THE INTRUSIVE CHORUS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 237, 6 October 1928, Page 19 (Supplement)

THE INTRUSIVE CHORUS

At another first-class house the same inefficient and careless acting disgraced an d disfigured the play, whilst the scene resembled Hampton Court as seen by a lunatic with roses on the brain. Oh! these stage flowers and trees! When will our scenic artists and producers manage to make them look the least bit credible? The singing made one too often suspect adenoids. The male chorus, that most abominable of stage offences, reminded me of so many Phyllisses and Gerties resenting their sex.

The ladies of the chorus spring from nowhere, and on the slightest provocation take part in the proceedings when their very presence is an intrusion. As for the old lady of the piece, she is always so obviously under age and has just left school and is trying to conceal the fact under a wig that fits her nowhere. The air of hectic and forced gaiety imparted to every bit of business tires me profoundly. Whether this spell of extremely hot weather has affected my liver or not I am not sure, but never have I been so depressed, never have I despaired of our lighter musical plays so completely as I have done lately. Stop! Let me be just. I had a moment or two of rare exaltation, it is true, at Drury Lane. The old-world, strangely fascinating and novel atmosphere of 4 4 The Show Boat ’ ’ thrilled me deeply and Robeson’s singing of 44 01’ Man River” was worth all the musical pieces I had seeu for the last five years. Soul! Yes. He had a quality of soul not expected by me, yet all th© more delightful by reason of its surprise. I would I could find more of it in the theatre.

Cinema Art Films expect to receive within the next few months the first copy of the big Ufa spectacle 4 4 The Secrets of tne Orient,” a story of the Arabian Rights, produced under the personal supervision of Mr Alexander Wolkoff, who made “Michael Strogoff” and “Th© Prince of Adventurres.” “Secrets of the Orient” has been over a year in the making and it is anticipated that it will be the outstanding picture of the coming season. More than 3000 extras were employed continuously for several weeks and in the desert scenes, taken actually in v hc Sa* hara, 500 camels and 500 full-blooded Arabian horses and several hundreds of real Bedouins were used.

For the first time in the history of British film production British International Pictures Limited announce the trade presentation in London of five important British International Pictures at the rate of one every week for five consecutive weeks. They are “His Wife’s Husband” in which the eminent George Gee plays an important part. 4 4 Tosha” starring Marie Corda who played the leading part in, 44 The Private Life of Helen of Troy.” 4 4 Champagne” with Betty Balfour, 4 4 Adam’s Apple” and “Paradise” from an original storx; by Sir Phillip Gibbs. AU these attractions will be released during the coming season by Cinema Art Films.

Of 55 long feature films censored in Germany in a recent month, 24 were made in that country and 20 in America. Said to have been owned by Oliver Cromwell, a watch was recently sold in London for 1,023 dollars.