A NOTED ACTRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 643, 22 December 1932, Page 16

A NOTED ACTRESS.

Dame Sybil Thorndike to Tour N.Z. ARRIVAL IN WELLINGTON. (Special to thfe “Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 21. An arrival from Sydney by the Zealandia yesterday was Dame Sybil Thorndike, the noted actress. Dame Sybil and her husband, Mr Lewis Casson, head a talented London company which opens a season in Wellington on Saturday. The corqpay will be in Christchurch next month. “ This is the first time I have been to this part of the world, but the coastline seems very .familiar, reminding me of Scotland,” she said in an interview. “ The people in Australia told us that we would feel more at home when w r e got here,” said Dame Sybil. “ They told us ‘You may like us—and I do love the Australians. They are lovelypeople; they are so generous and so kind.” Mr Casson, who joined his wife at this stage, said that the first sight of the New Zealand coastline was extraordinarily homelike. It was like the west of Scotland—the Kyles of Bute, the fiord country round the west coast of Scotland. Drama at Home. “ Can you tell us something about the latest developments in drama in England and Scotland?” Dame Sybil was asked. 41 We haven’t been in England since last February,” replied the famous actress. 44 That is a long time, but I should say the gradual movement of the theatre is toward something less realistic.” The trend was toward something more symbolic, both in speech, action, furniture, scenery, and everything else, she added. Great attention, said Mr Casson, was being given to perfection of speech and strong dramatic work. The cinema failed at rhetoric and also in really strong dramatic work, and it did not compete in the sarne way in imaginative scenic work. Discussing the question of scenery, Mr Casson said that the main thing in this connection -was the invention of the big half-watt lamp, which had take the place of the arc light because it could be brought very much more under control. Influence of the Cinema. Dame Sybil was asked for her views on the influence of the cinema on public dramatic taste. 44 Oh ! ” she gasped. ‘‘That is a big question. It has weeded out perhaps a great many of the—what would you say, Lewis? You have to be very careful.” 44 It has taken over the mass production side of amusement—the purely shopkeeping side of the theatre,” said Mr Casson. 44 That is very good, Lewis,” said Dame Sybil, with approval in her voice. 44 I shall remember that next time when I’m asked.” Mr Casson said he had been verysurprised to find that the Australians resented American speech more definitely than the people in England. Little Theatre Movement. Dame Sybil said that the Little Theatre movement was 44 frightfully interesting,” and in Australia it was very sound. Mr Casson said he thought there was a certain amount of overlapping in the movement in Australia. He saw in it a very good sign. In Sydney there were an enormous number of organisations. Dame Sybil said she really believed the cinema was going to do good for the theatre in the long run. The chances of making fortunes were gone, but from the point of view of art she thought the standard would be improved. They had found in Australia that people who perhaps had not been in a theatre for twenty years were now coming back. Discussing the plays she most enjoyed playing. Dame Sybil said she had chosen some of her favourites for her New Zealand tour. She really enjoyed everything—burlesque, revue, all of them—as long as she did not have too much at a time. Dame Sybil mentioned in particular 44 Saint Joan,” 44 The Media ” of Euripides, and 44 Macbeth.” She said she had played Lady Macbeth more or less for years in every sort of way. For recreation. Dame Sybil said she was very fond of music and also enjoyed tramping and swimming.