THE STAGE ABROAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 290, 7 December 1928, Page 11

THE STAGE ABROAD

MANY ATTRACTIONS MUSICAL COMEDY SUCCESSES The most important musical and dramatic entertainments in Buglaud, the Continent and the* United btates during the past nine months have been carefully combed by Mr J, H. Tait, a director of the theatrical turn. of J. and N. Tait, who arrived at Auckland this week from Vancouver by the Niagara. As tho result of Mr Tait’s tour several popular and attractive msical comedies and plays, not to mention concert artists, have been secured for Australia and New Zealand, Mr Tait spent several months in London and the provinces. Among other things he purchased the musical comedy, “A Damsel in Distiess,” in which Clarice Hardwicke is making such a success. He also secured the rights of Edgar Wallace’s sensational play, “Tne Squeaker,” and Ben Travers great success, “Plunder.” “1 met both Mr Travers and Mr Wallace,” he said. “Mr Wallace told me ho was shortly going to America, and 1 suggested he should come on to Australia and New Zealand to find new colour for his writing. He said he would con sider it.” Visit from Clara Butt Three other musical comedies secured by Mr Tait for New Zealand and Austialian production were “Virginia,” “Mr Cinders” and “Lady Alary.” In New York he arranged for the London production of tho play, “The Patsy,” which, he said, would find its way to these countries in due course. J Mr Tait said he met Clara Butt and her husband, Kcnncrley Rumford, and Heifetz, at Ascot. Dame Clara told him she was overcome with the desire to revisit New Zealand, and visit from her could bo looked forward to. He arranged for a tour of these countries by Madame Scotney, the Australian soprano, who was the last singer to appear on the operatic platform with Caruso. She would commence an Australian tour very shortly. Mr William Murdoch, the pianist and Harold Williams the Australian baritone would shortly make a concert tour of Australia and New Zealand. Galli Curci’s Programme “I met Galli Curci at the Carnegie Hall, New York, and she is singing as well as ever, ’ ’ added Mr Tait. ‘ ‘ She is a great draw. She told me she desired to revisit Australia and New Zealand, and arrangements are being made for a tour in 1930. Galli Curci is very anxious to visit the South Island, which she was unable to do on her former tour.” There was every possibility that tho famous London revue artist, Jack Buchanan, whu was the greatest draw on the English stage to-day, would visit Australia and New Zealand. Mr Tait had several discussions with him. Generally, musical comedy was improving in England, but there was room for improvement in tho ballet and chorus work. “The Show Boat,” in which Marie Burke was scoring a success, was the biggest show ever staged . Drury Lane, and was meeting with the greatest success. Mr Tait said ho arranged for a return visit of Anna Pavlova, and she was due at Brisbane in March. It , was doubtful if she would find time to tour New Zealand, owing to engagements at Cairo and on tho Continent. If these could be postponed, she would certainly cross the Tasman. Although he spent some time in New York, Mr Tait said he did lot see one play worth considering. Ho was inclined fo think it was his bad luck. With regard to the “talkie” films, he said there was room for considerable improvement. It was doubtful whethet this entertainment would ca ?r become really popular.