ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16096, 20 September 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

ACROSS THE FOOTLIGHTS

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PLAYS AND PICTURES.

Colville was engaged to enter into negotiations for the tour. He states that a fine company has been got together which will include. Mrs PittRivers, the daughter of Lord Forster, Governor-General of Australia. One of the first plays to be produced is Milne's "The Dover Road," in which Mrs Pitt-Rivers made a great success at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, last month.

THEATRE ROYAL. September 22.—Miss Marie Austin's Dance Extravaganza. October 7.—The Cherniavskys. Nightly—Pictures. TOWN HALL. September 24 —Mr Walter RussellWood's Costume, and Dramatic Entertainment. September 26, 27.—Musgrove Vaudeville. October I.—Edwin Dennis. Recital. NEW STRAND THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. FRANKTON'S OWN. Nightly Pictures. Miss Marie Austin's Recital. On Monday next, at the Theatre Royal, Miss Marie Austin will present her pupils in an artistic dance recital. The principal feature will be an original extravaganza, "The Tulip," written by a Hamilton gentleman, and introducing some striking dance creations, with Kautiful dressing and special lighting. The programme is a very attractive one, and doubtless there will be a large audience. -•■ "The Country Qlrl."

The following plays have been tentatively selected:—"The Dover Road" (Milne), "The Doctor's* Dilemma," "Candida,"" "Pygmalion" (Shaw), "Loyalties," '"The Silver Box," "Justice" and "Strife" (Galsworthy).

Musgrove Vaudeville Next Week.

A Musgrove Vaudeville Company will appear at Hamilton, at the Town Hall, on Friday and Saturday next, and will be very welcome, for Hamilton theatrically has been barren for a long time. The company is headed by Mr Joe Brennan, the well-known comedian, who achieved distinction by being the first Nevy Zealander engaged as pan-

This week I had a look in at a rehearsalof : the Hamilton Operatic-So-cietyTana was ':deljghted'"wlßH';what I saw find-heard. .: The Society, seems to have Obtained" a "new lease "of life'. Not only is it strong numerically, but the members display an enthusiasm which promises well for the success of the production. "The Country Girl" possesses delightful melodies, much- diverting comedy, and a charming love interest, and as it lends itself to effective dressing and mounting it should be one of the Society's most successful productions. It was good to.see the enthusiasm displayed by principals and chorus. With Mr A. E. Manning as ' producer, drs H, C. Ross as pianist, Mr Gladstone Hill as conductor, and Mr W. Blythe as stage manager, they worked with a will, and picked up the "business" quickly. The singing was of a very high standard, and in some of the choruses almost a grand opera effect was obtained. The cast of princ!* pals is a strong one, and with a fine chorus,'ballet and orchestra, "The Country Girl" should be very enjoy- i able. i

Mrs Tabor-Gregory has made a start With the training of the ballet, and the special dances, including a Bacchanalian ballet, should be a special feature. ."..._.

The principals include Misses Wynn Manning, Joy Howe, Ivy Musker, Mary McKenzie and Enid Ross, Messrs H. C. Gregory, E. Parker, W. Jordan, Ronald Powell, Whitlock and H. Saunders.

Grand Opera In Australasia. Influenced by the success of the Melba grand opera season, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., are not only considering a plan for extending the stay of the company in Australia,- but for the production ;of Russian- •; and French operas next year. <■•• ■• Referring to the matter, Mr Nevin Tait informed the "Age" that the firm was now considering the question of reorganising the company, with, a view to sending it to Perth and Brisbane, and then to tour New Zealand, to give every important city in Australasia an opportunity of hearing opera ( on the •present scale. Some of the principals would be unable to remain, but, providing the firm could obtain some distinctive artists from Europe, the firm would go on with the scheme. As regards the firm's future intentions, Mr Tait continued* J. C. Williamson, Ltd., had decided to confer .with Sir George Tallis next May, concerning the possibility of presenting in Australia a series of latest, operas. They were thinking of bringing out Russian operas, such as "Prince Igor," "Boris Goodinoff/ "Rosen Cavalier," by Strauss-, and a number of Mozart's operas. Some of Puccini's operas might also be staged, and French operas,. such as "Louise," and the "Hunchback. of Notre Dame." Exactly when this season would commence, Mr Tait could'not say—but it might be in a year's time. The firm also intended to bring out a number of Continental concert artists. ; '.'.'

Mr W. Russell-Wood's Entertainment. The costume and dramatic entertainment to be given on Wetoesciay next by Mr Walter Russell-Wood and his pupils is attracting much interest, and doubtless the Town Hall will be crowded, as it was for last year's recital. Mr Russell-Wood's work is always artistic, and he has arranged an exceptionally attractive programme, ranging from the Eastern spectacle, "The Garden of Omar," to the broadly humorous burlesque, "In Society." The dressing and lighting will be a special feature.

The Cherra'avskys Retupnlng. Music-lovers will be delighted to learn thai the Cherniavskys—Leo (violinist), Jan' (pianist), and Mischel ('cellist) —Will return to New Zealand shortly, and will appear in Hamilton early next month. These gifted and popular musicians have travelled much. They have toured Africa three times, New Zealand three times, Australia and China twice, and once in Japan and India, and in additi/n they have appeared in nearly all the principal cities of Europe and America. The Cherniavskys are just concluding a successful tour of Australia. Critics say their art has matured, and they are greater artists than ever.

Dame Melba's Farewell. The brief farewell season of the Melba Grand Opera Company in Melbourne, just closed, was historic for it marked the farewell appearance in opera in Australia of Dame NellieMelba. The Australian season, which will conclude with a fortnight's - season in Adelaide, ha 3 been an overwhelming success, both artistically and financially. The company played to capacity business throughout. The outstanding personality of the Opera Company was Toti Dai-Monte, who became an idol of the public in Melbourne and Sydney.

Marie Tempest In London. After more than a month's run at the Lyric, Theatre, Hammersmith, "Midsummer Madness" is increasing daily in popularity (says the 'London Daily Mail). Sucii rough edges as were seen on the first night have been smoothed away; and the music—wistful, pastoral music by Mr Armstrong Gibbs—seems better than ever when heard a second time.

"San Toy" at Auckland. The Auckland Operatic Society's ten-nights' season of "San Toy" commenced on Wednesday night. An Auckland paper says:—"The production is a noteworthy success . . .

The piece has been described as a harlequinade in a garden, and everything about it has a suggestion of oldworld prcttincss. But probably the success of the production is due as much to the presence of Miss Marie Tempest, back in a musical play after twenty-four years in comedy, as to anything else. Always a remarkable personality, conveying so much by a gesture or a glance, her voice seems to have defied the passing of time.

The setting easily challenges professional comparison. . . As San Toy, Miss Eva Robertson immediately gained esteem, and retained it throughout the entertainment. She is a sweet singer, and has the right grace of manner for the part. Next in the brightest firmament comes Miss Beryl Nettleton, as Dudley, a saucy lady's maid. All the principals gain distinction for some form of outstanding merit, several for singing, others for clear diction, and one, Mr Ernest Luks as Li, for cleverness as a resourceful Chinese comedian. Mr Wilfrid Manning is a capital Yen How with the supreme virtue of being clearly articulate. Mr P, E. De Gucrrier, as the Consul at Tynka Tong, Mr Robert Simmers as Bobby* Mr J. P. Stevenson as the Emperor of China, and Miss Ethel Rae as captain of the Emperor's Guard of Amazon-like girls, a splendid bevy of Auckland youth.

Chautauqua In New Zealand. Dr. Carpenter, the astronomer and lecturer who was here with Chautauqua some years ago, is again in New Zealand lecturing on, "Is Mars Inhabited?" under the ono-night-a-month Chautauqua scheme being carried out by some towns. He is supported by Miss Eileen Pascoe Wcbbe (contralto) and Miss Lesbia Dobson (pianist).

Nellie Bramloy on West Coast. The Nellie Bramley Dramatic Company is having a highly successful season on the West Const, and it looks as if it will fie some time before Mr Wm. Oussell brings his organisation up this way. Allan Wilklo Honoured. Mr Allan Wllkie, who began a season at the New Palace Theatre, Sydney on Saturday, September 13, is just completing the fourth year of a continuous lour of Australia and New Zealand. On June 13, during his Brisbane season, the actor-manager readied the thousandt.li consecutive performance of Shakespeare, thereby establishing a record in tin: dramatic history of the world. To celebrate this achievement Mr Wilkie added tin' beautiful play of "Cymbclinc" to his extensive

Dominion Artists in London. Dame Nellie Melba has cabled to I Ih'. Dominions' Artists Club (London) accepting the presidency of the club. Among the prominent artist members of the club are Miss Florence Austral, Mr Aylmer Buesst. Miss Margaret Bannerman, Mr Peter Dawson, Miss Sarah Fischer, Mr Shayle Gardner, Miss Daisy Kennedy, Miss Beatrice Miranda, Mme. Lily Payling, Mr Horace Stevens, Mr Harold Williams.

Fine Plays fop Now Zealand. A syndicate has been formed in Sydney to send to New Zealand a specially selected company of players to present the plays of Milne, Shaw, and Galsworthy in the principal centres and a limited number of the larger provincial towns\puring his stay In Sydney Mr Scott

tomime dame by the Williamson Arm. Shakespearean roles for many years, He is supported by Miss Ida Newton, and, with the same measure of suca pleasing soubrette; Miss Clare Solly, cess, he has played in "Magda" and the-contralto; Mr Don. Stewart, the similar plays, and even in perfectly "high and mighty" magician formerly modern pieces such as "Outward of the New Zealand Diggers; and Bound." As an actor, he has someDanny d'Alma. and his Good ' Little thing .to say—some people would call Dogs. f it a "message."

Who, with his pupils, will give a Recital on Wednesday Nexi.

Gladys Moncrleff Not Impressed. Miss Gladys Moncrleff, in an interview in London recently, remarked: "ShinglCd hair has exploded the theory that the famous Zeigfeld Follies are the most beautiful women in the world. Australian and New Zealand girls," she said, "are much prettier and more charming, and have more personality." The Follies, Miss Moncrieff thinks, are not to be compared with the "Hello Everybody!" and "Bing Boys" companies. She considers the dancing in New York and London to be on a rather low level. She has seen no one to equal Miss Maggie Dickenson, who is appearing on the halls, her only possible rival being Miss Josic Melville. Miss Moncrieff regards Leslie Holland as a better comedian than George Grossmith, while, she says, London does not possess a leading musical comedy man equal to Howett Worster. She has seen Miss Josie Collins in "Our Nell," and found her refreshing. Her rnezzo voice was charming, but its high notes were hard, while her speaking voice lacked inflection. Miss Moncrieff said that she cannot discover vitality in any English artist, none of them possessing the vivacity of Clarice Hardwicke, Cecil Bradley, or Dot Brunton."

Footllght Flashes. Mr Arthur Ripley sang the tenor solos in "The Creation," with the New Plymouth Choral Society this week. The New Plymouth Comedy Company will produce "Gushing Bores" next week. Shayle Gardner, the well-known Aucklander, is playing Charles, a wrestler in "As You Like It," the last production of the season of the Fel-low-ship of Players, London. Sybil Thorndike played Rosalind. Jennie Hartley, who was through New Zealand in 1919 with "The Bing Boys on Broadway," has sailed for South Africa. It is probable that she will come on to Australia and New Zealand afterwards. Miss Irene Yanbrugh and Mr Dion Boucicault are now in Christchurch, after a wonderful season in Wellington. These talented players are having one of the most successful tours in New Zealand's theatrical history. It is claimed by the management of The King's Theatre, Melbourne, that "East of Suez" has broken all records in Australia for drama. It stands alone for elaborate production, sumptuous dressing, and excellent acting. Muriel Starr and Frank Harvey are the headlincrs. Mr Frank Freeman, who appeared in New Zealand as juvenile lead in "Tilly of .Bloomsbury," and was later Baldasarre in ".Maid of the Mountains," was, when the last mail left England, supporting Isobcl Eisom in the playlet, "Doubt," at the London Coliseum.

I At, the Auckland Amateur Operatic I Society's Hall, Auckland, a presentation of a handsome bowl was made to Miss Evelyn Lynch, who left Auckland this week for Australia, whore 1 her marriage is to take place. Miss | Lynch also received a presentation 'of silver plate from the Philistines' | Club.

Mr E. J. Gravestock, the well- ! known concert director, left this ! week for England to arrange tours •of various artists through Australia land New Zealand. He has been in 'negotiation with the Dunedin Exhibil lion Committee with a view to acting as its commissioner in Fmgland for engaging artists to visit Dunedin in connection with the exhibition^