In the Theatres

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18617, 12 July 1930, Page 15

In the Theatres

One of the features of the visit of Amy Johnson, the girl flier, to Melbourne during the week was a gala performance of “The Belle of New York” tendered by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. at the Theatre Royal. The brilliant and crowded audience gave the English girl a wonderful ovation. During the interval, Miss Johnson went behind the scenes and chatted to the artists, but the culmination of the en- | thusiasm took place when, after the Tason had been brought on to the stage !in the finale, the girl flier left her I box, and climber into the cockpit of the ’plane. This literally “brought down the house” and made a wonderful ending to a memorable -I'-rform-ance. J. and N. Tait are to direct the farewell concert of a wonderful girl pianist, Linda Parker, at the Auditorium, Melbourne, on July 24. Miss Parker has attracted widespread attention by her wonderful gifts as a pianist, and, one week after her concert, will leave for Europe to continue her studies. A brilliant future is predicted for her.

Amy Johnson, the English girl flier, and Marie Bremner, the “Belle of New York,” met behind the scenes at the Gala Night in Miss Johnson’s honour at Melbourne Theatre Royal last week. Said Miss Bremner: “How wonderful to be able to perform such a feat. However could you do it!” Said Miss Johnson: “I was thinking the same thing about your performance in ‘The Belle of New York’.” Mary Lawson, who plays Mamie Clancy, declares that she is very proud of the fact that she comes from near Hull, the birthplace of Amy Johnson.

When “The Belle of New York” has run its allotted season, the end of which is several weeks off yet, the production to follow will be “The New Moon,” the spectacular musical play with a romantic setting which is said to be one of the best musical attractions ever presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. This was written by Oscar Hammerstein 2nd., who recently visited Australia, and who has many notable successes to his credit, including “Rose Marie” and “The Desert Song.” There are no fewer than thirty characters in the cast of “The NeW Moon.”

Marie Bremner, whose latest success has been achieved in the title role of •The Belle of New York” at Melbourne Theatre Royal, confesses that she is not only nervous on the first night of a new production, but always feels a certain amount of nervourness at every performance. “I can never get over it,” she said, "and people will not believe me when I tell them how nervous I am, for they say it cannot be noticed from the front. Strange to say,” added Miss Bremner, “I am more nervous really before I go on, but once I see the audience, after I have made my entrance, it begins to wear off, and after the first scene or two I am normal again. But I still think that a first night performance is a terrific ordeal.”

Cecil Kelleway, who plays the Polite Lunatic in “The Belle of New York” at Melbourne Theatre Royal, makes a study of every role before he begins to play it, for he is of the opinion that characterisation is just as important in musical comedy as in drama or comedy. “I have my own ideas as to how the Polite Lunatic should be played,” said Mr Kelleway, “and I do not follow slavishly other actors’ interpretations of the role. I give him a sentimental touch, omitting much of the crudity that used to be embodied in the part. He is really human, though he is ‘touched,’ and the audience like to see that side of him.” The fact that Mr Kelleway’s performance every night is punctuated with applause indicates that his characterisation makes a strong appeal to the audience.

After an absence from Australia of seven months, Elsie Prince has returned to appear under the J. C. Williamson, Ltd. management, opening in Sydney in “Mr. Cinders.” She was to have appeared in the London production of this notable musical play, but illness prevented her, also from appear in the British sound picture, “The I Yellow Musk,” with Lupino Lane. Play--1 ing opposite Miss Prince will be Hindle Edgar, an English actor who filled the title role in the musical play for nearly a year on tour in England. He is a son of Marriott Edgar, the comedian who came to Australia as Dame in J. C. Williamson, Ltd. pantomime. Mr Edgar has had varied experience in drama and comedy as well a r - musical plays.

Frank Harvey’s play, “Cape Forlorn,” set in a lighthouse on the New Zealand coast, had a very short run in London. The author, who for twelve years was a very popular leading man in Australia and New Zealand, played one of the leading roles.

Leon Gordon, now playing “This Thing Called Love” in Melbourne, is supported by Mary M Gregor, Harvey Adams, Nancy Gordon, Pirie Bush (the New Zealander), Rowena Ronald (Mrs. Herbert Browne), Frank Bradley, Hal Percy, and Dulcie Cherry.

Music lovers in both New Zealand and Australia are singularly fortunate in being able to welcome Wilhelm Backhaus to their respective countries, for the really great artist can pick and

choose their tours, and are always eagerly sought after by entrepreneurs. An artist of the standing of Backhaus invariably has a sheaf of tempting offers for tours, for there is not a country in Europe that does not reverence the name of Backhaus, and the master pianist also has a tremendous following in South America, as well as in the United States and Canada. Entrepreneurs in the Orient, in South Africa and in Egypt have been endeavouring to secure Backhaus for a tour this year, and it is therefore a distinct compliment to both New Zealand and Australia that the great pianist is in this quarter of the globe. Possibly there is no artist before the public to-day who has more genuine friends and well-wishers than has Backhaus, for the pianist’s absolute simplicity, sense of humour, and kindliness en- i* him to all. COURT DRESSES. It is not generally known that the Queen, though conservative as to her own fashions, chooses, or at least sets, a standard for the frocking of the women who are presented at Court. The sketches of frock designs, that are the guide of the dressmakers for the seasons Courts, are submitted to Her Majesty some weeks before the season commences, and she studies them carefully before giving her decision.

The Queen is never arbitrary in her judgment. • Her main wish is that those who are presented at Court, should be becomingly and suitably attired for the occasion. Any hints that she may give are with that end in view.