PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17466, 28 July 1928, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

THEATRE RGfALi July 30—Embassy Vaudeville Company. August 7—J. C. Williamson (Leon Gordon in "The Trial of Mary Dugan.") August B.—J. C. Williamson (New English Comedy Company in "A Cuckoo in the Nest.") September 6 and 7—Gonsalez Grand Opera Company. To Correspondents. "Interested."—The late Ellen Terry, who was married three times, left a son and a daughter—Gordon and Edith Crag. The former has gained some prominence by his modernist ideas of scenery and lighting, while the latter has done a good deal of producing. Vaudeville en Monday. The urst company to be sent on tour through New Zealand by Mr Edwin R. Greenfield, managing director of Em-bassy-Theatres, Limited, is a particularly strong vaudeville combination. The company has been drawing crowded houses in Auckland for the past fortnight. The entertainment runs the whole gamut of variety—from operatic singing, through comedy and dancing, to feats of skill and strength. The bill comprises the Eleven Rascals, a young girls, amazing tumblers and acrobats; Manclli, one of the few great jugglers now appearing on the variety stage; Signor Enrico Palmetto, a Danish tenor with a Cne voice; Lcighton and Woods, two English dancers of outstanding ability; Bert Harrow, an English comedian; the Martins, who will present a novelty musical act; Reg. Thornton and Doris O'Shea, in that special type of humour which has won them a large and loyal following throughout New Zealand; Miss Eftie Fellows, a clever male impersonator; and the Buchanans, naturally "full of spirit," who will present a novel speciality appropriately titled, "A Study in Black and White." The company will appear in Hamilton on Monday . Attractions at St. James's, Auckland. The musical comedy company headed by Elsie Prince and Jimmy Godden will conclude its successful season at the St. James Theatre, Auckland, next week. • Mike Connors and Queenie Paul, with their "League of Notions" revue, will open on August 13. On September 14 the Fuller-Gon-salez Opera Company will make its bow to the Auckland public. Leon Gordon In New Zealand. Leon wuose "White Cargo" caused some comment here a couple of years ago by reason of the frankness of its dialogue, opened another tour of New Zealand at Wellington on Wednesday with "The Trial of Mary Dugan." A revival of "Scandal," with its daring bedroom scene, will follow. Here is the cast of "The Trial of Mary Dugan":— Clerk of the Court ... Les King Assistant District Attorney, Bertram Harrison John D'Arcy Judge Nash Charles Wheeler Mary Dugan (of the "Follies) May Collins District Attorney Galway Leon Gordon Pauline Agguerro Elsie Willing Doctor Welcome .. Campbell Copelin Edward West (Attorney for Defence) Frank Bradley James Madison ■ John Fernside Police Inspector Hunt . . Edwin Lester Dagmar Lome (of the "Follies") Noel Boyd ■ May Harris (of the "Scandals") Evadne Royle Jimmy Leyland Hodgson Feme Arthur (of the "Follies") Nancy Atkins Mrs Edgar Rice .... Daphne Bairn Patrick Brady .... J. B. Atholwood Marie Ducrot .. Henrietta Cavendish Henry Plaisted John Fernside Police Sergeant Mills .. Dion Wheeler Popular Revue Company Back. The George Storey Revue Company lis back in New Zealand, and opened yesterday at the Embassy Theatre, Auckland. Besides the popular George and Dulcie Milner, the company includes Arthur Aldridge, tenor; Bessie Whitelaw, soprano; Sadie Pepper, comedienne; Nellie Crane, character sketch artist; Frank Moran, comedian; Robert Raymond, baritone; Rex and Zenda, dancers; and the Embassy Ballet. English Shakespeare Co. for America. The Shakespeare Festival Company, Including Eric Maxon, who was juvenile lead here with Guy Bates Post, will leave London for U.S.A. and Canada in October, and finishes up at Montreal in March. "The Trial of Wary Dugan." "The Trial of Mary Dugan," with which Leon Gordon commenced a New Zealand tour at Wellington on Wednesday, takes the audience to the inside of an American Courthouse, and they \vill have additional cause to- maintain a deep interest in this drama, for they are actually the jury. The author of the play has broken clean away from tradition in the matter of staging. There is no curtain, and no orchestra. As patrons enter the theatre, the curtain is already up and on the stage is a Court scene. The officials take their places, and the audience settle back to give a •verdict in accordance with the evidence and the value of the pleading of counsel. Who is the murderer? Did Mary Dugan kill the man whose mistress she was? These are the questions at issue. The evidence pointing to Mary Dugan seems conclusive. He was found dead in her flat with a knife in his back. Only when Mary's brother, a young lawyer, comes on the scene and takes a hand in affairs is villainy unmasked. He tears the specious arguments of the prosecuting attorney to shreds; he crossexamines with a meticulous care and great cleverness. He leads Mary in examination with sympathy and tact, until "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" comes out and the jury is compelled to acquit. But the brother does more. He unmasks the real murderer and this comes as a genuine surprise to the audience.

Leon Gordon, whose acting in "White Cargo" was such a revelation to New Zealand audiences, is yet more splendid as the Prosecuting Attorney. Miss May Collins, making her first appearance, is said to be a fascinating Mary Dugan. The other members of the cast give substantial support to the principals.

Reduced Prices. The prices for the Dunedin season of "Madame Pompadour" and "The Student Prince" are Bs, 4s, and is Gd. In the north they were 10s, ss, and 2s. Why? Is it because there is a strong Scotch leaven in the south? Popular Players to Marry. American papers announce the engagement of George Duryea, now winning success in pictures, to Grace Stafford, stage actress. Miss Stafford was Rose and Mr Duryea Abie in the stage play, "Abie's Irish r.ose," in New Zealand last year. The many friends they made here will wish them happiness. Vaudeville for Provincial Centres. If the tour of the Embassy Vaudeville Company, to appear in Hamilton on Monday, is a success —and there is no reason why It should not be, for the company is an excellent one—it is likely that all the companies appearing at the Embassy Theatre will bo sent through the provincial centres after the Auckland Beason. Thus wo will have periodio visits from olcver performers. The next attraction will bo popular George Storey and Ills "Merry Mascot" revcue company, which opened at tho Embassy in Auckland last night.

Death of Ellen Terry. The death of Ellen Terry removes tho brightest ornament to the Englishspeaking stage of the last three-quar-ters of a century. Miss Terry may not have reached the tragic peaks of a Mrs

Siddons, or a Bernhardt, but she had a hundred graces that those great women lacked which put her on a level with them —an abounding gift for comedy, the most exquisite and penetral... j sense of humour, and a sweet winsome womanliness that won all hearts wherever she played, which was pretty well all over the English-speaking world. Ellen Terry will be best remembered for her long association with the late Sir Henry Irving, principally in Shakespearean roles. Ellen Terry as Portia. As there she lives and moves upon the scene So livod ' and moved this radiant woman-hood In Shakespeare's vision; In such wise she stood Smiling upon Bassanio; such her mein When pity dimmed her eyelids' golden sheen, Hearing Antonio's story, and the blood Paled on her cheek, and all her/ lightsome rnood Was gone. This shape in Shakespeare's thought has been I Thus dreamt he of her in gay London town; Such were her eyes; on such goldcoloured hair The grave young Judge's velvet cap was set. So stood she lovely in her crimson gown! Mine were a happy cast, could I but snare Her beauty in a sonnet's fragile net! —Thomas Bailey Aldrich. Recital by Monologlst. Mr George Swan, an eminent monologlst at present visiting Hamilton, will give a recital on Tuesday evening in the Town Hall. Associate artists include Mrs F. R. Booth and Messrs R. Braithwaite, T. 11. Watson, and 11. Absolum, with Mr Harold Piper at the piano. Mr Swan received a most enthusiastic reception at the Orphans' Club on Saturday night, when he contributed several numbers to the programme. "Rookery Nook" at Auckland, Tho English Comedy Company has been amusing Auckland playgoers during tho week with Ben Travers' diverting comedy "Rookery Nook." Tho company is headed by Hastings Lynn. Two other Travers comedies—"A i Cuckoo in the Nest" and "Thark" — will be presented during the season. £6OO per Week. Reported from Los Angeles that /Olsen and Johnson, who were in Australia in vaudeville and in "Tip Toes," have signed a contract with the Keith and Orpheum circuits for a vaudeville tour of 45 weeks at £OOO per week, equalling £27,000 for the full period. Teacher of Dancing. Mrs Tabor Gregory recently returned from Wellington, where she took the opportunity of becoming conversant with the latest variations of ballroom dancing. She is now teaching these in Hamilton, and is also prepared to take a limited number of advanced pupils in operatic dancing.

Sunday Theatres in London. Following a visit by representatives of the Society of British Dramatic Art to the Lord Chamberlain, arrangements have been made.for the presentation in London of Sunday plays at which payment at the door will be permitted. Mr Austin Fryers, chairman of the society, said that it was clear that members of the society may pay at the doors for seats. They must, however, have been members for not less than seven days before the date of the performance. It, however, gives no right to the society to accept money for seats from the ordinary public.

Amateur Activities. The Gisborne Operatic Society is busily rehearsing "The Arcadians." The Nelson Operatic Society is rehearsing "San Toy" for early production. Mr Jeff. Stewart, formerly of Hamilton, is playing Colonel Slaughter in the 'Wanganui Operatic Society's production of "High Jinks." The following is the cast of, "La Mascotte," as produced by the Elfham Operatic Society:—Bettina, Mrs L. Nodder; Fiametta, Miss Alison Wilson; Pippo, Mr Ernest Carte*-; King Laurent, Mr S. E. Carson; Rocco, Mr Fred Silver; Frittelini, Mr Hugh Lambie. The Wanganui Operatic Society will give three performances of "Hign Jinks" next week. Three performances will also be giv"en the following week. I understand that several officials of the HamiltoVjSociety intend motoring through to see the Wanganui. production. The Eliham Operatic Society is having quite a tour with "La Mascotte." Eltham was played on Wednesday, New Plymouth on Thursday, and Eltham again on Friday. On Monday Hawera will be visited, and on Wednesday Stratford will sec the popular comic opera. Messrs Owen Cardston and J. Davidson-Baxter are the producers.

"Bunty Pulls the Strings," which was staged in New Zealand some years ago by Graham Moffat t, was produced in Auckland this week by the St. Andrew's Society, with the following cast: —Bunly, Lillian Lugton; Susie, Peggy Hovey; Ellen, Jessie Barr; Teenie, Flora Shcnkin; Tammas, J. D. Swan; Weeium, Tom Johnstone; Rab, E. E. Addis; Jeems, G. G. Spicer. Mr Kenneth Brampton was producer. Here is the Wanganui Operatic Society's cast for "High Jinks," to be produced next week: Dr. Thome, MiFrank Grotty; Dick Wayne, Mr Jim Pawson; Mr J. J. Jeffreys, Mr J. Wm. Bailey; Mons Jacques Rabelais, Mr Harold Lean; Colonel Slaughter, Mr Jeff. Stewart; Adelaide Fontaine, Mrs H. Sedgwick; Sylvia Dale, Miss E. Anderson; Mrs Thorne, Miss Edna Greenwood; Madame Rabelais, Miss Alba Greening; Florence, Miss Dorothy Comyns; Chi Chi, Miss Evelyn Wright; Page, Miss Helen Spurdle. The producer is Mr Harison Cook, of Wellington. The chorus is composed of GO performers. There will be several ballets, including "Tango Girls," "Bathing Girls," and "Bubble Girls," and .Miss E. Wright will be seen in a specialty dance. Mr Gordon Mcßeth is Lne conductor. Foctlight Flashes. The old thriller, "The Face at the Window," was revived in Sydney on Saturday by Mr "Billy" Russell. Thirty acertsses held a "retreat" at the Convent of Our Lady of the Cenacle at Stamford Hill, London, last month. The "Why I Yell" Band, with Joe Valli as conductor, is creating much merriment with Pat Hanna's Diggers at Perth. "Rio Rita," with Gladys Moncrieff, is rapidly nearing its looth consecutive performance in Sydney, yet its popularity is undiminished. The new Theatre Royal at Christchurch will be opened next Saturday by the "Madame Pompadour" Company. Few plays produced in Melbourne have achieved such instant success as "The Patsy" at the King's Theatre. Irene Homer has made a great personal success in the title role. "Hit the Deck," a new musical comedy, will succeed "The Girl Friend'" in Melbourne to-night, with Annie Croft, May Beatty, and Gus Bluett in the leads. Miss Ada Reeve, who has been appearing with all her'customary personal success in America, headlining an act on the Orpheum Circuit, intends spending a holiday at Hollywood. "Sunny" was succeeded by "Mercenary Mary" at the St. James Theatre, Auckland, on Thursday. Elsie Prince, Jimmy Godden, and the rest of the company are proving as popular as ever.

Mr Victor Filzherbcrt, a member of the J. C. Williamson company which will appear here in "Rookery Nook," is a New Zealander. He is a member of a prominent legal family in Auckland, and himself followed law before he went on the stage. The Allan Wilkie Shakespearean Company, after a 14-weeks' season in Sydney, set out on its travels again this week, and is playing the Sydneysuburbs. A Melbourne season, during which 20 of Shakespeare's plays will be presented, will commence in October. "The Eleven Rascals," who will be one of the nine attractions in the bill of Embassy Celebrity Vaudeville to be presented in Hamilton on Monday, are not unknown to New Zealand. However, this will be the first time on which they have toured New Zealand as a separate act, and this will enable them to present their amazingly clever full turn of twenty minutes. At a recent meeting of the Wellington Theatrical Employees' Sick and Benefit Society- an opportunity was taken to present Mr Frank Andrews, the well-known entertainer, with a gold wristlet watch, suitably engraved, as an appreciation of the valuable services rendered by him at the recent Grand Opera House vaudeville entertainment in aid of the society's funds.

Mr James Liddy, who is winning much popularity as "The Student Prince" in New Zealand, was born in England, but has resided in America since he was ten months old. 'He had had touring companies of his own, and has also been the producer of many plays and musical comedies, in which he has appeared in the United States. Two of the most delightful dancers who have ever visited is'ew Zealand are Leighlon and Woods, a young English couple who made for-them-selves a considerable reputation at tiie leading hotel cabarets in London. More on a holiday trip than anything else, they came out to Australia under a short-term engagement to the Hotel Wcntworth Cabaret. They stayed for four months. Then Mr Edwin It. Greenfield persuaded them to visit New Zealand with Embassy Celebrity Vaudeville, and they will appear in Hamilton on Monday night. Lead in " Rookery Hook." Mr. Hastings Lynn, who heads the " Rookery Noon " Company, is a brother of the London comedian. Ralph Lynn, who has been playing in Ben Travers comedies for several years with great success. There is little he has not done in the theatrical and sporting world. For instance, lie rode 16 winners in France after the war at various informal meetings, and is considered a very fine horseman. He has been on the stage for 25 years.

Trinity College Examiner. Mr C. Egerton Lowe F.T.C.L., who is an examiner this year for the Trinity College of Music, London, England, has had a very wide experience in teaching in London and as an adjudicator at important British and South African musical festivities. He is also a well-known lecturer and writer on musical and elocutionary subjects, some of his works being, "The

Art of Pianoforte Practising," "Hints on the Rendering of Beethoven's Sonatas," "Word Phrases and Hints on Bach's Fugues," "Hints to Young Violinists," "Harmonies for Music Students," and "Cyclopaedic Handbook for Elocution Students." Mr Lowe received his musical education in London and Leipsiz, the piano forte and violin being his principal subjects. Mr Lowe has recently completed the practical examinations in Auckland, and is at present engaged in the Thames, Paeroa and Te Aroha districts. His duties hero, which will occupy nearly a week, will not commence until Thursday, August 2. The college has been established for over 50 years, and is growing rapidly. New centres haves been opened this year at Jerusalem and Jaffna. Five new 'local centres have been opened in New Zealand.