MUSIC AND DRAMA

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 25 (Supplement)

MUSIC AND DRAMA

On June 29, at the Municipal Theatre, Miss Iris Montgomery and Mr Harison Cook will present their recital of song and dance. Only one recital will be given in Christchurch, after which a tour will be made of the South Island, Ashburton, Timaru, Geraldine, Waimate, Oamaru and Dunedin being some of the centres that will be visited. Mr Bert Royle, New Zealand representative of j. C. Williamson, Ltd, and J. and N. Tait, is at present confined to his bed at his residence. Palmer Street, Wellington, and his condition is such as to cause anxiety. Mrs Royle, who recently underwent two serious operations at a Wanganui private hospital, was conveyed to her home at Wellington on Saturday. The condition of Mrs Royle is stated to be improving. :: ** Rio Rita.” the big Fuller production coming to the New’ Opera House on Monday, July 1, is the most brilliant show the management has yet presented. “ Rio Rita ” is American musical comedy at its best. There is a well-defined love theme, some delightmusic, and a well-written book, which by no means leaves all the comedy to be made by the comeclians. It is one of the greatest musical comedy productions that has ever been booked for the Dominion. “ Rio Rita,” Sir Benjamin and Mr John Fuller’s highly successful musical comedy, which will receive its New Zealand premiere at His Majesty’s Theatre, Wellington, on June 17, will introduce many new* theatrical personalities in the strong cast, which is headed by Miss Gladys Moncrieff. Amongst the newcomers are Miss Janette Gilmour and Mr Dave Mallen, both of whom have achieved an enviable reputation on Broadway, New York. “ Rio Rita ” is the last word in lavish magnificence and spectacular brilliance. The ballets in their richly bright costumes strike a vivid note, echoed in the picturesque and elaborate settings that form a background to the unfolding of the story. “ Rio Rita ” is a colourful tale of loVe and. hate and loyalty, told in the setting of tempestuous Mexico, with a peep into Gay Paree and Sunny Spain. The theme is handled ade quately, garnished with song gems and haunting refrains. The dances are woven into the movement of the play so that the continuity of the story is never interrupted, and can be followed right through the production. Janette Gilmour, who will be seen as “Dolly” in “Rio Rita,” has a warm admirer in Sir Benjamin Fuller. Apropos her part in “ Rio Rita,” he remarks. “ I do not consider she could be paralleled by any other girl in America—or elsewhere. She has a sense of humour, with youth, beauty and personality Above, all. she has the quality of brain essential to the making of what she emphatically is, a superlative light comedienne.” .Young Woodley, the principal male character in the comedv-drama of that name which the J. C. Williamson company will present in Christchurch on July 18, does not hide his affection for the young and attractive wife of the house-master. The climax in the pla\ r is reached when the house-master (a character very ably filled by Mr Frank Boyle) finds his wife being kissed by Y oumr WoodTev. The latter does not

stoop to subterfuge or dissembling. He faces the indignant husband, and boldly declares: “ Fm in love with your wife,” and adds insult to injury by taunting the elderly and somewhat neglectful husband with having “ mineral water in his veins instead of good red blood.” This scene, of course, brings things to a crisis, which is one of the most dramatic and impressive features of the play. Natalie Moya, the youthful leading lady with the “ Y r oung Woodley ” Company, now touring New Zealand under the J. C. Williamson management, was attracted to the stage at an early time in her life. Miss Moya was born in Ballarat, and when a mere child was taken to Ireland, where she received a sound education. Always a good elocutionist, she looked to the stage for an , opportunity to display her histrionic abilities, and soon worked her way from the ranks. Her first big part was one of the leading roles in “A Month in the Country,” and from that time she has never looked back. In “ Young Woodley,” Miss Moya has a part to her liking, and that she has made the most of her opportunity is evidenced by the highly complimentarj’ Press reports of her characterisation. Two American comedies of the “ homely ” type, “ Pigs ” and “ Apple Sauce, ” at present running in Australia, are due for New Zealand shortly. Shayle Gardener, the Auckland actor who has attained fame abroad, talks of paying a visit to New Zealand. He is at present visiting America, and may return to England via the Dominion. The death of Mr Charles Carter, the well-known tenor singer, is reported from England. The late Mr Carter was principal tenor in Pollard’s Opera Company in New Zealand many years ago, after which he went to England and the Continent for study. Later he was principal tenor of the MoodyManners Grancj Opera Company for several years, until an affection of the throat compelled him to give up the profession. It is more than probable that before long New Zealand theatre-goers will be afforded an opportunity of judging whether the enthusiasm displayed by the audiences of London and Australia at the great J. C. Williamson production. “ The Desert Song,” is pot fully justified (writes a Sydney correspondent). It is on the cards, that one of the best companies ever assembled by the firm will visit New Zealand in the near future. The demands from all parts of the Commonwealth for the presentation of this most colourful, melodious and alluring musical play—demands which from their insistence and numbers have compelled J. C. Williamson to rearrange the original scheme of Australian and New Zealand itinerary—have undoubtedly placed the firm in a quandary. So that when asked for an official statement as to future intentions it was explained that the unparalleled success of “ The Desert Song,” and the consequent prolongation of the seasons had upset all calculations. This much was made manifest, however, that New Zealand will not be deprived of the pleasure which is in store for the thousands of amuse-ment-lovers when “ The Desert Song ” is presented. Under the extraordin-

ary circumstances which have arisen this is about as far as the firm can honestly go at present.

It is stated that the choruses of that beautiful musical play, “ The Desert Song,” which is expected in the DoTninion this year, have a greater and more immediate effect on the audience than did the stirring melodies in “ Th* 1 Student Prince.” One in particular.

“ The Riff Chorus,” is described as one of the most effective ever heard, and when first sung in Australia was encored so enthusiastically that the performance was held up for nearly half an hour. r*: a n The latest Australian actress to make a bid for fame and fortune in England is Miss Strella Wilson, who first became noted for her excellent work in Gilbert and Sullivan opera, playing opposite Mr James Hay .in the very fine company organised by the Williamson management. More recently she appeared in “ The Vagabond King,” with Mr James Liddy, and scored a pronounced success in this spectacular and melodious musical play. Jascha Spivakovsky, the famous Russian pianist, is enjoying a most successful tour of Australia under the direction of Mr D. D. O’Connor. Extra concerts have been given in every centre, necessitating a rearrangement of dates. Recently in Perth Mr O’Connor announced the cancellation of the season, as no theatre or hall was available whereupon the Governor of Western Australia. Sir William Campion, offered the use of the ballroom at Government House A special stage was built, and room was found for more than 1200 chairs, which gives some idea of the size of the ballroom. Under ideal conditions Mr Spivakovsky gave a series of five concerts.

Sydney Tivoli audiences on Varsity night witnessed two extremes in diplomacy (writes a Sydney “Bulletin” correspondent). Jack Barty, after missiles had been thrown at him, leapt off the stage into the stalls to deal out stoush to one of the That settled Barty’s chance of continuing with his turn. Altogether different was the manner in which the Aurora troupe of cyclists got down to business. Lining up on the stage, they asked the students to get the heaving of over-ripe fruit and the like over before they commenced their act. Their appeal had direct results. They went through their act without interruption, and were cheered by the students both inside the theatre and outside after the show.

So great has been the enthusiasm of the audiences at the concerts given In Australia William Murdoch (the world renowned pianist) and Harold Williams (the famous baritone) under the J. and N. Tait management, that considerable difficulty has been experienced in bringing the entertainments to a close at an hour early enough to allow patrons to make train and tram connection. Encores, double encores, and even triple encores have prolonged the concerts to such an extent that on one evening in Melbourne it was nearly midnight before the audience was content to let the aftists retire. Both Mr Murdoch and Mr Williams display a generosity in responding rarely manifested by public performers. Should these artists come to New Zealand—and the Messrs Tait promised that they would—music-lovers may with confi dence look forward to a musical feast.

The names of two men who have helped considerably to raise modern

drama to its present high standard, are included in the list of King’s Birthday honours. They are Mr John Galsworthy and Mr Ben Greet. Galsworthy is perhaps best known for his “ Forsyte Saga ” series of novels, but he has also contributed to the stage a number of the best plays in the drama of the twentieth century. Greet is not a dramatic author, but an actor-man-ager, who has devoted his career almost entirely to playing Shakespeare. Among those who have played their first important parts under his management have been H. B. Irving, Dorothea Baird, Robert Loraine, Mrs Patrick Campbell, Sybil Thorndike and Russell Thorndike. The Order of Merit has been conferred upon Mr Galsworthy and a Knighthood on Mr Greet.

Owing to the high prices charged by the theatres in London and New York, the “talkies” are becoming very serious rivals to them. That (says the Melbourne “Age”) is the deliberately formed opinion of Mr George Highland, producer for J. C. Williamson, Ltd.,, who has just completed a rush business trip. London, he said, had gone mad on the “talkies,” even though they were still in a crude state of production, and the result was very few stage show’s were yielding profitable returns now. Owing to the rush on “talkies” it was next to impossible to get into these places of entertainment without wait ing for hours in a queue, but the Londoners did not seem to mind doing that It was the same in New York He did not think that in Australia there would be the same rush from the legitimate theatres, as the admittance charges here were very much lowei than in London, and it was probably because of the great disparity between the prices of the two classes of enter tainment there that the change over of stage patrons to the “talkies” on the other side of the world had been so marked a feature. Among the productions which Mr Highland brought, back with him are “ Show Boat,” “ New Moon,” “Hold Everj’thing,” “Follow Through,” “Mr Cinders,” and “Journey’s End.”

WILLIAM HEUGHAN.

ACTOR-SINGER TO RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND

In continuation of his world tours, William Ileughan, the famous actorsinger, and great British basso, will be returning shortly to New Zealand for his third tour here. Since his visit last year he and his associate artists (Miss Maud Bell, ’cellist, and Miss Gladys Sayer, solo pianist and accompanist) have travelled far, meeting with most enthusiastic re ceptions everywhere. They have now travelled 150,000 miles, and are in the sixth year of world touring. Wherever Heughan sings the leading critics and public alike consider that he is greater and singing better than ever, i After their tour through Australia last year, the Orient was visited and concerts given in all the principal centres in the Straits Settlements, Malay States and Siam. At Bangkok, the capital of Siam, he was enthusiastically received by audiences truly cosmopolitan, as many as fifteen different nationalities being counted one night. This shows what a wide appeal Heuehan

can make through his unique programmes.

On the China coast special seasons were given in Hong-Kong and Shanghai. The return trip was made through the same places. The demand for a return to Bangkok m£ant cancelling Manilla concerts which were originally planned. The company arrived back in West \ustralia at the end of March, and are now tpuring through Australia, and ex pect to arrive in Auckland early in T ulv The tour dates will be announced later. It is of special interest to hear that soon after leaving New Zealand Mr Heughan engaged a young New Zeaander, Mr Allan Talbot, of Christchurch, as his advance manager, and he has successfully organised most of , :he Australian concerts as well as the tour through the Orien.t.

Quite apart from his professional vork, Mr Ileughan has been continuing his policy of giving Empire talks at clubs and schools in many places visit ed. Much interest has been shown in the information he gave about New Zealand, which Dominion, he says, he likes and admires most of all. His many friends and admirers here will look forward to again meeting and hearing him. As one of the leading Melbourne papers said: “He is a wel come guest in every great city.”