MR WALTER GEORGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 9 (Supplement)

MR WALTER GEORGE.

HEAD OF THE SUNSHINE i PLAYERS. Air AValter George, now appearing ! with his Sunshine Players at the Opera House in a series of musical comedies, was interviewed by “The Limelight Alan.” who gathered some interesting particulars of Air George’s career on th© stage. Air George is t-lxe originator ot that form of entertainment known as “ costume comedy.” lie is n Irmdoner by birth, and originally an entertainer at the piano, he has had very wide experience theatrically in all parts oi the world. Air George was appointe-l deputy to the late Air Corney Grain, one of the most noted society entertainers in England, and afterwards joined the D’Oyley Carte Company at the Savoy Theatre, playing -with Charles Kenningham and the late Wallace Brown low. Three years later Air George was offered and accepted the part of Lurcher in “ Dorothy,” an 1 played with the Red fern Company p v another three years. Air George entered the London Academy as a student, and carried off th * Oronze. silver and gold medals. Previous to this he had organised a costume comedy company known as “ The Smart Set,” a company that is well and favourably remembered in England to this day. With them he toured continually through England, South Africa and America, eventually arriving in Australia and New Zealand. Th * first revue ever staged in Australasia was produced by Air George during this visit. It was called “ Keep to the Right,” and was a tremendous success. The Sunshine Players was formed and sent on a tour through this country. and incidentally established a **e cord for continuous performances. Th ■ Sunshine Players have a repertory of well over twenty musical comedies, and all Mr AValter George’s productions are stamped with that finish that comes of an artistic temperament and experience in snappy dialogue, costumes and

scenery. Th? splendid voices of the company have made the Sunshine Players, under Walter George, one ot th© most popular companies that lmva ev u* appeared on the vaudeville stage in Australia and New Zealand. The record of the company is second to none, as is proved by the following r * markable figures:—New Zealand tour, 1918-1921 : Auckland. 32 weeks (three visits); AVellington, 30 weeks (three visits); Christchurch, 38 weeks (fo ir visits) ; and Dunedin, 42 weeks (four visits). In Australia the company played 13 weeks in Adelaide. 16 weeks in Melbourne. 9 weeks in Sydney. 17 weeks in Brisbane, and seasons in Tasmania in 1914 and 1917. Afr George’s company toured America in 1903-4, and South Africa in 1911-12.