The Stage

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 64

The Stage

JHEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

By

Pasquin.

After an absence of 22 years, Jan Kubelik, the famous violinist, is on tour in New Zealand again. He will open his season here on November 12. “Johnny” O’Neill, whose photograph appears in our illustrated pages, will be well remembered by theatregoers of the ’eighties and later. Mr O’Neill passed away in Sydney on September 14. He took part in “ Conn the Shaughran ” and “ Arrah-na-pogue ” with Maggie Moore and “ The Two Little Vagabonds ” with Beatrice Holloway. Mr O’Neill’s last appearance in Dunedin was with Tom Haverley’s Revue Company in 1918. The veteran actor had passed the three score and ten.

Ada Reeve is giving her old success, “Ain’t Yer, Jim?” in the revue “Pot Luck ” in Sydney. It is as popular as ever.

Stella Murray, the New Zealand contralto who recently returned to her homeland after several years abroad, will give £ concert in Christchurch on November 17. Miss Murray will return to England early in the New Year. Miss Doris Burt, who is returning to New Zealand with the Humphrey Bishop Company, is a native of Pahiatua; she went to Australia some three years ago with Mr Bishop’s Company. Gladys Moncrieff has been singing in Melbourne in the intervals between the talkies at the Capitol. Among her most popular offerings were “ I Was Dreaming,” from “ Ma Mie Rosette,” and “My Hero,” from “ Chocolate Soldier.” On her first appearance she created quite a gala atmosphere.

Ethel Osborn, the Australian soprano, who has many friends in New Zealand, piade a recent appearance in London in conjunction with Miss Phyllis Archibald, a member of the last opera company to visit Australia. The recital was arranged by the daughter of William Ganz, the composer, whose “ Sing, Sweet Bird” is a favourite choice of many soloists.

Harriet Bennet, who was the “ Rose Marie of the Williamson production of that name at His Majesty’s Theatre has married Reginald Dandy', her romantic lead m the same piece. Mr Dandy- is now Known as John Garrick. It is probable that Allan Wilkie will ew Zealand his “Governor Bligh Company-, after an Australian tour.

Mr Charles Dillingham, the producer, and Mr Reginald Denham, the English x i i re i. /“rector, are joining hand in establishing an English repertory- theatre near Broadway. It will offer each week a show which has been successful in London. They- propose to engage several British and American players for the new venture.

Een actors. have had the varied experience of Jim Gerald, who is playimr Norrnan Oyerbeck in “The Little Accident at the King’s Theatre, Melbourne. Commencing as a boy in a circus, his next step was to become a member of the famous trapeze troupe, “ The Flying Jordans.” lhen by successive stages he graduated into melodrama, revue, pantomime, and comedy. As a dame he will long be remembered by- pantomime audiences. Edith Taliaferro, who makes her first appearance in Melbourne in “ Let Us Be Uay, at Melbourne King’s Theatre, under the management of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., deplores the prevalence of sordid sex pl j ys- » . fcbe „ effe ctive parts nowa'd a> j% said, seem to be devoted to the delineation of bad women. It seems to me to be. a pity-. Don’t good women also lose their tempers or do things that are dramatically effective? As one aspect of this trend j n pi a y S> ac tresses are cultivating oddities and mannerisms in an effort to make themselves ‘different’ and thereby distinctive. In earlier days, a full ringing voice and good articulation were regarded as essential. Now a cult of huskiness has arisen. There are queer tricks of speech sedulously cultivated, as e .*‘ as tracks of action. These practices X * ° f the actresses

An artist already popular with Melbourne audiences appears with Edith Taliaferro, the famous American star, in Let Us Be Gay,” at the King’s Theatre Melbourne. This is J. B. Rowe, who, when last m Melbourne, was leading man with Irene Vanbrugh in the plays produced by the late Dion Boucicault. After he left Australia Mr Rowe appeared with great success in London and New York. When «« ast was selected to play The Middle Watch ” in New York/ Mr Rowe took the part that had been played in London by Basil Foster. On returning to London, he appeared in the most interesting revival of recent years—“ Dandy D1( ? k $ Lyric Theatre - Hammersmith. the play was personally produced by Sir Arthur Pinero for Sir Nigel PlayA ir l a P d P°. we played opposite the Australian celebrity so popular with English audiences Mhirie Lohr. It was while appearing in “ Dandy Dick,“ that he was ln -uH& ret m nl ?! Australia to appear with Edith Taliaferro in “Let Us Be Gay and other plays.

WING WHISPERS.

By Peteb Pan.

WELLINGTON, October 3. Dear Pasquin,”—The advent’of Jan Kubelik has been the triumph it was predicted, for on both occasions on which he has played in Wellington he has been received by crowded audiences and tumultous enthusiasm. His opening recital on Saturday, in the presence of his Excellency the Governor-General and Lady- Bledisloe, drew a packed attendance, and the Town Hall was again last night the. Mecca of all music lovers, drawn as by a magnet by the wonderful playing of the great man. The master violinist is playing programmes that for sheer beauty of conception, variety of theme,

and charm of tone would be difficult to surpass. With a prodigious repertoire at his command, he has sent his hearers home amazed at his virtuosity. The big work of Saturday’s programme was the Mendelssohn Concerto, with which most are familiar, but Kubelik gave it an interpretation at once original and full of character. His surmounting of terrific difficulties was an eye-opener to students, and his virility in all his studies onlyserved to add brilliance to his programme. M. Otto Hasa’s accompaniments were beautifully done, especially in the Concerto; he is a master of the pianoforte. For his second concert last evening Kubelik played another stupendous array of compositions, including the famous Paganini Concerto, the Max Bruch Concerto, Mozart’s “Romance,” Bach’s Gavotte, Kubelik’s own Andante, and pieces by Sarasate, Schubert, Schumann, and others. To mention a few of the composers from whom Kubelik has alreadydrawn, Hubay, Wieniawski, Bach, Paganini, Beethoven, and Saint-Saens are but a small section. The recitals are providing a memorable three nights of glorious music for all genuine music lovers. The final takes places on Saturday night The Wellington Musical Comedy and Dramatic Society had encouraging support during its three-night season in the Concert Chamber, when the standard set by Mr David Devitt was conspicuously high. The partial '•eclipse of the legitimate stage has resulted in some exceptional talent being revealed among amateurs in an effort to show that genuine merit still obtains. The company- performed with creditable success, and the entertainment challenged public inspection. Mr Devitt and his associates are to be congratulated on the good standard maintained in drama, comedy sketches, ballets, ensembles, choruses, solo dances, and vocal offerings. There was voice in the work of Miss Kathleen Ferris; allround ability in Miss Kathryn Murie, Miss Wanda Herbert, and Mr John Bown; budding comedians in Cyril Tilley and Maurice Hawken; dancers in Misses Irene Wilson (acrobatic), Beryl Hunter, Jean Miller, and others; tap dancer in Noel Walsh, a promising juvenile. Mr Assheton Harbord also revealed uncommon talents as a pianoforte performer, singing and playing excellently. Mr J. Garry, late of His Majesty’s Theatre, before the talkie craze hit vaudeville and revue, conducted an efficient octet of . instrumental artists, and contributed by accompaniments to the success of the show.

Miss Elizabeth Blake and her Wellington Players are to make an appearance to-night in two il’ays at the Y.W.C.A. Hall. “ Everyman ” and “ Rose and the Ring ” are the vehicles for the dramatic work of an efficient cast, and the performances are being anticipated with interest by admirers of Miss Blake and her hard-working conipany. The Blind Students’ Band, from the Jubilee Institute in Auckland, reached Wellington to-day from a provincial tour, and gives a concert in the Town Hall to-night. The performers are all experts on their different instruments, and a delightful programme is assured. The fifth year of the National Repertory Society has been reached, and though the membership is comparatively small, it continues to grow and expand, and its development is on sound lines. No fewer than 76 players have been cast, and the total membership is still under 400, so it will be seen that the proportion of playing members is a large one. So far 27 plays have been produced, a' selection of wide range and variety. The society has a theatrette in its rooms, and readings are held monthly and functions held there. George Bernard Shaw heads the list of the society’s productions, with Galsworthy and Somerset Maugham next. The objective of 500 members is being steadily sought by supporters of the movement. A Karori Musical Society has been formed in that go-ahead suburb of Wellington. Vocal, dramatic, and orchestral features are included, and each department is well under way, Mrs N. B. Rowe is secretary of the society, and the organisers are Messrs R. Scholtz, S. Jackson, Stevens, and Arthur Johnston (musical director). In December the society will make its first appearance in Wallace’s opera “ Maritana,” or rather in excerpts from it. . It is expected that the New Plymoutn Choral Society will be assisting the Wellington Choral Union in its December presentation of “The Messiah.” An invitation has been extended by the local chairman, Mr W. J. Charters, who was recently on a visit to New Plymouth. The recent combined performance at New Plymouth of “ Hiawatha,” in which the Wellington Union helped, was a big financial and musical success.

Mr Harry Muller, late representative in New Zealand for J. C. Williamson. Ltd., has been appointed the Victorian representative for the Hugh M'lntosh interests.

Thank goodness! Williamson’s are at last sending us over a decent show. The big musical spectacle “ The New Moon ’’ is to be presented at the Grand Opera House, Wellington, on Wednesday October 29, in its entirety—a bit of news that has created an interest in flesh-and-blood presentation.

AMY CASTLES IN TALKIES.

Amy Castles, the well-known Australian soprano, at one time prominent in opera and on the concert platform, will leave for America on October 11. She is to sing at Hollywood for the audible screen. Her sister, Eileen Castles, also a well known vocalist, will go to America at the same time to undertake wireless contracts

NEW MUSICAL PLAYS.

The autumnal theatrical season will be the most expensive prepared for the West End for many years (says the London Daily Mail). At least 75 per cent, of the

productions which will be seen between September and Christmas are musical plays, a very unusual occurrence, and even the “ straight ” pieces are mostly to be of an ambitious nature, with exceptionally costly casts. A musical production costs from £lO,OOO to £25,000 to stage, and there are likely to be 14 of such plays presented in London during the autumn and early winter months. It is estimated that approximately- £250,000 will be expended on productions, excluding the capital sunk in London's newest theatres.

OFFER TO NOEL COWARD. An offer to Noel Coward, the young English playwright and aetor, to go to Hollywood for two years to write and act specially for the screen has just been made by one of the most powerful American film organisations. Mr Charles B. Cochran, through whom the offer was made, said: “The terms are very tempting and guarantee Mr Coward a certain sum a year. I very much doubt, however, it he will accept.”

“YOUNG WOODLEY’’ BANNED. Why was “Young Woodley” banned? (asks a Sydney paper). Was this film indecent, blasphemous, obscene, immoral, nkely to incite to crime, or simply offensive. There is a definite code for the censorship of films in Australia. No nhn can be registered which, in the opinion of the censor, is (1) blasphemous, indecent, or obscene; (2) likely to be injurious to morality-, or to encourage or incite a crime; (3) likely to be offensive to people °f any friendly nation; (4) fl 6 n *?• offensive to the people of “Vn En ? p , lre - or (5) depicts anv ,l a^te Vi th ® e , xhlbltl °n of wlreh is undesuable in the public interests. scenes in “young Woodley” to which of clauTe 01- ! ° bjected fell ,lnder the ban Film men were optimistic that the chief thTu 8 dccis >o» "ould be reversed, and that the Appeal Board would pass “ Youn* Hoodley” with a few minor “cuts.”

WORLD-FAMOUS BOY’S VOICE. -The pure notes of a golden voice sounded from a gramophone at the Olympia, London, recently, and one of the listeners was Ernest Lough, the oncef,a?l?us fi C , °T I’ o7 Temple Church (states the London Daily- Mail). A sad smile was on his face as lie listened to his own voice.

«Ar lfs - gone l for ever!” he said. si „„ y f ™ ce has cracked ’ and I mustn’t sing tor two years or more. It may never smile tbe meantime he smiled resignedly ) I am a business man.”

EMPIRE FILM PRODUCTION.

A strong effort is being made in Britain to combat the American film invasion, not on }X, R.- Pmtures, but of production and exhibition controlling interests. A company with a capital of over a million is being formed, with the object of acquir-Plp-P. O fewer than ten producing and exnbiting concerns. The promoters are Hopeful of launching an Empire-wide programme. Writing to an Auckland contemporary, Mr V. W. Lorrigan. a onetime cinema proprietor in New Zealand, at present on holiday in Europe, mentions he had met several important producers in London, who were very optimistic regarding the ultimate success of the British product. The British companynow being formed intended Yo “ do* bi'<things m New Zealand. Pictures in one 1 , two, or three languages were planned, and iUoA , o“fee t ‘ ”'" ket f "

TOO REALISTIC.

Tul H° Carminati, an Italian nobleman laS i bee “ a PPe a nng in American stage and screen productions, had his face Ki?l-land hIS c? lle ague, Miss Muriel See nf d ’“ Sf? road ™y perform-' KG.li a . Stri , e , t,y Dishonourable.” Miss fneJ lf i d 18 a l eged , to have slapped the face of her partner because he was making the love scenes between them too snoiHn” n th atl ? Ileg , es tl,a J tlle actress was the Hn l ;t b Af P i ay by ref .’ lsln S to act io the limit of her capacity. Mr Brock Kn l d b ha t d “i the p J od , ucer . sai d Miss Kirkthat lhe d h be r d!9c , li arged, but admitted > i i hat l complained to him of the fntern S iH» h , a 7°r Ur ’ Ca rminati attained With Flea n WIIG P 116 P lft - Ved ,ead mtn Eleanora Duse, the famous dramatic actress, who died in 1924.