A THEATRE BOOM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 23, 27 January 1934, Page 11

A THEATRE BOOM

BOX-OFFICE JUBILATION OPTIMISM IN LONDON “It is not prosperity,” said a manager, the other day, “it is optimism.” He was offering a reason for the present theatrical boom in London, where nearly two score shows in the West End alone are playing to wonderful business (wrote a London correspondent last month). But something more than optimism is responsible for this unusual box-office jubilation. There must be some sort of flame behind such dense volumes of smoke, and one suspects it is, after all, the fire of returning prosperity. For, relatively speaking, there is no country “better off” in the world to-day than England, and no wealthier city on the globe than London. Drama, musical comedy, farce, the ballet, opera and, of course, the cinema are all reaping a harvest that only a year or two ago would have been thought impossible. And although the season is approaching its habitual had patch—the weeks before and just after Christmas —there is no cessation of new production. On the contrary, there are more managements wanting accommodation than there are suitable theatres available, with the result that at. most of the popular houses we are told of a “waiting list” of plays. Some managements. tired of the delay, are taking their companies on tour, thus conferring an unexpected blessing on the provinces, which are no slow to evince their gratitude in the approved manner. Thus J. B. Priestley’s suburban comedy, “Laburnum Grove” will have to wait yet a while for its London presentation. In addition to the picture “The Private Life of Henry VIII..’’ there is a tremendous vogue for Tudor plays, but this shows signs of passing. Nevertheless, one of the chief attractions at the moment is Shakespeare’s “Henry VIII.” at Sadler’s Wells, with Charles Laughton in the name part. Here we see an actor acting for art’s sake. Mr Laughton, who is accustomed to a salary up to £lOOO a week, is appearing for a nominal sum out of love for a famous but impoverished theatre. His name in the cast of “The Cherry Orchard,” by Tchekov. was more 'than sufficient to draw overflowing audiences. It is now more than enough to ensure complete success for “Henry VIIT,” which has never been a very popular play. CONTRACT REFUSED “SEARCH FOR BEAUTY’’ WINNER "Considkhinu or 11 i<n offers” The English girl who was selected from thousands of applicants as the winner in a world-wide search for beauty has turned down a seven years’ contract in Hollywood. Her name is Nita Harvey, and she is 21 years old. She went to Hollywood some months ago as the representative beauty of England and Wales. Beyond a brief cable message that his daughter had turned down the contract, Mr. Leon. Harvey, who resides in North London, does not know for what reason. “Nita,” he said, “won the contest (held throughout the Empire and the U.S.A.) and went immediately to Hollywood on a six weeks’ contract to play in a film called ‘The Search for Beauty.’ Later T heard that the company that had organised the contest had offered her a contract for seven years. Then yesterday I received the cable saying that sne had turned the contract down. Nita is not returning home, but is staying on, and is considering other offers.” Miss Harvey, who is a dashing, redhaired beauty, started as an “extra” in the studios at Elstree. She followed this up with small parts and eventually got her big chance when she played with Emil Jannings in a German film. More as a joke than anything else, 'he sent in her photograph in a recent big film contest, and no one was more surprised than Nita when she was pronounced the winner among thousands of entries. Charles Laughton. For a nominal salary, reported to be £5 a week aud living expenses, Charles Laughton will tuin his back on Hollywood and a screen contract running into four figures weekly to return io London and participate in a novel theatrical venture. Laughton is one of a group of eight who have banded together as a stock coiupany, to produce classical plays in London during the winter. They will defray the cost of production, costumes, and settings themselves, and enact the roles. Laughton will depart on completion of his current role for Paramount, opposite Carole Lombard in “White Woman.” He will return to Paramount in April. Laughton and his London theatre group will produce and act in “The Tempest,” “Twelfth Night,” “Macbeth,” “Measure for Measure,” “Henry VIII,” “The Rivals,” “The Importance of Being Earnest” and ‘ ‘ Orchard. ’ ’ “Only Yesterday” Each year the screen has created a new outstanding star by virtue of distinction, unusual talent, and charming personality. Through the years they have won world acclaim —Clara Bow, Greta Garbo, Janet Gaynor, Helen Hayes, Katherine Hepburn, and with “Only Yesterday” comes Margaret Sullavan, co-featured with John Boles in this new picture. In support of Miss Sullivan aud Mr. Boles are more than ninety celebrated screen players, among them Billie Burke, who exceis her fine performance in “Dinner at Eight,” Reginald Denny, an astonishing young actor named Jimmy Butler, Edna May Oliver, Onslow' Stevens, June Clyde, Betty Blythe, Noel Francis. Dorothy Granger, George Meeker, who has appeared in three John Stahl pictures, Franklin Pangborn, Barry Norton, Crauford Kent, Berton Churchill, Hugh Enfield, and really scores of others. Carl Laemmle, the veteran Universal president, says “Only Yesterday” is the best picture Universal has turned out since “All Quiet oh the Western Front,” aud critics agree with him.