The Stage

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 62

The Stage

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL. By PASQUIN. The “ Sons o’ Guns ” Company concluded their Dunedin season on Tuesday night. They played a brief season at Invercargill and then returned north to appear at Timaru and Christchurch.

The New Plymouth Operatic Society is busily rehearsing “A Country Girl. Mr Theo, Trezise is the producer. The Auckland Operatic Society is to produce “The Greek Slave” in October. The Producer will be Mr Theo. Trezise.

“ I alwavs said I would marry only a man who could sail a yacht, and love the sea,” stated Madame Balokovic, the charmino- wife of the distinguished violinist, who is now touring New' Zealand in his splendid yacht Northern Light, and who is being sponsored by the well-known and enterprising entrepreneurs, Messrs J. and N Tait: “and the funny part of it, she added with a smile, “is that I didnt find out if my husband could sail until I was married.

Clem Dawe, the well-known comedian, is appearing in vaudeville at the Tivoli Theatre, Sydney. Janette Gilmore, the vivacious soubrette who was here in “ Rio Rita, has just concluded engagements in Australia, and left Sydney by the Sonoma on her return to the States.

R. C. Sherriff. the author of the tremendously successful “Journey’s End,” is adapting' the Hungarian play, The Golden Watch," for the London stage.

“The Land of Smiles.” a spectacular musical play at Drury Lane, was withdrawn after running only seven weeks. In this production Richard Tauber, an Austrian tenor, was receiving £l5OO a week. He withdrew from the cast on two occasions owing to throat trouble.

Billie Burke, who is in private life Mrs Florenz Ziegfeld, wife of the famous New York producer, is playing in the stage version of Paul Osborn s farcical comedv, “The Vinegar Tree,” in America. The comedv is to be played in Berlin, Vienna, and Scandinavia, for which the rights have been sold.

Mr and Mrs Allan Wilkie are appearing at Auckland in scenes from Shakespeare and old English comedies. Peter Dawson and Mark Hambourg have concluded their tour of New Zealand and have returned to Sydney. Vivacious Agnes Doyle, who took the comedy part of Bernice Pearce in *’ Sons o’ Guns,” is a Sydney girl who has met with success on the Australian stage. She has played many parts-, her’ most popular, perhaps, being in “The Patsy,” in which she took the title role some two years ago. In 1926 Miss Doyle won the AH Australian dancing .championships with Jack Lyons. Bournemouth’s Little Theatre, built at a cost of £22.000 by the Bournemouth Dramatic and Orchestral Club, was opened recently by Mr St. John Irvine, the dramatic critic. It is said to be the first theatre in Britain wholly built for amateur performances. The opening was marked by a performance of “ The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Monekton Hoffe's “ Many Waters ” is the second choice of Williamson’s for the company headed by Frank Harvey and Iris Derbyshire in Sydney. This was to follow “My Lady’s Dress.” Dulcie Cherry and Alexander Marsh, formerly of the Allan Wilkie Company, are in the cast. Marion Davies, film star, is one of America's most ardent admirers of England. and regularly spends three months of the year there. Dennis Barry, for some years romantic lead with the Allan Wilkie Shakespearian Players, has been holidaying in Paris ami Berlin before returning to London to take up an engagement this month.

STRELLA WILSON. Strella Wilson (well remembered here in Gilbert and Sullivan operas and in “ The Vagabond King ”) drew the veil of her London struggles for recognition to a representative of the Melbourne Herald visiting London in June. In her own words we quote : “It was purely by chance that I had the test for Covent Garden [where she has been singing the role of Carila in “ Fedra ” lately]. I was feeling very blue and discouraged, having sung anywhere and everywhere all over London without any result. Then, just before the Covent Garden season began, Lady Royds, who is a great friend, arranged an appointment without my knowledge to sing before Colonel Blois. I was not keen at first. My disappointing experiences, no doubt, had something to do with it; and. besides, I had not thought of singing in opera, but was keen on doing musical comedy work. “ I had the audition, feeling terribly nervous, and very soon afterwards Colonel Blois rang me up and told he that had he heard me six months before, when the Covent Garden casts were being picked, I should have had a place in several of the productions. As it was, he was able to offer me Carila in ‘ Fedra,’ an Italian opera by Romani, which has never before been played out of Italy. There is talk now of my going into the casts of the English season which is to follow. If that eventuates, I shall be singing leading roles in ‘Aida,’ ‘ Cavalleria,’ ‘ Tosca,’ and ‘ Butterfly.’

“ That day [of the audition] I was lucky, for I killed two birds with one stone. Quite by chance, Mr C. B. Cochran and Noel Coward happened to be at the back of the theatre. Next day I had letters from both of them assuring me that directly either of them had a new musical play in prospect I should be approached to eing i n that. All this seems so strange after that heartbreaking struggle for recognition.”

RETURN OF JAPANESE ACTOR. Sessue Hayakawa is back in Hollywood, after an absence of many years, to star with Anna May Wong in “ Daughter of the Dragon.” He was described by an interviewer as a grave, charming gentleman, looking not a day older than he did at the time of his greatest glory. The intervening years Hayakawa spent in I be South of France, where he appeared in three films released in Europe, and in revolutionising the theatre of his native Japan, working first at his New York home on the translation of well-known plays into Japanese—“ Seventh Heaven,” “ The Merchant of Venice,” “ The Honourable Mr Wong,” and many others —and then as the star and director of his own repertory company in Kyoto. Hayakawa’s modern plays in modern dress were a sensation in Japan, where legendary stories of swordsmen and cherry blossoms have been in vogue for centuries. “ Their theatres,” he stated, “ had always been lighted as brightly as the stage—principally because the audience talked or ate while the actors performed. But I darkened the house, installed a drop curtain instead of the traditional sliding wooden panels, and modernised everything. Audiences were startled, but they quickly adapted themselves, already prepared for the innovation by moving pictures.” Japan has four large film studios, one of which is equipped for the production of talking pictures. On his return, Hayakawa hopes to assist in the development of this new industry. He has already decided to go back to Japan after appearing in one Hollywood film. “ Hollywood has changed.” he says. “ Each studio used to be a big family—everyone knew everybody else. There was a homey feeling. Now it is all business and rush —like a factory.” Hayakawa’s future in American films will depend entirely on what the public thinks of his first picture. He will listen to no suggestion that he should be “ boosted ” back into popularity, but home in Japan he will await the verdict. If it is unfavourable, the Japanese stage and screen will reclaim him permanently.

NERVOUS HANDS. “ Nervous use of the hands in big close-ups are a menace in picture-making that a director must guard against at all times.” The speaker is Harry Beaumont, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer director of “ Dance, Fools, Dance,” “ Our Blushing Brides,” and many other pictures. “ Everyone, with practically no exception,” stated Beaumont recently, “ moves the hands around the neck and throat while talking. “ This, of course, doesn’t matter in long shots, in fact in full-length scenes such characteristic movements add to the distinction of the portrayal. “In close-ups, however, when only the head and shoulders show, we must watch carefully to see that these nervous movements are not overdone. In big close-ups, the hands would flash up into the picture only occasionally, but if done too often, they can easily serve as a distraction which will break the suspense and tension at which the audience is held.” REX INGRAM FOR LONDON. Rex Ingram, famous in silent films as the producer of “The Four Horsemen,” “ Scaramouche,” and “The Prisoner of Zenda,” is to make British talking pictures in London in conjunction with Mansfield Markham. His first picture will be “ Baroud, an original tale of North Africa. This will be made on a spectacular scale with exteriors filmed in North Africa and with Alexandre D’Arcy as the star. Mr Ingram, who has made more stars per picture than any other director, has practically decided to select as his heroine a girl hitherto unknown to the film world.

The accession to British talking pictures of a producer of such distinction as Mr Ingram will do much to encourage the present tendency to move the balance of film power from Hollywood to London. WING WHISPERS. By Petek Par. WELLINGTON, August 20. Dear “ Pasquin,”—The Capital City has been stirred, as seldom before, this week by the violinistic art of Zlatko Balokovic, the Croatian artist, who has commenced a Dominion tour here. The famous personage from abroad, not so well known as some other visitors, has completely captured the hearts of musical Wellington, and has been prevailed upon to stay with us a little longer, so that a third concert is taking place this evening. Balokovic is possibly the successor to Krcisler: certainly he resembles in his virility and tenderness the great artist. He is a young man, with a platform manner shorn of all posturing and tricks. Balokovic strikes a handsome note; he is not over tall, is stockily built, and has a ruggedness of face that does not prepare one for the beautiful spirituality that is his. He is a magnificent performer, and plays with temperament and superb artistry. One of his finest achievements was the playing of the Grieg Sonata in D minoj, and the Mozart Concerto in D major. Both were alone worth hearing; even if Balokovic had not played another note, the evening -would have been complete for his large audience. Piano and violin equally shared the honours of both these pieces, and Baron Fleetwood is a superb accompanist, who combines with Balokovic to present a pleasing platform picture. Baron Fleetwood is tall and fair, while Balokovic is shorter and dark. ■ The delightful pianoforte work has been an outstanding feature of the concerts here. The rugged, strenuous, and dramatic sonata was wonderfully played, and cheers followed its climax. The technique of the violinist was fully tested in the concerto,

too, which was also a magnificent experience for all who heard it. The party on the Northern Light has been making friends in Wellington, and many have been the engagements undertaken in all good heart by Balokovic and his charming American wife. Madame is a boyishlooking blonde, sunburned and chic to a degree, and immensely attractive. Wellington will be sorry to see the last of the Northern Light as the trim little vessel rounds the heads on her northern trip, en route to Auckland. Dunedin music-lovers should keep in mind the dates of the Balokovic concerts, and on no account allow anything to stand in the way of their hearing a violinist who is a genius, and an accompanist who is a pianist of exquisite taste.

The Wellington Competitions commenced last evening, being opened by the Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, in the presence'of a large, gathering. They will be continued to well into September, an extension having been found necessary in order to ensure all the classes being heard and demonstration nights arranged. Mr K. M’Lennan, secretary, is electrically energetic, and his arrangements are perfect. ensuring a happy time for all, despite the hard work before judges and contestants. The judges are: —Elocution, Mr C. N. Baeyertz (with Mr Vryn Evans assisting) ; vocal, Mr W. H, Dixon, L. A.R.C.M.; instrumental, Mr Ernest Jenner, A.R.A.M., L.R.A.M.; violin, Mr Frank Crowther: orations. Air O. C. Mazengarb, M.A., LL.M.; dancing. Miss Cecil Hall: national dancing, Mrs Braid: dance orchestras. Mr T. Goodall. Air Clement Howe is official accompanist, and Miss Iris Mason, assistant. Competitors are here from all parts of the Dominion—Gore, Dunedin. Christchurch, Napier. Palmerston North. Auckland, Greymouth, Wanganui, and other parts. Over 3000 entries have been received —a record.

Nimmo’s Concert Hall was well filled last evening when a song and ’cello recital was given by Misses Ruth Perry ami Elvira Wycherly. They are talented young students, and essayed a most ambitious programme, ranging from Wolf and Schubert to Grieg, Brahms, and Schumann. Two Hebridean songs by Miss Perry were particularly charming; this lady is' a mezzo-soprano of exceptional range and rare quality. Miss Wycherly is a ’cellist of talent and promise, her items being full of interest. Her contributions were the Caporale Sonata; Schumann and Bantock numbers, and Saint-Saens. though perhaps her best was the Faure “ Apres un Reve,” the clear singing tone being a feature of a polished performance. A popular number for voice and ’cello was “ Time’s Garden,” by Thomas, which had to be repeated. Mrs Ginn and Miss Aluirhead were sympathetic accompanists. The Juvenile Concert League’s second performance took place last week in the Town Hall before a well-filled auditorium. Mr John Bishop was again an inspiring and energetic director, and provided a programme that held a mixed audience of juveniles and adults in rapt attention. The overture to Lohengrin was played by an orchestra comprising Philharmonic Orchestra players; Mr Bishop explained the different, meanings of the instruments, and the wise and illuminating foreword helped the youngsters considerably in losing nothing of the beauty of the selection. The Royal Choral Union provided the incidental choruses. Rimsky-Korsa-koff’s “Flight of the Bumble Bee” was given by the orchestra, muted strings helping in the illusion. This was followed by a Russian dance, “Gopak” (Aloussorgsky), which was also the subject of lucid explanation by the painstaking director. The hunting chorus from “ Der Freischutz ” was given by orchestra and choir, the horns sustaining the hunting effects wonderfully. The only other instrumental number was the duet, “ Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark,” for flute and clarinet, smoothly played. The oboe, bassoon. horns, drums, trumpets, flute, and clarinet were all explained to the children, their various musical missions being clearly defined b.v Air Bishop and the individual players. Air Ernest Short, baritone, was happy in his choice of songs; they were “It's Good to Laugh,” “Matilda” (the story of a little girl who lied and was burnt for her pains) ; the “Toreador Song ” from “ Carmen.” the chorus and orchestra assisting. Air Bishop announced that another concert, possibly two, would be given next school term, to the huge delight and anticipation of the children, who received the news with obvious pleasure.

The Wellington Harmonic Society' had a large and enthusiastic audience for the second concert of the season last Saturday night in the Concert Chamber. Air H. Temple White presented a programme of part songs and choruses, and handled his singers with tact and sympathy. Miss Prue Lewis and Air Leon de Alauny (violins), and Air Clement Howe were associated together in the part song for female voices. “The Snow,” by Elgar, and made of this item a number of more than usual merit. The ladies’ voices blended w’ell, and the background of instruments created a deep impression. The number had to be repeated. Airs Wilfrid Andrews, contralto, was soloist, and was associated in the Hierette-Viardot song “Praises,” in the form of a concerto, with Air de Alauny (playing a violin obbligato) and Aladame de Alauny at the piano. The happiest result was achieved from the musical grouping. Airs Andrews was in good voice for her other contributions. Air Leon de Alauny’s expertness with the violin was tested in a series of delightful conceptions, including the Reverie of Vieuxtemps, Bach’s Air for G string, and Bach’s Loure. He performed faultlessly, and was recalled, his encore numbers being d’Ambrosio’s Canzonetta, and Schumann’s beautiful Traumerie.

School concerts this week included those of the pupils of St. Alary’s Convent; Hill street, and of the Technical College. Both

were enjoyable, and revealed some outstanding talent.

Alias Thelma Willoughby, the Wellington pianist,- who has: been studying at the Londo’n Academy, has succeeded in passing all her annual examinations with great credit, gaining a silver medal as a mark of her high standard. Aliss Willoughby was asked to remain and continue her studies, but she has decided to return to New Zealand, for a time at least. She is already on her way to Sydney, and is due in Wellington next month. Air Al. Ralph has gone to Auckland to arrange for the northern tour of Balokovic. .