ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14764, 1 October 1921, Page 12 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

PLAYS AND PICTURES. (By Pra IMavolo.) THEATRE ROYAL. Nightly— Pictures. December I—J.1 —J. C. Williamson. January 9—J. C. Williamsoii. KINO'S THEATRE. Ntgntiy—Pictures. THE STRAND. Nightly—Pictures. October 4.—Alexander Watson (elocutionist). Alexander Watson on Tuesday. The fact that Mr Alexander Watson, the well-known elocutionist, is coming to Hamilton, on Tuesday next, is indeed matter lor congratulation. Mr "Watson's entertainment is unique-; he brings us in close touch with (he best in the writings of Shakespeare,"Dickens, Barrie, Kipling, Mark Twain, and other great writers, so that the characters whom we have come to love in books are made to live. Mr Watson has had a wonderfully successful tour through Australia and New Zealand, and his entertainment has aroused much Enthusiasm. He is certain to attract a large audience to the Town Hall on Tuesday next. Nev/s of John D. O'Hara. Mr John D. O'Hara, most lovable of the 'Three Wise Fools," writes from Wellington that Mrs O'Hara, who was taken seriously ill at Wanganui, is much improved in health. "The people were all kind." says Mr O'Hara. "Wc can never forget New Zealand, especially the people of Wanganui.". '•Business is good in spite of hard times," continues Mr O'Hara. "1 pometimrs think that people err in speaking of 'hard times': il is the soft times they recall. . . Our pleasant visit to Hamilton impressed me with its future prominence in Hi" way of eommerce, etc. The people, socially, were a delight. Wc nil love the entire country, and will leave New Zealand with regret." Farewell to Gilbert and Sullivan. Til? Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company were warmly farewellcd at Auckland on Friday of last week, and sailed for Australia on Saturday, many friends and admirers being on the Wharf to say good-bye to the popular players. It is good to learn that the company is not to be disbanded. Another .tour of Australia is to be undertaken immediately, and the repertoire is to be added to. The old English opera, "Merrie England," has been rehearsed during the New Zealand tour. Several members of the company spoke to me enthusiastically regarding the tour just ended, although they admitted that it had been rather strenuous. Audiences throughout have been very appreciative, and the players have enjoyed themselves immensely on and off stage. Sole Bros.' Circus. Everybody loves a circus, and therefore it is likely that Sole Bros' big tent show will attract the multitude during the three nights' season wihch will commence on Tuesday next. The cirrus came to New Zealand without any flourish of trumpets some months ago, f-nd immediately won success by the merit of the programme presented. A number of varied and clever "turns" arc presented. Hamilton is "ripe" for a circus. Music Festival on Labour Day. Very complete arrangements are befng made for the Music Festival to be held in Hamilton on Saturday and Monday, 22nd and 24th October. Nine choirs have entered for the choir competition, the entries coming from as far as Thames, Huntly and Te Kuiti. For the solo, quartette ,and male choir competitions there are also good entries. The afternoon function will be held on Ferry Bank, and in the evening, in the Town Hall. National Anthem—As It Should Be. Writing of Mischa Levitzki, the great Russian pianist who is arousing enthusiasm in New Zealand, the Dominicn says:—"Then his hands ranged over the keys, and the audience rose as the first bars of the National Anthem were heard. It was repeated with some rather daring liberties, but no one ever heard the National Anthem so played. It was a hymn, rendered by a hymnist of music." Clara Butt In Sydney. Dame Clara Butt and Kennerly Rumford had a grest reception at their reopening in Sydney. The appearance of the singers on the platform, after an f.hsencc of nearly eight years, was the signal for an extraordinary scene of (■rithusiasm, and this was repeated throughout.the concert. M. Melsa, the •violinist, was also warmly welcomed. Levitzki In Christchurch. Mischa Levitzki achieved the greatest success of any pianist who has ever visited Christchurch. During the progress of his flrst recital there were frequent outbursts of applause, and at its termination, after he had responded to numerous requests for encores, the audience stood up en masse and cheered the brilliant young pianist again and again. Afterwards hundreds of people stood in the pouring rain until Mischa t/cvitzkl made his exit from the slage floor, and they followed his motor car hysterically cheering him. It was the most notable night in the musical history of Christchurch. Mischa Levitzki, who is 23 years of age, is accompanied on his visit to New Zealand by his brother, Mux. and Mr Daniel Mayer, of New York, a wellknown American entrepreneur. Dorothy Brunton Going Into Pictures. According to an Australian paper Miss Dorothy Brunton, I he clever colonial girl who is making a hit as I ho lady "crook" in "Oh, Lady lady." will shortly leave for America, where she wili appear in pictures. "A Country Girl" in Auckland. The following cast has been arranged for the Auckland Operatic Society's production of "A Country Girl" next week:—Geoffrey Challinor. Mr Len Keven; The Rajah of Bhong, Mr A. Warbriek; Sir Joseph Verity, Mr Alan Hobbs; Douglas Verity, Mr W. D. Oilman; Gran for 1 Mumrnery, Mr T. Marshall Johnston; Lord Anchester, 7J.r R. J. Hobbs; Lord Grassmere, Mr 11. S. Withers; Major Vicat, Mr WyattT'liekenson: Rube Fairway, Mr 0. S. White; Barry, Mr Claf. Crowlher; Marjoric Joy. Miss F.velyn Lynch; Princess Mehelan'ch of Bhong, Mrs Patrick Cole; Madame Sophie, Miss Nora McManus; Mrs Quinton Raikes, Miss Ethel Tine: Nurse, Mrs C. C. Forsythe; Nan, Miss Beryl Nettleton. The opera is ]■ reduced by Mr Theodore Trezlse, ond Mr Colin Muston will be musical conductor. A New Zealand Conservatorium. "You certainly should have a conservatorium in Now Zealand," said Mischa Lettvzki, the Russian violinist. ill an interview in Wellington. "You would find here in New Zealand that t'aere is much talent that could be brought out that otherwise would be ( kept under. The cost would be fairly'

high; but that could be got over by a Government guarantee for at least two years—the first two years of the conservatorium's life. I estimate the cost per year would be from £fo,ooo to £15,000 as a minimum; but, if the right staff is obtained, the institution' would become more than self-support-ing. I say that definitely, from my knowledge of conscrvatoria in other places. While you would need some famous musicians for the heads of departments. I am sure, from what I have already seen in New Zealand, that local men and women would fill other sections of the bill. You New Zealanders are not alive to the talent you have here. I met a man in Christchurch who would be capable of Ailing a big position at any conservatorium. A conservatorium is a very integral part of a nation's development." Choral Festivities Next Year. Mr Fraser Gange, the English baritone, who is acting at Home in connection with the big choral festivals to be held in New Zealand, next year, has cabled the information that he lias engaged the services of Miss Phyllis Bnnett (contralto) and Mr David Ellis (tenor). These, with Mr Gange and Miss Amy Evans (soprano) will complete the quartette. The flrst of the festivals is to be held in Dunedin, where the local Choral Society will celebrate its jubilee. Arrival of Players. Miss Maude Fane, the musical comedy actress, who has been in London on holiday, returned to Sydney this month by the Malwa. She will play the leading part, in "Theodore," which [ will follow "Oh! Lady, Lady!" in Sydney. Mr Charles Courtneidge, son of Mr Robert Courtneidge, the well-known actor-manager, also arrived in Sydney by the- Malwa, and Mr John Falkiner and Miss Burnice Vere, who will appear in a new film production. "The Mystery of the Blue Mountains," arrived by the same boat. Music Development in Hamilton. The new rooms of the Hamilton College of Music, in King's Buildings, are exceptionally well suited for the purpose for which they are required. Not only are they bright and airy, artistically decorated and furnished, but the acoustic, properties are all that could be desired. The result is that the pupils study under the best conditions. Seen this week, Mr Fox expressed gratification at the manner in which the many pupils are taking up their work. There is a keen interest and enthusiasm that is very encouraging. Mr Fox stated that he is delighted with the talent displayed, and is convinced that several of the pupils will go far in the musical world. He specially mentioned James Lee, a young player of exceptional promise. And there are others. Much interest will be aroused by the anouncement that the Hamilton College of Music will shortly present an Orchestral Concert. Music lovers will have pleasant recollections of the last concert give by the popular orchestra, which has since been < onsiderably augumented. In addition to a strong body of strings (chiefly pupils of the above College), there will be included brass, woodwind, percussion, instruments, etc., numbering over 50 performers in all. The works to be performed include "Martha Overture" (Flotow), "Pilgrim's Chorus" from "Tannhauser" (Wagner). Selections from "Rosamundc" (Schubcre), etc. Footllght Flashes. Miss Ray Fox, the violinist, is now in Australia. Levante, the clever illusionist, is row in the Taranaki district at the head of a vaudeville company. "Consider the steam kettle!" philosophies Owen Moore. "Though up to its neck in hot water it continues to sing." "Paddy, the Next Best Thing," n dramatisation of the well-known book, was produced in Sydney last Saturday by a new Williamson comedy company. "Enid Bennett (the Australian girl who has risen to stardom in pictures) and her husband, Fred Niblo, arc said to be rejoicing in the birth of a daughter. The Marie Tempest Comedy Company has broken new ground by adding" "Tea For Three," an interesting play of "the eternal triangle," to its repertoire. Mischa Lcvitzki's favourite works arc Beethoven's "Appassicnata," Chopin's "Scherzo in C Sharp Minor,' and." Ballade in A Flat," besides others by the same composers. A sweets and soft drinks stall, under the management of Miss Enid Ross, has been establishe 1 at the entrance to the dress circle of the Theatre Royal. The stall is artistically decorated, and the goods pleasingly arranged. The Cambridge Orphans' Club has decided to wind up the season with a "cabaret evening." Tables with refreshments will be set out in the hall, and music, etc., will be interspersed with dancing. While in Auckland durins the weekit was pleasant to renew acquaintance with Mr W. H. Frye, the ex-Hamil-tc-ninn. Mr Frye is still keenly interested in amateur theatricals, and has been doing quite a lot in that line of late.