The Stage

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 60

The Stage

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL.

By

Pasquin.

The latest J. C. Williamson musical eomedv triumph, “Sons o Guns, which will be stage at His Majesty s Theatre for a season of five nights, beginning on Thursday, commenced its New Zealand tour at Wellington, when Gus Bluett was the recipient of a wonderful reception when he made his initial appearance, and the audience also warmly welcomed Leo Franklin and Alfred Frith Bertha Recardo, too. -was received with enthusiasm. “ Sons o’ Guns ” has all the outstanding assets to make up a successful musical play, including delicious melodies, catchy tunes, brilliant and wholesome comedy, beautiful ballets, clever dances, gorgeous costumes, and several outstanding spectacular scenic effects. There are over people concerned in the production “ Sons o’ Guns.” including a full opei atic orchestra and ballet.

At his organ recital on Wednesday night Dr Galway played the slow movement of Beethovens Violin C the “Triumph Song” by Baynon, the and Fugue in E minor by Bach, and Guilmant’s Fourth Sonata. Cui s Berceuse | and Schumanns “ Nachtstuck pro-cJ that the Town Hall organ can whispei as well as thunder. An exhilarating per formance of Rossini’s overture to the “ Barber of Seville ” dosed a programme which thoroughly delighted the audience. The vocalist of the evening was Air 1 ram. Watt, a bass of great power and round, smooth quality of voice. Mi V. att ga excellent renderings of an alia ’° Mozart’s “ Magic Flute ’’ and s great setting of the Erl King- ” Mark Hambourg and Peter Dawson arc to return to Sydney by the Niagara on Saturday, August 15 and will a PP eal a concert with the Conservatoi turn Orchestra and the R^’ al Ph V Society that evening. Mr Hambourg and the orchestra will play 1 schai Concerto in B flat minor and Mr Day son will also appear with the orchestta in Handel's “O Ruddier than the Cherij. Messrs Dawson ami Hambourg are to leave on tlie following Monday for Mel bourne, and after their season thcie. t icj will visit Tasmania before beginning then Adelaide concerts on September 9. rioin Adelaide they will go to Perth. ” The blonde, curly-haired Janette Gilmore is brighter ami more popular than ever, and her “personality numbet pleases the Sydney audiences.

“The First Mrs Fraser” company, headed bv Ethel Morrison, has returne 1 to Sydney from Wellington in readiness for a long season of “ Hay Fever. Th" season of the Gilbert and Sullivan Company at the Theatre Royal finished on Wednesday, August 5. Offenbach’s opera, “Tales of Hoffman, was sung by the Greymouth Philharmonic Society recently. Chaliapin, the famous Russian singer, appeared in his well remembered role as Tartar Khan in the second act ot Borodin’s “ Prince Ignor.” conducted at the Lyceum. London, by Sir Thomas Beecham. He played the same role 18 years ago tn London, and made a brief but unforgettable entry as the sinister yet genial Asiatic potentate, towering over all m Ins part. In London’s £50.000 production, “White Horse Inn,” are such prominent peopie as Lea Seidl (who was the vis-a-vis of Joseph Hislop in the “ Frederica ” production jn London). Clifford Mollison (who has been seen in British pictures out here) ; Bruce Carfax. a singing discovery.. of recent months) : George Gee. the popular comedian of several Williamson shows; and Mary Lawson, who has appeared in Australia. but not in New Zealand in All liamson musical comedy. Associated with Jim Gerald in his new venture in Sydney are Reg. Hawthorne, Lance Vane. Essie Jennings (Mrs Gerald), Tom Dale. Edna Ralston. Doris Foster. Thelma Duff, and the Four Collettes. Allan Wilkie and Miss Hunter-Watts are commencing their Auckland season of Shakespearian excerpts on August 15. The wisdom of the tour has been amply demonstrated by the receptions accorded the two artists everywhere.

Miss May Beatty, who suffered a minor injury to a foot about 18 months ago, is now making good progress in Los Angeles after an operation. Miss Beatty played in “ East Lynne.” “Ex Flame.” and “Chances,’’ tojnention a few of her talkie engagements. Bunny, her daughter, has a part in “ Dracula,” and was in “ Outward Bound.” , Balokovic will come to New Zealand in his beautiful yacht Northern Light, with which he has sailed many oceans, and which has made many adventurous voyages. On the New Zealand tour he will be accompanied by his charming wife (nee Miss Borden, a well-known and popular society lady), Baron Fleetwood, who will act as his accompanist; and the famous navigator and yachtsman Captain Paul, who was skipper of Sir Thomas Lipton’s Shamrock, when it sailed the Atlantic Ocean to race for the coveted America Cup.

OLD CHRISTCHURCH THEATRE. The old Theatre Royal, on the south side of Gloucester street, Christchurch, used for nearly 25 years as a paper store for the Christchurch Press Co., has been demolished. The present Theatre Royal, which stands on the opposite side of the street, was opened in 1908, and with the removal of the old building a link with theatrical life in New Zealand, from 1876 to 1908, -will be broken. Before 1876 there was a yet older Theatre Royal, originally known as the Royal Princess Theatre, and dating from Boxing Day, 1863. It closed with the 240th consecutive performance of “ The Hunchback,” in June, 1876. The Theatre Royal that followed it seemed quite palatial in contrast to its barn-like barrenness. Among the artists who appeared there were Alfred Dampicr, Baker and Farrow, J.

B. Steele, Ada Ward. Montague Turner, Pollard Juvenile Co., and Nellie Stewart, who made her first appearance as Bettina in “La Mascotte.” Then came the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Air J. C. Williamson, Mr Bland Holt and the late Dion Boucicault next appeared in succession. Soon after 1900 came the vogue for musical comedy, while other features were Nellie Stewart in “ Sweet Nell,” Cuyler Hastings in “Sherlock Holmes," and Alaud Jeffries in “ Monsieur Beaucairc.” The third Theatre Royal opened on February 25. 1908, with the musical comedy, “The Blue Aloon.” Inside the old theatre stage, dress circle, gallery, and dressing rooms were demonished, and the match-lining and all interior furnishings were removed, while the Gloucester street entrance was converted into shops. Then followed the theatre’s long service as a bulk store. REVUE KING BANKRUPT. AL Andre Chariot, the noted theatre manager and producer, has been adjudicated a bankrupt on his own petition. He appeared before the Official Receiver for his private examination recently. It is understood that his liabilities are in the neighbourhood of £60,000. and the deficiency about £40.000. M. Andre Chariot, who went to England from Paris in 1914, has become one of the most enterprising theatrical managers in that country. He is a “king of revue,” and his productions have become famous all over the world. lie overwhelmed New York when he took his revue there in 1924, wth Beatrice Lillie, Gertrude Lawrence, and Jack Buchanan. In the- same year he startled London by presenting chorus girls with bare legs. Always a pioneer, his was one of the first revues ever to be broadcast in England. Later he was chosen by the British Broadcasting Company to produce their concerts. The first midnight revue in London was I presented -by Al. Chariot. And, as recently as this year, he showed his origj ir.ality by turning the' auditorium of a London theatre into a semblance of a night club for the production of “Wonder Bar.” He has given many a star' a first chance. He discovered Jessie Matthews and Herbert Alundin. He found .Bobbie 1 Storey serving drinks in a Strand bar. and set her on the road to fame; she ■ became a Ziegfeld “ Folly,” and died a. i tragic death in New York last year. He • employed Noel Coward in revue in Coward’s early days.

EVELYN LAYE EXPLAINS. Miss Evelyn Laye' indulged in some straight talking (says a writer in the 1 London Daily Mail) when I questioned her about her latest avowed refusal of a Hollywood offer of £150,000 for a fiveyears’ contract, quoted in her interview with a reporter. “ For some time a mystery seems to have been created by certain people about my refusals to go back to Hollywood,” Miss Laye said. “Actually, there is no mystery at all, and I do not want people to get the impression that 1 have become “ high-hatted ” and generally above myself. “ What this latest offer amounted to was this: 1 was asked by it- very big Hollywood film organisation to sign a contract which guaranteed me a year’s engagement at £20.000. Xhey had the option to renew the contract each year up to a period of live years, my salary being raised each year, so that, if I remained, I should at tlie end of that time have earned £150,000. But there would have been nothing to prevent them from dispensing with my services after the first year. In any case, the offers I have received all entail my living for 40 weeks out of the year in Hollywood, and frankly I am too fond of home to want to leave it and my friends for so long a period. “ I am honestly not being ‘ stuck-up' or anything like that, but I have had to fight my way to the front since the time I was a kid of 15—and I don’t want to risk letting myself down by rushing at anything and everything which comes along. That is why. for the present, 1 prefer to be out of a job,” SONGS IN ENGLISH. “ Alany scholarly musicians will disagree with me, no doubt (said Mr Peter Dawson to an interviewer), when I say that in England songs should be sung in English, but 25 years on the concert platform have convinced me that an Englishman likes to understand the words ot a song, I can, and have, sung in German, Italian, French. Russian, and Spanish, but I am never happy with a German lieder when I know that nine-tenths of my audience had no idea what it is about. After a concert at which I sang ‘ Largo al Factotum,’ from ‘ The Barber of Seville.’ in English, an old lady wrote to me saying that she had often heard that song before, but this was the first occasion on which she had understood its meaning! From other letters I have received and from remarks I have overheard. I am sure that there must be thousands of music lovers like this lady.” FILMS NEVER SEEN. SOAIE INTERESTING PICTURES. Every year there are dozens and dozens of films made which are never seen by the general public, writes John K. Newnham, in an English film journal. There are those which are blamed by the censor; there are those which are scrapped for one reason or another; and there are those which were never meant for public consumption.

There was the million-dollar “ Queen Kelly ” fiasco. Erich von Stroheim directed the picture for Gloria Swanson—and even after this fortune had been spent on it, it was still far from complete, and utterly hopeless. So Gloria cut her losses and let the film join those

many others which are never flashed on the screens of the world’s kinemas.

Mary Pickford’s “ Secrets ” is a more recent example. Having spent £60,000 on it, she took a dislike to it. It contained too much talk. She considered that it would do her harm to have it shown. So, wisely, Alary cast the picture aside. The recent revival of “ Ben Hur ” reminds me that, somewhere in Hollywood, there is a semi-complete version of thismasterpiece which will never be seen by public eyes. In it George Walsh appeared. It was filmed, at tremendous cost, in Italy. But labour troubles and restrictions imposed by the Government cut short the plan of making the whole picture there, and the unit had to return to Hollywood. The picture was started all over again, with a new director —Fred Niblo—and a new star —Ramon Novarro. Some of the films taken by the Prince of Wales would make fortunes if released to the kinemas. But they never will be. They do, however, provide endless entertainment to the people who are privileged to see them. The Prince frequently shows his own pictures to his guests. Similarly, hundreds of famous people own movie cameras —travellers have some wonderful shots; others have intimate close-ups of friends whose names are world-famous. These private films are never seen in public. Another interesting film which we shall never see is one of Noel Coward’s famous operetta. “ Bitter Sweet.” Early one j morning recently, at the end of its London run. the whole cast appeared on the stage, and the cameramen got to work. The film was made in order that an accurate record of the exits and entrances, stage movements, and so on, could be filed away for future use. So, if in the years to come the play is revived the producer will be able to stage it exactly as it was originally produced. In Hollywood, if a noted person is visiting the studios, he is very frequently filmed. Sometimes the picture goes into the news-reels; other times it is presented to the visitor and never distributed to the kinemas. When Einstein went to Burbank recently ho was filmed in an old car with his wife. That evening, thanks to trick photography, he saw himself driving in this car for a sight-seeing tour through movieland, the Rocky Alountains. and over to his native Germany! Einstein himself is the only person (officially, at any rate) to possess a copy of this unique picture.

WING WHISPERS. By Peter Pax WELLINGTON, August 6. Dear “Basquill,”—Wholesome laughter characterised the first performance at the | Opera House on Saturday of the musical i comedy “ Sons o’ Guns.” and since thy ••onnnencement of the season, large audiences have been reduced to helplessness by the ridiculous antics of Gus Bluett and iiis colleagues in the military spectacle. The setting is Australia, the Sydney Heads background proving interesting and exciting to those who have visited the N.S.AV. capital. The introduction of Australian troops into the theme brings the story nearer home, as it were, and the plot, if such a flimsy structure can be called a plot, is decidedly apropos. Jimmy Canfield is portrayed by young Bluett, a wealthy young man about town wiiose patriotism is in doubt when he fails to enlist with the early comers. However, white feathers and pointed questions force the slacker’s enlistment, and from Sydney to France goes young Canfield, where his valets in private life make his life anything but happy, for he is a private and they are “ old soldiers.” Canfield falls in love with Yvonne of the estaminet. is arrested as a German spy. escapes by a trick, goes to Paris, rejoins Yvonne, and enjoys himself hugely at a Yictory ball. Needless to say, Gus carries the weight of humour on his shoulders, with fourteen different scenes to weather, and what with dancing and singing and making love, has a busy time right through the piece. Leo Franklyn is Yalet No. 1. a cross between a Cockney and an “ Aussiethis was a study of pure art, and was illumined by sparks of real genius. Arthur Cornell, Alfred Frith, Carleton Stuart, Eric Bush, and Frank Leighton handled other humorous roles with skill. The ladies of the east were exceptionally good; the Yvonne of Bertha Riccardo being a perfect little cameo of the ravishing French type that playad such havoc with the hearts of Anzacs. She knows how to act and sing and dance, and is altogether a roguish little bit of femininity. Nellie Barnes has the role of Canfield’s fiancee —of the fair weather type: Agnes Doyle played the. role of young Canfield's cocktail drinking companion, and presented the part to perfection; an accomplished little soubrette is Agnes. The ballet dancing is a special feature, the Autralian importations being added to by local talent, trained to a hair by Alaurice Diamond, and the result is some exceptionally fine ballet, chorus, and solo work. The Doll Dance of Alona Zeppel and Eric Bush was clever and surprising. The piece abounds in catchy music, the songs being tuneful and ear-haunting; the romance is well maintained,, and the piece borders on good drama at times. The scenery calls for special mention, too, being newly painted with sets of a courtyard of an inn, a hotel scene, and a scintillating Victory ball finale that is a credit to all concerned. The season is proving immensely popular, and Air Blackman, producer, must be satisfied with the response to such good entertainment offering. There is not a dull moment in the whole evening. Over 3000 entries (nearly 100 more than last year) have been received for the Wellington Competitions festival, commencing on August 19. It is to be | extended to September 6. Owing to ' heavy elocutionary entries, it has been ’ found necessary to appoint an assistant

adjudicator. Air Vryn Evans has been appointed to this position, and will assist Mr C. N. Baeyertz, of Sydney, who will be warmly received on his return after so many years’ absence. A new class is that of champion of champions, in which entries are allowable from anyone, in any part of Australia or New Zealand, who has won an elocutionary championship at festival competitions. Air H. Dixon, of Christchurch, will judge the vocal classes: Miss Cecil Hall, Auckland, the dancing; Airs Braid (nee Aliss Jean AfacLachlan. a champion herself), will judge the national dancing; Mrs Ernest Jenner, the pianoforte section; Air Frank Crowther, the violin entries; and Air O. C. Alazengarb, the impromptu speeches. Air Clement Howe and Aliss Iris Alason will handle the accompaniments. All is in readiness for a successful festival. Mr K. Al’Lennan is an energetic and hardworking secretary, whose originality is a great asset to the Competitions authorities.

The opera “ Tannliauser ” is to be sung by the Royal Wellington Choral Union in concert form for the first time in Wellington in the Town Hall on September 19 next. The cast has been allotted as follows:—Elizabeth, soprano, Aliss Kate Campion, Auckland; Tannhauser, tenor, Air Alfred Walmsley, Dunedin; Walter, tenor, Air Edwin Dennis, Wellington; Wolfram, baritone, Air Ernest Short; Henrich, tenor, Air Sam Duncan; Hermann, bass, Air T. D. Williams, Christchurch; Biterolf, baritone, Air AV. Binet-Brown; and Reinmar, bass, Air W. AA’. Alarshall. Those of the cast not specially mentioned as to place of residence, belong to AA’ellington. There is great interest in the forthcoming performance. and Air John Bishop, conductor. promises an outstanding rendition, with full chorus and orchestra.

The Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mr Leon de Manny, is to give its second concert of the season in the Town Hall on Saturday next. 2k very fine programme has been arranged, the chef d’oeuvre being Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D minor, a very beautiful work performed last year. Handel’s Seventh Organ Concerto is to be played; this has been re-orchestrated by Air Bernard Page, city organist, who will also take the solo part. Particularly attractive should be Nicolai's “ Merry AVives of AVindsor” overture; concert arrangement of waltzes from Richard Strauss’s opera, “The Rose Cavalier”; and Tschaikowsky's glittering Italian Caprice. Bizet's Toreador Song is to be rendered by Air Rex Harrison, a very capable soloist. The wei kly community singing at the Town Hall, in aid of the Mayor’s Relief Fund, induces large audiences to assemble in the building during lunch hour and lift up their voices, some harmoniously, some not quite so tunefully, but nevertheless all enthusiastically, under the influence of our best-known cheer germ iuoculators. Alessrs Owen Pritchard. Albert Russell. C. AA’ebb, and others lead the singing, and there have been several appreciated solos rendered by some of our best-known artiste. The audience enjoys the little interlude, and depres- | sion flies out of the window as soon as I the piano strikes up the tuning note. 1 No item is too long, and certainly the soloists know how not to make an audience festive: they are there to sing, and sing they will, and the rousing choruses are a treat to listen to, as those who participate and those who listen-in from elsewhere can verify.