THEATRICAL TOPICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 15 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL TOPICS

PLAYS AND PLAYERS GOSSIP FROM GREENROOM AND STAGE “The Ringer,” described as one of the most sensational plays ever staged, has been playing to packed houses at His Alajesty's Theatre, Auckland. Outstanding performances are those ot Aloseuvitch as Alaurice Aieister, Patrie Cui wen as the Divisional surgeon at Scotland Yard, Nat Aladison, as Samuel Hackett, the ex-convict, and Miss Alary AlacGregor as Cora Ann Alilton, The Ringer’s wife. Aluriul Stair, appearing with success in Au.stia.'ia, is producing seme interesting dramatic novelties. In “Cornered- ’ Aiiss Starr plays a difficult dual role —Margaret Waring, a millionaiiess, and Alary Brennan, the crook. “The Goldfish.” and “The Donoxan Affair” (which has created quite a furore) are other strong plays. The company supporting this clever anJ vcrsati.'e actress is a particularly strong one, and includes several J. C. Wil-uani-.m fav. a rites.

There is sure to be some misconception regarding, the respective identities of Aloscovitch, the noted dramatic actor and Aloiseiwitch, the famous pianist, who will’ be in New Zealand at the same time —next month. Both have made their reputations, though in different spheres of art. Alosco vitch, who is older than Aloiseiwitcn, has a son. known as Anton Maasroif) who is a noted violinist, and may be heard in New Zealand before long.

There are piany features in the thrilling Edgar Wallace drama “The Terror” (to bo played by Aloscovitch and Company in New Zealand), whiefi account for its splendid reception wherever it has been staged. Chief among them, perhaps, is the clever, interesting, and logical character acting of all performers. At the same time. Aii’ Wallace* has shown consummate skill in contriving situations, and in raising and lowering the tension of the piece by almost imperceptible degrees. There is nothing to correspond with the wild alternations between the broad farce and stark horror of other mystery plays. The humour is lighter and more flexible, being cast on the English, and not the American model. It may be described as a fine British drama.

In “The Ringer” and “The Terror,” two Edgar Wallace thrillers to be staged during Aloscovitch’s tour in New Zealand, the mystery of the central character is cleverly disguised, and the audience is left in the dark until the final few minutes of the plays.

“The Letter” described as “a tremendously dramatic play, with remarkable woman interest, is oiw of the features of the Vanbrugh-Boucicault productions. “The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith” is a popular revival by the same company.

The manager of St. James’ Theatre, Sydney, where the Fuller-Gonzalo Grand Opera Company is delighting crowded houses each night, is having a strenuous time explaining to thoswho would enter without tickets that

they must book scats. Alany clamoutii.g Italians wait trustfully round the doors, feeling that, as they “lived nwt to the tenor’s brother in Rome or have married his second cousin,” they arr entitled to see the performance.

According to present arrangements the season of the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at Melbourne will conclude on Friday night, April 20. On the following evening, the famous musical comedy star, Annie Croft, will make her first appearance in Melbourne* in “The Girl Friend.” Subsequently, this attraction will be transferred to the Theatre Royal on the approach of the Williamson-Aleiba Grand Opera Company, which opens on Alay 12.

What a wise oid owl is E. J. Carroll when it comes to picking winners—theatres and shows, not horses (sa.s “Everyone’s,” Sydney). Just a few years ago the trade awarded him the merry-ha-ha for thinking he could build the Sydney Prince Edward and conduct it as a long-run house. Then it became, “Betcha he loses in London all the money he’s making out of the Prince Edward.” Fooled again! “The 'Wrecker,” his latest theatricar venture in the Big Smoke, is such a hit that E. J. has formed half a-dozen touring companies, and has invaded the Unite. I: States with Guy Bates Post as his star.

George Blunt, “the man of many faces,” who plays the parts of Station Sergeant Carter in “The Ringer” and Sergeant Dobey in “The Terror’’ respectively, in the Aloscovitch idramatic Company now in New Zealand, is a keen sport. Racing is his passion, and in England he ran several hordes with success. Ho is also keen on ducK and quail shooting, is a good horseman, and can play a very decent game ot golf.

Air Patrick Curwen, who plays the important part of ’Dr Lomond, Divisional Surgeon at Scotland Yard, in “The Ringer” with Aloscovitch, got his first, London chance in “The Palace of Puck,” by W. J. Locke. Air Curwen was in a command performiutce uf “The Lyons Mail” at Windsor Gastie, and played leading roles w*(h the famous actress. Mrs Patrick Campbell. He was one of the most variable members of Air H. B. Irving’s London company. Miss May Beatty, the well-known mu-ical comedy artist, who is very popular in New Zealand, amis e.'igag-">d in New York by Sir George TallVs for an nnpoitant part in “Hit die Dedc 3> the musical play in which Aliss Annie Croft v il] appear aft?* “The G.rl Friend. ’ ’ Cecil Kelleway, the well-known ,r. C. Williamson comedian will, it is said play one of the comedy parts in the musical play “Prince Charming.” Leslie Board, who has just, returned from abroad, describes it as “a really magnificent production.” A deputation from the Australian Alusicians’ Union waited upon. Prime | Minister Bruce at Canberra to urge that an embargo be placed on foreign musicians. Speakers demanded that such embargo should operate while cd. Discussion turned strongly on Australian musicians were unemployvisiting American players rather than the Italian orchestra, and there were bitter comments on the treatment meted out to the Commonwealth Band in the United States. It was stated that almost all the musicians of Australia were members of the union, which had 5000 members. Foreigners, who were Australians, and most of them were on the minimum wage. Air Bruce’s reply was non-committal. While being sympathetic, he declared the question was full of difficulties; he would consider whether it was possible to take any action.