THEATRICAL TOPICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20150, 19 May 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL TOPICS

PLAYS AND PLAYERS GOSSIP FROM GREENROGM AND STAGE ] • g acridly admitted . . <.’. Williamson Ltd. and J. ami N. Tait have scheduled a wonderfully attractive programme for New Zealand lor the coming winter. In addition to Maurice Moseovitch, the famous dramatic actor, Moiseiwitsch, known internationally as one ofthe greatest pianists of the day, “Madame Pompadour” and “The Htudcnt Prince” company, there will come the Vanbrugh Boucicauit Company. * * # * The. London Comedy Company. “The Girl Friend” ami “Princess Charming” will also be coming over. * * * # The J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company will open the New Zealand season in “The Student Prince” with “Madame Pompadour” to follow. Both are charming musical plays with well-defined plots, beautiful' music, magnificent dresses, glorious scenery and striking ensembles. Jn every detail these entrancing musical comedies will be presented as completelv as they were shown in London and Australia. riu * . * * * n llie opening o f the Capitol Theatre tn Sydney, erected at a cost of £lBO - 000, and accommodating 3000 persons broij-nt references to the opening of -rmirata’s iirst theatre. J.;, happened on January Hi. 1706, with a pmy -i titled ‘‘The Revenge.'’ "At tile licen sing of this exhibition,” the Sydney Gazette said, “the companv were informed that the slightest impropriety would be noticed, and a repetition punished by banishment. A seat in ‘he gallery was to be had for Is or as mu.-a flour, jueat, or spirits as the manag r would accept in lieu of that, sum.”

V hat would young Australian singers think of putting up Xl4OO for the piivilege of a year’s operatic experiii.ee in Europe ! (writes a London correspomlen. in the Sydney Bulletin'. Ihut is the arrangement made by the Juilliard Foundation in U.S.A., ami it ensures that promising American singers will secure appearances at the Dresden Opera House. The Wolfsohn MusiI'al Luieau has a like scheme in hand, with the difference that singers who go u..d< r ?t -; auspices will appear m twenty-seven opera houses. In addition to finding the 7000 dollars, these embryo operatic stars will have to defray their personal expenses. Young singers from the Dominion often wonder why they cannot jump on to the European operatic stage. The explanation would seem to be a 7000-dollnr lever.

Miss Beatrice Elliott, a New Zealand soprano,’who has been studying abroad for several years, made a most successful debut in New York recently. She ga\ - e a recital containing many interesting items and her singing, especially in the English group, drew high praise from the critic of the Now York Times. Miss Elliott received a bouquet, "amorg a host of others, from New Zealanders in New York. In the near future she hopes to revisit New Zealand and Australia on her first concert tour.

Curious that Australia has no counterpart of the English Actors’ Church Union, which has the Archbishops of Canterbury ami York as active patrons and which has a membership of over COO honorary chaplains who attend to the general welfare of touring barnstormers. The union also keeps an eye on the children of actions and actresses who are playing out of town by providing a hostel and other help. A somewhat similar body is the Catholic Stage Guild, whose object is tj help Catholic artists on tour and to put them in touch with local Catholic clergy.

Directing Miss Margaret Bannerman’s company in Australia and New Zealand is Mr Anthony Leyland Prinsvp, one of the, best-known producers m London to-day. Mr Prinsep is a son of the late Mr. Vai Prinsep. R.a., one of whose notable paintings was that of the first Durbar in India, which was painted by Royal command. Mr Anthony Prinsep was formerly engaged as an underwriter at Lloyd’s. He jntered on the management of the Globe Theatre, London, with Miss Marie Lohr, in January, 1918, and since tlmn has produced at the Globe, “Love in a Cottage,” “Press the Button.” “Nurse Benson,” “L’Aiglon,” “Victory,” “Trimmed in Scarlet,” “The Voice from the Minaret” (1919), “Birds of a Feather.” “A Marriage of Convenience,” “French Leave,” “Every Woman’s Privilege,” “Fedora” (1920), “The Hour and the Alan,” “Her Husband’s Wife,” “The Knave of Diamonds,” “Woman to Woman,” “The Truth About Blayds” (1921). “Mr Pim Passes By,’’ “Eileen.” “Belinda,” “Th p Return.” “The Laughing Lady” (1922), “Aren’t We All?” and “Our Betters” (1923). * * * When the Fuller-Gonsalez Italic Grand Opera Company conies to N“w Zealand the repertoire of the tour will be selected from the following operas: “11 Trovatore.” “La Traviata.” “L n Ballo in Masehera,” “Faust,” “Rigalotto.” “Mignon,” “Fra Diabolo” “Norma,” “Lucia.” “Martha.” “Carmen.” “Tannhausor.” “Lohengrin.” “Pho Barber of Seville,” “Ernani.” “La Favorita,’’ and “Mefistophle.” and several others. *.* . * * Benno Moiseiwitsch, the world famous pianist, who commences a short tour of Now Zealand this month, is sab! l to have incorporated some real musical novelties in his programme, which rich in classical and romantic work of the groat composers are ro»«derodi even more attractive by thp incorporation of some modern works. ]t is said that Moiseiwitsch will introduce works of composers very popular with Now Zealand audiences. A loa/ling Australian musical critic referring to Moiseiwitsch said: —“His programmes were really beautiful with their wonderful variety, he is one of the greatest living masters of the pianoforte, who has again won all our hearts by his glorious playing and his magic personality. ” **' * v Tt is sail !■ that this is likely to be the farewell visit of Maurice Afoscovitcli to New Zealand, for it is probable that the production of “The Silent House.” another gripping dra- I ma now in rehearsal, the famous actor will go on a world tour, which will include England, the United States. Franco and some of the European I countries. A very tempting offer wa3

recently made to Aloscovitch to tour ►South Africa and the East, but so tar no detail .nnv? been arranged. Aloscovitch has t deep aff ciion io»the people of the countries under the Southern Cross, and maios no secret ci the fact -.nat wh.*r. i .e hr.i.j conics ior his departure to fuilid worl l-w> engagements he will leave these shore with genuine regret. * * I" rank Webster, the new tenor Io appear in “The Student Prince,” “ Mauame Pompadour' ’ in the New Zealand tour of J. C. AViljianison’s great musical comtvly company commenced to sing as a choir boy. He won the Bristol Gold Aledal al the Bristol ListodL:fOld. which gave ihim entrance to the Exeter Cathedral Choir. From there, ofter winning an open*scholarship. .he become a .student at the Royal College of Music in T.ondon. and nearly all the time .he was there he sang at St. Paul’s as a c.hoir boy. He sang in the capacity at the Coronation of King George at Westminster Abbey, being a member of the Chapel Royal Choir. Nearly five years have elapsed since Benno Aloiseiwitsch, shortly to make a tour of the Dominion, began his last Australian and. New Zealand season, w.hen over (>() record breaking n*citals were given. Since then he has played to enormous aud-ienees practically in all parts of the wbrld. Aloiseiwitsch has enlarged his brilliant repertoire, chiefly by the addition of modern works. Consequently, many novelties will be played during the coming sea- , son. I