In the Theatres

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17773, 8 October 1927, Page 15

In the Theatres

It is reported that Steve Donoghue, tlie lammis English jockey, lias received an offer to appear in Western pictures in America when he retires from the 'Jurl. When the last mail left, Donoghue had not decided whether to accept the offer.

(luv Bates Post lias the script and rights of “The Mandarin Coat.” a comedy by Isabel Handley, a Melbourne woman. If lie does not dare a second venture in London after the failure of “The Climax,” he will possibly use it for his opening piece on his return to America.

Charles Perrin, the dancing member of the Big Four harmonisers and comedians. met with a distressing accident during a turn of the Tivoli Revels in Melbourne recently. One of the dancing girls accidentally poked her finger in Mr Perrin’s eye with such force that it broke a blood-vessel, and ha has not been able to work since.

The English censor has refused to allow a. passage' from the 39th Chapter of Genesis, dealing with Joseph and Potipliar’s wife to he read on the stage. He would not license the production of “Potiphar’s Wife” at the Globe Theatre until the management gave him a- written assurance that the passage to which lie took exception was cut out of tho piav.

Tho J. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will be a strong one. Tt is hoped to include .Tames l lav (who will ho re umnsiblc fort the production of “Ruddiyore” and other operas), Charles Walenn, John Ralston, Patti Russell, Winifred Williamson, Strella Wilson, Charles Mettan, Bernard Manning, and other operatic notabilities. 'Che opening nrorluetion will be at Wellington on 18th October.

With Dion Boucieniilt and Irene Vanbrugh. returning to New Zealand 1111clor engagement to J. C. Williamson Ltd., will rome Norman McKinnel, one of England’s most popular actors; Prudence Vanbrugh, a young niece of Irene Vanbrugh the daughter of her sister Vio'et ; GWynne. Whitby, another promising young actress, and Annie Saker, who plays second to Miss Vanbrugh, Hugh Williams, (juvenile lead), Marjorie Playfair, and Gertrude Scott.

Joseph Hislop, tho famous British tenor to visit New Zealand next month, was recently called upon to decide an unusual kind of wager—whether he was a tenor or a, baritone ? Hislop said lie possessed a tenor voire, but one of the disputants stoutly contended that the great singer’s voice had a'so the range of an or> dinary baritone, so that he (tho speaker) could now be declared tlie loser. A well-known musical adjudicator was appealed to, and he ruled A 50-50 bet, a. draw, no wager!

In the course of an interview with a Sydney pressman the other day, Mr George Carney, the English comedian, who is at present appearing at the ‘l’ivoli 'Theatre, had something to say about Miss Gladys Moncrioff. He stated that his sister was associated with Miss Moncrieff in the production of “The Blue Mazurka” at Daly’s Theatre. His cheerful message to the many friends of Miss Moncrieff in Australia and New Zealand is “Gladys is the finest of the women singers on the English stage to-day. Her name is made abroad.”

Shocked by the increasing number of suicides among American college students, an anonymous Boston theatre lover has offered 1000 dollars for the best American play which shall hold up faith in life to the youth of America. The competition is open to nnv student of an American college, university, or dramatic school. In addition to the 1000 dollars prize, the R_epertory Thealre will give the winning author a scholarship in its Workshop, the dramatic seliool connected with the theatre, the trustees said. Plays must be in three acts, or the equivalent, providing a full evening’s programme.

New York has been blamed for much of the undesired drama of the day. For that reason the following paragraph, taken from a leading American newspaper, is significant, and not a little comforting to those who have the best interests of the stage at heart: “The annual meeting of the International Theatrical Association was held at the Hotel Astor, New York, last week. The association is composed of managers and producers, representing all parts of the United States and Canada. Thev were unanimous in endorsing ‘clean’ production, both musical and dramatic, from a box-office point of view.”

Mr Harry Stringer, secretary for J/C. Williamson (N.Z.) Ltd., and Mrs Stringer, who have been on a holiday visit to Australia, are due hack in Wellington this week. Mr Stringer was a Bendigo boy, and excelled at the Victorian game of football, which ho says is the only real ball game in the world! When Harry gets crowded up amongst a 'number of Rugby and Soccer enthusiasts “statics;” simply isn't it;

During his Shakespearean season of four weeks at His Majesty’s, Mr Allan Wilkie will produce “Henry VIII.,” “Twelfth Night,” “The Merchant of Venice,” “The Winter’s 'Pale.” “Romeo and Juliet ” “Tlie Tempest,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Hamlet,” “Anthony and Cleopatra,” “As You Like It,” “Measure for Measure,” “Macbeth,” and “Julius Caesar,” Mr P. E. Wright, who has come in advance, has been stimulating interest in Shakespeare amongst the colleges and schools.

Miss Betty Ross-Clarko, tho leading lady, had a most difficult role to plav in “The Ghost Train” staged last night and tlie acting called for in the interpretation of a psychic nature under a mystic influence could only be provided by a finished artist such as she is. Basil Radford, as tho cheerful idiot, has devo’oped the part until lie has become the leading character in a most unusual play. Mr Hugh Wright, another London actor of note, has now recovered from the indisposition from which lie suffered during the opening performances. and played the part of the weird stationmastcr in manner most eerie. Miss I amra Smithson who has made a host of friends among women’s c’ubs. in which she takes keen interest —is still tallying up the parrot’s eggs; Mr Mayne Lynton had a most congenial part, and the other artists too .have also perfected their work, with the result that a highly-finished performance of a thrilling play was given.

Gus Bluett, who is appearing in “Tip Toes”, had as ride in one of the cable ears tlie other day, and said that the experience reminded him of his boyhood days when ho once played a snail in a, pantomime. Bluett commenced his stage career in Melbourne as a. small boy scout in a turn presented by bis father, Fred Bluett. He has a style all his own and has been described as “Australia’s most distinctive comedian.” Beppie do Vries, who plays Madame Pompadour at His Majesty’s said that he reminded her very much of the comedian who p’eyed "the comedy role in “Madame Pompadour” in Holland. “Mr Bluett,” she said in her quaint way, “make me laugh more than anything I have ever seen, but he is so artistic.” Gus Bluett’s greatest critic is his father.” “He never fails to let me know should he find any cause for criticism. Dad always sees that my lints fit me,” Mr Bluett said, “and as soon as I begin to slip a little he is the first to tell me about it.”

That the coming of the J. C Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company has excited consider-, able interest in New Zealand is proved by the large number of inquiries received at the head office, Wellington) as to the dates ,of the tour and the districts to be included in tho Dominion itinerary. For various reasons it has been an exceptionally difficult matter for Mr Bert Roylc to secure consecutive bookings, but at last finality lias been reached in Ibis connection. Tlie opening date lias been fixed ior October 18th, Wellington being the locale, but if there is any delay in the arrival of the Sydney steamer it will be impossible to transfer the large quantity of scenery and stage equipment’ essential for the production of “Ruddigore” to the Grand Opcrai House in time, in which ease October 19th will be the date of the opening production. Tho Wel’ington season cannot extend beyond October 29tli, tlie Company leaving for Christchurch the. following night, opening at the Theatre Royal on November Ist, the season ending on November 12th. The. Dunedin season will he of six nights (November 14th to, 19tli). and the Invercargill- season ,'of, three nights (November 21st, .22nd and 23rd). The Companv. wil l then, journey direct 1o Auckland, where the .season will open on November 26t1i,. and conclude on December Bth. Palmerston North will bo played on December, 10th, Wanganui, December 12th. Hastings, December ,13th. Napier, December 14tli, Masterton .December loth, .'he Compnnv leaving Wellington on December 16th for Svdney. Tho principal production will of course be •‘Ruddigore,” but ..‘/Patience” and other populm Gilbert and Sullivan operas may be staged, also that de’ightful musical favourite “The Chocolate Soldier.”