IN THE THEATRES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18412, 2 November 1929, Page 13

IN THE THEATRES

When handsome Sonya Rosova, the. charming member of J. C. Williamson's “Desert Song” company (now delight ing Christchurch audiences with finished presentations of this most attractive of musical plays) returns to the North Island an important task is twaiting this most graceful dancer Members of a well-known family in one of the principal towns included in the “Desert Song” tour have for many years been assiduously practising the dances of the East. Three of the six sisters have attained a remarkably high degree of proficiency for amateurs, and now they are thinking seriously of taking up dancing as a profession. But the maternal advice (after witnessing a performance of “The Desert Song” and being particu larly struck with Sonya Rosovas’ sinuous movements in her famous dance scena) was: “Leave it to Sonya Rosova, girls. Ask her to allow you to give an exhibition of your dancing before her, and act according to her advice.” This the dancing trio has agreed to do, and an appeal will be made to the famous dancer when she returns to the North Island.

Herbert (“Tommy”) Mundin, the famous London comedian who plays so well the part of the funmaker in the beautiful and spectacular musical play “The Desert Song,” now delighting New Zealand audiences, is as popular on the American stage as he is in the great London metropolis. Though one of England’s leading comedians, Herbert Mundin has only been eight years on the stage, but in that time he has played in almost every kind of play except drama and Shakespeare. “And if they challenge me seriously ,” says “Tommy” “I will have a go at 'The Face at the Window’ and ‘Macbeth.’ You know it. If I condescend to play ‘bellow-drama’ or tragedy I want to

Our cow has a little calf. My father brought the calf and tied it up to the gate. The cow came running up to the gate to the calf and my father put her ip the bail and milked her. My father sat two hens in coops. Today Gwen and I went fishing, but we had hard luck, for we did not catch anything. We saw a huge eel and its head was peeping out on one side of a log and its tail on the other. We found a stick, which we poked at the eel. But it hid under the log and we never saw it again. I hav'e been birdnesting a great deal lately. On Saturday I went to Temuka to sell my eggs to the pound-keeper. I sold six dozen eggs and my mother is going to spend the money on fruit for my birthday. Love from, “Cottage Rose,” —Marjory Bruce, Hilton. Dear Peter Pan, May I join your Circle? This is the first time I have written to you, but I do hope it won’t be the last. Have you any other people besides my sister writing to you from Tasmania? As my sister has described this little township, I don’t think I will. I have three sisters and one little baby brother who is only two years old. Have you an age limit in your Circle, because I am fourteen and I wondered if I am too old to join your happy band. We are having glorious weather in Tasmania now, but we have had a very cold Winter. At present Mother and my brother are holiday-making. They went to Launceston Show, which was held last week. We are having the electric light shortly, and are expecting to have it by next week. Do you think any New Zealand Circlians would write to me? I would gladly answer all letters, as I love writing them. Father is a Returned Soldier and he often speaks of the New Zealand boys, and thinks a lot of them. Please could I have “Lonely Lassie” for my pen-name? We are having a concert here on October 17th. It is the school concert, and I hope to be able to go as I think it will be very good. With best wishes, and hoping to hear /rom some New Zealanders, Grace French, —Somerset, Australia.

go the whole limit. Really though I look an inoffensive little chap, you don’t know bloodthirsty I can become at times. I’m what is called concentrated energy, or passion, hatred, or sardonic humour —just whatever the stage directors indicate. Just at present I’m footling round with an ass on the silvery, shimmy—pardon, shimmering—desert, but beware, the day will come when I will play Mark Antony, Richard the Third, Macbeth, and Henry No. Five, and then—well, the Lord have mercy on their souls, for I’ll have none.”

When Leon Gordon returns to Melbourne he will commence his season with “Brewster’s Millions.” This is a comedy of an unusual type, for it calls for an elaborate production, Djg effects, and a tremendous stage staff jehind the scenes. The ship scene, with its rolling deck, is a most spectacular scene. Leon Gordon will appear as Monty Brewster, who is faced with the task of spending a tremendous amount of money within a given time. There are thirty characters in the cast of “Brewster’s Millions.”

When “Lombardi Ltd.” comes to Melbourne after the Sydney season, which is tremendously successful at present, playgoers will make the acuqaintance of Leo Carrillo, the famous Californian star, and two artists who will make their first appearance in Melbourne. These are Barbara Luddy, a diminutive and distinctive comedienpe, with a style all her own; and Margaret Cullen-Landis, a beautiful American girl who plays a model, and upon whose shapely form Leo Carrillo as Tito Lombardi builds a ravishing frock in full view of the audience. j

“The Desert Song” is meeting with a wonderfully enthusiastic reception wherever presented. This beautiful musical play with its magnificent and particularly strong cast cannot fail to appeal to New Zealand theatre-goers. It has proved to be one of the most successful stage productions ever sent to New Zealand by the enterprising firm of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.

Reginald Tate, the noted English actor who plays the part of Captain Stanhope, one of the leading characters in the stage epic of the trenches “Journey’s End,” has had considerable London experience. He has appeared with success in Shakespeare and other big productions. Then followed seasons of mystery-drama, when he was secured to play the part of Captain Stanhope in the London production of “Journey’s End.”—Timaru, December 2nd.

It is pleasing to record the fact that Lance Fairfax, the young New Zealander who plays the principal juvenile male role in J. C. Williamson’s melodious and spectacular musical play “The Desert Song,” is meeting with a most enthusiastic reception in New Zealand. It is also gratifying to record the fact that his comrades in the New Zealand Army have extended a warm hand of welcome to this very promising artist. It was unfortunate for Mr Fairfax that he had to place himself under medical treatment shortly after arrival in New Zealand and for this reason was compelled to ask for a postponement of some of the festivities which had been arranged. Now that Mr Fairfax has completely recovered as is evidenced by his beautiful singing “The Red Shadow” perhaps he may be persuaded to attend some of the many functions to be given in his honour.

One of the most popular members of the J. C. Williamson company which will play the great war drama, “Journey’s End,” throughout New Zealand (Timaru, December 2), is young Lewis Shaw, who plays the part of Second Lieutenant Raleigh. This youthful London actor will be remembered with pleasure for his splendid work in “Young Woodley” in which he played the 'leading juvenile part. In “Journey’s End,” Lewis Shaw at times rises to high standard of acting for one so young, displays a remarkably keen per-

ception of the author’s intention, in writing the play, and speaks his lines with wonderful effect. The scenes between him and his Company Commander, Captain Stanhope (excellently presented by Reginald Tate) are most pramatic and never fail to have a perceptible effect upon audiences. Herbert Mundin’s popularity as a golfer is rapidly spreading throughout New Zealand, and this most amusing comedian who causes shrieks of laughter in “The Dezert Song” will have more than his hands full if he accepts all the challenges now pouring in on him. A gentleman writing from Wanganui says that ail is prepared and that the two local bands will attend at the Links to “play off” the champion when he leaves the ground.

Judging by the number of enquiries received at the head office of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., regarding the Dominion tour of the great war play, “Journey’s End” the coming of this remarkable drama has aroused universal interest. While a comprehensive tour of New Zealand has been arranged a much more extensive one could have been drawn up had time permitted. Unfortunately for New Zealand, the Company has to return by a specified date, so that a return visit of this outsanding play of the century is an impossibility. It may with truth be said that “Journey’s End” has created a sensation in every part of the world in which it has been produced.

An enthusisatic theatre-goer who claims to have attended very firstnight performance at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, for the last thirty years, writing from the Cathedral City, says that no musical production in his opinion, has attained such a remarkably high standard of production as “The Desert Song,” which is now touring New Zealand. “It is one of the strongest and most even combinations J. C. Williamson have ever sent to us. Lance Fairfax is simply perfect as ‘The Red Shadow’ and Romola Hansen is one of the sweetest girls who has ever appeared on the New Zealand stage. The comedian, Herbert Mundin, from London, develops a humour which is quite unique and to my mind, is very much more effective than the extravagant buffoonry we are sometimes compelled to witness. All the other characters are played remarkably well, and the chorus is one of the most capable and evenly balanced I have heard for many years.”

One of the most unique distinctions ever bestowed upon a play is that to be accorded “Journey’s End” the wonderful war drama which will shortly be presented to New Zealand audiences by a particularly strong J. C. Williamson company. We read that on the evening of Armistice Day, “Journey’s End” will be broadcast from London throughout the world. Arrangements have been made in practically every country for its reception and re-broad-casting thus denoting the international fame and world-wide appreciation of this wonderful play. It has been stated by the J. C. Williamson management that “Journey’s End” has proved the must successful of any dramatic production ever presented by the Firm.

Both Leon Gordon and J. C. Williamson, Ltd. selected “Brewster’s Millions” as the opening play of the season at Melbourne Theatre Royal by reason of the success Mr Gordon has already achieved in the role of Monty Brewster abroad, and because of the excellence of the comedy itself. “It is really the best comedy I have ever played in,” said Mr Gordon. “Not one line of the dialogue had to be altered.” The shipwreck scene has necessitated drastic alterations to the stage at the Theatre Royal. Behind the scenes 47 men are needed to work the effects, and more than a mile of steam pipes are used. An interesting feature of the cast will be the appearance of Nancy Gordon (Mrs Leon Gordon), in the important role of Peggy Grey. There //ill be thirty artists in the cast.

The seventeen principals of Ernie Intinga’s burlesque oompany at the Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, have a sports Tib of their own, which includes experts in swimming, water polo, cricket, tennis, and golf. They are prepared to challenge all and sundry to conests, and an indication of their prowess as cricketers is contained in the act that the Lotinga team, on the ay out to Melbourne on the Mongolia, iefeated an Australian team in a “test natch,” England v. Australia. The ompany also includes some clever boxers and runners. “We can play at anything,” said Mr Lotinga, “including poker!” 1