On and Off the Stage

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20669, 6 March 1937, Page 14 (Supplement)

On and Off the Stage

News About Plays and Players

“The Young Idea,” by Noel Coward, has been selected by the Dunedin Repertory Society for its sixteenth production. This comedy will be produced by Miss Bessie Thomson, and will be presented in His Majesty’s Theatre for a four-night season—March 17, 18. 19 and 20. The following members of the society are in the cast: —Mesdames L. F. W. Hill, H. T. Speight, K. W.

Donaldson, Misses Florence Pacey, Isabel Seelye, Margot Garrett, Joy Knowles, Messrs Maurice James, Ken. Stewart, E. W. Lees Bullot, Maurice Chrystall, G. E. Moloney, and O. T. Harris. Mr T. C. Wynne is the stage manager. No fewer than 2000 costumes figure in the wardrobe of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, by courtesy of its

founder, Colonel W de Basil. There is a large staff of assistants who care for the lovely ballet costumes; no costume is worn more than once in the session, and all are beautifully fresh and intact for every performance. The Timaru appearance is fixed for April 22.

Since her engagement with the Brighton and Croydon Repertory Theatres to play in O’Neill’s “Ah! Wilderness,” Miss Noni Wright, formerly of Auckland, has completed a teacher’s course in speech training, poetry speaking, drama for schools, and choral speaking at the Speech Fellowship and Institute, London. Miss Wright, who was associated witii the British Drama League in Auckland, has joined the league in England, and attended a number of practice classes held by the league in November and December. The course covered production, acting, make-up and property making. She is now taking a course of lectures with the league on period movement.

“The year 1936 has served to accentuate the lasting hold of the theatre on the affections of the nublic.” cays David Fairweather in London Theatre World. “Bad plays stand less chance of succes than in previous years, but a good play is still assured of support. I cannot instance one single play of distinction that has failed to achieve a run. If a dearth of talent exists it

is in the matter of dramatists. The standard of acting has never been so high, but when one thinks of the actors and actresses who have appeared in mediocre trivialities for want of really worthwhile plays, it is a clear indication that the future of the theatre rests with the playwright.” More than 70 performers are accompanying the travelling canvas theatre which has been built for the presenta-

tion of the J. C. Williamson, Limited, production of “White Horse Inn” in country centres in Australia. The total number of people travelling is 130. The company opened its tour on February 20 at Bendigo, and will travel many thousands of miles.

Commencing its New Zealand tour at Auckland the world-famous Monte Carlo Ballet of Colonel Wassily de Basil, fresh from a tour of Australia that has been a triumphal’ progress from city to city. Australian audiences were roused to unwonted heights of enthusiasm over the many kaleidoscopic ballets that filled the Melbourne Adelaide and Sydney stages with beauty and colour, and stood cheering time and time again w’hile the ballerinas and their partners smilingly acknowledged the frenzied plaudits It is anticipated by Messrs J. C. Williamson and J. & N. Tait, who sponsored the Australian season, that New Zealand audiences will likewise render the same appreciative obeisance to dancers whose names are famous in many countries. From Wednesday next

Auckland will enter on a 13-night season ballets representative of the highest in dancing art. Words scarcely convey the almost intoxicating beauty of some of the works to be interpreted, one has to see the superb poetry of the Dancers’ movements to realise the extraordinary’ talents that create the dance. Leon Woizikowsky and his company of youthful ballerinas and stalwart male partners are sure of a very sincere welcome from Dominion audiences, ready as they always are to acclaim artistry’.

All theatre-goers in London are aw’aiting with interest the presentation of Dr Merton Hodge’s new play, a lively, romantic comedy called “The Orchard Walls.” This comedy has been rewritten from a Hungarian play, whose name, translated, means “Love is not so simple.” “The Orchard Walls” will be quite a spectacular presentation, involving seven scenes and changing its locale from London to Venice and thence to Vienna. It will be produced by Mr Raymond Massey and presented at the St. James’. It is the first managerial venture of Mr Henry Sherek, who is already a well-known agent. It is the opinion of those who know, that it is a charming play. The cast is an excellent one, with Miss Irene Vanbrugh in the lead. It will not be long before this perfect actress celebrates her stage jubilee, and it is interesting to recall that St. James’ Theatre is the scene of her numerous past triumphs, generally in association with the late Sir George Alexander. In “The Orchard Walls,” Miss Vanrugh has a part rather like the parts which she made so particularly her own in the days gone by—that of a most charming and amusing “The Mother.” An admirable cast also includes Hugh Sinclair, Valerie Taylor, Arthur Sinclair, Evelyn Roberts, Sophie Stewart (who made such a big success in the film of “As You Like it,” with Bergner), and an old friend in Ronnie Ward. Ronnie Ward, who appeared in "Grief Goes Over,” toured in New Zealand 10 years ago, with Miss Vanbrugh and the late Dion Bouccicault.

Miss Nellie Sheridan, a pupil of Mr Roland Foster, of Sydney, has recently joined the Stanley McKay vaudeville company which is at present touring the South Island. Miss Sheridan came into prominence recently when she sang the D an octave and one note above the C in alb—a pitch which appears to be higher than that reached by any other singer in history.