PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17220, 1 October 1927, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

THEATRE ROYAL. October i o—-Alexander Watson. October It to 15—Hamilton Operatic Society (“Kalinka”). October 28—J. C- Williamson ("The Ghost Train”). (November 4 —Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Players. STRAND THEATRE. To-night—Tilton and West, “ The Joy Boys.” Sightly—Pictures. TOWN HALL. October 4—Joyland. October 29—-Walter Russell-Wood's Recital. Allan Wilkie in Auckland. Allan Wilkie and his Shakespearean Players will commence a four-weeks’ season at Auckland to-night with “ Henry VIII.” At the close of the Auckland season the company will come to Hamilton, on November 4. * Sidelights on “Katinka.” Particular interest attaches to the forthcoming production of ‘‘Katinka” by the Hamilton Operatic Society, owing to the fact that it lias never been done by amateurs before. The initiative shown by the society in breaking new ground is to be Commended. It was in “Katinka” that Miss Gladys Moncrieff scored one of her greatest successes. A screamingly funny burlesque classical dance is given by Messrs W. 11. Fyre and E. It. Quill. This will be one of the dancing hits of the show. The orchestra which’ will assist in the production of "Katinka” has been well chosen. It will be a case of “quality, not quantity,” for the Society has wisely decided not to have an unwieldy body, but to concentrate on players who know their work. The Hamilton Society has a number of enthusiasts at the head of affairs. Probably that is why the rank and tile are showing such Enthusiasm. Take Mrs P. C. Ross, for instance; it is a delight to watch her wielding the baton, for her whole soul seems to be in. the work. Incidentally, she is, the only lady conductor in New Zealand. Then there is Mrs Tabor Gregory, ballet mistress, the value o whose work is fully recognised. She is responsible for the ballets and those dancing “bits” which give a finish t 0 the Hamilton. Society’s productions which is often not found with other societies. Nearly every other society in the Dominion imports its pr° ducer and pays him a big fee, but in Mr A. E. Manning the local Society „has a capable producer “on the spot. Then there are Miss Mary McKenzie, who has done yeoman service as pianist at Te Seaials; Mr W. Blythe the capable stage manager; and Mr H. G. 1 Ross, secretary.

Williamsons Buy “The Student Prince.”

J G Williamson Ltd., has bought the "rights for “ The Student Prince ■ now closing a successful season at the Empire Theatre, Sydney, from w Rufe Naylor. The play will be_ a vehicle for Beppv de Vries and the present “.Pompadour ” company. The only definite retention from the original cast so far is James Liddy, in the title role. First appearance of “ The Student Printe ” under the J.C.W. management will be in Melbourne, about October 15. .. „ ( On that date “ Castles in the Air will be presented at Her Majesty’s, Sydney, following a brief revival of “ The Soldier” by the present Gilbert and Sullivan Company. Other news from J.C.W. is that “ Rose Marie ” will run five weeks in Adelaide —a phenomenal season for that city. Oscar Asche for America.

Oscar Asche will appear in “What Shall it Profit a Man ” and “ Kong ” in the United States.

Alexander Watson Coming.

Alexander Watson, the well-known English elocutionist and platform entertainer, is having exceptional’success on his tour of New Zealand. He will open at Auckland to-night, and will come to Hamilton on Monday, October 10. . . Mr Watson’s programme in Hamilton will include an extract from “Romeo and Juliet,” by Shakespeare; “Mr Winkle’s Misadventure,” from • Dickens’ “Pickwick Papers”; “if,” “Gunga Din,” “Boots,” “My Lord the Elephant,” and “The Shut-eye Sentry,” by Kipling; “Hunting for Eyra,” from Barrie’s “The Lillie Minister”; “A Ballad of Cape St. Vincent,” “Cargoes,” and “Bill’s Ghost,” by John Masefield; “Little Orphant Annie,” by Riley; and “When We Were t Very Young,” by A. A. Milne.

Amateur Activities.

The Te Kuiti Operatic Society will probably produce “ 11.M.5. Pinafore” at Cambridge shortly. The Auckland Operatic Society’s ten nights’ season of “La Mascotte” closed on Wednesday. “The Sunshine Girl” will be produced by the Masterton Operatic Society, commencing on Monday. Several officials and members of the Hamilton Operatic Society went to Auckland to see “La Mascotte.” Mrs Zoe Bartley-Baxter’s pupilsr'presented three one-act comedies at Auckland last week—“ Modern Daughters ” “The Signs of the Times,” and “Mr Mabbct.” *ln the Otorohanga Operatic Society's production of "San Toy” Miss Lucy Adams, of Hamilton, appeared as Dud-i-v and arranged the dances. Mrs Phvllis Nathan took the title role, Mr C Snook the hero, and Mr M. Barnett (of" Te Awamutu) the chief comedy performances of “Oh, Lady, T ndv ” a musical comedy by P. G. Wodehouse and Jerome Kern, were „ ..on bv Wellington amateurs this fvrck on behalf of the Karilane Hosp:- ’ Mr David Devitt was producer, and Mr Lcn Barnes musical director.

Three Musketeers as Musical Play. musical version of “The Three Musketeers,” it is announced, will be ”,rhVced in Ihc near future m noth &”vYork an,l 1-nnilon. The Piece, will L presenied In London by Clajton & and Ihe same management, will associated with a local producer in fhV New York presentation. mhe libretto lias been prepared ny Russell Mericraft and Norma Mitchell, R thVrs of “Cradle Snatchers, and the SU lie is the work of Lewis E. Gensw composer of “Queen High.” The ; eI : nave been written by Robert A. I, Simon .'author of the recently published “Bronx Ballads. ]

Frank Harvey in Musical Comedy. The musical version of William J. Locke’s novel, “The Beloved -Vagabond” was- produced on September 2 at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London.

Dion Boucicault was the producer, and the cast included Frank Harvey (hero of a hundred dramas in Australia and New Zealand). Frederick Ranalow, Lilian Davis, and Mabel Russell. The last-named recently occupied a seat in the House of Commons as Mrs Phiilipson.

The critics praise Dudley Glass’s music, applauding the really beautiful songs and haunting melodies of the piece. The Daily Telegraph says:— “Glass fortunately pins his faith to the light musical fashions of the past rather than to the present, lie never offends Ihe ear by vulgarity, or meaningless noise, lie aims at refinement, and generally achieves it. He Likes New Zealand. Another English actor has fallen to the lure of New Zealand. They all do! Mr Dennis Barry, who plays Romeo and other romantic roles with the Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Players, and is making his first tour of New Zealand, says:—“What a beautiful country New Zealand is. I like it and its people better every day, and I hale the thought of leaving so soon.”

Plays for Early Production. “The Cuckoo in The Nest," said to be one of the best farces ever written, will be played shortly in Sydney by a newly-imported J. C. Willianfeon company. ■ Williamsons have purchased the rights of “ The Whole Town’s Talking,” by Anita Loos, author of “ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

“Ghost Train” Personalities. Those with “The Ghost Train” include Mayne Lynton (here in that remarkable play “The Bat”), Edgar Warwick (who was Maude Fane’s first husband), Reginald Roberts and Roger Barry. The latter was here a couple of years ago with Muriel Starr in “East of Suez’ ’and “The Garden of Allah,” and has since been-in England. Keeps Husbands In Circulation ! Marriage is the vital theme of “ Our Wife,” in which Miss Margaret Lawrence is appearing in Sydney, and there is a clever little “ below-stairs " scene in the first act, where the lady’s maid, Louise (played by Miss Billie Lockwood), and Bastien, the valet (Mr Pirie Bush), discuss, in the traditional manner, the doings of their betters. Louise scores a point in the argument when she explains to Bastien that “What’s the matter with marriage is that it’s too long, and the way out isn’t clear enough.” Indeed, marriage “ gets it where the chicken got the axe ” right through the play. One widow lady, discussing divorce, approves of it warmly, since, in her opinion, it “ keeps husbands in circulation.”

Miss Margaret Lawrence, as a disgrunted young wife, toying with the idea of. divorcing her husband and marrying an impatient admirer, was charming—an effervescent personality, many-sided as a crystal. Marriage, in her experience, “is not what it is cracked up to be; a girl,” she says, “ marries, believing she is going to live on champagne and caviare, and all she gets is shredded wheat and spinach.”

Cambridge Competitions. The Cambridge Competitions will commence on Monday and will extend until Friday. There are a number of Hamilton competitors, and no doubt many local people will attend the sessions.

Theatre for Children In London. Children are to have their own

theatre in London, thanks to an experiment undertaken by Miss Joan

Lux ton and Miss Agnes Lowson, who is playing in “Marigold” at the Kingsway. It is in Endell-street, on the borders of theatreland. Miss Luxton explained to a reporter how the scheme originated. She said: Our aim is to provide a healthy entertainment for the children and perhaps to help them to appreciate the theatre. We shall be especially interested to see whether they prefer it to the cinema.

On the “first night” a short play, “The Dutch' Doll,” will be given, together with other items, the aim being to provide variety in the same way as the cinema does.

“The Chocolate Soldier” Revived. For the first time, the Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company will depart from the famous Savoy operas and play musical comedy, “The Chocolate Soldier,” at Sydney to-night. This will mark the farewell appearance in Australia of the popular company, which will then come to New Zealand. Connie Ediss Returns to Stage. Miss Connie Ediss, who was in New Zealand some years ago as a lowcomcdiennc in musical comedy, has re- 1 turned to the stage in “The One-Eyed ! Herring,” by Licut.-Cnl. Sir Frank Popham Young, with which Leon M. Lion started his tenancy of (lie newly-re-decorated Wyndham’s q’healre, London. Miss Ediss has a farm in Massachusetts. and during her retirement she has been cultivating it. English Players for South Africa. Miss Phyllis Ncilson Terry. and j Company including Frank Freeman (in ; New Zealand some years ago with i “Tilly of Bloomsbury,” and later Bal- ’ dasarre in “Maid of the Mountains” in : Australia), Eugene Leahy, D. J. j Williams and Louise Regnis, leave Eng- j land for South Africa shortly under; contract to African Theatres, Ltd. Miss Terry will open in “Sweet Nell

of Old Drury” by Paul Kester, to be followed by “The Letter,” by W. Somerset Maugham, and “A Roof and Four Walls” by E. Temple Thurston. Cecil King will produce.

George Robey In South Africa. Mr George Robey writes to London from South Africa to say that in the opening four weeks of his season he played to £II,OOO.

He is due back in London in December and proposes to stage his “ Bits and Pieces ” entertainment in the West End.

Ballet Mistress’ Tour Abroad.

Bound for London, Paris and New Y’ork, Miss Minnie Everett passed through Auckland on the Niagara this week.

She is to see the American and English productions of “ The Desert Song ” and “ Hit the Deck ” so that they can be produced true in every detail in Australia and New Zealand. Miss Everett is one of J. C. Williamson’s ballet mistresses, and many of the ballets and ensembles of musical production were evolved by her. She has opened schools of dancing in Wellington and Christchurch. £IOO,OOO Play.

“ The Constant Nymph,” has just come to an end in London with the proud record of nearly 390 performances.

It ran almost a year and has been a very great success.

It is estimated that between 350,000 and 400,000 people paid to see it and the hox-ofiice receipts were in the neighbourhood of £IOO,OOO. The piay has gone on tour with Miss Edna Best continuing in the part of Tessa.

Footllght Flashes. Mr Walter Bentley, the well-known actor, who shot himself in Sydney last week, was 78 years of age. The George (Hermie) Ward Revue Company, after many years on the Puller circuit, has disbanded. Hetty King, the English male impersonator, has returned to Australia, and will open at the Tivoli Theatre, Melbourne, to-night. Djon Bouicault and Irene Vanbrugh, with the members of their English Comedy Company, will open, at Melbourne in November. “The Ghost Train,” said to be a fas-

cinating mixture of mystery and com-

edy, finished a successful -'season at Wellington on Saturday, and is now in Christchurch.

Mr Allan Wilkie was tendered a reception at Hawera by the Scottish Society and the Operatic Society, and presented with a handsome walking stick of puriri and honeysuckle. “The Gorilla,” a mystery farce comedy, will he produced by Frank Neil at the close of the Nellie Bramley season at the Grand Opera House, Sydney. Mr Paul Plunket will have a prominent role. Stiffy and Mo (Nat Phillips and Roy

Reno) are breaking all records at the Bijo Theatre, Sydney. Recently they gave their 300th consecutive performance, which was a record for the [ theatre

WITH THE MOVIE STARS., “What Price Glory”—World Record. “What Price Glory,” put up a world record at the Roxy Theatre, New York, 4 93.000 people seeing the film in three weeks. English Film Star Returns Home. At a luncheon given at the Savoy Hotel, London, to welcome Mr Reginald Denny, the young Englishman who has won fame in the United States as a film star, the president of the Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association of Great Britain and Ireland, Mr E. Ilewitson expressed the hope that it might be possible for the European Film Company, Mr Denny’s corporation, to make some Reginald Denny comedies in England. Failing that, he pointed out how popular a gesture would be were Mr Denny released by his firm in order to appear in one or two British films. In reply, Mr Denny said grateful as he was to his American employers., who had made his success possible, it was his wish that he might be able to make British films. Claude Breaks Into Pictures. Claude Flemming, formerly popular here in musical comedy, is, it is said, involved in the effort to create a

second Hollywood in Victoria, BC., in a race with Vancouver as Canada’s production centre. He and W. L. Sherrill, formerly of the Frechman Amusement Company, are promoters of a £IOO,OOO company to build a studio there. The city council is reported to have invested half this amount, while the remainder will he raised in England. Productions for Empire distribution are Flemming’s aim. Pauline as “Nurse Cavell.” Herbert Wilcox, well-known British film producer, is going to Brussels, to prepare a Nurse Cavell film on the scene of the tragedy. Pauline Frederick will play the part of the heroine. Snappy Lines from the Pictures. Some marriages are like a cold shower—great after you get out of it.—From “Ideal Comedy.” She had been vaccinated with a phonograph needle, and hasn’t stopped talking yet.—From “For Ladies Only.” You women make me sick. Y’ou cry for liberty, but if a man touches your hand you yell for a wedding ring. —From “Lonesome Ladies.” Lola, the town crier, could broadcast any scandal the day before it happened.—From “Lonesome Ladies."

News From the Studios.

Fox signs Lois Moran. First starring vehicle, “I Don’t Want to Marry.” Harry Langdon’s next for First National, “Three’s a Crowd,” nearing completion. Syd. Chaplin’s latest for Warners, “The Fortune Hunter," adapted from the stage success. Conrad Nagel is male lead opposite May McAvoy in Warners’ “Slightly Used.”

Richard Arlen signed by Columbia to play opposite Shirley Mason in “Sally in Our Alley.” Alec B. Francis cast for title role in First National’s adaptation of Harold Bell Wright’s “The Shepherd of the Hills.”

George Sidney and Charlie Murray commence “The Life of Riley,” their next co-starring comedy for First National.

“Rose Marie,” film version of the light opera, featuring Renee Adoree, Ralph Forbes, Harry Carey and Lloyd Hamilton, is being filmed at the studio; the company will leave soon for North Woods to make outdoor scenes. Mr Mel. G. Lawton, of the Regent Theatre, Wellington, and formerly of Auckland, left for Sydney this week to rejoin Paramount Pictures as exploitation manager during the absence in America of Mr John E. Kennebeck. Richard Dix, who lias just completed “Shanghai Bound” for Paramount, will play a dashing caballerro of the early California days in his next picture, “The Gay Defender," dealing with the career of Joaquin Murrietas, one of the most colourful figures in California history. Charles Bay will play the leading role in Universal’s production of Gerald Beaumont's story of the prize ring, “Betty’s a Lady.” He will play the role of a prizefighter. James Gleason, co-author of “Is Zat So?”, which was in New Zealand some time ago, will play the part of his manager.