In the Theatres

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18518, 15 March 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

In the Theatres

Leon Gordon recently commenced his farewell season in Australia to crowded and delighted audiences. The run will be limited, owing to New Zealand arrangements. “Murder on the Second Floor” is a big laugh, a big thrill, and a tremendous surprise. During its London run, His Majesty King George V. visited it several times.

There has been some discussion In New Zealand as to the personnel of the cast in the successful J. C. Williamson production of the musical farcical comedy “Turned Up”, and as some of the correspondents seeking information are obviously confusing the cast with that of another J.C.W. production, the details are here given; Gus Bluett, Cecil Kellaway, Mary Lawson, Leo Franklyn, Molly Fisher, June Mills, John Harper, Edna Hardy, Jock Thomson. Ray Carey, and John Harper. The beautiful and spectacular ballets and ensembles have been arranged by Al Fisher, and William Quintrell has charge of the very efficient orchestra.

William Faversham will open his Australian tour shortly with “The Prince and the Pauper,” in which he appears as Miles Hendon. In addition to Edith Campbell and Ann Davis (first appearances in Australia) the cast will include the popular Mary Me Gregor. “The Hawk” will be, probably, William Faversham’s second Australian production a tremendously powerful modern play. The opening play, “The Prince and the Pauper,” will give Australians their opportunity of seeing one of the world’s most delightful and romantic actors in & type of role in which he revels.

In connection with the production in New Zealand of the four popular and highly-successful burlesque comedies in which the noted London comedian Ernest Lotinga set the seal of fame on his name as one of the most humorous artists ever seen in London, it is interesting to remember that the French people laughed whole-heartedly at his whirlwind performances on the stage, though many did not understand a word of the amusing dialogue. All these comedies—“ August 1914,” “Khaki,” “The Police Force.” and “House Full,” will be presented to New Zealand audiences. Each of these comedy-burlesques ran for twelve months in London, and they also attracted record audiences in Sydney and Melbourne. New Zealand “diggers” will surely remember the splendid entertainment provided for them by Lotinga and Company when our boys were on leave in France and England.

New Zealand theatre-goers are already all agog to witness the performance of Clem Dawe, one of the most popular comedians and dancers ever seen in the Dominion, who recently returned from a world tour during which he secured some of the most outstanding musical comedy successes in London and New York for presentation in Australia and New Zealand. As Jerry Walker in “Love Lies” Clem Dawe has the part in which the great Stanley Lupino is delighting London audiences at the Gaiety Theatre, and as it gives him full scope for his irresistible humour, the appearance of this most versatile and popular comedian in his first musical comedy is naturally awaited with the keenest anticipation. Messrs White and Edgley will personally supervise this and other outstanding productions, and both are delighted at the splendid quality of the material available. The company includes several new artists, including Rita McLean, Bobby Gordon. Betty Eley, Peter Lane, and Dan Agar, together with a number of other favourites.

What a magnificent cast has been assembled by the enterprising firm of J. C. Williamson for the romantic and spectacular play “The New Moon”, now delighting crowded and enthusiastic audiences at His Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, and which it is sincerely hoped, will soon be one of the attractions scheduled for presentation in New Zealand. Several of those in

prominent roles are already highly popular with theatre-goers of the Dominion by reason of their very excellent performances in other big J. C. W. productions, and there are other leading artists who have established big reputations in England, America, and the Continent. Some of the principals are Frederic Bentley, Marie Bremner, Sidney Burchall, Romola Hansen, Herbert Browne, Leo Darton, Bernard Manning, Gaston Mervale, Marie Le Varre, Sidney Wheeler, Vera Spaull, Sidney Sterling, Charles Mettam, Margery Maxwell, with a host of others in one of the greatest musical productions ever staged in this part of the world.

Ernest Lotinga, the inimitable London comedian who is presenting his highly-entertaining comedy burlesI ques “August 1914,” “The Police Force,**

j “Khaki,” and “Full House,” to New Zealand audiences, is supported by a ! strong and highly-efficient English I company which includes Miss Kathleen Barbor (the leading lady, who is also making her first appearance in the Dominion,) Harold Wilkinson, Arnold Bell, T. Arthur Ellis, Jack Frost, Max Avieson, Lawrence J. Lawrence, Doyle Crossley, Jack Deering, Fred Luck, Adolph Luck, Ida May, Daisy Bindley and Rie Costa, many of whom are I new to this part of the world. They : were associated with Lotinga in his most outstanding successes in London, and will accompany the celebrated comedian when he returns to the great metropolis to continue his engage- : ments. These were interrupted to enable the celebrated artist to realise I his ambitions to play in the far-flung j British Dominions before he resumed I contracts which will keep him in Lon- , don and the English provinces for many years. The New Zealand tour iis proving most successful, and ; Ernie Lotinga is universally voted one of the most original and versatile comedians who has ever appeared before Dominion audiences.

There are many tense moments in the cleverly written comedy-drama ‘Murder on the Second Floor,” which it is hoped will soon be produced and presented in New Zealand by that sterling actor, talented author, and clever producer, Leon Gordon, with a

specially-selected J. C. Williamson company. Never has Frank Voeper produced a better play. There is a mysterious murder, splendid comedy interludes, and running through this engrossing play is a beautiful romance that makes the play more attractive. It is a play within a play, and the author has cleverly introduced some

most unusual and attractive elements which he has handled with the skill of the true artist. In the second act occurs one of the most sensational episodes of the play—the struggle on the landing of the house of mystery between the determined policeman (excellently played by Frank Bradley). and the tall, gliding monster of a doperunner (most realistically presented by Ashton Jarry). The contest is one of (he most realistic ever seen on the stage, and the exciting struggle ends in the pair crashing through the bannisters, and falling heavily on the floor below. Some of the most important engagements ever made by the enterprising firm of J. C. Williamson Ltd. ever anxious to secure the very best form of entertainment for its thousands of patrons in Australian and New Zealand. have just been announced. In addition to the appearance of the famous English actor, William Faversham (who is now one of the most * famous stage celebrities in the United , States) the Firm has concluded nego- | tiations with Edith Taliaferro, the distinguished star. This talented actress

| will play a comedy season under the J.C.W. regime. Louis Gravavure, j world-renowned tenor, will appear un- ! der the management of J. and N. Tait, j who have given us Paderewski, Galli- : Curci, Heifetz, Hislop, and Moiseiwitsch, to name but a few of musical stars brought to these shores; while negotiations are proceeding for the appearance in Australia and New Zealand of 'other stage and musical stars. Enterprise such as this will not go unrewarded, for after all, the great majority of the theatre-going public have not lost their appreciation for artists who appear in the flesh, and become

(for the time being at any rate) part and parcel of our daily life and pleas-

RETURN OF THE RUBY Rubies are coming into their own again in England. They make a bold show in the fashionable larged-hing-ed bracelets, alternating with diamonds and on a bed of scintillating stones set in pave fashion. The diamond and ruby shoulder-strap to match the bracelet is the very latest idea of chic but costly simplicity. It is a lovely completion to a gown of heavy white velvet. Coloured stones have been gradually returning to favour. Last year diamonds or pearls seemed to be standing

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