PLAYS AND PICTURES.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16780, 24 April 1926, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PICTURES.

THEATRE ROYAL. Nightly.— Pictures. STRAND THEATRE. Nightly—Pictures. PRANKTON'S OWN. Nightly—Pictures. Pantomime for IMew Zealand. The Williamson pantomime, "The New Aladdin," will commence a New Zealand torn' at Wellington on Wednesday next. Mr Ernest Rolls, the London comedian, will act as producer.

The Made Cave, the flying palace ui the sky. Tiny Town, the lotus flower ballet, and the palace of Aladdin are some of the unusual scenes In the pantomime. The work of the ballet is a striking feature of "The. New Aladdin." The dance of the lotus flower shows a beautiful effect or pink-f rocked girls and illuminated blossoms in a moonlit courtyard. A fan ballet in shades of apricot and rose shows well the skill and almost military perfection of the drilling of the Williamson firm's dancers. Almost perfect training is shown in the gymnastic speciality performed by 12 girls on webbing ladders, and combines daring, grace and originality. . The pantomime company will include Floie Allen as principal boy, Roma Phillips as principal girl, Bruce Green as dame. Gus Bluett, Reg Roberts. Dave Loffman. Grafton Williams, William Hassan, etc. Williamson Vaudeville In N.Z.

Of the latest company of Williamson entertainers to come to New Zealand, an Auckland paper says:— Vaudeville frequently knows some extraordinary amusements, but it would be difficult to imagine a more striking collection of singular acts than is presented by the new vaudeville company which opened at His Majesty's Theatre last evening. The honoured place on the bill is held by a girl swimmer. Niobe, who proves herself, by medium of a glass tank, to be as near the conception of a mermaid as any reasonable man could expect. This American girl holds the world's record for under-water endurance, having remained below the surface for no less a period than A minutes 20 seconds.

Others in the company are Madame Harmston's 20 cockatoos, a wonderful bird act: the Flemings, in classical poses and feats of strength; Walter Nilsson, who does amazing things on wheels; Rupert Hazell, .an English "parson" comedian, assisted by Elsie Pay; Dorothy Browne, skillful player on the melopiano: Jones and Raines, sketch artists; Odette. Delage. Apache violinist; and Francois, balaricav on a globe. Moscovitch Returning.

According to private Information, Maurice Moscovitch, accompanied by his son, Nat Madison, expects to play "Trilby" in Australia next June, and then will tour New Zealand.

Pavlova —£30,000 In Four Weeks. Mr C. B. Westmacott, general manager for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., slates that the four weeks' season of the famous dancer, Anna Pavlova, in Melbourne, had returned £30,000 to the box office.

"It has been the most wonderful season ever experienced in the southern capital." said Mr Westmacott, "and the enthusiasm of the audiences has been remarkable at all performances. Personally, lam more than delighted to find that the evolution of the entertainment since I last saw it in i9i 1 has been towards absolute perfection. The solo dances will be an absolute revelation to Sydney people. Every dance has its own particular beauty and charm, and one cannot imagine the delicate artistry of the performers—it needs to he seen to be believed. There are 00 people in the company. The orchestra is superb." Auckland Orphans' Club.

At the annual meeting of the Auckland Orphans' Club the chairman said the club was in a flourishing condition. The membership totalled 725. The cash balance had increased from £4 80 Is 4d a year ago to £579 16s 2d, and there was an excess of assets over liabilities of £785 Is 2d. During the year three new clubs were founded, Paeroa, Putaruru-Arapuni. and Papakura, and there were now 25 Orphans' Clubs in fne Dominion. The secretary, Mr J. D. Crawford, stated that from 1913 to 1925 the club had donated over £llOO to various charities in the city.

Rotlromont of Charles Borke.:ey. The retirement of Mr Chas. Berkeley, after over 40 years with the Williamson firm, will be greatly regretted by a wide circle of friends in New Zealand. No one in the theatrical world was hotter knofn than the genial Charlie, and his Iveczy personality and well-told story of the "biggest, brightest and best" show he represented—it was always the biggest, brightest and best'— r \vill be greatly missed.

Mr Berkeley's many friends will ■wish him a speedy return to health and many years of happy leisure.

Auckland Competitions. "Musicus" writes to an Auckland paper:—"l notice that the Auckland Competitions Society is advertising for an organiser at a salary of £4OO a year. Surely, after last year's fiasco, the society does not think of running competitions in Auckland again. Seeing that the winners of medals, elc, last year, have not even received certificates, let alone gold or other medals, because the competitions were not a financial success, it is out of place to venture upon further competitions. It would have been fairer if the society lind made some effort to discharge its obligations to last year's winners before undertaking fresh competitions. Anyone, can imagine how galling it must have been lo the prize-winners last year to receive nothing whatever Iwyond the announcement of the results in the Press. For the credit of Auckland, and to avoid such treatment of future winners, if the competitions should eventuate. 1 trust that Ihe promoters will make sure beforehand that they will be able lo carry out their obligations to all concerned." "Wo, Mo, Nanette" in London*.

When "No, No. NnnelUi" reached its first anniversary In London last month over 000,000 people had seen if over £200,000 had been taken by it; it had earned over £30,000 in entertainment lax. It costs over £3OOO a week to run. The only principal member of the cast who has not missed a performance is Miss Binnic jlalo— a remarkable record.

Pavlova's Partner Criticised. A writer in the Sydney Bullelin snys: "Pavlova's artistry is so intensely feminine and instinct with such unfailing good taste that it passes comprehension how she can tolerate the undress of her male partner. Laurent Novikoff. On. Saturday night his hefty form, in a diminutive green silk tunic, was a discordant and displeasing note in the beautifully-set ballet, 'Flora's Awakening." Novikoff's solo turn was received in cold silence, followed tardily by very mild applause. Mews of Henri Verbrugghen. "Since coming to Minneapolis a month ago I have enjoyed many beautiful performances of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, under Mr Henri Verbrugghen." writes Mr Alfred Hill to the Wellington Post. "Our genial friend has just recovered from another operation io his ear for mastoid. and he was away from the orchestral concerts for some weeks. His wonderful constitution pulled him through his illness, and he is now almost as well and vigorous as ever." New Zealand Dancer with Pavlova. A writer in a Sydney paper says:— "Golden-haired Thurza Rogers, who hails from Wellington, Maoriland, caused a diversion which has had no precedent, during the Melbourne season. She danced so nicely that a hungry audience refused to allow the programme to proceed until she had retraced her steps.

Amateur Activities. This week I had a "look in" at the rehearsal of "A Runaway Girl," by the. Hamilton Operatic Sociely, and found good progress being made under the guidance of Mr A. E. Manning (producer), Mr Harold Piper (musical direelor). Mrs 11. C. Ross (pianist), and Mr Blylhc (stage manager).

It was good to sec the enthusiasm of the members. A special feature of the local Sociely is the fine spirit of co-operation which prevails; there are no petty jealousies. With this spirit and enthusiasm, and the talent available, there is little doubt that "A Runaway Girl" will be one of the Society's most successful productions. At the annual meeting of the Palmerston North Operatic Society the secretarv, Mr J. E. Lewis, pointed out that an'actual loss of £ll7 had been incurred during the year, but to offset, that were certain assets such as wardrobe, scenery and opera scores which, no doubt, would realise a good sum. Mr Jacobs staled that, as far as operatic societies were concerned, the local society was in a sound financial position. It is possible that the Sociely will produce "The Belle of New York" or "The Arcadians" this year.

Barrio's play, "The Admirable Crichton," is to be done by a company of Napier amateurs. The leading roles will be taken by Miss Alison Anderson and Mr T. Hudson, and included in the cast is Licut.-Comman-dcr Barcroft, of 11.M.5. Duncdin. The production of the comic opera, "Bip Van Winkle," by Tirnaru amateurs this week was very successful. Of Mr G. B. Jones, who appeared in the title role, a Timnru paper says:— The success'of "Rip Van Winkle" is very largely the success of Mr G. B. M. Jones, who filled that important and very exacting role. Both as Ihe young, happy-go-lucky Bip, the village ne'er-do-well, and afterwards, aged, infirm, and as he discovers in the village well, "with while hair and wrinkled brow," Mr Jones was responsible for two splendid impersonations. Mr Jones displayed histrionic ability of a standard seldom witnessed in amateur performances. In the vocal numbers that came his way he acquitted himself Willi distinction.

Giants Wed. Cupid's shafts have smitten the world's tallest pair. The Dutch giantess, Miss KaaJje Van Dyke, of ttozendaal, who at 21 is 7ft 11 in in height and weighs 25 stone,, is engaged lo be married to Jan Van Albert, nicknamed "Lofty," who is 9ft 3Mn high. Miss Van Dyke, as may be imagined, has an appelilc commensurate with her proportions. One of her five daily meals consists of leu boiled eggs, ham, porridge, and bread and butler. Grocers' bills in the new household will, therefore, be no trilling item. She is at present on lour in England. Return of Popular Tenor.

James. Hay. who plays the principal tenor roles in Ihe Gilbert and Sullivan operas presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., in Melbourne, is a South Australian, but has spent much of his life in England and on the Continent. Since he was last in Australia, Mr Hay lias appeared for two years with the D'Oylcy Carte company in Gilbert and Sullivan operas, and also tool; part in a revival of "The Merry Widow" in London. In between times lie managed to find the opportunity to give recitals in Paris, Vienna and Monte Carlo.

lsg White In Sydney. Lee White and Clay Smith are back in Sydney with their revue, "Keep Smiling." i The company includes George P.i\wardes, Molly Hughes, Mdlle. Saroj nova, nillie l.ockwond, Fabbic Bsni stead, the Lee White Peaches, and ' others.

Sydney Farewells "Katja." After a successful season of 134 performances. "Katja." the comic opera, was played for the last time at Uar Majesty's Theatre. Sydney, last week. The final curtain ended a long period of applause, such as greeted every popular number and artist. Responding to insistent calls, Miss Marie Burke, on behalf of the company, made a few farewell remarks. Mrs Percy Stewart Dawson presidjcdat a tea'at the Ambassadors, Syd- ] nev, one day last week, given as a i farewell to Miss Marie Burke. Miss ; Burke was presented with a _ life governor's certificate, by Mrs W. D. Langton, president of St. Margaret's Hospital Committee, in recognition of her services for the institution. The occasion was also a welcome to Miss Elsie Prince ("No, No, Nanette"), who ir, to carry on for St. • Margaret's babies. Temperamental Dal Monte. Whilst "Rigoletto" was being pro- ■ duced in San Francisco some little time ago by the local opera company, those in the audience were somewhat surprised when the production came to a termination before its allotted time. In eager anticipation of the last impassioned scene of "Rigoletto," they sat there during a long silence, when the manager came before the tabs and explained that the show was over. It transpired that Joseph Schwartz, tenor of the company, took exception

to Toti Dal Monte preparing Io go on in the last act wearing a pair of silver

slippers. "You know,'' said Ihe tenor Io Ihe prima donna. "Hull usage, lasle and tradition demand Ihat you wear black shoos and black stockings for this scene, don'l you?"

To which Toti replied Iha I she did not care what usage demanded, bul that she was going Io act in her silver slipper. Schwartz pleaded and cajoled, but to no avail.

Toti had one good argument, and (hat was that since in the finale of ."Rigoletto," she is lied up in a bag and nobody can sec her feet, whyshould she not wear silver slippers?

This rejoinder exhausted the patience of Schwartz, who stamped back to bis dressing room, adamant in his refusal lo go on with the opera. Teacher of Elocution. Much interest has been manifested in the announcement that Mr J. F. Montague, Hie well-known elocutionist and adjudicator, of Auckland, is to commence teaching in Hamilton. On Wednesday, May 5, Mr Montague will give a lecture on "The Art of Elocution and Public Speaking." Mr Montague is possessed of a wide and intimate knowledge of his subject in every branch, and is withal a brilliant and entertaining talker, who can always he relied upon to keep his audience amused, even while instructing them in his favourite subject.

Why Not Up-to-Date Music? We have some good performers in the Hamilton theatre orchestras, but why are not the musical programmes presented more up-to-date? The other night a very One picture was screened to an accompaniment of selections from "The Dollar Princess." Why "The Dollar Princess"? We read of the prominence being priven to orchestras in other parts of Ihe world, where the music is made S. distinct, feature of the programme. There arc so many fine modern compositions, light and more, serious—why don't we hear-more of them? And if the past must be delved into—and of course we hope it will—why not give some of the real classics? Things like "The Dollar Princess" are not worth reviving when there are so many new and old compositions much better worth while. After all, the music should bo more than an unnoticed —and sometimes jarring—accompaniment to the picture. Tired Krelsler. Alfred Hill, in a letter from America to the Wellington Evening Post, said: "We heard Krelsler. The great artist plavcd beautifully, as he always does, but he looked tired. After the concert I asked him if he had any message for Australia and New Zealand, and ho said, 'Oh yes; they are such charming people, and 1 hope to see and play to them again before I die.' "After Ihe concert the poor man and his accompanist, Carl Lamson, had to rush to catch a train for some other place. And so they go on, year after year, and people envy them their life of "success!"

Australian Dancer In England. Miss Maggie Dickinson, the Australian dancer, and her husband, Mr Syd. Culver, are appearing in the musical comedy, "Mercenary Mary," in EngRcccntly Mr Culver suffered a sad bereavement in the sudden death of his father, who had been living in retirement in England. A week ago he sustained a nasty sprain whilst dancing at Birmingham, but after a brief inloryal resumed his work. At Cardin a little later, ihe local doctor advised him to take a complete, rest tor three weeks Fortunately Syd. took the advice of Capt. Geo. Latham, the Cardiff City F.C. Trainer, and pursuing treatment for two weeks, he regained his former activities without, having lo rest entirely. Capt. Latham refused lo accept any payment for the efl'eclive treatment, and said that ho fell it was a duty to members of the profession to be able to render aid free of charge in view of the splendid work artists had done in the cause of charily. Pavlova's Sydney Programme. Madame Anna Pavlova's tirsl. Sydney programme Tor her gala opening day was arranged by the famous

dancer in consultation with Mr Lucien Wurmser and Mr Frank Tait, of J. C. Williamson, Ltd. The Svdney season is to be of four weeks. For the gala performance Madame Pavlova chose to open in "The Fairy Doll," a ballet in two scenes, with music arranged by Ivan Clustine, from works by Bayer and oilier composers. The story of the, ballet concerns a toy dealer who is visited by a rich Englishman, who purchases the Fairy' Doll (Anna Pavlova). In one scene all the dolls gather to bid farewell to the Fairy Doll, who is through her magic, enabled to give them life for one night. Then, while the rest of the world sleeps, they hold a carnival of dance. The second section of the Pavlova programme is "Chopiniana," an arrangement by Mr Clustine of nine Chopin dances. In these Madame Pavlova is associated with Laurent Novikoff, her principal dancing partner, and the principals of her big company. ■

tYiephlstopheles In Top Hat! Following the production of /'Hamlet" in modern dress in London, the Volkshuhue Theatre in Berlin has presented Goethe's "Faust," eliminating mediacvalism. Faust is robed as a. university proctor or wears a dinner jacket, Mephistopheles waves an opera hat at the widow, Martha, and Gretchen's home is a modern suburban villa. Critics are of the opinion that the tragedy is thus robbed of its ethical foundation, as it deals with the problems of a definite historical period, unlike "Hamlet," which is timeless in subject matter. Kendall Strlno Quartet.

Too Kendall String Quartet, from London, made its first appearance in New Zealand at Auckland this week. An Auckland paner says:—The quartet is remarkable for its well balanced tone, strong rhythmical qualities and mobility of expression, while .a remarkably finished technique is conspicuously e\idcnt in everything it plays.

Footlight Flashes. Mr Robert Geddes, formerly of Auckland, is playing lead in the comic opera, "Rose Marie," at Drury Lane, London.

Mr Waller Monk has taken the place ol' Mr C. Berkeley as advance representative of the "Primrose" Musical Comedy Company.

"Give and Take," the .lewish comedy which will come io New Zealand shortly, had a run of 10G performances in Sydney.

Con Moroni's Revue Company will replace Pie Moon and Morris combination at Fuller's Opera House in Auckland on Monday.

Mr Sam Slern, the well-known ,lcwish comedian from Ihe Fuller circuit. is appearing at /several of Ihe New Zealand picture theatres. The members of "The Farmer's Wife." Comedy Company left Wellington for Sydney list week. The New Zealand lour was very successful. Mr Prank lliilchen-. the well-known pianist, who is louring America, says he has received several engagements, lie expects to return to Sydney in June nr .Inly!

Dion Titheradgc wilt shortly reappear on ihe stage, afler I j years absence. He wiil star in "Loose Ends" at the Duke of York's Theatre, London. »■

An original musical comedy. "Size Three," by S. Gordon Millar and .1. A. S. Goppard, will be presented by the Auckland University College Students' Association early next, month. The Moon and Morris Revue Company, prolOly the must talented revue combination on the Fulier circuit, will bring a ten-weeks' seas"" ~t Auckland in j. elcs' to-night-

Bev. Frank Gorman, "the singing parson," is back in New Zealand on the Fuller circuit. The revival of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," with Miss Nellie Bramlcy as Eliza and Mr George Cross as Uncle Tom, continues to attract large audiences to the Grand Opera House, Sydney. The Williamson Musical Comedy Company has had a successful week in Wellington with "Primrose." After visiting several of the provincial towns the Company will go to the South Island.

Mr Leon Gordon, who is appearing in his own play, the much-discussed "White Cargo," in Sydney, played Hamlet at the annual celebration of Shakespeare's birthday at the University Hall, Sydney, yesterday. Sigmund Romberg, the composer of three of the reigning New York musical successes—" The Student Prince," "Louie the Fourteenth," and "The Princess Flavia "—went lo New York from Budapest as. a penniless immigrant 14 years ago. Eighty per cent of the actors and actresses in Sydney offered (heir services gratis to Nellie Stewart for the "Sweet Nell of Old Drury" matinee, which took place this week on behalf of the Sydney Hospital radium fund.

"Biki-Tiki," in which Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the Australian girl, scored a success in London last week, has a British book, with Viennese music. Miss Amy Augarde and Mr Tubby Edlin are also in the cast.

Mr John Farrell is having a temporary respite from business management, and is touring ahead of "The Seventh Heaven," the strong emotional drama in which Mr Frank Harvey and Miss Bemy Carpcn take the leading parts. Another Nell .Gwynn musical play has just flared into popularity in London under ihe title of "Mr Pepys," with Isabel Jeans looking exactly like the Lely portrait in the National Gallery, and Frederick Banalow, who was Maclleath, of "The Beggar's Opera," as the diarist.

The strong dramatic meat of "White Cargo" is still attracting big audiences lo the Theatre Royal, Sydney, where Leon Gordon, Wallis Clark, Helen Stransky, Frederick Forester, Austen Coghlan, B. N. Lewin, Bert Barton and Scott Alexander are associated in Ihe daring love story of the tropics. Miss Nellie Black, contralto and violinist, formerly of the well-known Black Family, is appearing in the South Island at the head of her costume, concert and comedy company. Mr John Black is also with the company.