In the Theatres

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17690, 2 July 1927, Page 15

In the Theatres

Carlton Chase,- who was, in New Zealand with the “Hermie” Ward revue company, will return to America next month.

Miss Lois Evans, who was one of Auckland’s favourite sopranos last year, is now with Fullers’ Vaudeville, and is starring with Stiffy and Mo Company.

“Elderly artists in improbable parts don’t cut much ice in these impatient times,” says an Australian writer of Maurice Moscovitch in “The Ringer” in Melbourne.

Warde Morgan, who has fully recovered from the effects of . the severe injuries received in the Aberdeen train disaster, is appearing in the leading role of Armand in “Frasquita” in Sydney.

Josie Melville- (Australia’s “Sally”) has a very small part in the musical domedy “Lady Luck” in London. Also in the cast are the Australians Madge Elliott and Cyril Ritchard, and the New Zealander Jack Kirby. The leads are taken by Phyllis Monkman, Laddie Cliff, and Leslie Henson.

The Auckland Little Theatre Society will present its second- production of the year at the Concert Chamber on 12th, 13th and 14th July, when St John Hankin’s brilliant comedy, “The Cassilis Engagement,” will be staged. The cast includes amateur players of distinction. The secretary has. enrolled many new subscribers since the production of “You Never Can Tell.” The fact that the membership has more than doubled itself since the beginning of the 19 27 season reveals, a most satisfactory state of affairs, and the . society looks forward with confidence to even greater ' support before the production of its second play.

“Polly with a Past” was staged for five nights, . and despite unfavourable \veather, attracted large and delighted audiences. Then “The Last of Mrs Cheney” (the advance booking for which was particularly heavy) was presented, and it proved even more successful than .its predecessor.' IPTafi for'five nights, with a special' matinee, and was then replaced by Lady Lever’s bright comedy “Brown Sugar” (an entertaining stage story of the Earl and the girl, with the latter taking the honours). At the' conclusion' of the YVeliington season the company leaves for Dunedin and will play in Timaru next week.

The death occurred recently of Mr Joseph Cunningham Barker, the famous English scene painter. During his lifetime of 72 years, Mr Harker has, contributed more than a little to many theatrical successes in London. He served his apprenticeship at'the Haymarket and after; an absence of four years in America was engag’ed by Sir Henry Irving for all his productions. It was Mr Harker who was responsible for the gorgeous scenery in the London presentations, of “Chu Chin Chow,” “Decameron Nights,” “Cairo” and “The Garden of Allah.” His scene painting was at first criticised for revolutionary tendencies but his work is generally held to be the finest of its class that England has ever known.

Miss Elsie Parkes, of the successful “No, No, Nanette” and “Lady be Good” company now touring New Zealand, Is one of a trio of clever sisters who have adorned tlie Australian and New Zealand stage with credit to themselves and to their country. Miss Parkes is versatile, but she is particularly- suited for Ingenue'parts, which sh'e plays with a ’-vivalcity, prettiness - and sweetness all her , ;6M r h, She 'hag l taken part in-drama with J.'G;’ Williamson and Tail Cdih’panies, arid has been as successful in' heavy ■ parts as she has been in revue and ’ musical comedy. She made 1 her debut' in' - pantomime when but-’a tiny tot,' and she has played a great deal in that popular form of' entertainment. Miss Parkes has a light'silvery soprano voice of quality and-sweetness; musical comedy is’her’favourite!; She is a graceful-'dancer arid "was ia\ pupil of the great Genee. She is very fond of knitting, crocheting and embroidering and knits most of the coats she wears. . Blue and pink ,jftre her favourite colours. , She likes plain clothes best, and thinks | that they are more becoming than |elaborate and “loud” confections, fshe thinks—and many will agree ‘with her—that the best dressed •women are those who make their clothds subordinate to their personality. She is an enthusiastic golfer and swimmer and considers golf a most fascinating game “because it ia so full of surprises and no one can get absolutely perfect at it.”

“Henry-VIII.,” hptly described as a “royal pageant,” is to be staged by the Allan Wilkie Shakespearian Company during its Wellington season which commences on fith July. . The magnificent costumes , of til'd® Tudor period used; by Sir ; Herbert 7 " Tree for his prddu’ctibn of “Henry 3 VIII.” were, acquired, by ; Mr' Alla : rf J Wilkie during his. recent .visit ;-ftf; England, and they are said' to be' 1 amongst the finest examples.of thecostumier's art; in existeppe. ' ■ ;-*

Miss Renee; Kelly,' ’ the . .-famiofid" London 'and- American- comedy '.stair 0 now delighttng'iNew Zealand ; -Et'udl l -' 7 ences with ;her finished portrayal of-!' the leading roles in “Polly with;Past,” “The Last of Mrs Cheney;-, 7 '''’ and “Brown Sixgar,”-. is r fully deem--pied in carrying out her ’’-arduous s professional duties, for she; is one of; 1 the most painstaking and ■ conscien-' tious actresses; who has visited the; Dominion.’ But between ■"■studies,®. rehearsals and performances, MisSh Kelly lias found time to study the customs and manners of .New'Zea-> landers, arid has .nothing but : thfe' highest praise for the . people; .9P “these delightfhl; isiandsj'L as - she* describes them. “There is some u thing quite, distinctive about'” Net* 7 Zealanders,” she said to a pressfnaffiv “In all grades of ydlT do have distinctions- ; out here;) though they are perhaps: not ■ fetf marked as, in .less democratic counT** tries —-there is!" a something .(T'cannot accurately define it) that the people of this country on a-de< cidedly high plane,” she continued.- \ “Probably it is the-fact that primary education here is free, compulsory,and undenominational, and that in; consequence the boys and girls ar& ; better fitted to fight - the.’battle oflife than th&se ,brought 'up, under less advantageous 'Circumstances and' and technical ■ schools,.. the colleges;' and universities are conducted, oh up-to-date lines, and. the., . teachers,';' masters and pi’ofesspfs .possessiriigh' qualifications"- " The’ college.,boys add; girls are of a particularly' fine‘ : type;’ and they' are afforded every facility to develop the physical as well as the cultural side. These advantaged must in time make tor a ‘people' of decidedly high ' standard,; 'and- as- if have said, they indicate 'thCii: ' geh-3 eral ability and distinctiveness fen many charming ways that must fa-Vr ourably impress visitors.. Thetj;. self-possession, cpnfidenceiand r bility are-riiost marked,’uUa, : thquß& not apparent tolthrihiselyfesj;. sfiaijiijg' them as a class possessing, the high* est attributes of English-speaking communities. It has been a re»f, pleasure to meet, both yoUng,,old, and when We . depart-ffbhk Zealand I will ,'treasijre 'JJieLtrihnd*ships formed' with nialiy of , yo.ufi good people.” ' '-rum

The news; that the eriterrirteirigf firm of J' C." Will ia nison, Dtu assembling’" a,. high-class Ivaudrikillfe for a tour of'New Zealand has been welcomed in all quarters, for it is some time since such a Comhiriatiofl. has visited these shores.’ and Clay Smith’, who will bfi rem'ertG bered 'as the' leading artistsin “Bran Pie,” that enjoyable! pftt pourri of song, dance and real Lon--don music-hall interludes, are'td hg; included in the company; aisd ' $ wonderfully clever troupe of Cliin.eso wonder-workers'anti acrobats wliA electrified Sydney, and Melbourne theatre-goers, and whose display 'has been described . as* “one of theLnipst amazing and entertaining latotseev-er witnessed on' the vaudeville,;stagei'il| took years to- perfect some ofi-the features of .this unique display, nnjf the act is sure to create a sensation; in New Zealand as it did- in the Australian centres. Some really, novel turns will be included in the' programme and it will be even diversified than usual vaudeville properly. so-called, has been absenj from New Zealand for some considerable time, and it speaks -volumris for the enterprise of J., C, VViHiainson, Ltd., and the infinite ' variety, of its sources of amusement’. 'anjl capable material to provide when , can gather together a . group- pj “star” performers and form , 'theiji into one of the : strongest- vaudeville companies that has fever visited'thetid shores, •

The Celebrity Vaudeville ' Gojpfeany will open the New Zealandpt Aucklanck on July 19. ■ An endeavour jg being'hiade to extend the engagements (expensive ones,’ let,lt ibe said) of some of the principal artists so that a tour of the’ pro)rincial districts of the South Island! Jnay be included in thri itinerary’, and it is hoped that connection a full measure'of success Will be attained. Some" of th£ artists have engagenients to fill in (other parts of the world, and this ass' proved the stumbling-block tip jto date. . - -''■■