THE STAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19437, 24 October 1925, Page 22 (Supplement)

THE STAGE

N.Z. Soprano Scores Big Success. . The triumphs achieved by the growing few who leave this Dominion in discipleship of music are particularly gratifying in view of the general remark that New Zealand is cold to the demands of art. Recent press comment on the singing of Miss Marjorie Skill, the talented young lyric soprano who left New Zealand comparatively recently to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, proves that New Zealand has once more made a valuable contribution to the concert platform. Miss Skill’s many friends throughout the Dominion will be rather more delighted , than surprised at tho enthusiastic ovations she is receiving in the course of a professional tour throughout Northern Queensland. Australian newspapers to hand by the last mail are unanimous in their opinion that Miss Marjorie Skill—who has previously won popularity through her broadcast singing for 2BL (Sydney)—will climb very high on the ladder of achievement. It is hoped that New Zealand audiences will be given an early opportunity of hearing this artiste, but it is .only to be expected that there is a pressing demand for the services of a singer who possesses both gift of voice and power of charm. *

A Popular Play Revived. One of the most popular plays over staged in Australia and New Zealand is the romantic drama, “A Royal Divorce/* which was undoubtedly Mr Julius Knight ’s most successful production, and playgoers will be interested to learn that Muriel Starr and Frank Harvey are now reviving the play in Melbourne. Miss Starr appears as the Empress Josephine, Mr Harvey as Napoleon, Gaston Mervale as Marquis de Beaumont, Harvey Adams as M. de Tallyrand, Floie Allan as Stephanie, Mildred Cottell as Empress Marie Louise, James B. Atholwood as Grimaud, Phyllis Moyle as the Little King of Rome. Spectacularly, “A Royal Divorce” is particularly strong. New scenery has been painted by Mr W. R. Coleman, and includes a salon in Fontainbleau, Garden of the Tuilleries, the Retreat from Moscow, the Advance, the Rout, Quarter-deck of H.M.S. Northumberland, and the final tableau —Napoleon at St, Helena. * * # ♦ Odiva’s Seals. Captain Adams, of Odiva’s Seals, now in America, has just bought Buddy, the trained seal, for the equivalent of £4OO, and has added him to the Odiva act. This now makes a dozen educated seals and sea lions performing in the big tank. * ♦ ♦ ♦ Takes No Risks. Thoroughness is absolutely essential in theatrical production these days, as there ig always some member of the audience who discovers an imaginary flaw in the detail, and writes to the management to air his knowledge. Guy Bates Post takes no risks in “The Green Goddess,” which will probably bo the play in which he will open his New Zealand tour. In the thrilling wireless scene, where the Rajah’s captives endeavour to get a message to the outside world to save their lives, the operator sends genuine Morse messages. ❖ ❖ ❖ * ‘‘The Silent King.” J. B. Atholwood, the clever character actor who takes the part of Jaikes in “The Silver King’’ at Melbourne Theatre Royal, has been connected with J. C. Williamson Ltd. productions for oVer 28 years. He has appeared with practically every actor of note who has been in Australia during that period. The first play in which he appeared under the firm’s management, were “The Flying Scud” and “Formosa.” Mr Atholwood claims the distinction of being the first actor to speak a Shakespearean sentence in Japan. This was 35 years ago, when i his company, which had been touring the East, opened in Kobe with “The Merchant of Venice,” in which he i took the part of Antonio. * * * * A San Francisco Success. Advices received from San Francisco i by the Hugh J. Ward management■ state that the theatrical hit there at j the moment is “Lady, Be Good,” at | the Curran Theatre. “Lady, Be Good” | is a bright and tuneful musical comedy | that is on the list for Australia and New Zealand. # * * * Stray Pars. “No, No, Nanette,” in its fourth month at Melbourne, will, it is said, run until Christmas. Mr Arthur Ripley has been engaged by the Napier Choral Society to sing the tenor solos in “Hiawatha.” Miss Jose Collins, for so long a musical comedy star in London, is appear- j ing in vaudeville in America. Miss Minnie Love, formerly a musi- 1 cal comedy favourite in Australia and New Zealand, is appearing in “The London Revue” at the Lyceum ThelatrOj London.