PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 17 (Supplement)

PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

THEATRE ROYAL,

September 3,4, s.—“ Rio Rita,” with Gladys Moncrleff. September 14—Puccini Choir, from Auckland. September 27, 28— Westminster Glee Singers. November 12, 13—William Heughan, actor-singer (farewell season). November 15 —J. C. Williamson ( The Desert Song”). TOWN HALL. September 14—Dennis Barry (Recital of Poetry, Drama and Song). '•Rio Rita” on Tuesday. The eagerly-awaited “ Rio Rita will open a season of three nights and a matinee at Hamilton on Tuesday, and it is safe to predict that the whole of the Waikato will endeavour to crowd into the Theatre Rayol during those four performances. “ Rio Rita ” has had the most successful tour ever known in New Zealand, seasons of three or four nights being played in provincial centres where previously only one night had been played, and in most towns the box plans have been booked out within an hour or two of opening. It is good to be able to give a personal recommendation to a show. Having seen “ Rio Rita ’ in Sydney well over a year ago, I can assure my readers that it is one of the most colourful musical comedies I have seen, with dramatic action, plenty of humour, delightful melodies, and some wonderful ballets. The Moonlight Ballet, as I remember it in Sydney, was one of the most exquisite things I have seen. Gladys Moncrieff is singing better than ever, and she has strong support in Janette Gilmore, wonderful eccentric dancer and skater; Dave Mallen (a diminutive American) and Charles Norman (elongated Australian) In the principal comedy roles; Leslie PearceT a manly Juvenile lead; and others.

Mr. Wilkie to Make Annual Tour«. Mr Alan Wilkie, who is doing excellent business in the South Island with “The School for Scandal," "She Stoops to Conquer,” and “The Rivals,” has decided to make annual tours of New Zealand with English classical comedies and dramas. ... In an interview Mr. Wilkei stated that he realises that Shakespear cannot be played continuously, and therefore he has decided to vary his repertoire. All standard plays, many of which have not been seen for 30 years, will be presented. The company, after a successful season in Christchurch, is breaking new ground by going to Greymouth, Hokitika and Blenheim for Shakespearean seasons.

Gladys Moncrleff In Management. “The Gorilla,” a mystery farce, is the second production of Gladys Monerieff and her husband, Tom Moore, in Melbourne, following “The Zeppelin Terror.” . . Vera Spaull (who was here In “Madame Pompadour") has the only feminine role, and others in the cast are Leslie Laudrier, William Ralston. Sydney Hollister, William Greene, Reg. Collins, Fred Coape, and Norman Barrington. Successes In Melbourne.

“Show Boat," the spectacular musical piay, is proving a great draw in Melbourne. It has tuneful music, plenty of comedy, a story of interest, and good dancing. Frederick Bentley, Nydia d’Arnell, Muriel Cell, Glen Dale and Bertha Belmore lead the cast. The ballet of coloured American dancers is a decided asset to the show. “Journey’s End," the striking war play, is also drawing large audiences.

Sir Harry Buys the Drinks! A message from Hollywood states that Sir Harry Lauder, on arrival from his tour of Australia and New Zealand, said he had come for his “sixth annual farewell tour of America." , . , , The famous comedian celebrated his 59th birthday on August 4. It is said he bought drinks for all aboard the vessel. He must have been feeling reckless 1 Stephanie Meets Ex-King.

Stephanie Deste—“Wanda" of “Rose Marie" — sent a line from Aden to an Adelaide journalist telling of an interesting time aboard the Mooltan. Fellow-passengers were ex-King Amanullah and Queen Souriya. The Amanullahs, though out of business, had plenty of money; they were on their way to Constantinople. Their supply of English being limited Miss Deste came to their assistance, and they invited her to pay them a month’s visit to Stamboul.

From £4 to £SO a Week. Miss Mary Lawson, who was discovered in a Frinton-on-Sea concert party last summer by the theatrical correspondent of the London Daily Mail, has sailed for Australia under contract with the theatrical firm of Messrs J. C. Williamson. Miss Lawson, who is a comedienne aOd dancer, is to begin by playing the leading woman’s part in "Follow Thru’,” the American musical comedy with which the Dominion Theatre, London, is to be opened in the autumn. Her salary is stated to be £SO a week. Last summer as a concert party artist she earned £4 a week.

The Comedians of “Rio Rita.” “Exquisitely graceful and a delight to watch" has been said of little Janette Gilmore, whose dancing in “Rio Rita" is as alluring as her comedy is effective. Miss Gilmore's dances are of a type peculiarly her own. Her dainty curly blonde head bobs gaily as she whisks her happy way across the stage in a setting of turquoise and copper, and her infectious smile never fails to delight the audience. Onions and vinegar I Side by side on the stage in “Rio Rita,” the humour of the onion, brisk and oily, and the humour of the vinegar bottle, sharp, dry and pungent, clash together as Dave Mallen and Charles Norman lire shafts at one another. Dave Mallen’s comedy is like an onion, as strong and irresistible, pervading the theatre with the broad aroma of American wit. Charles Norman is more ascetic in his style. , Dave Mallen, short and plump American, and Charles Norman, tall and slender Australian, are an effective foil to each other even in appearance.

Williamsons to make Talkies.

Following the arrival of the first Fox movietone truck in Sydney, negotiations have already been started between Mr ,S. Crick, representing Fox Film Corporation, and J. C. Williamson, Ltd., whereby artists under the direction of the firm may make talking films.

At start will be made with acts from the Tivoli, and there is a possibility that one of the earliest talkies of the legitimate stage will be made by Alfred Frith, the comedian of “ The Five O’Clock Girl.”

If the short subjects are satisfactory, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will make complete “ talkies " of their big productions.

Dennis Barry’s Recital In Hamilton. For his recital in Hamilton on September 14 Mr Dennis Barry, the popular young English actor and singer, has arranged a very attractive programme. Though known principally in New Zealand as a Shakespearean actor, due to his long association with the Allan Wilkie Company as romantic lead in such roles as Romeo, Bassanio, Puck, Feste, Orlando, etc., Mr Barry’s stage work in London and on the Continent ‘has been much more comprehensive, ranging from musical comedy to modern and classical drama and comedy. He has chosen some of the gems of English literature, dramatic and humorous, for his recital, including excerpts from modern writers as well as Shakespeare and other classics, while his songs will include groups of old English melodies and modern compositions. Mrs. A. English, Hamilton’s talented pianist, will support Mr. Barry. The evening of poetry, drama and song with Mr Barry should be a keen pleasure. Nat Madison In New Thriller,

Nat Madison, who. has been presenting “Dracula” and "No. 17” in Melbourne, will shortly be seen in a new thriller, "Murder on the Second Floor."

Janette Gilmore Back to America. Following completion of her present contract with Fullers, Janette Gilmore, the popular dancer-come-dienne in "Rio Rita,” will return to America. She is set to leave at the end of October.

Alec Regan for England. Alec Regan (light comedian) and Ronald Stafford (pianist), formerly popular members of the Midnight Frolics, will leave for England from Adelaide on September 4. After an absence of six years they return to their homeland all fixed for an opening at the London Palladium on October 21.

Fuller Revue Companies. Nat Phillips (“Stiffy”) and his Whirligigs Revue will open at Christchurch on Monday. Included in the company are Catherine Stewart, Sylvia Gardiner, Jack Kelleway, Cecil Scott and A 1 Mack.

Hector St. Clair, the well-known comedian, is to head a new revue company for the Fuller circuit.

“Journey’s End” In Berlin. Dr. Robert Klein, the Berlin theatre manager who is staging “Journey’s End,” told a London interviewer that he considered Sherriff’s play was taken too humorously at the Prince of Wales’s. He regards it much more seriously, and intends to keep down the comic characters.

Captain G. A. Hill, Maurice Brown’s foreign representative, said that he had read the German version, which was a wonderful translation and absolutely faithful to the original. In order that "the actors shall get the English atmosphere of the play Dr. Klein said that British uniforms will be worn at the last two-thirds of the rehearsals. Asked if he anticipated a great success with “Journey's End,” he said that artistically lie thought there was no doubt about it, but whether the play would have a long run was not so certain. He said that Berlin had had a number of war plays, and next season there looked like being nothing else. People were already complaining of “too many trenches” on the stage.

Gramophone Recording Plant In N.Z. Mr M. Rosenthal, of tue firm of Picot Rosenthal, Sydney, arrived at Auckland by the Maheno to establish a gramophonq recording plant In New Zealand. This will be erected at either Wellington or Auckland, and Mr Rosenthal describes it as the “beginning of another secondary industry.” “We intend to record local artists and to establish a pressing plant, where the records will be made. These records will be sold direct to the retailers, who can order as many of them as they want. For instance, if an Auckland firm desired to have 1000 records of any particular Maori song or chorus we would send our portable recording unit to wherever the Maoris lived, record whatever was necessary, and produce the records. This will also be done for your local singers, bands or choirs.”

Footllght Flashes. The death is announced from London of Serge Diaghileff, head of the famous Russian Ballet. “Journey’s End,” the successful play by A. Sherriff, is to be made into a talkie, with the original London cast. Mona Magnet will leave Australia for her-return to England early next month, and she will be replaced in the Tivoli revue by Maisie Gay. The American Comedy Company closed a successful season at Auckland on Wednesday in “Pigs,” and will open at Christchurch to-night in “ Applesauce."

Leslie Pearce, juvenile lead, looks the Texas Ranger he is supposed to be in "Rio Rita,” for he is tall and robust and has a very manly personality. He sings particularly well, too. Ernest Lotinga, noted English comedian, and a big company, will arrive in Australia soon to appear under the J. C. Williamson direction. The opening musical production will be “August, 1914." Alan Bunce and Ruth Nugent will return to the United States after the present New Zealand tour with “Applesauce,” “Laugh That Off” and “Pigs.” George Cross, th “ flappers’ idol " of a former day. and Ronald Riley, another old favourite, are with Nellie Stewart in Brisbane. The popular Nellie is now well in her second year in the Queensland capital. “If You’re in Love You'll Waltz,” “ The Song of the Texas Rangers.” v“ The Kinkajou," and other melodies which have been popular with gramo-phone-lovers for some time \ will be heard from the stage when “ Rio Rita ” comes to town next week.