THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 64

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

By

Pasquin.

Sir Alexander Mackenzie, the English composer, has celebrated hits ciglitysecond birthday. I understand (writes C. J. M. in the Dominion) that a movement is on foot to form another male choir in Wellington.

Mr Arthur Jordan, the well-known tenor, has definitely decided to visit New Zealand and Australia next year.

Kubelik, the great violinist, will tour Australia and New Zealand, giving no fewer than 150 recitals—the largest number ever undertaken by a great artist in this part of the world.

In Allan Wilkie’s new Shakespearian production in Melbourne, the first part of “ Henry IV,” Mr Wilkie appears as I'alstaff, Alexander Marsh as Hotspur, and John Cameron (the New Zealander) as Prince Hal.

Elgar’s “ Dream of Gerontius,” which is being rehearsed by the Christchurch Musical Society, will be performed about the middle of June. Me already have in Wellington three orchestras (writes C. J. M. in the Dominion) —the Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Guild of Music Makers—and it is rumoured that still another orchestra is in the course of formation.

Sir Alfred Sullivan's “ Golden Legend ” is the work selected for the Royal Wellington Choral Union's second concert of the present season. The combined performance of “ Hiawatha,” by the Royal Wellington Choral Union and the New Plymouth Choral Society, under the baton of Mr John Bishop, will take place in New Plymouth about the end of August. Sir Thomas Beecham conducted a series of concerts in Berlin recently by the Philharmonic Orchestra, the first time he has appeared there since the war. Delius’s “ Eventyr,” first performed at the Delius festival this year, and Elgar’s “ Cockaigne ” were two English works on the opening programme. Air A. A. Milne’s new play, “ Michael and Mary,” which was given first in New York, and which is still running most successfully on Broadway, was given its London premiere recently. Miss Edna Best and Mr Frank Lawton are two ■wellknown artists in the cast.

A feeling of optimism is at present abroad in theatre circles in Melbourne, and it is generally felt that the legitimate stage is coming back into its own. Mr Allan Wilkie’s season is described as a wonderful triumph. Every house is packed every fresh production is enthusiastically greeted. The financial success of the enterprise seems assured. George Wallace is enjoying continued popularity at the Tivoli Theatre, and other successful productions are “ Lombardi, Ltd.” and “ Follow Through.” Bizet’s “ Carmen ” is to be performed by the Royal Wellington Choral Union on May 31 (says the Dominion). Mr Alfred Walmsley, who arrived in the Dominion a few weeks ago from London, has been engaged to sing the part of “ Don Jose.” Mr Walmsley felt Dunedin several years ago, and has sung the tenor solos in the above opera on numerous occasions with the Carl Rosa Opera Company. Mr Ernest Short is to sing the part of “ Escomillo.” The management of the London Lyric Theatre has released Miss Marie Ney, of Wellington, from the lead in “ Murder on the Second Floor ” so that she may create the part of Milady in the musical play, “ The Three Musketeers.” adapted from Dumas’s novel, which will be presented at the Drury Lane Theatre this month by Sir Alfred Butt, in conjunction with Mr Florenz Ziegfeld. The lyrics for the new play are by Mr P. G. Wodehouse and Mr Clifford Grey, and the music by Mr Rudolf Friml. Mr Dennis King, an English actor, will take the part of D’Artagnan. This will be Miss Ney’s first appearance in musical edmedy since she turned her attention to “ straight ” plays, in which she has had so many successes.

One engaging feature about Mr Edgar ■Wallace is that he never writes on a subject with which he is never fully conversant. Some years ago a crime reporter on a London newspaper equipped him to write the “ thrillers,” without which no holiday is complete, and special correspondence work in East Africa enabled him to write his “ Sanders ” books, which are brilliantly written, and which have not received the measure of discerning attention which is their due. Mr Wallace writes plays in the same manner, as thoroughly and almost as rapidly as he writes his novels. He w r as in America recently and spent some time in the city of Big Bill Thompson, dodging stray bullets and wood alcohol. The result is a play on Chicago, dealing with gangs and gunmen. It will be given in London shortly, and is certain to be eagerly sought by American producers.

An amateur theatrical production which ran for a season of four nights at Taihape was a distinct financial success. The door takings were £217, and expenses £67, leaving a net profit of £l5O, -which was divided between the School Committee and the producer, Mr W. Lints. As the School Committee’s portion will carry a £1 for £1 subsidy, the school will benefit to the extent of £l5O. In “Love Lies,” which is to introduce Clem Dawe in his first sustained comedy role, there is plenty of action, any amount of good singing, startling dance effects, and dressing that is a revelation to even the sophisticated playgoers. In the London production, two Australians, Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, scored astounding success, for their dancing was a sheer delight. New Zealanders will remember the faultless poise and dainty charm of Miss Elliott, in numerous Williamson

musical comedies throughout the Dominion, and the agility and attention to detail of her partner, Mr Ritchard. It was then predicted that two such dancers could break into London, despite the countless exponents of terpsichore already known on the English boards. That they have is sure proof of that assertion, for to-day the pair are much sought after; they have accomplished some wonderful dance creations. Even English critics, who are notoriously hard to please, have hailed them.

(< T"'° new songs by Richard Strauss. “ Liebesgeschenke ” and “ Hire Augen,” were introduced recently to London audiences by Elisabeth Schumann, to whom they are dedicated. “It is very doubtful whether any other singer could have surmounted their unusual difficulties,” says the London Telegraph. “ When Strauss began to write for the orchestra he evolved a technique which, new and revolutionary at that time, has now become part of the common stoqk. His treatment of vocal music has been equally revolutionary, but so far it has found few admirers. His best songs are those which are nearest to the German tradition. ‘ Liebesgeschenke ’ is exceptional only because of the odd frills which adorn certain words, i ‘ Hire Augen ’ is a slow melody with periods of unusual length rather trying to the singer—music which but for clever handling would be distinctly commonplace.” Charles Lamb has at last been put on the stage, and it in the theatre he loved so well. Joan Temple has written a play about him and his sister, which she calls “ Charles and Mary,” and which has been received in London with a chorus of praise. “ You may remember Charles’s devotion to his folios; his volumes of excerpts from the Elizabethan dramatists; his and Mary’s ‘Tales From Shakespeare’ and his futile attempts to woo the muses of comedy and tragedy, the one with farce, ‘Mr H— which was hissed at Drury Lane on its first performance, its author sitting near the stage in the pit joining in the demonstration against his brain child as actively as the others in the house,” writes a reviewer. “He tried tragedy with ‘John Woodvil,’ published in 1802, but it never reached the footlights.” FLORENCE AUSTRAL. Many terms have been used to describe the voice of Florence Austral, but none more peculiarly appropriate than that of the Governor-General of Canada—“ The voice majestic.” His Excellency, who is an old Australian favourite, is best remembered there as Captain Freeman Thomas, who married Lord Brassey’s daughter and served on that breezy peer’s vice-regal staff. Even then he was recognised as a man of original thought and a coiner of happy phrases. He is an admirable judge of good music, so his laudation of the Australian singer is no empty compliment. Lord Willingdon—as he now is—has had life-long association with music, and is a near relative of the late Goring Thomas, the famous composer. His first meeting with Madame Austral was at Vancouver, where, after hearing her sing, he and Lady Brassey sent for her to tell her of their delight in her wonderful voice and extended to her a cordial welcome to Government House. Madame Austral will commence her Australian tour under the direction of Mr E. J. Carroll in the Sydney Town Hall on Maj’ 24, and after visiting Melbourne and Brisbane she will come on to New Zealand. POPULAR REVIVALS. Revivals of more good comic operas and operettas may be confidentlj’ expected, Sir George Tallis said recently. Revivals of “ The Maid of the Mountains ” in Melbourne, and “ The Belle of New York ” in Sydney, have given most gratifying results for the first W’eek. Both productions began before highly enthusiastic audiences, and the management savs that on the opening night of “ The Belle of New York ” at Her Majesty s, Sydney, there was a record house fpr comic opera. “ In this piece is one of the best casts we have ever had,” declared Sir George Tallis. “ and it has been so well received that already’ we have decided to revive the ‘ Country Girl.’ “ After ‘ The Maid of the Mountains has completed its run, the public see again ‘The Merry Widow.’ ‘ Katinka ’ has been mentioned as the third piece in which Gladys Moncrieff will appear during the season at the Royal, but ‘ The Duchess of Dantzic,’ which offers a remarkably fine singing role to the prirna donna, may’ take its place. “ The public now fully realises that these old musical productions _ are far superior to jazz shows, and if it desires them, more revivals will be given. “ It is a clear indication that the public has regained its taste for the theatre, and that it is ready to patronise good stage productions. During the past two or three months I have felt that the turn of the tide was coming.” Sir George Tallis added that the new musical production would be “Mr Cinders,” which the firm has staged with immense success in London. This would have its Australian premiere in Sydney in June, and would be presented in Melbourne immediately after the season in that city. The cast was now being chosen. Four or five people, including Hindle Edgar, leading man,, would be brought from England for this production. Some imported artists would also appear in “ Sons of Guns,” an American military’ musical comedy, which would have its first presentation in Australia in August. The firm intended to give more attention to the casting of shows in future. There would be no attempt to require the same principals of a company to undertake a number of shows if it was felt that a change, in the personnel was desirable. As the aim would be to make castings as effective as possible, actors who could give the best service in particular roles would be selected for them, no matter to what company they belonged.

Edith Taliaferro, who leaves America lor Australia on April 17, will appear in Her Cardboard Lover,” “ Command to Bet Us Be Gay,” and possibly ‘ Coquette.”