famous Brough-Boucicault partnership which presented all the principal successes of Pinero. Henrv Arthur Jones, and other leading dramatists of the day. There is everv probability of the play being staged in New Zealand during the forthcoming tour of the Vanbrush-Boucicault Company Referring to the production of “The Desert Song” at Melbourne -a critic in the Sun News-Pictorial has the following:—“Apart from its triumph as a production, it. was a personal triumph for the young New Zealand actor. Lance Fairfax, who was a romantie and dominating figure as the Red Shadow, a picturesque addition to the musical comedy outlaw’s gallery.” Margaret Lawrence, the American star Whom Aurtralia did not like, is appear-

ing in San Francisco in a revival of “ Mid-Channel.” She is supported by Conway Tearle, a convert from the screen. Auckland must easily take pride of place as the most overseated (theatrically speaking) city south of the Line (says a writer in the Sydney Bulletin). With a population of less than 200,000 (city and suburbs) it has 45 theatres and picture halls, most of them open nightly. How they all live is a mystery, and yet capital seems to be plentiful, for more are mooted.

Following on her recent marriage in America Madge Titheradge declares she will remain in that country, and that she has given up the stage for good. “ A terrible loss to the theatre,” comments a writer in the London Daily Mail, “for she is one of the greatest actresses we nossese.”

Claude Fleming, singer, •acto’’, and wellknown figure in Australian and New Zealand theatrical circles, has been retained at Hollywood as coach to film players who are making their debut in speaking pictures. The rising tide of “ speakies ” is causing considerable alarm amdng actors who, hitherto, have not found it necessary to cultivate voice production or make even the most elementary study of elocution. It is predicted that many popular artists will fail to reach the requisite vocal standard for speaking-pic-ture work, but Mr Fleming is among those who will do their best to keep the stars twinkling.

The death occurred at Otahtthu recently of Mr Alfred M. Hayden, well known theatrically in Australia and New Zealand for his comedy work with Harry Rickards and Dix’s. When New Zealand Picture Supplies began the picture business in Christchurch Mr Hayden joined the firm. He was also connected with Fullers’ pictures when they first opened a' His Majesty’s Theatre there. For the past few years Mr Hayden had been managing picture theatres at Lyttelton. Nelson, Wellington, Tahiatua. Te Kuiti, Hamilton, and Otahuhu, where he died. He was one of the most popular figures in t motion picture business in New Zealand.

In Sir Gerald du Maurier’s dressingroom at the St. James’s Theatre there hangs—borrowed for a joke from a provincial theatre —a placard which is headed. “ Notice to Artistes,” and goes on to say: “ Complaints have been made that certain artistes are occasionally using indecent or offensive gags, imprecations, and profane The following examples have been mentioned—“ My God.” “ Hell,” “ Damn.” etc. Artistes can be funny without using vulgar .or bad language Such language or suggestion will not be tolerated.” A new theatrical firm has come into existence in Australia. Mr Lew Park® has forsaken the''post of publicity manager to the Fullers and has joined forces with his brother, Mr Hal. Parks, who has played in several productions in New Zealand. Already they have secured plays foi production, and they now intend to organise a special company.

The Williamson-Melba Opera Company, which is nearing the close of its Australian season, has met with wonderful success. The Fuller-Gonsalez Grand Opera Company- has also had a wonderfully successful tour in Australia and New Zealand. It is at present proving a great draw m Auckland.

The American comedy, “ The Patsy,” is now in its thirteenth week in Melbourne. There has been much favourable comment on the work of an American actress, Miss Irene Homer, in the leading role. After its Sydney presentation the play will probably- tour New Zealand. The young New Zealand actress, Miss Isobel Wilford, has an important part in the London production of “ A Damsel in Distress,” a comedy by lan Hay and P G. Wodehouse.

With a long list of successes in comedy and mystery drama to its credit. Frank Neil's Company is to tour New Zealand under the Fuller management. Tentative arrangements provide for the opening at His Majesty’s, Wellington, on December 26.

Mr Kenneth Impett. the New Zealand baritone, has returned to London from the Continent, where he has been con tinuing his vocal studies. He has maae successful concert and radio appearances in France, Germany, and Italy, and is now considering an offer to lecture in England in March, 1929. In the meantime, writes a London correspondent, Mr Impett intends going to New Zealand for a short visit, arriving in December. Long Tack Sam, Chinese entertainer, who has returned to Sydney, stated that he had successful seasons in Japan. Honolulu, and China, and had brought manynew ideas to Sydney. He stated that ai Australian season would be a restful one after a visit to America, where he had to put on four performances a day, and five on Sunday.. Sometimes this was kept up for 51 weeks in the year. The international season of opera whicn has just ended at Covent Garden, London, was attended by 95,802 people. The average was about 1800 a performance the seating capacity of the Opera House being about 1900. An official of the Covent Garden Syndicate said: “We have been much encouraged by the results. For the 1929 season we hope to introduce several operas . which have never been done here, and special revivals. Other plans under consideration should be of great interest to the public. We are also considering making improvements to the stage. The artistic standard this season was very high. In the opinion of the conductors, the orchestra was the bess heard at Covent Garden in recent times. The chorus, as usual, resnonded magnifi cently. It should be remembered that the English chorus has to sing in three foreign languages.”

John D. O’Hara, whose appearance in Dunedin in “ Lightnin’ ” is well remembered, has returned to Australia. He has given up the stage, and it is understood that he will settle in Melbourne. Although this year must be a record one for failures in the theatre, it is pleasanter and healthier to talk about the successes, writes a London critic. Certain plays are doing exceedingly- well, and there are rarely any empty seats at “ Alibi," thanks largely to Charles Laughton’s fine performance. “ The Trial of Mary Dugan,” " The Squeaker,” “ Plunder," and “Young Woodley,” which now has Kathleen O ixegan back in the cast Among the musical pieces “ Show Boat ” continues to break Drury Lane records. “ That’s a Good Girl ” is playing to over £5OOO a week, and “ This Year oi Grace ’ has had full houses at every evening performance since it started. “ Clowns in Clover ” continues its frolicsome way at the Adelphi, and will be given a new lease of life when the Duncan sisters join the company. Hastings-Lynn, the clever comedian heading the J. C. Williamson London Comedy Company, which is now playing at Christchurch Theatre Royal, has a large stock of humorous stories. Here is one:—Prisoner: “ it’s not my fault, your worship. I did hit her But she’s so tantalising. She dared me to do it. She s always saying, ‘Go on hit me; throw something at me, and see what’ll happen. Hit me, and give me a black eye, and I’ll pull you up before Old Whiskers, and he’ll deal it out to you, though he ain ♦ much better than you are. Go on, hit me, and I’ll have you before the beak. ” Magistrate: “And who pray, is ‘ Old Whiskers ’ and ‘ the beak ’ who is no better than you? ” Prisoner: “ Don’t asK me, sir ; don t ask me! I told her she was a liar, and that you were the kindest and fairest magistrate what ever sat on a bench ” Magistrate. “ She only got vhat was coming to h°r. Case d’smisscd. with costs!”

A company has been organised in Melbourne for the production of the mysterycomedy “Number 17,” which Leon M Lion_ staged for a long term at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London, some seasons back. “Number 17” will have its Australian premiere at the Palace Theatre, Melbourne, o n October 16. I* will be presented by White and Edgelev in. conjunction with Fullers Theatres, Ltd Brett Randall is in the cast. The company will later revive the successful fared “When Knights Were Bold.” plaved here many years ago.

The manager of an English house of amusement recently hit upon, an idea tha! has proved a winner for him. He adver tised that seats booked :n advance would be cheaper than those bought at the door, with the result that his company has been performing to full houses The idea looks to be a big improvement on the system o' charging a booking fee for reserved seats that is the common practice. Scott Sidney, the American film producer, fell dead in his hotel at Radlett. Hertfordshire, England, recently. whiD discussing details of a film on which he was to start work. Scott Sidney, best known as the director of the film Charley’s Aunt,” was on a holiday visit to England, but was persuaded by British International Pictures to direct one picture, starring the Continental comedy pair known as “ Long and Short.” It was vhile talking to the comedians that Scot! Sidney died.

No business requires such an infinite variety of material as that of the motior picture. The steel industry requires coal and iron as the basic necessities; to make a car metals, wood, glass, fabric, and rubber are needed’ —but according to a statement recently issued from Paramount s Hollywood studios, there is nc limit to the materials necessary for th' making of a picture. Camels from the Sahara, totems from the Arctic, castle.on the Rhine. the African veldt or the Austraran bush; articles, peoples, custom® native to every land under the sun arc either brought to the Paramount studios tt 1, c n to them. Paramount' Hollvwood itself is a maze of organisation Hundreds of subsidiary concerns operat outside the studios, and their business is to supply every want, anticipate every need. A director making a foreign legion Picture can have an army of legionaries tully equipped with uniforms, correct in detail, rifles, swords, and equipment within a day. if necessary